dgignac's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed the characters of Michelle and Carly. You got to see them grow so much during such a short period of time. In fact, I enjoyed the characters so much, as I was getting close to the end of the novel I was hoping that the next book in this series was going to be a continuation of their story. Sadly, it is not, but I'll be reading the second book anyway, and hoping for a glimpse of these 2 characters!
thegeekyblogger's review against another edition
4.0
Received for Review
Overall Rating: 4.50
Story Rating: 4.50
Character Rating: 4.50
First thought when finished: This is definitely at the top of my favorite Women's Fiction stories.
What I Loved: Barefoot Season managed to do so many things to me while reading: I laughed, cried, rooted for reconciliation, and got fighting mad during the middle. I am not usually a fan of women's fiction but if there were more like this I would gobble them up by the handfuls. I identified with both lead characters: Michelle in the beginning and Carly at the end. There was so much to love about their characters and the development around both of them. I dare you to read this and not want to simultaneously hug and sock both of them (at different times). The secondary characters were just as strong and important to the story. Susan did a great job of not letting them overwhelm Michelle and Carly's story but they did support it in a fantastic way.
What I Liked: I really liked the B&B. It was the perfect setting for this wonderful story of friendships, heartaches, and growth. You could feel the B&B working with the story and almost feeling like a character itself.
Final Thought: This a fantastic story and one that will stick with you long after your finished reading.
Felicia Extra Note: I am not usually a fan of women's fiction---I stop/start (DNF) more books in this genre more than any other. However, this is one that I would read again. In fact, I read the last 3 chapters 3 times because it was just a moving and fulfilling ending. I highly recommend this story to anyone who has had friendships that have been lost, gone through hard times, or is embarking on reconciliation with a friend. It truly left me thinking about miscommunication and things that happen in friendships to drive them apart!
Overall Rating: 4.50
Story Rating: 4.50
Character Rating: 4.50
First thought when finished: This is definitely at the top of my favorite Women's Fiction stories.
What I Loved: Barefoot Season managed to do so many things to me while reading: I laughed, cried, rooted for reconciliation, and got fighting mad during the middle. I am not usually a fan of women's fiction but if there were more like this I would gobble them up by the handfuls. I identified with both lead characters: Michelle in the beginning and Carly at the end. There was so much to love about their characters and the development around both of them. I dare you to read this and not want to simultaneously hug and sock both of them (at different times). The secondary characters were just as strong and important to the story. Susan did a great job of not letting them overwhelm Michelle and Carly's story but they did support it in a fantastic way.
What I Liked: I really liked the B&B. It was the perfect setting for this wonderful story of friendships, heartaches, and growth. You could feel the B&B working with the story and almost feeling like a character itself.
Final Thought: This a fantastic story and one that will stick with you long after your finished reading.
Felicia Extra Note: I am not usually a fan of women's fiction---I stop/start (DNF) more books in this genre more than any other. However, this is one that I would read again. In fact, I read the last 3 chapters 3 times because it was just a moving and fulfilling ending. I highly recommend this story to anyone who has had friendships that have been lost, gone through hard times, or is embarking on reconciliation with a friend. It truly left me thinking about miscommunication and things that happen in friendships to drive them apart!
lori_loves_reading's review against another edition
3.0
Not as good as the other Susan Mallery books I have read. Quick read, entertaining enough.
kbranfield's review against another edition
5.0
Susan Mallery’s Barefoot Season is a beautiful novel that explores the complexities of friendship and exposes the unseen toll that war takes on soldiers. To read my review in its entirety, please visit http://www.bookreviewsandmorebykathy.com/2012/03/22/barefoot-season/
ndfan19's review against another edition
dtrumps's review against another edition
4.0
Barefoot Season
Carly and Michelle grew up together, they were best friends until Michelle did the unthinkable and then ran away to join the army, leaving Carly there to pick up the pieces. Michelle’s back after ten years (wounded overseas) and Carly is running Michelle’s family’s inn because Michelle’s mom took Carly in when she was pregnant and alone. They pretty much can’t stand each other, both thinking their hatred is justified. But then, they have to work together if their inn is going to survive.
I could not put this book down. I am a HUGE fan of Susan Mallery, but I need romance. This book had romance, but mostly, it was about the friendship between these two women. Ms. Mallery really made it hard for you to take a side because they both screwed up and they were both screwed over. But all the while, I was rooting for both of them, hoping they would stop hurling hate and insults at each other and look within themselves to forgive and heal.
Because Michelle was the more vocal and vindictive of the two, you kind of had the feeling that she was the villian, but I think Carly looked more innocent because the way she was with her daughter made her seem like the more mature one. Michelle’s issues, with PTSD and the wounds she suffered, made you feel for her, but her attitude and complete inability to be civil was tiring. Add to that, she instantly fell into a downward spiral that she did not want to get herself out of, and she was one difficult character to empathize with.
