Customer Reviews

Lessons of a Lowcountry Summer

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Along with Brenda Jackson she is one of my favorite black romance authors. Although this is a mainstream book it is still a story centered around male and female relationships and of course some romance. I loved the story of the 3 characters all ending up on Mckinnon Island in South Carolina. You have Rebecca who is trying to shake-up her marriage and get her husband to appreciate her and then of course the main character, Dr. Hope who has all the answers except for herself. It is kinda predictable that Dr. Hope will fall in love with the male lead character Theo. But it is still heart-warming just the same to see them grow together and of course consummate their relationship. The steamy love scenes add to the story and are not at all too long or over-written. I just don't believe you can go wrong with a Brenda Jackson or Rochelle Alers book whether it be romance or mainstream and this book is just another one that proves that.

Rochelle Alers is known for delivering character driven storylines, fabulous settings, fascinating culture and spine tingling romance and in this, women's mainstream genre, there is no exception. In Lessons of a Lowcountry Summer, set in Charleston, South Carolina and the Sea Island of Edisto Island off the coast of the Carolinas, readers are treated to a lesson in American and African American History.

Hope Sutton grew up spending her summers on the island under the tutelage of her beloved Geechee maternal grandmother. There she soaked up the culture, language and all it has to offer. It is there she flees to the house her grandmother left her when her love life spirals out of control. A psychologist and radio personality/columnist, things were looking good. Hope is considering an offer to host a television talk show and the man that she loves has asked her to marry him. All is right with the world until she is thrown into a tailspin. The island becomes a refuge, a place where she can reflect, heal and work on the book she has been wanting to write.

Rebecca Owens of Charleston has had the best of everything, an affluent lifestyle, a loving husband and beautiful children but lately she feels she has been taken for granted. And then there is the little matter of her husband's past affair which she thought she had made peace with. When Rebecca takes the bold step to take a vacation alone to decide where her life is going, she has no idea she will encounter the beautiful cultural traditions of Edisto Island. She embraces the island, the colorful people and culture and in doing so, she takes up the cause of preserving the island and the culture from encroaching land developers. But on the island there is also temptation.

Theo Howell, a renowned writer has had three younger siblings practically dropped into his lap. His deceased mother may not have been a parent to him, but he is determined to do right by his younger siblings. In working through his issues of raising three grieving, resentful teenagers and dealing with his own issues of abandonment, he now realizes how isolated he has been until he comes in contact with a beautiful, intelligent woman on the island. Can these three souls find what they are looking for on this beautiful island?

The food, settings, culture and island sites are a travel log of Edisto Island. Secondary characters, residents of Edisto Island, are enchanting as they share cultural aspects such as basket weaving and fishing. This reviewer, who has always been fascinated with the Sea Islands was pulled into the settings and delighted in learning that the Gullah and Geechee people are one and the same. No doubt Ms. Alers has garnered new fans with this offering.

Dera Williams

APOOO BookClub

Ms. Rochelle Alers takes you on a visit to the South Carolina Sea Island of McKinnon where she introduces you to the Gullah culture along with three trouble people on a mission who becomes the closet of friends.

Hope Sutton is a psychologist/journalist and to those who read her daily column she is Dr. Hope, but to those closest to her she is the baby girl of the Sutton family. When Hope finds her boyfriend of three years in a compromising situation, she isn't sure what to do next. She decides to return to her roots to find herself.

Rebecca Owens was a stay at home wife/mom with a husband who didn't understand her and children who used her. When Rebecca decides to take a summer off from everyone all hell is sure to break loose.

Theodore Howell is one of Hollywood's profound African American playwrights. When his estranged mother dies and leaves him to care for his three half siblings his life is turned upside down. Theodore has a script deadline fast approaching and is not sure what to do. Not knowing which way to go, he follows his agent's advice and takes a vacation.

The three main characters in Lessons Of A Low Country all shared one thing in common; they were looking for their themselves. This book makes excellent reading for anyone who enjoys humor and self-reflection.

Missy B

R.E.A.L Reviewers

Rochelle Alers is a great storyteller! She writes with passion, ease, and excitement! I am a white woman living in the Southern Lowcountry and I learned much about this group of Black people and their traditions from reading this book. As a bonus I found a great author and I would like to recommend her to any of you that like realistic fiction. She writes about three characters that have problems, help each other and renew/find love. I will be reading more of her work and I urge you to do the same.

