Take a photo of a barcode or cover
![[Chesapeake Blue] [by: Nora Roberts] by Nora Roberts](https://assets.thestorygraph.com/assets/placeholder-cover-a3ae92250eb3301e32dc3eabf8d50576c2f047dda89f6ee7cfa9a859cb1fd746.jpg)
4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
4th book in the Chesapeake Bay Saga. This is the story about Seth Quinn, the young boy who was adopted in the beginning of the series. This has a time jump and while I loved that everyone from the first 3 books came back with their families - the book didn't quite live up to what I wanted it to be. You get to see the shy and angsty young boy become a man and find his own romance. A nice end to the saga.But I loved reading about his adopted brothers more.
Along with Sea Swept, this is a stronger book in the series. The Chesapeake Bay Saga has mostly not been my favorite. None of the romances have been ones I've hugely invested in, and the whole set up was incredibly dark, which again is not my preference, though I do, as a whole, like the handling of it fairly well. There are regular problematic elements, but they're not too surprising given when the books were written.
In Chesapeake Blue, Seth Quinn is back, and he's once again dealing with his mother, Gloria. For the most part, I like the resolution to this plot line. I think it's totally believable that, though Seth has been loved fiercely since age 10 and has become incredibly successful, he's never been able to get past the gut fear of his biological mother. Romance can sometimes have a way of making it seem as though love wipes away problems and psychological trauma, but, for Roberts' flaws, she doesn't do that. Given the dark subject matter, I think the final resolution is mostly very fitting and less dramatic than it could have been. There's also a nice realism to the fact that, while dealt with temporarily, there's an awareness that Gloria will never actually pay for her actions.
Seth and Drusilla are a nice couple, though I have no fucking clue why her name is Drusilla, like she's Cinderella's step-sister. They have a nice vibe, and there are several moments of clear consent as their physical relationship progresses, which is a really nice change from some of the other books (most notably Rising Tides). Seth and Dru have a nice vibe, and I do like them together, but it's another relationship that goes from 0-60 when there's no need to be in such a rush. Also, I know Roberts can write banter because the first one I ever read was nerdy and had some good banter, but there's been very little of it between the couples in this series. As usual, I did like Roberts' focus on careers; the details about the flower shop and Seth's painting were fun, and she's so good at getting the person's passion for their work across. I also like that Dru really didn't fit any clear stereotypes, and that Seth ran a bit less alpha male than his brothers.
However, in spite of my mixed feelings about some of the content and the romances, I did have massive feelings throughout the series for the Quinn family. Individually, I'm not that connected to any of the couples or the characters really, but as a giant family group, I have a lot of feelings about them. They're this massive found family, and they support one another a hundred percent, which involves absurd amounts of machismo and a lot of enforcement of gender roles (thank heavens the last couple books are a bit less - women clean and home-make and men do manly man work), but there's a real feeling of love between them all. It's also rambunctious and flawed and kooky enough to feel like a believable family. The best bits of dialog and the scenes than make me tear up are always the family scenes. Heck, even the weird visitations by Ray and Stella made me feel things, despite how incredibly cheesy that whole concept was.
I don't know that I would ever read these again, and I'm super hesitant to recommend them, because there are so many trigger warnings needed for this series (even handled pretty well, that's not necessarily something I want to recommend as a romance). I certainly don't regret reading them, and I did like them, but I sometimes felt like I shouldn't. There's something about Nora Roberts that really works for me, and, man, I wish I could orgasm as easily as her heroines because hot damn.
In Chesapeake Blue, Seth Quinn is back, and he's once again dealing with his mother, Gloria. For the most part, I like the resolution to this plot line. I think it's totally believable that, though Seth has been loved fiercely since age 10 and has become incredibly successful, he's never been able to get past the gut fear of his biological mother. Romance can sometimes have a way of making it seem as though love wipes away problems and psychological trauma, but, for Roberts' flaws, she doesn't do that. Given the dark subject matter, I think the final resolution is mostly very fitting and less dramatic than it could have been. There's also a nice realism to the fact that, while dealt with temporarily, there's an awareness that Gloria will never actually pay for her actions.
Seth and Drusilla are a nice couple, though I have no fucking clue why her name is Drusilla, like she's Cinderella's step-sister. They have a nice vibe, and there are several moments of clear consent as their physical relationship progresses, which is a really nice change from some of the other books (most notably Rising Tides). Seth and Dru have a nice vibe, and I do like them together, but it's another relationship that goes from 0-60 when there's no need to be in such a rush. Also, I know Roberts can write banter because the first one I ever read was nerdy and had some good banter, but there's been very little of it between the couples in this series. As usual, I did like Roberts' focus on careers; the details about the flower shop and Seth's painting were fun, and she's so good at getting the person's passion for their work across. I also like that Dru really didn't fit any clear stereotypes, and that Seth ran a bit less alpha male than his brothers.