The real villians in the book (there are two) were just outright nasty. I never came to understand their hatred, but it was there every time they were on the page. I wish their feelings would have been explained better, because all we got was the main characters assuming the reasons behind their bitterness.
The romances were pretty great. Both heroes were a lot of fun and had a lot of great qualities, including the ability to raise up their heroine. The romances seemed genuine. They came to the women at the time when they were most ready for it.
In the end, great book. It’s part of the Blackberry Island series and I am very curious about the next books because I cannot imagine who they could be about. At the very least, I look forward to revisiting these women and see how they’ve grown.
Pecans: 4.25/5
Carly and Michelle grew up together, they were best friends until Michelle did the unthinkable and then ran away to join the army, leaving Carly there to pick up the pieces. Michelle’s back after ten years (wounded overseas) and Carly is running Michelle’s family’s inn because Michelle’s mom took Carly in when she was pregnant and alone. They pretty much can’t stand each other, both thinking their hatred is justified. But then, they have to work together if their inn is going to survive.
I could not put this book down. I am a HUGE fan of Susan Mallery, but I need romance. This book had romance, but mostly, it was about the friendship between these two women. Ms. Mallery really made it hard for you to take a side because they both screwed up and they were both screwed over. But all the while, I was rooting for both of them, hoping they would stop hurling hate and insults at each other and look within themselves to forgive and heal.
Because Michelle was the more vocal and vindictive of the two, you kind of had the feeling that she was the villian, but I think Carly looked more innocent because the way she was with her daughter made her seem like the more mature one. Michelle’s issues, with PTSD and the wounds she suffered, made you feel for her, but her attitude and complete inability to be civil was tiring. Add to that, she instantly fell into a downward spiral that she did not want to get herself out of, and she was one difficult character to empathize with.
The real villians in the book (there are two) were just outright nasty. I never came to understand their hatred, but it was there every time they were on the page. I wish their feelings would have been explained better, because all we got was the main characters assuming the reasons behind their bitterness.
The romances were pretty great. Both heroes were a lot of fun and had a lot of great qualities, including the ability to raise up their heroine. The romances seemed genuine. They came to the women at the time when they were most ready for it.
In the end, great book. It’s part of the Blackberry Island series and I am very curious about the next books because I cannot imagine who they could be about. At the very least, I look forward to revisiting these women and see how they’ve grown.
Pecans: 4.25/5
llkendrick's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
I went into this thinking it was going to be a romance but was pleasantly surprised that it is about friendship, with romance being a secondary storyline. Realistic characters and a fun setting. I would love to live in this island and work at this inn.
I went into this thinking it was going to be a romance but was pleasantly surprised that it is about friendship, with romance being a secondary storyline. Realistic characters and a fun setting. I would love to live in this island and work at this inn.
madamelibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
Everyone needs someone!
This book made me want to head to an island near Seattle and try some Blackberry desserts! The characters seem like they’d make good friends.
This book made me want to head to an island near Seattle and try some Blackberry desserts! The characters seem like they’d make good friends.
spike4mal's review against another edition
slow-paced
1.75
Ehhh, just finished it for completion sake. Literally just rambled on.
sn4p's review against another edition
4.0
There aren't a lot of books that can make me cry that aren't really designed to make me cry.
This book though? I cried all the way through. Some happy tears, some heartbroken tears. All good tears.
Michelle is a war vet. She's got a clear case of PTSD, and she's worsening it with drinking.
Carly was Michelle's best friend, until Michelle's father left with Carly's mom. And then Carly stole Michelle's boyfriend, and Michelle stole him back.
It was all very high school (happened in high school), but Michelle is back, and they have to face those issues.
Michelle isn't dealing well, at all, and drinking. She's asked to take care of an abandoned and abused dog. Together, they help each other heal.
Along the way, Michelle and Carly heal their relationship as well, and relationships with a couple of great guys.
Great read, very engaging and kept me sucked in.
This book though? I cried all the way through. Some happy tears, some heartbroken tears. All good tears.
Michelle is a war vet. She's got a clear case of PTSD, and she's worsening it with drinking.
Carly was Michelle's best friend, until Michelle's father left with Carly's mom. And then Carly stole Michelle's boyfriend, and Michelle stole him back.
It was all very high school (happened in high school), but Michelle is back, and they have to face those issues.
Michelle isn't dealing well, at all, and drinking. She's asked to take care of an abandoned and abused dog. Together, they help each other heal.
Along the way, Michelle and Carly heal their relationship as well, and relationships with a couple of great guys.
Great read, very engaging and kept me sucked in.