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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!
lori_loves_reading's review against another edition
3.0
Not as good as the other Susan Mallery books I have read. Quick read, entertaining enough.
kbranfield's review against another edition
5.0
Susan Mallery’s Barefoot Season is a beautiful novel that explores the complexities of friendship and exposes the unseen toll that war takes on soldiers. To read my review in its entirety, please visit http://www.bookreviewsandmorebykathy.com/2012/03/22/barefoot-season/
dtrumps's review against another edition
4.0
Barefoot Season
Carly and Michelle grew up together, they were best friends until Michelle did the unthinkable and then ran away to join the army, leaving Carly there to pick up the pieces. Michelle’s back after ten years (wounded overseas) and Carly is running Michelle’s family’s inn because Michelle’s mom took Carly in when she was pregnant and alone. They pretty much can’t stand each other, both thinking their hatred is justified. But then, they have to work together if their inn is going to survive.
I could not put this book down. I am a HUGE fan of Susan Mallery, but I need romance. This book had romance, but mostly, it was about the friendship between these two women. Ms. Mallery really made it hard for you to take a side because they both screwed up and they were both screwed over. But all the while, I was rooting for both of them, hoping they would stop hurling hate and insults at each other and look within themselves to forgive and heal.
Because Michelle was the more vocal and vindictive of the two, you kind of had the feeling that she was the villian, but I think Carly looked more innocent because the way she was with her daughter made her seem like the more mature one. Michelle’s issues, with PTSD and the wounds she suffered, made you feel for her, but her attitude and complete inability to be civil was tiring. Add to that, she instantly fell into a downward spiral that she did not want to get herself out of, and she was one difficult character to empathize with.
The real villians in the book (there are two) were just outright nasty. I never came to understand their hatred, but it was there every time they were on the page. I wish their feelings would have been explained better, because all we got was the main characters assuming the reasons behind their bitterness.
The romances were pretty great. Both heroes were a lot of fun and had a lot of great qualities, including the ability to raise up their heroine. The romances seemed genuine. They came to the women at the time when they were most ready for it.
In the end, great book. It’s part of the Blackberry Island series and I am very curious about the next books because I cannot imagine who they could be about. At the very least, I look forward to revisiting these women and see how they’ve grown.
Pecans: 4.25/5
Carly and Michelle grew up together, they were best friends until Michelle did the unthinkable and then ran away to join the army, leaving Carly there to pick up the pieces. Michelle’s back after ten years (wounded overseas) and Carly is running Michelle’s family’s inn because Michelle’s mom took Carly in when she was pregnant and alone. They pretty much can’t stand each other, both thinking their hatred is justified. But then, they have to work together if their inn is going to survive.
I could not put this book down. I am a HUGE fan of Susan Mallery, but I need romance. This book had romance, but mostly, it was about the friendship between these two women. Ms. Mallery really made it hard for you to take a side because they both screwed up and they were both screwed over. But all the while, I was rooting for both of them, hoping they would stop hurling hate and insults at each other and look within themselves to forgive and heal.
Because Michelle was the more vocal and vindictive of the two, you kind of had the feeling that she was the villian, but I think Carly looked more innocent because the way she was with her daughter made her seem like the more mature one. Michelle’s issues, with PTSD and the wounds she suffered, made you feel for her, but her attitude and complete inability to be civil was tiring. Add to that, she instantly fell into a downward spiral that she did not want to get herself out of, and she was one difficult character to empathize with.
The real villians in the book (there are two) were just outright nasty. I never came to understand their hatred, but it was there every time they were on the page. I wish their feelings would have been explained better, because all we got was the main characters assuming the reasons behind their bitterness.
The romances were pretty great. Both heroes were a lot of fun and had a lot of great qualities, including the ability to raise up their heroine. The romances seemed genuine. They came to the women at the time when they were most ready for it.
In the end, great book. It’s part of the Blackberry Island series and I am very curious about the next books because I cannot imagine who they could be about. At the very least, I look forward to revisiting these women and see how they’ve grown.
Pecans: 4.25/5
llkendrick's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
I went into this thinking it was going to be a romance but was pleasantly surprised that it is about friendship, with romance being a secondary storyline. Realistic characters and a fun setting. I would love to live in this island and work at this inn.
I went into this thinking it was going to be a romance but was pleasantly surprised that it is about friendship, with romance being a secondary storyline. Realistic characters and a fun setting. I would love to live in this island and work at this inn.
madamelibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
Everyone needs someone!
This book made me want to head to an island near Seattle and try some Blackberry desserts! The characters seem like they’d make good friends.
This book made me want to head to an island near Seattle and try some Blackberry desserts! The characters seem like they’d make good friends.
spike4mal's review against another edition
slow-paced
1.75
Ehhh, just finished it for completion sake. Literally just rambled on.
sn4p's review against another edition
4.0
There aren't a lot of books that can make me cry that aren't really designed to make me cry.
This book though? I cried all the way through. Some happy tears, some heartbroken tears. All good tears.
Michelle is a war vet. She's got a clear case of PTSD, and she's worsening it with drinking.
Carly was Michelle's best friend, until Michelle's father left with Carly's mom. And then Carly stole Michelle's boyfriend, and Michelle stole him back.
It was all very high school (happened in high school), but Michelle is back, and they have to face those issues.
