lori_loves_reading's review against another edition
5.0
Such a fun, light, romantic story! I connected with all the characters.
kbranfield's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars.
In Evening Stars, the third installment of Susan Mallery's heartwarming Blackberry Island series, complicated family dynamics are almost impossible to overcome when Nina Wentworth and her visiting sister Averil find themselves trapped in the roles that have defined them since childhood. Averil is happily married but the prospect of beginning a family leaves her contemplating exactly what she wants out of life. Nina is still taking care of everyone, including her irresponsible mother Bonnie, and when two men from her past unexpectedly reappear, she is forced to re-examine her past choices and take a good hard look at what she wants for her future.
As a child, Nina was thrust into the parental role for both Averil and Bonnie and years later, nothing has changed in that respect. She let go of her dream of becoming a doctor and in the process she also lost her first love, Dylan Harrington. Now Dylan has returned to Blackberry Island to work in his father's practice and Nina begins to re-evaluate her past. Further complicating her life is the sudden reappearance of Kyle Eastland, a young Navy pilot who has never forgotten his teenage crush on Nina. Now stationed at a nearby base, Kyle is hopeful that he can convince Nina to give him a chance now they are both grown up.
Averil's unexpected visit is the last thing that Nina needs as she tries to deal with the latest evidence of their mother's irresponsibility. Averil and Nina love one another but their interactions are laced with misunderstandings and Bonnie's return just adds more tension to their relationship.
I really liked the contrast in Nina's relationships with Dylan and Kyle. With Kyle, Nina could just let go and live in the moment. Carefree fun with no expectations or demands which really fit in with Kyle's personality. He reminded me of a puppy-playful and enthusiastic but lacking maturity.
On the other hand, Dylan is a painful reminder of all that Nina has lost. Their first encounters are uncomfortable and filled with tension until they finally discuss the elephant in the room: their failed youthful romance. It is through these discussions that Nina gains a new perspective on her role in their break up and provides her the opportunity to revisit childhood dreams.
Evening Stars is a beautiful journey of self-discovery for the Wentworth women. Nina and Averil undergo a great deal of soul searching as they contemplate their pasts and in doing so, they are able fully embrace their futures. A lovely conclusion to Susan Mallery's delightful Blackberry Island series.
In Evening Stars, the third installment of Susan Mallery's heartwarming Blackberry Island series, complicated family dynamics are almost impossible to overcome when Nina Wentworth and her visiting sister Averil find themselves trapped in the roles that have defined them since childhood. Averil is happily married but the prospect of beginning a family leaves her contemplating exactly what she wants out of life. Nina is still taking care of everyone, including her irresponsible mother Bonnie, and when two men from her past unexpectedly reappear, she is forced to re-examine her past choices and take a good hard look at what she wants for her future.
As a child, Nina was thrust into the parental role for both Averil and Bonnie and years later, nothing has changed in that respect. She let go of her dream of becoming a doctor and in the process she also lost her first love, Dylan Harrington. Now Dylan has returned to Blackberry Island to work in his father's practice and Nina begins to re-evaluate her past. Further complicating her life is the sudden reappearance of Kyle Eastland, a young Navy pilot who has never forgotten his teenage crush on Nina. Now stationed at a nearby base, Kyle is hopeful that he can convince Nina to give him a chance now they are both grown up.
Averil's unexpected visit is the last thing that Nina needs as she tries to deal with the latest evidence of their mother's irresponsibility. Averil and Nina love one another but their interactions are laced with misunderstandings and Bonnie's return just adds more tension to their relationship.
I really liked the contrast in Nina's relationships with Dylan and Kyle. With Kyle, Nina could just let go and live in the moment. Carefree fun with no expectations or demands which really fit in with Kyle's personality. He reminded me of a puppy-playful and enthusiastic but lacking maturity.
On the other hand, Dylan is a painful reminder of all that Nina has lost. Their first encounters are uncomfortable and filled with tension until they finally discuss the elephant in the room: their failed youthful romance. It is through these discussions that Nina gains a new perspective on her role in their break up and provides her the opportunity to revisit childhood dreams.
Evening Stars is a beautiful journey of self-discovery for the Wentworth women. Nina and Averil undergo a great deal of soul searching as they contemplate their pasts and in doing so, they are able fully embrace their futures. A lovely conclusion to Susan Mallery's delightful Blackberry Island series.
sonia_reppe's review against another edition
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 against another edition
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 against another edition
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 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.
wildflowerz76's review against another edition
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 against another edition
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.
celticgoddess731's review against another edition
4.0
I love this series, and this was a great addition.
s_pywow's review
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