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jackiehorne's review against another edition
3.0
As the inaugural poster on the WHY ROMANCE MATTERS web site last year, Susan Mallery stated: "I am a feminist. I read and write romance. Those two statements do not contradict one another." The ending of Mallery's latest, Evening Stars, provides strong evidence that Mallery's claims are not contradictory. But much of what comes before had me wondering.
Nina has spent much of her teen and adult life taking care of her family. Her needy, attention-seeking, flighty mother has always refused to take adult responsibility for either her children or her business (an antique store), and Nina, who had once had aspirations of becoming a doctor, has had to act as the grownup of the family for as long as she can remember. Now a thirty-year-old nurse in a pediatrician's office, Nina only begins to wonder how she's "lost her way" after both her high school sweetheart and the younger boy who once had a major crush on her return to Blackberry Island.
Nina is filled with doubts, particularly about her appearance, and thinks (although rarely openly talk about) how jealous she is of other women's looks, especially those of her younger pampered sister, Averil. When no men were in the picture, Nina didn't much care about her appearance. But now that she has not one but possibly two men interested in her, her feelings are far different: "How just like a man to make her worry about her appearance," she thinks, as if it is the man, rather than her own thoughts about how to make herself attractive to a guy, that are causing her to worry. When she's about to have sex after a long drought, she thinks "Her thighs were flabby, her tummy too fat and her breasts hadn't been perky in at least three years....she wanted to have sex with Kyle.... If only she could use a better body to get there." In an intriguing passage, Nina notes with nostalgia that "I never get asked for ID anymore." Kyle responds: "I don't get the age thing. You are what you are. Who cares about the number?" Nina says "So speaks a man who has never read a fashion magazine." Does the narrative want us to realize that the body norms that so plague Nina have been constructed by the fashion industry, to make women feel insecure so they'll purchase more products? Or are we supposed to agree with Nina, and buy into the norms, and the insecurities and self-denigration to which they inevitably lead? I'd like to believe it's the former, but with Nina's younger sister Averil working for a girls' magazine, I have to wonder...
Both Nina and the narrative itself often casts other women as competition for male attention (for example, when former 12-year-old crush but now-hunky fighter pilot Kyle takes Nina out to dinner and whispers in her ear, "The hostess shot her a death stare"), not the most feminist of moves. Interestingly, though, most of the character arc revolves not around Nina's relationships with men, but her dysfunctional relationships with women: with her childish mother, and with her younger sister, who has never learned to be an adult because Nina has always taken on that role.
And Nina often mouths stereotypes about women and men: "I'm a girl," she says, reaching for the can of diet soda instead of the regular; "you're such a guy," she comments when Kyle brags "bigger is better" (in reference to landing his plane on aircraft carriers), and again when he lowers the roof of his convertible despite it being only 60 degrees out. I'm not one to argue that there are no differences between men and women, but the ones Nina remarks upon seem far more socially than biologically constructed...
On the feminism plus side, Nina does recognize "No, a man wasn't the way out. She had to find her own happiness." Nina wonders what would have happened if she'd been available when her first love returned to the island after college, but then chides herself: "Of course a case could be made she was handing over too much power to Dylan. She could have made her own life-changing decisions if she'd wanted." Yes, and this is the ultimate message of the text: women have the ability to choose.
Nina's feckless mother is a lesbian, which could have been ugly, if her fecklessness was presented as a result of her sexual orientation. But it's not. Nina's mom isn't the most likable character, but it's not because she's a lesbian. Her partner, Bertie, is presented in largely positive ways. A clear step forward, to have a lesbian couple in a mainstream romance, and to depict them in nuanced, rather than essentialized, ways.
And Nina does get to engage in fun, no-strings-tied sex without being punished or slut-shamed (although she does end up feeling guilty when her partner ends up developing feelings for her that she cannot reciprocate).
And, as noted above, the book's ending clearly endorses the idea that women need much more than a good man in order to find fulfillment.
So—definite mixed feelings, here. A character, and a narrative, that wants to be feminist, but that perhaps doesn't realize all the anti-feminist ideas which it takes for granted.
ARC Courtesy of NetGalley
Nina has spent much of her teen and adult life taking care of her family. Her needy, attention-seeking, flighty mother has always refused to take adult responsibility for either her children or her business (an antique store), and Nina, who had once had aspirations of becoming a doctor, has had to act as the grownup of the family for as long as she can remember. Now a thirty-year-old nurse in a pediatrician's office, Nina only begins to wonder how she's "lost her way" after both her high school sweetheart and the younger boy who once had a major crush on her return to Blackberry Island.
