Customer Reviews

Another Spring

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I thoroughly enjoyed this story of mature love and of re-inventing one's self when life's situations change around age 40. It was well-written, with naturally flowing dialogue and delightfully colorful descriptive settings.

Elizabeth was dealt a blow when her husband died suddenly. As part of the grieving process, she reconsiders what appears to be a cozy, comfortable upper-class life and decides that it isn't as fulfilling and satisfying as she'd like it to be. Digging up the mystery novels she wrote some 20 years earlier and abandoned upon marrying and having children, she pursues her girlhood dream of becoming an author. Her children, who are on the verge of independence, are as supportive as they can be in their own self-involved ways. However, she encounters stern disapproval from her former mother-in-law, who is concerned that Elizabeth's new career would appear as though she wasn't left properly provided for. I wouldn't describe Elizabeth as a woman scorned, as in the above product description. Instead, her discovery that her husband wasn't faithful to her only strengthened her determination to forge ahead with her goals.

Elizabeth attends a writer's workshop and meets an energetic and dynamic younger woman with whom she establishes a refreshing and rewarding friendship. De De's uncle happens to be a famous author, and when Elizabeth meets him, the chemistry between them nearly ignites the pages! I wouldn't describe Jake as a playboy or womanizer, but rather someone who has come to realize that he needs to move beyond shallow relationships and casual sex, and re-invent a more fulfilling life for himself.

The secondary plots add depth to the story, particularly the sisterly friendship between Elizabeth and De De, and Elizabeth's relationship with her daughters. De De has been in love with her Uncle Jake's personal assistant Beau since childhood, but fears that he still sees her as a little girl even though she is now in her late 20's. He has fallen in love with her too, but fears that it would jeopardize his friendship with Jake who might not approve of him for the niece he dotes upon, especially since there is a 15 year age difference.

The subplot about Cassie, a crazily obsessed woman who Jake decided against having a casual affair with, seeking revenge should have either been better developed to add further depth and mystery to the story, or left out entirely. As well, it was very confusing that Elizabeth's daughters were named after their grandmothers, and at many times throughout the story, I got lost trying to follow which Sally or which Ella was involved.

I would have like to see Elizabeth stand up to her condescending, domineering, all-around obnoxious former mother-in-law, who in my opinion needed a good telling off. This would have strengthened and empowered Elizabeth, but I suppose it took even greater strength not to create tension between her daughters and their paternal grandmother. However, I had trouble believing that Elizabeth would be bullied into permitting this woman to take the children skiing during the first Christmas after their father's death, leaving Elizabeth to face the milestone holiday alone. However, that she didn't put her foot down and insist that the family stay together for Christmas paved the way for her to spend the weekend with De De's warm, loving and outgoing family in New England, to be snowbound there with Jake, and for their relationship to bloom.

I have read a few of the author's works, but this one took almost 300 pages before the characters got together. Also, the last minute mini-intrigue with Cassie and Elizabeth's daughter was ill-contrived and poorly written into the plot.