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Lakeshore Chronicles #9
Return To Willow Lake
Sonnet Romano’s life is almost perfect. She has the ideal career, the ideal boyfriend, and has just been offered a prestigious fellowship. There’s nothing more a woman wants – except maybe a baby…sister? When Sonnet finds out her mother is unexpectedly expecting, and that the pregnancy is high-risk, she puts everything on hold – the job, the fellowship, the boyfriend – and heads home to Avalon. Once her mom is out of danger, Sonnet intends to pick up her life where she left off. But when her mother receives a devastating diagnosis, Sonnet must decide what really matters in life, even of that means staying in Avalon and taking a job that forces her to work alongside her biggest, and maybe her sweetest, mistake – award-winning filmmaker Zach Alger. So Sonnet embarks on a summer of laughter and tears, of old dreams and new possibilities, and of finding the home of her heart. At once heartbreaking and uplifting, Return to Willow Lake plumbs the deepest corners of the human heart, exploring the bonds of family, the perils and rewards of love, and the true meaning of home. Profoundly emotional and resonant, this is Susan Wiggs at her finest.
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 28, 2012
729 people are currently reading
3055 people want to read
About the author
Susan Wiggs
169 books7,425 followersSusan Wiggs's life is all about family, friends...and fiction. She lives at the water's edge on an island in Puget Sound, and she commutes to her writers' group in a 17-foot motorboat. She serves as author liaison for Field's End, a literary community on Bainbridge Island, Washington, bringing inspiration and instruction from the world's top authors to her seaside community. (See www.fieldsend.org) She's been featured in the national media, including NPR's "Talk of the Nation," and is a popular speaker locally and nationally.
According to Publishers Weekly, Wiggs writes with "refreshingly honest emotion," and the Salem Statesman Journal adds that she is "one of our best observers of stories of the heart [who] knows how to capture emotion on virtually every page of every book." Booklist characterizes her books as "real and true and unforgettable." She is the recipient of three RITA (sm) awards and four starred reviews from Publishers Weekly for her books. The Winter Lodge and Passing Through Paradise have appeared on PW’s annual "Best Of" lists. Several of her books have been listed as top Booksense picks and optioned as feature films. Her novels have been translated into more than two dozen languages and have made national bestseller lists, including the USA Today, Washington Post and New York Times lists.
The author is a former teacher, a Harvard graduate, an avid hiker, an amateur photographer, a good skier and terrible golfer, yet her favorite form of exercise is curling up with a good book. Readers can learn more on the web at www.susanwiggs.com and on her lively blog at www.susanwiggs.wordpress.com.
According to Publishers Weekly, Wiggs writes with "refreshingly honest emotion," and the Salem Statesman Journal adds that she is "one of our best observers of stories of the heart [who] knows how to capture emotion on virtually every page of every book." Booklist characterizes her books as "real and true and unforgettable." She is the recipient of three RITA (sm) awards and four starred reviews from Publishers Weekly for her books. The Winter Lodge and Passing Through Paradise have appeared on PW’s annual "Best Of" lists. Several of her books have been listed as top Booksense picks and optioned as feature films. Her novels have been translated into more than two dozen languages and have made national bestseller lists, including the USA Today, Washington Post and New York Times lists.
The author is a former teacher, a Harvard graduate, an avid hiker, an amateur photographer, a good skier and terrible golfer, yet her favorite form of exercise is curling up with a good book. Readers can learn more on the web at www.susanwiggs.com and on her lively blog at www.susanwiggs.wordpress.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 428 reviews
September 5, 2012
I am giving this book 3-stars. Not because it wasn't really good. It was. Not because it wasn't well written. It was wonderfully written. By all rights based on enjoyment and connection with the story this should be a 4-star or higher book.
But it isn't. And it is because the romance in this book was almost non-existent.
Sonnet Romano, daughter of Nina (heroine of earlier Willow Lake book Dockside), is feeling a bit blue after her best friend Daisy has gotten married. By all rights her life should be perfect. She is connecting with her estranged father, she has a great new boyfriend and she has just learned that she's won a prestigious fellowship. And yet, all that seems bland in light of Daisy's happiness at her wedding. Prodded by her post-wedding glow mood and a bunch of jell-o shots, Sonnet has sex with her best friend Zach, now a hot and handsome videographer.
The next day she realizes it was a colossal mistake and runs back to New York, determined to move on with her life. Except she is dragged back home by some devastating news.
Here's the thing...I have been reading the Willow lake series since forever. It is a romance series. Well, it was a romance series. And therein lies my problem. You start out reading a series that is romance and the somewhere along the way it becomes less about romance and more about the inner struggles of the heroine. You get a serious sense of disconnect. I noticed this first with the preceding book in this series, Marrying Daisy Bellamy which featured Sonnet's best friend and step-sister Daisy. I also gave that book 3-stars for the same reason I am giving this one three stars. To wit, I expected romance but I got women's fiction. I thought it was an anomaly. I guess not.
My affection for the characters and town that I have gotten to know is a large part of the reason why I do continue to read. And frankly SW writes a good story. However, you can't go into a book expecting a romance and not get that. It will have an effect on how you perceive the book.
After Sonnet and Zach's hook up at the wedding, their romance stalls until pretty much the last fourth of the book. The lion's share of the story is taken up with Sonnet helping Nina out with some bad news. And with Sonnet working on a reality show. And with Sonnet's preoccupation with her father's senatorial campaign. Basically with all kinds of things that have nothing to do with Zach. He disappears for whole swaths of the book. As I was reading I kept wondering when he would come back and we'd get some forward action on the romance front.
All in all this is a good book. Romance readers will find it a disappointment in the romance dept. Wiggs fans and fans of the series should still enjoy it with the caveat to expect it to be more about Sonnet and Nina than Sonnet and Zach.
But it isn't. And it is because the romance in this book was almost non-existent.
Sonnet Romano, daughter of Nina (heroine of earlier Willow Lake book Dockside), is feeling a bit blue after her best friend Daisy has gotten married. By all rights her life should be perfect. She is connecting with her estranged father, she has a great new boyfriend and she has just learned that she's won a prestigious fellowship. And yet, all that seems bland in light of Daisy's happiness at her wedding. Prodded by her post-wedding glow mood and a bunch of jell-o shots, Sonnet has sex with her best friend Zach, now a hot and handsome videographer.
The next day she realizes it was a colossal mistake and runs back to New York, determined to move on with her life. Except she is dragged back home by some devastating news.
Here's the thing...I have been reading the Willow lake series since forever. It is a romance series. Well, it was a romance series. And therein lies my problem. You start out reading a series that is romance and the somewhere along the way it becomes less about romance and more about the inner struggles of the heroine. You get a serious sense of disconnect. I noticed this first with the preceding book in this series, Marrying Daisy Bellamy which featured Sonnet's best friend and step-sister Daisy. I also gave that book 3-stars for the same reason I am giving this one three stars. To wit, I expected romance but I got women's fiction. I thought it was an anomaly. I guess not.
My affection for the characters and town that I have gotten to know is a large part of the reason why I do continue to read. And frankly SW writes a good story. However, you can't go into a book expecting a romance and not get that. It will have an effect on how you perceive the book.
After Sonnet and Zach's hook up at the wedding, their romance stalls until pretty much the last fourth of the book. The lion's share of the story is taken up with Sonnet helping Nina out with some bad news. And with Sonnet working on a reality show. And with Sonnet's preoccupation with her father's senatorial campaign. Basically with all kinds of things that have nothing to do with Zach. He disappears for whole swaths of the book. As I was reading I kept wondering when he would come back and we'd get some forward action on the romance front.
All in all this is a good book. Romance readers will find it a disappointment in the romance dept. Wiggs fans and fans of the series should still enjoy it with the caveat to expect it to be more about Sonnet and Nina than Sonnet and Zach.
October 5, 2012
When I started reading Return to Willow Lake I had no idea it was part of a series, I just knew that it pulled me in from page one. The book picks up at Daisy Bellamy’s wedding reception. For those of you who have already been introduced to Susan Wiggs’ you will know that Daisy has a book all to herself. The lead character in this book is her step-sister and best friend Sonnet Romano. Sonnet is back in Willow Lake for Daisy’s wedding and after the festivities reunites with her childhood best friend Zach Alger.
As the book opens, Sonnet and her mother are discussing the wedding when they see Zach from a window. Wiggs starts off letting the reader know that Zach and Sonnet have history, but not a romantic one – they were best friends when they were young and have lost touch with each other. By the end of the wedding Sonnet is drawn to Zach and they appear to be on the way to becoming more than friends. Sonnet and Zach are well matched, she is super organized and trying to reconnect with her inner self while Zach is spontaneous and self-aware. From the moment they are together in a scene, their meeting after the reception, they have great chemistry.
Sonnet is completely unsure of her feelings and it takes a series of tragedies and missteps for her to realize that Zach may be the perfect guy for her. Wiggs does a lot of explaining in this book, filling the reader in on the character’s backgrounds and motivations but it is not annoying. Her explanations add to the story and help to flesh out how these characters are growing. Sonnet's return to her childhood home isn't by choice and she has to give up a lot. Wiggs does an excellent job of painting the relationship between Sonnet and her mother, birth father and those around her. The tertiary characters added to her story and didn't distract.
