Jane Shea likes lists. She likes plans, and organization, and orderliness. So when her boyfriend invites her to vacation in Maui with him, Jane is cautiously optimistic. She wants to have a good time but is afraid something is going to go wrong - a freak snowstorm will come to L.A. and ground the plane, or the airline will lose their luggage, or worse, Jimmy will never show up to pick her up.When the worst that happens is the hotel losing their reservation, Jane thinks she can finally relax. The something bad she's been bracing herself for finally happened, but in paradise, where hotels are as plentiful as sand, losing their reservation isn't that bad. Then Jimmy goes out diving one morning and never returns, and Jane realizes that despite all that she prepared herself to go wrong, she never could have prepared herself for this.This is easily Carol Snow's best book to date – and that's saying a lot because all of her previous books have been wonderful. The minute I received this, I curled up on the couch to begin reading. Twenty-four hours later, I was finished and wanting more. I loved everything about Here Today, Gone to Maui. I liked Jane and how uptight and neurotic she is. I loved the twists and turns concerning Jimmy's whereabouts. The only thing I didn't like about this book is how long I will have to wait for another Carol Snow book. Snow is definitely one of my auto-buy authors - I know that I'll be in for a good story, realistic characters, and a fun time all around.Originally posted on curledup.com Jane O’Shea is thrilled to be going on vacation to Maui with her boyfriend Jimmy. Jimmy’s always been a little unreliable and maybe a little flaky, but Jane knows a week’s vacation in Maui is just what Jimmy needs to realize they can have a future together. Neat-freak Jane and laid-back Jimmy and a week in paradise; what could go wrong?Well, Jimmy disappears while scuba diving one day. Is he missing? Dead? While searching his luggage for contact numbers to notify his family, Jane finds an engagement ring.If you’ve ever gone on vacation with a significant other or even a close friend, you know that travel brings out the best and worst in people. Jane has Jimmy pick her up 3 hours before the flight leaves, just in case. When she unpacks, she marks off each item as she puts it in a drawer, while Jimmy has a duffel bag by his side of the bed. Jane has planned the entire week and has penciled in “relaxing by the pool.” Readers can eagerly anticipate Jane’s carefully made plans going awry even before Jimmy disappears.At first read, Here Today, Gone to Maui easily follows the usual formula: woman-with-low-self-esteem-loves-an-ambition-less-hunk-who-can’t-commit. But as the book progresses and we find out more about Jane and Jimmy, author Carol Snow gives us a amusing journey through Jane’s past romantic choices.While in tropical Kaanapali, Jane’s obsessively ordered life breaks apart, as she loses her boyfriend (and potential fiancé), her inhibitions, her patience and her job in one week-long disastrous trip.While clichéd in some parts, Here Today, Gone to Maui is perfect summer reading, especially given its location. (As a former island resident, I am impressed by Carol Snow’s research and accuracy.) Just as I thought I knew exactly how a scene in the book would conclude, I would get a pleasant surprise that actually fit the characters better. Some parts were even laugh-out-loud funny and Jane is a realistic, appealing modern woman.
What do You think about Here Today, Gone To Maui (2009)?
eh, I liked this well enough to read at the beach but that's about it.
—Arden
Pretty entertaining beach read. Points given for clever title.
—srcam16
Loved this book! It's a fun summer read :)
—Animejen
