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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
This was my first book by author Viola Shipman and it won’t be my last. This was the perfect read to take on vacation, it’s a palate cleanser - refreshing and satisfying. It fits into the “second chances” genre with the main character Adie Lou recently going through a divorce and deciding to renovate her family’s cottage into a B&B on Lake Michigan.
She is a relatable, fun woman in her 40s and she’s been in a marriage where her husband criticized her every move and then cheats on her. Instead of falling apart, she decides to make a huge lifestyle change and return to the place where she was happiest.
The lake locals remember her parents and want to help her succeed and even though it’s not all smooth sailing (pun intended) and it’s a ton of hard work, she creates a special place that reminds her guests and herself of the happy summers she spent there.
There are many great reminders and choice bits of wisdom throughout the book. I was fascinated by the fact that a man (the author is Wade Rouse who writes under his grandmothers name) could write women’s fiction so well!
This is a feel good, gentle read that made me laugh out loud and even tear up a little. Adie Lou will appeal to many women - who hasn’t wanted to try something new, to be brave and independent?
She is a relatable, fun woman in her 40s and she’s been in a marriage where her husband criticized her every move and then cheats on her. Instead of falling apart, she decides to make a huge lifestyle change and return to the place where she was happiest.
The lake locals remember her parents and want to help her succeed and even though it’s not all smooth sailing (pun intended) and it’s a ton of hard work, she creates a special place that reminds her guests and herself of the happy summers she spent there.
There are many great reminders and choice bits of wisdom throughout the book. I was fascinated by the fact that a man (the author is Wade Rouse who writes under his grandmothers name) could write women’s fiction so well!
This is a feel good, gentle read that made me laugh out loud and even tear up a little. Adie Lou will appeal to many women - who hasn’t wanted to try something new, to be brave and independent?
I really enjoyed this book more than I thought I would. I love that it takes place in Michigan. I love the family history of the cottage. It felt fun and plausible. I loved the relationship between parent and child. It felt authentic and real. I enjoy the local details. It makes me want to go on a road trip. It also gave me a lot more appreciation for B&B owners. The construction worker and time line now that’s something that only happens in fiction. 😂😂😂 I still enjoyed it.
As sweet as a piece of fudge. Don't know that it will stick with me, but I enjoyed it while it lasted
This was not a bad book. The writing style is lovely. I could read many books written like this many times over. The plot was interesting and a fresh take on an old cliche (woman gets divorced and finds unexpected love again). While the plot may be based on true events, the characters here are what feel the most cliche. They are all too perfect. None have major flaws. When they have major flaws, they can be explained a way by some hard backstory. Everything is way too magical and perfect to be real. Everyone mainly gets a happy ending or the ending that we think that they deserve. Everybody learns from their mistakes. We know that this doesn't always happen in real life. The characters don't feel like they would exist in real life either. The writing style and the atmosphere that the author creates are wonderful, but the characters fall flat in comparison.
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The perfect summer read. A page turner and makes you feel right at home for any Michigander. One of my favorites!
I was surprised to see a man, using his grandmother’s name as a pseudonym, write such a charming piece of contemporary fiction. Kudos to Wade Rouse for an enduring look at taking the bull by the horns when a marriage failed.
This was a story I was in no rush to finish.
Adie Lou Clarke nee Kruger’s (she takes her maiden name back after her divorce) character grew on me with each additional chapter.
She was in her early forties and at a crossroad in life. Newly divorced and leaving a job she no longer enjoyed, Adie Lou took the plunge to revamp her family’s vacation home into a B & B. With limited funds and no experience, she became an unconventional woman. If you read the story, you will know what I mean.
Revealed in the first person tense, I missed hearing the various male characters’ thoughts. I enjoyed learning more about the main protagonist, but sometimes I wanted to know what all the men thought in reaction to Adie Lou’s many strengths and limitations.
A few times I felt like the narrative was a pitch for Saugatuck, Michigan’s chamber of commerce. At the same time, I would love to visit the area! The descriptions of the beaches, boat rides, search for treasured stones and gentle evenings were soothing.
[b:The Summer Cottage|40277425|The Summer Cottage|Viola Shipman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1537724550l/40277425._SX50_.jpg|59698776] was a story of failure, friendships and learning to depend on others. Some situations bordered on cutesy, but they were offset by more serious moments. There were just enough realistic connotations to make Adie Lou’s life interesting.
After the ups and downs of building and running a new business centered in hospitality, a light romance cemented the heroine’s future. All in all, it was a pleasant way of vacationing in Michigan without actually traveling there.
This was a story I was in no rush to finish.
Adie Lou Clarke nee Kruger’s (she takes her maiden name back after her divorce) character grew on me with each additional chapter.
She was in her early forties and at a crossroad in life. Newly divorced and leaving a job she no longer enjoyed, Adie Lou took the plunge to revamp her family’s vacation home into a B & B. With limited funds and no experience, she became an unconventional woman. If you read the story, you will know what I mean.
Revealed in the first person tense, I missed hearing the various male characters’ thoughts. I enjoyed learning more about the main protagonist, but sometimes I wanted to know what all the men thought in reaction to Adie Lou’s many strengths and limitations.
A few times I felt like the narrative was a pitch for Saugatuck, Michigan’s chamber of commerce. At the same time, I would love to visit the area! The descriptions of the beaches, boat rides, search for treasured stones and gentle evenings were soothing.
[b:The Summer Cottage|40277425|The Summer Cottage|Viola Shipman|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1537724550l/40277425._SX50_.jpg|59698776] was a story of failure, friendships and learning to depend on others. Some situations bordered on cutesy, but they were offset by more serious moments. There were just enough realistic connotations to make Adie Lou’s life interesting.
After the ups and downs of building and running a new business centered in hospitality, a light romance cemented the heroine’s future. All in all, it was a pleasant way of vacationing in Michigan without actually traveling there.
Since this is not normally the genre of book I read, I think it lost a star because it didn't really capture my attention. I listened to this book and I found the main character a little whiny. I think it was just the style of reading, but the character arc was nice. She was a stronger woman at the end of the book. It was a good story about a woman finding herself through a series of life changes. I wasn't happy that she married just a little over a year after she divorced... I got bored at parts because I was listening and there was a lot of explanation of how things looked. But it was a nice story and a good summer read.
An enjoyable, predictable example of the genre. A nice fun page turner for scary pandemic times.