Although this book is a part of a series it completely stands on its own. I did feel that I needed to read the other Willow Lake books just to catch up with the recurring characters in this installment. I loved the ending and will say that it is worth the rocky ride through Sonnet and Zach’s slice of Willow Lake.
As the book opens, Sonnet and her mother are discussing the wedding when they see Zach from a window. Wiggs starts off letting the reader know that Zach and Sonnet have history, but not a romantic one – they were best friends when they were young and have lost touch with each other. By the end of the wedding Sonnet is drawn to Zach and they appear to be on the way to becoming more than friends. Sonnet and Zach are well matched, she is super organized and trying to reconnect with her inner self while Zach is spontaneous and self-aware. From the moment they are together in a scene, their meeting after the reception, they have great chemistry.
Sonnet is completely unsure of her feelings and it takes a series of tragedies and missteps for her to realize that Zach may be the perfect guy for her. Wiggs does a lot of explaining in this book, filling the reader in on the character’s backgrounds and motivations but it is not annoying. Her explanations add to the story and help to flesh out how these characters are growing. Sonnet's return to her childhood home isn't by choice and she has to give up a lot. Wiggs does an excellent job of painting the relationship between Sonnet and her mother, birth father and those around her. The tertiary characters added to her story and didn't distract.
Although this book is a part of a series it completely stands on its own. I did feel that I needed to read the other Willow Lake books just to catch up with the recurring characters in this installment. I loved the ending and will say that it is worth the rocky ride through Sonnet and Zach’s slice of Willow Lake.
July 31, 2025
Dit boek hoort een roman te zijn en op de achterkant van dit boek staat niets over de moeder van de hoofdpersoon, toch gaat het meer dan de helft van het boek over de moeder en haar ziekte… ik had graag meer diepgang in de liefde gezien want het werd echt een beetje afgekapt op het einde, daar lees je uiteindelijk toch ook een roman voor 😅
Ps. Ik las dit boek in het Nederlands en het was echt soms erg slecht vertaald.. misschien is dat waarom ik de diepte of het gevoel miste
Ps. Ik las dit boek in het Nederlands en het was echt soms erg slecht vertaald.. misschien is dat waarom ik de diepte of het gevoel miste
September 2, 2012
The book was good, but not great. The only reason I say this is because the main characters, Sonnet and Zach, are rarely together until the end of the book, so you don't really get a feel for their relationship. The whole book is mostly focused on Sonnet and her mother. I guess that there was just too much going on in the story to really focus on one thing. Hopefully the next book in the series will focus much more on the main couple like the rest of the books in the series do.
March 3, 2020
3 stars. I have been enjoying this series so much, however, this book, the ninth in the series just did not hold up quite like the others. Return to Willow Lake follows Sonnet Romano and her quest for a happy life. As the life she wants takes some unexpected and alarming turns, I found much of this story to be predictable and contrived. I am looking forward to the final two books in the series.
September 13, 2012
I forgot how much I loved this series. Susan Wiggs has such a gift in the way she tells a story. She captures you through her lovable and interesting characters and with stories that are both entertaining and heartwarming. Most of the books in the Lakeshore Chronicles series even have a bit of mystery revolving around the characters and often flash back and forth between the past and the present.
Return To Willow Lake was such an emotional read. It had everything that I have come to expect from a Susan Wiggs book and a lot more. The story was filled with romance, heartache, tears, laughter, some anxious moments, a little sexing (hehe!!) and characters that you wanted so badly to get the HEA that they deserved.
I loved Sonnet and Zach!! And although their part in the story was sad, I loved seeing Nina and Greg again!!! They continue to be one of my favorite couples of the series. I only wish that Return To Willow Lake would have featured an update on all my other favorites.
Oh, Susan definitely tugged on my heart~strings with Zach!! I just loved him!! He had such a craptastic life and he still turned into such a great guy. I loved how she wrote his character. I have always loved reading about Sonnet and Nina~they have such a wonderful relationship and have been through so much together.
Another great read with such great characters that when I finished, I wanted to reread the series from the beginning. Thanks Susan for another great addition to an already fantastic series that hopefully will not be the last. Return To Willow Lake has found its way into my keeper pile along with my other favorites of the Lakeshore Chronicles series. 5 out of 5 rating.
***ARC provided by NetGalley and Harlequin~Thank you so much!!! :)
Return To Willow Lake was such an emotional read. It had everything that I have come to expect from a Susan Wiggs book and a lot more. The story was filled with romance, heartache, tears, laughter, some anxious moments, a little sexing (hehe!!) and characters that you wanted so badly to get the HEA that they deserved.
I loved Sonnet and Zach!! And although their part in the story was sad, I loved seeing Nina and Greg again!!! They continue to be one of my favorite couples of the series. I only wish that Return To Willow Lake would have featured an update on all my other favorites.
Oh, Susan definitely tugged on my heart~strings with Zach!! I just loved him!! He had such a craptastic life and he still turned into such a great guy. I loved how she wrote his character. I have always loved reading about Sonnet and Nina~they have such a wonderful relationship and have been through so much together.
Another great read with such great characters that when I finished, I wanted to reread the series from the beginning. Thanks Susan for another great addition to an already fantastic series that hopefully will not be the last. Return To Willow Lake has found its way into my keeper pile along with my other favorites of the Lakeshore Chronicles series. 5 out of 5 rating.
***ARC provided by NetGalley and Harlequin~Thank you so much!!! :)
September 28, 2018
It's been ages since I've read the first Willow Lake books, which I remember enjoying more than this one. What bothered me most was Sonnet's indecisive nature, and her constant pleasing of her long lost father; who's running for a Senate seat, and by being a politician practically dictates how Sonnet should behave as his "illegitimate" daughter. It annoyed me that Sonnet took the entire book before she stood up for what she believed in and what was important in her life.
On the other hand, I enjoyed Nina's story, Sonnet's mother, being pregnant and battling cancer, that part of the book was more compelling and also informative.
Overall, not such an impressive read.
On the other hand, I enjoyed Nina's story, Sonnet's mother, being pregnant and battling cancer, that part of the book was more compelling and also informative.
Overall, not such an impressive read.
March 24, 2019
Diawali dgn cerita Sonnet menjadi bridesmaid di pernikahan teman baik sekaligus saudari tirinya, Daisy Bellamy, dan berakhir berintim ria dgn Zach, temannya semasa SMU.
Cerita bergulir, Sonnet berhubungan dgn Orlando, pria tampan sempurna yg dijodohkan oleh ayah kandungnya, Jendral Jeffries yg akan bertarung memperebutkan kursi senat. Sonnet juga mendapatkan beasiswa yg membanggakan tetapi terpaksa dia tampik krn dia hrs memilih, mendampingi ibunya yg sedang hamil dan menderita kanker atau tetap mengejar ambisi karirnya.
Sonnet memang anak baik, dia memilih pulkam ke Avalon. Tetapi ini berarti dia bertemu kembali dgn Zach. Orlando ternyata tidak sesempurna spt bayangannya. Sonnet mendapat tekanan antara memilih membela ibunya atau ayah kandungnya saat pers menyerang. Apa yg akan dilakukan Sonnet?
Kali ini lebih mirip chicklit ketimbang conrom. Cerita didominasi ttg Sonnet dan lika-liku hidupnya di Avalon sembari mendampingi ibunya. Masalahnya saya biasa saja dgn karakter Sonnet, bukan tidak tergugah tetapi kurang menantang bagi saya karakternya. Zach yg seharusnya jd hero utama malah jadi terkesan tempelan saja. Lagipula romansa mereka lebih mirip setrikaan, bolak-balik geje.
Utk Nina Bellamy (ibu Sonnet) saya melihat kisah hidupnya lebih mirip keajaiban demi keajaiban yg melanda dirinya. Hamil saat remaja dan saat berusia nyaris senja (40 tahun), Nina ini wanita yg senang sekali mengambil resiko. Belum lagi perjuangannya melawan kanker saat hamil. Terlalu magical menurut saya. Ini malah membuat saya meringis ketimbang takjub. Bagian logika saya agak sulit menerima scene ini.
Secara keseluruhan novel ini bagus tetapi gak WOW ceritanya spt buku-buku lainnya dari seri ini yg sudah saya baca.
Cerita bergulir, Sonnet berhubungan dgn Orlando, pria tampan sempurna yg dijodohkan oleh ayah kandungnya, Jendral Jeffries yg akan bertarung memperebutkan kursi senat. Sonnet juga mendapatkan beasiswa yg membanggakan tetapi terpaksa dia tampik krn dia hrs memilih, mendampingi ibunya yg sedang hamil dan menderita kanker atau tetap mengejar ambisi karirnya.
Sonnet memang anak baik, dia memilih pulkam ke Avalon. Tetapi ini berarti dia bertemu kembali dgn Zach. Orlando ternyata tidak sesempurna spt bayangannya. Sonnet mendapat tekanan antara memilih membela ibunya atau ayah kandungnya saat pers menyerang. Apa yg akan dilakukan Sonnet?
Kali ini lebih mirip chicklit ketimbang conrom. Cerita didominasi ttg Sonnet dan lika-liku hidupnya di Avalon sembari mendampingi ibunya. Masalahnya saya biasa saja dgn karakter Sonnet, bukan tidak tergugah tetapi kurang menantang bagi saya karakternya. Zach yg seharusnya jd hero utama malah jadi terkesan tempelan saja. Lagipula romansa mereka lebih mirip setrikaan, bolak-balik geje.
Utk Nina Bellamy (ibu Sonnet) saya melihat kisah hidupnya lebih mirip keajaiban demi keajaiban yg melanda dirinya. Hamil saat remaja dan saat berusia nyaris senja (40 tahun), Nina ini wanita yg senang sekali mengambil resiko. Belum lagi perjuangannya melawan kanker saat hamil. Terlalu magical menurut saya. Ini malah membuat saya meringis ketimbang takjub. Bagian logika saya agak sulit menerima scene ini.
Secara keseluruhan novel ini bagus tetapi gak WOW ceritanya spt buku-buku lainnya dari seri ini yg sudah saya baca.
July 8, 2012
2.5 Stars
Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin for this ARC.
This was my first book by Susan Wiggs and even though it's #9 in the series, I didn't feel it was necessary to have to go back and read the other books first because there was enough explanation to catch a new reader up.
This isn't my usual genre but I thought the summary sounded interesting and so I gave it a try. As an MC, I found Sonnet to be frustrating and wishy-washy (for lack of a better term) when it came to Zach, Orlando and even her father. I understood her need to win her father's approval and acceptance which to Sonnet, meant winning his love but after awhile you need to grow a backbone.
I found the romance lacking, in fact, there was more romance between Nina and Greg than their was between Sonnet and Zach but it wasn't the kind that steams up your windows. It was the kind of romance that is found in a relationship that's withstood trials and is focused on the long haul. Not a bad thing, but I just expected more for Sonnet and it was, "meh".
I will say that what this lacked in heart racing romance, it made up for in the mother-daughter relationship. The bond between Nina and Sonnet is exceptionally strong and very emotional at times. (very) I struggled to get through the "hair" scene and was literally choke sobbing. Sonnet's willingness to put her plans on hold to help her Mom without so much as batting an eye was inspiring. Their relationship is a supportive one and only grows stronger with each new challenge. The end was left open, maybe for the next installment? All in all, this was a decent read but not necessarily the one for me.
Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin for this ARC.
This was my first book by Susan Wiggs and even though it's #9 in the series, I didn't feel it was necessary to have to go back and read the other books first because there was enough explanation to catch a new reader up.
This isn't my usual genre but I thought the summary sounded interesting and so I gave it a try. As an MC, I found Sonnet to be frustrating and wishy-washy (for lack of a better term) when it came to Zach, Orlando and even her father. I understood her need to win her father's approval and acceptance which to Sonnet, meant winning his love but after awhile you need to grow a backbone.
I found the romance lacking, in fact, there was more romance between Nina and Greg than their was between Sonnet and Zach but it wasn't the kind that steams up your windows. It was the kind of romance that is found in a relationship that's withstood trials and is focused on the long haul. Not a bad thing, but I just expected more for Sonnet and it was, "meh".
I will say that what this lacked in heart racing romance, it made up for in the mother-daughter relationship. The bond between Nina and Sonnet is exceptionally strong and very emotional at times. (very) I struggled to get through the "hair" scene and was literally choke sobbing. Sonnet's willingness to put her plans on hold to help her Mom without so much as batting an eye was inspiring. Their relationship is a supportive one and only grows stronger with each new challenge. The end was left open, maybe for the next installment? All in all, this was a decent read but not necessarily the one for me.
September 9, 2012
****Possible Spoilers **** I enjoyed this book a lot. Sonnet is torn between her 2 parents,2 men and whether or not she should take a prestigious job that will send her to a foreign country for 2 years. Her over achieving father wants her to take the job as it will reflect well on him as he runs for the Senate. But a few shocks change her mind. She is 28 years old and finds out that her mom is pregnant. Weird but happy news. But then devastating news follows. Nina, besides being pregnant, has breast cancer. Sonnet moves back home and takes a job with a production company filming a reality series at Camp Kiowga, starring hip hop artist Jezebel and 20 inner city kids. Coincidentally, Zach is one of the cameramen.
I love Jezebel and I love Zach. She comes across as a real tough character until her hidden qualities emerge. And Zach is always there when Sonnet or her mom need him. But what about Orlando, Sonnet's starchy, proper boyfriend,who happens to be her dad's campaign coordinator?
This is a beautiful story about family, friends and lovers. And how thy deal with the blessings and the traumas in life. I admit to getting a little bit teary-eyed when Sonnet watched the video Nina and Zach had secretly made about dealing with cancer. Where Nina says, "I'm completely bald,I'm 8 months pregnant and I have only one breast. And this morning Greg told me I'm beautiful.It's kind of a miracle, right? Actually the miracle is not that he said that. It's that he made me believe it."
Susan Wiggs is such a wonderful author. And this book is a wonderful read.
I love Jezebel and I love Zach. She comes across as a real tough character until her hidden qualities emerge. And Zach is always there when Sonnet or her mom need him. But what about Orlando, Sonnet's starchy, proper boyfriend,who happens to be her dad's campaign coordinator?
This is a beautiful story about family, friends and lovers. And how thy deal with the blessings and the traumas in life. I admit to getting a little bit teary-eyed when Sonnet watched the video Nina and Zach had secretly made about dealing with cancer. Where Nina says, "I'm completely bald,I'm 8 months pregnant and I have only one breast. And this morning Greg told me I'm beautiful.It's kind of a miracle, right? Actually the miracle is not that he said that. It's that he made me believe it."
Susan Wiggs is such a wonderful author. And this book is a wonderful read.
September 10, 2012
You can find this review and more at Forever Book Lover.
I think the center stage of this book had more to do with the bond of a family, then the romance between two best friends. This was a great book, but the romance played a secondary part.
Nina and Sonnet have been there for each other, every up and down to life's tragic events. This is no different, Sonnet finds herself in the pinnacle of her life, but at the same time, her mom is about to deal with something that brings her back home.
I related to the character Sonnet, as I do many of Susan Wigg's characters. There is always something that is happening in my life at the same time as one of her characters that seems to ground me, I am able to see everything in a different perspective and I feel at peace.
I enjoyed seeing Zach grow into a mature and still a bit sexy adult. I think he also could feel that coming to peace feeling when he chose to film Nina's story.
If you have every been dealt with the unexpected, dealing with life and death or simply coming to those cross roads in your life, this story is one not to miss. You search inside yourself to find the right decision, inner peace and a sense of beauty all around you.
Bravo to Susan Wiggs for taking a dark subject and shedding light of the love of family and friends and with them, anything can be overcome!
I think the center stage of this book had more to do with the bond of a family, then the romance between two best friends. This was a great book, but the romance played a secondary part.
Nina and Sonnet have been there for each other, every up and down to life's tragic events. This is no different, Sonnet finds herself in the pinnacle of her life, but at the same time, her mom is about to deal with something that brings her back home.
I related to the character Sonnet, as I do many of Susan Wigg's characters. There is always something that is happening in my life at the same time as one of her characters that seems to ground me, I am able to see everything in a different perspective and I feel at peace.
I enjoyed seeing Zach grow into a mature and still a bit sexy adult. I think he also could feel that coming to peace feeling when he chose to film Nina's story.
If you have every been dealt with the unexpected, dealing with life and death or simply coming to those cross roads in your life, this story is one not to miss. You search inside yourself to find the right decision, inner peace and a sense of beauty all around you.
Bravo to Susan Wiggs for taking a dark subject and shedding light of the love of family and friends and with them, anything can be overcome!
August 23, 2015
Soft, mellow, heartbreaking, hope-making. Wiggs definitely puts it all on the line with this one. She writes emotion that jumps from the page. Although sad at times, this story is also empowering, and just plain fun. This is such an intimately told tale. It is also a vivid one. Each and every aspect comes to life as Wiggs paints the scene around her compelling characters.
I like the little recaps on characters from earlier in the series as they become important again. Wiggs’ emphasis on what makes them important to the story at hand brings the small town feeling out in a myriad of ways. The main characters in this novel were no exception. The history between them and their denial of the changes in their relationship was priceless. Not to mention the fact that these two were just pain likeable and inspiring on their own. The dynamic between them was so real that I couldn’t help but wish for it for myself.
This return to Willow Lake is probably my favourite in the series to this point. It is so intimate & emotional, while still remaining down to earth and utterly real. Wiggs continues to write with feeling and flair, drawing readers deep into the Catskills with every word.
I like the little recaps on characters from earlier in the series as they become important again. Wiggs’ emphasis on what makes them important to the story at hand brings the small town feeling out in a myriad of ways. The main characters in this novel were no exception. The history between them and their denial of the changes in their relationship was priceless. Not to mention the fact that these two were just pain likeable and inspiring on their own. The dynamic between them was so real that I couldn’t help but wish for it for myself.
This return to Willow Lake is probably my favourite in the series to this point. It is so intimate & emotional, while still remaining down to earth and utterly real. Wiggs continues to write with feeling and flair, drawing readers deep into the Catskills with every word.
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January 20, 2016Nina Romano had gotten pregnant at 15 by Laurence Jefferies, an African American who was 17 and attending West Point. She knew that he would quit West Point to do the right thing and take care of her and her daughter so she never told him that he was a father until after he graduated from West Point. Nina raised her biracial daughter, Sonnet Romano, with the help of her mother and large Italian American family. Nina graduated from high school and worked her way through college. After Sonnet went away to college, Nina met and married Greg Bellamy.
Sonnet moved to New York and her father looked her up. Her father had married a wealthy woman from an established family and had two more daughters. He was running for the Senate and introduced Sonnet to his campaign manager, Orlando Rivera. They hit it off and began dating. Sonnet knew that she wasn't in love with Orlando but felt they were compatible and that love would come in time. He was a very attractive man.
Sonnet went back to Avalon for her half sister, Daisy's wedding. She met up with an old childhood friend, Zach Alger. Zach had hair so white that he was often mistaken as albino. Zach, her and Daisy had been inseparable growing up. Zach had been a very skinny teenager and had now filled out to fit into his body. He was very good looking and striking in his own way. He and Sonnet got together after the wedding and spent the night having sex in the boathouse at Camp Kioga. Zach had no regrets and really liked Sonnet. Sonnet wasn't sure how she felt and could't quite get what happened out of her head. She was afraid that having sex wold ruin their friendship but chose to avoid his calls and contact with him in general. Sonnet let what happened affect their relationship.
Sonnet returned to New York and was given a key to Orlando's apartment. She was expecting an engagement but received a key instead. She lost both her phone and the key on the day it was given to her when she was run into by someone getting onto a subway train. Orlando treated her like she was a child who couldn't hold onto anything and Sonnet was disappointed in his behavior toward her but chose to ignore it.
Nina told Sonnet that she was pregnant but Sonnet felt she was holding something back. Sonnet was worried about Nina's age because she was in her forties. Sonnet then received notice that she had received a fellowship and would be leaving the country for a couple of years to do a research project. Her father and fiancee were proud of her accomplishment. Sonnet was more dedicated to her career and was a lot like her father in that respect. Sonnet was an overachiever and had been all of her life. She worked hard to get straight A's through high school and college. His other two daughters weren't as career focused as Sonnet and Sonnet craved the approval of the father that she hadn't known for most of her life.
She went back to Avalon to visit and to tell her mother about the fellowship. Her mother had told Zach about the pregnancy and asked him, as a videographer, to record the pregnancy for her. Nina also told Zach that she wanted this done in case she didn't survive the pregnancy due to her having cancer. She asked Zach to keep it to himself but he told Sonnet. Sonnet then turned down the fellowship in order to stay in Avalon to be close to and help her mother.
The job that Sonnet accepted was to record a reality show, "Big Girl, Small Town," in Avalon. Zach also accepted a job working on with the reality show as a videographer. Neither one of them knew that they would be working together. The show would be taped at Camp Kioga and was about a woman called Jezebel who was a hip-hop artist that went crazy after her boyfriend broke up with her and ended up in jail. She was known for being heavy and outspoken. Her probation was set for her to work with underprivileged children who were at the camp for the summer.
Nina began her cancer treatments and Sonnet was there to cook for her. Nina got sicker and more run down. She knew that she would lose her hair within a few weeks. Jezebel came over the the Inn at Willow Lake where Nina's lived and brought with her a friend who used cancer patients own hair to make wigs and spoke to Nina about cutting her hair before it fell out and using it to customize a wig for herself. Nina agreed and supplemented her own hair with Sonnets. Sonnet discovered that Jezebel was actually a cancer survivor herself and had used the stylist to create her own wig when she lost her hair. Orlando had also contacted an aunt of his who was a oncologist. Nina was using her as a consultant for her cancer treatment.
Nina and Zach finally talked to each other and worked through their situation and became friends once again. Orlando came to Avalon for a debate that was set up to be held there for the Senate race. He saw Sonnet and was not too happy about her new look and style of clothing. Orlando was concerned as to the fact of how her parents never marrying would affect her father's senate campaign. That seemed to be his first concern over anything else. Orlando told Sonnet that he wouldn't be staying because he had a campaign breakfast to attend in Manhattan in the morning with her father. Her father soon arrived and they met before the debate. Her mother arrived later and Sonnet noticed that they were given seats not too close to the front of the room. As they started to leave, they were approached by the opponents campaign people asking questions about Nina's relationship with Laurence Jeffries and their past together. Zach arrived to get them away from the press and Orlando arrived later. Sonnet questioned him as to whether or not he knew that was going to happen. He told them that he had expected it. He also left and Sonnet saw him speak to someone on the opposing campaign team. Sonnet then approached Orlando and told him they were through. Sonnet realized that she had chosen Orlando not because she was in love with but because she wanted her father's approval and her father approved of Orlando. Orlando told Sonnet that she was making a mistake and that she never should have given up her fellowship. He told her that she was giving up her chance to make a difference in the world and she would regret her decision. It hurt, but Sonnet knew she was doing the right thing.
Sonnet and Zach continued working with each other throughout the summer. Sonnet didn't tell anyone about her breakup with Orlando and Zach was fearful of approaching her and damaging their friendship. Jezebel noticed that Zach seemed to be in love with Sonnet and told him that he should do something about it. Zach continued to record Nina's pregnancy and cancer fight. There came a time where Nina was too sick to eat and she called Zach for some marijuana to help her eat. Sonnet told Zach that she didn't want any part in it and was ashamed that her first thought was of what it would do to her father's campaign if someone were to find out. She let that go and went to find that it had worked and her mother was eating food.
Zach found a lost puppy and brought it over to the Inn for Nina and she loved it. Sonnet was walking him to his car when Greg came outside and told them that something was wrong. Nina was going into labor and it was five weeks early. She had a tiny baby boy. He was small but otherwise fine. Daisy and Max, Nina's stepchildren, showed up to the hospital too.
Summer was over and the reality show wrapped up. Sonnet had told Zach that she broke up with Orlando. Jezebel wrote a song for Zach called, "Don't Make Me Wait to tell You," and played it at the wrap party. He hadn't yet told Sonnet that he had fallen for Sonnet although he had told Jezebel. Jezebel had figured it out and Zach had just agreed with her observation. The Bellamy's who owned the camp mentioned to Sonnet that she was free to run a camp the next year for inner city kids if she wanted to.
Sonnet sent a text to Zach telling him that she wanted him to meet her because she had something to celebrate. When Zach showed up, she told Zach that her mom's test results had come back showing no signs of cancer. Sonnet was nervous meeting Zach. She felt like she was going on a first date even though she kept telling herself that it wasn't really a date. Her and Zach both dressed up for the celebration. Her and Zach kissed and she was prepared to go home with him when she got a call from her father. She ignored the call but then received a text from her mother asking her to come home. She told Zach to go home and she would find out what was going on and come over afterwards. She went home and found out that someone had a tape of her and Zach having sex in the boathouse the night of Daisy's wedding and it had been released over the internet. Sonnet called her father to apologize because this was hurting his campaign. He told her that Orlando was working on it. He told her that she could still accept the Fellowship and head overseas the next week. She went to see Zach and told him that she was leaving. He accused her of running away to protect her father's campaign and she denied it. She didn't see it that way. She was embarrassed and hurt that Zach hadn't deleted the recording from the camera he had that night and felt he was partially to blame for the tape being released. She told Zach that there was no future for the two of them regardless of how the felt about each other. Sonnet was surprised at how much that statement hurt. She returned to Manhattan.
She went to a good bye dinner at her fathers' house and had a talk with her half sister. She found out that her father had arranged for her to receive the fellowship both times. He was trying to get her out of the country during his campaign so that his past would not come up. When the first attempt failed, he arranged for her to become engaged to Orlando to up her respectability quotient. When that didn't work, he went back to the fellowship. Sonnet received a text from Zach while still at her father's and he said that Orlando had leaked the sex tape. Sonnet told her father and he didn't believe her. Sonnet told him to ask Orlando and that just maybe he was trying to do a favor for his opponent. Her father asked her if she was accepting the fellowship and she told him "No" and left.
After the film was released, Zach had enough money to finish paying the town back the money that his father had embezzled. His father was paroled from prison and came back to Avalon and met with Zach at the bakery. His father noticed that something was bothering Zach and Zach told him about his feelings for Sonnet. His father told him that he had run his own wife off and that Zach needed to follow his heart and go to Sonnet and work with her wherever she decided to settle. Zach then received a text from Sonnet and agreed to meet with her at the park need Camp Kioga. Sonnet came back to settle things with Zach and to tell him that she was in love with him. She had realized that it was time to follow her own dreams rather than those of her father. Zach told her that he was in love with her too and asked her to marry him. Sonnet said "Yes".
They were married when her little brother was nine months old. Her father was in attendance. He had won the Senate race and Orlando had been fired. It was a rainy day in Avalon when Sonnet walked down the aisle with her mother giving the bride away.
Sonnet moved to New York and her father looked her up. Her father had married a wealthy woman from an established family and had two more daughters. He was running for the Senate and introduced Sonnet to his campaign manager, Orlando Rivera. They hit it off and began dating. Sonnet knew that she wasn't in love with Orlando but felt they were compatible and that love would come in time. He was a very attractive man.
Sonnet went back to Avalon for her half sister, Daisy's wedding. She met up with an old childhood friend, Zach Alger. Zach had hair so white that he was often mistaken as albino. Zach, her and Daisy had been inseparable growing up. Zach had been a very skinny teenager and had now filled out to fit into his body. He was very good looking and striking in his own way. He and Sonnet got together after the wedding and spent the night having sex in the boathouse at Camp Kioga. Zach had no regrets and really liked Sonnet. Sonnet wasn't sure how she felt and could't quite get what happened out of her head. She was afraid that having sex wold ruin their friendship but chose to avoid his calls and contact with him in general. Sonnet let what happened affect their relationship.
Sonnet returned to New York and was given a key to Orlando's apartment. She was expecting an engagement but received a key instead. She lost both her phone and the key on the day it was given to her when she was run into by someone getting onto a subway train. Orlando treated her like she was a child who couldn't hold onto anything and Sonnet was disappointed in his behavior toward her but chose to ignore it.
Nina told Sonnet that she was pregnant but Sonnet felt she was holding something back. Sonnet was worried about Nina's age because she was in her forties. Sonnet then received notice that she had received a fellowship and would be leaving the country for a couple of years to do a research project. Her father and fiancee were proud of her accomplishment. Sonnet was more dedicated to her career and was a lot like her father in that respect. Sonnet was an overachiever and had been all of her life. She worked hard to get straight A's through high school and college. His other two daughters weren't as career focused as Sonnet and Sonnet craved the approval of the father that she hadn't known for most of her life.
She went back to Avalon to visit and to tell her mother about the fellowship. Her mother had told Zach about the pregnancy and asked him, as a videographer, to record the pregnancy for her. Nina also told Zach that she wanted this done in case she didn't survive the pregnancy due to her having cancer. She asked Zach to keep it to himself but he told Sonnet. Sonnet then turned down the fellowship in order to stay in Avalon to be close to and help her mother.
The job that Sonnet accepted was to record a reality show, "Big Girl, Small Town," in Avalon. Zach also accepted a job working on with the reality show as a videographer. Neither one of them knew that they would be working together. The show would be taped at Camp Kioga and was about a woman called Jezebel who was a hip-hop artist that went crazy after her boyfriend broke up with her and ended up in jail. She was known for being heavy and outspoken. Her probation was set for her to work with underprivileged children who were at the camp for the summer.
Nina began her cancer treatments and Sonnet was there to cook for her. Nina got sicker and more run down. She knew that she would lose her hair within a few weeks. Jezebel came over the the Inn at Willow Lake where Nina's lived and brought with her a friend who used cancer patients own hair to make wigs and spoke to Nina about cutting her hair before it fell out and using it to customize a wig for herself. Nina agreed and supplemented her own hair with Sonnets. Sonnet discovered that Jezebel was actually a cancer survivor herself and had used the stylist to create her own wig when she lost her hair. Orlando had also contacted an aunt of his who was a oncologist. Nina was using her as a consultant for her cancer treatment.
Nina and Zach finally talked to each other and worked through their situation and became friends once again. Orlando came to Avalon for a debate that was set up to be held there for the Senate race. He saw Sonnet and was not too happy about her new look and style of clothing. Orlando was concerned as to the fact of how her parents never marrying would affect her father's senate campaign. That seemed to be his first concern over anything else. Orlando told Sonnet that he wouldn't be staying because he had a campaign breakfast to attend in Manhattan in the morning with her father. Her father soon arrived and they met before the debate. Her mother arrived later and Sonnet noticed that they were given seats not too close to the front of the room. As they started to leave, they were approached by the opponents campaign people asking questions about Nina's relationship with Laurence Jeffries and their past together. Zach arrived to get them away from the press and Orlando arrived later. Sonnet questioned him as to whether or not he knew that was going to happen. He told them that he had expected it. He also left and Sonnet saw him speak to someone on the opposing campaign team. Sonnet then approached Orlando and told him they were through. Sonnet realized that she had chosen Orlando not because she was in love with but because she wanted her father's approval and her father approved of Orlando. Orlando told Sonnet that she was making a mistake and that she never should have given up her fellowship. He told her that she was giving up her chance to make a difference in the world and she would regret her decision. It hurt, but Sonnet knew she was doing the right thing.
Sonnet and Zach continued working with each other throughout the summer. Sonnet didn't tell anyone about her breakup with Orlando and Zach was fearful of approaching her and damaging their friendship. Jezebel noticed that Zach seemed to be in love with Sonnet and told him that he should do something about it. Zach continued to record Nina's pregnancy and cancer fight. There came a time where Nina was too sick to eat and she called Zach for some marijuana to help her eat. Sonnet told Zach that she didn't want any part in it and was ashamed that her first thought was of what it would do to her father's campaign if someone were to find out. She let that go and went to find that it had worked and her mother was eating food.
Zach found a lost puppy and brought it over to the Inn for Nina and she loved it. Sonnet was walking him to his car when Greg came outside and told them that something was wrong. Nina was going into labor and it was five weeks early. She had a tiny baby boy. He was small but otherwise fine. Daisy and Max, Nina's stepchildren, showed up to the hospital too.
Summer was over and the reality show wrapped up. Sonnet had told Zach that she broke up with Orlando. Jezebel wrote a song for Zach called, "Don't Make Me Wait to tell You," and played it at the wrap party. He hadn't yet told Sonnet that he had fallen for Sonnet although he had told Jezebel. Jezebel had figured it out and Zach had just agreed with her observation. The Bellamy's who owned the camp mentioned to Sonnet that she was free to run a camp the next year for inner city kids if she wanted to.
Sonnet sent a text to Zach telling him that she wanted him to meet her because she had something to celebrate. When Zach showed up, she told Zach that her mom's test results had come back showing no signs of cancer. Sonnet was nervous meeting Zach. She felt like she was going on a first date even though she kept telling herself that it wasn't really a date. Her and Zach both dressed up for the celebration. Her and Zach kissed and she was prepared to go home with him when she got a call from her father. She ignored the call but then received a text from her mother asking her to come home. She told Zach to go home and she would find out what was going on and come over afterwards. She went home and found out that someone had a tape of her and Zach having sex in the boathouse the night of Daisy's wedding and it had been released over the internet. Sonnet called her father to apologize because this was hurting his campaign. He told her that Orlando was working on it. He told her that she could still accept the Fellowship and head overseas the next week. She went to see Zach and told him that she was leaving. He accused her of running away to protect her father's campaign and she denied it. She didn't see it that way. She was embarrassed and hurt that Zach hadn't deleted the recording from the camera he had that night and felt he was partially to blame for the tape being released. She told Zach that there was no future for the two of them regardless of how the felt about each other. Sonnet was surprised at how much that statement hurt. She returned to Manhattan.
She went to a good bye dinner at her fathers' house and had a talk with her half sister. She found out that her father had arranged for her to receive the fellowship both times. He was trying to get her out of the country during his campaign so that his past would not come up. When the first attempt failed, he arranged for her to become engaged to Orlando to up her respectability quotient. When that didn't work, he went back to the fellowship. Sonnet received a text from Zach while still at her father's and he said that Orlando had leaked the sex tape. Sonnet told her father and he didn't believe her. Sonnet told him to ask Orlando and that just maybe he was trying to do a favor for his opponent. Her father asked her if she was accepting the fellowship and she told him "No" and left.
After the film was released, Zach had enough money to finish paying the town back the money that his father had embezzled. His father was paroled from prison and came back to Avalon and met with Zach at the bakery. His father noticed that something was bothering Zach and Zach told him about his feelings for Sonnet. His father told him that he had run his own wife off and that Zach needed to follow his heart and go to Sonnet and work with her wherever she decided to settle. Zach then received a text from Sonnet and agreed to meet with her at the park need Camp Kioga. Sonnet came back to settle things with Zach and to tell him that she was in love with him. She had realized that it was time to follow her own dreams rather than those of her father. Zach told her that he was in love with her too and asked her to marry him. Sonnet said "Yes".
They were married when her little brother was nine months old. Her father was in attendance. He had won the Senate race and Orlando had been fired. It was a rainy day in Avalon when Sonnet walked down the aisle with her mother giving the bride away.
March 29, 2020
Love it! Echt feelgood verhaal, zonder dat het plat werd. Ondanks dat het einde voorspelbaar is (ja, ik had het goed geraden...), zitten er heerlijke (onverwachte) verhaallijnen in die de sfeer en spanning optimaal verhogen.
August 30, 2018
I am just into this series. I enjoy "returning to Willow Lake" once in a while, just to catch up with the characters. It is kind of like the guilty pleasure of following a soap opera, but in book form! I enjoyed this installment in the series.
March 30, 2023
I only gave this one 3 stars…not my favorite. I found it depressing in spite of the happy ending.
August 31, 2012
My review:
Return to Willow Lake was a first Susan Wiggs' book I have read and I liked it! It was well written, emotional and heart-warming. Reading Return to Willow Lake was like coming home - it was safe, comforting and created lots of great feelings. The novel is a standalone part of her Lakeshore Chronicles.
Plot:
Sonnet is a young woman whose life is filled with possibilities- her UNESCO career has just rocketed with the opportunity of lifetime of getting a world known fellowship, she has a boyfriend who is responsible and supportive, she has established a relationship with her dad. Everything seems so nice and safe.
When Sonnet is visiting her home town Avalon for her best friend's wedding, she reconnects with her best friend from her childhood and school time - Zach. Zach has grown into a gorgeous young man who lives in Avalon and making living of filming and making videos. Zach is quite successful at what he is doing and has no intentions of leaving Avalon - until the day he meets Sonnet again during the wedding.
After an amazing adventure together during the wedding night, Sonnet flees back to her life in New York and tries to forget the night with Zach by convincing herself, that they can't be friends again. She pushes Zach out of her life again to concentrate to her career and tighten the contacts with her dad. Sonnet's dad is a man with military background who is running for the Senate and is preparing for the elections.