Nina is filled with doubts, particularly about her appearance, and thinks (although rarely openly talk about) how jealous she is of other women's looks, especially those of her younger pampered sister, Averil. When no men were in the picture, Nina didn't much care about her appearance. But now that she has not one but possibly two men interested in her, her feelings are far different: "How just like a man to make her worry about her appearance," she thinks, as if it is the man, rather than her own thoughts about how to make herself attractive to a guy, that are causing her to worry. When she's about to have sex after a long drought, she thinks "Her thighs were flabby, her tummy too fat and her breasts hadn't been perky in at least three years....she wanted to have sex with Kyle.... If only she could use a better body to get there." In an intriguing passage, Nina notes with nostalgia that "I never get asked for ID anymore." Kyle responds: "I don't get the age thing. You are what you are. Who cares about the number?" Nina says "So speaks a man who has never read a fashion magazine." Does the narrative want us to realize that the body norms that so plague Nina have been constructed by the fashion industry, to make women feel insecure so they'll purchase more products? Or are we supposed to agree with Nina, and buy into the norms, and the insecurities and self-denigration to which they inevitably lead? I'd like to believe it's the former, but with Nina's younger sister Averil working for a girls' magazine, I have to wonder...
Both Nina and the narrative itself often casts other women as competition for male attention (for example, when former 12-year-old crush but now-hunky fighter pilot Kyle takes Nina out to dinner and whispers in her ear, "The hostess shot her a death stare"), not the most feminist of moves. Interestingly, though, most of the character arc revolves not around Nina's relationships with men, but her dysfunctional relationships with women: with her childish mother, and with her younger sister, who has never learned to be an adult because Nina has always taken on that role.
And Nina often mouths stereotypes about women and men: "I'm a girl," she says, reaching for the can of diet soda instead of the regular; "you're such a guy," she comments when Kyle brags "bigger is better" (in reference to landing his plane on aircraft carriers), and again when he lowers the roof of his convertible despite it being only 60 degrees out. I'm not one to argue that there are no differences between men and women, but the ones Nina remarks upon seem far more socially than biologically constructed...
On the feminism plus side, Nina does recognize "No, a man wasn't the way out. She had to find her own happiness." Nina wonders what would have happened if she'd been available when her first love returned to the island after college, but then chides herself: "Of course a case could be made she was handing over too much power to Dylan. She could have made her own life-changing decisions if she'd wanted." Yes, and this is the ultimate message of the text: women have the ability to choose.
Nina's feckless mother is a lesbian, which could have been ugly, if her fecklessness was presented as a result of her sexual orientation. But it's not. Nina's mom isn't the most likable character, but it's not because she's a lesbian. Her partner, Bertie, is presented in largely positive ways. A clear step forward, to have a lesbian couple in a mainstream romance, and to depict them in nuanced, rather than essentialized, ways.
And Nina does get to engage in fun, no-strings-tied sex without being punished or slut-shamed (although she does end up feeling guilty when her partner ends up developing feelings for her that she cannot reciprocate).
And, as noted above, the book's ending clearly endorses the idea that women need much more than a good man in order to find fulfillment.
So—definite mixed feelings, here. A character, and a narrative, that wants to be feminist, but that perhaps doesn't realize all the anti-feminist ideas which it takes for granted.
ARC Courtesy of NetGalley
judithdcollins's review against another edition
4.0
Having read the other two books in the Blackberry Island Series, #3 “Evening Stars” did not disappoint. I especially enjoyed #2 and enjoyed catching up with Nina, which we met in Three Sisters (#2), a nurse working for Andi, the pediatrician.
A sweet story of two sisters, Nina and Averil, who lives in California and decides to come to the island to work on a book with a dog, escaping her husband and is not ready to start a family. Nina which has always taken care of everyone, has two guys fighting for her attention, plus juggling her career and her crazy mom, her mom’s antique shop, and her self-centered sister.
Likeable and realistic characters, a book about relationships between mothers and daughters, personal growth, and two sisters with some fun guys in the mix in this small island town. Lots of tears and laughter from this cast of characters….Evening Stars can be a standalone; however, you will want to read the previous two, as they were delightful!
Looking forward to the Mischief Bay series where Averil will be the link to a new series in 2015 with lots romance and friendship.
Copy provided by Harlequin MIRA Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
A sweet story of two sisters, Nina and Averil, who lives in California and decides to come to the island to work on a book with a dog, escaping her husband and is not ready to start a family. Nina which has always taken care of everyone, has two guys fighting for her attention, plus juggling her career and her crazy mom, her mom’s antique shop, and her self-centered sister.
