Lynsey James

I made a comment on Twitter that the entire time I was reading this book I kept saying, "how cute!" It is entirely true now, a couple days after completion, that I think this book is one cute read.

Lucy has been running from her past for 8 years, avoiding her hometown of Luna Bay even during Christmas. Her Nana Lily's passing has brought her home and nothing is keeping Lucy there, not even the new handsome bar owner, Jake. However, things don't ever seem to work how Lucy plans them. Nana Lily's will leaves Lucy her Rose Cottage and The Broken Hearts Book Club. Lucy didn't intend to get wrapped up in The Broken Hearts Book Club, but something keeps her around and as life keeps moving on, Lucy may find herself at home in Luna Bay.

Lucy is a riot, not only is she the most random character whose POV I have read from, but she does some strange things that make me question her sanity. That said, she's genuine and watching her life, and the puzzle pieces it was left in, come together is a joy. I enjoy her interactions with her friends, her family, and all the members of the book club. I like reading about a character who solely thinks of others happiness, even when their happiness is hanging on a thread, off a cliff, ready to dive into the ocean at any time. The book club is a fascinating group and even though their stories aren't detailed, I grew to enjoy them and Lucy's interactions with them all, even the snarly ones. There are some twists that you won't expect and that I won't give away, but will surprise you and help you understand why Lucy acts how she does. This is a book about loving yourself, forgiving yourself, and learning to let others in.

The Broken Hearts Book Club is a quick read and while I struggled to get through the first 30%, I found myself turning the pages as fast as I could after that. I struggled quite a bit at keeping Lucy's thoughts arranged, it was almost easier to picture her doing odd things than reading them from her POV. I like a character I can understand and I didn't get Lucy at all at first. She did grow on me a lot though and her quirkiness became a quality I liked. The romance in this book moved at the speed of light, at one point I thought I might have missed something during an argument between two characters. While I enjoyed the romance aspect, and reading about Lucy's happiness, I couldn't quite picture the couple together because I never had a firm grasp on them from their first meetings and non-date. I like a romance that forms over time, and while this one had its struggles through the entire book before a conclusion, it never once played out in my head as a romantic story.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading books about books and just about anyone going through a hard time in life looking for a pick me up. It's a relaxing read and will lift your spirits reading about the characters facing their broken hearts one at a time.… (lisätietoja)

This was a very sweet romance that I had planned to read at Christmas, but it got pushed back a bit. Cleo is still in love with her ex-boyfriend Scott who up and left her a year earlier to move to Australia. When he returns to Silverdale, he wants to get back together. He admits he has made a mistake and begs Cleo to forgive him. She is not willing to do that, at least not at first. As they run into one another a few more times, they spend one passionate night in bed. In the morning Scott is gone without even leaving a note. Once again, he has left her. When Cleo finds out that she is pregnant, she is not sure what to do. Having dealt with body dysmorphia in the past she is worried about dealing with a growing body. She is also still in love with Scott, but he had agreed to help raise the child, but not as a couple. Will they get back together? Will his old girlfriend Natalie get a hold of him again?

There is humour as well as angst in this story. Besides the fact that Cleo got herself pregnant, this could be a Hallmark Movie. Two twenty or thirty somethings dealing with an unplanned pregnancy, single parenthood, parents who dislike each other and some cranky hospital employees all add up to a nice romantic read. If you like feel good romance stories, then pick this one up, you will definitely enjoy it. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.… (lisätietoja)

What, at first, seemed like a light read didn't turn out to be all "light", not for me at least. I'm pretty sure that has to do with my own history when it comes to being overweight and trying to change that.

Now, let's talk about Cleo. I absolutely adore her - flaws and all. At the start of her journey, she's insecure, has no hopes, no dreams and just follows the motions of her life. Even though she has some people to fall back to, she struggles with her family a lot - her mom, to be exact.
Up until the point that she's subtly starting to change. She grows into herself, building up not only her confidence but the strength to dream as well.

Of course her personal trainer, Scott, has to be mentioned as well! Even though he knows Cleo is struggling with certain things in her life, he tries his hardest to help her cope. Scott goes out of his way to find little things that make it easier on Cleo, helps her and tries to be there for her whenever and however he can.
The question is, though, whether he's strong enough to handle Cleo's history - since he has a history of his own.

Because of Lynsey James' writing, Cleo was really easy to connect with. I felt both her ups and downs, felt her happiness, doubt and frustrations. Scott reminded me a lot of someone in my own life because of the way he tried to help Cleo.
Safe to say that I had hoped to connect with Cleo, so a huge thanks and applause to Lynsey for making it possible!

"You get used to the looks eventually; even the whispers don't bother you after a while. It's what's behind them that's really scary, the horrible thoughts they don't say out loud."

All in All The Summer of Hopes and Dreams is the beautiful story of someone struggling to overcoming the consequences of an accident that changed her life. A wonderful, yet difficult journey to accepting herself, daring to dream again and - most importantly - finding the strength, motivation and will-power to leave her comfort zone and fight for those dreams.

5 / 5!

Kathy

This book was given to me through NetGalley. I am not compensated for this review in any way. All opinions are entirely my own.… (lisätietoja)