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Hideaway #2
Canary Island Song
When Carolyn's grown daughter tells her she needs to "get a life," Carolyn decides it's time to step out of her familiar routine as a single woman in San Francisco and escape to her mother's home in the Canary Islands. Since Carolyn's mother is celebrating her seventieth birthday, the timing of Carolyn's visit makes for a perfect surprise.
The surprise, however, is on Carolyn when she sees Bryan Spencer, her high school summer love. It's been seven years since Carolyn lost her husband, but ever since that tragic day, her life has grown smaller and closed in. The time has come for Carolyn to get her heart back. It takes the gentle affection of her mother and aunts, as well as the ministering beauty and song of the islands to draw Carolyn into the fullness of life. She is nudged along by a Flamenco dance lesson, a defining camel ride and the steady gaze of Bryan's intense blue-gray eyes.
Is it too late for Carolyn to trust Bryan? Can Carolyn believe that Bryan has turned into something more than the wild beach boy who stole her kisses so many years ago on a balmy Canary night?
Carolyn is reminded that Christopher Columbus set sail from the Canary Islands in 1492 on his voyage to discover the New World. Is she ready to set sail from these same islands to discover her new life?
The surprise, however, is on Carolyn when she sees Bryan Spencer, her high school summer love. It's been seven years since Carolyn lost her husband, but ever since that tragic day, her life has grown smaller and closed in. The time has come for Carolyn to get her heart back. It takes the gentle affection of her mother and aunts, as well as the ministering beauty and song of the islands to draw Carolyn into the fullness of life. She is nudged along by a Flamenco dance lesson, a defining camel ride and the steady gaze of Bryan's intense blue-gray eyes.
Is it too late for Carolyn to trust Bryan? Can Carolyn believe that Bryan has turned into something more than the wild beach boy who stole her kisses so many years ago on a balmy Canary night?
Carolyn is reminded that Christopher Columbus set sail from the Canary Islands in 1492 on his voyage to discover the New World. Is she ready to set sail from these same islands to discover her new life?
Audiobook
First published July 5, 2011
26 people are currently reading
614 people want to read
About the author
Robin Jones Gunn
163 books2,643 followersROBIN JONES GUNN has written more than 100 books with over 6.5 million copies sold worldwide. Her Father Christmas books have been made into three Hallmark Christmas movies. The timeless Christy Miller series now continues in Christy & Todd: The College Years, Married Years, Baby Years, and the Haven Maker series. Robin's novels and non-fiction works include Before Your Tween Daughter Becomes a Woman, Victim of Grace, Praying for Your Future Husband, and Before You Meet Your Future Husband co-authored with Tricia Goyer. Her books have received multiple awards and are a favorite with book clubs and study groups. Many of Robin's books are in eBook, audiobook, large print, and foreign editions. Robin does a weekly Podcast called "Women Worth Knowing" with Cheryl Brodersen. Robin and her husband have a grown son and daughter and live in California.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
August 20, 2013
This was the second book in the hideaway series.
I have enjoyed Robins' books for years but after reading this one I wonder if I have outgrown her.
I enjoyed the Christy and Todd books and also the Sisterchick books but this one just didn't sit well with me.
Carolyn goes to visit her mom and for a week, her daughter then shows up.
Her twin sister is never heard from again. I just didn't get the enjoyment out of this book.
I have enjoyed Robins' books for years but after reading this one I wonder if I have outgrown her.
I enjoyed the Christy and Todd books and also the Sisterchick books but this one just didn't sit well with me.
Carolyn goes to visit her mom and for a week, her daughter then shows up.
Her twin sister is never heard from again. I just didn't get the enjoyment out of this book.
March 23, 2018
Canary Island Song by Robin Jones Gunn is the second book in the Hideaway series.
I wanted to read this book because it told the story of how Todd's father got married. I absolutely adore the Christy Miller series, so I was excited to start this book.
However, it was just such a boring book. There were a lot of pointless scenes about Carolyn's life before she went off to the Canary Islands which I didn't care about. The Spanish stereotypes annoyed me and there were many, many scenes which just did not add to the book. There was also a lot of telling instead of showing, and I felt like the book lacked a solid plot.
I did enjoy hearing Bryan talk about his son, Todd, and his wife, Christy. I liked seeing what happened to Matthew Kingsley, who was in the Christy/Sierra book "Departures", and Tikki. They were a sweet couple.
But, overall, I was bored out of my mind and book dragged on for far too long for me to be able to recommend it unless you are a HARDCORE Christy Miller fan.
2 stars out of 5.
I wanted to read this book because it told the story of how Todd's father got married. I absolutely adore the Christy Miller series, so I was excited to start this book.
However, it was just such a boring book. There were a lot of pointless scenes about Carolyn's life before she went off to the Canary Islands which I didn't care about. The Spanish stereotypes annoyed me and there were many, many scenes which just did not add to the book. There was also a lot of telling instead of showing, and I felt like the book lacked a solid plot.
I did enjoy hearing Bryan talk about his son, Todd, and his wife, Christy. I liked seeing what happened to Matthew Kingsley, who was in the Christy/Sierra book "Departures", and Tikki. They were a sweet couple.
But, overall, I was bored out of my mind and book dragged on for far too long for me to be able to recommend it unless you are a HARDCORE Christy Miller fan.
2 stars out of 5.
March 24, 2020
Very relaxing as I'm under stay at home orders. This way I can travel to an exotic place--the Canary Islands. I've ordered Under a Maui Moon and hope for another great read.
October 18, 2011
The Canary Islands sound beautiful. There were some great thought provoking moments in the story.
I like the statement that is attributed to Columbus in the book - "The time that is passed has been good. The time to come will be better."
Carolyn visits her mother in the Canary Islands and meets Bryan Spencer again. She met him when she visited at 18. He was one of her first loves. But she went home and married another love - Jeff. At the time of the story, Jeff has been dead for 7 years.
Carolyn and Jeff's daughter Tikki joins her in the Canaries.
Wouldn't it be lovely to be like the women of the Canaries and congratulate each other when you do something nice for yourself.
I like the statement that is attributed to Columbus in the book - "The time that is passed has been good. The time to come will be better."
Carolyn visits her mother in the Canary Islands and meets Bryan Spencer again. She met him when she visited at 18. He was one of her first loves. But she went home and married another love - Jeff. At the time of the story, Jeff has been dead for 7 years.
Carolyn and Jeff's daughter Tikki joins her in the Canaries.
Wouldn't it be lovely to be like the women of the Canaries and congratulate each other when you do something nice for yourself.
June 17, 2011
Robin Jones Gunn has done it again! She's written a very sweet, touching story set in the Canary Islands. She does a great job of bringing the reader to the islands. I feel as if I've had a vacation. Main character, Carolyn, finds rekindled love as she visits her mother. She finds healing from the hurts of her past and is ready for a new beginning. Her daughter, Tikki, is also visiting the island and gets a surprise visit that changes the course of her life as well. There are blessings scattered throughout this moving tale. You won't be disappointed in Canary Island Song.
November 6, 2018
I am a HUGE fan of Robin Jones Gunn and this book was no exception. She is such a gifted author and I really loved this story. I loved the lessons that Carolyn learned and it was wonderful to add learn more about Todd's dad Bryan. A wonderful book that I'm sure I will read again.
Last read September 2011
Last read September 2011
November 29, 2012
I generally give "Inspirational" books a miss, but I thought the Canary Islands setting might make up for all the religious drivel. The setting and general story was okay, but I had to fast forward through all the platitudes and propaganda.
August 25, 2011
My favorite Robin Jones Gunn books are the Christy books and I love that there was a connection to them within this book
November 7, 2020
Very enjoyable.
This can be read independently from Under a Maui Moon. The characters and story lines are unrelated.
This can be read independently from Under a Maui Moon. The characters and story lines are unrelated.
August 5, 2020
There were a lot of quotes and one liners in this book that got me thinking about my own life. I don't resemble the main character (she's a middle aged widower, I'm a single young adult), so the fact that I was able to connect reveals talent in the author.
It's a relatively light-hearted book with fun characters. I loved reading about the way the women of this world interacted with one another, but found myself slightly disappointed in the relationship between the leading lady and man. I was hoping for more meat, and felt the book ended rather abruptly. Overall still an easy an engaging read.
It's a relatively light-hearted book with fun characters. I loved reading about the way the women of this world interacted with one another, but found myself slightly disappointed in the relationship between the leading lady and man. I was hoping for more meat, and felt the book ended rather abruptly. Overall still an easy an engaging read.
January 2, 2024
Robin Jones Gunn did it again--a fun and lighthearted romance read with depth and something to learn within. I like all of her stories and this one was fun, to see how Todd's dad finds love. It could have gone a lot deeper into a few of the themes, such as his life before meeting Jesus and the forgiveness between him and the lead woman. I felt like that wasn't completely dealt with, but it also wasn't a big part of the story. Overall it was a really good Christmas break read. I enjoyed learning abou tthe Canary Islands also.
July 23, 2024
This book was amazing! All of Robin's novels are phenomenal! You cannot go wrong with picking up one of her books because they're so well written and remind me of the goodness and faithfulness of the Lord. They make me laugh, smile, and cry. I've loved reading the nods to Christy and Todd! The love story between Carolyn and Bryan was beautifully written! It was a story of forgiveness, reconnection, friendship and I cannot wait to see what happens next! The secondary love story, between Kiki and Matthew was equally beautiful!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 27, 2020
So I have been a Robin Jones Gunn fan in the past, but this book just wasn't doing much for me. Maybe because I didn't realize it was a sequel and so hadn't read the first. Maybe because there was just SO. MUCH. DESCRIPTION. And I like description. But this book has a crazy amount and lots of introspection.
I did enjoy a main character in her mid-40's.
I did enjoy a main character in her mid-40's.
July 12, 2023
3.75 stars. This book was okay. I found it a little bit boring because it’s not the main RJG characters I know and love. There were a few connections to the main gang, but it was mostly it’s own story. It took me a really long time to read because I wasn’t super invested to where I wanted to keep reading constantly.
Full review will be up on my blog soon.
Full review will be up on my blog soon.
July 4, 2017
I didn't have any real expectations for the actual story, but it was pretty funny to hear about this 45 year old woman who told her story as if she was an 85 year old woman incapable of love. Really?
Otherwise, it was a nice story.
Otherwise, it was a nice story.
May 9, 2018
Another great book by Robin Jones Gunn. I like how I get to visit other characters in some of her other books when I read ones that are not in the same series. I love the message in this book, and how well it demonstrates God's ability to change a person's heart.
August 2, 2022
Similar themes, but I enjoyed this more than the previous book (Under a Maui Moon). The characters were more likeable and the romance was sweet. A “gentler” spiritual message than most of RJG’s books - perhaps because of the publisher? Very interesting setting.
August 2, 2018
Easy read, I loved the Spain setting, and the relationship between mother and daughter. A nice link to the Christy Miller series.
September 1, 2018
Slow setup of story and characters. So I really enjoyed the last quarter of the book once everything got going.
September 16, 2018
This made me want to go and visit the Canary Islands.
August 21, 2019
So beautiful! I cried happy tears!
April 21, 2020
This book made me feel like I was visiting the Canaries myself! I loved it!
May 7, 2020
I so enjoyed this book I didn’t want it to end.
February 17, 2022
Peaceful nostalgia. What a treat this was!
December 31, 2022
Good light read
October 6, 2023
3.75 stars
November 19, 2023
A cute story yet missing depth.
January 17, 2024
Beautiful, redemptive story rich in setting, with endearing characters. Lots of applicable spiritual truth that resonated with me.
June 18, 2024
Not a huge fan of this one personally, a lot of food and family which wasn’t bad, but I wasn’t personally interested in the romance.
June 27, 2024
Well written
Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews