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drpepperismytruelove16's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
jbarr5's review against another edition
4.0
Dandelion summer by Lisa Wingate
Book starts out with an old man, hospitalized and his daughter Deborah is making arrangements for him to come home and having a housekeeper there to tend to his needs and the house.
Jay Norman had just lost his wife and didn't take his heart medications...book also follows Epiphany Jones who is just 16 and had been forced to move to this area due to the death of her caretaker. She learns that her father is not who her mom had told her, but she's a black Italian and her father's family runs a restaurant in the town.
Her mom has many secrets hiding in the closet that she's started to uncover. She doesn't feel welcome at all but she's been told she will be making meals for the old man. Epi and Jay form an alliance against Deborah and work on projects together. He knows all about rocket ships and other technical things. She needs guidance in that and other personal things...
Mysteries arise and they jump to find the clues-with the help of technology.
Amazing how their lives are entwined!
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
Book starts out with an old man, hospitalized and his daughter Deborah is making arrangements for him to come home and having a housekeeper there to tend to his needs and the house.
Jay Norman had just lost his wife and didn't take his heart medications...book also follows Epiphany Jones who is just 16 and had been forced to move to this area due to the death of her caretaker. She learns that her father is not who her mom had told her, but she's a black Italian and her father's family runs a restaurant in the town.
Her mom has many secrets hiding in the closet that she's started to uncover. She doesn't feel welcome at all but she's been told she will be making meals for the old man. Epi and Jay form an alliance against Deborah and work on projects together. He knows all about rocket ships and other technical things. She needs guidance in that and other personal things...
Mysteries arise and they jump to find the clues-with the help of technology.
Amazing how their lives are entwined!
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).
crhbrault's review against another edition
5.0
Terrific character driven story full of emotion - highly recommend!
jacobnewton's review against another edition
5.0
This book was very pure and I think that’s what I enjoyed most. The relationship between Epiphany and J Norm was ever-developing and became a genuine bond when two people really need someone there. Though I’m not always a fan of somewhat predictable endings, I loved the way this one tied up.
sparklymoom's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Lovely story from 2 perspectives
Ending was quite swift like she ran out of time
rachelb36's review against another edition
4.0
It was refreshing to read a work of fiction in which there was no major emphasis on a romantic relationship.
I enjoyed both J. Norman's and Epiphany's stories, but I wish each had been a little more involved. The ending was a bit abrupt and easy, and it certainly lacked closure for Epiphany's side of things.
I did appreciate the author's sense of humor.
"...I'd purchased from some wandering Girl Scouts their entire load of cookies as well as the wagon, on the promise that they would tell other neighborhood children I'd stolen their goods, and that this was no longer a safe place to conduct door-to-door sales." p 40
I enjoyed both J. Norman's and Epiphany's stories, but I wish each had been a little more involved. The ending was a bit abrupt and easy, and it certainly lacked closure for Epiphany's side of things.
I did appreciate the author's sense of humor.
"...I'd purchased from some wandering Girl Scouts their entire load of cookies as well as the wagon, on the promise that they would tell other neighborhood children I'd stolen their goods, and that this was no longer a safe place to conduct door-to-door sales." p 40
hmacdou1's review against another edition
4.0
Loved the book! As always, my
Interest statutes to wane towards the end. However, I always have a hard time holding my
Interest for an entire book. I especially enjoyed Epiphany’s character and connected with the struggles that she was going through as a teenager.
Interest statutes to wane towards the end. However, I always have a hard time holding my
Interest for an entire book. I especially enjoyed Epiphany’s character and connected with the struggles that she was going through as a teenager.
bettyjowerthmann's review against another edition
Very enjoyable, gentle read. Relationship healing.
donnareadathon2021's review against another edition
5.0
This is book #4 in Lisa Wingate’s Blue Sky Hill series and it was a stunning read.
J Norm is cantankerous. He recently lost his beloved wife and is struggling to come to terms with this while dealing with heart problems.
His daughter Deborah is so much like him, a strong willed and intelligent PhD scientist but now that’s it’s just her and her dad, they clash and J. Norm struggles to tell her how he really feels and how much love he has for her.
Deborah hires a new cleaning lady who brings her daughter to come to J. Norm in the afternoons. At first mixed race Epiphany stays away from J. Norm but later they start to share their thoughts with each other.
Being with Epiphany helps J. Norm deal with his feelings for his daughter.
But at the same time, a dark and secret past is coming back to him and the reality of his early days are revealed.
Such an excellent story - the plot, the emotions intermingled with relevant contemporary issues make this a stunningly beautiful read. Absolutely deserving of a 5⭐️ rating!
J Norm is cantankerous. He recently lost his beloved wife and is struggling to come to terms with this while dealing with heart problems.
His daughter Deborah is so much like him, a strong willed and intelligent PhD scientist but now that’s it’s just her and her dad, they clash and J. Norm struggles to tell her how he really feels and how much love he has for her.
Deborah hires a new cleaning lady who brings her daughter to come to J. Norm in the afternoons. At first mixed race Epiphany stays away from J. Norm but later they start to share their thoughts with each other.
Being with Epiphany helps J. Norm deal with his feelings for his daughter.
But at the same time, a dark and secret past is coming back to him and the reality of his early days are revealed.
Such an excellent story - the plot, the emotions intermingled with relevant contemporary issues make this a stunningly beautiful read. Absolutely deserving of a 5⭐️ rating!
k_lee_reads_it's review against another edition
3.0
Epiphany and J Norm are two of the least likely people in the world to meet. Epie is a mixed race teen. She is beautiful and intelligent, but living a hard life with an angry and inattentive mom. She goes to a school where she is persecuted for being new and half white.
J Norman Alvard is an old rocket scientist with daughter and heart problems. He is grumpy and crusty. Determined to figure out a mystery that is slowly emerging from his memories, he reluctantly agrees to have Elie serve as a cook/babysitter in order to keep his daughter from policing his time upstairs digging through boxes.
Unexpectedly they become friends.
Wingate does a great job devloping the plot and characters. I was enthralled with their stories, and couldn't wait to unravel the mysteries in their lives. So I found myself disappointed when Wingate rushed into the ending. Suddenly everything was resolved and the characters were celebrating over dinner.
Still I enjoyed the book and will continue to read more.
J Norman Alvard is an old rocket scientist with daughter and heart problems. He is grumpy and crusty. Determined to figure out a mystery that is slowly emerging from his memories, he reluctantly agrees to have Elie serve as a cook/babysitter in order to keep his daughter from policing his time upstairs digging through boxes.
Unexpectedly they become friends.
Wingate does a great job devloping the plot and characters. I was enthralled with their stories, and couldn't wait to unravel the mysteries in their lives. So I found myself disappointed when Wingate rushed into the ending. Suddenly everything was resolved and the characters were celebrating over dinner.
Still I enjoyed the book and will continue to read more.