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Chesapeake Shores #10
La mélodie de Noël
Petite fille, Jenny Collins rêvait d’appartenir à une grande famille comme celle des O’Brien. Un jour, son rêve s’est réalisé : la mère de Jenny a épousé un O’Brien — et, étrangement, Jenny s’est sentie exclue et plus seule que jamais. Les blessures de ces années solitaires sont restées vives, même si depuis Jenny s’est construit une vie bien à elle, selon ses vœux, à Nashville, où elle est une auteure de chansons reconnue. Alors, aujourd’hui, elle redoute ce qui l’attend pour son retour à Chesapeake Shores, sa ville natale. Comment sa « famille », qu’elle n’a pas vue depuis des années, réagira-t-elle ? L’accueilleront-ils enfin comme l’une des leurs ? Et Caleb Green, l’homme qui lui a brisé le cœur et dont elle vient d’apprendre qu’il sera lui aussi à Chesapeake, comment va-t-elle supporter de le croiser ?...
290 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 17, 2013
530 people are currently reading
4958 people want to read
About the author
Sherryl Woods
555 books4,522 followersWith two other careers to her credit before becoming a novelist and four states in which she's lived for extended periods of time, Sherryl Woods has collected friends and memories, along with way too much unnecessary junk.
"The friends are the only things I've brought with me through the years that really matter," she says. "I could probably live without one more chintz teacup, another tin-litho sandpail or another snowglobe, but I need those friends."
The theme of enduring friendships and families is always central to Sherryl's books, including her latest Chesapeake Shores series — THE INN AT EAGLE POINT, FLOWERS ON MAIN and HARBOR LIGHTS.
Author of more than 100 romance and mystery novels, Sherryl Woods grew up in Virginia. Over the years she had lived in Ohio and Florida, as well as California. Currently she divides her time between Key Biscayne, Florida and Colonial Beach, Virginia, the small, river-front town where she spent her childhood summers.
A graduate of Ohio State University School of Journalism, Sherryl spent more than ten years as a journalist, most of them as a television critic for newspapers in Ohio and Florida. For several years she also coordinated a motivational program for the more than 8,000 employees at the University of Miami-Jackson Memorial Medical Center.
Her first book, RESTORING LOVE, was published in 1982 by Dell Candlelight Ecstasy under the pseudonym of Suzanne Sherrill. Her second book, SAND CASTLES, under the pseudonym of Alexandra Kirk, was published later that same year by Bantam. She began using her own name when she moved to the Second Chance at Love line at Berkley Publishing. In 1986, she began writing full-time and also began her long career at Silhouette Books with the Desire title NOT AT EIGHT, DARLING, set in the world of television which she covered for so many years.
In addition to her more than 75 romances for Silhouette Desire and Special Edition, she has written thirteen mysteries — nine in the Amanda Roberts series and four in the Molly DeWitt series.
When she's not writing or reading, Sherryl loves to garden, though she's not at her best on a riding lawn mower. She also loves tennis, theater, and ballet, even though her top spin has long since vanished, she's never set foot on a stage, and she's way too uncoordinated to dance. She also loves baseball and claims anyone who's ever seen Kevin Costner in "Bull Durham" can understand why.
"The friends are the only things I've brought with me through the years that really matter," she says. "I could probably live without one more chintz teacup, another tin-litho sandpail or another snowglobe, but I need those friends."
The theme of enduring friendships and families is always central to Sherryl's books, including her latest Chesapeake Shores series — THE INN AT EAGLE POINT, FLOWERS ON MAIN and HARBOR LIGHTS.
Author of more than 100 romance and mystery novels, Sherryl Woods grew up in Virginia. Over the years she had lived in Ohio and Florida, as well as California. Currently she divides her time between Key Biscayne, Florida and Colonial Beach, Virginia, the small, river-front town where she spent her childhood summers.
A graduate of Ohio State University School of Journalism, Sherryl spent more than ten years as a journalist, most of them as a television critic for newspapers in Ohio and Florida. For several years she also coordinated a motivational program for the more than 8,000 employees at the University of Miami-Jackson Memorial Medical Center.
Her first book, RESTORING LOVE, was published in 1982 by Dell Candlelight Ecstasy under the pseudonym of Suzanne Sherrill. Her second book, SAND CASTLES, under the pseudonym of Alexandra Kirk, was published later that same year by Bantam. She began using her own name when she moved to the Second Chance at Love line at Berkley Publishing. In 1986, she began writing full-time and also began her long career at Silhouette Books with the Desire title NOT AT EIGHT, DARLING, set in the world of television which she covered for so many years.
In addition to her more than 75 romances for Silhouette Desire and Special Edition, she has written thirteen mysteries — nine in the Amanda Roberts series and four in the Molly DeWitt series.
