Review: The Summer That Made Us by Robyn Carr

The Summer That Made Us by Robyn Carr
Publisher:  MIRA
Publication date: September 1st 2017
My rating: 5 Stars
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks

 

A perfect family masks the darkest of secrets in this emotional, compelling novel about lies, loyalty - and how the past can hold us captive.
That was then…
For the Hempsteads, two sisters who married two brothers and had three daughters each, summers were idyllic. Escaping the city the moment the school holidays started, the two families would gather at their holiday home on Lake Waseka: a magical haven, where everyday problems drifted away in sun-dappled contentment.
Until the summer that changed everything.
This is now…
After a drowning turned the lake house into a site of tragedy and grief, it was closed up for good. Torn apart, none of the Hempsteads speak of what happened that summer.
Just one woman is determined to draw her family together again. But she knows that the only way that can happen is to face the truth.
And to do that, they must return to the lake house.

My Thoughts:

Robyn Carr weaves an engrossing tale of family bonds, hurt, betrayal and tragedy that touched me deeply!

At the center of the story is Meg and Charlie, sisters enduring their own crisis’, but Meg’s is more urgent.  She’s been battling cancer for four long years and just had a bone marrow transplant after chemo and needs to recuperate.  Her prognosis is not good, and Charlie wants to be there for Meg in whatever way she can.  Life gave Charlie a great opportunity, freed up her time, because she just lost her job as a talk show host, and has no idea what to do next.  Add to that Charlie’s long-time committed man (they’ve been together for twenty-years) has just proposed marriage and for some odd reason this rattles Charlie.  Meg’s wish is to go to the lake house, a place that holds some of their fondest memories, but a place where tragedy changed their lives forever.  Meg and Charlie’s little sister, Bunny, drowned and their mother and aunt parted ways in an ugly way. For twenty-seven years neither family has been back, but that’s about to change.

Spending time at the lake house will stir up drama, but it’s Meg’s wish, and who can deny a woman what is most likely her dying wish?  To get to the heart of why everything went to hell they must travel back with their memories to the time when their mothers: Louise and Josephine, (sisters who married brothers) would take them out to Lake Waseka those summers long ago.  Was Bunny’s death the only reason for their estrangement or was it something more?

I loved this story sooo much! It made me cry, stirring up so many emotions!  It sounds like a lot is going on, but it’s not hard to follow as a reader.  I loved the sister dynamic between Meg and Charlie, they’re so very close, but Krista, Josephine’s daughter, and Meg and Charlie’s cousin quickly bonded with them again after so many years apart.  Krista had a hard life, but managed to see the positive, and I adored her little slow burn romance that was unexpected, but so sweet for her! 

Charlie has basically a marriage-in-crisis sort of situation even though she’s not technically married, her relationship is at odds and I so wanted her to work it out, because Michael was the best kind of man! Meg was just so centered and at peace with her situation, she just broke my heart, though!

Louise, Meg and Charlie’s mom, and Hope, Josephine’s daughter, are also notable characters, but not in a good way.  I was stunned and shocked by their behavior, but also less upset with them by the end, as details of their lives are revealed.  Each and every character, flaws and all came to life; felt realistic they were crafted so well.

The Lake Wasuka house and location was vividly depicted, and sounded gorgeous!  I could smell the pine and wood of the forest, feel the breeze coming off the lake and wish that I was there with Meg, Charlie and Krista having a glass of wine on the porch! 

The Summer That Made Us was a beautiful and intricate story of family and love that took my breath away!  

Connect with Robyn Carr

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Waiting on Wednesday #31: Still Me by JoJo Moyes

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

This week I'm eagerly waiting on...

Still Me (Me Before You #3) by JoJo moyes

Publisher: Penguin
Publication Date: January 25th 2017

Louisa Clark arrives in New York ready to start a new life, confident that she can embrace this new adventure and keep her relationship with Ambulance Sam alive across several thousand miles. She is thrown into the world of the superrich Gopniks: Leonard and his much younger second wife, Agnes, and a never-ending array of household staff and hangers-on. Lou is determined to get the most out of the experience and throws herself into her job and New York life within this privileged world. Before she knows what's happening, Lou is mixing in New York high society, where she meets Joshua Ryan, a man who brings with him a whisper of her past. In Still Me, as Lou tries to keep the two sides of her world together, she finds herself carrying secrets--not all her own--that cause a catastrophic change in her circumstances. And when matters come to a head, she has to ask herself Who is Louisa Clark? And how do you reconcile a heart that lives in two places?

