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ashleyhosack1's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this book. it’s a great summer read with a little bit of everything you need in it.
kikkrareads's review against another edition
4.5
After having read all of the Sullivan's Crossing series and slowly making my way through the Virgin River series, I decided to give one of Robyn Carr's stand-alones a go.
I will admit, the book blew me away. I didn't expect the same about of character depth that I read over an entire series, to come within one single novel. I found so many parts of this book so relatable. I guess the terminally ill family member was a big one, but I felt Carr wrote in a way that was both realistic and yet so respectful of how messed up it is when you see someone you love slowly fade away. Charley's mission to do whatever she can to help her Sister Meg was so beautiful, and so tender.
I loved the way the characters wove their stories together. There was a mix of past and present. The different points of view and the different pathways each character was on that made the story all the more beautiful.
Carr truly smashed it with this one!
4.5 Stars for me!
I will admit, the book blew me away. I didn't expect the same about of character depth that I read over an entire series, to come within one single novel. I found so many parts of this book so relatable. I guess the terminally ill family member was a big one, but I felt Carr wrote in a way that was both realistic and yet so respectful of how messed up it is when you see someone you love slowly fade away. Charley's mission to do whatever she can to help her Sister Meg was so beautiful, and so tender.
I loved the way the characters wove their stories together. There was a mix of past and present. The different points of view and the different pathways each character was on that made the story all the more beautiful.
Carr truly smashed it with this one!
4.5 Stars for me!
scoutmomskf's review against another edition
4.0
Good story of family relationships, love, forgiveness, and letting go. Two sisters, Louise and Jo, married two brothers, Carl and Roy. Each couple had three daughters. The families were very close and spent each summer at their lake house. Then the youngest daughter, Bunny, drowned, and in the aftermath, the lake house was closed, and the previously close family fractured. Louise and Jo stopped speaking to each other, and the girls grew apart. Twenty-seven years later, one daughter decided it was time to bring the family together again, and opening the lake house was the only way to do it. I enjoyed each woman's story, the events, and feelings that made them who they are today.
Louise - the oldest of the two sisters, married Carl, the oldest brother. Louise is strong-willed and rules her roost with an iron hand. After the death of her youngest child, she was lost in grief, neglecting her other two daughters. She later became very bitter and hard to get along with. Her relationship with her daughter Charley is especially contentious. She is the one who decided to close the lake house. She was very much against reopening the house.
Jo - married Carl, the younger brother. She is soft-spoken, content to be in her sister's shadow, and seems to be something of a doormat. Her life wasn't an easy one. Roy was charismatic, but lazy and always looking for the easy way. He had trouble keeping a job and was frequently bailed out by his brother Carl.
Charley - oldest of the daughters. She has deep-seated resentment toward her mother, who failed her at the time she needed her the most. Recently laid off from her job as a talk show host, she feels like she has lost herself. To add to the stress, her long-time committed love is suddenly talking marriage, which freaks her out. Also, her younger sister, Meg, is battling Stage 4 breast cancer and wants to spend time at the lake house. With unexpected free time, Charley takes on the responsibility of making it happen. She does not expect to come face-to-face with her past while there.
Meg - hopeful that the latest treatment will be successful, Meg wants the peace and tranquility of the lake house to recover and regain her strength. She also has the ulterior motive of trying to bring her family back together. She wrote to all of her cousins, inviting them to the lake house for the summer, hoping that her invitation will be accepted. Of all the daughters, she has weathered the storms the best. Her relationship with her doctor husband is strong and loving, and she is the only one who has maintained contact with her cousins.
Krista - her grief led to her getting involved with a bad group of kids and progressed to further bad decisions. She landed in prison for twenty-five years and was recently released. She showed up at the lake, unsure of her welcome, and determined to make better decisions for her future. She is both naïve and worldly, hoping for the best, but expecting the worst. She finds acceptance and love in unexpected ways.
Hope - dealt with the loss and family upheaval by going to live with her grandparents. Hope handled things she didn't like by ignoring them and pretending that what she wants is real. This practice has developed to the point where she has almost completely lost her grip on reality. Everything comes out when there is a near tragedy, and the extent of her mental breakdown becomes clear.
Beverly - the cousin who was with Bunny at the time of the drowning, Beverly blocked everything out for a year. She ended up in foster care, with foster parents who were able to help her, but she never returned to her own family. She has maintained some contact.
Bunny - the youngest of the family and the one who drowned.
I enjoyed the progression of the book, with parts from each character's point of view, both past and present. Though the relationships had been fractured, there were still solid foundations that enabled them to be rebuilt. Each one had challenges to face, especially when it came to reconciling their pasts. I loved seeing the changes that each one went through as they finally looked at and talked about the events of that summer and how it shaped the women they became. I liked some characters better than others, but all of them had moments when they moved me.