When she's not writing or reading, Sherryl loves to garden, though she's not at her best on a riding lawn mower. She also loves tennis, theater, and ballet, even though her top spin has long since vanished, she's never set foot on a stage, and she's way too uncoordinated to dance. She also loves baseball and claims anyone who's ever seen Kevin Costner in "Bull Durham" can understand why.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 321 reviews
January 5, 2015
I hated nearly everyone in this book. I hated Jenny for being a brat. Caleb for being a cheater and pushy. Bree and the rest of the O'Briens for acting like Jenny not wanting to take back a man with a drinking problem and a problem with fidelity was ridiculous. And as with many of the books in this series, I hated all the times the heroine said "no" and was ignored, dismissed, or tagged with "control issues". Maybe she just doesn't want to be bothered with your crap, hmm? I have liked many of the books in this series, but the last two I've read have bothered me.. I'll give the newest entry, Dogwood Hill, a shot, but if it annoys me for the same reasons, I will have to drop this series and maybe this author.
July 25, 2013
This is part of the Chesapeake Shores series and it features Jenny, Connie's Daughter from book 6: Moonlight Cove. Jenny has been in Nashville writing songs for famous country singers and she decides it's time to return home. She's been avoiding her hometown ever since Connie married Thomas O'Brien. Jenny feels abandoned by her mom and always felt like she didn't belong to the new clan of family. But what really made her return home was her breakup with a famous singer named Caleb. She needs to get away from her memories of Caleb and the best way in her mind is to return home.
Caleb has finally pulled his life back together, he's out of rehab and trying to get his career back on track. He hears a young prodigy sing a song that was written by Jenny and he decides he not only needs that song to get him back in the limelight but that he needs to apologize to his former girlfriend and fix her broken heart. He follows her back home in hopes of fixing everything.
I had a hard time with this book, because I really disliked Caleb and Jenny. Wow, there was not much about them that I found appealing. Let's start with Jenny, aka the petulant child. Jenny's feelings seemed to be really misplaced. She was upset that her mom remarried and "replaced" her. She didn't want to share her mom with anyone and then when her mom got pregnant she was so upset about having to share again. But instead of talking about it and acting like a normal teen, she ran off to college and stopped talking normally to her mom. Then what really got to me was the way she treated her half brother (who was only 4!) Her poor little brother was trying to understand why he never saw his sister and didn't even recognize her. Him explaining to Jenny that his mom played her music on the radio and then would just run into another room and cry just about broke my heart. Selfish, selfish Jenny. Get over yourself.
Then there was Caleb who just could not seem to stop making really stupid mistakes. He withheld information from Jenny that made her upset, then seemed to delight in the fact that Jenny was upset a girl was hitting on him. I'm sorry but if I was a dude, my girlfriend caught me cheating and I was trying to make it up to her I definitely wouldn't rub it in her face that some other woman liked me. He just seemed smarmy and insincere. All his grand gestures just didn't play for me.
Then there was Bree. Oh Bree. I liked you in your book with Jack, you seemed somewhat normal. But in this book, I don't know what happened. Everything she did seemed selfish and benefited her. She pushed and pushed at Jenny to help her with her play and when she found she could hook Caleb in she did that as well. Then she kept pushing her to forgive Caleb and demanding that Jenny and Caleb help her because "Hello, I can be on Broadway!" It was just too much for me. The proverbial straw that broke the camels back.
If you haven't read any of these books yet and start with this one, just stop and start at the beginning. Honestly, these books are great. This one is just terrible. So don't judge the series by this one alone. Give the others a chance.
Thanks to netgalley and Harlequin for providing me with a copy of this book to read and review.
Caleb has finally pulled his life back together, he's out of rehab and trying to get his career back on track. He hears a young prodigy sing a song that was written by Jenny and he decides he not only needs that song to get him back in the limelight but that he needs to apologize to his former girlfriend and fix her broken heart. He follows her back home in hopes of fixing everything.
I had a hard time with this book, because I really disliked Caleb and Jenny. Wow, there was not much about them that I found appealing. Let's start with Jenny, aka the petulant child. Jenny's feelings seemed to be really misplaced. She was upset that her mom remarried and "replaced" her. She didn't want to share her mom with anyone and then when her mom got pregnant she was so upset about having to share again. But instead of talking about it and acting like a normal teen, she ran off to college and stopped talking normally to her mom. Then what really got to me was the way she treated her half brother (who was only 4!) Her poor little brother was trying to understand why he never saw his sister and didn't even recognize her. Him explaining to Jenny that his mom played her music on the radio and then would just run into another room and cry just about broke my heart. Selfish, selfish Jenny. Get over yourself.
