Liebesromane schaffen es eigentlich nur selten in mein Regal, doch ich bin froh, dass ich diesem Buch eine Chance gegeben habe. Mich haben die Geschichten, die hinter den Protagonisten stecken sehr berührt, doch vor allem das Leben von Claire und ihren Kindern hat mich gefesselt und nicht mehr losgelassen.Nach dem schrecklichen Vorfall in Claires Glasperlenladen war es sehr schwer für Claire, denn bisher war sie es gewohnt immer allein zurechtzukommen. Nun Hilfe anzunehmen fällt ihr nicht leicht, schon gar nicht wenn die Hilfe von Riley, dem Bruder ihrer besten Freundin, kommt. Ich konnte ihren Schmerz, die Trauer, die entstehende Liebe, aber auch ihre Wut gegenüber dem Einbrecher sehr gut nachvollziehen und hatte durch den sehr sanften Schreibstil der Autorin die Möglichkeit, mich in Claire hineinzuversetzen und mitzufühlen. Das hat das Leseerlebnis für mich noch intensiver werden lassen.Im Allgemeinen fand ich es sehr entspannend das Buch zu lesen. Die Geschichte ist aus genau der richtigen Mischung aus Spannung, Romantik und Dramatik, was mich dazu gebracht hat volle fünf Sterne zu vergeben.Als ich hörte, dass am 1. März 2014 der zweite Band der Reihe „Nur die Liebe heilt“ erscheinen wird, war ich ziemlich skeptisch, da ich mir nicht vorstellen konnte wie es nach dem Ende der Geschichte noch erzählt werden könnte. Glücklicherweise hat sich herausgestellt, dass sich der nächste Band um Claire’s Freundin Evie drehen wird, von der man bisher noch nicht sehr viel mitbekommen hat. Romance set in a small town. Typical. And yet there is so much more to this book. This is about more than just two people and how they fall in love. This is about the whole town, family, and grief. We meet the main and secondary characters before the major tragedy that sets the rest of the series up, or at least the next three books. For a romance, the tragedy is real and harsh. If you're looking for a feel-good romance, this may not be the right series for you. What I liked about the tragedy and the robberies prior is the concept that even in small towns, life happens. We hear so much about the kids with issues in the cities but in most books we read about the wonders and perfection of small towns. Here we see that there are issues still in small towns and kids can make the wrong decisions no matter where they live. While the acts of the kids wake up the town, it also serves as a reminder for readers as well.The relationship between Claire and Riley was well developed. I liked that it was not merely based on looks or sex, seeing as she was injured for most of the book. It allowed the relationship to develop at a realistic pace and with deeper emotions. I liked that it was Riley that kept holding out on the relationship and that it was not the typical fear of commitment that kept him holding back but more complex emotions. He did have a fear of commitment but not just in the idea that he doesn't want to settle, but that he doesn't think he is worth settling for because of fears that have to do with his father and his previous work. Claire was unbelievably optimist even in situations that seem odd-such as her ex-husband's pregnant, younger wife. I like that in Woodrose Mountain, it is addressed because it can be grating/unrealistic. And yet somehow she is mostly endearing. There are so many secondary characters, and threads that are picked up in later books. The author does a great job and fleshing out the characters enough to get us to care about them and make them important to the main characters while at the same time keeping them in the background to let the main story take over. Unlike many authors attempting to introduce characters for later books, this author makes it flow seamlessly.
What do You think about Blackberry Summer (2011)?
I really enjoyed this book, it reminds me of the Virgin River series by Robyn Carr.
—motheroftwins
I enjoyed the story. Maybe I have a romantic soul after all.
—shay
Cute with a side of tall, dark, and handsome.
—jcm4387
good, pleasant story, not a mushy romance
—pink_chattabox
