Link to full review below!She's Got a Way
Maggie McGinnis


This is my first Maggie McGinnis book, but I can say I plan to read more. She's Got a Way is exactly what you want and expect in a contemporary romance. Nothing overly angsty like new adult, no crazy supernatural elements like paranormal romance, and no MC clubs or mafia men in sight. Normal people, with normal jobs, doing normal, mundane things. Its, strangely, refreshing!

She's Got a Way is about Gabi, a 'housemother' at an all girls boarding school. 4 of her charges get into some serious trouble and as punishment, they are forced to spend 4 weeks at a 'camp'. The 'camp' is closed for upgrades. There is really NOTHING there-no cabins, no programs, no amenities. Gabi is not given the choice to supervise the girls and she had to forgo her vacation to Barbados because of the girls.

The girls were interesting. Its a boarding school, so I expected them all to be rich and bratty. However, 2 of the girls are foster kids. The girls bring some humor, some drama, and some depth to the story as they learn and grow. As a teacher, I am a total sucker for stories like this because its why people become teachers. You want to make a difference in a kids life! Anyway, I digress.

So, of course, there is a hottie 'handyman' at the camp. He was the director of programs but now that the camp is closed, he is making repairs. He resents the girls presence and plans to leave them to their own devices, but he can't quite stick to that plan. Watching Luke and Gabi's relationship develop is beautiful and well written, but even more amazing was seeing the magic Luke worked on the girls.

There were times when Gabi's attitude bothered me. She didn't want to be a poor little rich girl, but then said she couldn't imagine leaving Briarwood because its all she has ever known. She wanted to turn Briarwood into something better, which is admirable, but kind of selfish. She basically is saying Briarwood is bad; I am sure there are lots of good kids there (I mean, she was one of those kids!). I totally understand and agree with her vision, but I think she was a little misguided.

This is another "Safe for my mom" pick! McGinnis uses fade to black scenes.

• POV: 3rd


• Tears: no


• Trope: enemies to lovers, summer romance, Fish out of water


• Triggers: none


• Series/Standalone: stand alone


• Cliffhanger: No


• HEA: Yes with a beautiful epilogue!

Interference by Sophia Henry, Wrapped in you by Jules Bennett, Coach Maddie and the Marine by Blaire Edens...then you will probably like She's Got a Way!










 

See full review on The Book Disciple ( )

McGinnis does not disappoint with the latest book in the Echo Lake series. ( )

Gabi O'Brien has spent nearly her entire life at Briarwood Academy, an elite all-girls private school. She grew up there, went away to college, and then returned as a "housemother"-- living in a dorm with a group of girls who need Gabi 24/7. But when four of Gabi's girls get into major trouble, the only thing standing between them and expulsion is a four-week stay at Camp Echo. Camp Echo used to be a boy's camp for foster and needy kids, but was recently bought by Briarwood. Upon arrival, Gabi and her girls find only two employees left: its founder, the elderly Oliver, and its young handyman, Luke. The two are charged with a to-do list a mile long from Briarwood to get the camp in shape and have no interest in the plight of a group of snobby rich girls. Gabi, meanwhile, wasn't planning to spend her summer playing camp counselor and immediately finds herself in over her head, trying to care for her charges in the middle of the wilderness. Further, she realizes she's immediately attracted to Luke. The two are both fiercely independent individuals held back by their pasts. Can they get over these pasts and work together to save the four wayward girls, who desperately need them?

This novel contains the typical romance silliness with a somewhat crazy plot, but it's fun and enjoyable. It came at the perfect point in my reading schedule, where I needed a break from thrillers and intense fiction where all the characters hate each other. Some of it should be silly, but really Gabi and Luke (and the four girls) are endearing. There are certainly moments where Gabi's indecisiveness, fear, and bickering with Luke grow old; you find yourself needing her to just grow up a bit and control her own destiny a bit more. Still, the book is fun, even poking fun at romance novels with it's tongue-in-check rom/com allusions.

Luke and Gabi's building romance is enjoyable to watch, with added drama thrown in from their four teenage charges. As I said, Gabi can be a bit frustrating, but you can't help but feel for her plight (would you want to be trapped with four angry teens in the woods?), and Luke is rather charming. The novel does an excellent job of speaking to how the past can strongly influence one person's character, as well capturing the angst that comes with class differences (think Briarwood versus foster care). It gives the romance an added depth and surprising heart.

All in all, a fun, quick read. 3.5 stars. ( )