Then there was Caleb who just could not seem to stop making really stupid mistakes. He withheld information from Jenny that made her upset, then seemed to delight in the fact that Jenny was upset a girl was hitting on him. I'm sorry but if I was a dude, my girlfriend caught me cheating and I was trying to make it up to her I definitely wouldn't rub it in her face that some other woman liked me. He just seemed smarmy and insincere. All his grand gestures just didn't play for me.
Then there was Bree. Oh Bree. I liked you in your book with Jack, you seemed somewhat normal. But in this book, I don't know what happened. Everything she did seemed selfish and benefited her. She pushed and pushed at Jenny to help her with her play and when she found she could hook Caleb in she did that as well. Then she kept pushing her to forgive Caleb and demanding that Jenny and Caleb help her because "Hello, I can be on Broadway!" It was just too much for me. The proverbial straw that broke the camels back.
If you haven't read any of these books yet and start with this one, just stop and start at the beginning. Honestly, these books are great. This one is just terrible. So don't judge the series by this one alone. Give the others a chance.
Thanks to netgalley and Harlequin for providing me with a copy of this book to read and review.
June 23, 2016
An excellent Holiday read
June 22, 2017
Jenny Collins goes to Chesapeake Shores for Christmas to escape an unhappy situation with her boyfriend and to be close to her. She doesn't know how she will fit in with the big O'Brien family clan that her mother has married into. She is a songwriter from Nashville and needs to get away for a while and also help out with a Christmas production.
What Jenny didn't expect was for her old boyfriend Caleb to find her in Chesapeake Shores hoping to rekindle their relationship. This is a story of how people come together at this special holiday time.
What Jenny didn't expect was for her old boyfriend Caleb to find her in Chesapeake Shores hoping to rekindle their relationship. This is a story of how people come together at this special holiday time.
December 25, 2013
Another fast red for Christmas with all feel-goody feelings...except, I sure didn't like or respect the characters. The main female has run off to her seaside home to escape the feelings of loneliness of the season that arises from a breakup over a year ago from her boyfriend. She has family at the seaside, but she's still pouting from the fact that her mother remarried and had a child. She mainly acts like a spoiled brat. Then, of course, here comes the boyfriend, and he won't take no for an answer to seeing her. So, she, by the 2nd day he's in town, has already agreed to work with him on her cousin's play in collaborating the music (she's a famous song writer, and he's a famous singer---of course, again). She vows not to fall for him, but after he gets invited to a FAMILY gathering (and he has never met any one them before, but they don't like him because of the breakup) he has her stepfather, her protective uncle, one aunt, and a cousin or two, working behind her back to get them back together...Oh Puhleeze!!!
December 15, 2014
Good story of second chances. Jenny is still trying to get over her breakup with Caleb. She had been deeply in love with him when he was caught cheating on her. Her humiliation was complete with the horrible photos printed in all the tabloids. She feels a need to get out of Nashville and when she has an opportunity to go home to Chesapeake Shores, she takes it.
Going home isn't as easy as it sounds. Ever since her mom married Thomas O'Brien she's felt like an outsider. She had been used to it being just her and her mother, and she hadn't been happy with the idea of sharing her mother with him. When her mom got pregnant, she really felt like she didn't belong anymore. She has avoided going home as much as possible for years now, and things with the family just keep getting more awkward. Her uncle's wife Bree is putting on a Christmas play and wants Jenny to write the music for it. This gives Jenny a reason to go home, but can she mend fences with her family?
Caleb knows he screwed up when he cheated on Jenny in a drunken haze. The fallout from that convinced him that he needed help. He lost Jenny and he wrecked his career. So he checked into rehab and made a start at putting his life back together. One thing that he is that he needs Jenny back in his life. He finds an excuse to follow her to Chesapeake Shores and there hopes to show her that they really do belong together. He's fighting an uphill battle though. Jenny wants nothing to do with him, and her family has made it clear that they are watching him very closely.
Jenny has never stopped loving Caleb, even though he broke her heart. She's not happy that he has showed up in Chesapeake Shores. What's worse, Bree has offered him a spot in her play, feeling that Jenny's music and Caleb's voice will take it to a whole new level. Jenny also suspects that Bree is indulging in the family habit of meddling and matchmaking. Having Caleb constantly there is putting a strain on her attempts to protect her heart from being broken again. She wants him, but she's afraid to trust him.
Caleb is determined to win Jenny back. Being in rehab gave him the opportunity to reassess his life and see where he wants it to go. He wants Jenny to be part of that life. When he arrives in Chesapeake Shores he's pretty nervous about dealing with her family, and isn't surprised that he doesn't exactly get a warm welcome. He is surprised when Bree asks him to appear in her show, and talks Jenny into working with him. He quickly realizes that this is probably his only chance to win Jenny back. He lets her know that he still loves her, but he's careful about not pushing too hard. He knows he has a long way to go.
