A Bloom in Winter

Summerset Abbey #2

by T.J. Brown

The highly anticipated second installment in the Summerset Abbey series, which picks up just after the climatic conclusion of book one. After Prudence’s desperate marriage and move to Devonshire, sisters Rowena and Victoria fear they have lost their beloved friend forever. Guilt-ridden and remorseful, Rowena seeks comfort from a daring flyboy and embraces the most dangerous activity the world has ever seen, and Victoria defies her family and her illness to make her own dream occupation as a botanist come true. As England and the world step closer to conflict, the two young women flout their family, their upbringing, and their heritage to seize a modern future of their own making.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction, Romance, Historical Romance, Ebooks, British Literature

282 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in the Summerset Abbey trilogy picks up immediately where book one left off. The scandal and romance continue and it is now the winter of 1914. Prudence, Rowena, and Victoria still face many uphill battles that made for great reading. I never get bored of reading about the suffragette movement and other Edwardian societal issues.







Goodreads review published 06/08/21

[Angela · Rating 2 out of 5]

While I could not put this book down and honestly read it in one day, I am very annoyed with these women. Prudence's love for Sebastian is so very clear and yet she is staying true to Andrew. And what does that even mean? If she cared about Andrew at all, she would want him to find the kind of love she has felt, but no the reason she is with Andrew is that she is selfish and fearful.

Then there is annoying Rowena. She wants Jon to fight for her, but she hasn't told anyone about him. Nope she wants her life and Jon too, but without any work on her part.

Once again, I find myself interested in the characters we don't know. I would rather read about Katie, Eleanor or Susie!

[Tatiana]

+3,5

Т.Дж. Браун «Аббатство Саммерсет. Зимний цветок».

О сюжете: книга о трех девицах.

Вторую часть хваленой трилогии я, если честно, читать не хотела, первая часть оставила у меня чувство разочарования. Но так как я уже прикупила вторую часть на бумаге, решила дочитать. Вторая часть вышла даже лучше первой. Сама история вышла логичнее. Автор за многое хватается, показывает «по верхам», но в целом сюжет выходит интереснее, чем в первой книге. Нет тут атмосферы тех времен, даже складывалось ощущение, что все происходило в наше время. Знать показана бледно, ни тебе их пирушек, не каких то шикарных клубок. Герои ж богатейшая аристократия, черт возьми. Где интриги, гулянки, сплетни? Эти книги сложно назвать историческим романом. Не видитесь на обложки. Это просто обычный роман, обычный женский роман, я бы даже сказала ТИПИЧНЫЙ, где в центре сюжета три дамочки, которые заводят романы, выходят замуж, или играют в любовь, и плюс ведут себя подчас абсолютно не адекватно. Устала закатывать глаза на них во время прочтения. Простой пример – спасти «названную» сестру от бедности мы не хотим, но бороться за равноправие всех женщин или взять, да стать женщиной-пилотом, это - пожалуйста. Чего мелочиться! Так что если вы ищите легкое чтение на вечером, другой, обратите внимание на эту трилогию.

[Misfit]

Sorry, but I'm just too bored to continue. Victoria is driving me nuts. Moving on.

[gabithebookdragon · Rating 3 out of 5]

definitely better than the first ~ 3.5

[Barbara The MarSienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plus intéressant et palpitant que le premier tome.

[Sara Severo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ansiosa pelo final desta trilogia!
Como os tempos mudam, como as pessoas mudam e como o amor, por si próprias, por alguém ou até pelo Mundo, as faz mudar.

[Chelsey Wolford · Rating 4 out of 5]

This amazing series continues with another brilliant installment. At the end of Summerset Abbey, Prudence was married off and left town leaving Rowena and Victoria still under the care of their Aunt Charlotte. The girls face many more challenges in this book, just as they did in the first and we explore feminist action and rights once again. This book picks up right where the last one left off, and I was so happy for this. I thought I was going to die after finishing the first book in this series because I couldn’t stand to be left in the dark as to what was going to happen to each of the girls of Summerset. This is a series that can really appeal to adult readers and those that enjoy young adult as well. The writing and pace are consistent throughout both books and the characters are easy to fall in love with!

We see all three young ladies again in this novel, just not at the same place this time. I felt just as sad and lonely as Victoria and Rowena at the thought of Prudence not being around. I was happy to find out that we do see Prudence in this book and are aware of what is going on in her life as well. The book concentrates on all three of them, just like before, but really gears towards what is going to happen with Rowena and Victoria next, or at least that’s how I felt. Rowena and Victoria are both very ambitious and extremely courageous, especially for women of their time. Victoria is still trying to pursue the career of botany, just like her father, and Rowena longs to fly across the sky all on her own. Being a feminist myself, these books really speak to me. I am reading about brave and highly capable women who weren’t allowed a say in their time, no matter how much money they had. In this book, Victoria pursues a Women’s Suffragette Society. I was stuck to those particular pages like glue.

Now for my favorite character: Sebastian. I have loved Sebastian since he first loved Prudence! He returns in the second installment and is just as divine and as handsome as he was before. He still harbors feelings for Prudence in this story, even though she is already married. I was so drawn to his character in the first novel and wanted so desperately for him and Prudence to end up together. He interacts more with Rowena in this second installment and I will leave it up to you to find out if anything transpires there?! There is some more romance in this novel and it is just as heated and as secretive as it was before!

This is a series that will forever sit on my shelf and is definitely one that I could see myself reading over and over again!

***A HUGE thank you to the publishers at Gallery Books for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review***

[Tempo de Ler · Rating 4 out of 5]

"As senhoras não trabalhavam. Eram meramente decorativas." - p. 155

O primeiro livro desta trilogia, As Mulheres de Summerset Abbey, terminou de forma tão inesperada que me senti compulsivamente ansiosa para continuar a acompanhar Rowena, Victoria e Prudence.

Com essa mesma curiosidade veio o receio de que aquela manobra final, com a qual eu discordava completamente, tivesse apenas como objetivo despertar a abelhudice do leitor em relação ao segundo livro mas que seria desfeita na primeira oportunidade para voltar ao alinhamento «normal» da história, o que, na minha opinião, desacreditaria toda a história a nível de enredo. Fiquei então muito satisfeita quando percebi que isso não ia acontecer; muito pelo contrário, a autora não só manteve a dita pirueta intacta, como me convenceu de que era muito melhor assim!

Em Paixão Proibida em Summerset Abbey, as três jovens isolam-se umas das outras enquanto andam ocupadas com a sua nova vida, já que com a morte do pai de Rowena e Victoria e única figura paterna para Prudence, as suas vidas mudaram completamente. Educadas de acordo com ideais progressistas, as três lutam agora contra um mundo que, embora esteja a sofrer rápidas e importantes alterações, nomeadamente em relação ao papel da mulher na sociedade, fá-lo a um ritmo ainda assim demasiado lento para elas.

Gostei muito que este segundo livro se focasse bastante na inteligente Victoria, uma autoditata que sonha em ser botânica. Estragada com mimos e tratada com indulgência toda a vida por causa da sua doença, Victoria sente-se subestimada e está disposta a mostrar que cresceu. Tal como a Irmã, Rowena, observamos ao longo do livro o crescimento e desenvolvimento de Victoria, enquanto ela aprende com os seus próprios erros.

A 3/4 do final o aborreci-me um bocadinho com os impasses mas, mais uma vez, T.J. Brown oferece-nos um final forte que nos deixa cheios de curiosidade para o terceiro livro!

[QNPoohBear · Rating 3 out of 5]

At first this novel is typical pre-WWI fiction with the same old poor little rich girl story. A far more interesting story would be the maid turned secretary. The second half of this novel is better than the first. I couldn't put it down. I finally began to like Rowena though she still lets others dictate her life for her. She made a decision I didn't approve of for the time period and I think Lady Mary Crawley would be quite jealous of Rowena. Prudence still doesn't appeal to me. She's trying hard to accept life as it is but she isn't doing much to change her situation. Victoria is the best of the three women. Her character is the most fleshed out and her situation interesting and exciting. She is the only one who experiences any growth. Even though I suspected something was going to happen when she met Martha and Mary, it didn't quite happen the way I expected. It's quite interesting and different from other novels. I love learning the history of the period. Of the gentlemen, only Kit is given any real personality. He's charming and amusing but not given much depth. The author tells the story in a very detached manner. She tells instead of shows. The descriptions of the clothes are fabulous and the descriptions of the estate are very nice, but everything else is told to us: "Prudence felt..." Victoria did this, etc. I would have liked a bit more emotional involvement. For those who love Downton Abbey and loved the first pre-war season, this book will help fill the longing for more. There is a love scene but nothing is described at all. The content is clean enough for young adult and adults who prefer their romances clean.

[Theresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Summerset abbey A bloom in winter by T.J Brown
A Bloom in Winter is an interesting and standalone sequel to Summerset abbey. Victoria and Rowena Buxton have adapted to life without their charismatic father. Although both sisters would hardly believe that they could have adapted so quickly. Prudence has been banished being the illegitimate daughter of the sisters’ uncle has caused her whole life to change. She has dropped down in society from the cream of the crop socialite lady, with two sisters, and an adoring father to a housewife to a young ambitious man who is trying to learn a trade to support them. The heart strings of all three young women have found them pulled in various ways. Victoria wants to be a writer, but finds that because of her sex she is not allowed to pursue writing in botany as she would like to has found herself intimately involved in the Suffrage movement. Rowena falls for the young second son of the scandalous neighboring family and has created a ruse to allow them to continue to see each other when she is nearly caught. Prudence is left to learn the trade of a housewife without any formal training. Although she attempts to find it on her own, she is scandalized by Rowena’s ruse. All three young women have a lot to learn, and an unforgiving society to more within.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paixão em Summerset Abbey, segundo livro de uma trilogia, continua com a história atribulada das três "irmãs" Victoria, Rowena e Prudence.


Apesar de não ter lido o primeiro livro da trilogia, As Mulheres de Summerset Abbey, consegui entrar bem na história, criando empatia com as três protagonistas, sobretudo com a ainda ingénua Victoria.

Num tempo em que as mulheres não tinham qualquer papel na sociedade, quer na tomada de iniciativa, quer no direito ao voto, quer em lugar de destaque numa carreira profissional, T. J. Brown conseguiu, embora de uma forma bastante leve, entrosar a vida destas três jovens com as mudanças que se avizinhavam em Inglaterra, mais precisamente em Londres.

Os movimentos sufragistas começavam a dar os primeiros passos e depois de uma rejeição de um texto por parte de um jornal da capital fez com que Victoria desejasse participar mais activamente no direito ao voto por parte de todas as mulheres. Porém, talvez devido à sua ingenuidade, a mais nova da família acaba por cair numa emboscada e viver momentos dramáticos... A sua rebeldia é posta à prova.

Pode ler mais aqui: http://marcadordelivros.blogspot.pt/2...

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

T.J. Brown's second book in the Summerset Abbey series is just as good as the first! The Edwardian Era is brought to life with memorable characters and a compelling story as the Buxton girls--Rowena, Victoria, and Prudence continue a life without their father in a world that is rapidly changing. As each girl matures and attempts to assert her independence she must overcome obstacles, live with secrets, and deal with romantic relationships as well. Unexpected twists will hold your interest to the end. This wonderful series will appeal to young adults and adults as well -- especially fans of Downton Abbey.

[January · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the second book, good solid three. I thought most of the characters developed well, although I didn't like the same characters - Rowena was a pill, ignoring the world around her and living in a denial. Prudence did the "I love someone else but my husband is a good man so I will suppress my true feelings" - blech, so predictable. I really like Sebastian; he is great about being honest, and I love Kit. Looking forward to the finale, hopefully since this is a pretty predictable, saccharine series, :) things will end happily ever after !

[Liliana Pinto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Infelizmente este foi um livro que pouco me chamou à atenção... Penso que o facto de não ter lido o primeiro volume influenciou um pouco a minha opinião geral e a minha confusão ao longo da leitura.

Neste livro acompanhamos a vida de três raparigas que, em pleno século XX, tentam fazer uma vida independente e livre de regras. Infelizmente as coisas não se passam assim.

Eu sinto que ao longo de quase 300 páginas a escritora não avançam um bocado que seja na história. Tem algumas revelações, como é óbvio, mas é um livro um pouco estagnado e que não prende a leitura.

[Jen Hagmeier · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked these ok although the character Rowena annoys the heck out of me. Not much HAPPENS tho! I kinda keep waiting for the denouement in each book and they sorta plod along until an abrupt ending. (which means I'll keep reading the series, waiting for some type of climax...sigh.)

[Léa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dévoré en une après-midi au soleil (point négatif les énormes coups de soleil sur les genoux, aie). La suite de cette saga est toujours aussi sympa à lire. J'ai hâte de lire le troisième et dernier tome !

[Lulufrances · Rating 3 out of 5]

And off I go with the Summerset Abbey girls again.
This time: I get more attached and the story gets better - yay!
Pretty solid middle book in this "sweeping" trilogy.
I like :)

[Clarabel · Rating 4 out of 5]

L'histoire fait suite aux héritières dans lequel nous faisions connaissance avec les sœurs Buxton, leur amie Prudence et de charmants spécimens masculins. :)
Le temps des présentations est révolu. Place à l'action.

Encouragée par son père, Victoria rêve d'une carrière scientifique mais la revue botanique refuse ses publications sous prétexte qu'elle est une femme. Tout à son désarroi, elle rejoint une association de suffragettes et accepte de rassembler des fonds auprès des amies de sa tante. Elle ne soupçonne pas encore que son meilleur ami Kit est en train de tomber amoureux d'elle car Victoria a toujours été ferme et refuse toute idée de mariage !

De son côté, sa sœur Rowena vit une folle passion amoureuse pour un fringant pilote et cherche une solution pour réconcilier leurs deux familles qui se détestent. Elle accepte donc de simuler des fiançailles avec un autre gentleman (charmant, vraiment charmant) et continue de vivre son idylle en cachette. Mais la mascarade prend de plus en plus un tour inattendu et va redistribuer les cartes pour le cotillon !

Pendant ce temps, Prudence tente d'accepter sa nouvelle condition (d'épouse et de déclassement). Elle doit tirer un trait sur son éducation oisive car elle ne vaut désormais pas mieux qu'une simple domestique. Elle a épousé un homme adorable (mais tellement adorable que je détestais Prudence pour sa niaiserie !). Elle ne sait ni coudre, ni cuisiner, ni faire une lessive convenable. Elle occupe un logement modeste dont elle a honte et ne donne plus aucune nouvelle à ses anciennes amies.

En vérité j'aime beaucoup cette série. ♥ Elle n'est pas sans défaut et les demoiselles sont bougrement agaçantes. Malgré tout je ne me lasse pas de suivre leurs histoires. C'est mon plaisir coupable que je savoure tranquillement. Pour l'instant je suis bien en peine de prédire la conclusion. Je croise juste les doigts pour conserver un brin d'audace dans Le Temps des Insoumises ! Et m'en vais de ce pas croquer quelques pages pour sustenter mon petit cœur tout mou.

[Ashley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh, I thought maybe things would get better. And I was interested in Rowena's story. Now I'm just mad.
I don't like that Prudence is still so mad at Rowena, she thinks she lied-and yet what is she doing?She's lying to everyone about life with Andrew, and why? Other than appearance. Really she shows herself to be so embarrassed of her husband it's so sad. She's also totally fine with Victoria lying to everyone, and about some pretty serious things. so as long as it's not to her being lied to it's fine??
AND kissing Sebastian?? She's used Andrew and can't even manage to be faithful to him? She had like...three conversations with Sebastian! Plus...she thinks he is engaged to her SISTER!!
Meanwhile, Rowena is being incredibly stupid. The obviously haven't had enough conversations if she didn't realize she'd have to give up her whole family. She's with someone who's a total hothead, who's brother is violent, and hates her family. And what happens? What happens in every story where a girl 'gives it up' too early to the wrong guy.
Anyway. Everyone is getting real dumb. And I'm probably just going to skim the last book to be done.

[Rachel Check · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never wanted to rush purchase a book so badly in my life...or so it seems right now.

This series is delightfully out of formula and clearly a standout in the genre. The characters are strong and their lives complex beyond the gentry or the impoverished. Prudence is spoiled, yet learning the hardships of real life with a husband who adores her and whom she respects in return. Rowena is learning to take action in the face of her emotions instead of letting men or her sisters act on them. Victoria is defining her life as she sees fit, not what society or even a man she loves deems normal.

Maybe their lives are not historically accurate and maybe they are, but the book is relevant now and fascinating when balanced on the cusp of another cultural revolution.

[Jules · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in the Summerset Abbey trilogy this continuation where the first book left off was a very enjoyable read. I'm continually interested in what happens to Rowena, Prudence, and Victoria. While their personal stories are interesting, I'm also liking the historical aspect as well. The writing is well-done being at times both dramatic and light. Looking forward to book three which takes the girls into WW1.

[Jules · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second book in the Summerset Abbey trilogy this continuation where the first book left off was a very enjoyable read. I'm continually interested in what happens to Rowena, Prudence, and Victoria. While their personal stories are interesting, I'm also liking the historical aspect as well. The writing is well-done being at times both dramatic and light. Looking forward to book three which takes the girls into WW1.

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second of the Somerset Abbey Trilogy focuses on how Prudence is succeeding with her hasty marriage. Rowena seeks friendship and excitement from a young pilot whose family is very much at odds with Rowena’s family. Victoria pursues her career as a botanist, only to discover scientists don’t accept women and she gets caught up in the Women’s liberation movement.

[Asma ❀ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely better than the first book but still frustrating. It feels like a soap-opera or a Korean family drama where every single characters is annoying, stupid and can't make a single right choice but I am so involved in their daily life, I don't wanna stop.

[Aphrodesca · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the development of Andrew's and Prudence's relationship, as well as the fact that Rowena and Sebastian are going to marry (sorry Jon, I was so sad though 😢)!
And Victoria, there's so much to say about her, she's so lovely and dumb ^^

[Linda DiBenedetto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read if you miss Downton Abbey as much as I do.

[Joan Hurley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it.

[Dulce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Muito bom. Agora tenho de ler os outros estas irmãs são muito à frente e aventureiras.

[Regina Belmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good sequel. I did not enjoy it quite as much as the first one but it was still good and the characters that were added wer good additions to the book