Today I’m excited to tell you about a new debut author Aimee Brown and her recently released novel called Little Gray Dress. I’ve got a fabulous author interview to share and my review on her book. Enjoy!
Title: Little Gray Dress
Author: Aimee Brown
Release Date: August 2nd, 2017
Publisher: Crooked Cat Books
Genre: Romantic Comedy/Chick Lit
GoodReads: add Little Gray Dress to your to be read list
Book Blurb:
Emi Harrison has avoided her ex-fiance, Jack Cabot, for nearly two years. Her twin brother Evan’s wedding is about to end that streak.
From bad bridesmaid’s dresses, a hyperactive sister-in-law, a mean girl with even meaner secrets, and too much to drink, nothing seems to go right for Emi, except when she’s wearing her little gray dress.
When she speed-walks into Liam Jaxon’s bar, things get more complicated. He’s gorgeous, southern, and has no past with Emi. He may be exactly what she needs to prove for the last time that she doesn’t need or want Jack!
Her favorite little gray dress has made an appearance at nearly every major event in Emi’s adult life. Will it make another when she least expects it?
– $2.99 | 
– $9.99Exclusive Author Interview
What inspired you to write Little Gray Dress? I’m obsessed with all things weddings. My favorite movies seem to have weddings in them, my favorite shows are about weddings. I just love weddings! I got married in a 5 minutes courthouse ceremony when I was 19 so maybe that’s it? I guess maybe all the weddings in my head just needed to come out in book form. I wouldn’t be surprised if you see many more weddings in my future books.
What do you hope readers will take away from your book? I’ve always seen that phrase ‘write what you’d like to read’ and so that’s what I did. I love reading fast moving, funny, happy ending books. To me, reading is like a vacation. So, I hope that readers of Little Gray Dress can reach the end and feel good about where they’ve just been.
What character do you relate most to and why? I think I’m probably a mix of both Emi and Lily. I’ve kind of got Emi’s obsession with food, the imperfect body issues and the need to really try and do whatever the right thing seems to be at the time. But, I’ve also got the honesty and sarcasm of Lily. I didn’t intend to write myself into these characters but I write, much like I speak so I just appeared on the page in front of me. LOL.
Did you always want to be a writer? I’m actually the girl who took sophomore English about 3 times in high-school in order to graduate. Lord of the Flies was really not settling with me, I couldn’t seem to get past the second chapter! So, back then I definitely did not want to be a writer. But, when I was about 25 I discovered Sophie Kinsella. Finally! A genre I could love. I for some reason sat down while my kids were having ‘quiet time’ and started writing one day. I never finished that story, and it’s long gone but I think I will try and resurrect it at some point because still to this day it’s a story I love. I knew right then I wanted to be a writer and even though it’s many years later now, I’ve finally gone and done it!
Do you write with a plan or do you write and see where the story takes you? I just sit and start. I see where it takes me. Unfortunately, that leads to many deleted starts and many do-overs but it seems to mostly work for me. The characters really drive the story and I never end up where I thought I would.
What is the best advice anyone has ever given you? My mom will kill me for this but long ago I used to clean her house for extra money. She once told me ‘always mop the bathroom last because no one wants to find a pubic hair on the kitchen floor’. I still laugh about it to this day! It really is sound advice though.
What’s the worst job you’ve ever had? I worked for years at the front desk of ER’s & Hospital Outpatient departments/floors. Yeah, so people are nuts, you learn that quick in healthcare. I seem to be good at giving people the worst news and having them walk away thinking I’m the sweetest, funniest girl on the planet. I guess it wasn’t terrible but it tested my patience hourly and I’ve got some pretty unbelievable stories to tell around the holiday tables.
What would we find if we looked in your handbag right now? LOL! UGH. I’m the worst at keeping bags nice and tidy. My house is picture perfect but my bag or my car, not so much. You’d probably find a few bucks worth of change, thirty pens, at least a dozen old receipts, my wallet, many chapsticks, I even have a stun gun in there, but probably no money… (I mean I do own teenagers.)
What do you enjoy doing in your free time? I write, clean, obsessively redecorate my house. I have 3 teens & a husband that may qualify in the teen mindset category, so I’m normally yelling or laughing with (or at) them. I’m a total crazy cat lady so of course, I sing to my cats. I’m sure they like it. I’ve recently gotten an aquarium that I’m learning, so far I’ve even only killed 3 fish. I’m a big fan of social media as well.
A few of your favorites…
Season – Summer
Movie – Father of the Bride (with Steve Martin)
Scent – Coconut in the spring/summer and Pumpkin in the fall/winter
Color – Black, Pink, Gray & Turquoise (not all together)
Food – Italian anything
Word – OK
Curse Word – all of them
Location – Anywhere with Palm Trees
Holiday – Christmas
Dogs or cats? – Crazy Cat Lady here
Red or white wine? – eh… I’d prefer a cocktail that’s a pretty color
Coffee or tea? – Coffee
Summer or Winter? – Summer (I live in Montana where it’s -45 degrees in the winter at times)
Sleep in or get up early? – Early (damn it… I hate mornings but as I approach 40 I just can’t seem to sleep in anymore)
Apple or PC? – Apple phone – PC computer
My Review:
What a wonderful debut novel! Aimee Brown is an author to watch for!
I loved this book from beginning to end; I loved the story, the characters, and the writing style. I don’t want to share too many details and ruin the book for you, but I will say that I especially love the surprise at the end.
I loved the idea that true love has a way of working itself out and a very important lesson in this story is that you shouldn’t jump to conclusions too quickly and you should give people a chance to explain. I enjoyed the way the characters were connected and the different personalities of the characters. I don’t usually like books that go back and forth between present and past, but the author did it in such a way that worked and really added a certain element to the way the story progressed.
This story made me want to go find my own version of Emi’s little gray dress. There’s something to be said for finding the right outfit that makes you feel special and beautiful. Everyone should always have a go-to outfit that makes you feel fantastic and I loved that this book included a little gray dress rather than the usual classic little black dress.
My Rating: 5/5 Stars
Aimee Brown – author bio:
Aimee Brown is a writer and an avid reader. Little Gray Dress is her first published novel. My second novel is in the works now. She’s currently studying for her Bachelor’s degree in English Writing. She spends much of her time writing, doing homework, raising three teenagers, binge watching shows on Netflix and obsessively cleaning and redecorating her house. She’s fluent in sarcasm and has been known to utter profanities like she’s competing for a medal.
Aimee grew up in Oregon but is now a transplant living in cold Montana with her husband of twenty years, three teenage children, and far too many pets.
She would love to hear your thoughts on Little Gray Dress! If you’d like to chat with her she’s very active on social media. You can find her at any of the networks below. Stop by and say hello!
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Website/Blog | GoodReads | Amazon Page | Newsletter
Weds – August 2nd
Blog on the Run – Book Review/Author Guest Post after 2nd
Books and Photographs – Book Review
Judging More Than Just the Cover – Book Review/Author Interview
Nicole Evelina – Book Review/Guest Post
The Novel Girl Reads – Book Review/Excerpt/Author Q&A
Thurs – August 3rd
Chick Lit Central – Author Interview
NovelGossip – Book Review
Hey Said Renee – Author Guest Post
Romantic Reads and Such – Book Excerpt
Steamy Book Mama – Book Review
Fri – August 4th
BrizzleLass Books – Book Review
O.D. Book Reviews – Book Excerpt
He Said Books or Me – Author Guest Post
Corinne Desjardins – Book Spotlight
Where Dragons Recide – Book Review/Author Q&A
Sat – August 5th
JenaBooks – Book Review
Sylv.net – Spotlight Post
Got Books, Babe? – Author Guest Post
The Writing Garnet – Book Review
Sun – August 6th
I Read Novels – Book Review
It’s my Life – Book Excerpt
RaeReads – Book Review
Keelee Morris – Author Guest Post
GrassMonster – Book Review
Mon – August 7th
Living Life with Joy – Book Review/Giveaway/Author Q&A
The Belgian Reviewer – Author Guest Post
Book Lover in Florida – Book Excerpt
Haddie’s Heaven – Spotlight Post
Books in my Opinion – Book Review
Literature Goals – Book Review/Excerpt/Author Q&A
Tue – August 8th
Reading to Unwind – Book Review
Kristin’s Novel Café – Book Excerpt & Giveaway/Book Review
Key of Dee – Author Guest Post
FrankyBrown – Book Excerpt
Smokin’ Hot Reads Book Blog – Book Reviews (3)
Weds – August 9th
Ink, Maps and Macarons – Giveaway/Author Q&A
Heartalefix – Book Review
Tea Party Princess – Author Guest Post/(possible) Review
One Book at a Time – Book Excerpt/Spotlight/Book Review
Thurs – August 10th
ItaPixie’s Book Corner – Book Review/Excerpt
Rosa Temple Writes – Author Guest Post
Life at 17 – Spotlight Post
Daily Waffle – Book Excerpt/Author Q&A
Fri – August 11th
Pretty Little Book Reviews – Book Review
Sparkly Word – Book Review
Books and Readers – Book Review/Excerpt/Giveaway/Guest Post
Ali the Dragon Slayer – Book Review
Katie Lady Reads – Book Review
Rambling Lisa’s Book Reviews – Book Review/Book Excerpt
Sat – August 12th
Life of a Simple Reader – Book Review/Excerpt
Karlita – Goodreads/Social Media – Book Review
KD Reads – Book Review/Giveaway/Guest Post
D.K. Hamilton – Book Review/Author Q&A
20CC Reviews – Book Review
TrashyBibloBlog – Book Review/Excerpt
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Thank you! What an amazing review! I’m so happy you’ve been a part of the tour. ❤️