I hurt for Charley, whose life was turned upside down by the loss of her job, and the knowledge that she was probably going to lose her only remaining sister. Her relationship with Michael was a good one. I liked Michael's patience with Charley's fears. Charley's feud with her mother was understandable as the events of that summer unfolded. I liked that Charley made peace with the decisions she made. I was not surprised by the blast from her past and enjoyed the mature way that she handled it.
I liked following the story of Jo and Louise and everything that led up to their estrangement. That was an unexpected development and added a bit of mystery to the book. I loved that it was Jo who made the first move toward healing their rift. She turned out to be much stronger than I expected from the early descriptions of her. Louise was pretty obnoxious throughout most of the book and only began to redeem herself toward the end.
Hope frustrated me with her refusal to face the truth. I especially disliked the way she treated her daughters, forcing them to go along with her deception, and the way she cut her mother entirely out of her life. I thought that her ex-husband was a really nice guy and didn't deserve the trouble that she caused him. I hated the way that she treated Krista, which reinforced my opinion of her as an entitled snob.
I liked Beverly's courage in coming to the lake house. She still had large blank spots in her memory about the events of that summer and the following year. I liked seeing her reconnect with her sisters and cousins, and eventually insist on hearing the truth of what happened. I also liked how it was her childhood relationship with Charley that helped her fill in many of those blank spots.
My favorite character was Krista. She could have come out of prison hardened and cynical, but instead, she was determined to make the right decisions for her future. I ached for her fear that her family would reject her, and cheered at her immediate acceptance by Charley and Meg. I loved seeing her take those first steps toward her new life by applying for a job at the resort. She was fortunate to encounter the manager, Jake, who saw something special in her. His confidence in her went a long way to building her self-esteem. I liked the development of the friendship between them and how that friendship grew into something stronger. I thought she handled the surprise revelation about his past very well, and her support of him was pretty sweet.
The ending of the book was both happy and sad. I liked seeing how Meg's efforts were successful in bringing her family back together. This time, grief brought them all closer instead of driving them apart, and I closed the book hopeful that they would remain so.
Louise - the oldest of the two sisters, married Carl, the oldest brother. Louise is strong-willed and rules her roost with an iron hand. After the death of her youngest child, she was lost in grief, neglecting her other two daughters. She later became very bitter and hard to get along with. Her relationship with her daughter Charley is especially contentious. She is the one who decided to close the lake house. She was very much against reopening the house.
Jo - married Carl, the younger brother. She is soft-spoken, content to be in her sister's shadow, and seems to be something of a doormat. Her life wasn't an easy one. Roy was charismatic, but lazy and always looking for the easy way. He had trouble keeping a job and was frequently bailed out by his brother Carl.
Charley - oldest of the daughters. She has deep-seated resentment toward her mother, who failed her at the time she needed her the most. Recently laid off from her job as a talk show host, she feels like she has lost herself. To add to the stress, her long-time committed love is suddenly talking marriage, which freaks her out. Also, her younger sister, Meg, is battling Stage 4 breast cancer and wants to spend time at the lake house. With unexpected free time, Charley takes on the responsibility of making it happen. She does not expect to come face-to-face with her past while there.
Meg - hopeful that the latest treatment will be successful, Meg wants the peace and tranquility of the lake house to recover and regain her strength. She also has the ulterior motive of trying to bring her family back together. She wrote to all of her cousins, inviting them to the lake house for the summer, hoping that her invitation will be accepted. Of all the daughters, she has weathered the storms the best. Her relationship with her doctor husband is strong and loving, and she is the only one who has maintained contact with her cousins.
Krista - her grief led to her getting involved with a bad group of kids and progressed to further bad decisions. She landed in prison for twenty-five years and was recently released. She showed up at the lake, unsure of her welcome, and determined to make better decisions for her future. She is both naïve and worldly, hoping for the best, but expecting the worst. She finds acceptance and love in unexpected ways.
Hope - dealt with the loss and family upheaval by going to live with her grandparents. Hope handled things she didn't like by ignoring them and pretending that what she wants is real. This practice has developed to the point where she has almost completely lost her grip on reality. Everything comes out when there is a near tragedy, and the extent of her mental breakdown becomes clear.
Beverly - the cousin who was with Bunny at the time of the drowning, Beverly blocked everything out for a year. She ended up in foster care, with foster parents who were able to help her, but she never returned to her own family. She has maintained some contact.
Bunny - the youngest of the family and the one who drowned.