I loved seeing Caleb's attempts to win Jenny back. He knows her very well, so he can see that she still loves him, but that she's afraid to trust him. He starts out slowly, with agreeing to work with her on the music for the play, and reminding her of the way they had been friends before they were lovers. He knows of her problem with her mother and helps her to see what she needs to do. I loved his sensitivity to those feelings, and his way of helping her with the Christmas decorating was really sweet. I loved the way that he didn't try to make excuses for his mistakes, but owned up to them and tried to be better. I enjoyed seeing him deal with her family, from the ladies who were willing to help him, to the men who were a bit harder to win over. The thing I liked the most was that Caleb never gave up showing Jenny just how much he loved her.
Jenny was a little harder for me to like. While I understood her initial reaction to her mother's marriage, I thought she held on to those feelings for too long. It really made her seem kind of childish. I really didn't like the way that she couldn't even make herself be nice to her little brother. It took Caleb to get her to ease into a relationship with little Sean. I even would have understood her feelings if the O'Briens had treated her like an outsider, but they didn't. Every one of them treated her as part of the family even before her mom married Thomas, so I just didn't get it. I was happy to see her finally start to act like an adult and apologize for being a brat. When it came to her and Caleb, I completely understood her feelings. She had been so devastated that she didn't want to risk her heart again. But it didn't take long for her to realize that she still loved him, she just had to decide if she was ready to do something about it. His understanding of her feelings about the Christmas decorations and his finding of the Christmas train broke down the last walls, but she was still reluctant to go that final step. There was one last obstacle to overcome, but Caleb's big moment was so sweet and moving.
I really enjoyed seeing the various members of the O'Briens and their parts in getting Caleb and Jenny back together. It was great to see their support of Jenny and how that support also included their trademark meddling.
Going home isn't as easy as it sounds. Ever since her mom married Thomas O'Brien she's felt like an outsider. She had been used to it being just her and her mother, and she hadn't been happy with the idea of sharing her mother with him. When her mom got pregnant, she really felt like she didn't belong anymore. She has avoided going home as much as possible for years now, and things with the family just keep getting more awkward. Her uncle's wife Bree is putting on a Christmas play and wants Jenny to write the music for it. This gives Jenny a reason to go home, but can she mend fences with her family?
Caleb knows he screwed up when he cheated on Jenny in a drunken haze. The fallout from that convinced him that he needed help. He lost Jenny and he wrecked his career. So he checked into rehab and made a start at putting his life back together. One thing that he is that he needs Jenny back in his life. He finds an excuse to follow her to Chesapeake Shores and there hopes to show her that they really do belong together. He's fighting an uphill battle though. Jenny wants nothing to do with him, and her family has made it clear that they are watching him very closely.
Jenny has never stopped loving Caleb, even though he broke her heart. She's not happy that he has showed up in Chesapeake Shores. What's worse, Bree has offered him a spot in her play, feeling that Jenny's music and Caleb's voice will take it to a whole new level. Jenny also suspects that Bree is indulging in the family habit of meddling and matchmaking. Having Caleb constantly there is putting a strain on her attempts to protect her heart from being broken again. She wants him, but she's afraid to trust him.
Caleb is determined to win Jenny back. Being in rehab gave him the opportunity to reassess his life and see where he wants it to go. He wants Jenny to be part of that life. When he arrives in Chesapeake Shores he's pretty nervous about dealing with her family, and isn't surprised that he doesn't exactly get a warm welcome. He is surprised when Bree asks him to appear in her show, and talks Jenny into working with him. He quickly realizes that this is probably his only chance to win Jenny back. He lets her know that he still loves her, but he's careful about not pushing too hard. He knows he has a long way to go.
I loved seeing Caleb's attempts to win Jenny back. He knows her very well, so he can see that she still loves him, but that she's afraid to trust him. He starts out slowly, with agreeing to work with her on the music for the play, and reminding her of the way they had been friends before they were lovers. He knows of her problem with her mother and helps her to see what she needs to do. I loved his sensitivity to those feelings, and his way of helping her with the Christmas decorating was really sweet. I loved the way that he didn't try to make excuses for his mistakes, but owned up to them and tried to be better. I enjoyed seeing him deal with her family, from the ladies who were willing to help him, to the men who were a bit harder to win over. The thing I liked the most was that Caleb never gave up showing Jenny just how much he loved her.
Jenny was a little harder for me to like. While I understood her initial reaction to her mother's marriage, I thought she held on to those feelings for too long. It really made her seem kind of childish. I really didn't like the way that she couldn't even make herself be nice to her little brother. It took Caleb to get her to ease into a relationship with little Sean. I even would have understood her feelings if the O'Briens had treated her like an outsider, but they didn't. Every one of them treated her as part of the family even before her mom married Thomas, so I just didn't get it. I was happy to see her finally start to act like an adult and apologize for being a brat. When it came to her and Caleb, I completely understood her feelings. She had been so devastated that she didn't want to risk her heart again. But it didn't take long for her to realize that she still loved him, she just had to decide if she was ready to do something about it. His understanding of her feelings about the Christmas decorations and his finding of the Christmas train broke down the last walls, but she was still reluctant to go that final step. There was one last obstacle to overcome, but Caleb's big moment was so sweet and moving.
