Customer Reviews

Driftwood Lane: A Nantucket Love Story

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I could almost smell the beached drifts of seaweed at low tide. Feel the velvety moss edge of weathered gray clapboard. This 4th in a series of seaside stories by Hunter has duel protagonist/antagonist. It depends on which side, guy/gal, you're cheering for.

You quickly get caught up as reader in desiring to help the expected romance to develop. Of course the outcome can be called a bit predictable--after all--the cover says "heart-warming romance" and "Nantucket love story". But she's already engaged. But the story enchantment is so fun--one must not eat the dessert first--even at a B&B.

Meridith is willed a worn B&B complete with kids (ages 7, 10, 13).
Jake is Uncle J, hardly a spoiler. It's the main plot, revealed on p.20.
Uncle Jay, the only other living relative, must prove her an inept guardian.
Meridith must show this arrogant handyman he's not this world's gift.
Both must also admit to the candy aesthetic physical appeal of the other.
Who will triumph or succumb first?
Truly a battle of the sexes.
What happens when Meridith realizes she's odd-man-out, not in on the family secret?

"God will give you courage," even if your fear is of love.
Second chances. Overcoming with His help.
Some good reading with a Christian message. Includes a reading group guide.

The last page says the 1st of a new series "A Cowboy's Touch" is out in April, 2011. I'm leaving a note on my wife's pillow, since MY birthday is in April.

Denise Hunter has a way with words, and stories, and characterization, and setting. In her Nantucket series, setting acts like a character. You feel like you're staying in a B&B on the beach. That's a delightful aspect of this series and this story.

From the beginning of this series, I've enjoyed Denise's allegories. She demonstrated God's love through her characters, through their trials and their responses and her depictions of their romance. In Driftwood Lane, a major theme was freedom from fear. And somehow, without portraying her heroes as perfect, she gives us glimpses of God's love as He helps us get free and release ourselves to His love.

It's rare to find a romance which doesn't bow to all the confines of formula. I feel Denise makes the most of them. The path she takes is intricate and enjoyable. Her scenarios aren't cliché. And this couple's first kiss? Goosebumps. And I'm not talking about the characters.

I highly recommend this entire series. You don't have to read the books in order. They stand alone. But I wouldn't miss one of them. So enjoyable. Denise's books teach you something about God's love--it's fiction that leaves you feeling more open to God, perhaps closer to Him, warmed by His love.

Highly recommended.

Driftwood Lane by Denise Hunter is absolutely fabulous! It is book three in her Nantucket Love Story series. The stories are not connected but they all take place in Nantucket. (And they are all wonderful!) The other books in the series are Surrender Bay and The Convenient Groom. They are contemporary fiction stories and when I think of Denise Hunter, I automatically think of stories that grab me by the heart. That's how I would describe her books, including this one.

In this story we meet Meridith Ward. She has worked really hard for a career and a home and a stable life. And all of that is about to get turned upside down. She has to face memories from her difficult childhood that she has worked so hard to bury. And her steady, dependable life is not going to be steady and dependable any more. I really love Meridith. She captured my heart from the very beginning and I was rooting for her all the way. She is a character who will stay in my heart long after finishing the book! All of the characters in this book will stay with me for a long time!

I very highly recommend this book to anyone! It's a beautiful, heart-warming story and it's got something for everyone. There's drama, suspense, romance and a beautiful message. Once I started the book I could not put it down and when it was over I wanted more!

This was a tender love story and so much more. It was easy to read and the characters were well-developed. I found it hard to put down. I will definitely read Denise Hunter again!