I enjoyed the progression of the book, with parts from each character's point of view, both past and present. Though the relationships had been fractured, there were still solid foundations that enabled them to be rebuilt. Each one had challenges to face, especially when it came to reconciling their pasts. I loved seeing the changes that each one went through as they finally looked at and talked about the events of that summer and how it shaped the women they became. I liked some characters better than others, but all of them had moments when they moved me.
I hurt for Charley, whose life was turned upside down by the loss of her job, and the knowledge that she was probably going to lose her only remaining sister. Her relationship with Michael was a good one. I liked Michael's patience with Charley's fears. Charley's feud with her mother was understandable as the events of that summer unfolded. I liked that Charley made peace with the decisions she made. I was not surprised by the blast from her past and enjoyed the mature way that she handled it.
I liked following the story of Jo and Louise and everything that led up to their estrangement. That was an unexpected development and added a bit of mystery to the book. I loved that it was Jo who made the first move toward healing their rift. She turned out to be much stronger than I expected from the early descriptions of her. Louise was pretty obnoxious throughout most of the book and only began to redeem herself toward the end.
Hope frustrated me with her refusal to face the truth. I especially disliked the way she treated her daughters, forcing them to go along with her deception, and the way she cut her mother entirely out of her life. I thought that her ex-husband was a really nice guy and didn't deserve the trouble that she caused him. I hated the way that she treated Krista, which reinforced my opinion of her as an entitled snob.
I liked Beverly's courage in coming to the lake house. She still had large blank spots in her memory about the events of that summer and the following year. I liked seeing her reconnect with her sisters and cousins, and eventually insist on hearing the truth of what happened. I also liked how it was her childhood relationship with Charley that helped her fill in many of those blank spots.
My favorite character was Krista. She could have come out of prison hardened and cynical, but instead, she was determined to make the right decisions for her future. I ached for her fear that her family would reject her, and cheered at her immediate acceptance by Charley and Meg. I loved seeing her take those first steps toward her new life by applying for a job at the resort. She was fortunate to encounter the manager, Jake, who saw something special in her. His confidence in her went a long way to building her self-esteem. I liked the development of the friendship between them and how that friendship grew into something stronger. I thought she handled the surprise revelation about his past very well, and her support of him was pretty sweet.
The ending of the book was both happy and sad. I liked seeing how Meg's efforts were successful in bringing her family back together. This time, grief brought them all closer instead of driving them apart, and I closed the book hopeful that they would remain so.
novelesque_life's review against another edition
4.0
RATING: 3.5 STARS
2017; Mira/HarperCollins
Since I first stepped into Virgin River, Robyn Carr has become part of my "mood" list. By "mood" list I mean a list of authors I can be guaranteed at least a 3.5 STAR read. As much as I read I do get into reading slumps (where every book I pick up I don't like, or can't get into, etc), can't decide what to read (usually feel overwhelmed) or just want a book I know I will love. Often at times I don't read these authors as quickly because I want to keep some of the novels at my fingertips. This novel was no different.
I really enjoyed the characters and the different plotlines! I did often want to know more about a character, but I think it would be hard to do without bogging down the overall story arc. It would be cool if there was a novella on Beverly (hint hint, haha). Rather than one or two characters this novel is about a family. After a tragic death, a family shuts down the summer home. It also fractures a once close family. As another tragedy is upon them, they come together to see if they can heal the hurt and pain. If you want a mellow read with family drama and a bit of romance and tears I recommend The Summer That Made Us.
***I received an eARC from EDELWEISS***
My Novelesque Blog
2017; Mira/HarperCollins
Since I first stepped into Virgin River, Robyn Carr has become part of my "mood" list. By "mood" list I mean a list of authors I can be guaranteed at least a 3.5 STAR read. As much as I read I do get into reading slumps (where every book I pick up I don't like, or can't get into, etc), can't decide what to read (usually feel overwhelmed) or just want a book I know I will love. Often at times I don't read these authors as quickly because I want to keep some of the novels at my fingertips. This novel was no different.
I really enjoyed the characters and the different plotlines! I did often want to know more about a character, but I think it would be hard to do without bogging down the overall story arc. It would be cool if there was a novella on Beverly (hint hint, haha). Rather than one or two characters this novel is about a family. After a tragic death, a family shuts down the summer home. It also fractures a once close family. As another tragedy is upon them, they come together to see if they can heal the hurt and pain. If you want a mellow read with family drama and a bit of romance and tears I recommend The Summer That Made Us.
***I received an eARC from EDELWEISS***
My Novelesque Blog
starnia's review against another edition
3.0
Enjoyable to read, but predictable, and lagging in the middle.
Fascinating characters.
