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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I love these books by Viola Shipman. They make me Think of summer.
Loved the characters and the story.
This book lets me escape and motivates me to think about my dreams and what is next for me.
This was read in the time of Corona
Loved the characters and the story.
This book lets me escape and motivates me to think about my dreams and what is next for me.
This was read in the time of Corona
Loved the book. There was an excess amount of discussion about essential oils, but other than that... Great story.
(3.5) While The Summer Cottage happily checked the box for my current obsession with summery, beach reads, I thought it was alright but nothing overly special.
A story about a middle aged woman who’s in the midst of divorcing her husband so she decides to go back “home” to renovate her family’s summer cottage and open it as a B&B... this was charming and sweet with a great message that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams. Something I truly loved was how atmospheric the beautiful Michigan setting was. What didn’t work for me was that everything happened to be a little too perfect and well, cheesy. Also, certain elements of the writing and character interactions felt juvenile and it just kind of annoyed me.
The Summer Cottage gave me all the Hallmark movie vibes, so if those are your jam, then this book might be too.
A story about a middle aged woman who’s in the midst of divorcing her husband so she decides to go back “home” to renovate her family’s summer cottage and open it as a B&B... this was charming and sweet with a great message that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams. Something I truly loved was how atmospheric the beautiful Michigan setting was. What didn’t work for me was that everything happened to be a little too perfect and well, cheesy. Also, certain elements of the writing and character interactions felt juvenile and it just kind of annoyed me.
The Summer Cottage gave me all the Hallmark movie vibes, so if those are your jam, then this book might be too.
It’s fine, I suppose. I quit at 64% because I was bored and not overly enthusiastic for this vanilla flavor for the same vanilla story I’ve heard too many times.
SUMMARY: 40-something woman recently divorced (husband cheated with a younger woman) moves into her deceased parents cabin and turns it into a B&B... she also reconnects with her childhood “boyfriend” who (surprise) found his way back to the resort community after a washed out career and death in the family.
SUMMARY: 40-something woman recently divorced (husband cheated with a younger woman) moves into her deceased parents cabin and turns it into a B&B... she also reconnects with her childhood “boyfriend” who (surprise) found his way back to the resort community after a washed out career and death in the family.
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This is an Advanced Reader Copy, and the reason I requested it was because it takes place in Saugatuck, MI, a place I used to vacation at quite frequently.
The story follows Adie Lou, a middle-aged woman who leaves her cheating husband and life behind and decides to reinvent herself by restoring an old cottage on Lake Michigan that she inherited.
While growing up, she always referred to it as "The Creaky Cottage," and it's easy to see that the cottage holds plenty of precious memories for her. Even though she's pressured by her ex-husband and attorney to sell it, she instead decides to take one hell of a gamble and, spending money she really doesn't have, decides to fix it up and transform the creaky old cottage into a Bed & Breakfast.
Of course, our brave protagonist has to face all manner of obstacles, everything from a cantankerous preservation society, overly demanding guests and unsurprisingly, unexpected expenses. She honestly had no idea of the work and the costs involved in such an undertaking, and I loved journeying with her as she tried to pull off the impossible and discovers support in unexpected places.
Now what was fun about this book is that each section is themed after one of the delightfully simple 14 rules that her parents had for the cabin, with the first one being "Leave your troubles at the door." Adie Lou names every room in the B & B after one of the rules as well. This clever plot device worked magnificently in this story and made me think that we all could use some of these rules in our own lives from time to time. I'm not going to tell you any more of them lest I run the fun of discovering them for yourself.
I loved seeing how as the cottage was brought back to life, so too was Addie Lou as she discovered parts of herself that she'd forgotten or never knew were there. So in this way, what we have here is a book about healing, reinventing oneself, discovery, and hope for someone who's not quite sure of their direction or their path.
All in all, I loved this book. It's an uplifting, poignant and heartfelt novel that is empowering as it is beautiful, and a couple of surprising twists rendered this a truly memorable read. The Summer Cottage is an atmospheric book, and I felt that the author did an excellent job with the setting, which added an extra charming element to the story.
You know, I love the "running away and rebuilding your life" trope, and this one did not disappoint. I also enjoy stories where the focus is on the restorative power of small-town community, so this one hit all the right chords with me. All in all, a lovely story about turning lemons into lemonade and I ended up giving this one 5 stars.
The story follows Adie Lou, a middle-aged woman who leaves her cheating husband and life behind and decides to reinvent herself by restoring an old cottage on Lake Michigan that she inherited.
While growing up, she always referred to it as "The Creaky Cottage," and it's easy to see that the cottage holds plenty of precious memories for her. Even though she's pressured by her ex-husband and attorney to sell it, she instead decides to take one hell of a gamble and, spending money she really doesn't have, decides to fix it up and transform the creaky old cottage into a Bed & Breakfast.
Of course, our brave protagonist has to face all manner of obstacles, everything from a cantankerous preservation society, overly demanding guests and unsurprisingly, unexpected expenses. She honestly had no idea of the work and the costs involved in such an undertaking, and I loved journeying with her as she tried to pull off the impossible and discovers support in unexpected places.
Now what was fun about this book is that each section is themed after one of the delightfully simple 14 rules that her parents had for the cabin, with the first one being "Leave your troubles at the door." Adie Lou names every room in the B & B after one of the rules as well. This clever plot device worked magnificently in this story and made me think that we all could use some of these rules in our own lives from time to time. I'm not going to tell you any more of them lest I run the fun of discovering them for yourself.
I loved seeing how as the cottage was brought back to life, so too was Addie Lou as she discovered parts of herself that she'd forgotten or never knew were there. So in this way, what we have here is a book about healing, reinventing oneself, discovery, and hope for someone who's not quite sure of their direction or their path.
All in all, I loved this book. It's an uplifting, poignant and heartfelt novel that is empowering as it is beautiful, and a couple of surprising twists rendered this a truly memorable read. The Summer Cottage is an atmospheric book, and I felt that the author did an excellent job with the setting, which added an extra charming element to the story.
You know, I love the "running away and rebuilding your life" trope, and this one did not disappoint. I also enjoy stories where the focus is on the restorative power of small-town community, so this one hit all the right chords with me. All in all, a lovely story about turning lemons into lemonade and I ended up giving this one 5 stars.
I read for popsugar 2024 prompt: book written under a pen name.
Super cute romance book with a feel good ending.
Super cute romance book with a feel good ending.