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machadofam8's review against another edition
3.0
I like Mallery's books; they make for great summer reading.
tessisreading2's review against another edition
4.0
Read in a compilation of romance novels but the key relationships are between female friends, the men are mostly superfluous.
bets_reads's review against another edition
2.0
Maybe this isn't my genre. But I am so bored. 40% in and I can't bring myself to waste more.time in this. Not interested in the characters or what happens to them. Mildly interested in the cranes.
segagenesys's review against another edition
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
These types of books are just not for me. I like books that have depth and I don't feel like this book did it for me 🤷🏽♀️
scoutmomskf's review against another edition
5.0
Very good book. Michelle returned to Blackberry Island with several issues to deal with. First was her recovery from war injuries and dealing with her PTSD. Then she had to take over running the inn. She also had to deal with her former friend Carly, who has been running the inn while Michelle was away. Seeing Michelle as she tried to cope was sometimes very painful. From the outside looking in, you can see that the drinking is making it worse, and the stresses of the inn are not helping either. I liked seeing that she had people who were worried about her and wanted to help if she would let them. Jared especially was very good at being there when he was needed. I liked when he gave her the dog to help. There were many problems with the inn, not the least of which were the mortgages that she knew nothing about. I loved the fact that she and Carly were able to work together to do what was needed to save the inn. It also helped them start to repair their relationship, which both of them needed. The addition of Sam and Jared to their lives was just what they needed. I loved the way the two of them banded together to stand up to the bank bitch. I'm looking forward to the next one.
jazzrizz's review against another edition
4.0
Mallery is fast becoming one of my must-read authors. I got hooked on the Fool's Gold books, and Barefoot Season is a great introduction to Blackberry Island.
thisismenow's review against another edition
5.0
I've read a lot of books by Susan Mallery, and I can't think of an instance where I ever disliked any of her books. However, I thought I knew what to expect whenever I picked up one of her books, but I have to confess that Barefoot Season surprised me.
In this book Michelle had recently returned to the United States after being injured in war. When she finally returns home to her inn on Blackberry Island, she's faced with all it's changes as well as confronted by the mistakes of her past in the form of her former best friend, Carly.
At first I wasn't sure how I felt about Michelle. Carly seemed to be the wronged party in the beginning, but as the story unraveled, it became obvious these two had a complicated past. In the end, I came around to liking them both. I also really enjoyed that they were each allowed to reflect on the past. They both saw a lot of the same situations very differently, which made for a lot of conflict.
I enjoyed the setting of the inn on Blackberry Island. It was an interesting environment, and it was clear how much both Carly and Michelle loved the place as they struggled to find ways to keep from losing it.
There was some romance involved, but I actually enjoyed the fact that the romance took a back burner to the relationship between these two former friends. There were times when I wondered if it would ever be possible for the two of them to mend their broken relationship, but despite what they said or how they acted, their love for each other shone through.
I think this was possibly one of Susan Mallery's best work. The writing was very good and the plot felt very solid. It still had all of the elements I've come to expect from Susan Mallery, but the focus was placed elsewhere. It was a great read that I managed to zoom through within a day. I'm excited to read more about Blackberry Island, and recommend this book to anyone looking for a story that's about friendship and healing.
In this book Michelle had recently returned to the United States after being injured in war. When she finally returns home to her inn on Blackberry Island, she's faced with all it's changes as well as confronted by the mistakes of her past in the form of her former best friend, Carly.
At first I wasn't sure how I felt about Michelle. Carly seemed to be the wronged party in the beginning, but as the story unraveled, it became obvious these two had a complicated past. In the end, I came around to liking them both. I also really enjoyed that they were each allowed to reflect on the past. They both saw a lot of the same situations very differently, which made for a lot of conflict.
I enjoyed the setting of the inn on Blackberry Island. It was an interesting environment, and it was clear how much both Carly and Michelle loved the place as they struggled to find ways to keep from losing it.
There was some romance involved, but I actually enjoyed the fact that the romance took a back burner to the relationship between these two former friends. There were times when I wondered if it would ever be possible for the two of them to mend their broken relationship, but despite what they said or how they acted, their love for each other shone through.
I think this was possibly one of Susan Mallery's best work. The writing was very good and the plot felt very solid. It still had all of the elements I've come to expect from Susan Mallery, but the focus was placed elsewhere. It was a great read that I managed to zoom through within a day. I'm excited to read more about Blackberry Island, and recommend this book to anyone looking for a story that's about friendship and healing.
shannon_cocktailsandbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This is the third woman's fiction book I've read by Susan Mallery and it's another book that proves that Susan Mallery has the ability to capture those little nuances in women's relationship with each other.
Michelle Sanderson and Carly Williams were best friends from elementary school through high school. But through no fault of their own, they were pitted against each other through the acts of their parents. Then when they were working towards re-establishing their relationship a man and jealousy came between them causing a rift that seemed unrepairable.
Fast forward ten years and we have an injured Michelle returning home to Blackberry Island after serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. She's broken...not just physically, but psychologically as well. Coming home to the Inn she loves should be just what the doctor ordered. Unfortunately, it also means dealing with the Carly (who now runs the Inn) and the ramifications of both her mother's actions, hers and Carly's past, and the ghost who haunt her from her tour.
