Countdown to Love Review

Countdown to Love
By Julie N. Ford

About the book:


Abandoned at the altar, Kelly Grace Pickens finds herself left holding not only the bouquet, but also the exorbitant bill for an A-list wedding. Homeless, a once-promising singing career floundering, and her life bearing an uncanny resemblance to one of her country music ballads, she reluctantly accepts a last-minute offer to appear on a reality TV show akin to The Bachelor. Pitted against silicon-enhanced supermodels in four-inch heels, Kelly feels confident that she will be among the first would-be fiancées to be excused. Only, when the mysterious bachelor from New York City, Dillon Black, invites her to stay, Kelly finds herself thrust into the vortex of a game she doesn’t have the first idea how to play. Nursing her hopelessly broken heart while avoiding the foils of her fellow contestants, Kelly is oblivious to Dillon’s affections as she wades through hurt and betrayal to discover, in the end, that she has landed firmly on both feet.

Leaving behind Nashville’s Music Row for the majestic Grand Teton Mountains, Count Down To Love takes readers on a journey from duplicity to sincerity as Kelly discovers that being true to oneself is the first step in finding happiness and everlasting love.

Author Links:
Website
Blog


Pub. Date: July 2011
Format: Hardcover, Paperback, Ebook , 240pp
ISBN-13: 9781599555164
ISBN: 1599555166

My Review:

One of the few reality shows that I love watching is The Bachelor/The Bachelorette and Countdown to Love is very similar to the show.  Countdown to Love follows Kelly Grace Pickens.  She is left at the altar, heartbroken, broke, and homeless.  Her fiancée, Trevor left her with no indication and she is left to find her own way.  Her cousin, Sissy suggests that Kelly Grace be a contestant on the reality show Countdown to Love.  Sissy convinces her that she needs to start over, since she is broke and homeless.  The show would provide her a short vacation from her old life, hotel room, clothes, and pay her for being on the show.  Kelly Grace is faced with finding herself while in the middle of all things - a reality show!  On the first night of the taping of the show, she is still missing Trevor.  She is heartbroken and trying to heal from the breakup and she seems to be in denial about Trevor.   She feels like he misses her and is coming for her.  She even conceals a cell phone in hopes he will call.  What Kelly Grace meets Dillon Black, the bachelor on the show, she takes it all in stride and doesn’t pretend to be someone she’s not.  She’s herself.  Dillon Black seems to notice and is intrigued.  Meanwhile, Kelly Grace is focused on Trevor and waiting for him.  As the show goes on, Kelly is asked to stay at each rose ceremony, even though she wanted to leave.  The longer she stays, the more she starts comparing Dillon to Trevor.  In other words, Dillon really does care for her.

In order to bring ratings to the show, the producers reunite Trevor and Kelly Grace.  At first, Kelly Grace is so happy to see him but soon realizes he doesn’t seem the same.  He’s acting different and as their reunion proceeds, she soon sees that he was using her the entire time they were together.  After their reunion, Kelly Grace quickly forgets about Trevor and pushes him from her mind and is able to focus on Dillon.  Meanwhile, Dillon has fallen for Kelly Grace but her feelings are a few steps behind his.  She cares for him more and more each day. 

I really felt every emotion Kelly Grace went through.  I was rooting for Dillon and Kelly Grace the entire time.  Just when they get close and make a connection, they encounter a speed bump.  While on this journey of self discovery, she finds that she is strong enough to move on, she can open her heart after being left at the altar, and she can learn to trust again.  If you enjoy romance, drama, and a little bit of secrets intertwined, you will enjoy Countdown to Love! 

Countdown to Love can be purchased at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and IndieBound. 

Disclosure: The opinions provided are my own and not influenced by anyone else.  I did not receive any financial compensation for this post.  I received free products to facilitate my review.

Posted in: book review