Customer Reviews

Girls of Summer

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This sequel to the wonderful "A Soft Place to Fall" is not as good as the first book, but it is sweet and lovely nevertheless, and a nice and easy read.

This trip back to the insular Maine town of Shelter Rock Cove focuses on ob/gyn Ellen Markowitz, a single woman in her thirties whose 6-month engagement has just ended as the book begins. There's really no love lost, but Ellen is justifiably humiliated and at loose ends, and the last thing on earth she needs is her hippie dippie half-sister Deirdre blowing into town without warning. But that's Deirdre, and this time she's not alone. She has a barely running old heap of a Hyundai, a large harp, a 110-pound dog named Stanley--and, as Ellen quickly finds out, an agenda.

And so begins a summer that changes many lives, including those of Ellen, her sister (and another one to boot), and her handsome, thrice-married medical partner, Hall Talbot, whose friendship means more than Ellen can admit.

This book is basic Bretton--not every loose end is tied up, not every plot line is explained, but who cares? The book, like all her work, is simply charming.

I read A LOT of romance novels and even some suspense, but there are very few contemporary romances that I could get into, although I'm not sure why.

This is the 2nd book I've read from Barbara Bretton. The other was Shore Lights which I like alot, but I'd have to say that "Girls of Summer" was better. It hooked my interested right away and held it the whole way through. I know it's a good book when I'm really sad when I get to the end.

I'm now looking for another book to read & I looked at "A Soft Place to Fall", but it's kind of hard since I started with the second in the series... I hate when I do that!

I will definitely be looking at other Barbara Bretton books in the future.

I truly enjoyed this follow-up novel to A Soft Place To Fall! It's a heartwarming story about small-town life in coastal Maine, written in brilliantly realistic detailed characterizations and relationship dynamics (not just romantic relationships, but also friendships and family-life). The author's style easily draws the reader into the town so that you feel a part of this lively community and its people become your friends.

Barbara Bretton returns to Shelter Rock Cove, scene of A SOFT PLACE TO FALL, and finally gives Hall Talbot a love story of his own. After being the "family friend" in A SOFT PLACE TO FALL, the good guy in love with the woman he can't have, Hall finally finds love -- and more family entanglements than anyone imagined. Ellen O'Brien Markowitz has spent her adult life trying to reconcile the disparate parts of her background with no luck. In her heart she will always be Dr. Markowitz's daughter, even if her DNA tells a different story. Her birth father, the feckless and charming Irish tenor Billy O'Brien, appeared in her life the year she turned fourteen and nothing has been the same since. When her half-sister Deirdre, a failed musician, comes to town with a one hundred pound dog, a broken-down car, and a bucket of problems, Ellen begins to discover that love and family are both worth fighting for. I just loved this book and highly recommend it.

I am so happy to have stumbled upon Barbara Bretton. Her writing, storylines, characters and settings are all very believable and absorbing. The title of this book is a bit weak and I felt it didn't really describe the book but, aside from that, it was a wonderful book. I think women of all ages would enjoy this book and its characters. The characters were rich and complex, Bretton was able to make me laugh and tear up at various points, and the story was full and highly believable. Bretton even delicately touched upon 9/11 through one of her characters and I thought it was tastefully done and very realistic. This is only my 2nd Bretton book, but I will be reading all her books from now on. Highly recommended. 5 Stars!!

"Girls of Summer" was my first Barbara Bretton book. I really, really fell in love with her style of writing and her characters. I just loved Ellen, Deirdre and Hall...and of course Stanley! I can't say enough about this book...except that I really look forward to read the pre-quel to this, as well as all of her other books. Way to go Barbara, you have a winner here!

Ellen Markowitz has found love at work; but up until now, the object of her adoration was the work itself. Then, friendship turns into something more passionate, and she finds herself waking up with Hall Talbot, a colleauge she has admired from afar. Complicating matters include their lack of protection, small town gossip, and the unexpected arrival of her half sister Deirdre, with her oversized dog, Stanley. Deirdre comes with her own set of problems; lack of work, car that is prone to being out sick, and of course, Stanley. Her non functional car may be the perfect vehicle for romance, as the town mechanic is her knight in shining armor. If all this was not enough, the third half sister, Mary Pat calls to inform them that their rouge of a father is dying. Neither is sure they could care less.

*** Ms. Bretton writes a book that has many stories within the plot. Realism is one of her enduring strong points. Life can be complicated, especially if you have relatives is the message here.

Reviewed by Amanda

Obstetrician gynecologist Ellen Markowitz loves living in Shelter Rock Cove however, not as much as she loves Dr. Hall Talbot. She knows her feelings remain unrequited as he still loves Annie Galloway, who is married to someone else and has been for quite awhile.

Ellen and Hall get drunk one evening and share a passionate night of love. The next day both are awkward with one another sharing the same bed. Both fear the impact on their friendship and professionalism that this one night stand can cause. When Ellen's half sister Deirdre arrives needing a temporary place to stay, she serves as a stimulus that makes the two medical practitioners understand that the heart is the most precious place for friendship to reside. Though they exchange feelings of love, will either one take the bold risk of saying so at the cost of their friendship.

Fans of relationship dramas will appreciate GIRLS OF SUMMER though wonder about three strikes and your out with the lead protagonist failing four times and still infatuated with a married woman. The story line is loaded with angst not only from the regretting lead couple, but also between the step-siblings. Barbara Bretton provides deep tale of individuals struggling with caring connections of the heart.

Harriet Klausner