If you're hoping to find romance being front and center, like other Susan Mallery books, you won't find it here. The focus here is truly the relationship between Carly and Michelle. It was interesting to see the hurt and anger that both woman had held onto for so long fall away when they soon learn that the other is not at all the evil bitch they remembered the other to be. They both need to learn how to take responsibility for their part in what caused their rift and understand that outside forces (mainly their parents) also contributed. Once they learned to forgive each other and realize that they can truly trust the other, they were able to re-establish their connection.
An emotional read that will have readers remembering those good friends who you have/had a rift with and taking a look at that relationship with new eyes.
Michelle Sanderson and Carly Williams were best friends from elementary school through high school. But through no fault of their own, they were pitted against each other through the acts of their parents. Then when they were working towards re-establishing their relationship a man and jealousy came between them causing a rift that seemed unrepairable.
Fast forward ten years and we have an injured Michelle returning home to Blackberry Island after serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. She's broken...not just physically, but psychologically as well. Coming home to the Inn she loves should be just what the doctor ordered. Unfortunately, it also means dealing with the Carly (who now runs the Inn) and the ramifications of both her mother's actions, hers and Carly's past, and the ghost who haunt her from her tour.
If you're hoping to find romance being front and center, like other Susan Mallery books, you won't find it here. The focus here is truly the relationship between Carly and Michelle. It was interesting to see the hurt and anger that both woman had held onto for so long fall away when they soon learn that the other is not at all the evil bitch they remembered the other to be. They both need to learn how to take responsibility for their part in what caused their rift and understand that outside forces (mainly their parents) also contributed. Once they learned to forgive each other and realize that they can truly trust the other, they were able to re-establish their connection.
An emotional read that will have readers remembering those good friends who you have/had a rift with and taking a look at that relationship with new eyes.
dgignac's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed the characters of Michelle and Carly. You got to see them grow so much during such a short period of time. In fact, I enjoyed the characters so much, as I was getting close to the end of the novel I was hoping that the next book in this series was going to be a continuation of their story. Sadly, it is not, but I'll be reading the second book anyway, and hoping for a glimpse of these 2 characters!
thegeekyblogger's review against another edition
4.0
Received for Review
Overall Rating: 4.50
Story Rating: 4.50
Character Rating: 4.50
First thought when finished: This is definitely at the top of my favorite Women's Fiction stories.
What I Loved: Barefoot Season managed to do so many things to me while reading: I laughed, cried, rooted for reconciliation, and got fighting mad during the middle. I am not usually a fan of women's fiction but if there were more like this I would gobble them up by the handfuls. I identified with both lead characters: Michelle in the beginning and Carly at the end. There was so much to love about their characters and the development around both of them. I dare you to read this and not want to simultaneously hug and sock both of them (at different times). The secondary characters were just as strong and important to the story. Susan did a great job of not letting them overwhelm Michelle and Carly's story but they did support it in a fantastic way.
What I Liked: I really liked the B&B. It was the perfect setting for this wonderful story of friendships, heartaches, and growth. You could feel the B&B working with the story and almost feeling like a character itself.
Final Thought: This a fantastic story and one that will stick with you long after your finished reading.
Felicia Extra Note: I am not usually a fan of women's fiction---I stop/start (DNF) more books in this genre more than any other. However, this is one that I would read again. In fact, I read the last 3 chapters 3 times because it was just a moving and fulfilling ending. I highly recommend this story to anyone who has had friendships that have been lost, gone through hard times, or is embarking on reconciliation with a friend. It truly left me thinking about miscommunication and things that happen in friendships to drive them apart!
Overall Rating: 4.50
Story Rating: 4.50
Character Rating: 4.50
First thought when finished: This is definitely at the top of my favorite Women's Fiction stories.
What I Loved: Barefoot Season managed to do so many things to me while reading: I laughed, cried, rooted for reconciliation, and got fighting mad during the middle. I am not usually a fan of women's fiction but if there were more like this I would gobble them up by the handfuls. I identified with both lead characters: Michelle in the beginning and Carly at the end. There was so much to love about their characters and the development around both of them. I dare you to read this and not want to simultaneously hug and sock both of them (at different times). The secondary characters were just as strong and important to the story. Susan did a great job of not letting them overwhelm Michelle and Carly's story but they did support it in a fantastic way.
What I Liked: I really liked the B&B. It was the perfect setting for this wonderful story of friendships, heartaches, and growth. You could feel the B&B working with the story and almost feeling like a character itself.
Final Thought: This a fantastic story and one that will stick with you long after your finished reading.
Felicia Extra Note: I am not usually a fan of women's fiction---I stop/start (DNF) more books in this genre more than any other. However, this is one that I would read again. In fact, I read the last 3 chapters 3 times because it was just a moving and fulfilling ending. I highly recommend this story to anyone who has had friendships that have been lost, gone through hard times, or is embarking on reconciliation with a friend. It truly left me thinking about miscommunication and things that happen in friendships to drive them apart!