Book Page
Stef Ann Holm jumps from writing historical romance to contemporary romantic comedy with a yummy, exuberant splash-in-the-latté in Girls Night. Jillene McDermott is a widowed mom with few assets except her struggling coffee shop on Blue Heron Island, Java the Hut; her late husband's car, which she refuses to drive; and a winsome zest for success that defrosts the iced-over heart of true-crime writer Vince Tremonti. Vince has his own trauma to face--the living nightmare of a serial killer who has committed a dozen murders just to get a book deal authored by Tremonti. Lured by Jillene and her daughters, Claire and Faye, Vince fears his grotesque situation will taint the sweetness and light he finds with them. Add in the daughters' determination to find a new daddy for their mama, and Girls Night is tastier than a cinnamon-whipped, cream-laced frothy mug of small-town Americano. This one's a genuine winner--the McDermott girls, all three, will steal your heart, just as they do for the once-jaded Vince Tremonti!

From Publishers Weekly
Single working moms will be drawn to the fairy tale element of Stef Ann Holm's Girls Night, which depicts the relationship between a wealthy true crime author and a middle-aged widow who owns a failing coffee shop. Jillene McDermott needs someone to save her from financial ruin and loneliness, and gorgeous Vince Tremonti may be the perfect man for the position. Vince, a confirmed bachelor, is only in Blue Heron, Wash., for a short stay, but he's inexplicably attracted to the featherbrained Jillene and charmed by her sunny, adolescent daughters. Holm throws Vince and Jillene together as often as possible, but their lack of chemistry hampers the story nearly as much as her trite, awkward prose ("Time stopped moving," "Their eyes clung"). While there isn't much to recommend here in the way of romance, Holm does offer some insights on the true-crime writing profession. Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Jennifer Crusie, author of FAKING IT
Warm, fun and real. Nobody writes families like Stef Ann Holm.

Joan Johnston, author of SISTERS FOUND
Indulge yourself--GIRLS NIGHT is daring and irresistible.

Jill Barnett, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author
Stef Ann Holm will make you laugh and cry and fall in love again.

New York Times bestselling author Jill Barnett
"Stef Ann Holm will make you laugh and cry and fall in love again."

Joan Johnston, author of Sisters Found
"Indulge yourself -- Girls Night is daring and irresistible."

BookPage
GIRLS NIGHT is tastier than a cinnamon-whipped, cream-laced frothy mug of smalltown Americano. This one's a genuine winner.

All About Romance
One of the best books I have read this year. Desert Isle Keeper Status.

Mrs. Giggles
Charming, sweet, and featuring two very likeable characters with chemistry . . . a worthy debut of Ms. Holm as a contemporary author.

Rendezvous
Holm's characters glow and the humor is contagious.

All About Romance, Pandora's Box
I was laughing all the while tearing up. Holm has a deft touch that mixes the humorous with the poignant.

Book Description
Seeking A Boyfriend
Must Have Big Feet All Jillene McDermott needs is a little breathing room, and the only place she can find it is in the bathtub. Her coffee bar, Jave the Hut, is on life support, and raising two daughters alone is a full-time job, so quiet moments in the tub are a rare treat. Kowing their mom deserves some happiness, Jillene's daughters, Claire and Faye, write her a personal ad. But their good intentions go wrong and Vince Tremonti, the town's most famous son, has to step in as Jillene's "boyfriend." VInce is a crime writer who is back in Blue Heron Beach to rethink the grim reality of his career, and he can't afford to get involved with anyone, much less a young widow with a ready-made family. But thrown together, the two can't deny the mutual attraction and they realize there is more between them than a summer fling. Suddently, lattes are not the only thing steaming in Blue Heron Beach.

About the Author
Stef Ann Holm is a former Seattle resident who lives for a morning cup of Starbuck's coffee. As her daughters began their teenage years, she embarked on this novel as a reflection of their relationship. She's published fifteen historical romances and GIRLS NIGHT marks her debut as a contemporary storyteller.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Seeking A Boyfriend
Must Have Big Feet

All Jillene McDermott needs is a little breathing room, and the only place she can find it is in the bathtub. Her coffee bar, Jave the Hut, is on life support, and raising two daughters alone is a full-time job, so quiet moments in the tub are a rare treat.

Kowing their mom deserves some happiness, Jillene's daughters, Claire and Faye, write her a personal ad. But their good intentions go wrong and Vince Tremonti, the town's most famous son, has to step in as Jillene's "boyfriend."

Vince is a crime writer who is back in Blue Heron Beach to rethink the grim reality of his career, and he can't afford to get involved with anyone, much less a young widow with a ready-made family.

But thrown together, the two can't deny the mutual attraction and they realize there is more between them than a summer fling. Suddently, lattes are not the only thing steaming in Blue Heron Beach.

FROM THE CRITICS

Joan Johnston

Indulge yourself—Girls Night is daring and irresistible.

Jill Barnett