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That Summer Place
It's nothing special on the surface, merely a rambling old Victorian summerhouse on a secluded island, where the sky is blue and the water is clear. Yet after a month at the Rainshadow Lodge, people begin to change --- and fall in love. How else can you account for what happens to the most mismatched, unlikely couples?
There's Beth, who's stuck sharing the lodge with a complete stranger --- and a difficult one at that. And Mitch, a workaholic on a deadline who has to depend on free-spirited Rosie, who functions on "island time." Not to mention Catherine, who's falling in love with Michael, the lodge's handyman --- for the second time!
There's Beth, who's stuck sharing the lodge with a complete stranger --- and a difficult one at that. And Mitch, a workaholic on a deadline who has to depend on free-spirited Rosie, who functions on "island time." Not to mention Catherine, who's falling in love with Michael, the lodge's handyman --- for the second time!
377 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
276 people are currently reading
1895 people want to read
About the author
Jill Barnett
47 books545 followersNew York Times Bestselling Author Jill Barnett is master storyteller known for her beautifully-written love stories rich with humor, emotion, and poignancy. She is the winner of Lifetime Achievement Awards for Love and Laughter and Historical Romance and is a six-time Romance Writers of America RITA nominee and winner of both a Persie Award for Literature and a Waldenbooks Award. Her books have been named Best of the Year by Dallas Morning News, Detroit Free Press, and Kirkus Review and she was the first historical romance author to ever receive a starred review from Publishers Weekly. She stands alongside Judith McNaught as one of only two authors to ever receive a six-star review from Affaire de Coeur Magazine and her work has been published in 23 languages and appeared on numerous bestseller lists. She lives in the PNW with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 238 reviews
June 6, 2022
I borrowed this on a whim as my current audio book had expired without me realising. It was because Debbie Macomber was one of the authors. I hadn't read her since all of the series I loved years ago. I did notice Puget Sound mentioned, that bought back lots of memories of the series I loved years ago.
This was a mixed three part story revolving around a beautiful Victorian summer home that three women found love in. They were all a little too complete and perfect. I nearly thought I was listening to an abridged version.
Nonetheless it was still a peaceful story where everyone was nice and there was no vindictiveness at all. Children got along and associates called each other 'Miss' for example.
It was cute reading about children setting up their parents for a romantic relationship, but just all a little cutsie for me.
I'm sure there is a niche for this type of story, and a most happy ending and a much loved house that provided great memories for each of the three families. There was a great sense of home and description of the surrounds, I also found this in DM's stories, although this book wasn't all her, the two other authors I had not heard of.
This was a mixed three part story revolving around a beautiful Victorian summer home that three women found love in. They were all a little too complete and perfect. I nearly thought I was listening to an abridged version.
Nonetheless it was still a peaceful story where everyone was nice and there was no vindictiveness at all. Children got along and associates called each other 'Miss' for example.
It was cute reading about children setting up their parents for a romantic relationship, but just all a little cutsie for me.
I'm sure there is a niche for this type of story, and a most happy ending and a much loved house that provided great memories for each of the three families. There was a great sense of home and description of the surrounds, I also found this in DM's stories, although this book wasn't all her, the two other authors I had not heard of.
October 7, 2008
Terrible, Terrible, Terrible. I picked this book because I love Debbie Macomber and Susan WIggs books. They are almost always a good read. I have to say almost because I just read this compilation. The first story was okay, the second a little less okay, and the third just downright bad. I kept thinking that it had the feel of a Harlequin romance novel instead of the quality of writing I usually expect from these authors. I look to see when they had been written and suddenly a light bulb went on over my head. 1998- Back when these authors were still young in their craft and probably not writing to the level which we expect today. This is all well and good, but nothing on my newly purchased book suggests that its a repeat except when I went looking for the publication date. I guess I will have to check books by both these authors to make sure they are not reprints before I plop down my hard earned money. Not that I'm bitter =). More sad about wasting my reading time which is so precious.
April 12, 2018
"Das Sommerhaus des Glücks" beinhaltet drei Geschichten von drei verschiedenen Autoren, die alle auf der Insel Spruce Island in einem Ferienhaus spielen. Ich hatte erwartet, dass sich die Geschichten sich überschneiden, aber dies ist nicht der Fall.