I really enjoyed seeing the various members of the O'Briens and their parts in getting Caleb and Jenny back together. It was great to see their support of Jenny and how that support also included their trademark meddling.
July 31, 2013
4 STARS
I want to go and see a Christmas play! Listen to the music and go see the train with Santa riding in it. Merry Christmas.
This is a heart warming story of love and forgiveness. Of being with family to share with. Lots of O'Brien too add into the fun.
Their was a little of the story that I could see coming a long ways from. I read this book fast did not want anything but to read and find out how it will
all come together.
Jenny is a very talented song writer. She has not been home for years. She has only seen her half brother when he was born. Now after a very public breakup
with Caleb in the tabloids she is going home. She is going to help write songs too go along with Bree's play she wrote.
Caleb knew he had blown the best things in his life. He wants Jenny back. He has sobered up in rehab. Now he wants to get his life and career back. He has heard Jenny's new song and he wants it. They had worked great together in the past. He follows her to her hometown.
When Bree learns Caleb is going to be in town as long as it took to earn Jenny's heart back, she asks," Caleb to be in her Christmas play?" Caleb thinks it would be great for his career and it would force Jenny to work with him again.
Most of the O'Briens are ready to give him one chance, but warn him not to hurt Jenny again.
I laughed, got in the mood for hot chocolate even though it's in the 90s. I was left with a smile and for once wanting a book to come with CD of new music that Jenny wrote.
I was given this ebook to read and asked to give honest review of it by NetGalley and Harlequin.
publication: September 24th 2013 by Harlequin MIRA 288 pages ISBN 9780778315117
Description below taken off of NetGalley
#1 New York Times bestselling author Sherryl Woods takes you back to Chesapeake Shores for another heartwarming holiday season
As the only child of a single mom, Jenny Collins wanted nothing more than to be part of a large, rambunctious family like the O'Briens. Ironically, though, when her mother married into that family, Jenny found herself feeling more like an outsider than ever.
Now, after years in Nashville as an established songwriter, Jenny's drawn back to Chesapeake Shores to collaborate on a Christmas production…and to make peace with the past. As if that's not challenging enough, Caleb Green, the singer who broke her heart, has followed her to town, determined to win her back.
With the help of a little O'Brien holiday magic, will Jenny and Caleb find a way to make sweet music forever?
September 26, 2013
I thought Jenny was incredibly immature but at least she acknowledged it and worked on making things better. Though her behavior to her much much much younger brother was churlish and heartless. Caleb, the hero, was a selfish jerk. Then there is Bree who insists Caleb work with Jenny on her play for the publicity no matter how much Caleb has hurt Jenny, her family. The old saying "with friends like this.." comes to mind.
I thought this book was filled with unlikable people with selfish motives. I don't recall reading others in this series, and after this I have absolutely no interest in checking out the back list.
I thought this book was filled with unlikable people with selfish motives. I don't recall reading others in this series, and after this I have absolutely no interest in checking out the back list.
October 19, 2018
I did not enjoy this book and should not have finished it. I found the main protagonist, Jenny, to be overly sensitive, whiny, self-absorbed and completely unlikable. Jenny, a famous songwriter (I believe she was 24) returned to Chesapeake Shores after a long estrangement with her mother (her mother committed the mortal sin of remarrying). Her ex-boyfriend Caleb ( a famous singer) who cheated on her, followed her to her hometown because she is the love of his life and he needs to get her back. A little stalkerish, but hey when you are handsome and famous, I guess it's ok. And the way Jenny treated her little brother was pathetic and immature. Her jealously was just gross. Apparently the other books in the series have more merit, I don't know that I can push myself to try another one.
October 18, 2018
A sweet romance set in Chesapeake Shores. It is the story of Jenny Collins and Caleb Green. Jenny returns home still upset by her very public breakup from Caleb. She also is still nursing hurts from her mother's marriage to Thomas O'Brien and the birth of their son who is now four. Jenny needs to learn forgiveness and to give Caleb a second chance. The book was a quick easy read.
August 11, 2016
Two-haiku review:
She's home for Christmas
Patching up with family
Ex follows her there
Very sweet story
Perfect time for forgiveness
And righting own wrongs
She's home for Christmas
Patching up with family
Ex follows her there
Very sweet story
Perfect time for forgiveness
And righting own wrongs
December 14, 2016
A quick Christmas read. Romance
August 18, 2018
Heartwarming Christmas book. It puts you in the holiday mood while giving you a sweet romance.
