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Set: A Love Story
"Set: A Love Story" is a heartwarming account of an American woman's journey from childhood trauma and loss to renewed strength and trust through deep romantic love in Patagonia, South America, one of the most beautiful places on earth. The story includes rich descriptions of Argentina, including real-life accounts of tango, fly-fishing, trekking, and whale watching. The book includes beautiful cover art by world-renowned Argentina painter Georg Miciu and is rated with 5 stars on Amazon. Profits from the sale of this book are donated to select members of the Patagonia guiding community to promote economic growth and environmental sustainability. A summary of the story follows:
Kate is a successful journalist at the Chicago Tribune who suffered loss and trauma as a child. One day, she reconnects with Andrew, an old friend. When he takes her on a fly-fishing trip to the beautiful and exotic region of Patagonia, Argentina, she falls in love with Nico, their kind and handsome fishing guide. When Kate is scheduled to leave, she faces a powerful dilemma: Should she risk everything to move to Patagonia for the possibility of a romance with Nico? Does Nico care for her as much as she cares for him? How does she tell Andrew, who is in love with her, yet can't express it because of his own painful past?
Kate is a successful journalist at the Chicago Tribune who suffered loss and trauma as a child. One day, she reconnects with Andrew, an old friend. When he takes her on a fly-fishing trip to the beautiful and exotic region of Patagonia, Argentina, she falls in love with Nico, their kind and handsome fishing guide. When Kate is scheduled to leave, she faces a powerful dilemma: Should she risk everything to move to Patagonia for the possibility of a romance with Nico? Does Nico care for her as much as she cares for him? How does she tell Andrew, who is in love with her, yet can't express it because of his own painful past?
- GenresRomance
236 pages, Paperback
First published December 19, 2014
4 people are currently reading
551 people want to read
About the author
Karen Dodson
2 books6 followersKaren Dodson was born and raised in the Chicago area and worked as a daily newspaper journalist during the early part of her career. She has an undergraduate degree in biology and communications and in December 2014 graduated from the Executive Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) program at Washington University in St. Louis, Mo.
A former figure skater, Karen loves outdoor adventure, including trekking, biking and swimming, and she frequently travels to Patagonia, South America to fly-fish with her husband, Dr. Ed Dodson. In 2013, Karen visited Argentina to trek on the Perito Moreno glacier and to the base of Mt. Fitz Roy, the inspiration for the Patagonia company clothing label. Her experiences and friendships in Patagonia inspired her to write her first novel entitled Set: A Love Story and, with information gained through her new M.B.A., to develop Reveal Patagonia (http://www.revealpatagonia.com), a company that offers excursions to the Patagonia region of Argentina and Chile. The author is pictured on this page with Magellanic penguins in the background on the Valdés Peninsula in Argentina.
A former figure skater, Karen loves outdoor adventure, including trekking, biking and swimming, and she frequently travels to Patagonia, South America to fly-fish with her husband, Dr. Ed Dodson. In 2013, Karen visited Argentina to trek on the Perito Moreno glacier and to the base of Mt. Fitz Roy, the inspiration for the Patagonia company clothing label. Her experiences and friendships in Patagonia inspired her to write her first novel entitled Set: A Love Story and, with information gained through her new M.B.A., to develop Reveal Patagonia (http://www.revealpatagonia.com), a company that offers excursions to the Patagonia region of Argentina and Chile. The author is pictured on this page with Magellanic penguins in the background on the Valdés Peninsula in Argentina.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
April 12, 2015
When I was first notified that I won this book, I was hesitant. I am so glad I jumped in! Part travelogue, part romance, part life affirming, this book creates a whole story of adventure. I may not want to go to Patagonia, but I do feel encouraged to seek new life adventures. Thanks for writing this book!
April 11, 2015
RECEIVED FREE THROUGH GOODREADS FIRST READS.
Wasn't sure about this read. What do i know from fly-fishing?? Well, it's just the vehicle used to get to the love story.
Heartbreaking, heartwarming and a lesson in life. Follow your heart and everything else will fall into place.
I truly enjoyed this read. You will too.
Wasn't sure about this read. What do i know from fly-fishing?? Well, it's just the vehicle used to get to the love story.
Heartbreaking, heartwarming and a lesson in life. Follow your heart and everything else will fall into place.