Likeable and realistic characters, a book about relationships between mothers and daughters, personal growth, and two sisters with some fun guys in the mix in this small island town. Lots of tears and laughter from this cast of characters….Evening Stars can be a standalone; however, you will want to read the previous two, as they were delightful!
Looking forward to the Mischief Bay series where Averil will be the link to a new series in 2015 with lots romance and friendship.
Copy provided by Harlequin MIRA Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
jbarr5's review against another edition
4.0
Evening Stars by Susan Mallery
This book in the Blueberry Island saga is about the 3 girls that used to live next door. Now Nina lives there and rather than finish her nursing degree to go into practice with her love Dylan they split up and he left. She now works for the pediatrician, Andi next door who is pregnant.
She also helps her mom run the antique store along with her lover Bettie. Her sister Averil who's with Kevin and she runs the Girl Magazine in CA but she needs time away from him. They had planned to start a family but she's using on the pill...
The antique store has its problems and Nina doesn't spend as much time there as she should-not much is even inventoried and the latest person running it while the elder ladies were going to estate sales had robbed from them... Nina thinks she might find an honest salesperson in Casey who now has children in college.
Andi is married to the contractor Wade and they now raise his teen daughter Cassie.
Kyle, whom Nina used to babysit is now back in town for a visit and wants to take her to dinner. Dylan also wants to take her to dinner...
Interesting to see how this all plays out for everybody because of all the twists and turns. So many emotions and love what the evening stars title really stands for. Hot steamy sex scenes.
I received this book from Net Galley via Harlequin MIRA in exchange for my honest review.
This book in the Blueberry Island saga is about the 3 girls that used to live next door. Now Nina lives there and rather than finish her nursing degree to go into practice with her love Dylan they split up and he left. She now works for the pediatrician, Andi next door who is pregnant.
She also helps her mom run the antique store along with her lover Bettie. Her sister Averil who's with Kevin and she runs the Girl Magazine in CA but she needs time away from him. They had planned to start a family but she's using on the pill...
The antique store has its problems and Nina doesn't spend as much time there as she should-not much is even inventoried and the latest person running it while the elder ladies were going to estate sales had robbed from them... Nina thinks she might find an honest salesperson in Casey who now has children in college.
Andi is married to the contractor Wade and they now raise his teen daughter Cassie.
Kyle, whom Nina used to babysit is now back in town for a visit and wants to take her to dinner. Dylan also wants to take her to dinner...
Interesting to see how this all plays out for everybody because of all the twists and turns. So many emotions and love what the evening stars title really stands for. Hot steamy sex scenes.
I received this book from Net Galley via Harlequin MIRA in exchange for my honest review.
miaev's review against another edition
4.0
While it is well written, I just did not like this one as much as the previous two in this little series.
nellesnightstand1's review against another edition
4.0
Review on featured on Nelle's Nightstand
In Evening Stars, Susan Mallery’s third installment of her Blackberry Island series, we find a dysfunctional set of family dynamics. Nina Wentworth is a pediatric nurse, seemingly content with her life. With the arrival of her high school sweetheart Dylan, the boy who got away, she is forced to take a second look at her life. Her sister, Averil is happily married but can’t seem to commit to having a family of her own and leaves her husband to come back to the island to “find herself” and complete her novel. Her mother owns an antique shop but can’t seem to hire trustworthy store workers.
Nina was pushed into being Averil’s mother instead of sister at at young age, because their mother Bonnie would not grow up and left them to go on antique hunts for days at a time. She let go of her dream of becoming a doctor and moving away from the island with Dylan. Now she is losing her control of everything it seems.
Kyle Eastland, a former islander turned Navy pilot, returns to woo Nina at the same time Nina is rekindling her friendship with Dylan. I found it really neat how different the relationships she had with both men were. She could let go with Kyle, but Dylan was a more serious relationship. The moment Dylan found out she was with Kyle was a shock. I could feel his pain.
An unexpected find in the antique shop allows Nina’s dreams to come into reach. If only she’d release the fear she holds and takes a leap of faith. Averi’s journey to finding herself and Bonnie’s attempt to be an adult, is just as enjoyable to read. I really enjoyed this emotional story. If you haven’t read the other two books in the Blackberry Island series, don’t worry, they are stand alone books and can be read in any order.
In Evening Stars, Susan Mallery’s third installment of her Blackberry Island series, we find a dysfunctional set of family dynamics. Nina Wentworth is a pediatric nurse, seemingly content with her life. With the arrival of her high school sweetheart Dylan, the boy who got away, she is forced to take a second look at her life. Her sister, Averil is happily married but can’t seem to commit to having a family of her own and leaves her husband to come back to the island to “find herself” and complete her novel. Her mother owns an antique shop but can’t seem to hire trustworthy store workers.
