Summer Iris [Paperback]

M. Kate Quinn (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 11, 2010

The last thing Iris Stanton feels like doing is celebrating her fiftieth birthday. She's divorced, has been downsized out of a job, and her post-marriage condo is for sale and she can't afford to buy it. And when her crazy, out-there best friend, Yvonne, offers her the use of a beach cottage for the summer, Iris thinks the idea is preposterous. That is, until she comes up with what could be a solution to her pending homelessness. Selling off her small piece of waterfront property would save the very roof over her head, so she heads to the shore with a mission. The cottage is in the midst of renovations orchestrated by handsome flirtatious owner, Sam Hanratty. His roguish attention gets Iris' heart doing flips, jump starting it into remembering she's still a woman. Sam's foreman, Eddie Morgan, is the most annoying hulk she's ever met, and Iris's heart sinks like lead when she learns that he alone could sabotage the sale of her property. Iris' heart gets a workout this summer, with a string of unlikely events that force her to turn inward to examine what makes her tick, what is her heart's true desire and who might hold the key.

Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: The Wild Rose Press (June 11, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1601547544
• ISBN-13: 978-1601547545
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,095,079 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An author to keep your eye on., July 28, 2010

By 

Detra Fitch "Always hunting good books." (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Summer Iris (Paperback)

Fifty-year-old Iris Stanton's life has not simply been shaken up, it has been through a landslide. Iris is newly divorced and has just lost her job at the school. Unless she finds a new source of income, she will lose her home too. Her crazy best friend, Yvonne, sees it all as an opportunity for Iris to spread her wings. So for a Big 5-0 present, Yvonne hands Iris the key to a beach cabin where Iris can spend the entire summer relaxing before she must return and look for employment. The cabin is being renovated by Sam Hanratty and will be a wedding present for his son. While in the small beach town of Silver Crest, Iris can also tend to the task of selling a small lot in Gull's Landing.

The little cottage on Cove Lane is very quaint and Iris meets the locals quickly. Sam turns out to be a handsome widow and Iris finds her attraction to him returned. Then there is Eddie Morgan, a contractor that is very good looking but annoys Iris for reasons she cannot fully explain. Iris gets many visitors while residing on Cove Lane. Her daughter, Stephanie, is having boyfriend trouble and visits a couple of times to get her head straight. Yvonne drops in to check out Sam, attend a local cook-out with Iris (at Sam's, where several locals gather to mingle), and simply to urge Iris to live a little by possibly dating the man.

Iris soon finds herself considered to be one of the locals by the locals. She even accepts a part time job working for Victoria in a boutique called The Rage. When the school contacts Iris about a new position, she knows she should be excited. So why does the thought of leaving Silver Crest feel wrong?

**** This is the author's debut novel. She seems to possess a remarkable talent for creating realistic characters and placing a few difficult obstacles in their way to overcome. This heroine shows that you are never too old to begin anew or try something totally different from the norm. The secondary characters are as well developed as the main characters. Everyone should have a kooky friend like Yvonne; and perhaps Stephanie will get her own story told some day. (Hey, it could happen!) One thing is for sure, M. Kate Quinn is definitely an author to keep your eye on. Sweet! ****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully refreshing and real, September 9, 2010

By 

Anne H. Capozzi "Anne" (East Hanover, NJ USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Summer Iris (Paperback)

The last few reviews gave very in depth reviews of the book and were right on the money. The story is about real people, real life situations and is written so well that you really don't want the book to end. The writer has such a quick wit that I found myself laughing out loud. The language and the way she expresses her feelings makes you feel like you know her personally. As I expressed in the title for the review this book is wonderfully refreshing and Iris Stanton is so totally likable, funny and honest that you find yourself wishing she was your friend. This is a wonderful, sweet, easy read. Loved it and am looking forward to her next adventure.

5.0 out of 5 stars Heartwarming, September 2, 2010

By 

LAS Reviewer "The Long and the Short Of It Re... (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Summer Iris (Paperback)

Originally posted at: [...]

A charming seaside town, delightful friendships, and witty dialogue create a captivating read that is heart-warming, poignant, and uplifting. Summer Iris by M. Kate Quinn is, without a doubt, one of the best written debut novels I have read a very long time.

Iris Stanton's fiftieth birthday present from her best friend, Yvonne, is a summer at a cottage by the sea. Iris is standing at a major crossroad in her life. She is divorced, out of a job, and about to lose her home. Upon her arrival at the cottage, she finds herself vexed by Eddie Morgan, the man overseeing renovations on the cottage and charmed by Sam Hanratty, the owner of the cottage. The two men are lifelong friends and total opposites. Iris quickly discovers the joys of small town living when the locals embrace her arrival with open arms. With Yvonne's gentle prodding, Iris begins her journey of rediscovery and transformation.

Summer Iris is a fast-paced and engrossing novel. M. Kate Quinn has an engaging writing style with a quick wit that pulls the reader into the story. The plot and characters are very well developed and realistic. Ms. Quinn keeps the story light and angst free. The scenes with Yvonne and Iris are laugh out loud funny, and I fully believe every woman needs a friend like Yvonne in her life. The relationship between Iris and her daughter, Stephanie, is touching and true to life. Sam and Eddie are both hero material, and Ms. Quinn keeps the reader guessing who will finally win Iris's heart.

Summer Iris by M. Kate Quinn is the perfect summer read. It is light-hearted and fun with an emotionally satisfying, feel good ending. I am eagerly awaiting Ms. Quinn's next installment in The Perennials series!