I truly enjoyed this read. You will too.
January 5, 2015
This is a good fish story! I heard about it from a friend and read some of hers and just bought it to read on my iPhone. I’m from a fly fishing family and my favorite getaway in college was to fly fish on the Esopus Creek in New York, a tributary of the Hudson River. This book captures perfectly the challenges and frustrations of learning how to fly fish and the thrill of the “set” when the fish finally takes the hook and is landed. I also enjoyed the author’s descriptions of Buenos Aires and Patagonia, and I’m already planning my first trip! I thought the love story was nice (even though I'm not usually into those) and I thought the author did a great job with the progression of the relationship between Kate, the main character, and Nico, her guide. The cover art is a nice touch since it’s by an Argentina artist and the author even added some design features in the book that look like waves and fishing lines. I admit I was “hooked” the whole time that I was reading the book. A very creative way of presenting fly fishing in Patagonia! With the fishing details, this is a great book for men as well as women.
June 17, 2016
Eu ganhei este livro no Goodreads.
A principio achei a história uma pouco lenta e não entendi, não aceitei a decisão dela, ao reencontrar um velho conhecido, Andrew e aceita viver com ele uma relação insossa, e mesmo assim decide ir com ele para a Patagônia, onde percebe que sua relação está fadada ao fracasso. E então ela encontra Nico, o guia que é um homem diferente e que já esta comprometido e preso a outra por sentimento de dever e pena. Ela, Kate retorna para Chicago e não consegue esquecê-lo. Então decide jogar tudo para o alto e retornar para a Patagônia e lá encontra Nico novamente.
Duas estrelas e meia, achei a relação tanto dela com Andrew quanto seu relacionamento com Nico sem graça.
Não senti que houve nenhuma ligação forte entre eles inicialmente. E então, quando ela volta para Patagônia se atira literalmente nos braços dele.
Foi isso que não me convenceu, embora, seja bem escrito. Duas estrelas e meia, porque senti vontade de parar a leitura logo no início.
A principio achei a história uma pouco lenta e não entendi, não aceitei a decisão dela, ao reencontrar um velho conhecido, Andrew e aceita viver com ele uma relação insossa, e mesmo assim decide ir com ele para a Patagônia, onde percebe que sua relação está fadada ao fracasso. E então ela encontra Nico, o guia que é um homem diferente e que já esta comprometido e preso a outra por sentimento de dever e pena. Ela, Kate retorna para Chicago e não consegue esquecê-lo. Então decide jogar tudo para o alto e retornar para a Patagônia e lá encontra Nico novamente.
Duas estrelas e meia, achei a relação tanto dela com Andrew quanto seu relacionamento com Nico sem graça.
Não senti que houve nenhuma ligação forte entre eles inicialmente. E então, quando ela volta para Patagônia se atira literalmente nos braços dele.
Foi isso que não me convenceu, embora, seja bem escrito. Duas estrelas e meia, porque senti vontade de parar a leitura logo no início.
December 30, 2014
Set makes me want to pack my bags and head back to Patagonia immediately! The author has done a fabulous job describing this beautiful part of the world; the people, the food, and the incredible landscape. I can vividly picture the rivers, glaciers and most importantly...the empanadas! I loved reading this story as it reminded me of my first visit to Patagonia and the memories I have of fly-fishing there with my dad.
February 12, 2015
It is a beautiful love story that kept me intently reading until the end. I couldn’t put the book down! I truly enjoyed getting immersed in the depth of Kate’s character and her relationships with various people in her life, both past and present. I also liked reading about the beauty of Patagonia. The description gave me a visual insight into that region of South America. Kate’s journey allowed her to learn and find the true meaning of love. Great book!!
January 27, 2017
Although this book is from a new author (I won it in a Goodreads Giveaway yonks ago and have just got around to reading it), you wouldn't really know. It's bound as a slightly-larger-than-usual paperback which does make it feel a little off, but from the story inside you'd be hard pushed to tell this apart from any other professional romance author. There weren't any of the pesky typos or formatting errors that can plague self-published works.