Nina was pushed into being Averil’s mother instead of sister at at young age, because their mother Bonnie would not grow up and left them to go on antique hunts for days at a time. She let go of her dream of becoming a doctor and moving away from the island with Dylan. Now she is losing her control of everything it seems.
Kyle Eastland, a former islander turned Navy pilot, returns to woo Nina at the same time Nina is rekindling her friendship with Dylan. I found it really neat how different the relationships she had with both men were. She could let go with Kyle, but Dylan was a more serious relationship. The moment Dylan found out she was with Kyle was a shock. I could feel his pain.
An unexpected find in the antique shop allows Nina’s dreams to come into reach. If only she’d release the fear she holds and takes a leap of faith. Averi’s journey to finding herself and Bonnie’s attempt to be an adult, is just as enjoyable to read. I really enjoyed this emotional story. If you haven’t read the other two books in the Blackberry Island series, don’t worry, they are stand alone books and can be read in any order.
nicki_in_nz's review against another edition
3.0
Not as good as the first two books in the series, but still a nice read.
nellesnightstand's review against another edition
4.0
Review on featured on Nelle's Nightstand
In Evening Stars, Susan Mallery’s third installment of her Blackberry Island series, we find a dysfunctional set of family dynamics. Nina Wentworth is a pediatric nurse, seemingly content with her life. With the arrival of her high school sweetheart Dylan, the boy who got away, she is forced to take a second look at her life. Her sister, Averil is happily married but can’t seem to commit to having a family of her own and leaves her husband to come back to the island to “find herself” and complete her novel. Her mother owns an antique shop but can’t seem to hire trustworthy store workers.
Nina was pushed into being Averil’s mother instead of sister at at young age, because their mother Bonnie would not grow up and left them to go on antique hunts for days at a time. She let go of her dream of becoming a doctor and moving away from the island with Dylan. Now she is losing her control of everything it seems.
Kyle Eastland, a former islander turned Navy pilot, returns to woo Nina at the same time Nina is rekindling her friendship with Dylan. I found it really neat how different the relationships she had with both men were. She could let go with Kyle, but Dylan was a more serious relationship. The moment Dylan found out she was with Kyle was a shock. I could feel his pain.
An unexpected find in the antique shop allows Nina’s dreams to come into reach. If only she’d release the fear she holds and takes a leap of faith. Averi’s journey to finding herself and Bonnie’s attempt to be an adult, is just as enjoyable to read. I really enjoyed this emotional story. If you haven’t read the other two books in the Blackberry Island series, don’t worry, they are stand alone books and can be read in any order.
In Evening Stars, Susan Mallery’s third installment of her Blackberry Island series, we find a dysfunctional set of family dynamics. Nina Wentworth is a pediatric nurse, seemingly content with her life. With the arrival of her high school sweetheart Dylan, the boy who got away, she is forced to take a second look at her life. Her sister, Averil is happily married but can’t seem to commit to having a family of her own and leaves her husband to come back to the island to “find herself” and complete her novel. Her mother owns an antique shop but can’t seem to hire trustworthy store workers.
Nina was pushed into being Averil’s mother instead of sister at at young age, because their mother Bonnie would not grow up and left them to go on antique hunts for days at a time. She let go of her dream of becoming a doctor and moving away from the island with Dylan. Now she is losing her control of everything it seems.
Kyle Eastland, a former islander turned Navy pilot, returns to woo Nina at the same time Nina is rekindling her friendship with Dylan. I found it really neat how different the relationships she had with both men were. She could let go with Kyle, but Dylan was a more serious relationship. The moment Dylan found out she was with Kyle was a shock. I could feel his pain.
An unexpected find in the antique shop allows Nina’s dreams to come into reach. If only she’d release the fear she holds and takes a leap of faith. Averi’s journey to finding herself and Bonnie’s attempt to be an adult, is just as enjoyable to read. I really enjoyed this emotional story. If you haven’t read the other two books in the Blackberry Island series, don’t worry, they are stand alone books and can be read in any order.
joanna_del_ro's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fun, solid read for my vacation that featured a funny lead character, an entertaining plot and a satisfying ending. Some areas of the book felt a little repetitive and I thought that the supporting characters could have been explored further - but all in all thumbs up!
cstoeger's review against another edition
4.0
Another great book by Susan Mallery. Typical romance fare, but still a great treat.