sonia_reppe's review
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
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.
asalters's review
4.0
I received this book as an advanced reader copy and I was so excited to learn that I had won one of the 4 copies available! I love Susan Mallery and I have devoured every book I could get a hold of that she has written. Ironically just prior to receiving this book in the mail I had started reading Three Sisters and was enjoying the journey those characters were taking me on. Needless to say that upon starting Evening Stars and learning that I could get little updates on the characters from the first book had me totally excited while still eager to take the journey Nina was in store for. I think that in good books you can love and dislike certain characters and still love the book. That is the case for me as I found Bonnie to be irritating and immature. Naturally that was the way her character was designed but I found myself wanting to smack her for her behavior as well as Averil's behavior at times. That said it lent certain points to the story and I wouldn't change it because I did enjoy this book. I enjoyed Kyle and Dylan and Nina and Bertie and all of the other supporting characters that were instrumental in this book. There was a path that had to be taken to get to the ending and I think it was well written and certainly heartwarming with the extra little tidbit of updates for my favorite characters from the last book. I would totally recommend this to my friends!
nellesnightstand's review
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.
wildflowerz76's review
3.0
This is number three in the Blackberry Island series. I still haven't read the first one and I read the 4th one first.
emmylib's review
5.0
I received an ARC of this book.
This is the third book in the Blackberry Island series. I've read the first two and enjoyed them quite a bit so I was excited to read this one. This book follows Nina who we met previously in Three Sisters, who is a nurse working for Andi the pediatrician.
Nina's life is running as normal until her ex Dylan shows up along with a new love interest plus the addition of her younger sister who left her husband to try and find herself. Things get even more complicated when her mother's antique business comes across a great find.
Interesting characters who deal with mother/daughter, sister/sister, and guy problems make this a fun read. The characters are likeable and relatable. Looking forward to more books following life in this small town.
This is the third book in the Blackberry Island series. I've read the first two and enjoyed them quite a bit so I was excited to read this one. This book follows Nina who we met previously in Three Sisters, who is a nurse working for Andi the pediatrician.
Nina's life is running as normal until her ex Dylan shows up along with a new love interest plus the addition of her younger sister who left her husband to try and find herself. Things get even more complicated when her mother's antique business comes across a great find.
Interesting characters who deal with mother/daughter, sister/sister, and guy problems make this a fun read. The characters are likeable and relatable. Looking forward to more books following life in this small town.
s_pywow's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
strawberrymivvy's review
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
A pleasant enough light read with a bit of romance, a bit of sisterhood/family dynamics and a bit about following your dreams.
Likeable characters for the most part (except Kyle, I mean, really?!) and a nice way to spend a few hours.
Mallery does a good job in this genre
Likeable characters for the most part (except Kyle, I mean, really?!) and a nice way to spend a few hours.
Mallery does a good job in this genre
jazzrizz's review
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.