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cstoeger's review against another edition
4.0
Another great book by Susan Mallery. Typical romance fare, but still a great treat.
jazzrizz's review against another edition
4.0
I have very mixed feelings about this book.
This book revolves around a very dysfunctional family dynamic and Nina's journey to "normal".
I hate to say it, but I was more vested in Averil's story than Nina's.
... was a bit disappointed in who Nina ended up with ... which is a first for a Mallery book for me.
Bonnie kind of drove me nuts, and Bertie should have stepped up WAY before now.
I really liked Cindy. I wish there'd been a bit more interaction with her in this book.
Overall though, I enjoyed the book and was happy to see previous characters pop in here and there.
This book revolves around a very dysfunctional family dynamic and Nina's journey to "normal".
I hate to say it, but I was more vested in Averil's story than Nina's.
Spoiler
I loved Nina with Kyle. He was fun and spontaneous, but the writing on the wall was pretty clear it was just a fling for Nina. I really resisted her relationship with Dylan, andBonnie kind of drove me nuts, and Bertie should have stepped up WAY before now.
I really liked Cindy. I wish there'd been a bit more interaction with her in this book.
Overall though, I enjoyed the book and was happy to see previous characters pop in here and there.
scoutmomskf's review against another edition
4.0
Good story revolving around two women and the changes that come to their lives. Nina is almost thirty years old and has lived on Blackberry Island most of her life. She has spent most of her time, since she was twelve, taking care of her flaky mother and younger sister. Averil is now married and Nina's mom also has someone special in her life, but Nina is still stuck where she is. She isn't happy, but she isn't miserable either. Then some things happen that really shake up her life.
Nina's high school boyfriend comes back to the island to help with his dad's medical practice. It's been ten years since their breakup and she's pretty sure the old feelings are dead. She opens her door one day to find Kyle, the older brother (but still younger than her) of a girl she used to babysit. He had a crush on her then, and is now interested in pursuing a more adult relationship with her. Averil shows up, needing a break from her life, and the chance to actually try writing the book she keeps talking about. And mom is there, avoiding anything she doesn't want to deal with, leaving it all up to Nina to take care of.
The relationships between Nina, Averil and their mother were very complicated. Bonnie (mother) had Nina when she was just a teenager, and Averil a few years later. Bonnie never really took to mothering, leaving the responsibility to her mother, who died when Nina was twelve. Nina took control of making sure things got done, and ended up being more mother than sister to Averil. Nina had her own dreams of going to medical school, but couldn't leave her family, so she gave them up and became a nurse instead. Continuing to take care of everyone, she put Averil through school. When Averil comes home for an extended visit, there's strain between them. Averil whines and complains that Nina is bossy, but Averil doesn't take responsibility for any of her actions. Nina snipes at Averil about how she has left such a perfect life, and what is wrong with her, etc. Bonnie flits through the days, creating problems that Nina then has to fix, but getting mad at Nina for doing it.
The relationships that Nina had with the two men were also complicated. Kyle showed up and his intensity was pretty flattering to Nina. He's a few years younger, very good looking, and she is actually attracted to him. He's not going to be in the area long, and Nina figures that he's looking for a fling to pass the time. They definitely have some chemistry going on, but that really seems to be it. When he's not off flying, he comes to Nina, takes her to dinner and then to bed. There isn't much in the way of conversation, and what there is seems to be mostly centered around his flying. Dylan's reappearance is a bit more stressful at the beginning. Nina remembers what they had together, and how heartbroken she was when they split. Dylan is friendly, and once they get past dealing with their history together, their old friendships resurfaces. Dylan is there for her when she faces a couple family issues, and when she comes down with the flu he really steps up. What she didn't expect from him were some hot kisses that bring her old feelings roaring back to the surface. She isn't sure what her feelings really are for the two of them, but she's going to have to decide.
Nina's sister Averil has her own problems that she's trying to deal with. She's very much in love with her husband, likes her job writing for a magazine, and has the urge to write a book. They are also thinking about starting a family, but that has Averil suddenly starting to panic about her life. An argument with her husband has her headed home, but that has problems of its own. I thought Averil was pretty immature. She never really accepted responsibility for any of her actions. When she first arrived I thought she was pretty selfish, expecting Nina to take care of her. She also had quite an attitude problem with almost anything Nina would say to her. She did start to change pretty quickly. I liked seeing her get involved in the antique store, and how the things she did there started her looking at her life differently.
When an unexpected treasure is found it forces all of the women to look at their lives and the choices they've made in the past. I especially liked seeing Nina take her courage in hand and go after her dreams. I really enjoyed the visitor she got at the end and the result of that visit.
Nina's high school boyfriend comes back to the island to help with his dad's medical practice. It's been ten years since their breakup and she's pretty sure the old feelings are dead. She opens her door one day to find Kyle, the older brother (but still younger than her) of a girl she used to babysit. He had a crush on her then, and is now interested in pursuing a more adult relationship with her. Averil shows up, needing a break from her life, and the chance to actually try writing the book she keeps talking about. And mom is there, avoiding anything she doesn't want to deal with, leaving it all up to Nina to take care of.