September 12, 2018
A happy book
I enjoyed reading this book. I love Christmas romance stories. Can't wait to read the next in the series. Well done Sherryl. Highly recommend
I enjoyed reading this book. I love Christmas romance stories. Can't wait to read the next in the series. Well done Sherryl. Highly recommend
December 19, 2023
3.5 stars
I love this series.
That being said, I enjoyed this book overall but I couldn’t stand the protagonist Jenny Collins. She was a self absorbed woman. Argh! I did somehow enjoy being in one of my favorite towns.
I love this series.
That being said, I enjoyed this book overall but I couldn’t stand the protagonist Jenny Collins. She was a self absorbed woman. Argh! I did somehow enjoy being in one of my favorite towns.
November 20, 2024
I had picked up this book at a library sale & it's been waiting on my book case for the holidays. This was my first Sherryl Woods book and first Chesapeake Shores novel. I enjoyed this holiday story and will definitely read more from this author!
September 16, 2024
A Seaside Christmas #10 Chesapeake Shores
3🌟
3🌟
January 29, 2025
This Chesapeake Shores book has the O'Brien family together for Christmas. This is a story of heartbreak, second chances, and learning to trust again.
November 30, 2017
This was a cute book! Not life-changing but a good start on seasonal reads after my Lost bail. I had a few issues with the male love interest, but that was more of a personal thing, and I think most people won’t mind. If you like romances about second chances and stubborn families, this is a solid pick!
November 22, 2017
I really enjoy reading Christmas themed books this time of year and I've been waiting to read this one. I enjoy my visits to Chesapeake shores every book.
August 27, 2013
A Seaside Christmas by Sherryl Woods
This family saga is about Jenny Collins=her mom went and married the elder O'Brien and they had a son. She just didn't fit in but her aunt Bree talked her into coming back after years of trying other things: college and songwriting in Nashville. She had broken up a year ago with Caleb Green.
This book also follows Caleb and his life in Nashville, listening to others sing Jennie's songs. He wants to buy that song and will go to Chesapeake Shores and talk to her-something he hadn't done when they broke up.
In town everybody in the family is trying to get Jenny on board to attend the welcome home party and to make amends with her mother... She's also working with Bree on the Christmas play songs. Caleb hits town to apologize to Jenny...
Dillon, another local guy she used to play music with is divorced and wants to date her. Super surprise what her mom and step-dad give her when she's back in town, it's so perfect.
To help Bree and her new production company they agree to work together so she'll have a really good season.
Love catching up with all the families and especially during the holiday season.
Caleb's idea to decorate her yard with decorations-he gets the go ahead by Bree who in turn sends all the males to the house to help complete the job. They hope she appreciates and likes it especially the special piece he found.
He wins the males over with the lure of a benefit concert for their land and preservation ideas...
Jenny listens to how he's changed and she's seen it for herself but she has some doubts he will go back to his bad ole self ... and he does have the part where he kisses the older female in the play...til she finds out another reason he came to town...
I received this book from Net Galley via Harlequin MIRA in exchange for my honest review.
This family saga is about Jenny Collins=her mom went and married the elder O'Brien and they had a son. She just didn't fit in but her aunt Bree talked her into coming back after years of trying other things: college and songwriting in Nashville. She had broken up a year ago with Caleb Green.
This book also follows Caleb and his life in Nashville, listening to others sing Jennie's songs. He wants to buy that song and will go to Chesapeake Shores and talk to her-something he hadn't done when they broke up.
In town everybody in the family is trying to get Jenny on board to attend the welcome home party and to make amends with her mother... She's also working with Bree on the Christmas play songs. Caleb hits town to apologize to Jenny...
Dillon, another local guy she used to play music with is divorced and wants to date her. Super surprise what her mom and step-dad give her when she's back in town, it's so perfect.
To help Bree and her new production company they agree to work together so she'll have a really good season.
Love catching up with all the families and especially during the holiday season.
Caleb's idea to decorate her yard with decorations-he gets the go ahead by Bree who in turn sends all the males to the house to help complete the job. They hope she appreciates and likes it especially the special piece he found.
He wins the males over with the lure of a benefit concert for their land and preservation ideas...
Jenny listens to how he's changed and she's seen it for herself but she has some doubts he will go back to his bad ole self ... and he does have the part where he kisses the older female in the play...til she finds out another reason he came to town...
I received this book from Net Galley via Harlequin MIRA in exchange for my honest review.
September 17, 2013
#1 New York Times bestselling author Sherryl Woods takes you back to Chesapeake Shores for another heartwarming holiday season
As the only child of a single mom, Jenny Collins wanted nothing more than to be part of a large, rambunctious family like the O'Briens. Ironically, though, when her mother married into that family, Jenny found herself feeling more like an outsider than ever.
