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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
Thank you Park Row Books/Mira Books for sending me a copy of One Perfect Summer by Brenda Novak. This was my first read by this author and I thought it was pretty good! I thought the story was good but not the best. It had a few slow moments but I still kept on reading to find out the stories behind each of the sisters. There definitely was a lot of information to take in throughout the book, especially towards the end. All three sisters were different in their own ways. I am glad that the three of them were able to develop a relationship among themselves. This one was definitely a good and quick easy read.
In the interest of research for the true crime books she writes, Serenity takes a DNA test. Imagine her surprise when she's then put in contact with TWO women who have also taken the test and find they're all half sisters of each other!
After chatting online for a bit, the sisters decide to meet, and hopefully figure out the details of how they're related. Serenity was raised in a happy family with three other siblings, and her parents are still together, so who isn't telling the truth about her parentage? Lorelei was found wandering the streets of Orlando and grew up in foster homes - is her birth mother the one who abandoned her and never returned to claim her, or is there more to her story? Reagan was raised by a single mother and told her father died when she was two-years-old. Where's the link that will connect the sisters biologically?
The sisters each arrive at Serenity's family cabin in Lake Tahoe with their own troubles. Their parentage may be the least of their concerns this summer, but they are committed to the idea of being sisters, and being there for each other.
Each of the sisters was so unique and still likable. This book was so engaging and had the reader pulling for a happy ending for all of the sisters. They each made progress toward a happy ending, and they all even seem to be getting a bit of romance - yay! I'd give this book 4 out of 5 stars. It's a perfect summer read, although their problems could be less than pleasant for some to read about. It's fiction, and they're characters ;) Enjoy!
After chatting online for a bit, the sisters decide to meet, and hopefully figure out the details of how they're related. Serenity was raised in a happy family with three other siblings, and her parents are still together, so who isn't telling the truth about her parentage? Lorelei was found wandering the streets of Orlando and grew up in foster homes - is her birth mother the one who abandoned her and never returned to claim her, or is there more to her story? Reagan was raised by a single mother and told her father died when she was two-years-old. Where's the link that will connect the sisters biologically?
The sisters each arrive at Serenity's family cabin in Lake Tahoe with their own troubles. Their parentage may be the least of their concerns this summer, but they are committed to the idea of being sisters, and being there for each other.
Each of the sisters was so unique and still likable. This book was so engaging and had the reader pulling for a happy ending for all of the sisters. They each made progress toward a happy ending, and they all even seem to be getting a bit of romance - yay! I'd give this book 4 out of 5 stars. It's a perfect summer read, although their problems could be less than pleasant for some to read about. It's fiction, and they're characters ;) Enjoy!
Oof. This was...not good. At all. I was super intrigued by the premise: three half sisters discover each other after taking a DNA test and spend a summer together at a lake house. Fun, easy breezy, right?
There was WAY too much drama going on here that was just so absurd:
Lorelei grew up in foster care and has one foster sister who's an addict, another is in a religious cult. She's thrilled to find biological siblings, especially since she recently learned her husband and best friend have been carrying on an affair and are going to have a baby. Throughout this entire mess, both the husband AND best friend act like Lorelei is the bad guy, they're the victims and should be forgiven. Mark finds out where Lorelei is staying and shows up unannounced, after he convinces her to come to dinner to talk, it turns out Francine was also invited so the THREE of them can chat. Francine went so far as to say "We could never be happy without you." Ugh.
The third sister is Reagan who is basically the Francine in her situation: she slept with her married boss and has just discovered she's pregnant. But in her case it's a-okay and her sisters are sOoO understanding.
The neighboring house is being used by three brothers and I legit thought Finn was going to turn out to be a serial killer. No lie. He turns out to be Lorelei's love interest and was clearly meant to be seen as a good guy but he was just SO awful and creepy. One of the first times he meets the women, he immediately talks over Lorelei. To Lorelei's daughter. He butts in, he is incredibly invasive with his questioning of the sisters, and once Lorelei's husband shows up, he's full on caveman. I honestly expected this book to turn into a thriller and was just waiting for him to murder someone.
One of Finn's brothers recently lost his arm in a motorcycle accident. Lorelei's 4-year-old daughter is naturally curious and asks him about it every. single. scene. she's in with him for a good while. He eventually loses it, only for everyone to see him as the bad guy. "Right now, he resents me and Lucy, even though I'm here to help him" is an actual line Lorelei says. Finn enlists the sisters to be nice and supportive of this stranger and when Davis has had enough, she makes him out to be the villain. "He needs to quit feeling sorry for himself. It might sound harsh, but babying him isn't doing him any good. He's not the only person in the world who's ever suffered." gphlfpdn Later on in the book, Lorelei confronts him: "...would it kill you to be kind? And to show a little gratitude to your father and your brothers who are trying to hard to be supportive?" The poor guy just lost an arm and is being bombarded by four complete strangers who are expecting him to magically Get Over It.
It's also revealed that the sisters are related through their father, a priest who roamed the US raping young women. Lorelei eventually finds out what became of her mother (she was found abandoned as a little girl which led to her being placed in foster homes): "Your adoptive mother was murdered, Lorelei. The PI found an article about her body being discovered by a nature enthusiast in a swamp in Florida." LOL WHAT.
