the holdout I’ve looked forward to Laurel Osterkamp’s books since I first read Starring in the Movie of My Life in 2011. Laurel’s latest release, The Holdout is here, and I’m excited to be a part of the blog tour celebrating the book’s release.

Robin wanted to win The Holdout, a cutthroat reality TV show, so she gave it her all, challenge after challenge. Then she fell for Grant, with his irresistible eyes and heartbreaking life story.

But Grant was only using Robin as they competed for a million dollars. Once home, Robin wants to hide from the humiliation as episodes of The Holdout are aired, and she worries her family was right all along; she’s not a survivor.

Yet she could surprise everyone, and have the last laugh.

Besides, Robin now has jury duty. And as she forges ahead, confronting her demons about bravery, justice, and romance, Robin will come to decide which is more important: the courage to stand alone, or the strength to love again.

I enjoyed The Holdout.  Like many of Laurel’s heroines, Robin is very relatable. She has her insecurities- and in this case, they get to play out in front of a national television audience.   Robin doesn’t completely wallow in her insecurities, though. She steps out of her comfort zone while serving on a jury, and learns to stand up for herself.  There is legitimate character growth in The Holdout, and I don’t think the ending is a foregone conclusion from the beginning of the story. Laurel could have gone a lot of ways with the story, and I like the way it unfolds.

One of the things I particularly enjoyed was how Robin’s family dynamics play out. I don’t have siblings, but I think Laurel shows well how the roles we have or are given as children follow us into adulthood within our families. Sometimes it is hard for our families to see us as who we have become rather than who we were as children. Robin finds herself caught in this trap. Speaking of Family, some of the characters from Laurel’s earlier books (Campaign Promises, November Surprise) make appearances in The Holdout. I like that continuity, the feeling that we’re getting to catch up with old friends.

laurel osterkamp2I think Laurel is underrated, and I hope more people learn about her books. Check out these links to learn more about Laurel and get your own copy of The Holdout.

About Laurel:

Laurel Osterkamp’s award winning novels have been hailed as funny, intelligent, snarky and poignant. She is the author of four novels and two novellas, including the November Surprise series, which, like The Holdout, features the Bricker family. Laurel was recently on a federal jury, and she loves watching Survivor.

Connect with Laurel:

Website: www.laurelosterkamp.com
Blog: www.laurelosterkamp.blogspot.com
Goodreads author page: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/970925.Laurel_Osterkamp?from_search=true

Twitter: @laurelosterkamp
Buy the Book!
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00F2LSB6W/ref=s9_simh_gw_p351_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-2&pf_rd_r=0FMD5STXSMV1XEKM48XP&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1688200382&pf_rd_i=507846

*Anyone who leaves a comment on the tour page will be entered to win a $20 Amazon gift card! Anyone who purchases their copy of The Holdout before January 24 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com will get 5 bonus entries!*

http://www.clpblogtours.com/2013/11/the-holdout-by-laurel-osterkamp.html

Book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIJaYzB5Xjc