Something Old, Something New by Amy Clipston

 Something Old, Something New

Book Summary

Sometimes treasure can be found where you least expect it.

In the decade since high school graduation, Christine Sawyer has realized her dream of opening Treasure Hunting Antique Mall, the place where shoppers find gems that are new to them. Between her store, her house, and her role as a doting aunt, she’s happy with her life—if a bit lonely. But she’s used to being less lucky in love than her fraternal twin sister. Britney was always the popular one, the head cheerleader who dated the homecoming king and quarterback, while Christine stayed in the shadows.

Brent Nicholson is still trying to come to grips with the shambles his life has become. After leading his football team to a state championship, he suffered a career-ending injury. Now he’s lost his construction business thanks to his so-called best friend. So, when his great-aunt Midge asks for his help readying her home to put it on the market, the opportunity to spend time with his biggest fan is a balm to his bruised soul.

But the antiques Brent finds in his aunt’s house lead him to an unexpected partnership with Christine. After being blind to her for so many years, is it too late for the former high school jock to win the heart of the self-proclaimed “nerdy twin”?

As they shift through items of the past, Christine and Brent learn to let go of the pieces they don’t want to bring into the future—and realize the value of what’s in front of them today.

My Thoughts

Something Old, Something New by Amy Clipston is a sweet small-town romance.  I like Amy Clipston’s casual writing style.  It makes the story easy to read.  I enjoyed getting to know Christine Sawyer and Brent Nicholson.  Christine operates an antique mall in Flowering Grove, North Carolina.  Christine is a fraternal twin.  She always felt she was the nerdy twin compared with her pretty, outgoing sister, Britney.  Britney has fraternal twin girls, Maddy and Mila (“the M&M’s) whom Christine loves dearly.  Maddy and Mila are cuties.  They are active little girls who love the color purple.  Brent dated Britney in high school.  He was the star quarterback, and she was the popular cheerleader.  Brent’s life has not turned out as he expected.  He has returned to town to help his Aunt Millie get her house ready so she can list is for sale.  Brent has no intention of staying in Flowering Grove because he cannot stand listening to his father’s criticisms.  The chemistry between Brent and Christine was obvious from the beginning.  The two are attracted to each other.  They each have a different reason for not reacting to the attraction.  

I enjoyed the descriptions of Flowering Grove especially Christine’s shop (I could spend hours exploring).  I wish I was Christine when she found the Nancy Drew’s packed away in Aunt Millie’s house.  I am glad the romance was not rushed.  I like how it progressed (become friends first and then move forward).  Christine and Brent got to know each other as they worked at Aunt Millie’s house.  I was not a fan of Britney.  She reminded me of the cheerleaders in my school (the pretty, stuck-up blonds who thought they were better than everyone else).  I thought the characters were realistic and relatable as was the town and situations.  The Friday night high school football games which are attended by everyone in the town is something that occurs in small towns all over the south (I lived in one for twenty years).  The story had some drama which kept things interesting.  I would have liked less repetition of details regarding the characters.  I just loved Aunt Millie.  She is a kind woman who does not hesitate to help bring Brent and Christine together (she would get the mischievous twinkle in her eye).  In Something Old, Something New we get to see that someone or something may have a beautiful exterior (or seems to have it all), it does not mean they do not have troubles.  I like how the title played into the story.  Something Old, Something New is a charming tale with Friday night football, a disparaging parent, lilac loving twins, an aunt in need, an improbable pairing, a twin conflict, and an abundance of antiques.

Something Old, Something New is available from Amazon*.  Amy Clipston has Breaking New Ground coming out April 11.  It is the third An Amish Legacy Novel.  You can find Amy Clipston's other delightful stories here.  Thank you for joining me today.  I will be back tomorrow with my review of Her Heart's Desire by Shelley Shepard Gray.  It is the first book in A Season in Pinecraft series.  I hope you have a happy day.  I am heading outside to start cleaning up my Christmas decorations (it will take a few days).  Take care and Happy Reading! 

Kris

The Avid Reader 

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