Customer Reviews

A Different Kind Of Summer (Harlequin Super Romance)

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A DIFFERENT KIND OF SUMMER by Caron Todd
July 8, 2006

Amazon rating 4/5


"Here's a romance that tackles two very high profile issues: Global Warming and the War in Iraq. Gwyn Sinclair was widowed before her son Chris (now a 5-year-old) was born, and still has not moved on. Mementos of her husband Duncan are everywhere in the house and in her son's eyes. More often than not, when Gwyn looks into Chris's eyes, they're troubled. After Chris views the movie The Day After Tomorrow, he worries about catastrophic events. Gwyn is frustrated that she can't protect him from the world's dangers and from his current obsession.

David Bretton is as different from Gwyn as they come. He's a scientist who studies climatic changes and lives close to his parents, while Gwyn's parents are deceased. David's brother has just returned from the Middle East, and his sister is expexcted for their annual family vacation. When Gwyn brings Chris to the museum after he views the movie, David introduces himself and talks to Chris about the last ice age. This angers Gwyn, and thus begins a very tense relationship between the laid back scientist and the uptight mother. As the story progresses, Chris's behavior becomes more erratic, and he begins to act out at school. His teacher approaches Gwyn several times to get to the root of the problem. The only thing that seems to help is David's new relationship with Chris." -- Complete review at BookLoons - M.Lofton


This was a unique harlequin in that it took some very high-profile issues and brought them center stage. I felt the writing was good, and the characters were real and believable. Recommended.

Gwyn Sinclair was pregnant when her spouse suddenly died. She struggles to balance being the best mom in the world to her son Chris with the need to earn a living to support both of them. To do this in 24 hours means sacrificing her own desires; the widow has no social life.

Museum scientist David Bretton lost his wife when she divorced him because science came before her. When Gwyn takes Chris to the museum, they meet David. Both are instantly attracted to one another and he is kind to her son. As they fall in love, he questions her parenting technique as he prefers the cold logic of science while she believes wisdom without compassion is inhuman.

This interesting relationship drama stars two likable protagonists whose differing opinions on child raising especially discipline makes for a fascinating tale. Though Gwyn and David fall in love their differences re her son threaten to end their relationship. Fans of contemporary romances will want to read Caron Todd's fine story as the logical scientist and the nurturing mother battle over Shrek vs. Star Trek for an intelligent five year old.

Harriet Klausner