The relationships between Nina, Averil and their mother were very complicated. Bonnie (mother) had Nina when she was just a teenager, and Averil a few years later. Bonnie never really took to mothering, leaving the responsibility to her mother, who died when Nina was twelve. Nina took control of making sure things got done, and ended up being more mother than sister to Averil. Nina had her own dreams of going to medical school, but couldn't leave her family, so she gave them up and became a nurse instead. Continuing to take care of everyone, she put Averil through school. When Averil comes home for an extended visit, there's strain between them. Averil whines and complains that Nina is bossy, but Averil doesn't take responsibility for any of her actions. Nina snipes at Averil about how she has left such a perfect life, and what is wrong with her, etc. Bonnie flits through the days, creating problems that Nina then has to fix, but getting mad at Nina for doing it.
The relationships that Nina had with the two men were also complicated. Kyle showed up and his intensity was pretty flattering to Nina. He's a few years younger, very good looking, and she is actually attracted to him. He's not going to be in the area long, and Nina figures that he's looking for a fling to pass the time. They definitely have some chemistry going on, but that really seems to be it. When he's not off flying, he comes to Nina, takes her to dinner and then to bed. There isn't much in the way of conversation, and what there is seems to be mostly centered around his flying. Dylan's reappearance is a bit more stressful at the beginning. Nina remembers what they had together, and how heartbroken she was when they split. Dylan is friendly, and once they get past dealing with their history together, their old friendships resurfaces. Dylan is there for her when she faces a couple family issues, and when she comes down with the flu he really steps up. What she didn't expect from him were some hot kisses that bring her old feelings roaring back to the surface. She isn't sure what her feelings really are for the two of them, but she's going to have to decide.
Nina's sister Averil has her own problems that she's trying to deal with. She's very much in love with her husband, likes her job writing for a magazine, and has the urge to write a book. They are also thinking about starting a family, but that has Averil suddenly starting to panic about her life. An argument with her husband has her headed home, but that has problems of its own. I thought Averil was pretty immature. She never really accepted responsibility for any of her actions. When she first arrived I thought she was pretty selfish, expecting Nina to take care of her. She also had quite an attitude problem with almost anything Nina would say to her. She did start to change pretty quickly. I liked seeing her get involved in the antique store, and how the things she did there started her looking at her life differently.
When an unexpected treasure is found it forces all of the women to look at their lives and the choices they've made in the past. I especially liked seeing Nina take her courage in hand and go after her dreams. I really enjoyed the visitor she got at the end and the result of that visit.
thisismenow's review against another edition
5.0
I've been really impressed by the Blackberry Island series. I really liked Barefoot Season and loved Three Sisters, so I was expecting great things from Evening Stars. I was not disappointed.
Like the previous two books, I found myself really impressed with the characters. They're so well done. They're realistic in feelings, interactions, and flaws. I often times found myself incredibly frustrated, but it was such an enjoyable journey to watch the characters grow, Nina and Averil in particular. I enjoyed Bonnie and Bertie's relationship, but I was so frustrated with Bonnie much of the time, and even by the end of the book, I just wasn't impressed with her and didn't hold out a lot of hope for change in her, but I think that held true to life.
The side bits of romance were fun, too. Kyle was such a fun character, and I loved his introduction, but there was something so solid about Dylan, and after hearing about him as "my son, the doctor" in Three Sisters it was really nice to actually meet him. Even though there were two guys in Nina's life, it never really felt like a love triangle, which was refreshing.
I thought the story was solid through and through, and I really enjoyed the revelations these characters came to as individuals and as a family while working through those dynamics and breaking free from old habits. I always enjoy Susan Mallery's work, but she continues impress me with every book.
Like the previous two books, I found myself really impressed with the characters. They're so well done. They're realistic in feelings, interactions, and flaws. I often times found myself incredibly frustrated, but it was such an enjoyable journey to watch the characters grow, Nina and Averil in particular. I enjoyed Bonnie and Bertie's relationship, but I was so frustrated with Bonnie much of the time, and even by the end of the book, I just wasn't impressed with her and didn't hold out a lot of hope for change in her, but I think that held true to life.
The side bits of romance were fun, too. Kyle was such a fun character, and I loved his introduction, but there was something so solid about Dylan, and after hearing about him as "my son, the doctor" in Three Sisters it was really nice to actually meet him. Even though there were two guys in Nina's life, it never really felt like a love triangle, which was refreshing.
I thought the story was solid through and through, and I really enjoyed the revelations these characters came to as individuals and as a family while working through those dynamics and breaking free from old habits. I always enjoy Susan Mallery's work, but she continues impress me with every book.
msnyderk's review against another edition
5.0
Perfect book for my rainy Saturday. Love the characters and the family dynamics. Love the themes of following your dreams and figuring out what life holds for you if you will go after it.
dgignac's review against another edition
3.0
I feel kind of neutral about this book (which is weird for me). I didn't dislike it, but I didn't really enjoy it either. In this series, I really enjoyed the first book the best. I just didn't really related very well to Nina or Averil.
lori_loves_reading's review against another edition
5.0
Such a fun, light, romantic story! I connected with all the characters.
kbranfield's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars.