Lessons of a Lowcountry Summer is a story about 3 individuals, who
question their lives and find answers on an island off of South
Carolina, called McKinnon Island.

Dr. Hope Sutton: A psychologist turned advice columnist, who got what
she always wanted a successful career and a loving committed man.
Hope was ready to settle down until she finds out that her man is
living a double life. So, Hope takes a vacation at her family home
in South. Now, Hope must discover who she is and what she wants out
of life.

Rebecca Leighton-Owens: A stay-at-home mother and dedicated wife,
Rebecca has the American dream-a successful husband and two beautiful
children. However, in her quest to a wonderful wife and mother, she
has lost herself.

Taking a much needed vacation-alone. Rebecca searched herself to
discover the woman that she is. However, in her quest to help
herself, she may lose her family in the process.

Theodore Howell: A successful, Oscar-nominated screenwriter was the
ultimate bachelor until he becomes guardian of his orphaned two half-
brothers and sister.

Theo must find room in his life for his new ready-made family with
issues and his demanding career. Will find the answers on an island?

Lessons of a Lowcountry Summer is a story with an emotional journey
that explores sexuality, self-identity, love, health, and African-
American history. This story was a wonderful read, which captures
your heart. McKinnon Island even gave me some lessons. I recommend
this book to any sentimental romantic and anyone who struggles on
their journey to self-discovery.

Reviewed by Shai Davis
of the Detroit-RAWSISTAZ

LESSONS OF A LOWCOUNTRY SUMMER - Rochelle Alers put three strangers together each facing critical decisions in their lives. Dr. Hope Sutton, a New York Advice Columnist, Rebecca Owens, a Charleston Wife, Mother, and Socialite, Theodore Howell, Hollywood Screenwriter. All come to McKinnon Island, South Carolina seeking a place to recover, to regroup, not realizing how much their lives would change at the end of Summer, for the best.

I've enjoyed all of Ms. Aler's books, and LESSONS OF A LOWCOUNTRY SUMMER is no exception.

Good book Rochelle

I thought this was a pretty good book overall. I'm an avid reader but I've never read any of Rochelle Alers books. I'm glad I chose to purchase this book. I was very impressed with her writing, she is a clean and classy writer, none of that fool talk and no explicit language. I will definitley be reading more of Mrs. Alers books. I would reccommend this book to all. Ps. without giving away too much there was one part in the book that I thought should have been written better towards the end. Read this book and to see if you would agree with me. Once you read this book you'll get what I'm saying.

Ms. Rochelle Alers takes you on a visit to the South Carolina Sea Island of McKinnon where she introduces you to the Gullah culture along with three trouble people on a mission who becomes the closet of friends.

The three main characters in Lessons Of A Low Country all shared one thing in common; they were looking for their themselves. This book makes excellent reading for anyone who enjoys humor and self-reflection.

Three strangers meet at the Sea Islands off the South Carolina coast.

Dr. Hope Sutton, an advice columnist gets the shock of her life when she finds the man she was going to marry is leading a double life. With some unsettling news from her doctor she heads to her family home on the Sea Islands. Her main mission is to write a book, heal and move on with her life.

Rebecca Owens is a rich stay at home mom. Sick of being wife and mother she longs for a vacation... while enjoying the Sea Islands she learns of the rich culture and heritage of the Gullah people. She learns that it's not the label inside of your jacket that makes you who you are.

Theodore Howell is a screenwriter who suddenly finds himself the guardian of two half brothers and a half sister.

Needing to finish a script he heads to the Sea Islands.

This was a wonderful story of moving forward. I liked how the the three met and I found the end to be refreshing.

With such a sultry back drop of the Sea Islands and the legacy of the Gullah people through out the plot I was left longing for a vacation to a remote place rich in culture and heritage...

Outstanding Novel!

reviewed by

Dawnny

Mahogany Book Club

Albany, N.Y.

Three strangers come to McKinnon Island because of circumstances in their personal lives. Dr. Hope Sutton, an advice columnist, has the answers for everyone - but why is her own love life in turmoil? Rebecca Owens, wife and homemaker, has lost herself and is looking for more in life than being someone's wife or mother. Theodore Howell, a famous scriptwriter, recently became the legal guardian of his much younger half brothers and sister who are dealing with the death of their parents. All come to the island seeking refuge but find much more. Good book.