Now, after years in Nashville as an established songwriter, Jenny's drawn back to Chesapeake Shores to collaborate on a Christmas production, and to make peace with the past. As if that's not challenging enough, Caleb Green, the singer who broke her heart, has followed her to town, determined to win her back.
With the help of a little O'Brien holiday magic, will Jenny and Caleb find a way to make sweet music forever.
MY REVIEW:
This was my first book to read from the Chesapeake Shore Series. I don't know if that is good or bad since it is the newest and I missed everything that lead up to this one. I read this book for a book tour and was lucky enough to read this as an ARC before its release in Oct.
The book has a theme of betrayal and forgiveness. I liked the book because it was an easy read about how the members of a family help and support one another whenever needed in coping with life's ups and downs.I like to read about close knit families. The setting is in a small town which I like to read about also. I liked the outcome of the story since it ended on a happy note.
However, I found the plot to be too simple and predictable with no twists which I like in books. I felt the book was not captivating enough for me. This does not mean I will not go back and read the other books in the series. I would like to learn more about the characters.
September 22, 2013
In this installment of the series, Jenny Collins returns to Chesepeake Shores for the holiday season to help a family member with her annual Christmas play. She is also running away from Nashville, where she is a celebrated songwriter, trying to escape from the publicity caused by her very public breakup with Country superstar Caleb Green.
For me, a romance book has to have something other than just the romance to entice me. In the case of this book, there were several things that fit that bill. First of all, the characters in Sherryl Woods O'Brian series, if this book is any indication, encompass just he right mix of compassion, family loyalty, and pragmatism, yet they aren't at all one dimensional. Also, as a Country music fan, the country music backdrop was definitely a plus. I found myself through out the book associating both Jenny and Caleb with my favorite Country stars. Last, I loved the whole focus on the Christmas musical. I am a sucker for musicals AND Christmas musicals in particular. The fact that the author referenced all my favorite Christmas movies was not lost on me. By the time the book was finished, I not only wanted to go to Broadway and see the play, but I wanted to dig out all of my faves, White Christmas, It's a Wonderful Life, etc. and watch one after the other.
After reading this book, I have decided that I need to go back and read the other books in the series. I really want to get to know all of the O'Brians better. If the book can do that to me, I am sure it will do the same for other readers. That, in my mind, makes it a huge success.
A big thanks to Sherryl Woods, Harlequin MIRA, and Melissa for putting this tour together and giving me a chance to read this book in exchange for my review.
For me, a romance book has to have something other than just the romance to entice me. In the case of this book, there were several things that fit that bill. First of all, the characters in Sherryl Woods O'Brian series, if this book is any indication, encompass just he right mix of compassion, family loyalty, and pragmatism, yet they aren't at all one dimensional. Also, as a Country music fan, the country music backdrop was definitely a plus. I found myself through out the book associating both Jenny and Caleb with my favorite Country stars. Last, I loved the whole focus on the Christmas musical. I am a sucker for musicals AND Christmas musicals in particular. The fact that the author referenced all my favorite Christmas movies was not lost on me. By the time the book was finished, I not only wanted to go to Broadway and see the play, but I wanted to dig out all of my faves, White Christmas, It's a Wonderful Life, etc. and watch one after the other.
After reading this book, I have decided that I need to go back and read the other books in the series. I really want to get to know all of the O'Brians better. If the book can do that to me, I am sure it will do the same for other readers. That, in my mind, makes it a huge success.
A big thanks to Sherryl Woods, Harlequin MIRA, and Melissa for putting this tour together and giving me a chance to read this book in exchange for my review.
September 29, 2013
I am so happy to be reunited with the O'Brien's, especially for Christmas. Sherryl Woods brought back my favorite characters and I was able to get a glimpse on what has happened since the last time I visited Chesapeake Shores. Jenny and Caleb story is a second chance story, forgiving and forgetting. I liked that Sherryl didn't spend too much time elaborating on Caleb's cheating, but more on his learning from life's lessons, without stumbling and suffering we would never learn from our mistakes or learn how to move on.
As I was reading this book, it became clear to me that every reader has a different experience of a story and a different interpretation; this is what makes reading so interesting. An author provides a story and each of us can take a different meaning to how the story goes. I say this because I am not finding Jenny's and Caleb's character to be that flawed, not anymore than I would find a character in another book. These "flaws" give depth to the character, give them a realistic human element. I find that first impressions of a character can make or break you relating to them.
I also find that I need to switch up my genres to give a book its justice, if I read too many historical romances in a row, I start losing interest . so I read some paranormal romance, then western romance it helps clear my head...