Fascinating characters.
bakingbookworm's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is the second Robyn Carr book I've listened too in the past few weeks. I enjoy these easy-listen, contemporary fiction novels that include family dysfunction and drama.
The Summer That Made Us centres around a family who traditionally spent idyllic summers at their lake house until tragedy suddenly strikes during an already tumultuous summer. The family is torn apart and it isn't until decades later, that they return to the lake house and the memories it holds. Carr provides insight on the large cast which enabled me to sympathize with the different characters and their not always stellar life decisions.
Since I listened to this family drama so soon after listening to Carr's The Life She Wants, some of the characters and storylines got a bit muddled in my head because they are both filled with familial angst, long-held family feuds and some romance t'boot. My bad. Regardless, this was an enjoyable family drama that held my attention. I am not reader who sheds tears easily, but one scene made me quite misty-eyed as it brought up a loss in my own life.
While this book has a summery feel, readers will enjoy this book year-round if they're in the mood for family drama.
tmpurrenhage's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
kbranfield's review against another edition
4.0
The Summer That Made Us by Robyn Carr is a multi-layered novel about a once close-knit family that was torn apart by tragedy.
Once upon a time, sisters Louise and Josephine, along with their daughters, spent idyllic summers together at the family's lake house. They each had three daughters and the cousins were just as close as their mothers. However, in the aftermath of a tragic accident, Lou and Jo become somewhat estranged and their daughters' lives take very troubling turns. Fast forward to the present and Lou's daughter Meg decides it is time for the family to reconcile and she invites everyone back to the lake house for the summer. There is never any doubt Meg's sister Charley will agree to her sister's plan but will cousins Hope, Krista and Beverly accept her invitation? And is it too late for Lou and Jo to repair their long strained relationship?
Alternating between the various characters' perspectives, Robyn Carr's newest release is not a light or happy read and quite frankly, it is a bit of a chore to even like many of the characters. Meg is the most sympathetic, and while she sets the reunion into motion, she remains firmly in the background as the story unfolds. Her sister Charley is probably the least likable as she alienates her long-term partner, Michael, after she loses her job. On the other end of the spectrum is their cousin Krista whose life took a dramatically wrong turn but she is incredibly appealing as she faces each challenge with a positive and cheery attitude. Krista's sister Hope makes a couple of very memorable guest appearances that will leave readers shaking their head in disbelief. Their other sister Beverly remains on the periphery of the unfolding drama. Jo is an utterly fantastic character and she never hesitates to do whatever is necessary to help her daughters. Her sister Lou is nowhere near as personable and well, it is not easy to feel much sympathy for her even though she has endured some very painful losses.
Despite a somewhat slow start, The Summer That Made Us is an engaging novel with an interesting (but sometimes overly busy) storyline. While not a particularly joyful read, it is easy to become swept up into the various characters' story arcs. Robyn Carr brings the novel to a bittersweet yet uplifting conclusion.
Once upon a time, sisters Louise and Josephine, along with their daughters, spent idyllic summers together at the family's lake house. They each had three daughters and the cousins were just as close as their mothers. However, in the aftermath of a tragic accident, Lou and Jo become somewhat estranged and their daughters' lives take very troubling turns. Fast forward to the present and Lou's daughter Meg decides it is time for the family to reconcile and she invites everyone back to the lake house for the summer. There is never any doubt Meg's sister Charley will agree to her sister's plan but will cousins Hope, Krista and Beverly accept her invitation? And is it too late for Lou and Jo to repair their long strained relationship?
Alternating between the various characters' perspectives, Robyn Carr's newest release is not a light or happy read and quite frankly, it is a bit of a chore to even like many of the characters. Meg is the most sympathetic, and while she sets the reunion into motion, she remains firmly in the background as the story unfolds. Her sister Charley is probably the least likable as she alienates her long-term partner, Michael, after she loses her job. On the other end of the spectrum is their cousin Krista whose life took a dramatically wrong turn but she is incredibly appealing as she faces each challenge with a positive and cheery attitude. Krista's sister Hope makes a couple of very memorable guest appearances that will leave readers shaking their head in disbelief. Their other sister Beverly remains on the periphery of the unfolding drama. Jo is an utterly fantastic character and she never hesitates to do whatever is necessary to help her daughters. Her sister Lou is nowhere near as personable and well, it is not easy to feel much sympathy for her even though she has endured some very painful losses.
Despite a somewhat slow start, The Summer That Made Us is an engaging novel with an interesting (but sometimes overly busy) storyline. While not a particularly joyful read, it is easy to become swept up into the various characters' story arcs. Robyn Carr brings the novel to a bittersweet yet uplifting conclusion.