Die erste Geschichte hat mir ganz gut gefallen. Ich fand Catherine und Michael sehr sympathisch und ihre gemeinsame Geschichte konnte mich gut unterhalten. Ich fand lediglich das Drama zum Ende ein wenig zu dramatisch und zu übertrieben. Das wäre meiner Meinung nach nicht nötig gewesen.
Die zweite Geschichte um Beth und John hat mir am besten gefallen. Ich fand es wirklich witzig wie die Kinder der beiden versucht haben die beiden zu verkuppeln bzw. immer mal wieder nachgeholfen haben, dass die beiden sich näher kommen.
In diesen beiden Geschichten konnte mich auch die leichte und sommerliche Atmosphäre überzeugen. Man musste sich auf der kleinen Insel und in dem Sommerhaus wohlfühlen.
Die dritte Geschichte konnte mich leider kaum bis gar nicht überzeugen. Es fehlte für mich einfach ein roter Faden und auch das Paar passte für mich überhaupt nicht. Da war leider keine Chemie spürbar und konnte mich daher nicht erreichen.
Die erste Geschichte hat mir ganz gut gefallen. Ich fand Catherine und Michael sehr sympathisch und ihre gemeinsame Geschichte konnte mich gut unterhalten. Ich fand lediglich das Drama zum Ende ein wenig zu dramatisch und zu übertrieben. Das wäre meiner Meinung nach nicht nötig gewesen.
Die zweite Geschichte um Beth und John hat mir am besten gefallen. Ich fand es wirklich witzig wie die Kinder der beiden versucht haben die beiden zu verkuppeln bzw. immer mal wieder nachgeholfen haben, dass die beiden sich näher kommen.
In diesen beiden Geschichten konnte mich auch die leichte und sommerliche Atmosphäre überzeugen. Man musste sich auf der kleinen Insel und in dem Sommerhaus wohlfühlen.
Die dritte Geschichte konnte mich leider kaum bis gar nicht überzeugen. Es fehlte für mich einfach ein roter Faden und auch das Paar passte für mich überhaupt nicht. Da war leider keine Chemie spürbar und konnte mich daher nicht erreichen.
September 11, 2020
Friends, stay away from the wanton Victorian perversion that is "That Summer Place." That summer place is full of smut and I'm not a prude, but the descriptions are tired and boring.
But if you're looking for a few stories that are romantic bouts of fun and all kinds of similar, look no further...this is your book. It's definitely a form of escapism but I'm not sure you want to go there. I equate this book with the joy I receive from eating sugarfree candy. It's just not quite right. Ha!
But if you're looking for a few stories that are romantic bouts of fun and all kinds of similar, look no further...this is your book. It's definitely a form of escapism but I'm not sure you want to go there. I equate this book with the joy I receive from eating sugarfree candy. It's just not quite right. Ha!
December 28, 2015
That Summer Place
Debbie Macomber
Jill Barnett
Susan Wiggs
I liked Old Things by Jill Barnett with the two daughters and the island's "handyman", someone from Catherine's past and will give it a 4 star. Two teenage girls on an island without TV can lead to a boring time. It was about love and memories. Some sexual content but no bad language.
Debbie Macomber knows how to write. Her Private Paradise with two strangers and their children was a fun read. A friend of Beth, a main character, says "God doesn't close a door without opening a window" but Beth responds with " Unfortunately a seagull just flew in that open window and pooped right on the carpet". It looks like they text each other all the time because at the beginning of the chapters there are messages to each other. A clean read and one that brings hope. As always, I give her writings a 5 star.
The third read is from Susan Wiggs and it is Island Time. It is my first read from her and I liked it but the sex was a little fast for me. This read is all about the area of Spruce Island and what nature has to offer. Makes you want to go there and see the beauty. It was a fun read about two different people, one who is so tied up with work habits and the other is more free living and sees the glass half full.
These are short reads about Rainshadow Lodge a, Victorian mansion on an island, and the stories about the people who stay there for a month.
May 20, 2018
Das Sommerhaus, in dem es im Titel geht, bildet den Rahmen für drei unabhängige Geschichten. Im Prinzip bekommt man hier also drei Kurzgeschichten in einem Band.
In der ersten treffen wir Catherine und ihre Töchter, die dort Urlaub machen, da bereits Catherine mit ihren Eltern dort Urlaub gemacht hat. Sie trifft dort auch ihre Jugendliebe Michael wieder
Im der zweiten Geschichte muss Beth feststellen, das aus dem Urlaub mit der besten Freundin nichts wird, da sich deren Mann das Bein gebrochen hat. Stattdessen müssen sie und ihr Sohn sich das Haus mit einem Arbeitskollegen teilen.
Und in der letzten Geschichte soll Rosie für Mitch ein Gutachten erstellen, damit er auf der Insel einen Jachthafen bauen kann.
Aller drei Geschichten sind Liebesgeschichten wie man sie von den Autorinnen erwarten würde, nur mit weniger Missverständnissen als sonst.
Da Buch als ganzes ist gute Unterhaltung für zwischendurch und eine schöne Auszeit.
Nichts wirklich besonderes, aber leichte Kost für zwischendrin.
Wer also leichte Lektüre für den Urlaub sucht ist hier sicher nicht falsch.
In der ersten treffen wir Catherine und ihre Töchter, die dort Urlaub machen, da bereits Catherine mit ihren Eltern dort Urlaub gemacht hat. Sie trifft dort auch ihre Jugendliebe Michael wieder
Im der zweiten Geschichte muss Beth feststellen, das aus dem Urlaub mit der besten Freundin nichts wird, da sich deren Mann das Bein gebrochen hat. Stattdessen müssen sie und ihr Sohn sich das Haus mit einem Arbeitskollegen teilen.
Und in der letzten Geschichte soll Rosie für Mitch ein Gutachten erstellen, damit er auf der Insel einen Jachthafen bauen kann.
Aller drei Geschichten sind Liebesgeschichten wie man sie von den Autorinnen erwarten würde, nur mit weniger Missverständnissen als sonst.
Da Buch als ganzes ist gute Unterhaltung für zwischendurch und eine schöne Auszeit.
Nichts wirklich besonderes, aber leichte Kost für zwischendrin.
Wer also leichte Lektüre für den Urlaub sucht ist hier sicher nicht falsch.
June 9, 2015
My husband and I laughed that this grocery store romance novel made me old at the age of 29. I picked it up because I had just finished another book that was much more intense and needed a light read. This was exactly that. I'm sure that I am not the intended audience for this book in that I found the stories pretty obviously romantic. All the stories had a man that was naturally good looking who had plenty of money but was missing the one thing it turned out he needed... love. Each story was good and stood up on its own and together they were even better. Once you get passed the cheese factor of this book its a pretty good read.
August 15, 2017
The first and second stories were my favorites. The third was sweet but not as enticing. Loved the way the "summer place" was a character in all three stories and it grew and evolved over time. Great summer read!
May 22, 2018
Three novellas in one volume. The first one was really good. After that they went downhill. The second one was ok and the third was downright awful.
May 30, 2019
3.5 stars. Reviews in the individual books.
June 3, 2020
I very much enjoyed all 3 stories in this book! I loved how they all tied together.
March 29, 2021
Just one of those books you want to read over and over again.
September 17, 2017
Books one and two were ok, but book three was too much of a romance for me so I didn't finish it. This is a compilation of 3 books that all feature the same summer home, with different families. A dated book.
June 1, 2020
A delightful beach read type book with 3 stories by different authors that all feature on the same setting.
August 1, 2023
Nice, easy read!
Read
August 3, 2019Old Things - Catherine Winslow was burned out at work. She needed a vacation that she hadn't taken in years. She worked as Executive VP for a relocation firm and needed a break. Her assistant had her feeling guilty as a mother of 2 daughters for not taking them on a vacation. It was time!
Catherine's first thought for a vacation spot was the place her parents always took her to, Spruce Island, off the coast of Washington. She had met Michael Packard there when she was 11 and he was 14. She followed him around when she was on the island and he considered her a pest. She was there every summer until she turned 14 and stayed away for 3 years. She had grown up during that time and she returned at 17 and they fell in love. Her father had caught them naked in the boathouse and they left the next morning. She hadn't been back since. She had written to him but received no response. She wondered what had happened to him but she met and married someone else. Her husband wasn't the commitment type and they divorced. He was killed in a traffic accident two years after the divorce. The kids didn't remember him much.
Michael had been drafted and gone to Vietnam. He returned to run a business which was very successful. He also decided to take a vacation back to the island where he had lived and grown up with his grandfather. They ran into each other there and Catherine thought he was still living on the island and was the handyman that his grandfather had been. Michael decided to play along for awhile. He didn't talk about work and she noticed that he seemed to avoid the subject. She didn't talk much about work either.
The girls wanted to learn how to sail so he had a boat sent to the island and he taught them. They spent most of their time together and the girls really liked him. He asked Catherine to come spend the night with him after a couple of weeks and she took him up on his offer. He got a phone call from work and she noticed some things around that house that didn't add up to him being a handyman. He told her that he was CEO of a company. She got angry and left after she told him who she worked for. She didn't realize it but she was pitching her company as the relocator for his company in a few weeks.
Michael was determined to not let her get away again after not seeing her for 30 years. She was now 47 and he was 50. They had been separated because her father told him that if he ever tried to contact Catherine, he would file rape charges against him. Michael never got the letters that she had sent to him. His grandfather was told what happened between them and he made sure that they didn't contact each other.
Michael had someone call Catherine's company and move the presentation date up. She was shocked when she saw that he was the CEO she was presenting to along with the board. They liked her presentation and she was offered the job. They talked privately for a few minutes but she was still angry. He chased her down in the elevator and told her that he had never stopped loving her and didn't want to let her go. She broke down and told him that she still loved him too.
Catherine worried about her looks and the shape of her body after 30 years. Michael told her that he loved 'Old Things'. He thought her beautiful.
Private Paradise - Mary Jane Reynold's husband, Dave, had accepted a project job for his company and the company rented a house on Spruce Island. Mary Jane invited her best friend, Beth Graham and her son to come stay with them for the month they were there. John fell off their roof and broke his leg just before they were supposed to leave. Beth and Paul were already on the island when they found out that someone else was going to arrive to take over the project.
John Livingstone arrived with his 12 yr old daughter a short time later. His mother had left them to marry someone she met on the internet and Nikki was still bitter about it. She would have been fine if John had kicked Beth and Paul out of the house but there was no where for them to stay on the island and John needed someone to stay with Nikki while he was at work. She agreed to cook their meals in exchange for staying in the house for the month. They appreciated being able to continue their vacation.
Nikki grew to like Paul and Beth. She accompanied them on their excursions and relaxed enough to enjoy herself. She and 15 yr old Paul decided that the adults would be good together and they began doing what they could to get them together. John did like Beth and they kissed once and John said he did it because he figured the kids had left them alone together on purpose and thought they were watching. He liked it and the four of them began to do things together.
The month was nearly over and Paul decided to have a talk with John to ask what his intentions were towards his mother. Paul told John that he was disappointed in his father because he found out that he was having an affair about a month before he died in an accident. He didn't know that his mother had found out because they were both afraid to tell each other.
John told Paul that he liked Beth and if Beth agreed, he would marry her. Beth talked with John and asked what he and Paul had discussed. They talked and decided to continue seeing each other after the month was over and see where their relationship went from there. They married before Christmas because they wanted to be together for the holidays.
Beth and Paul had talked about Jim's affair and death. She told Paul that she knew about the affair but didn't say anything because she loved him. She didn't want to damage Paul's memories of his father. She told Paul that she wasn't going to let Jim's actions interfere with her finding love with someone else. They both felt that John would be different and never cheat on Beth. Nikki needed a mother and she liked Beth. She knew that her own mother wasn't a good model for a mother. Beth would be more of a mother to her than her own was. The children very much approved of their parents marrying each other. Paul was the best man and Nikki was the maid of honor.
Island Time - Mitchell Baynes Rutherford III was hired to build a marina on Spruce Island. He was waiting at the ferry landing for the expert he had hired to make sure the marina wouldn't have a damaging effect on the wildlife of the island. The island people seemed to have their own sense of time, Island Time is what he called it. They arrived and worked on their own schedule. It wasn't like the fast pace of the city.
Rosalinda Lovejoy (Rosie) wasn't what he expected. She arrived in a broken down VW that almost didn't make it off. They had to push the car to a parking spot and left it till she had time and money to deal with the repairs. She would be on the island with Mitch for a month. Rosie had lost her job as a professor that she had held for 2 years after graduating from college. She was broke and needed the work. She could afford to get her car fixed until she had completed this project and gotten paid at the end of the month. She was looking forward to a summer on the island.
Mitch was struck at first sight by Rosie. She had shown up in a tight red dress speaking in fluent Spanish. She was full of energy and a complete opposite person from Mitch. Mitch had been raised in boarding schools with other wealthy kids. He didn't make room for emotions in his life. He was all about work. Rosie showed him different side of himself. He taught her how to balance her checkbook and budget her life. She taught him how to relax, let loose and dance. They were good for each other and started sleeping together after a couple of weeks.
Rosie had told Mitch that their relationship wouldn't have any affect on her decision as to if building the marina was a good idea or not. She ended up reporting that the marina would be hazardous to the wildlife on the island. Mitch was upset that she hadn't agreed but found he missed Rosie more. He found out from his secretary that Rosie had accepted a job in Seattle where he lived and he went to see her. Rosie had suggested that the island people start jobs by offering kayak tours around the island to increase their income and this was working our well. The island people weren't upset like Mitch thought they would be after the marina proposal fell through. Mitch found out that the tourism business had been Rosie's idea.
Mitch found Rosie at the ferry landing as she was headed home one afternoon. He told her that he loved her and missed her. He asked her to marry him and she told him she loved him to and she would marry him. She made him promise that they would visit their summer place for the month of August every year.
Catherine's first thought for a vacation spot was the place her parents always took her to, Spruce Island, off the coast of Washington. She had met Michael Packard there when she was 11 and he was 14. She followed him around when she was on the island and he considered her a pest. She was there every summer until she turned 14 and stayed away for 3 years. She had grown up during that time and she returned at 17 and they fell in love. Her father had caught them naked in the boathouse and they left the next morning. She hadn't been back since. She had written to him but received no response. She wondered what had happened to him but she met and married someone else. Her husband wasn't the commitment type and they divorced. He was killed in a traffic accident two years after the divorce. The kids didn't remember him much.
Michael had been drafted and gone to Vietnam. He returned to run a business which was very successful. He also decided to take a vacation back to the island where he had lived and grown up with his grandfather. They ran into each other there and Catherine thought he was still living on the island and was the handyman that his grandfather had been. Michael decided to play along for awhile. He didn't talk about work and she noticed that he seemed to avoid the subject. She didn't talk much about work either.
The girls wanted to learn how to sail so he had a boat sent to the island and he taught them. They spent most of their time together and the girls really liked him. He asked Catherine to come spend the night with him after a couple of weeks and she took him up on his offer. He got a phone call from work and she noticed some things around that house that didn't add up to him being a handyman. He told her that he was CEO of a company. She got angry and left after she told him who she worked for. She didn't realize it but she was pitching her company as the relocator for his company in a few weeks.
Michael was determined to not let her get away again after not seeing her for 30 years. She was now 47 and he was 50. They had been separated because her father told him that if he ever tried to contact Catherine, he would file rape charges against him. Michael never got the letters that she had sent to him. His grandfather was told what happened between them and he made sure that they didn't contact each other.
Michael had someone call Catherine's company and move the presentation date up. She was shocked when she saw that he was the CEO she was presenting to along with the board. They liked her presentation and she was offered the job. They talked privately for a few minutes but she was still angry. He chased her down in the elevator and told her that he had never stopped loving her and didn't want to let her go. She broke down and told him that she still loved him too.
Catherine worried about her looks and the shape of her body after 30 years. Michael told her that he loved 'Old Things'. He thought her beautiful.
Private Paradise - Mary Jane Reynold's husband, Dave, had accepted a project job for his company and the company rented a house on Spruce Island. Mary Jane invited her best friend, Beth Graham and her son to come stay with them for the month they were there. John fell off their roof and broke his leg just before they were supposed to leave. Beth and Paul were already on the island when they found out that someone else was going to arrive to take over the project.
John Livingstone arrived with his 12 yr old daughter a short time later. His mother had left them to marry someone she met on the internet and Nikki was still bitter about it. She would have been fine if John had kicked Beth and Paul out of the house but there was no where for them to stay on the island and John needed someone to stay with Nikki while he was at work. She agreed to cook their meals in exchange for staying in the house for the month. They appreciated being able to continue their vacation.
Nikki grew to like Paul and Beth. She accompanied them on their excursions and relaxed enough to enjoy herself. She and 15 yr old Paul decided that the adults would be good together and they began doing what they could to get them together. John did like Beth and they kissed once and John said he did it because he figured the kids had left them alone together on purpose and thought they were watching. He liked it and the four of them began to do things together.
The month was nearly over and Paul decided to have a talk with John to ask what his intentions were towards his mother. Paul told John that he was disappointed in his father because he found out that he was having an affair about a month before he died in an accident. He didn't know that his mother had found out because they were both afraid to tell each other.
John told Paul that he liked Beth and if Beth agreed, he would marry her. Beth talked with John and asked what he and Paul had discussed. They talked and decided to continue seeing each other after the month was over and see where their relationship went from there. They married before Christmas because they wanted to be together for the holidays.
Beth and Paul had talked about Jim's affair and death. She told Paul that she knew about the affair but didn't say anything because she loved him. She didn't want to damage Paul's memories of his father. She told Paul that she wasn't going to let Jim's actions interfere with her finding love with someone else. They both felt that John would be different and never cheat on Beth. Nikki needed a mother and she liked Beth. She knew that her own mother wasn't a good model for a mother. Beth would be more of a mother to her than her own was. The children very much approved of their parents marrying each other. Paul was the best man and Nikki was the maid of honor.
Island Time - Mitchell Baynes Rutherford III was hired to build a marina on Spruce Island. He was waiting at the ferry landing for the expert he had hired to make sure the marina wouldn't have a damaging effect on the wildlife of the island. The island people seemed to have their own sense of time, Island Time is what he called it. They arrived and worked on their own schedule. It wasn't like the fast pace of the city.
Rosalinda Lovejoy (Rosie) wasn't what he expected. She arrived in a broken down VW that almost didn't make it off. They had to push the car to a parking spot and left it till she had time and money to deal with the repairs. She would be on the island with Mitch for a month. Rosie had lost her job as a professor that she had held for 2 years after graduating from college. She was broke and needed the work. She could afford to get her car fixed until she had completed this project and gotten paid at the end of the month. She was looking forward to a summer on the island.
Mitch was struck at first sight by Rosie. She had shown up in a tight red dress speaking in fluent Spanish. She was full of energy and a complete opposite person from Mitch. Mitch had been raised in boarding schools with other wealthy kids. He didn't make room for emotions in his life. He was all about work. Rosie showed him different side of himself. He taught her how to balance her checkbook and budget her life. She taught him how to relax, let loose and dance. They were good for each other and started sleeping together after a couple of weeks.
Rosie had told Mitch that their relationship wouldn't have any affect on her decision as to if building the marina was a good idea or not. She ended up reporting that the marina would be hazardous to the wildlife on the island. Mitch was upset that she hadn't agreed but found he missed Rosie more. He found out from his secretary that Rosie had accepted a job in Seattle where he lived and he went to see her. Rosie had suggested that the island people start jobs by offering kayak tours around the island to increase their income and this was working our well. The island people weren't upset like Mitch thought they would be after the marina proposal fell through. Mitch found out that the tourism business had been Rosie's idea.
Mitch found Rosie at the ferry landing as she was headed home one afternoon. He told her that he loved her and missed her. He asked her to marry him and she told him she loved him to and she would marry him. She made him promise that they would visit their summer place for the month of August every year.
January 7, 2014
Loved this book. Apparently I read it sometime back and have just read it again. This book has three different stories:
Jill Barnett's "Old Things", Catherine revisits a secluded island that her family use to go to every summer. A place where she fell in love with Michael. It's years later and she discovers that he is still living there.
Debbie Macomber's "Private Paradise", Beth allows her best friend to talk her into going to a secluded island for an island getaway that her husband's work is paying for. Things don't work out to well for Beth's friends family, the husband has an accident and has to go in for surgery. They are unable to make it out. So they contact John, who has a rather unhappy teenage daughter in tow, and he goes out in their place with the intention of catching up on work. Beth and her son are both a big surprise to John and his daughter, as they were not told of her and her son't presence, and they find themselves having quite a different getaway than what they had planned.
Susan Wigg's "Island Time", Mitch has been hired to go out to an island to complete a study with a Marine Biologist. A company has hired him on to study the environment and get the go-ahead so that they can complete a marina that will bring in jobs and hopefully more people to visit the island. Rosie, is a free-spirited, live on her own time, unorganized, recently laid off and now out of work college professor. She's a big surprise to the tightly bound, overworked Mitch Rutherford.
Jill Barnett's "Old Things", Catherine revisits a secluded island that her family use to go to every summer. A place where she fell in love with Michael. It's years later and she discovers that he is still living there.
Debbie Macomber's "Private Paradise", Beth allows her best friend to talk her into going to a secluded island for an island getaway that her husband's work is paying for. Things don't work out to well for Beth's friends family, the husband has an accident and has to go in for surgery. They are unable to make it out. So they contact John, who has a rather unhappy teenage daughter in tow, and he goes out in their place with the intention of catching up on work. Beth and her son are both a big surprise to John and his daughter, as they were not told of her and her son't presence, and they find themselves having quite a different getaway than what they had planned.
Susan Wigg's "Island Time", Mitch has been hired to go out to an island to complete a study with a Marine Biologist. A company has hired him on to study the environment and get the go-ahead so that they can complete a marina that will bring in jobs and hopefully more people to visit the island. Rosie, is a free-spirited, live on her own time, unorganized, recently laid off and now out of work college professor. She's a big surprise to the tightly bound, overworked Mitch Rutherford.
June 26, 2015
I won this book as part of Harlequin's Mothers Day giveaway.
This was a real sweet read that I enjoyed very much. I had never read Susan Wiggs or Jill Barnett but now I won't pass up a book by either of them.
I really loved that all three stories take place at Rainshadow Lodge. In Old Things by Jill Barnett, Catherine and Michael encounter each other on vacation and are given a second chance at the love they had many years ago.
In Private Paradise by Debbie Macomber, Beth and her son Paul suddenly find themselves on vacation with a stranger by the name of John Livingstone and his very difficult daughter Nikki. What starts out as a disaster turns into one big happy family with two young matchmakers.
In Island Time by Susan Wiggs, Mitch is a workaholic with no time or desire for fun and relaxing. Along comes Rosie who will be his working partner for a whole month. Rosie has no part of 'all work' and shows Mitch how to have fun. In turn they discover a deep attraction for each other.
If you are looking for a light and sweet summer read with some laughs thrown in then this is for you. You will love it as much as I did.
This was a real sweet read that I enjoyed very much. I had never read Susan Wiggs or Jill Barnett but now I won't pass up a book by either of them.
I really loved that all three stories take place at Rainshadow Lodge. In Old Things by Jill Barnett, Catherine and Michael encounter each other on vacation and are given a second chance at the love they had many years ago.
In Private Paradise by Debbie Macomber, Beth and her son Paul suddenly find themselves on vacation with a stranger by the name of John Livingstone and his very difficult daughter Nikki. What starts out as a disaster turns into one big happy family with two young matchmakers.
In Island Time by Susan Wiggs, Mitch is a workaholic with no time or desire for fun and relaxing. Along comes Rosie who will be his working partner for a whole month. Rosie has no part of 'all work' and shows Mitch how to have fun. In turn they discover a deep attraction for each other.
If you are looking for a light and sweet summer read with some laughs thrown in then this is for you. You will love it as much as I did.
July 28, 2016
Three stories intertwine at one summer place in the San Juan Islands. The first is "Old Things" by Jill Barnett. Catherine Winslow is a successful woman. She has a great career and two wonderful daughters. But she's been busy, so she decides to take them to the same summer place where she used to go. The same summer place where she met her first love... who is also coincidentally on the island. Duh duh DUH! It's a cute story though. She thinks he's a plumber (sh, he's not). But they end up spending time on the island and all of the old feelings are still there.
Debbie Macomber's "Private Paradise" starts with Beth Graham excited to be going on vacation with her best friend, her friend's family and her own son. But then, her friend's husband breaks his leg, and they send another man (and his twelve-year-old rather petulant daughter). Beth's son quickly talks Dr. John Livingstone into letting them stay and romance blossoms.
The last story, "Island Time" by Susan Wiggs is your typical straight-laced executive whose life is turned around by a Latino woman.
Debbie Macomber's "Private Paradise" starts with Beth Graham excited to be going on vacation with her best friend, her friend's family and her own son. But then, her friend's husband breaks his leg, and they send another man (and his twelve-year-old rather petulant daughter). Beth's son quickly talks Dr. John Livingstone into letting them stay and romance blossoms.
The last story, "Island Time" by Susan Wiggs is your typical straight-laced executive whose life is turned around by a Latino woman.
August 4, 2013
This three book set centers around the same old victorian house on Spruce Island in Puget Sound. 3 delightful romances by 3 talented authors!
OLD THINGS by Jill Barnett: The story of Catherine and Michael is a deeply romantic journey of a second chance at love with your first love! Loved the character development and back story as well as the local flavor of the island that brought them back together! A MUST-READ for true romantics!
PRIVATE PARADISE by Debbie Macomber: John and Beth's story also includes their meddling children, Nikki and Paul, as fate brought them all together due to an accident! Sweet and romantic as only Debbie Macomber can do!!! DO NOT MISS reading this one!!
ISLAND TIME by Susan Wiggs: Mitch and Rosie's story is about how opposites truly do attract and can develop into something beautiful and lasting! Highly recommend this story too! Great set of delightful, soul touching romances!
OLD THINGS by Jill Barnett: The story of Catherine and Michael is a deeply romantic journey of a second chance at love with your first love! Loved the character development and back story as well as the local flavor of the island that brought them back together! A MUST-READ for true romantics!
PRIVATE PARADISE by Debbie Macomber: John and Beth's story also includes their meddling children, Nikki and Paul, as fate brought them all together due to an accident! Sweet and romantic as only Debbie Macomber can do!!! DO NOT MISS reading this one!!
ISLAND TIME by Susan Wiggs: Mitch and Rosie's story is about how opposites truly do attract and can develop into something beautiful and lasting! Highly recommend this story too! Great set of delightful, soul touching romances!
July 12, 2015
This book is a collection of three stories that are tied together by a Victorian rental house on a secluded island off the shore of Seattle. Each story has an introductory note by the author that kind of updates the reader as to what the characters have been up to since their story left off. I found this to be a cute little addition that makes the characters feel a little more real.
For me, this book was a quick and fun little read. The plots were a fairly predictable but not in a way that was boring. It was nice to read a story and know that there was going to be a happily ever after. I also felt that all the characters were almost too perfect. Even Dr. Livingston's unruly daughter was quick to change her ways and hardly caused any trouble for those that were around her.
All in all, it was certainly a nice way to relax on a warm summer afternoon.
For me, this book was a quick and fun little read. The plots were a fairly predictable but not in a way that was boring. It was nice to read a story and know that there was going to be a happily ever after. I also felt that all the characters were almost too perfect. Even Dr. Livingston's unruly daughter was quick to change her ways and hardly caused any trouble for those that were around her.
All in all, it was certainly a nice way to relax on a warm summer afternoon.
May 24, 2014
I read this years ago when I was obviously less critical, because I remembered it fondly as a charming summer read. When I picked it back up, it read less like a chick-lit beach read and more like a drugstore romance. I was hoping to immerse myself in a little summerhouse Memorial Day vacation read and have to admit I was a little disappointed. The plots were trite and the relationships were rushed and unrealistic. It hovered around 1 1/2 stars but I upped it to 2 for nostalgia.
March 29, 2009
I liked the first two stories. "Old Things" set up the base story and took us back in time to when the house was in better condition. The third story was too pat. I like the way all three storeis were tied together by the house. I have read other books with a theme tying the stories together and they always felt forced to include the book title. The house tie-in felt very natural.
February 10, 2023
This was a rather fun concept for this novel. Three authors, three short stories ( around the 150 page mark each), and each story takes place in the same vacation home on Spruce Island, off the coast of Washington. Easy, light reading! I enjoyed the middle story “Private Paradise” by Debbie Macomber the best!
Three ⭐️⭐️⭐️ for this charming read!
Three ⭐️⭐️⭐️ for this charming read!
August 25, 2014
Ugh. I expected more out of this book than I should have. The dialogue was just so cheesy and ridiculous, and the characters lacked any sort of real depth. I like light hearted chick lit, but these stories had me practically gagging at the over the top sweetness factor.
June 17, 2016
Leslie, Central patron, June 2016, 5 stars:
This book consists of three stories written by three different authors but they are all connected to a beautiful Victorian home on an island. Great read!
This book consists of three stories written by three different authors but they are all connected to a beautiful Victorian home on an island. Great read!
October 18, 2020
I only liked the first story. The second and third stories were boring. I kept reading because I like these authors and thought there must be something interesting going to happen. So Disappointed.
August 30, 2016
Each story is 4 stars so overall book 4.5 stars! Love the concept. Want more stories by these authors set in this place.
September 11, 2016
Three feel-good romances from popular authors. These stories left me with a sigh of happiness & a warm glow from some sweet love stories.
July 6, 2015
I love all 3 of these authors but this book wasn't great. The 1st story was good but it goes downhill from there. Don't waste your time!
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