I enjoyed the descriptions of Patagonia. The book really sold the area and lifestyle and it was good to read a book set somewhere totally different. I liked the story well enough in terms of Kate finding herself and making peace with her past. I less enjoyed the romance with Nico, which is a shame as that was the main point of the story! It would have been nice if Kate had made the realisations herself without there being a hunky fishing instructor to spur her into action. A little bit of girl power wouldn't have gone amiss here. As RuPaul would say: if you can't love yourself, how the hell you gon' love somebody else?
I just didn't totally buy how this fleeting holiday fling translated into a full blown romance. By her own admission, Kate and Nico had very little in common beyond a shared love of fly fishing. There was no problem with the bedroom side of things, but it left me wondering whether the two of them really would live happily ever after once the initial lust faded. It doesn't seem like a solid basis for a relationship to me, but perhaps I live too much in the real world. If you can suspend your disbelief and just go with it, you will get more out of this book than I did. For me, I think the setting carries the narrative somewhat, but I did like it overall.
I enjoyed the descriptions of Patagonia. The book really sold the area and lifestyle and it was good to read a book set somewhere totally different. I liked the story well enough in terms of Kate finding herself and making peace with her past. I less enjoyed the romance with Nico, which is a shame as that was the main point of the story! It would have been nice if Kate had made the realisations herself without there being a hunky fishing instructor to spur her into action. A little bit of girl power wouldn't have gone amiss here. As RuPaul would say: if you can't love yourself, how the hell you gon' love somebody else?
I just didn't totally buy how this fleeting holiday fling translated into a full blown romance. By her own admission, Kate and Nico had very little in common beyond a shared love of fly fishing. There was no problem with the bedroom side of things, but it left me wondering whether the two of them really would live happily ever after once the initial lust faded. It doesn't seem like a solid basis for a relationship to me, but perhaps I live too much in the real world. If you can suspend your disbelief and just go with it, you will get more out of this book than I did. For me, I think the setting carries the narrative somewhat, but I did like it overall.
March 23, 2016
Set A Love Story, by Karen Dodson, is my one thirty-seventh book that I have received and read from Goodreads. This is my first book that I have read from this author. It is a really great love story. I thought that the story taught alot of lessons in life. Kate had few people in her life that really new her. She had trouble building up trust in people because of her past.
The author does a great job of describing and developing the characters in the story. She does a fantastic job describing the beauty of Pataggnia Argentina. You can easily visualize the beautiful landscapes and the meandering rivers with the people fly fishing. The way the author tells you about fly fishing, you feel your their and able to fly fish.
In the story Kate has been married to a guy when they were young, and it didn't work out. Then she lived with the second guy that had a really bad attitude. He always made her feel belittled, and second best compared to him. The third guy she met on a fishing trip to Argentina, she fell in love at first site. She ended up leaving her job and the United States to be with him.
You will have to read the whole story to find out all the details. I would like to thank the author for taking the time to sign my book, plus sending a publishing card on the story. Keep writing , will read more of your books.
The author does a great job of describing and developing the characters in the story. She does a fantastic job describing the beauty of Pataggnia Argentina. You can easily visualize the beautiful landscapes and the meandering rivers with the people fly fishing. The way the author tells you about fly fishing, you feel your their and able to fly fish.
In the story Kate has been married to a guy when they were young, and it didn't work out. Then she lived with the second guy that had a really bad attitude. He always made her feel belittled, and second best compared to him. The third guy she met on a fishing trip to Argentina, she fell in love at first site. She ended up leaving her job and the United States to be with him.
You will have to read the whole story to find out all the details. I would like to thank the author for taking the time to sign my book, plus sending a publishing card on the story. Keep writing , will read more of your books.
July 8, 2015
I received a copy of this book through a First Reads Giveaway.
This book is not like any other love story I have ever read, though there are familiar elements or tropes. Our main character is Kate, a journalist who is in a relationship with a man who is clearly and obviously wrong for her (or for any woman for that matter). Kate and her boyfriend go on a trip together to Patagonia, Argentina where they fly-fish, which is a hobby that her boyfriend taught her all about. I have to say that I was impressed with how interesting and engaging the fishing elements of the book were; they were presented in a way which maintained my attention throughout. I also found the descriptions of the gear, some handmade, to be a beautiful way to introduce readers to an art form they may not be familiar with.
