Feels Like Family (Sweet Magnolias, Book 3)

Was a good read. Had better expectations for Helen though. I was rather surprised at how she went about her plan. I would of thought she was more level headed then that. However was a page turner.

Helen Decatur's clock is ticking. She has a very successful law practice, and along with her best friends, Dana Sue and Maddie, owns and runs a day spa. The problem is that she's in her forties, still single, and lately, she's been thinking about having a baby. Only her lifestyle doesn't seem conducive to starting a family. That's where Erik Whitney fits in. Erik is the chef at the restaurant Dana Sue owns on her own. Even though they argue every time they are together, sparks of a different kind fly between Helen and Erik. Helen has a lot of decisions to make. Some of them she shouldn't be making on her own. Helen and Erik's relationship lacks chemistry in Feels Like Family. Because they hide it, and because of Helen's secret pregnancy plans, it feels more like friends with benefits rather than a true romance. Serenity, South Carolina takes on a soap opera like feel in Feels Like Family. Divorce, single mothers, an abusive ex-husband, a secret pregnancy, and a marriage without love become a bit too much for one small town. The realism present in all of Sherryl Woods stories is there, which I love, but it's a bit overwhelming. I would love to read about Annie and Ty. They could have a wonderful story to tell. Nannette Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

I love all of Sherryl Woods books. I feel like I know the characters and can't wait for the next book to see what they are all up to now. LOL

Last of the three Sweet Magnolias trio it introduces the third woman in much more detail than she was seen in the first two books. Although some of the plot can be gussed, the byplay between thr people is always interesting and enteertaining with a few twists that may catch readers by surprise.

Helen Decatur has always set goals for her life and has achieved those goals; she made her way through law school, opened her own practice and is a highly respected matrimonial attorney in South Carolina. Now at the age of 42 she feels she has let life pass her by, now she wants a family and a child of her own. Helen has set back and watched her two best friends living with their husbands and their children and she desires the same life, but having seen so many devastating divorces she has held off till now. Helen's friend Dana Sue owns a restaurant and Erik is the pastry chef, Erik has a pain filled past and has avoided romance. There is a chemistry between Helen and Erik even amongst their arguments you can feel their romantic attraction. Will Helen and Erik unite? Or will Erik's painful past prevent him from discovering a romantic spark with Helen? Will Helen have the family she so desires? Feels Like Family is the third in the trilogy of The Sweet Magnolias. You will find some wonderful and interesting characters, love, romance, suspense and sexual tensions making this one difficult to put down. The plot is intriguing and fast paced, and this one is a fascinating and highly enjoyable read all while looking at some very realistic issues which face women in their late 30's and early 40's everyday. I highly recommend picking up the trilogy of The Sweet Magnolias, I have not had the pleasure of reading the other two in this trilogy but found this one to be highly enjoyable and I will be picking up the first two in this trilogy.

In Serenity, South Carolina, she muses that perhaps it is seeing the happiness of her two best friends (see STEALING HOME and A SLICE OF HEAVEN) but divorce attorney Helen Decatur suddenly feels alone. Her work always was enough, but now at forty two years old that reaction formation no longer works as even her biological clock has abruptly set off alarms. She decides to have a child, but has no one in her life to sire the infant. If she was to choose, Helen would want pastry chef Erik Whitney as the father of her offspring. The attraction between them is palpable as her buddies can sense it as well but he seems to ignore hisr feelings. She begins a scheme to seduce the chef, but when she falls in love she realizes she wants to raise a family with him; Erik has personal reasons from his past to reject the love she offers him. The final Sweet Magnolias tale is an enjoyable contemporary romance as the readers will enjoy the often amusing witty repartee between Helen and Erik, who both have serious issues that surface as their relationship simmers before boiling. The story line is entertaining due to the antics of the lead couple encouraged by her best friends and their beloved men returning from the previous novels. Readers will agree that "Serenity will never be the same" after this charming trilogy. Harriet Klausner