Me Before You was one of my all time favourite reads, when I first heard that there was going to be a follow up book to Me Before You I was a little unsure, but I ended up loving the heck out of it. Also I can't wait to get more from Louisa! And Moyes hasn't failed me yet with her beautiful writing. I expect more tears will be shed with this latest instalment! Hurry up already 2018!

What are you waiting for this Wednesday?

Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Books I Loved During the First Year I Started My Blog

   

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish where each week they post a new top ten list and ask fellow bookish folk to share their lists on that topic.

This week's Top Ten post is: Ten Books I loved during the first year I started my blog. 

I started my blog all the way back in 2012, my reading tastes have changed a lot since then, so when I went to check my Goodreads list, there were some cringe moments, but alas here are some of my favourite books from 2012. 

These above seven books were some of my favourite reads of 2017, with me giving them all 5 stars, I'm sure if I was to read some of these again this year, my ratings definitely wouldn't be the same for some of them. But I remember with some books (Gone Girl, Shadows and This is Not A Test), I had many sleepless nights, but they were so worth it! 

And the above 3 books I rated 4 stars. 

This post really made me contemplate how I rate books these days, I think when I first started blogging, I used to rate books quite highly, but over the years, I think I'm become more of a critical reader! This list also shows I'm the worst when it comes to reading series, as I started Julie James FBI/Attorney series in 2012, and I still haven't finished it! 

What were some of your favourite reads from the year you started blogging? 

The Readers Den Weekly Wrap Up #9

Hi everyone, with Rachel and I's crazy work schedules, we miss sharing whats going on with us. We used to have a lot of fun with our Showcase Sunday posts, so thought we'd do something regular on the blog, where we share bookish news and life news in general as a weekly recap!

WHAT I READ/REVIEWED 

Jasprit 

(Click on title for Goodreads link)

A mixed reading week for me this week, I high hopes for Kasie West's Lucky in Love, but unfortunately I didn't end up enjoying it, the same can be said for Cotugno's Top Ten. Glitter Baby was a surprising read, it initially took me a while to get into, but after afterwards I couldn't put it down, I actually can't wait to read the rest of the series. and Irresistible You was my favourite read of the week, Remy was such a hot character and the chemistry between him and Harper was amazing! I highly recommend reading this book. 

Rachel:

 (Click on title for Goodreads link)

I had a mixed reading week.  Two great reads: Going Dark by Monica McCarty and On the Chase by Katie Ruggle. One okay read: The Forgotten Girls.  The mystery was okay, but the audio book was a hot mess.  The narrator read with several different accents (Southern, American, Scottish and more), but not any in Danish, the accent it should've been in!  I have no idea what was going on, but I don't recommend it at all.  Serenity Harbor was a DNF @ 48%.  I just couldn't muster any enthusiasm for the romance, and there were two special needs children featured which felt a little like a plot device to tug on heart strings. Maybe it was just my mood.

BOOKS RECEIVED 
Jasprit 

(Click on title for Goodreads link)

I've been meaning to read books by Higgins ever since I keep reading rave reviews for her books by Grace and Brandie. This collection features four books by Higgins; The Best Man, Somebody to Love, Catch of the Day and The Next Best Thing and it was only 99p on Amazon! And I absolutely adore Bardugo's writing, so was thrilled to get a copy of The Language of Thorns. 

Rachel:

 (Click on title for Goodreads link)

I actually received these a couple of weeks back, but forgot to list them last week. I've seen good things about Depth of Lies. E.C. Diskin is a new to me author so I hope I like it.  I loved several of Laura Griffin's books, so I can't wait to crack open Touch of Red. It's been several years since I've picked up a Colleen Hoover book. I loved a quite a few of her books, but hated one so much that I haven't gone back. I hope Without Merit doesn't disappoint.

NEW TO MY TBR
Jasprit 
(Click on Book for Goodreads link)

Thank you once again to Rashika and Brandie for adding these beauties to my tbr this week, the wait for Warcross won't be that long, but Roomies and Now That You Mention It have release dates for December!

Rachel:

 (Click on title for Goodreads link)

We're finally getting more of Jim from Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta.  It's been six years since I read that book, but I remember it leaving me with all the feels! I'll continue with The Parasol Protectorate series as soon as I've finished a few library audios I need to get through. I really hope Conall grovels sufficiently.

WHAT I'M WATCHING:

Jasprit 

Okay so I binged the heck out of Season 7 of Game of Thrones, honestly this series just keeps getting better and better! I was about dying watching this season and the wait for season 8 in 2019 is going to be awful! I have so many theories going on. I've decided to try and catch up with all my shows, I'm falling so behind, so I finally got back to Scandal, my sister told me that season 6 gets crazy and with the season finale starting in October, I thought it'd be there perfect time to catch up!