In Evening Stars, the third installment of Susan Mallery's heartwarming Blackberry Island series, complicated family dynamics are almost impossible to overcome when Nina Wentworth and her visiting sister Averil find themselves trapped in the roles that have defined them since childhood. Averil is happily married but the prospect of beginning a family leaves her contemplating exactly what she wants out of life. Nina is still taking care of everyone, including her irresponsible mother Bonnie, and when two men from her past unexpectedly reappear, she is forced to re-examine her past choices and take a good hard look at what she wants for her future.
As a child, Nina was thrust into the parental role for both Averil and Bonnie and years later, nothing has changed in that respect. She let go of her dream of becoming a doctor and in the process she also lost her first love, Dylan Harrington. Now Dylan has returned to Blackberry Island to work in his father's practice and Nina begins to re-evaluate her past. Further complicating her life is the sudden reappearance of Kyle Eastland, a young Navy pilot who has never forgotten his teenage crush on Nina. Now stationed at a nearby base, Kyle is hopeful that he can convince Nina to give him a chance now they are both grown up.
Averil's unexpected visit is the last thing that Nina needs as she tries to deal with the latest evidence of their mother's irresponsibility. Averil and Nina love one another but their interactions are laced with misunderstandings and Bonnie's return just adds more tension to their relationship.
I really liked the contrast in Nina's relationships with Dylan and Kyle. With Kyle, Nina could just let go and live in the moment. Carefree fun with no expectations or demands which really fit in with Kyle's personality. He reminded me of a puppy-playful and enthusiastic but lacking maturity.
On the other hand, Dylan is a painful reminder of all that Nina has lost. Their first encounters are uncomfortable and filled with tension until they finally discuss the elephant in the room: their failed youthful romance. It is through these discussions that Nina gains a new perspective on her role in their break up and provides her the opportunity to revisit childhood dreams.
Evening Stars is a beautiful journey of self-discovery for the Wentworth women. Nina and Averil undergo a great deal of soul searching as they contemplate their pasts and in doing so, they are able fully embrace their futures. A lovely conclusion to Susan Mallery's delightful Blackberry Island series.
In Evening Stars, the third installment of Susan Mallery's heartwarming Blackberry Island series, complicated family dynamics are almost impossible to overcome when Nina Wentworth and her visiting sister Averil find themselves trapped in the roles that have defined them since childhood. Averil is happily married but the prospect of beginning a family leaves her contemplating exactly what she wants out of life. Nina is still taking care of everyone, including her irresponsible mother Bonnie, and when two men from her past unexpectedly reappear, she is forced to re-examine her past choices and take a good hard look at what she wants for her future.
As a child, Nina was thrust into the parental role for both Averil and Bonnie and years later, nothing has changed in that respect. She let go of her dream of becoming a doctor and in the process she also lost her first love, Dylan Harrington. Now Dylan has returned to Blackberry Island to work in his father's practice and Nina begins to re-evaluate her past. Further complicating her life is the sudden reappearance of Kyle Eastland, a young Navy pilot who has never forgotten his teenage crush on Nina. Now stationed at a nearby base, Kyle is hopeful that he can convince Nina to give him a chance now they are both grown up.
Averil's unexpected visit is the last thing that Nina needs as she tries to deal with the latest evidence of their mother's irresponsibility. Averil and Nina love one another but their interactions are laced with misunderstandings and Bonnie's return just adds more tension to their relationship.
I really liked the contrast in Nina's relationships with Dylan and Kyle. With Kyle, Nina could just let go and live in the moment. Carefree fun with no expectations or demands which really fit in with Kyle's personality. He reminded me of a puppy-playful and enthusiastic but lacking maturity.
On the other hand, Dylan is a painful reminder of all that Nina has lost. Their first encounters are uncomfortable and filled with tension until they finally discuss the elephant in the room: their failed youthful romance. It is through these discussions that Nina gains a new perspective on her role in their break up and provides her the opportunity to revisit childhood dreams.
Evening Stars is a beautiful journey of self-discovery for the Wentworth women. Nina and Averil undergo a great deal of soul searching as they contemplate their pasts and in doing so, they are able fully embrace their futures. A lovely conclusion to Susan Mallery's delightful Blackberry Island series.
sonia_reppe's review against another edition
4.0
I like Mallery's series for the smart female characters and the romance. In this one, Nina has fun with a pilot who adores her and also reconnects with an ex-boyfriend who has returned to their small town for work. The story also includes sister and mother relationship drama, but it never gets too heavy...I just feel good when I read Susan Mallery.
rakishabpl's review against another edition
3.0
I would have given this book andotehr 1/2 of star if the heroine was not so whiny about her being so old at the ripe old age of 30. Her complaints about her body and her life and her dating someone 4 years younger than her would have been more tolerable if she were at least 5-10 years older. Otherwise a very good book about 2 sisters and a mother whose confront their designated roles in the family, and their desires to be better people than they are.