Michelle isn't dealing well, at all, and drinking. She's asked to take care of an abandoned and abused dog. Together, they help each other heal.
Along the way, Michelle and Carly heal their relationship as well, and relationships with a couple of great guys.
Great read, very engaging and kept me sucked in.
This book though? I cried all the way through. Some happy tears, some heartbroken tears. All good tears.
Michelle is a war vet. She's got a clear case of PTSD, and she's worsening it with drinking.
Carly was Michelle's best friend, until Michelle's father left with Carly's mom. And then Carly stole Michelle's boyfriend, and Michelle stole him back.
It was all very high school (happened in high school), but Michelle is back, and they have to face those issues.
Michelle isn't dealing well, at all, and drinking. She's asked to take care of an abandoned and abused dog. Together, they help each other heal.
Along the way, Michelle and Carly heal their relationship as well, and relationships with a couple of great guys.
Great read, very engaging and kept me sucked in.
cj_mo_2222's review against another edition
4.0
Michelle Sanderson is returning to Blackberry Island Inn in Puget Sound after ten years in the army. She had fled her beloved inn after being caught in bed with her best friend Carly Williams's fiancé by Carly herself and the military seemed like a better alternative than facing Carly and Allan again. Michelle thought that after fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, the inn would be a sanctuary where she could recover from her wounds, both physical and emotional. Michelle is disappointed when she finds that everything has changed. Carly is now managing the inn and Michelle's mother, who is now deceased, renovated the inn and mismanaged the finances so poorly that the bank is about to foreclose. Michelle pleads with the bank manager and is given a chance to save the inn, on the condition she retains Carly as an employee. That means Michelle and Carly must put old grievances aside in order to keep the inn that means so much to each them.
Michelle and Carly have known each other since childhood and have always had a complex relationship. Carly is loving, but often insecure and wants everyone to like her. At first, I actually didn't care much for her, but then seeing what a good mother she is and how much she loves the inn, I grew to like her more. I connected more with Michelle's character right away, even though on the surface she isn't always likeable. Michelle is blunt and quick to anger, but is clearly vulnerable beneath all the bluster. As the story unfolds, there are plenty of twists as more details are revealed about events in their past and how they went from being best friends to enemies. While they are trying to get along for business purposes, it's hard to get over some of the events of the past, but they can't forget the good times they had. Seeing them take tentative steps to rebuild their friendship is my favorite part of the book. It's also interesting to see what it's like for a war veteran to adjust to civilian life, especially when the vet is a woman.
While learning how to work together to keep the inn, they each find time to take a chance on love. Carly is a single mother of a nine-year-old girl and is best friends with the girl's uncle, her ex-husband's brother. They love each other, but there is no chemistry. However, there are plenty of sparks between Carly and Michelle's army buddy Sam, which further complicates Carly and Michelle's tentative truce. On the other hand, Michelle slowly builds a friendship and then the possibility of something more with her landlord Jared. Their story is romantic and enjoyable to read.
While there are a couple of short, but steamy love scenes in the book, this is more a novel about friendship, overcoming fears, and moving past old hurts to find happiness. While some of the things that occur in the book are unbelievable, such as the conditions the bank board has put on the inn's mortgages, overall the story is sweet and uplifting. There are also discussion questions and a few recipes at the end. Also, something more unique is the reference and link to a website that gives readers access to additional recipes.
This review was originally written for The Season EZine. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
Michelle and Carly have known each other since childhood and have always had a complex relationship. Carly is loving, but often insecure and wants everyone to like her. At first, I actually didn't care much for her, but then seeing what a good mother she is and how much she loves the inn, I grew to like her more. I connected more with Michelle's character right away, even though on the surface she isn't always likeable. Michelle is blunt and quick to anger, but is clearly vulnerable beneath all the bluster. As the story unfolds, there are plenty of twists as more details are revealed about events in their past and how they went from being best friends to enemies. While they are trying to get along for business purposes, it's hard to get over some of the events of the past, but they can't forget the good times they had. Seeing them take tentative steps to rebuild their friendship is my favorite part of the book. It's also interesting to see what it's like for a war veteran to adjust to civilian life, especially when the vet is a woman.
While learning how to work together to keep the inn, they each find time to take a chance on love. Carly is a single mother of a nine-year-old girl and is best friends with the girl's uncle, her ex-husband's brother. They love each other, but there is no chemistry. However, there are plenty of sparks between Carly and Michelle's army buddy Sam, which further complicates Carly and Michelle's tentative truce. On the other hand, Michelle slowly builds a friendship and then the possibility of something more with her landlord Jared. Their story is romantic and enjoyable to read.
While there are a couple of short, but steamy love scenes in the book, this is more a novel about friendship, overcoming fears, and moving past old hurts to find happiness. While some of the things that occur in the book are unbelievable, such as the conditions the bank board has put on the inn's mortgages, overall the story is sweet and uplifting. There are also discussion questions and a few recipes at the end. Also, something more unique is the reference and link to a website that gives readers access to additional recipes.
This review was originally written for The Season EZine. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
pkrebs's review against another edition
3.0
This book was slow paced. I love susan mallery but this was not one of my favorite books of hers. It seemed like the story never really went anywhere and there was a lot of repetition.
Not a romance -- a story between two friends, who became enemies, but came together again.
Not a romance -- a story between two friends, who became enemies, but came together again.