Customer Reviews

The Perfect Summer

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

For twenty-five years Bay and Sean McCabe have been married and lived in Hubbards Point, Connecticut. They have three preadolescent children. The couple has had their ups and downs especially caused by Seans womanizing. However, ever since last year when their oldest child Annie overheard her father speaking romantically to another woman shaking up Sean, the relationship seems honest and solid.

The youngest child calls from the little league field to inform her mom that her dad failed to pick her up as previously arranged. Falling into routine, Bay rationalizes that Sean must be running late at the bank where he is a vice president and drives over to bring Peg home. When an employee of Sean calls asking for him and why he missed a key meeting, Bay begins to worry. Annie rides her bike to the family boat with Bay and a close friend Tara following. They find blood and call the police. Bay learns the FBI is involved because of embezzlement shenanigans at the bank. With her only lead being Dan Connolly, someone she had a puppy crush on before she married, Bay makes inquiries into what happened to her spouse.

Luanne Rices latest thriller is THE PERFECT SUMMER novel for fans of police procedural romances. The action is loaded and the tension shrewdly elevated especially as Bay begins to realize that her spouse is not coming home and as she, Tara, and Annie begin to unravel the truth. Though the interrelationships are explained, they still seem stretched until the dichotomously plausible final note to Annie is found and explains all to readers who will find this an entertaining romantic suspense tale.

Harriet Klausner

I've come to depend upon Luanne Rice's books to always be riveting, romantic and well-written and this one did not disappoint me. She writes about broken families with compassion, warmth and sensitivity. The subplot in this one of Dan's daughter's anorexia and 'cutting' was timely and handled with care. I highly recommend this and all of her books.

Over the last year Luanne Rice has become a favorite author of mine. I'll admit that the more I read of hers, I do wish for a bit more originality, going back to her earlier books, that might not have gotten a lot of acclaim, but they sure gained me as a reader. Maybe it's this way with most writers, after you've read about 10 of their books...I don't know. Either way, this still was a good book with a great plot- the bit of mystery was a little unique for Rice- maybe she's realizing her faithful readers need a bit of variety? Over-all, I recommend this book to faithful fans and those who have yet to try a story by Rice. The books always have a touch of magic.

Had never read anything by this author, and picked it up just on the title and cover summary. But I must admit that I enjoyed this story. This is a good beach read or lazy day read. The story was compelling and well-rounded, and there was a good mystery drawn into the plot. I really felt I got to know the characters and their surroundings as well. Luanne Rice gives you just enough of everything. A light but pleasant read. Enjoy.

I had run out of things to read while on vacation and picked this up at the hotel giftshop, never having read anything by Luanne Rice and only having the expectation that it would be a light romance. What a pleasant surprise! Sure, the romance was there, but there was mystery, intrigue, great friendships between Bay and Tara, as well as Bay and Danny and their daughters. The mystery surrounding Sean's death was well drawn, and there were enough twists and turns to keep me guessing til very near the end of the book. I loved Rice's vivid descriptions of the town, the beach, and the characters...everything came alive! I'll be sure to check out Rice's other books!

I can just imagine and wish I lived in a place like Hubbard's Point. Having a lifelong friend like Tara and Bay, to share summer love and bliss. The book was thrilling and calming. So glad everything turned out. (Don't want to give anything away) It also gives great insight into the trials and tribulations of a child who has lost a parent. Ms. Rice really knows how to keep you turning pages!! Can't wait until the next one.

The reader slides easily into the lives of Bay and her children and longtime friend, Tara. Bay's unease, at the cracks running through her marriage, rings true. The waterside, flower-bedecked cover led me to expect a pleasant romance, so I was surprised by the mystery, the family trauma, the return of a long-forgotten love. Well done!
The viewpoint shifts from Bay to her daughter Annie, to Tara, to Dan and also the emotionally-fragile Eliza. The story unfolds through their eyes and at times I wanted it to hurry up a bit. Mostly though, I savored the development of the characters and the flavor of the Connecticut seaside life.
If you like this author, I'd also recommend Wanda Ryder's Free To Go.

This is my first book by this author, and although it won't be the last, I wish there had been more depth and detail to this book. At times it seemed unbelievable some of the things the FBI and police would do, but hey what do I have to say? I am just along for the ride. I do agree Bay and Danny were slightly boring and I enjoyed Tara more. I skimmed over quite a few pages but none the less I did enjoy reading it!

I picked up this book in Albertsons because I liked the cover, summer was coming and well why not give it a shot?! I could hardly put it down. It's a great book. A bit of romance, a bit of mystery, a bit of struggle, perfect for some quick reading. Since then I've picked up a few more of Luanne Rice's books; also good. My book club buddies ended up reading this and loved it too.

Perfect Summer by Luanne Rice is another heart warmer by one of my favorite authors! Rice manages to immediately draw the reader into the very depths of all of her characters, so that one can feel all of their emotions, all of their struggles and all of their dreams. Rice weaves magic into all of her stories, filling them with the reality of life, but also with hope and love. Her characters in this story were complete and the relationships portrayed were intense, believable, and amazing. Her characters come alive and fill your imagination so that you really don't want to put the book down!

This book not only had a romantic twist to it, but it also had a great mysterious and intriguing element to the story. Rice skillfully led the reader through twists and turns and one did not know until the very end, which character was the perpetrator.

Rice's books are not icky sweet romantics, where all the characters live in a fantasy world. Instead, her books are so filled with life; the realities of life and the messages of love are indeed heartwarming. Elements of romance and intrigue are woven throughout, interlacing all the incredible relationships.

After reading one of Rice's books, one comes away feeling uplifted! I absolutely love all of her books!