I...don't know what happened here. I've read another of Novak's books and enjoyed it! This one was ridiculous.
There was WAY too much drama going on here that was just so absurd:
Spoiler
Serenity is a true crime writer who divorced her husband after learning he was buying and selling child pornography. Ex is now in jail for 5 years and his entire family believes Serenity set him up. Ex's mother texts Serenity out of the blue to say she wants a box of photos her son kept under the house (???) and immediately after Serenity says she'll ask the ex's brother to help get them, the mom replies with "What's going on between you two? Don't tell me you're together..." Out of nowhere, no reason for her to think that. ...only, Serenity and Sawyer DO sleep together as soon as he comes over, so.Lorelei grew up in foster care and has one foster sister who's an addict, another is in a religious cult. She's thrilled to find biological siblings, especially since she recently learned her husband and best friend have been carrying on an affair and are going to have a baby. Throughout this entire mess, both the husband AND best friend act like Lorelei is the bad guy, they're the victims and should be forgiven. Mark finds out where Lorelei is staying and shows up unannounced, after he convinces her to come to dinner to talk, it turns out Francine was also invited so the THREE of them can chat. Francine went so far as to say "We could never be happy without you." Ugh.
The third sister is Reagan who is basically the Francine in her situation: she slept with her married boss and has just discovered she's pregnant. But in her case it's a-okay and her sisters are sOoO understanding.
The neighboring house is being used by three brothers and I legit thought Finn was going to turn out to be a serial killer. No lie. He turns out to be Lorelei's love interest and was clearly meant to be seen as a good guy but he was just SO awful and creepy. One of the first times he meets the women, he immediately talks over Lorelei. To Lorelei's daughter. He butts in, he is incredibly invasive with his questioning of the sisters, and once Lorelei's husband shows up, he's full on caveman. I honestly expected this book to turn into a thriller and was just waiting for him to murder someone.
One of Finn's brothers recently lost his arm in a motorcycle accident. Lorelei's 4-year-old daughter is naturally curious and asks him about it every. single. scene. she's in with him for a good while. He eventually loses it, only for everyone to see him as the bad guy. "Right now, he resents me and Lucy, even though I'm here to help him" is an actual line Lorelei says. Finn enlists the sisters to be nice and supportive of this stranger and when Davis has had enough, she makes him out to be the villain. "He needs to quit feeling sorry for himself. It might sound harsh, but babying him isn't doing him any good. He's not the only person in the world who's ever suffered." gphlfpdn Later on in the book, Lorelei confronts him: "...would it kill you to be kind? And to show a little gratitude to your father and your brothers who are trying to hard to be supportive?" The poor guy just lost an arm and is being bombarded by four complete strangers who are expecting him to magically Get Over It.
It's also revealed that the sisters are related through their father, a priest who roamed the US raping young women. Lorelei eventually finds out what became of her mother (she was found abandoned as a little girl which led to her being placed in foster homes): "Your adoptive mother was murdered, Lorelei. The PI found an article about her body being discovered by a nature enthusiast in a swamp in Florida." LOL WHAT.
I...don't know what happened here. I've read another of Novak's books and enjoyed it! This one was ridiculous.
Just meh to me! The sisters story had potential but seemed to get off track - this is a book that probably could’ve been more concise.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
As an adoptee who found her bio-family per DNA, I was super excited to read this book. Sad to say, I found it to be mediocre at best (IMO). The plot was predictable and cliché, and I also found myself feeling more annoyance than sympathy toward the main characters. At more than one point I said out loud “are you kidding me?” After dragging on forever with minute, unnecessary details, the multiple story subplots suddenly wrap up in a rush. In fairness, I have to say, the final outcome for the main plot was a surprise, though it too seemed to resolve in a hurry. It felt like the author tried to fit several social issues into the book, without doing any of them proper justice. For the first time ever I put the last hour of the audiobook on x1.5 speed, just to get it over with.
This was my first Brenda Novak. Unfortunately, I was mildly disappointed. The writing was done well, but the characters and storylines were somewhat cliche. Spouse’s affair with best friend, accidental pregnancy from illicit one night stand, angry injured men who lashes out at everyone...it had them all. I would have liked to know what happened to some characters, but they simply seemed to disappear. The overall mystery that was the main plot of the book was wrapped up way too quickly and easily without any real discussion about it. I’ve heard longtime fans of Brenda Novak say that this was not one of her best, so I’ll definitely give her another chance. But this book doesn’t leave me with a great first impression.
** I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review **
** I was given a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review **
I like Ms Novak books and this one was no exception.
An engrossing and entertaining plot, a cast of fleshed out and likeable characters, a lovely setting.
I think it's an engrossing and entertaining read that I recommend.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
An engrossing and entertaining plot, a cast of fleshed out and likeable characters, a lovely setting.
I think it's an engrossing and entertaining read that I recommend.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
I really like Brenda Novak and her writing style. I enjoyed this book. It had everything bad that could happen to people happen which made it a little over the top (pedophile, adultery, separations, major accidents, love, etc) but I liked the book as the book was easy to read and it really just transported you into a different life. I do hope there is another book that comes out to really flesh out what happens next with the characters but I liked it. Received this book as an ARC and I am giving my review freely.