Rachel:

I watched this movie on the Monday holiday this last week.  I really loved the scenery, what's not to love about the Scottish coastline? Unfortunately, the plot was predictable. 

 

EVENTS OF THE WEEK

Jasprit 

I went to my first Muay Thai class and honestly it was sooo good! I decided to take it easy this week, as I had my vitamin D jab this week and my arm has been so sore, my sister told me to try out this class that she goes too and I'm glad that I did as it was so much fun! My arm was hurting me after, as our teacher had us doing all sorts of planks at the end, but I'm hoping my arm will feel better soon, so I can go back again next week and get back to my circuits class and gym sessions too!

Rachel:

I'm in my fourth week of training for the half marathon, running four days a week, and it's going well other than having to run some of the days on the treadmill at the gym because of the triple digit temperatures California has been having. I hate doing mileage on the treadmill, because I get really bored. Finally, we've cooled off a little, we're in the 90's, still hot, but much better.  My long runs are on Sundays, and tomorrow I'll be running 6 miles.

How was your week?

Review: Irresistible You by Kate Meader

Irresistible You by Kate Meader
Publisher: Pocket Star
Publication Date: 14th August 2017
My rating: 4 stars 

Hot in Chicago series author Kate Meader returns with her all new, scorching Chicago Rebels hockey series. Three estranged sisters inherit their late father’s failing hockey franchise and are forced to confront a man’s world, their family’s demons, and the battle-hardened ice warriors skating into their hearts. Harper Chase has just become the most powerful woman in the NHL after the death of her father Clifford Chase, maverick owner of the Chicago Rebels. But the team is a hot mess—underfunded, overweight, and close to tapping out of the league. Hell-bent on turning the luckless franchise around, Harper won’t let anything stand in her way. Not her gender, not her sisters, and especially not a veteran player with an attitude problem, a chip on his shoulder, and a smoldering gaze designed to melt her ice-compacted defenses. Veteran center Remy “Jinx” DuPre is on the downside of a career that’s seen him win big sponsorships, fans’ hearts, and more than a few notches on his stick. Only one goal has eluded him: the Stanley Cup. Sure, he’s been labeled as the unluckiest guy in the league, but with his recent streak of good play, he knows this is his year. So why the hell is he being shunted off to a failing hockey franchise run by a ball-buster in heels? And is she seriously expecting him to lead her band of misfit losers to a coveted spot in the playoffs? He’d have a better chance of leading Harper on a merry skate to his bed…

Irresistible You was a book which was put on my radar by my good friend Nick. Nick is the best when it comes to book recommendations, she’s never led me astray in the past and when I found out Irresistible You featured a sports romance, I was completely sold. 

I’m not the most knowledgeable person when it comes to ice hockey, I don’t follow the NHL or even know the rules, but the good thing about Irresistible You is that you don’t really need to be a die-hard fan, I enjoyed getting to know the players and when they were getting ready for their games. But alongside the ice hockey aspect Meader did a really great job in reeling me in with the hot romance! Remy is the Rebel’s new signing, he’s a legendary player and despite not being happy about this year’s team switch, he knows he’s stuck there. Until him and the Rebel’s owner Harper come up with a deal, Remy will play his best and help the team anyway he can until January when Remy will be traded to a team with a chance of actually winning the Stanley Cup. It’ll probably be Remy’s last year as a pro, so of course he wants to go out with a bang and finally get his hands on the cup that he’s never had. But both Harper and Remy end up with something even better than both could have imagined – each other. What starts off as a simple one night leads to off the charts chemistry! Both know that this thing between them could lead to so many problems; for the team and for their careers, but both Harper and Remy just can’t get enough! 

Like I mentioned before Meader excelled in giving us one hell of a romance between Remy and Harper. I enjoyed the entire build up to their relationship, but what I enjoyed most of all was the time they spent together. Yes, often the not they had to sneak around, but when they were finally together it was clear as day, that what they had was something strong. Remy was just so damn hard to resist, I don’t know how Harper had the strength to stay away, he had an awesome physique, a to die for accent especially when he spoke French, he was one of the best hockey players, he was an excellent cook too, but also one of the sweetest guys. When he first began to realise the true extent of his feelings for Harper, I really was just melting inside, he would go to any lengths to do what was best for Harper. That it just made me mad at times when Harper refused to tell everyone that they were together. I could understand her reasons for it, and her reluctance, but she had this irresistible guy in Remy who would do anything for her and they were just perfect for one another! 

Irresistible You was a perfect start to a fresh new series for me, I for one can’t wait to get Violet and Isobel’s (Harper’s sisters) stories and spend more time with the Rebel’s hockey team once again!