During the same time Sonnet get the approval for fellowship to travel abroad, she gets bad news regarding her mother back home in Avalon.
Everything changes and what seemed comfortable, nice and safe is not valid anymore. Big parts of Sonnet's life is turned upside town and suddenly Sonnet finds herself back in Avalon supporting her mother and with the job which is very far from her career in New York.
I truly liked the plot: It was not too complicated, but had interesting story lines which made the reading into a enjoyable experience. The story flowed very smoothly and it grabbed me. The relationships between the characters were well-formed and believable and the plot was heavily character driven which was fun.
Characters:
As said, the story was character driven and had an important role to carry. Return to Willow Lake was rich of characters and both the main characters and supportive characters were lively and easy to relate to and understand.
I liked Sonnet. I did not understand why she kept telling herself that it was not possible to be a friend with Zach, but enjoyed all her other characteristics. She was kind, loyal, smart and it was easy for me to relate to her. I adored her for being so loyal and loving to her mother, I think that was wonderfully written by the author.
I adored Sonnet's mother, her being so brave, caring and loving. I think the relationship between Sonnet and her mom what the most important relationship in this book for me. author did an excellent job with this!
Sonnet's dad was also intriguing. I have to admit, that he was little predictable for my taste, but I found it interesting how his mind was operating and how he acted to get rid of his own daughter. Sonnet's boyfriend was similar to him. He would do absolutely anything to achieve what he wanted not hesitating the means to get it. I despise that in a human being.
Another character who I would like to mention is Jezebel. She was so cool! I would love to have a friend like her, I think everybody would!
Generally:
Return to Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs is a wonderful book about family, relationships, loyalty and finding love. I highly recommend it!
Return to Willow Lake was a first Susan Wiggs' book I have read and I liked it! It was well written, emotional and heart-warming. Reading Return to Willow Lake was like coming home - it was safe, comforting and created lots of great feelings. The novel is a standalone part of her Lakeshore Chronicles.
Plot:
Sonnet is a young woman whose life is filled with possibilities- her UNESCO career has just rocketed with the opportunity of lifetime of getting a world known fellowship, she has a boyfriend who is responsible and supportive, she has established a relationship with her dad. Everything seems so nice and safe.
When Sonnet is visiting her home town Avalon for her best friend's wedding, she reconnects with her best friend from her childhood and school time - Zach. Zach has grown into a gorgeous young man who lives in Avalon and making living of filming and making videos. Zach is quite successful at what he is doing and has no intentions of leaving Avalon - until the day he meets Sonnet again during the wedding.
After an amazing adventure together during the wedding night, Sonnet flees back to her life in New York and tries to forget the night with Zach by convincing herself, that they can't be friends again. She pushes Zach out of her life again to concentrate to her career and tighten the contacts with her dad. Sonnet's dad is a man with military background who is running for the Senate and is preparing for the elections.
During the same time Sonnet get the approval for fellowship to travel abroad, she gets bad news regarding her mother back home in Avalon.
Everything changes and what seemed comfortable, nice and safe is not valid anymore. Big parts of Sonnet's life is turned upside town and suddenly Sonnet finds herself back in Avalon supporting her mother and with the job which is very far from her career in New York.
I truly liked the plot: It was not too complicated, but had interesting story lines which made the reading into a enjoyable experience. The story flowed very smoothly and it grabbed me. The relationships between the characters were well-formed and believable and the plot was heavily character driven which was fun.
Characters:
As said, the story was character driven and had an important role to carry. Return to Willow Lake was rich of characters and both the main characters and supportive characters were lively and easy to relate to and understand.
I liked Sonnet. I did not understand why she kept telling herself that it was not possible to be a friend with Zach, but enjoyed all her other characteristics. She was kind, loyal, smart and it was easy for me to relate to her. I adored her for being so loyal and loving to her mother, I think that was wonderfully written by the author.
I adored Sonnet's mother, her being so brave, caring and loving. I think the relationship between Sonnet and her mom what the most important relationship in this book for me. author did an excellent job with this!
Sonnet's dad was also intriguing. I have to admit, that he was little predictable for my taste, but I found it interesting how his mind was operating and how he acted to get rid of his own daughter. Sonnet's boyfriend was similar to him. He would do absolutely anything to achieve what he wanted not hesitating the means to get it. I despise that in a human being.
Another character who I would like to mention is Jezebel. She was so cool! I would love to have a friend like her, I think everybody would!
Generally:
Return to Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs is a wonderful book about family, relationships, loyalty and finding love. I highly recommend it!
August 28, 2012
My Review:
This is the first Susan Wiggs book that I've ever read. I know, right? She was a huge romance writer when I was working in the bookstore 20 years ago. I can't believe it's taken me this long to pick up one of her books. But this book is so much more than just a romance novel. This is a book about family and what's really important in life. Just to put it in perspective, the book starts and ends with scenes of Sonnet talking to her mom...not scenes with Zach, although he definitely still plays a big part in the book.
For Sonnet, she doesn't realize it, but her life is at a crossroads. She's had an interesting life that has shaped her into an overachiever. Raised by her single mother and an absent, overachieving father, she has always shaped her life for his approval. She works in NYC at a worldwide agency that helps under-priviledged children. Children are her passion and although the job doesn't put her in direct contact with the children as much she's still convinced herself that she's doing good for them and that's good enough. She has an amazing boyfriend who is her father's senate campaign manager. They met through her father and although they don't have passion, she feels that they are a good match.
When she goes home to attend her step-sister's wedding, she sees her childhood best friend, Zach. They've been best friends since kindergarten although they haven't seen each other in years. In an after-wedding tryst, everything between them changes and not for the better...at least not for the first few months afterwards.
Honestly, I would probably classify this book as women's fiction rather than romance. Yes, there is a romantic element to it and it's a beautiful romantic story, but I did't feel like it was the main bulk of the story. For that, I think it was Sonnet's relationship with both her parents. Her mother who is battling cancer through an unexpected pregnancy and her father who is focusing on winning a senate office and trying to force Sonnet into making all the right moves for HIS career. You definitely start to see a lot of the contrast in Sonnet's life as she begins to realize what's really important. It was an interesting book and is a nice read to while away a quiet Sunday afternoon.
This is the 9th book in this series and while you definitely don't need to have read the other books to enjoy this one, I'm intrigued by some of the other stories (you get glimpses of them throughout this book) and may just pick up a few of them.
I received a complementary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
This is the first Susan Wiggs book that I've ever read. I know, right? She was a huge romance writer when I was working in the bookstore 20 years ago. I can't believe it's taken me this long to pick up one of her books. But this book is so much more than just a romance novel. This is a book about family and what's really important in life. Just to put it in perspective, the book starts and ends with scenes of Sonnet talking to her mom...not scenes with Zach, although he definitely still plays a big part in the book.
For Sonnet, she doesn't realize it, but her life is at a crossroads. She's had an interesting life that has shaped her into an overachiever. Raised by her single mother and an absent, overachieving father, she has always shaped her life for his approval. She works in NYC at a worldwide agency that helps under-priviledged children. Children are her passion and although the job doesn't put her in direct contact with the children as much she's still convinced herself that she's doing good for them and that's good enough. She has an amazing boyfriend who is her father's senate campaign manager. They met through her father and although they don't have passion, she feels that they are a good match.
When she goes home to attend her step-sister's wedding, she sees her childhood best friend, Zach. They've been best friends since kindergarten although they haven't seen each other in years. In an after-wedding tryst, everything between them changes and not for the better...at least not for the first few months afterwards.
Honestly, I would probably classify this book as women's fiction rather than romance. Yes, there is a romantic element to it and it's a beautiful romantic story, but I did't feel like it was the main bulk of the story. For that, I think it was Sonnet's relationship with both her parents. Her mother who is battling cancer through an unexpected pregnancy and her father who is focusing on winning a senate office and trying to force Sonnet into making all the right moves for HIS career. You definitely start to see a lot of the contrast in Sonnet's life as she begins to realize what's really important. It was an interesting book and is a nice read to while away a quiet Sunday afternoon.
This is the 9th book in this series and while you definitely don't need to have read the other books to enjoy this one, I'm intrigued by some of the other stories (you get glimpses of them throughout this book) and may just pick up a few of them.
I received a complementary copy of this book in return for an honest review.
April 18, 2013
I've read this entire series, from the very first one right through to this one.
This book is just as wonderful and well written as all the others.
It's the tale of Sonnet, one of the well loved characters that's appeared throughout the series. She and Zach have long been best friends, until one night changes everything between them. Months later, Sonnet returns to Willow Lake to help her mother deal with some major changes in her life. While trying to help her mother, she's also trying to gain her father's love and respect, and keep up a romantic relationship with Orlando, a man her father introduced her to. As if all that weren't enough, she finds herself spending much more time with Zach than she'd really like to.
What I really love about this story is that it's very true to life. We often find ourselves juggling various people and relationships, along with our own dreams, and while we try desperately not to drop anything, it happens. Seeing what Sonnet drops, and more importantly, what she picks back up when it does drop, shows us what's really important to her. It also shows her what really matters, and forces her to make the changes that she realizes she needs to make if she wants to find true happiness in her own life.
The only thing about this story that I didn't like was that Daisy and many of the other main characters didn't seem to come into play very much. Daisy's wedding takes place in the first chapter, but it seems a bit glossed over, and then we don't see much more of her. Other characters that have become beloved through this series also seemed to be glossed over.
This book also works well as a stand alone, so if you haven't read the rest of the series, don't let that stop you from reading this one (although, I do highly recommend you read the others as well!).
This book is just as wonderful and well written as all the others.
It's the tale of Sonnet, one of the well loved characters that's appeared throughout the series. She and Zach have long been best friends, until one night changes everything between them. Months later, Sonnet returns to Willow Lake to help her mother deal with some major changes in her life. While trying to help her mother, she's also trying to gain her father's love and respect, and keep up a romantic relationship with Orlando, a man her father introduced her to. As if all that weren't enough, she finds herself spending much more time with Zach than she'd really like to.
What I really love about this story is that it's very true to life. We often find ourselves juggling various people and relationships, along with our own dreams, and while we try desperately not to drop anything, it happens. Seeing what Sonnet drops, and more importantly, what she picks back up when it does drop, shows us what's really important to her. It also shows her what really matters, and forces her to make the changes that she realizes she needs to make if she wants to find true happiness in her own life.
The only thing about this story that I didn't like was that Daisy and many of the other main characters didn't seem to come into play very much. Daisy's wedding takes place in the first chapter, but it seems a bit glossed over, and then we don't see much more of her. Other characters that have become beloved through this series also seemed to be glossed over.
This book also works well as a stand alone, so if you haven't read the rest of the series, don't let that stop you from reading this one (although, I do highly recommend you read the others as well!).
July 10, 2012
When I learned that this book would be about Sonnet and Zach, I wondered how that would be. I liked them both, but wouldn’t have put them together. I was surprised by their wedding hookup and just knew it would bring all kinds of awkwardness after. I can understand why Sonnet reacted the way she did, they have been BFF’s since kindergarten and their actions will have big consequences.
While reading this book I discovered that I didn’t care for Sonnet’s dad. He is a man with his own agenda, one who has no problem manipulating people to get what he wants. I feel like a good person wouldn’t do that with people they love. It made me glad for Sonnet’s last choice at the end. I also thought there was something up with Orlando, knew that the main reason that Sonnet was dating Orlando was to measure up somehow to her father. I was glad that Sonnet realized how much she had to think about every little action or word when she was with him. I was also so surprised by Orlando’s actions.
While I loved that Sonnet went back to Avalon, but I hated the reason why. I felt like for so much of the book I was reading through tears. I thought it was awful that such a joyous event was clouded with bad news. What I really liked about this aspect of the story line was how the family pulled together and that family wasn’t just about blood ties. Sonnet was able to see how was there for her and who wasn’t, that even though bad days came, there were some great ones too. I loved how the person facing the good/bad event was written, it was real, there were times of strength, times of “I can’t do it any more”, times of fear, and just trudging ahead.
I thought the ending was great, how Sonnet came to realize what was in her heart and where she needed to be.
While reading this book I discovered that I didn’t care for Sonnet’s dad. He is a man with his own agenda, one who has no problem manipulating people to get what he wants. I feel like a good person wouldn’t do that with people they love. It made me glad for Sonnet’s last choice at the end. I also thought there was something up with Orlando, knew that the main reason that Sonnet was dating Orlando was to measure up somehow to her father. I was glad that Sonnet realized how much she had to think about every little action or word when she was with him. I was also so surprised by Orlando’s actions.
While I loved that Sonnet went back to Avalon, but I hated the reason why. I felt like for so much of the book I was reading through tears. I thought it was awful that such a joyous event was clouded with bad news. What I really liked about this aspect of the story line was how the family pulled together and that family wasn’t just about blood ties. Sonnet was able to see how was there for her and who wasn’t, that even though bad days came, there were some great ones too. I loved how the person facing the good/bad event was written, it was real, there were times of strength, times of “I can’t do it any more”, times of fear, and just trudging ahead.
I thought the ending was great, how Sonnet came to realize what was in her heart and where she needed to be.
did-not-finish
October 31, 2012Originally posted at Romance Around the Corner
This is the newest Willow Lake book, a series I've been reading for years. Even though its quality has been progressively decreasing, I was hopeful this book would be different because it featured two beloved recurrent characters. But that was not the case.
Zach and Willow grew up together and were best friends in school. But then life happened and it brought them apart. They reunite during a wedding, and have a one-night-stand. She goes back to her life, which includes a boyfriend and father she wants to impress, and he stays in Willow Lake wondering what happened. Then her mother gets pregnant and she has to go back.
The first thing that bothered me was that Zach, who has been ugly ever since we met him in the first book, suddenly grows into a hunk. The rules of romance demand that its heroes be gorgeous, so Zach got an extreme makeover. I thought it was a missed opportunity to push some genre boundaries, unfair to the character and a boring to me as a reader who wishes authors took more risks.
Sonnet was whiny, spineless and completely different from the girl we used to know. She cheats on her boyfriend and bends over backwards to please a father who never wanted her, and is only using her to further his career.
We have two main characters that are unrecognizable and whose chemistry has always been strong, but only as friends. In fact, they almost feel like siblings. So add a rather unpleasant romance to the list of reasons why I couldn't finish the book.
This is the newest Willow Lake book, a series I've been reading for years. Even though its quality has been progressively decreasing, I was hopeful this book would be different because it featured two beloved recurrent characters. But that was not the case.
Zach and Willow grew up together and were best friends in school. But then life happened and it brought them apart. They reunite during a wedding, and have a one-night-stand. She goes back to her life, which includes a boyfriend and father she wants to impress, and he stays in Willow Lake wondering what happened. Then her mother gets pregnant and she has to go back.
The first thing that bothered me was that Zach, who has been ugly ever since we met him in the first book, suddenly grows into a hunk. The rules of romance demand that its heroes be gorgeous, so Zach got an extreme makeover. I thought it was a missed opportunity to push some genre boundaries, unfair to the character and a boring to me as a reader who wishes authors took more risks.
Sonnet was whiny, spineless and completely different from the girl we used to know. She cheats on her boyfriend and bends over backwards to please a father who never wanted her, and is only using her to further his career.
We have two main characters that are unrecognizable and whose chemistry has always been strong, but only as friends. In fact, they almost feel like siblings. So add a rather unpleasant romance to the list of reasons why I couldn't finish the book.
December 10, 2013
I enjoy listening to audio books when I am in the car since I can't read while I am driving and I picked this one up at the library because it looked interesting even though I hadn't read anything about it. I did not realize that this was a series and that this was book #6 in that series. Despite not having the background of the characters I was able to read it as a stand alone novel.
Sonnet grew up without her father in her life but now as an adult she has connected with her dad and formed a relationship with him pretty much based on her achievements. She has fallen in love with her father's campaign manager and is going to marry him in the future. She has won a fellowship and is due to go abroad when her mother discloses that she is pregnant and that it is high risk. Shortly after this news her mother gets a devastating diagnosis and Sonnet feels that she must put her career on hold in order to be there for her mom as her mom has always been there for her.
Back in Willow Lake to help her mom, Sonnet reconnects with her childhood friend, Zack whom she seems to have a love-hate relationship with. Needing a job while she is helping her mother, Sonnet works as a production assistant to a reality show that is being filmed in Willow Lake and that Zach has been chosen to film.
Life is never easy, however, and Sonnet begins to learn things about herself, Zack and her current boyfriend. Surprises come from all areas of her life as she tries to keep her well planned, tidy life on track. It was a story that at least kept you interested to see how all the pieces were going to tie together at the end.
Sonnet grew up without her father in her life but now as an adult she has connected with her dad and formed a relationship with him pretty much based on her achievements. She has fallen in love with her father's campaign manager and is going to marry him in the future. She has won a fellowship and is due to go abroad when her mother discloses that she is pregnant and that it is high risk. Shortly after this news her mother gets a devastating diagnosis and Sonnet feels that she must put her career on hold in order to be there for her mom as her mom has always been there for her.
Back in Willow Lake to help her mom, Sonnet reconnects with her childhood friend, Zack whom she seems to have a love-hate relationship with. Needing a job while she is helping her mother, Sonnet works as a production assistant to a reality show that is being filmed in Willow Lake and that Zach has been chosen to film.
Life is never easy, however, and Sonnet begins to learn things about herself, Zack and her current boyfriend. Surprises come from all areas of her life as she tries to keep her well planned, tidy life on track. It was a story that at least kept you interested to see how all the pieces were going to tie together at the end.
July 2, 2012
Return to Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs
ISBN: 9780778313847
Daisy Bellamy's wedding at Camp Kioga, finally.
Love how Susan brings you up to date on who the person was and what they did in younger years-that's what made the bell ring for me :}
Sonnet Romano is her best friend and everything went off without a hitch. She doesn't want to get married anytime soon and works at UNESCO.
Zachery Alger is there also, a videographer but just a guest at this party. Their renew their friendship after many swigs of champagne. He is saving money to pay off his fathers debt to the community.
Sonnet has to leave her boyfriend that her father set her up with, as they continue the campaign for government office, and she goes back to Avalon to be with her mom who's having a medical crises.
Zach has news from a west coast film production company that they want him for their next 16 week reality show.
He informs her of her mothers cancer and she changes all her plans to stay in Avalon to help her along with the treatments and the pregnancy. They both end up working for the same company.
Throw in the reality show and you have mayhem. Have they made the right choices????