For those reading our reviews, don't let our words determine if you pick the book up
You can find more book reviews at Forever Book Lover
As I was reading this book, it became clear to me that every reader has a different experience of a story and a different interpretation; this is what makes reading so interesting. An author provides a story and each of us can take a different meaning to how the story goes. I say this because I am not finding Jenny's and Caleb's character to be that flawed, not anymore than I would find a character in another book. These "flaws" give depth to the character, give them a realistic human element. I find that first impressions of a character can make or break you relating to them.
I also find that I need to switch up my genres to give a book its justice, if I read too many historical romances in a row, I start losing interest . so I read some paranormal romance, then western romance it helps clear my head...
For those reading our reviews, don't let our words determine if you pick the book up
You can find more book reviews at Forever Book Lover
October 15, 2013
This is a hard book for me to review. I love Sherryl Woods and the Chesapeake Shore series, but I wonder how authors come up with these idyllic locations on the Chesapeake. Having live there for many years, I am still searching for them. In this book, we are supposed to love Jenny, the prodigal daughter, who took off for Nashville, became a famous song writer, fell in love with and was betrayed by Caleb, and has now returned to her birthplace to try to lose her anger at Caleb, mend fences with her recently mother, little brother and step-father. However, Jenny comes across as a spoiled brat, who has never grown up. Perhaps that is how the author meant her to be, but it did not engender any love for her from me. Then there is Caleb, the rat who betrayed Jenny with another woman and only make (not to mention how the tabloid coverage only increased the pain). Still, Caleb follows Jenny to make things right, to apologize—to do anything to win her back. Throughout the story, Caleb shows more maturity, understanding and acceptance than Jenny ever does. I found him more admirable than Jenny ever was. This is a good story for the season, filled with love, redemption, and family, but there is nothing new or earth-shattering about it, so whether you like it or not depends on what you are looking for. It helps to have read the rest of the books in the series because many of the characters mentioned in them appear in the story with little or no background.
December 5, 2014
the book is okay. a bit boring coz we all know where its going to end up. there was very little conflict. chapter after chapter we just read how caleb is going to slowly heal her broken heart which he broke in the firat place. i dont buy his im a nice guy attitude. his sudden transformation from bad boy to mr perfect feels so fake and instead of trying to win her over sincerely, hes a bit smug, feeling like jenny cant resist him and hes doing her favor by being a gentleman. on the other hand while i know the obriens are nosy and overwhelming, jenny is so childish and bratty to get angry with her mom for getting married and running away from her family. cant believe she felt betrayed and was jealous of her 4yo brother. they had very few scenese together except for that stupid train scene where she finally cried. i mean damn its just a train from your childhood get over yourself. im not sure how old she is now but if she has that kind of issues with her family im not sure how she can be in a healthy rship with another person. the obriens are meddling and pushy and while bree has good intentions she is so annoying that everything feels forced. bree is such a fame whore and has no qualms in using caleb and jenny to get to broadway. the finale with caleb singing jennys song was really cheesy.
February 9, 2017
I'm not sure Sherryl Woods is for me. This is straight-up chick lit rather than the New Adult romance I love. The story stretches out a bit too much; the whole plot hinges on whether or not Jenny is going to take back Caleb who "done her wrong." Obviously we're going to get a happy ending but it takes the whole book! No other conflict comes into play and there isn't any back story as to what happened for Caleb to screw up. Add to that Jenny's absolutely not!/well maybe/ok reluctantly attitude and I almost DNF'd it.
So this was as much as a lesson in patience as it was a love story. Christina Traister was excellent as usual on audio. I do wish she'd be less breathy with her lower ranges when she does the male voices, but her voice acting and expression are spot on. I think I'd have given up if not for her great narration.
So this was as much as a lesson in patience as it was a love story. Christina Traister was excellent as usual on audio. I do wish she'd be less breathy with her lower ranges when she does the male voices, but her voice acting and expression are spot on. I think I'd have given up if not for her great narration.
August 12, 2013
I love this family so much. I was so excited that Sherryl Wood was continuing the story of the series. It starts out with Jenny coming back home after being away for several years. Jenny definitely grew up that she knows that she needs to fix her family rift and her heart. Jenny has trust issues that she felt betrayal when her mother remarried again. She feels an outsider because she knows she is not apart of this family. Her former flame, Caleb, comes for her because he love her so much that he will do anything to prove it. He helps her realize that she is a part of this family that she needs to let go of this anger. This book will definitely make you laugh, cry, and happy. I love reading this book. Everyone should read it!
eARC from NetGalley
eARC from NetGalley
February 24, 2014
I've enjoyed the other Chesapeake Shores stories I've read and like Sherryl Woods' writing. This book really bugged me though.
August 17, 2013
What could be more perfect than a Christmas love story by Sheryl Woods. We met Jenny in an earlier novel and she has certainly met her match in this book. I love the Chesapeake setting and love getting reacquainted with the O'Brians.
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