Back to the plot: Kate as our lead character was easy to follow, but she was a bit flat at times. I did not connect with her on a personal level. The same is true of most, if not all, of the characters. I liked Nico and thought the moments with him were interesting, but I just wanted more from him. The final chapter was beautiful and ended the story nicely. I also thought the integration of Spanish throughout was extremely well done. Overall, this was a lovely love story that I would recommend.
3.5 out of 5 stars.
This book is not like any other love story I have ever read, though there are familiar elements or tropes. Our main character is Kate, a journalist who is in a relationship with a man who is clearly and obviously wrong for her (or for any woman for that matter). Kate and her boyfriend go on a trip together to Patagonia, Argentina where they fly-fish, which is a hobby that her boyfriend taught her all about. I have to say that I was impressed with how interesting and engaging the fishing elements of the book were; they were presented in a way which maintained my attention throughout. I also found the descriptions of the gear, some handmade, to be a beautiful way to introduce readers to an art form they may not be familiar with.
Back to the plot: Kate as our lead character was easy to follow, but she was a bit flat at times. I did not connect with her on a personal level. The same is true of most, if not all, of the characters. I liked Nico and thought the moments with him were interesting, but I just wanted more from him. The final chapter was beautiful and ended the story nicely. I also thought the integration of Spanish throughout was extremely well done. Overall, this was a lovely love story that I would recommend.
3.5 out of 5 stars.
June 17, 2015
This is a modern days book, for men and women as well. The way nature is calling us in this book is stunning :D
Kates life is full of hardships, even if her career life is very stabil, her love life on the contrary. But everything changes when she meets Nico in the wonderful Patagonia. I really liked the simbolic fishing lines and expecially the cover of the book. The characters are very realistic,I liked that. Only Nico seams a little off for me, besides their way of sex life...I just couldnt feel his longing for Kate, if it hasnt been for his speech in the end I would be dissapointed. The story is written very good, I finished it very fast. I like that it is written in a monolog way, the story seems closer to the reader this way. The adventures and the peoples kindness makes me also want to visit Patagonia. :)
Kates life is full of hardships, even if her career life is very stabil, her love life on the contrary. But everything changes when she meets Nico in the wonderful Patagonia. I really liked the simbolic fishing lines and expecially the cover of the book. The characters are very realistic,I liked that. Only Nico seams a little off for me, besides their way of sex life...I just couldnt feel his longing for Kate, if it hasnt been for his speech in the end I would be dissapointed. The story is written very good, I finished it very fast. I like that it is written in a monolog way, the story seems closer to the reader this way. The adventures and the peoples kindness makes me also want to visit Patagonia. :)
July 12, 2015
I received this copy through Goodreads. A special thank you to Karen Dodson and Goodreads for giving me the opportunity to read this magnificent book!
A most beautiful love story with so much information about Patagonia, Argentina; a country that I knew nothing about. Now it is on my wish list to visit. The story was so intriguing, that I could not put it down and completed reading it on the same day.
I am especially happy to hear that the author is sharing the profits from this book with the Patagonia guiding community to promote economic growth and environmental sustainability.
A most beautiful love story with so much information about Patagonia, Argentina; a country that I knew nothing about. Now it is on my wish list to visit. The story was so intriguing, that I could not put it down and completed reading it on the same day.
I am especially happy to hear that the author is sharing the profits from this book with the Patagonia guiding community to promote economic growth and environmental sustainability.
June 9, 2016
Patagonia and Buenos Aires come alive in this heartwarming story featuring romance and fly-fishing. Vivid descriptions of the cities, the lifestyle and food are captured by the author, Karen Dodson.
When our protagonist Kate makes a significant change and leaves both her partner and America, we cheer and support her. Of course, as she embarks on the next phase of her life, we see the challenges she encounters.
I look forward to reading more by Karen Dodson.
Thank you GoodReads for the book.
December 15, 2015
'Set: A Love Story' is an interesting way of promoting the region of Patagonia. It is indeed a love story, but it is also about the courage it takes to go after your dreams and leave your old life behind. Won through Goodreads.
June 4, 2015
Won this Through Goodreads First Read.
Wasn't sure about this book at first but I'm now very glad I read it. Really easy to read and get interested in. Loved the style of writing. And the beautiful setting. Thank you for writing this book..
Wasn't sure about this book at first but I'm now very glad I read it. Really easy to read and get interested in. Loved the style of writing. And the beautiful setting. Thank you for writing this book..
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews