Finding Colin Firth by Mia March

Title: Finding Colin Firth: A Novel
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Chick Lit
Publisher: Gallery Books; Original edition (July 9, 2013)
Format: Paperback; 336 Pages
ISBN-10: 1476710201
ISBN-13: 978-1476710204
Author's website: http://www.miamarch.com/
Notes: I received a copy of the book from Simon and Schuster

 22 Years ago, Veronica Russo got pregnant, was disowned by her family, lost her boy friend, and was forced to give up her baby.

1 Year ago, Bea Crane's mother died and she just now received a letter from her mother via an attorney informing her she'd been adopted.

Today, Gemma Hendricks found out she was pregnant and she's having a mid life crisis because of losing her job and not being sure she knows how to be a mother.

Three woman all going through life changing experiences with one thing in common--they all adore Colin Firth. Not because he he is gorgeous, but because he represents hope. Hope for what every woman hopes to find in a man, a partner, a helpmate. To them he represents the epitome of what a man should be--"full of integrity. Conviction. Brimming with intelligence. Loyal. You just believe everything he says with that British accent of his--and can trust it." Most notably among his performances, is the one in which he portrayed Mr. Darcy from Pride and Prejudice.

All three will make their way to Boothbay Harbor for different reasons. All three will be brought together. All three will find their own slice of happiness.

This is a very charming and uplifting tale. I loved Veronica and felt so much sympathy for her. If anyone deserved a happy ending it was her. At age 16 she'd been put through an emotional wringer. Alienated by everyone she knew because of her pregnancy, she was forced to make her own way. Did I mention this happened when she was 16? Over the years she's wondered about the baby she put up for adoption always hoping one day her daughter would come looking for her. Whenever she moved she updated the address on her file just hoping. After countless relationships, she realized she couldn't fully give her heart to another person. The havoc caused when she was younger still haunts her and has had a lasting effect. Thinking perhaps going back to where it all happened might bring her some closure, a year ago she moved back to Boothbay Harbor. There she works as a waitress and is well known for her mood altering pies which some believe work as well as they taste. Veronica, with her pie making brought to mind the image of Keri Russell in the movie waitress. 

Bea Crane isn't sure how she feels about her parents lie by omission. On her own with no living relatives, she's not sure if the startling revelation that she was adopted is a blessing or something else entirely. She's been taken by surprise and soon discovers her birth mother is open to meeting her. Not sure how she feels about the whole situation, she decides to go to Boothbay Harbor to check out her biological parent in secret. Still at a stage where she's having trouble taking all the information in, her curiosity gets the best of her, and she seeks her birth mother out. Having recently graduated from college with no job prospects on the horizon which will utilize her teaching degree, there's nothing holding her back. 

Gemma Hendricks has just learned she is pregnant right before going to Boothbay Harbor for a girls weekend out with her friends. She's not told her husband yet, and is scared beyond belief. She's still processing the unexpected pregnancy and isn't sure what to think about it. She's afraid she's not cut out for motherhood. She knows her husband will be thrilled beyond belief, but she is afraid a life in the suburbs will be in her near future, and she's a city girl through and through. She'd lost her job as a reporter the week before due to layoffs and is feeling a bit overwhelmed and a little like she's loosing her identity. Her hopes and aspirations for being a reporter seem to be slipping through her fingers, and she knows her husband won't understand her concerns or fears. When a friend and former colleague offers her an assignment to write a newspaper article on the fiftieth anniversary of a home in Boothbay Harbor for pregnant teenagers called Hope Home, she's isn't sure she's the right person for the assignment. When her friend says she'll be able to give the article an extra perspective given the fact she's pregnant herself she decides to give the story her all.

Overall I gave this one 4 out of 5 roses. A wonderful story about family, friends, love, hard decisions, forgiveness, second chances, and of course hope. A story which shows when given a chance, sometimes people surprise you, and sometimes that perfect someone you've been looking for has been right in front of you hiding in plain sight. You just have to notice them. The fact Colin Firth was making a movie in Boothbay Harbor during the time this story was taking place added the whipped cream and cherry on the top of  the pie.