Ava's Place

Emily Beck Cogburn

Feb 2017 · Kensington Books

About this eBook

Sometimes starting over is the best way home...

Most days, divorced mom Ava Olson is just trying to keep it all together. With three school-age children and only a part-time job at a local newspaper, she barely has time to juggle the small stuff, much less stand back and consider the big picture. Besides, dreaming about what-ifs is a dangerous habit, especially when her real concern should be the competition from a much younger new editor....That is, until she meets Ford, a café owner who wins her over with his warm smile and delicious po’ boy sandwiches—and makes her wonder if there could still be more to life than work and kids.

Then a new opportunity opens up, and suddenly Ava is making big changes. Like moving eighty miles away to New Orleans, working full-time—and discovering just how sweet a future in the sultry Louisiana city might be—even if she has to explore it on her own. When Ava begins investigating a story that promises huge headlines, she’s ready for the front page....But can she rewrite the story of her own life, complete with a love interest and a very happy ending?

Insightful, humorous, and down-to-earth, Emily Beck Cogburn’s new novel celebrates the possibilities of change, the courage it takes to make our most heartfelt dreams come true—and the joy of finding your place in the world.

Praise for Emily Beck Cogburn’s Louisiana Saves the Library

“Readers who enjoy rooting for the underdog will ardently cheer on Cogburn's plucky, courageous library heroines.” —Booklist

“For book and library lovers, this endearing tale will particularly appeal...A fast-paced, pleasant read.”–RT Book Reviews

Ratings and reviews

Ava’s Place by Emily Beck Cogburn is a modern-day romance story. Ava Olson is thirty-five years old and the mother of three children (James, Luke and Sadie). Ava is raising the children on her own since her divorce. Her ex-husband, Jared moved away to Chicago to take a post a newspaper. Ava works part-time at the Saint Jude Gazette in the entertainment section (not the type of writing she wishes to do). Ava has not dated since her divorce three years ago, but then she encounters Ford Dupree. Ford is a single-dad whose daughter, Nelly goes to the same pre-school as Sadie, Ava’s three-year-old daughter. Ford is also divorced. His ex-wife, Marion (a control freak and workaholic) is an ER doctor in New Orleans (about 80 miles away). Ford co-owns Rosie’s Café with his brother, Bobby Joe. They serve your typical diner fare. Ford, though, is not happy with the type of food they serve (brother overrules him). Slowly, Ava and Ford spend time together and start a relationship. But then their bubble of happiness is broken when Ava is offered a job in New Orleans. Ava wants to continue her relationship with Ford. Unfortunately, the situation is too reminiscent of what happened with his ex-wife for him. Ava relocates to New Orleans with her kids and begins a new job without Ford. But things are still the same at work for Ava. Ava feels she is not taken seriously as a journalist. Ava gets lucky when she stumbles upon a story that could be front page news. It also brings her back in contact with Ford who has a chance of creating the type of cuisine he desires. Is there a possibility of a second chance for this pair? Ava’s Place is nicely written, has a good place, and a lovely setting (Louisiana). I liked Ford much more than I did Ava. Ava complained about her job, ex-husband, and her children. A person can only take so much of it in a book (reading is supposed to be an escape from reality). I found it disheartening. I give Ava’s Place 3 out of 5 stars. I found the story to be utterly predictable. The pair are instantly attracted to each, fall for each other, argument, break up, and then the inevitable conclusion. We also have Ava and Ford giving each other looks, distracted by thoughts of each other, thinking about intimate situations, etc. I did like the addition of Ava’s big story. It was the best part of the book (I wish the author had not given it such a small part). I think younger women will find Ava’s Place more enjoyable. Ava’s Place is a sweet book, but it is just not the right type for me.

About the author

Emily Beck Cogburn is a freelance journalist and fitness instructor currently living in Louisiana. She has a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy from the University of Minnesota, a masters degree in philosophy from Ohio State University, and a masters degree in library and information science from Louisiana State University. Her interests include cooking stinky food her children hate, yelling at her class participants to do “just one more rep!” and trying to read while handling requests for more chocolate milk. She has two children, two dogs, one cat, and a very patient husband. Visit her on the web at emilycogburn.com.