Customer Reviews

The Promise of Lumby

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

An absolute delight to read from the first page to the last! Lumby comes alive again and the series just keeps getting better and better. The author hits her full stride with this fourth book that draws the reader into the small, captivating town and the lives of its residents who will do most anything to persuade a veterinarian to call Lumby his home. Fraser's writing reminds me that life can be, at its best and worse, hilariously imperfect and all we have to do is sit back, smile and know that we are each blessed in our own quirky way. Thanks for giving us such a breath of fresh air and a dose of much needed happiness.

When I first received this book I was not too excited and thought the title was kind of strange (not having read any other Lumby books) but I am so glad I received this now! Otherwise I would have missed out on a wonderful book filled with a quirky town full of people you will come to love. I love how Hank, the town's flamingo mascot, ends up every where and is attributed all of these great actions. The antics of the towns people will put a smile on your face even as you are shaking your head. I will admit that the one character I had a hard time with was Pam Walker's husband. I know he was supposed to come off as so clueless that he loveable but I just found him irritating and thought love must be blind in order for Pam to stay with him. Other than that this was a great book that I highly recommend you pick up if you need a laugh and are willing to suspend reality and enter the entertaining world of Lumby.

In the Rockies' tiny town of Lumby, Pam and Mark Walker had hoped their restaurant at the Montis Inn would be a success. Neither was ready for how successful it become. Now each is exhausted from overworking and both wonder what is going on with the former owners. The now famous philanthropists of Saint Abbey, the monks are receiving exotic animals and selling gourmet dining to delighted customers who come for great food and spiritual cleansing as they know the way to a man's spirit is through his stomach.

At the same time, vet Dr. Ellen Campbell announces she is selling her practice to Tom Candor. He is made quickly unwelcome because he fails to mingle. Tom fears rejection if they knew his darkest secret, killing Ming the panda. However carpenter Mackenzie McGuire is attracted to the newcomer and hopes he reciprocates.

Fans of Lumby (see STEALING LUMBY, LUMBY'S BOUNTY and LUMBY LINES) will relish this engaging return trip enhanced by the local newspaper gossip. The subplots are fun, over the top of the Rockies, and all subplots end up in "Happy Valley" (but not Penn State). Whimsical, uplifting and warm, THE PROMISE OF LUMBY is a lighthearted frolic that requires leaving the reality meter at page one.

Harriet Klausner

I am not finished with it yet, but realized, early on, I did not have the first in the series. I loved stories like this, delving in to village life. You become friends with the characters. I found it quite funny, that it was two snow monkeys being met!
Im going to get the first book soon. Thanks.

While reading this novel, I wanted to go and visit Lumby. You get so acquainted with the characters and you feel so welcome in their little community of characters. A feel good book...much like the Mitford Series.

Really enjoy each of the Lumby series. Some of the people I grew up with are just like the characters in these books. This make them more entertaining and believable.
My best friend is just like Mark and his first wife is just like Pam.

Such a quaint town, Lumby, I wouldn't mind living there myself. The story line is easy to follow and just a good book to relax by.

This book by Gail Frazier was fun to read, if at times a little unbelievable. The parts that seem a little stretched were about some of the animals, but then, there is Hank, and the more I read the Lumby books the more I believe Hank is feasible. The story focuses on a veterinarian. He had a mishap in his old veterinarian job and is having a tough time dealing with that. There is romance and humor and people being people. The Lumby books are great to unwind with. You will end up liking the characters. I suggest that you start with the first book and read through to the latest book.

Reading another book in the Lumby series now feels like returning to visit old friends. The adventures at Montis Inn and Saint Cross never fail to delight me while also giving me something to contemplate. The main story in The Promise of Lumby though is that of Thomas Candor, a man seeking to forget his past. Fraser actually begins her story not in Lumby but with Tom as events unfold in a way that destroys his marriage and potentially his career. This was a great way to reveal information central to the story but that the majority of the characters would not discover until much later in the book. Revealing this information at the beginning helps to understand Tom, what he is seeking from Lumby, and why he reacts to things the way he does.

The one flaw that I found with this Lumby book was how quickly the town initially welcomed Tom. Yes, they desperately needed a veterinarian to replace Ellen but in every book there have been comments about how Lumby doesn't like outsiders. This was certainly demonstrated in the reservations the town displayed when Pam and Mark Walker began renovating Montis Inn. On the other hand, Tom seemed to have the trust of the town before it was earned. Only one person seemed to proceed with caution as Dennis Beezer's reporter instincts told him that Tom was hiding something. The quick acceptance seemed a little out of character for the town.

Overall, this was another fun Lumby tale and I'm glad that I discovered this series. At this point I only have one book left to read and review - Lumby on the Air - and then I'll have to wait for the next book to come out.

Light, refreshing reading that will bring a smile in every chapter! I sent these off to my Mom who is 89 years young. She shares a comical portion with me every time I call. I will purchase the whole series for her. Hearing the joy in her voice makes the purchase worthwhile. In the midst of todays troubled world this is a nice escape.