Hhhmmm....how to begin....well, let me just say that I did not like this book. I read the whole thing all the while hoping for something interesting to happen since there are so many great reviews. PERSONALLY, I did not enjoy any of the characters. I really didn't feel any depth to them. Sure, they mentioned things to imply depth, but I didn't FEEL it. The dialogue was boring, tedious, redundant, and lacking most of the time. There were too many conversations about things that really held no relevance or importance to the story or main characters. I found myself skimming through a lot of the dialogue when it was between other characters because it was boring & irrelevant to the plot. The way I viewed this family is a comparison to a favorite TV family. The Brady Bunch-American, PG, family that quarreled but in such a silly manner that it was just CHEESY. The O'Brian's-Irish, PG-13. The Brady Bunch was a TV favorite, but who really wants to read a book about them??? I know this is the 9th book out of a series but it's the first I've read and you can read it without the necessity of reading the other 8....if you want to. This book was a big N-O for me. Not likely to pick up a book from this author again. Here are some reviews from others regarding this book/series. They have a knack for words to describe how I felt much better than I did:"Not very engaging, but ok.""...it was easy to put down. I wasn’t pulled in with a need to keep reading. It was more of an acceptable something to read to fill some time. It’s mostly family interactions, conflicts, and resolving them.""Once or twice I was tired of hearing the same argument...It needed more interesting dialogue. Conversations are ordinary, everyday things that are predictable and frequently used. Also, it could have used more intriguing, unusual, or colorful characters.""the characters are flat and the plot predictable. Sickly sentimental. There will be no more Chesapeake Shores for me.""the characters were SO one-dimensional!""These are terrible. The characters are shallow, yet you feel like you are wading through muck to get through these things.""Poor character development (even for a romance novel), too many narrators, predictable plot, and clumsy denouement."From a reviewer for the 3rd book explains exactly how I felt about this book: "A lot of the dialogue in these books involves family members and friends being inquisitive about each others' relationships to the point of it feeling unnatural and offering unsolicited advice to each other.All of this is not to say that I don't like this author, only that I find her writing to be uncompelling (if that's a word) and lacking in maturity. For instance, the character of Jess in 'Moonlight Cove' felt fairly one-dimensional. Will fared a little better -- I liked him -- but again, there wasn't much to give these characters real depth or to make me feel for them.I'm hoping the earlier books in the series will be better and will be reading them in the near future. Until then, I will say that the reading is light and not unpleasant, but not as skilled as what I'd been hoping.ADDENDUM: Have continued reading the series. The thing that comes to mind when I do is that the characters are constantly discussing things. A lot is said but not shown. I'd rather be shown why someone is the way they are or why they've acted a certain way, not just have it discussed between characters to get the point across. Not storytelling at its best, though I have to admit I'm curious about what happens to the characters."FINALLYSPOILER ALERT:Seriously, who the HELL wants to have a double wedding with their grandparents?!?!?! I don't care how close of a family you are, that's just ridiculous. Rant and bewilderment as to how these books have such decent rating & reviews OVER. Another great addition to the Chesapeake series -- the H/H have met in the previous book (An Obrien Family Christmas); Luke and Moira have already developed the beginnings of their relationship while Luke vacationed in Dublin *wink*, in The Summer Garden they pick up where they left off, so, this book does not have a lot of conflict however, it is still about the journey of two people in love finding a way to make things work, *sigh*.Secondary storyline with Nell and Dillon (grandma O'Brien and a suitor from years ago)which is sweet and a nice addition to the story. In each of Sherryl's books she reintroduces members of the family which is always enjoyable; Sherryl also does a marvelous job with world building,adding more landmarks to the town, in this case Luke's bar. These elements add the realism to the stories that make her series worth coming back to over and over again. If you like Robyn Carr, Susan Wiggs, Debbie Macomber, you'll love these books.
What do You think about Un Jardin Pour L'été (2013)?
I will miss the characters from this series!! So sad when the series ends!!
—RUSH