Earlier this week the latest and last addition from the Nantucket series from author Denise Hunter was released from Thomas Nelson. Although this is not the first time that I have heard of Denise, this is the first opportunity I have had to read one of her novels and the first thing that I can say is that I'm sorry that I have waited so long. Through out the chapters of the story I was introduced to real characters placed in a very plausible but difficult situation in life. This novel took something rough and turned it into a beautiful seaside romance. Each page was filled with the spray of the sandy shore waves and the bark of the newly inherited dog. I could hear the sawing of wood and hammering of nails and feel the stress and questionings stares with thoughts of tomorrow in the character's lives. I'm delighted to have been introduced to Denise's writing and plan on gathering more of her books in the future.

Driftwood Lane is book four in the Nantucket Love Story Series, but in my experience not having read the first three I can truly say this novel stands alone and only brings forth a desire to go out and buy the first three.

*Thanks to Thomas Nelson and Jeane Wynn of Wynn Wynn Media for providing a copy for review.*

I've loved all of Denise Hunter's book and especially the Nantucket series (I'm so sad to see it come to an end, but can't wait to see what she comes up with next!). Hunter has a way of writing that digs down deep into my heart and I feel like I'm learning life's lessons right along with her characters. Her main characters especially are so ... human ... they are messed up, flawed people who are struggling to figure life out just like all of us. And at the same time her books are fun because she generally lets the readers in on a secrets that the main character isn't aware of (in this case it's that the 'handyman' is actually long-lost uncle....) and so we get to giggle behind her back at times. There's just something I love about that! :)

I really enjoyed this story. The way this extended family came back together was very well done and kept my interest all the way to the end. I'm going to be looking for more stories by this author.

When Meridith Ward learns of her father's death and that she's been left guardianship for her three siblings, her carefully-ordered world is thrown into chaos. What does she knew about raising three children when her own childhood was such a mess? But Meridith takes on the task - at least until the children's uncle shows up - and ends up connecting with the kids in ways she never expected.

Then a handsome handyman, Jake, enters the picture and things become even more complicated. Will Meridith learn to ignore the crazy feelings stirring inside her, or does God have something more in store for her - like true, crazy, wonderful love?

I intended to read the first couple chapters of this only and put it down until the weekend, but that didn't happen. Denise Hunter drew me in to this story from page one and I couldn't set it aside until I'd devoured the whole thing.

I have loved the entire Nantucket series for the characters that really bring you into their lives and make you feel for them - and Meri and Jake are no exception. Meri's sometimes-neurotic ways hide injuries from her childhood, while Jake has a past of his own and it just makes you love them more.

And of course the romance in this book is off the charts - mostly tension but there are a few kisses that made me 'oooh!'

This is a fun read that will keep you captivated throughout.

I subscribe to a monthly delivery service for inspirational romances so I read a lot of them. My biggest complaint about inspirational romances are that they are sometimes romances that just have a few religious phrases scattered through. This book was different because the reader is allowed to follow along as the main characters work out their relationships with God and with each other in the context of their faith. I like inspirational romances where the characters struggle with issues related to their faith in a realistic way. The main characters in this book have suffered losses and pain in their pasts and the author shows how they face their issues and grow as a couple. The main characters share a familial bond in three orphaned children, but one of them doesn't let the other one know about the relationship. The deception has long-term consequences for the whole family. Not only was the book good as an inspirational story, it was a tender romance that kept me turning the pages to find out what happened next. I liked the hero and the heroine, Jake and Meredith, and cared what happened to them as they became real to me. I would definitely read more books by this author.

A sweet and inspirational love story, complete with orphaned children, a handsome handyman and a woman with lots of love to give. Only our heroine, Meredith, doesn't quite know how to give love.

Her affection deprived childhood has left her scared, and the responsibility thrust on her as guardian to siblings she's never met scares her to death. Their recently deceased parents--one of whom is her own father-- left them to her care, despite having abandoned her as a child.

When the handyman turns out to be not who she thinks he is, and she learns the children have conspired to betray her, Meredith nearly loses her faith.
Ms. Hunter has written a nice tale of learning to love, to forgive and to find balance in one's life, despite the chaos.

Recommended for a rainy afternoon, or a sunny day at the beach. Relaxing read.