However, in spite of my mixed feelings about some of the content and the romances, I did have massive feelings throughout the series for the Quinn family. Individually, I'm not that connected to any of the couples or the characters really, but as a giant family group, I have a lot of feelings about them. They're this massive found family, and they support one another a hundred percent, which involves absurd amounts of machismo and a lot of enforcement of gender roles (thank heavens the last couple books are a bit less - women clean and home-make and men do manly man work), but there's a real feeling of love between them all. It's also rambunctious and flawed and kooky enough to feel like a believable family. The best bits of dialog and the scenes than make me tear up are always the family scenes. Heck, even the weird visitations by Ray and Stella made me feel things, despite how incredibly cheesy that whole concept was.
I don't know that I would ever read these again, and I'm super hesitant to recommend them, because there are so many trigger warnings needed for this series (even handled pretty well, that's not necessarily something I want to recommend as a romance). I certainly don't regret reading them, and I did like them, but I sometimes felt like I shouldn't. There's something about Nora Roberts that really works for me, and, man, I wish I could orgasm as easily as her heroines because hot damn.
Eighteen years have passed since the third book in the Quinn Brothers trilogy, and some things in St. Christopher never change. The three oldest Quinn brothers are still building boats, the Quinn wives are still putting up with their shenanigans, and everyone still supports the other, without question. But Seth has been gone for five long years, running more from his past than from his present. Almost immediately upon his return, his artist’s eye is caught by the new florist, Dru, who is doing a little running of her own.
This was a solid finish to what was already a great trilogy, possibly my favorite Roberts series. There was a consistent theme of family, and how the ones you make can be more important than the one you are born into. And, of course, there was a tempestuous romance to fill in the gaps.
If you aren’t already a fan of Nora Roberts, this is a great series to start with. Particularly if you are turned off by the thought of her paranormal books. There are a couple of ghosts, but nothing that I think qualify as paranormal – they’re more visions than anything. What you get the most is a great family in a great setting.
This was a solid finish to what was already a great trilogy, possibly my favorite Roberts series. There was a consistent theme of family, and how the ones you make can be more important than the one you are born into. And, of course, there was a tempestuous romance to fill in the gaps.
If you aren’t already a fan of Nora Roberts, this is a great series to start with. Particularly if you are turned off by the thought of her paranormal books. There are a couple of ghosts, but nothing that I think qualify as paranormal – they’re more visions than anything. What you get the most is a great family in a great setting.
For more reviews visit For The Love of Fictional Worlds :)
Do come join us at For The Fictional Worlds Facebook Page
There is nothing WRONG with this book, but it's too much re-treading of the first three for me, I was bored the whole way through.
Chesapeake Blue is the first full length novel I remember reading so rereading it was pretty nostalgic for me.
I loved Seth and Dru both as individuals and as a couple. I really just wanted to hug Seth and tell him everything was going to be alright and that I know this because I've read his story a million times when I was younger. Seth's family dynamics was so interesting to read and by the end I was low-key wishing I was one of them. Dru, on the other hand was a little hard to relate with but she was so perfect for Seth.
I did have some problems with some misogynistic and slut shaming language but it just pointed out how much Nora Roberts has grown because I know 2020 Nora Roberts will not be caught saying that shit.
Overall it was a really good read and I'm definitely going to reread again sometime in the future.
I loved Seth and Dru both as individuals and as a couple. I really just wanted to hug Seth and tell him everything was going to be alright and that I know this because I've read his story a million times when I was younger. Seth's family dynamics was so interesting to read and by the end I was low-key wishing I was one of them. Dru, on the other hand was a little hard to relate with but she was so perfect for Seth.
I did have some problems with some misogynistic and slut shaming language but it just pointed out how much Nora Roberts has grown because I know 2020 Nora Roberts will not be caught saying that shit.
Overall it was a really good read and I'm definitely going to reread again sometime in the future.
Sure, maybe Nora Roberts' romances are all a little silly and shallow, and maybe these ones aren't that much different. But this series has always remained my favorite of all her writing. The family dynamics, the way our four main guys just mesh as brothers...all of it. I love them. I can't help it.
Typically Nora book, really great characters with a really great story. Quite enjoyable, but I wish I'd read them in order. I needed this one for a challenge so decided to read it. Will definitely read the others.
Rant ~ I don't get why people give so many concessions to family. People think that because someone is family they HAVE to give them their love, time and respect. If they aren't deserving of those things, no one should give them, just because of "family". If a shithead came along and treated him the way his birthmonster did, he would have done anything to get rid of them, even at that age. But because she's "family" he lets her terrorize him for 15+ years. Bullshit!! If family sucks, break free. Don't stay with shitty people because you are unfortunately related to them. :/ Rant over.
Rant ~ I don't get why people give so many concessions to family. People think that because someone is family they HAVE to give them their love, time and respect. If they aren't deserving of those things, no one should give them, just because of "family". If a shithead came along and treated him the way his birthmonster did, he would have done anything to get rid of them, even at that age. But because she's "family" he lets her terrorize him for 15+ years. Bullshit!! If family sucks, break free. Don't stay with shitty people because you are unfortunately related to them. :/ Rant over.