The Swear Jar

First off, I have a very difficult time giving a book a one star. I believe that the author deserves just a bit of "atta-boy" for their effort. If this was not the case, I think this book would merit a 1/2 star. For me it was truly horrible and I couldn't finish it.At the beginning it looked like it was going to be an interesting read although a bit juvenile in dialog considering the ages of the main characters. Unfortunately, in less than half-way through I was ready to toss it. Finally, after another chapter or two, I did.The female "lead" in this story, if it can be called that, doesn't need a man . . . she needs a psychiatrist! And the central male character, supposedly in his late middle to early senior years, couldn't seem to get his mind away from sex. I guess he needed a psychiatrist as well. (not that older men aren't supposed to have an active libido)The "Swear Jar" made few appearances, but if it had of been the "sex jar" they would have been multi-millionaires. Once the central figures decided that they were interested in one another . . . let the sex begin, and begin, and begin! It was like a marathon and the story got lost in the sexual escapades. If it wasn't for the sex, there wouldn't be much left.I know this is beginning to sound like I am against sex - not so, but when a story loses itself and becomes merely a prop for the sex, then it's not a story at all.The book was way too long and unless you prefer repeated (did I say repeated?) sexual escapades, there just wasn't enough story to hold any interest.Sorry, save your money and time.

I liked Anne. Duncan was manipulative and controlling and Meara blew hot and cold. But the worst part of the book wAs the narrative. Three quarters of the narrative sentences began with "he" or "she". He took a shower. He got dressed. He went to work. She was wearing a blue dress. She had on black stockings. She looked nice. It deserved only one star but I did like Anne.

It was nice to see a romance with mature aged characters instead of the more common 'young love' romance novels. ‘The Swear Jar’ by Audra Osorio is a cute novel with an interesting premise: two people who have loved and lost in the past meet each other by chance. Neither are looking for a romantic relationship, but sometimes life has other plans!They’re human, with all that entails, including jealousy. I liked that. I like reading books with multifaceted characters instead of a bunch of Mary Sues.This book has a great balance between sex scenes, romantic fluff and plot advancement.I loved reading this book, and hope that Audra Osorio is planning on writing more!

Audra Osorio's book, The Swear Jar, is a romance novel with a believable and thought provoking plot.Meara and Duncan have both lost a loved one. This book takes you through their journey of loneliness and how they eventually find love with each other. This is a very cute story. It's going to bring tiny tears to your eyes and it going to make you smile.This book is well written. I love the book, I couldn't put it down till I devoured the whole book. And I love Audra Osorio's handling of characters, makes you feel like part of their lives. The characters are well developed and the book has great storyline with plenty of love. For all lovers of romance, this is the book you're looking for. I strongly recommend it.

This is such a charming love story! You will feel a range of emotions as you try to imagine yourself in Meara and Duncan's shoes.Meara lost her husband years ago, and Duncan lost his wife years ago. Even though it has been so long neither one of them think they will EVER find love again. They have both become accustomed to the loneliness.That is, until they find each other! Although there is mutual attraction, will they be able to put aside their previous loss and move on with each other?I liked it a lot. If you are in the mood for a steamy romance with a good plot behind it, then you definitely do not want to miss out on this book!

Ugh! ! ! Don't waste your time or money. I rarely quit on a book but when I reached 75% I quit. What a waste of my time. The author kept telling me that Meara was a strong woman, but she isn't. Meara is helpless and too stupid to read a map or follow directions, yet managed to acquire a degree in Library Science? She can't stand to be touched yet is multi-orgasmic? She's so immature that the doctor doing her pap smear has to worry about being kicked in the head? Meara is a nasty spoiled brat in her 40s. She's as impatient as can be but she's allowed to work with children? She's loyal to her dead husband who was a weirdo and a jerk. I'm guessing the secret pages from him are permission for her to love again. Duncan was widowed for ten years, mourning his late wife. Then he meets Meara and for the first time he's interested in women again? But he's still talking to the dead wife! The author should do her research. Studies show that happily married men who are widowed begin to date and remarry quickly in order to be happy again. Those who wait years were in miserable marriages with no interest in a repeat experience. Nothing of interest actually happens in this book! Sure there is sex scene after sex scene, which got pretty boring. What sane man ties up a woman who has trust issues? The bondage crap didn't work. I kept waiting for the book to get interesting, but it never did. Suggestion to the author: look up the words "farther" and "further" and use them correctly in your next book. I really, really tried to like this book but couldn't; I just got bored with reading about cleaning up the kitchen, and other boring daily details.

Dialog was unrealistic and characters were not genuine to me. I wouldn't recommend it. I wanted to stop reading it about half way through.

I absolutely loved this story and when I downloaded it from Amazon it was free - not sure if it is now or not.It's a real May & December love story featuring two librarians - doesn't sound promising I know! It's a good, long read as well.Meara (the FC) is in her 40s has been a widow for 5 years and has recently moved to a new town to live with her sister and her family. Duncan (the MC) is much older and has lived in the town a very long time and has been a widower for 10 years.Neither of them are looking for a new romantic attachment in their lives until they meet each other. Meara then gets a job in the library that Duncan runs and, well, the spark they each feel starts to ignite. During this time they face opposition from their families, meddling from a man full of jealousy and a distinct lack of communication between them at times which leads to some major misunderstandings.It was well written and I will be looking out for more books by this author.The story contains consensual spanking and light BDSM which would not make it suitable for under 18s or those of a more conservative nature.

As an avid reader used to reading two books a week while I commute this book took me two weeks to finish. Not for any good reason. The plot was slow to start, ponderous in the middle and comatose by the end. The protagonists are shallow characters who do not engage the reader. The promises of fighting to stay together through adversity, the only ones trying to break them up were themselves, the family objections all sorted out by the end of the paragraph. New chapters starting in the middle of conversations. I didn't think I would find a worse book than 50 Shades of Grey but this one came close. I never want to discourage anyone from writing but Audra needs a new hobby. There is not an option for no stars so had to give it one.

Are we supposed to believe that this is how Americans behave when dating? Or how American literature is progressing?This book is twaddle, if that swear jar was in my house as I ploughed through this the damned (there goes another 10p) think would be overflowing.This will only appeal to people who don't want to think or engage with the characters, I can recommend it as a soporific.

Agree with one of the other reviewers. This book seemed ok to start with. However there was no real direction to the plot. The main two characters seemed either over the top but lacking character if that makes any sense. There was a lot of intimacy between the two, but it felt sometimes like these bits were just being added in for the sake of it which became tiresome. Got bored very quickly but read to the end as was hoping for a twist or explosive ending but it didn't happen. Sorry Audra, this didn't do it for me.

I wanted to like this, the precis looked good. It started off quite well, but with a bit too much padding. It just went on and on and on, the middle got really silly, and continued in that vein, I skipped through the last third of the book in the hope it may improve, but sadly, it didn't