With some hot steamy sex this is a good read.
Love the refresher on the surgeries and all the tests-been there done that, it's horrid. But good comes out of it in the end...
ISBN: 9780778313847
Daisy Bellamy's wedding at Camp Kioga, finally.
Love how Susan brings you up to date on who the person was and what they did in younger years-that's what made the bell ring for me :}
Sonnet Romano is her best friend and everything went off without a hitch. She doesn't want to get married anytime soon and works at UNESCO.
Zachery Alger is there also, a videographer but just a guest at this party. Their renew their friendship after many swigs of champagne. He is saving money to pay off his fathers debt to the community.
Sonnet has to leave her boyfriend that her father set her up with, as they continue the campaign for government office, and she goes back to Avalon to be with her mom who's having a medical crises.
Zach has news from a west coast film production company that they want him for their next 16 week reality show.
He informs her of her mothers cancer and she changes all her plans to stay in Avalon to help her along with the treatments and the pregnancy. They both end up working for the same company.
Throw in the reality show and you have mayhem. Have they made the right choices????
With some hot steamy sex this is a good read.
Love the refresher on the surgeries and all the tests-been there done that, it's horrid. But good comes out of it in the end...
August 18, 2012
4 stars
It's my first by Susan Wiggs and... it's Book 9. This book might actually a romance story. It is a romance, just mild but from my reading, I viewed the story is more about Sonnet and her complicated life.
It is indeed complicated where she tried her best and hardest to impress her father, she wanted to spread her wings and gained new, exciting experiences, she's worried about her sick mother, and she denied her feelings towards Zach which she thought two of them being a thing is impossible.
It was heart wrenching to read about Nina, Sonnet's mom, fighting cancer. What I liked best is that Sonnet willed to hold everything only just to be there for her mom. Their relationship, the mother-daughter relationship is so beautiful. The feeling's intense. It is even madness to feel it from Zach's point of view as he, too, had through the same situation. His mother died from breast cancer and knowing Nina's diagnosis... I believe I've no any words for that.
Despite the mild romance, I liked how things wrap at the end of the book. It was excruciating to wait for the love to truly, finally blossom between Sonnet and Zach. It was direct, blunt confession and that made two very people who are best friends fill with love and happiness.
Read on your own peril.
Thanks to Harlequin (via NetGalley) for this ARC.
It's my first by Susan Wiggs and... it's Book 9. This book might actually a romance story. It is a romance, just mild but from my reading, I viewed the story is more about Sonnet and her complicated life.
It is indeed complicated where she tried her best and hardest to impress her father, she wanted to spread her wings and gained new, exciting experiences, she's worried about her sick mother, and she denied her feelings towards Zach which she thought two of them being a thing is impossible.
It was heart wrenching to read about Nina, Sonnet's mom, fighting cancer. What I liked best is that Sonnet willed to hold everything only just to be there for her mom. Their relationship, the mother-daughter relationship is so beautiful. The feeling's intense. It is even madness to feel it from Zach's point of view as he, too, had through the same situation. His mother died from breast cancer and knowing Nina's diagnosis... I believe I've no any words for that.
Despite the mild romance, I liked how things wrap at the end of the book. It was excruciating to wait for the love to truly, finally blossom between Sonnet and Zach. It was direct, blunt confession and that made two very people who are best friends fill with love and happiness.
Read on your own peril.
Thanks to Harlequin (via NetGalley) for this ARC.
April 7, 2013
Although I don't generally like books that are divided into Parts like this one, the subject matter was intriguing. Here we have a super-organized girl who sets goals and meets them, divided between wanting to please her father and spend time with her mother and fulfill all her own plans. At first I thought poor Sonnet was an idiot who didn't know her own mind, but as I read, I realized that most of us are like this, searching to find rather than knowing already. It makes me wonder how many wrong turns I may have taken in my life, decisions that could have been different, the road not taken syndrome. Sonnet eventually figures it out, but it isn't easy for her. She is helped by discovering her mother has cancer, which starts putting her own life in perspective. The parts that deal with the cancer are heart-wringing, and Ms. Wiggs does an excellent job of showing how cancer affects not only the victim but her family. I had trouble reconciling this Zach with the Zach I had come to love as he grew to maturity, but he is still the caring and generous man he was then. I guess it was mostly his looks I couldn't get a handle on. Somehow I can't imagine Zach growing up into a gorgeous guy although we all know guys we went to school with who did exactly that, so it isn't impossible.
September 2, 2012
Sonnet Romano had everything going for her--a new, sophisticated boyfriend, and a fellowship to work with disadvantaged children abroad. Then, she finds herself very attracted to Zach, a hometown friend. She also receives the news that her mother is pregnant and has risky complications. She left her job in New York City and moved north to the Catskills to offer emotional support to her mother. Back in her hometown, Sonnet had to decide what was important to her in life.
Susan Wiggs created characters that have to make difficult decisions, and that the reader can empathize with. She wrote with a lot of emotional sensitivity. A main theme was the importance of caring, supportive families. Another important theme was following your heart--in love, and in your career. Sonnet had a beautiful example of love in the caring that her stepfather expressed to her mother. The book also showed that first impressions are often deceiving, both in private life and in the media.
Return to Willow Lake kept my interest all the way through the book. I would recommend it to readers who enjoy reading about families and contemporary romances.
Susan Wiggs created characters that have to make difficult decisions, and that the reader can empathize with. She wrote with a lot of emotional sensitivity. A main theme was the importance of caring, supportive families. Another important theme was following your heart--in love, and in your career. Sonnet had a beautiful example of love in the caring that her stepfather expressed to her mother. The book also showed that first impressions are often deceiving, both in private life and in the media.
Return to Willow Lake kept my interest all the way through the book. I would recommend it to readers who enjoy reading about families and contemporary romances.
December 11, 2012
“Return to Willow Lake” by Susan Wiggs was a quick read for me. I very much enjoyed the premise of the story. Sonnet returns to her childhood home for the marriage of her step-sister. While there she runs into an old friend who has never left willow Lake. He has a reputation as being a “bad boy” from his boyhood days. Sonnet and Zach really have more than a friendship. They are best friends and have fallen in love in their young years. Sonnet is loath to accept Zach’s intentions because she has the “perfect” boyfriend to whom she was introduced by her political aspiring father. As the story progresses, you can see just how devoted this “perfect” guy is and how right Zach is for her. Sonnet’s mother is pregnant with a high risk baby and then finds out she has cancer. Sonnet comes home from her rat race life and winner of a fellowship, to stay with her mother until she is well and has the baby. This puts her right in Zach’s line of vision. This is a story of coming home to that which is really what matters the most in life. I very much enjoyed this novel.
I received a free print copy of this book for my honest review from the publisher. The opinions expressed here are my own.
You can read my reviews on my blog at: http://wp.me/p2pjIt-3H
I received a free print copy of this book for my honest review from the publisher. The opinions expressed here are my own.
You can read my reviews on my blog at: http://wp.me/p2pjIt-3H
June 27, 2014
This was a refreshing read.the Heroine and the hero grew up together as beat friends,I guess it starts in the book before this one. She left town but came back for her step sister's wedding and end up sleeping with him. It was done tastefully and they didn't decide they were in love because of that. They got to know each other all over again and since these two had a real history together i was okay with that. The author didn't try to turn sex into love, though they did always loved each other.
I have to say the heroine actions made me mad at her sometimes regarding the guy she was trying to fall in love with for reasons that had nothing to do with love, If you have to work to fall in love it aint love. you either do or you don't. and the hero got on my last nerve with how he would describe what happened with him and heroine,It's never he made love to her, It was always, 'that's where I nailed her or where I banged her.Now why would these phases be used in this book and not others and why did the tone seem different than others,I hope it's not because of what I'm thinking it is.
Anyway, I would recommend this book to all true romance lovers out there, it wasn't fantastic,but it was very good,even funny at times,
I have to say the heroine actions made me mad at her sometimes regarding the guy she was trying to fall in love with for reasons that had nothing to do with love, If you have to work to fall in love it aint love. you either do or you don't. and the hero got on my last nerve with how he would describe what happened with him and heroine,It's never he made love to her, It was always, 'that's where I nailed her or where I banged her.Now why would these phases be used in this book and not others and why did the tone seem different than others,I hope it's not because of what I'm thinking it is.
Anyway, I would recommend this book to all true romance lovers out there, it wasn't fantastic,but it was very good,even funny at times,
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 13, 2014
Another good Susan Wiggs book. I find Susan Wiggs books to be very fast reads. I really enjoy this series and the characters even though I am reading the book a little out of sequence. I like how the characters pop up in other books as these characters are involved in each other's lives. My only complaint about these books is the fact that she spends the entire book having these characters fall in love or admit that they have already fallen in love, and then have them jump right into getting married. There is approx. 200-300 pages of angst and then wham they are in love and immediately married. That part feels a bit rushed to me. But again, I really enjoy this series. They are nice escape books - great for rainy days, snowy days, airline travel, beach reads, etc.
December 18, 2019
A problem with this series is that the author spends too much time keeping the romantic pairing apart and then rushes it into the last little bit of the book. The same is true for this book and it really cheats the reader of a satisfying payoff. It is still well written, but as a reader you really want to spend time with the couple as they form that relationship and the romantic pairing in this is hardly ever together and when they are there is very little romance between them, mostly because Sonnet can't seem to figure out her own mind.
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