What do you think?
Rate this book
Chesapeake Shores #14
Lilac Lane
No one writes about friends, family and home better than Sherryl Woods. Told with warmth and humor, Lilac Lane is a brand-new story in her beloved Chesapeake Shores series, one readers all over the world have waited two years to read!
At the heart of Lilac Lane is Keira Malone, who raised her three children alone after her first marriage broke apart, and who, after years of guarding her heart, finally finds love again. But that love is short-lived when her fiancé suffers a fatal heart attack. Grieving and unsure of what’s next, Keira agrees to move from Dublin to Chesapeake Shores, Maryland, to spend time with her daughter, Moira, and her new granddaughter, Kate, as well as to help her son-in-law, Luke, with his Irish pub, O’Briens.
Not wanting to live underfoot, she rents a charming cottage on Lilac Lane, replete with views of the ocean and her neighbor’s thriving garden—not to mention views of the neighbor himself. The neighbor is none other than Bryan Laramie, the brusque and moody chef at the pub, with whom Keira is constantly butting heads. But things get real when Bryan’s long-lost daughter, whom he hasn’t seen since she was a baby, shows up out of the blue. As Bryan and Keira each delve into their pasts, reopening wounds, the rest of the town is gearing up for the Fall Festival Irish Stew cook-off, and making no bones about whose side they’re on. It’s Kitchen Wars meets This is Your Life—a recipe for disaster…or a new take on love?
You won’t want to miss this epic return to Chesapeake Shores, a place we’re betting you’ll want to stay forever.
At the heart of Lilac Lane is Keira Malone, who raised her three children alone after her first marriage broke apart, and who, after years of guarding her heart, finally finds love again. But that love is short-lived when her fiancé suffers a fatal heart attack. Grieving and unsure of what’s next, Keira agrees to move from Dublin to Chesapeake Shores, Maryland, to spend time with her daughter, Moira, and her new granddaughter, Kate, as well as to help her son-in-law, Luke, with his Irish pub, O’Briens.
Not wanting to live underfoot, she rents a charming cottage on Lilac Lane, replete with views of the ocean and her neighbor’s thriving garden—not to mention views of the neighbor himself. The neighbor is none other than Bryan Laramie, the brusque and moody chef at the pub, with whom Keira is constantly butting heads. But things get real when Bryan’s long-lost daughter, whom he hasn’t seen since she was a baby, shows up out of the blue. As Bryan and Keira each delve into their pasts, reopening wounds, the rest of the town is gearing up for the Fall Festival Irish Stew cook-off, and making no bones about whose side they’re on. It’s Kitchen Wars meets This is Your Life—a recipe for disaster…or a new take on love?
You won’t want to miss this epic return to Chesapeake Shores, a place we’re betting you’ll want to stay forever.
352 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 17, 2017
1503 people are currently reading
5946 people want to read
About the author
Sherryl Woods
555 books4,523 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 307 reviews
March 22, 2018
Book 14 in a popular series, but my first encounter reading a Sherryl Woods story. I wouldn't mind looking out for a few more in the series because I quickly fell in love with many of the characters. Good mother- daughter/husband-wife/father -daughter- contemporary family saga.
November 2, 2017
Kiera Malone is mourning the unexpected death of her fiance. She has been living apart from her family in Ireland and needs to reassess her future plans. Her daughter, Moira, is concerned about her emotional stability and invites her to stay with her in Maryland.
Kiera makes the journey and finds employment at an Irish pub owned by her family. Life starts to improve but she finds herself at odds with the chef who is named Bryon. After a few weeks she starts to feel more secure and rents her own apartment. Her bad luck continues when she discovers that the obnoxious chef is her neighbor. Bryan and Kiera work through their differences and begin to forge a friendship. This unlikely pair learn to trust each other and together they tackle each other's demons.
This book by Sherryl Woods is the 14th installment in the Chesapeake Shores series but it can be read as a stand alone novel. I did not read the earlier books and had no difficulty absorbing the plot. For those who enjoy binge watching, you can watch this entire series on cable television.
Kiera makes the journey and finds employment at an Irish pub owned by her family. Life starts to improve but she finds herself at odds with the chef who is named Bryon. After a few weeks she starts to feel more secure and rents her own apartment. Her bad luck continues when she discovers that the obnoxious chef is her neighbor. Bryan and Kiera work through their differences and begin to forge a friendship. This unlikely pair learn to trust each other and together they tackle each other's demons.
This book by Sherryl Woods is the 14th installment in the Chesapeake Shores series but it can be read as a stand alone novel. I did not read the earlier books and had no difficulty absorbing the plot. For those who enjoy binge watching, you can watch this entire series on cable television.
October 19, 2017
Sherryl Woods returns with her popular Chesapeake Shores series following (2015) Willow Brook Road Chesapeake Shores, #13 with LILAC LANE (#14) —From Ireland to Chesapeake Shores – A magical place for healing and a little romance.
This time around we catchup with Moira and Luke O’Brien and their baby girl, Kate. Of course, with Nell and many of the familiar characters and places we love.
Moira is concerned about her mom, Kiera. Her husband Peter’s unexpected death was shocking after her second chance and raising her children on her own. Moria wants her to come and live in Chesapeake.
A steady dose of the O’Briens will restore her spirits. She had wasted years of bitterness and regrets after Moira’s dad left. She had taken a chance on love and now he was gone.
Maybe she could tell her she needs help with the baby, but possibly she can get her a job at the Irish pub, keeping an eye on the chef and making sure he does not stray too far from the proper Irish recipes.
Her mom needed the family. With much persuasion, she agrees to come to charming Chesapeake Shores as a consultant. She can always return to Dublin.
She rents a lovely cottage on Lilac Lane and is feeling good being part of a family. However, soon learns her neighbor is none other than Bryan Laramie, the not so pleasant and annoying chef at the pub, with whom Kiera is constantly at war with.
Moira soon sees the electricity between her mom and Bryan (similar to the relationship between her own relationship with Luke), when they first met.
However, Kiera thinks he is infuriating.
Of course, if you know the O’Briens they never mind their own business and the clan is always meddling to make sure everyone is happy.
Bryan on the other hand has his own past. He had enough broken hearts to last a lifetime and was still recovering from this last one.
Then his long-lost daughter shows up and both Bryan and Keira may have more in common than they may know. Plus, as always, there is always a community-wide event to ignite the flames.
With two complex personalities, it was time for the annual Fall Festival Irish Stew cook-off. And this town does nothing better than “stir the pot.”
With some competition, stubbornness, clever planning, Irish recipes, sacrifices, meddling, bets, some risks, and of course a little romance, to demonstrate love conquers all.
If you enjoy heartwarming stories of strong family bonds and authentic characters, Chesapeake Shores will draw you into their world with open arms. For fans of Debbie Macomber, Joanne Demaio, Mariah Stewart, and Susan Wiggs.
LOVE the Chesapeake Shores series (TV series and have read all the books in the series)— among many of her other books. A longtime fan of Sherryl Woods, starting in my younger years (before Goodreads) thru today. I love the idyllic settings, vivid descriptions, and intriguing characters.
Looking forward to hopefully Season 3 since Season 2 just wrapped up. Always look forward to the Sunday show. It makes me want to return to these books and read them for the second time. Sherryl allows you to escape and travel without leaving your home. It is the next best thing to being there. An ah moment.
Many thanks to MIRA and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy. I also listened to the audiobook, narrated by Christina Traister for an engaging listening experience.
In addition, I am very excited about the highly anticipated A Small Town Love Story: Colonial Beach, Virginia Coming Nov 14, 2017 on my Top 20 Books coming Nov. Part memoir, part oral history. The author gives us a rare and intimate look at Colonial Beach, Virginia.
Readers you will want to add this to your library collection and your must-read list.
JDCMustReadBooks
This time around we catchup with Moira and Luke O’Brien and their baby girl, Kate. Of course, with Nell and many of the familiar characters and places we love.
Moira is concerned about her mom, Kiera. Her husband Peter’s unexpected death was shocking after her second chance and raising her children on her own. Moria wants her to come and live in Chesapeake.
A steady dose of the O’Briens will restore her spirits. She had wasted years of bitterness and regrets after Moira’s dad left. She had taken a chance on love and now he was gone.
Maybe she could tell her she needs help with the baby, but possibly she can get her a job at the Irish pub, keeping an eye on the chef and making sure he does not stray too far from the proper Irish recipes.
Her mom needed the family. With much persuasion, she agrees to come to charming Chesapeake Shores as a consultant. She can always return to Dublin.
She rents a lovely cottage on Lilac Lane and is feeling good being part of a family. However, soon learns her neighbor is none other than Bryan Laramie, the not so pleasant and annoying chef at the pub, with whom Kiera is constantly at war with.
Moira soon sees the electricity between her mom and Bryan (similar to the relationship between her own relationship with Luke), when they first met.
However, Kiera thinks he is infuriating.
Of course, if you know the O’Briens they never mind their own business and the clan is always meddling to make sure everyone is happy.
Bryan on the other hand has his own past. He had enough broken hearts to last a lifetime and was still recovering from this last one.
Then his long-lost daughter shows up and both Bryan and Keira may have more in common than they may know. Plus, as always, there is always a community-wide event to ignite the flames.
With two complex personalities, it was time for the annual Fall Festival Irish Stew cook-off. And this town does nothing better than “stir the pot.”
With some competition, stubbornness, clever planning, Irish recipes, sacrifices, meddling, bets, some risks, and of course a little romance, to demonstrate love conquers all.
If you enjoy heartwarming stories of strong family bonds and authentic characters, Chesapeake Shores will draw you into their world with open arms. For fans of Debbie Macomber, Joanne Demaio, Mariah Stewart, and Susan Wiggs.
LOVE the Chesapeake Shores series (TV series and have read all the books in the series)— among many of her other books. A longtime fan of Sherryl Woods, starting in my younger years (before Goodreads) thru today. I love the idyllic settings, vivid descriptions, and intriguing characters.
Looking forward to hopefully Season 3 since Season 2 just wrapped up. Always look forward to the Sunday show. It makes me want to return to these books and read them for the second time. Sherryl allows you to escape and travel without leaving your home. It is the next best thing to being there. An ah moment.
Many thanks to MIRA and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy. I also listened to the audiobook, narrated by Christina Traister for an engaging listening experience.
In addition, I am very excited about the highly anticipated A Small Town Love Story: Colonial Beach, Virginia Coming Nov 14, 2017 on my Top 20 Books coming Nov. Part memoir, part oral history. The author gives us a rare and intimate look at Colonial Beach, Virginia.
Readers you will want to add this to your library collection and your must-read list.
JDCMustReadBooks
November 1, 2017
Right before I started reading this I realized that it’s the fourteenth book in a series so to say I was little apprehensive is fitting. That is a LONG history and I feared I would have trouble connecting with the characters or that I would be lost due to long running backstories. Thankfully, I had absolutely no issues at all and found myself immediately swept away to Chesapeake Shores and totally charmed by this quaint little town and it’s residents.
It looks like every book in this series follows a new couple, reminiscent of RaeAnne Thayne’s long running Haven Point series, and that made it extremely easy to follow along. Keira comes to town from Ireland at the urging of her daughter and helps out in the kitchen at Moira and Luke’s pub. Bryan is the head chef and him and Keira immediately have a love/hate relationship (mostly hate) but I love that cliched trope in a romance, the chemistry and the sparks flying is always hugely entertaining to me!
This was a sweet, clean romance heavy on the importance of strong family bonds and ties to a community. Slightly predictable but truly adorable I loved my time spent in Chesapeake Shores and I just realized there’s a TV series based on the books so guess what I’ll be bingeing ASAP?! If you like Nora Roberts or Fern Michaels you would love Woods.
It looks like every book in this series follows a new couple, reminiscent of RaeAnne Thayne’s long running Haven Point series, and that made it extremely easy to follow along. Keira comes to town from Ireland at the urging of her daughter and helps out in the kitchen at Moira and Luke’s pub. Bryan is the head chef and him and Keira immediately have a love/hate relationship (mostly hate) but I love that cliched trope in a romance, the chemistry and the sparks flying is always hugely entertaining to me!
This was a sweet, clean romance heavy on the importance of strong family bonds and ties to a community. Slightly predictable but truly adorable I loved my time spent in Chesapeake Shores and I just realized there’s a TV series based on the books so guess what I’ll be bingeing ASAP?! If you like Nora Roberts or Fern Michaels you would love Woods.
October 26, 2017
Favorite Quotes:
Communication skills varied widely between the average man and woman, he’d discovered. For him and Moira, it was as if they spoke entirely different languages and, quite possibly in her case, from some universe not yet discovered.
If we were all punished for our careless failure to realize how important some things are in our life until too late, we’d all be alone and miserable… It’s why we’re given second chances.
My Review:
It is rare for me to read a book so squeaky clean that I could recommend to my elderly mother’s rather persnickety book club, but Lilac Lane certainly qualifies for the “Church Ladies” set. It is also rare to able to enter a series at book number fourteen and be able to follow the story. While it probably would have been easier to keep track of the myriad characters if I’d had experience with the previous installments, it was not a hardship to keep them straight as brief histories were provided along the way. The plot was interesting with two distinct threads that wove together in an entertaining manner, although the story evolved ever so slowly and the genre appeared to be more women’s fiction or small-town type family drama than contemporary romance. The writing flowed well and was laced with equal measures of angst and wry humor and populated with stubborn yet endearing characters of all ages.
Communication skills varied widely between the average man and woman, he’d discovered. For him and Moira, it was as if they spoke entirely different languages and, quite possibly in her case, from some universe not yet discovered.
If we were all punished for our careless failure to realize how important some things are in our life until too late, we’d all be alone and miserable… It’s why we’re given second chances.
My Review:
It is rare for me to read a book so squeaky clean that I could recommend to my elderly mother’s rather persnickety book club, but Lilac Lane certainly qualifies for the “Church Ladies” set. It is also rare to able to enter a series at book number fourteen and be able to follow the story. While it probably would have been easier to keep track of the myriad characters if I’d had experience with the previous installments, it was not a hardship to keep them straight as brief histories were provided along the way. The plot was interesting with two distinct threads that wove together in an entertaining manner, although the story evolved ever so slowly and the genre appeared to be more women’s fiction or small-town type family drama than contemporary romance. The writing flowed well and was laced with equal measures of angst and wry humor and populated with stubborn yet endearing characters of all ages.
October 23, 2017
Thank you so much TLC Book Tours for having me on this tour and sending me a copy of Lilac Lane in exchange for an honest review! Finding love after loss and opening up your heart to the new and different isn't always easy. But this feel good book has you rooting for love and family from page one, with a nice dash of Irish cooking sprinkled in. While the plot wasn't especially original it was an easy story to read in just a few hours. I rate this cute book 3 out of 5 stars.
From the start I felt at a disadvantage in enjoying this story as much as I might have since I have not read any of the others in this series. This is actually book 14 in the Chesapeake Shores series. So for those who have read these books they may like it a bit more than I ended up liking it.
We start off learning that Kiera has finally found love again after a long time and as soon as she has opened her heart up to this new love, he dies unexpectedly. To help Kiera, her daughter and father plan a way to get Kiera to come to the US from Ireland to get a fresh start. It becomes your typical story of a middle aged woman wary of love, finding herself in a new place and eventually finding love as well. It is a story I have read a million times and while it wasn't original I did enjoy many of the side characters that made this more than just a love story, they made it a family story as well.
Moira was a spunky character and I really liked her relationship with her husband, Luke. I also loved Dillon and Nell. They were such an adorable older couple and Nell had me laughing a few times with her meddling ways. As for Kiera herself it was easy to see why some say she is unlikeable. She is older and set in her ways and quite stubborn. She often came off cold and rude but I was still happy that her family loved her as much as they did and that she came to find a home in Chesapeake shores and find love.
I will say I wasn't a big fan of the writing style. The dialog seemed awkward and forced and didn't flow the way normal conversations flow. That and some parts of the story felt way too serious or dramatic for how small of a situation it may have been. For example, the cook-off at the end of the book. It went on for far longer than needed because of dialogs about people being worried that meddling would upset the town or Kiera or Bryan etc, etc. And it just seemed odd that they were making what was just good hearted meddling so serious.
Overall, this was perfect for a day you just want to snuggle up to feel good book that you can read in a couple of hours. You'll want to join this crazy family in beautiful Chesapeake Shores, eating Irish stew, and soak in all the love in the community. I know I would love too!
From the start I felt at a disadvantage in enjoying this story as much as I might have since I have not read any of the others in this series. This is actually book 14 in the Chesapeake Shores series. So for those who have read these books they may like it a bit more than I ended up liking it.
We start off learning that Kiera has finally found love again after a long time and as soon as she has opened her heart up to this new love, he dies unexpectedly. To help Kiera, her daughter and father plan a way to get Kiera to come to the US from Ireland to get a fresh start. It becomes your typical story of a middle aged woman wary of love, finding herself in a new place and eventually finding love as well. It is a story I have read a million times and while it wasn't original I did enjoy many of the side characters that made this more than just a love story, they made it a family story as well.
Moira was a spunky character and I really liked her relationship with her husband, Luke. I also loved Dillon and Nell. They were such an adorable older couple and Nell had me laughing a few times with her meddling ways. As for Kiera herself it was easy to see why some say she is unlikeable. She is older and set in her ways and quite stubborn. She often came off cold and rude but I was still happy that her family loved her as much as they did and that she came to find a home in Chesapeake shores and find love.
I will say I wasn't a big fan of the writing style. The dialog seemed awkward and forced and didn't flow the way normal conversations flow. That and some parts of the story felt way too serious or dramatic for how small of a situation it may have been. For example, the cook-off at the end of the book. It went on for far longer than needed because of dialogs about people being worried that meddling would upset the town or Kiera or Bryan etc, etc. And it just seemed odd that they were making what was just good hearted meddling so serious.
Overall, this was perfect for a day you just want to snuggle up to feel good book that you can read in a couple of hours. You'll want to join this crazy family in beautiful Chesapeake Shores, eating Irish stew, and soak in all the love in the community. I know I would love too!
November 3, 2017
This is book 14 in Sherryl Woods’ Chesapeake Bay series. I have read and enjoyed all of the books in the series and this book can be read as a stand-alone without confusion but the entire series is so good, I think that you’ll want to start with book 1 – you won’t be disappointed.
The book series is about a town in Maryland that was built by the O’Brien patriarch, Mick. Mick’s main goal in life is to have his 5 children married and in love with the person he picks out of them. Once that is accomplished in the first books of the series, he starts meddling in the lives of other family members and gets help in his meddling from his children and their spouses. In book 14, it’s single mom Kiera who lives in Ireland and raised her three children. Her daughter Miora lives in Chesapeake Shores with her husband Luke O’Brien. Moira feels that her mom has given up on finding happiness and asks her to come to the US to help take care of her granddaughter. Once she arrives, sparks start to fly between Kiera and the cook at the O’Brien pub. Will Moira be able to convince her mother to stay in America and take a chance on happiness or will she rturn to her solitary life in Ireland?
It was great to get back to Chesapeake Shores and the O’Brien family in Lilac Lane. This is a fun series with characters that are very likeable who believe strongly in love and family.
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review.
The book series is about a town in Maryland that was built by the O’Brien patriarch, Mick. Mick’s main goal in life is to have his 5 children married and in love with the person he picks out of them. Once that is accomplished in the first books of the series, he starts meddling in the lives of other family members and gets help in his meddling from his children and their spouses. In book 14, it’s single mom Kiera who lives in Ireland and raised her three children. Her daughter Miora lives in Chesapeake Shores with her husband Luke O’Brien. Moira feels that her mom has given up on finding happiness and asks her to come to the US to help take care of her granddaughter. Once she arrives, sparks start to fly between Kiera and the cook at the O’Brien pub. Will Moira be able to convince her mother to stay in America and take a chance on happiness or will she rturn to her solitary life in Ireland?
It was great to get back to Chesapeake Shores and the O’Brien family in Lilac Lane. This is a fun series with characters that are very likeable who believe strongly in love and family.
Thanks to the publisher for a copy of this book to read and review.
October 17, 2017
Lilac Lane is the first book in this series that I have read. While I think it can ultimately be read as a stand alone, a new reader would benefit from reading at least Moira and Luke's story before this one. It think it might give more context for Keira's situation.
I was looking forward to a good romance, but in the end it was just OK for me. The book kind of dragged and I just wasn't invested in Keira and Bryan's relationship. For me, it just lacked heat. What I did find enjoyable were the secondary characters that rounded out the story. I enjoyed watching them help Keira find a place to belong in Chesapeake Shores. I think fans of the series will enjoy this addition.
November 30, 2024
Lilac Lane
2🌟
Not my type of story
2🌟
Not my type of story
October 19, 2017
Originally posted @ Readaholic Zone
Before beginning the actual review I need to be utterly honest with you, I was incapable of finishing this book. This was difficult for me since I always finish books I am obligated to review but apparently there is a first for everything. It’s not that I did not allow myself enough time or forgot about reading it, the truth is I was slowly being bored to death. Lilac Lane is the first book I have read by Sherryl Woods, therefore, I now know her writing is not my style. The plot was lackluster along with a group of one-dimensional characters not containing enough substance to hold my attention. I really did give it the old college try, but when bickering is the primary undertaking how much can a reader take? Although the story did embody one interesting theme it consequently lacked enough focus or time within’ the plot to make it an engaging part of the story. Consequently, if the author had fixated more on Bryan’s ordeal and reduced the squabbling an enjoyable book could have been born.
Nevertheless, just since I found the book incompatible with my liking does not mean you will feel the same. Go ahead and give it a try. I like to think of books like people you're not going to like everyone you encounter.
"Thanks, TLC Blog Tour"
Before beginning the actual review I need to be utterly honest with you, I was incapable of finishing this book. This was difficult for me since I always finish books I am obligated to review but apparently there is a first for everything. It’s not that I did not allow myself enough time or forgot about reading it, the truth is I was slowly being bored to death. Lilac Lane is the first book I have read by Sherryl Woods, therefore, I now know her writing is not my style. The plot was lackluster along with a group of one-dimensional characters not containing enough substance to hold my attention. I really did give it the old college try, but when bickering is the primary undertaking how much can a reader take? Although the story did embody one interesting theme it consequently lacked enough focus or time within’ the plot to make it an engaging part of the story. Consequently, if the author had fixated more on Bryan’s ordeal and reduced the squabbling an enjoyable book could have been born.
Nevertheless, just since I found the book incompatible with my liking does not mean you will feel the same. Go ahead and give it a try. I like to think of books like people you're not going to like everyone you encounter.
"Thanks, TLC Blog Tour"
December 16, 2017
I have read a dozen of books from Sherryl Woods and I checked my ratings. Apparently I love half of them (4 or 5 stars) and I hate the other half.
I sensed that mixed feelings growing while reading the first part of the story. And then I got angry that all was taking so long and most of all about all this people meddling. WHY ? Can’t people mind their own businesses ? This si so rude and belittling for those they want to meddle the life in. Such a waste of my precious reading time.
I sensed that mixed feelings growing while reading the first part of the story. And then I got angry that all was taking so long and most of all about all this people meddling. WHY ? Can’t people mind their own businesses ? This si so rude and belittling for those they want to meddle the life in. Such a waste of my precious reading time.
September 11, 2019
Terrific book. It has been a long time since my last visit to Chesapeake Shores, but it was effortless to slide right back into it. This is the story of Keira, Moira's mother (The Summer Garden) and Bryan, the chef at Luke O'Brien's pub. Relations between Keira and Moira had been strained for a long time before they mended their relationship in the earlier book. Keira raised her three children on her own when her husband deserted her, leaving Keira somewhat bitter and wary of love. Just when she opened herself up again to the possibility, her fiancé died, leaving Keira grieving and lost. Worried about her mother, Moira stretches the truth with the help of her new O'Brien relatives and convinces Keira to come to Maryland, using baby Kate and the pub as the reasons for the visit. Moira really hopes to convince her mother to stay in Chesapeake Shores.
Bryan is the chef at the pub. He worked in both New York and Baltimore before coming to Chesapeake Shores. While not quite a loner, he mostly keeps to himself. He rules his kitchen, accepting interference only from his boss, Luke, and Nell O'Brien, the family matriarch who taught him the traditional Irish recipes served at the pub. The arrival of feisty and blunt Keira doesn't sit well with him, but he doesn't have much choice in the matter.
I liked both Keira and Bryan and the development of their relationship. In the beginning, it is very adversarial, as Keira takes her job of ensuring authenticity very seriously, but Bryan doesn't take her suggestions well. Things begin to change a little bit when Keira moves into the cottage next door to Bryan's house, and they discover that when they leave their work difference behind they get along very well. There were some terrific scenes of late-night chats over wine, and early mornings spent weeding Bryan's garden. The sparks of antagonism that flew between them begin to change to a different kind of sparks. But both Keira and Bryan have baggage that makes them resistant to those sparks. Keira's risked her heart twice and had it broken, though in different ways. Risking it again seems to be the height of folly, so she works hard to keep that little bit of distance between them. Bryan was married many years before but neglected his wife in his zeal to cement his career. His wife took their baby girl and left him without a word when she reached the end of her patience. Bryan has spent almost twenty years trying to find them. Having failed at marriage once, trying again is the last thing on his mind.
But Keira and Bryan aren't given the chance to fight their feelings for long. The O'Brien family is well-known for their tendency to interfere in the lives of those they care for. Everyone from Nell to Mick, right on down the line can see what is happening, and they all have ideas on how to bring the reluctant duo together. Nell comes up with the bright idea of a cooking competition, with the title of best Irish stew between Keira and Bryan up for grabs. I enjoyed the behind-the-scenes machinations of various O'Briens as they fan the flames of competition. Keira recognizes her growing feelings for Bryan, but her fears hold her back from saying anything. I loved the scene where Bryan finds out the truth and the twist that Keira throws into his declaration. I loved how the competition played out and their big moment at the end was fantastic.
In the midst of all this drama, Bryan receives the shock of his life. His long-lost daughter appears in Chesapeake Shores looking for answers. I loved seeing this side of Bryan as he and Deanna got to know each other. The scene where Deanna finally gets up the courage to face her father had me in tears. I also loved that Keira was there to support him. There are some sweet scenes as Keira helps smooth over the rough spots of their reunion.
As always, I love the secondary appearances of other characters. The bits with Moira and her attempts to balance family and career were realistic and moving. I loved the get-togethers at Sally's as the O'Brien women share their days, and how they embraced Keira as one of their own. I laughed out loud at Mick's antics during the buildup to the competition. Nell was a riot as she involved herself and others in her matchmaking. As Bryan and Keira's boss, Luke had quite the challenge in keeping the peace at the pub. And in the end, the entire town had a part in the romance between Bryan and Keira. It will be interesting to see if there will be further Chesapeake Shores books and who will star in them. I'm leaning toward Deanna, plus the frequent mentions of Keira's estranged sons leaves the door open for them also.
Bryan is the chef at the pub. He worked in both New York and Baltimore before coming to Chesapeake Shores. While not quite a loner, he mostly keeps to himself. He rules his kitchen, accepting interference only from his boss, Luke, and Nell O'Brien, the family matriarch who taught him the traditional Irish recipes served at the pub. The arrival of feisty and blunt Keira doesn't sit well with him, but he doesn't have much choice in the matter.
I liked both Keira and Bryan and the development of their relationship. In the beginning, it is very adversarial, as Keira takes her job of ensuring authenticity very seriously, but Bryan doesn't take her suggestions well. Things begin to change a little bit when Keira moves into the cottage next door to Bryan's house, and they discover that when they leave their work difference behind they get along very well. There were some terrific scenes of late-night chats over wine, and early mornings spent weeding Bryan's garden. The sparks of antagonism that flew between them begin to change to a different kind of sparks. But both Keira and Bryan have baggage that makes them resistant to those sparks. Keira's risked her heart twice and had it broken, though in different ways. Risking it again seems to be the height of folly, so she works hard to keep that little bit of distance between them. Bryan was married many years before but neglected his wife in his zeal to cement his career. His wife took their baby girl and left him without a word when she reached the end of her patience. Bryan has spent almost twenty years trying to find them. Having failed at marriage once, trying again is the last thing on his mind.
But Keira and Bryan aren't given the chance to fight their feelings for long. The O'Brien family is well-known for their tendency to interfere in the lives of those they care for. Everyone from Nell to Mick, right on down the line can see what is happening, and they all have ideas on how to bring the reluctant duo together. Nell comes up with the bright idea of a cooking competition, with the title of best Irish stew between Keira and Bryan up for grabs. I enjoyed the behind-the-scenes machinations of various O'Briens as they fan the flames of competition. Keira recognizes her growing feelings for Bryan, but her fears hold her back from saying anything. I loved the scene where Bryan finds out the truth and the twist that Keira throws into his declaration. I loved how the competition played out and their big moment at the end was fantastic.
In the midst of all this drama, Bryan receives the shock of his life. His long-lost daughter appears in Chesapeake Shores looking for answers. I loved seeing this side of Bryan as he and Deanna got to know each other. The scene where Deanna finally gets up the courage to face her father had me in tears. I also loved that Keira was there to support him. There are some sweet scenes as Keira helps smooth over the rough spots of their reunion.
As always, I love the secondary appearances of other characters. The bits with Moira and her attempts to balance family and career were realistic and moving. I loved the get-togethers at Sally's as the O'Brien women share their days, and how they embraced Keira as one of their own. I laughed out loud at Mick's antics during the buildup to the competition. Nell was a riot as she involved herself and others in her matchmaking. As Bryan and Keira's boss, Luke had quite the challenge in keeping the peace at the pub. And in the end, the entire town had a part in the romance between Bryan and Keira. It will be interesting to see if there will be further Chesapeake Shores books and who will star in them. I'm leaning toward Deanna, plus the frequent mentions of Keira's estranged sons leaves the door open for them also.
October 19, 2017
Moira wants her mom to come to Chesapeake Bay and hopes that the move will help her get past all the things that have happened in her life. She thinks a change of scenery will help her mom heal from the loss of a lover, a horrible marriage, and the never ending disappointment of her two sons. Kiera decides to take the journey from Ireland to Chesapeake Bay, she can't wait to meet her first grandchild and see the Irish pub her son-in-law Luke has opened. When she is asked to help out at the pub and make sure things are as authentic as possible she is happy to help. The only problem she finds is Bryan, the pubs chef. They immediately butt heads and sparks fly. Kiera isn't sure if she wants to move forward with the feelings that she has for Bryan. Bryan has issues all of his own, his wife left him years ago taking his daughter. Years of searching for them has turned up empty and he isn't sure if he is still married and how he can fix that now that he has found someone. He likes Kiera but doesn't want to mislead her. This was a lovely read that shows the healing value a family can give. I love the emotions a read like this evokes and I don't mind saying I laughed, cried, and smiled all the way through.
October 24, 2017
See the full review at HarlequinJunkie.com
Strength and determination. Stubborn pride and genuine emotions. And love, lots of love, is what the characters of Lilac Lane brought to the table in this beautiful fourteenth installment in Sherryl Woods’ beloved Chesapeake Shores series.
First of all I have to say that I still get a kick out of the boisterous, caring O’Brien family, even this many books into the series. Sherryl Woods didn’t disappoint with Lilac Lane, letting us catch up with the cast and watch as they brought a couple more people into their fold. As with all of the stories that came before this, I thought there was a wonderful sense of hope for the future. Of course Nell and Mick were still (lovingly) butting into people’s business and stirring the pot, so to speak. But to me this particular story was about letting go of the past for a chance at a new beginning. Read More
Strength and determination. Stubborn pride and genuine emotions. And love, lots of love, is what the characters of Lilac Lane brought to the table in this beautiful fourteenth installment in Sherryl Woods’ beloved Chesapeake Shores series.
First of all I have to say that I still get a kick out of the boisterous, caring O’Brien family, even this many books into the series. Sherryl Woods didn’t disappoint with Lilac Lane, letting us catch up with the cast and watch as they brought a couple more people into their fold. As with all of the stories that came before this, I thought there was a wonderful sense of hope for the future. Of course Nell and Mick were still (lovingly) butting into people’s business and stirring the pot, so to speak. But to me this particular story was about letting go of the past for a chance at a new beginning. Read More
September 20, 2017
I felt so so with this book. Part of it was due to the couple at the heart of the book, Keira and Bryan. Up to now Keira had come off as a harpy and did so at times in this one. Bryan was a bit up tight too with his reaction to Keira. It didn't help that their romance was very PG, almost non-existent.
I found myself more interested in seeing Keira soften, to see her see her life in a different life, to build stronger relationships with her father and daughter.
Bryan's drama was crazy and I expected him to get a little mad, instead of just move forward. I wanted him to rail at what he lost for so many years, but his way of dealing was probably better.
It was interesting to see how the whole clan butted in on the romance, everyone wanted a part in getting Keira and Bryan together, something that happened despite all the meddling.
I found myself more interested in seeing Keira soften, to see her see her life in a different life, to build stronger relationships with her father and daughter.
Bryan's drama was crazy and I expected him to get a little mad, instead of just move forward. I wanted him to rail at what he lost for so many years, but his way of dealing was probably better.
It was interesting to see how the whole clan butted in on the romance, everyone wanted a part in getting Keira and Bryan together, something that happened despite all the meddling.
September 9, 2020
I recently watched the Sweet Magnolia Series on Netflix which I very much enjoyed and as a result went looking at my local second hand store for books by this author to see if I enjoyed them too. This book is apparently number 14 in the series so perhaps I started in the wrong spot. I felt the author did a reasonable job of explaining who was who but the back stories of other characters would no doubt have made my understanding better. This book felt like a typical beach read - it was fun to read for a few hours and helped pass my time quite enjoyably but it didn't wow me. I have another in the series to try so I will reserve judgement on the series as a whole.
April 28, 2018
Chespeake shores novel has lots of romance and matchmaking going on for Kiera who came from Ireland to be with some of her family that had moved to the USA.....Lots of things going on with family and meeting a new man in her life and all the complications involved with both of their stories.
It all works out in the end and romance does win over.
It all works out in the end and romance does win over.
June 17, 2019
Lo primero que vamos a tener es una mujer que se ha forjado sola, quizá aquí me voy a quejar de la sinopsis, menos mal no la leí. Ya sabéis que soy de las citas a ciegas. Pero si me hubiese ceñido a el resumen, habría hecho corajes. Kiera no es viuda, es una mujer a la que abandonó un marido alcohólico y que tuvo que sacar a su familia sola. Así que volver a amar le cuesta un montón. Vamos a conocerla precisamente en un punto en que está lista para abrirse al mundo, para volver a vivir. Para mí, esta mujer cabezona es una guerrera de buena sepa, orgullosa, testaruda, leal y con un corazón enorme, con una visión del mundo tan sencilla y acertada que me conquistó, es competitiva y una fiera irlandesa que no pondrá fácil llegar a su corazón, que se entrega a su familia y que yo quiero achuchar como trescientas veces.
Por su parte Bryan, hay este hombre me dio mucha pena su historia. Perdió todo sin poder recuperarlo, años buscando respuestas y lo más importante de su vida, encontrando solo callejones sin salida. Un chef celoso de su trabajo, cerrado a cal y canto con su corazón y solo, muy solo. Pero no pensemos que por eso nos va a dar penita, creo que podríamos decir que es de esos personajes que cautivan y que cuando por fin encuentran la luz es que es para comerlo entero.
Si a estos dos personajes los unimos, vamos a tener chispas enteras, una competencia culinaria y un pueblo deseoso de ver como termina todo. Y es que en Chesapeak Shores, todos creen que el amor es la fuerza que impulsa al mundo y los o´Brians son el motor que impulsa las cosas. Ya hemos visto como se manejan, una familia llena de celestinos que no va a dudar en poner la pizca de magia. Además de una sorpresa que se va presentando poco a poco y que termina siendo un colofón en una historia entrañable donde un pub irlandés será el escenario para un romance maduro que va despacio pero sin pausa, un atajo de metomentodos dispuestos a unir a dos cabezotas mientras nos sacan sonrisas por las ocurrencias que van teniendo y a la vez, nos llega el olor de guisados irlandeses que nos harán agua la boca. Pues El Viaje Más Largo se trata de un viaje para volver a rescatar lo que se ha perdido: la ilusión de volver a amar y la esperanza.
Sherril Woods es de esas plumas que te llegan con historias entrañables, que sabes que vas a pasar una tarde entretenida y terminarás con una sonrisa en los labios, quizá no tenga un argumento complejo, la sencillez es parte del encanto de esta historia, pero ya os digo que quiero más de este pueblo y de esta romántica pluma. ¡Feliz lectura!
Por su parte Bryan, hay este hombre me dio mucha pena su historia. Perdió todo sin poder recuperarlo, años buscando respuestas y lo más importante de su vida, encontrando solo callejones sin salida. Un chef celoso de su trabajo, cerrado a cal y canto con su corazón y solo, muy solo. Pero no pensemos que por eso nos va a dar penita, creo que podríamos decir que es de esos personajes que cautivan y que cuando por fin encuentran la luz es que es para comerlo entero.
Si a estos dos personajes los unimos, vamos a tener chispas enteras, una competencia culinaria y un pueblo deseoso de ver como termina todo. Y es que en Chesapeak Shores, todos creen que el amor es la fuerza que impulsa al mundo y los o´Brians son el motor que impulsa las cosas. Ya hemos visto como se manejan, una familia llena de celestinos que no va a dudar en poner la pizca de magia. Además de una sorpresa que se va presentando poco a poco y que termina siendo un colofón en una historia entrañable donde un pub irlandés será el escenario para un romance maduro que va despacio pero sin pausa, un atajo de metomentodos dispuestos a unir a dos cabezotas mientras nos sacan sonrisas por las ocurrencias que van teniendo y a la vez, nos llega el olor de guisados irlandeses que nos harán agua la boca. Pues El Viaje Más Largo se trata de un viaje para volver a rescatar lo que se ha perdido: la ilusión de volver a amar y la esperanza.
Sherril Woods es de esas plumas que te llegan con historias entrañables, que sabes que vas a pasar una tarde entretenida y terminarás con una sonrisa en los labios, quizá no tenga un argumento complejo, la sencillez es parte del encanto de esta historia, pero ya os digo que quiero más de este pueblo y de esta romántica pluma. ¡Feliz lectura!
November 4, 2017
There are a handful of authors that you associate with small town fiction, Sherryl Woods is one of them. This book is a return to Chesapeake Shores. It is book 14 in this series. I've read several of these. This is the perfect time to revisit this town, as the series is now a Hallmark series.
This is a novel of second chances, which you find a lot in the small town novels by authors like Sherryl and Debbie Macomber.
Keira and Bryan are a rather unlikely couple. There romance is one that isn't really a hot and heavy sort of thing, but then again, in books like this, I've always found that romance is usually subdued to the point that it is barely there. The meddling from Keira's family makes for some fun moments.
I enjoyed getting to know Moira and Luke, who I hadn't read about before. (Again, I've just read random books in this series).
I liked that the characters aren't the usual twentysomethings that you usually find in romances, or even thirty somethings. These are mature people that have real life issues. Heck, poor Keira even lost her fiance to a heart attack, which is what prompted the family meddling to get her to come to Chesapeake Shores.
The O'Neill family does their best to push Keira and Bryan together even though they don't really get along all that well. That alone is a recipe for love. I loved the oil and water nature of their relationship. It wasn't that they didn't get along, it was more that they didn't know how to.
Bryan's story is really the one that makes this book so good, and a lot of that doesn't really get to the reader until the book is more than halfway through, but when it does. Oh goodness, have a few tissues ready.
The twist that Sherryl took with Bryan's first marriage was definitely an interesting one, and one that doesn't allow for much sympathy for Melody. I found I could have none for her and though Ash was a stand up guy, the lie he and Melody perpetrated was truly cruel when you really start to think about it. It is probably the only part of the book that didn't sit well with me.
I found the book to be a little bit on the long side, but it was still a very welcome addition to this series. I definitely need to go back and fill in some of the gaps in this series, because this was truly a lovely read.
I hope Ms Woods decides to bring Keira's sons to Chesapeake Shores. I would love to see these bad boys turn good.
This is a novel of second chances, which you find a lot in the small town novels by authors like Sherryl and Debbie Macomber.
Keira and Bryan are a rather unlikely couple. There romance is one that isn't really a hot and heavy sort of thing, but then again, in books like this, I've always found that romance is usually subdued to the point that it is barely there. The meddling from Keira's family makes for some fun moments.
I enjoyed getting to know Moira and Luke, who I hadn't read about before. (Again, I've just read random books in this series).
I liked that the characters aren't the usual twentysomethings that you usually find in romances, or even thirty somethings. These are mature people that have real life issues. Heck, poor Keira even lost her fiance to a heart attack, which is what prompted the family meddling to get her to come to Chesapeake Shores.
The O'Neill family does their best to push Keira and Bryan together even though they don't really get along all that well. That alone is a recipe for love. I loved the oil and water nature of their relationship. It wasn't that they didn't get along, it was more that they didn't know how to.
Bryan's story is really the one that makes this book so good, and a lot of that doesn't really get to the reader until the book is more than halfway through, but when it does. Oh goodness, have a few tissues ready.
The twist that Sherryl took with Bryan's first marriage was definitely an interesting one, and one that doesn't allow for much sympathy for Melody. I found I could have none for her and though Ash was a stand up guy, the lie he and Melody perpetrated was truly cruel when you really start to think about it. It is probably the only part of the book that didn't sit well with me.
I found the book to be a little bit on the long side, but it was still a very welcome addition to this series. I definitely need to go back and fill in some of the gaps in this series, because this was truly a lovely read.
I hope Ms Woods decides to bring Keira's sons to Chesapeake Shores. I would love to see these bad boys turn good.
November 7, 2017
This is my first and last Sherryl Woods book. Maybe the fact that I haven't read any of her others made it impossible to relate to any aspect of this absolutely terrible book. Ridiculous storyline, awful dialogue, boring characters, a contrived 'romance' where there was a total lack of chemistry between characters of an indeterminate age, an implausible reunion of a parent and child and an entire family/community with a silly reputation for meddling. Can't get much worse than that. The only reason I finished reading this book was because I'm within one book of meeting my 2017 challenge. Otherwise a total waste of time.
November 7, 2017
I found this story tedious. I only finished it because I always make myself finish every book I start.
March 4, 2019
No es de los mejores de la serie pero te introduce otra vez en ese pueblo tan encantador nacido de la imaginación de la autora. Una pareja plenamente adulta para variar.
October 26, 2017
It's been awhile since I visited the O'Brien clan of Chesapeake Shores in Maryland. I was introduced to them in Sherryl Woods' delightful The Summer Garden, the 9th book in the series. (My review is here). The newest book, Lilac Lane, is the 12th in the series, and reading it is like visiting old friends.
Moira O'Brien's mother Kiera has just lost her fiance to a heart attack in Ireland. Moira convinces her mother to come to Chesapeake Shores and stay with her, her husband Luke and toddler Kate. Moira agrees to visit, and Luke asks her to act as a consultant in his Irish pub, to help give customers the authentic Irish experience.
This doesn't sit well with Bryan Laramie, the chef at the pub. Bryan is an experienced chef, having worked in New York and Baltimore, and the last thing he wants is another family member putting in her two cents on his established menu. (He had enough of that with the O'Brien matriarch Nell.)
Kiera is as stubborn and outspoken as her daughter Moira, and Bryan and Kiera get along like oil and water. But the matchmaking O'Brien clan (especially Nell and her son Mick, who would give Dolly Levi a run for her money) see sparks between the two and scheme to push the two together.
Bryan hasn't dated much since he moved to Chesapeake Shores, he mostly keeps to himself. When Kiera moves into a small cottage next to Bryan, their relationship turns to friendship, and maybe even more.
Meanwhile, Megan works hard to convince a reluctant Moira to take on more gallery showings of her photography across the country, Kiera enjoys the morning gatherings of the O'Brien women, Nell convinces Bryan and Kiera to compete against each other in an Irish stew cookoff at the Harvest Festival, and a young woman from Virginia comes to town to try and find her biological father.
I truly enjoyed coming back to Chesapeake Shores, and Bryan and Kiera's budding romance between two mature adults who aren't in their 20s is a refreshing change of pace. I'm from an Irish-American family, and I laughed at the raucous O'Briens and all of their teasing and scheming and getting involved in everyone's business.
Even though I haven't yet read #10 and #11 in the series, I didn't feel lost at all; I was able to pick right back up with the O'Briens. Sherryl Woods' lovely novels are the basis for the Hallmark Channel's Chesapeake Shores series, and now I will be catching up with that on-demand. (I've also started picking up the rest of the books in the series- that's how much I love these O'Briens!)
If you like family stories, adult love stories and books featuring food (I'll be making Irish stew just as soon as the cooler weather gets here), Lilac Lane is a great book to add to your TBR list.
Moira O'Brien's mother Kiera has just lost her fiance to a heart attack in Ireland. Moira convinces her mother to come to Chesapeake Shores and stay with her, her husband Luke and toddler Kate. Moira agrees to visit, and Luke asks her to act as a consultant in his Irish pub, to help give customers the authentic Irish experience.
This doesn't sit well with Bryan Laramie, the chef at the pub. Bryan is an experienced chef, having worked in New York and Baltimore, and the last thing he wants is another family member putting in her two cents on his established menu. (He had enough of that with the O'Brien matriarch Nell.)
Kiera is as stubborn and outspoken as her daughter Moira, and Bryan and Kiera get along like oil and water. But the matchmaking O'Brien clan (especially Nell and her son Mick, who would give Dolly Levi a run for her money) see sparks between the two and scheme to push the two together.
Bryan hasn't dated much since he moved to Chesapeake Shores, he mostly keeps to himself. When Kiera moves into a small cottage next to Bryan, their relationship turns to friendship, and maybe even more.
Meanwhile, Megan works hard to convince a reluctant Moira to take on more gallery showings of her photography across the country, Kiera enjoys the morning gatherings of the O'Brien women, Nell convinces Bryan and Kiera to compete against each other in an Irish stew cookoff at the Harvest Festival, and a young woman from Virginia comes to town to try and find her biological father.
I truly enjoyed coming back to Chesapeake Shores, and Bryan and Kiera's budding romance between two mature adults who aren't in their 20s is a refreshing change of pace. I'm from an Irish-American family, and I laughed at the raucous O'Briens and all of their teasing and scheming and getting involved in everyone's business.
Even though I haven't yet read #10 and #11 in the series, I didn't feel lost at all; I was able to pick right back up with the O'Briens. Sherryl Woods' lovely novels are the basis for the Hallmark Channel's Chesapeake Shores series, and now I will be catching up with that on-demand. (I've also started picking up the rest of the books in the series- that's how much I love these O'Briens!)
If you like family stories, adult love stories and books featuring food (I'll be making Irish stew just as soon as the cooler weather gets here), Lilac Lane is a great book to add to your TBR list.
October 15, 2017
I think it plays in my favorite that I haven't read the rest of the series because it's my understanding that Keira is featured throughout and people maybe haven't loved her character. I can easily understand why you wouldn't love her, she immediately comes off as an abrupt, sometimes cold and rude, person- everything you would say were characteristics of an awful mother in law. Every book and movie that has that character, this is what Keira is. The book begins with us learning that while she FINALLY finds love (although reluctantly), he dies right away and she's left again. So her daughter and grandfather (and his new wife) decide they are going to lure Keira to the United States (from Ireland) to help Moira with her new baby, maybe help out at the pub Moira's husband runs, and (hopefully) decide that life here is better among family.
Keira comes and from the start things aren't falling into place quite so easily.
Eventually she meets Bryan, who is just as crabby as she is, and it's the start of a (rather comical) war so to speak. Bryan is a chef at the pub Keira finds herself consulting for to make it truly authentically Irish, and they butt heads over how things should be done. He's kind of a mystery because he doesn't talk much, but Keira ends up being his neighbor, and they strike up an out-of-work friendship... it just doesn't carry over into the pub. I got the feeling that Keira wants to be happy and in love but she has a reputation to uphold and doesn't want to appear weak- she's lived her entire life on her own and managed to raise her children alone by being tough and no nonsense. Love is something she doesn't have time for and can't afford to let herself be broken by someone else again. Third time's the charm?
If you didn't know, you would think this has "Hallmark movie" written all over it and as it turns out, it's part of a Hallmark Channel Original series. So if you are a fan of Hallmark movies, the feel good family based stories, or maybe a romance that isn't all hot sex and bad boys- this is for you. Truly. I think readers who enjoy romance but not with all the kink are going to enjoy this. Obviously if you're a fan of this series, this is a great addition. All of the favorite characters make an appearance (which is nice because if you were a fan of Moira and Luke, you are going to really love this book because they appear quite a bit and you get to see how they, and their new daughter Kate, are. Overall I'm giving this book 3/5 stars because I think I like a little more kink? This is maybe too vanilla for me to randomly pick up, but I also know a lot my blog readers aren't into kink so much and this would be right up their alley!
Keira comes and from the start things aren't falling into place quite so easily.
Eventually she meets Bryan, who is just as crabby as she is, and it's the start of a (rather comical) war so to speak. Bryan is a chef at the pub Keira finds herself consulting for to make it truly authentically Irish, and they butt heads over how things should be done. He's kind of a mystery because he doesn't talk much, but Keira ends up being his neighbor, and they strike up an out-of-work friendship... it just doesn't carry over into the pub. I got the feeling that Keira wants to be happy and in love but she has a reputation to uphold and doesn't want to appear weak- she's lived her entire life on her own and managed to raise her children alone by being tough and no nonsense. Love is something she doesn't have time for and can't afford to let herself be broken by someone else again. Third time's the charm?
If you didn't know, you would think this has "Hallmark movie" written all over it and as it turns out, it's part of a Hallmark Channel Original series. So if you are a fan of Hallmark movies, the feel good family based stories, or maybe a romance that isn't all hot sex and bad boys- this is for you. Truly. I think readers who enjoy romance but not with all the kink are going to enjoy this. Obviously if you're a fan of this series, this is a great addition. All of the favorite characters make an appearance (which is nice because if you were a fan of Moira and Luke, you are going to really love this book because they appear quite a bit and you get to see how they, and their new daughter Kate, are. Overall I'm giving this book 3/5 stars because I think I like a little more kink? This is maybe too vanilla for me to randomly pick up, but I also know a lot my blog readers aren't into kink so much and this would be right up their alley!
October 21, 2017
** ARC provided by the author for an honest review **
The ever talented Sherryl Woods brings you another installment in her Chesapeake Shores series with Lilac Lane. The series has grown over Ms. Wood's time as a established author as now this addition making it the 14th book in the series. Her work is so endorsed that a TV series is out regarding these wonderful novels.
A story of the hardships of love and life, the loss of love and the redemption that a new love can bring.
Single mother, Keira Malone tried her absolute best to be best mother she could to her children. Coming from an abusive relationship, as her ex-husband left her when the children were younger, she worked hard to provide. However, working hard caused a rift with her children due to the lack of understanding on their end to acknowledge on the way of living.
As the years go by, the present becomes bleak with what little light shines. After years of being closed off, Keira allows herself to fall in love. However, her fiancé dies of a heart attack and she feels anger, depressed for being alone again. Still stuck in the mundane life, she holds true by working as the manager at her ex-fiancé's bar until her feet become steady again.
The future holds promise.
Just when she thinks life can't get any better, Keira is invited to come to stay with her daughter on a worker’s visa. She becomes a consultant for her son-in-law’s Irish pub and there she meets Bryan, the pub's chef. They fireworks fly with their combativeness and banter, but as they get to know each other better, things between them take off, giving Keira hope for love again.
Matchmaking skills at it's finest has returned in Chesapeake Shores and this 4 STAR addition should be read by all! I really liked Keira and Bryan’s story. They both had situations in their pasts that caused them to close off to the idea of moving forward and being happy and in love with someone. But as they got to know one another, they allowed themselves to open up to the possibility of more. Light shined upon happiness and love and I love when stories have HEA!
Sherryl Woods is defiantly an author that no one should miss out on! She is superb, outstanding and simply put... a fantastic well-written author!
The ever talented Sherryl Woods brings you another installment in her Chesapeake Shores series with Lilac Lane. The series has grown over Ms. Wood's time as a established author as now this addition making it the 14th book in the series. Her work is so endorsed that a TV series is out regarding these wonderful novels.
A story of the hardships of love and life, the loss of love and the redemption that a new love can bring.
Single mother, Keira Malone tried her absolute best to be best mother she could to her children. Coming from an abusive relationship, as her ex-husband left her when the children were younger, she worked hard to provide. However, working hard caused a rift with her children due to the lack of understanding on their end to acknowledge on the way of living.
As the years go by, the present becomes bleak with what little light shines. After years of being closed off, Keira allows herself to fall in love. However, her fiancé dies of a heart attack and she feels anger, depressed for being alone again. Still stuck in the mundane life, she holds true by working as the manager at her ex-fiancé's bar until her feet become steady again.
The future holds promise.
Just when she thinks life can't get any better, Keira is invited to come to stay with her daughter on a worker’s visa. She becomes a consultant for her son-in-law’s Irish pub and there she meets Bryan, the pub's chef. They fireworks fly with their combativeness and banter, but as they get to know each other better, things between them take off, giving Keira hope for love again.
Matchmaking skills at it's finest has returned in Chesapeake Shores and this 4 STAR addition should be read by all! I really liked Keira and Bryan’s story. They both had situations in their pasts that caused them to close off to the idea of moving forward and being happy and in love with someone. But as they got to know one another, they allowed themselves to open up to the possibility of more. Light shined upon happiness and love and I love when stories have HEA!
Sherryl Woods is defiantly an author that no one should miss out on! She is superb, outstanding and simply put... a fantastic well-written author!
October 17, 2017
This is a multi-generational story about an extended Irish family who basically "run" the small town of Chesapeake Shores, Maryland. They are mostly entrepreneurs who designed and developed the town, and the family owns several businesses. The family's matriarch Nell is a real hoot....she's up in everyone's business and has elevated meddling to an art form. Nothing gets past Nell, and when she notices sparks flying between Keira Malone and Bryan Laramie, well let's just say they don't stand a prayer.
Both Keira and Bryan made poor choices in their first spouses. Keira's husband abandoned her and their three children. Keira finds love after her kids are grown only to lose her fiancé the same day he proposed. Bryan's wife left him almost twenty years ago and took their one-year-old baby with her. He's spent thousands of dollars on attorneys and private investigators trying to locate them. They seem like such an unlikely couple because both are so guarded, but when Luke hires Moira as a consultant in his Irish Pub, she gets on Bryan's very last nerve: He doesn't need nor does he want any advice from a prickly yet pretty Irish lady.
This is a very sweet story about loss and how one finds the courage to be vulnerable to the possibility of love again. It's cute how the entire town of Chesapeake Shores conspires to nudge Keira and Bryan together in the guise of a Fall Festival cook-off: Their challenge is to win the most votes for the best Irish Stew in town. Plus Bryan's victory will "seal the deal" with a proposal to Keira. But what if Keira wins? Read the book to find out. If you enjoy humorous family dramas, sweet romances, and a Hallmark movie-worthy setting, then you'll love Lilac Lane. By the way, Chesapeake Shores is a Hallmark original series, so it truly is a Hallmark town!
Disclosure: I received an ARC of Lilac Lane from the publisher via TLC Book Tours in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Both Keira and Bryan made poor choices in their first spouses. Keira's husband abandoned her and their three children. Keira finds love after her kids are grown only to lose her fiancé the same day he proposed. Bryan's wife left him almost twenty years ago and took their one-year-old baby with her. He's spent thousands of dollars on attorneys and private investigators trying to locate them. They seem like such an unlikely couple because both are so guarded, but when Luke hires Moira as a consultant in his Irish Pub, she gets on Bryan's very last nerve: He doesn't need nor does he want any advice from a prickly yet pretty Irish lady.
This is a very sweet story about loss and how one finds the courage to be vulnerable to the possibility of love again. It's cute how the entire town of Chesapeake Shores conspires to nudge Keira and Bryan together in the guise of a Fall Festival cook-off: Their challenge is to win the most votes for the best Irish Stew in town. Plus Bryan's victory will "seal the deal" with a proposal to Keira. But what if Keira wins? Read the book to find out. If you enjoy humorous family dramas, sweet romances, and a Hallmark movie-worthy setting, then you'll love Lilac Lane. By the way, Chesapeake Shores is a Hallmark original series, so it truly is a Hallmark town!
Disclosure: I received an ARC of Lilac Lane from the publisher via TLC Book Tours in exchange for a fair and honest review.
October 21, 2017
Lilac Lane is the epitome of a small-town romance, Hallmarkesque story. From this book alone, it is easy to see why the books have been made into a series on the Hallmark Channel. It has everything one would expect, from the adorable meet cute to the happy ending and all of the sugary sweet stuff that takes place in between.
I have never read this author's books before nor have I seen the TV series, but Chesapeake Shores and Lilac Lane are places I would love to visit. The ocean breezes and the familial atmosphere are just the ticket to an escape from the crazy world. It's a bit too perfect, but whatever! It's fun to imagine what such a world would be like! The wine glass is never empty and hearts are always full of love.
I didn't realize Lilac Lane was the 14th(!) book in the series, but I was able to jump right in and feel like a part of the story. It didn't blow me away, and I didn't think it was quite as "epic" as the blurb leads one to believe, but nevertheless, I enjoyed the clean and sweet romance. I'm definitely considering checking out the TV series too!
*I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*
I have never read this author's books before nor have I seen the TV series, but Chesapeake Shores and Lilac Lane are places I would love to visit. The ocean breezes and the familial atmosphere are just the ticket to an escape from the crazy world. It's a bit too perfect, but whatever! It's fun to imagine what such a world would be like! The wine glass is never empty and hearts are always full of love.
I didn't realize Lilac Lane was the 14th(!) book in the series, but I was able to jump right in and feel like a part of the story. It didn't blow me away, and I didn't think it was quite as "epic" as the blurb leads one to believe, but nevertheless, I enjoyed the clean and sweet romance. I'm definitely considering checking out the TV series too!
*I receive complimentary books from publishers, publicists, and/or authors. I am not required to write positive reviews. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255.*
October 16, 2017
Featuring a heartwarming romance, close family ties and delightful friendships, Lilac Lane is an endearing addition to Sherryl Woods' Chesapeake Shores series.
Following the sudden death of her mother Keira Malone's fiancé, Moira O'Brien is worried about her mom so she comes up with a foolproof plan to lure her to the US from Ireland. She convinces her mom that her husband Luke could use her help in his pub and she could use a helping hand with their baby. Keira readily agrees to visit temporarily and while waiting for her visa issues to be fully worked out, she is working at the pub as a consultant. Keira has not had an easy life and she is not one to mince words or hold back from voicing her opinions. Needless to say, she immediately gets on the pub's chef Bryan Laramie's nerves, who is not always amenable to her suggestions.
Bryan is haunted by the fact that he has not seen his daughter since his wife walked out on him years ago and he has never stopped looking for her. Although he is always pleasant, he is a bit of a loner who is devoted to his job. He wants to get along with Luke's mother-in-law, but Keira always manages to irritate him with her unsolicited advice. However, when she moves in next door to him, the unlikely pair end up spending a lot of time in each other's company. After his daughter unexpectedly re-enters his life, Keira is instrumental in smoothing over the rough spots in their reunion.
The relationship between Bryan and Keira is originally a little antagonistic as they bicker back and forth at the pub. Their peaceful moments are often short-lived due to their respective baggage. Their surprising friendship paves the way for their unlikely yet incredibly sweet romance but Keira's fears come between them on more than one occasion. She is quick to put obstacles in their path since she is afraid of risking her heart again. Until Bryan meets Keira, his unsettled past with his wife makes him hesitant to become seriously involved but his growing feelings for the feisty Irishwoman are the catalyst he needs to take steps to resolve these issues.
Lilac Lane is an engaging novel with a fantastic cast of characters and a slow moving but heartfelt romance. Readers who enjoy close-knit families, small town settings and clean romances are sure to love this newest installment in Sherryl Woods' homespun Chesapeake Shores series.
Following the sudden death of her mother Keira Malone's fiancé, Moira O'Brien is worried about her mom so she comes up with a foolproof plan to lure her to the US from Ireland. She convinces her mom that her husband Luke could use her help in his pub and she could use a helping hand with their baby. Keira readily agrees to visit temporarily and while waiting for her visa issues to be fully worked out, she is working at the pub as a consultant. Keira has not had an easy life and she is not one to mince words or hold back from voicing her opinions. Needless to say, she immediately gets on the pub's chef Bryan Laramie's nerves, who is not always amenable to her suggestions.
Bryan is haunted by the fact that he has not seen his daughter since his wife walked out on him years ago and he has never stopped looking for her. Although he is always pleasant, he is a bit of a loner who is devoted to his job. He wants to get along with Luke's mother-in-law, but Keira always manages to irritate him with her unsolicited advice. However, when she moves in next door to him, the unlikely pair end up spending a lot of time in each other's company. After his daughter unexpectedly re-enters his life, Keira is instrumental in smoothing over the rough spots in their reunion.
The relationship between Bryan and Keira is originally a little antagonistic as they bicker back and forth at the pub. Their peaceful moments are often short-lived due to their respective baggage. Their surprising friendship paves the way for their unlikely yet incredibly sweet romance but Keira's fears come between them on more than one occasion. She is quick to put obstacles in their path since she is afraid of risking her heart again. Until Bryan meets Keira, his unsettled past with his wife makes him hesitant to become seriously involved but his growing feelings for the feisty Irishwoman are the catalyst he needs to take steps to resolve these issues.
Lilac Lane is an engaging novel with a fantastic cast of characters and a slow moving but heartfelt romance. Readers who enjoy close-knit families, small town settings and clean romances are sure to love this newest installment in Sherryl Woods' homespun Chesapeake Shores series.
October 17, 2017
Moria wants her mom to come to Chesapeake Bay and hopes that the move will help her get past all the things that have happened in her life. She thinks a change of scenery will help her mom heal from the loss of a lover, a horrible marriage, and the never ending disappointment of her two sons. Kiera decides to take the journey from Ireland to Chesapeake Bay, she can't wait to meet her first grandchild and see the Irish pub her son-in-law Luke has opened. When she is asked to help out at the pub and make sure things are as authentic as possible she is happy to help. The only problem she finds is Bryan, the pubs chef. They immediately butt heads and sparks fly. Kiera isn't sure if she wants to move forward with the feelings that she has for Bryan. Bryan has issues all of his own, his wife left him years ago taking his daughter. Years of searching for them has turned up empty and he isn't sure if he is still married and how he can fix that now that he has found someone. He likes Kiera but doesn't want to mislead her. This was a lovely read that shows the healing value a family can give. I love the emotions a read like this evokes and I don't mind saying I laughed, cried, and smiled all the way through.
November 14, 2020
Another great book about heartbreak, secrets, and healing. I loved how much Bravery it took Keira to overcome her challenges and become closer to her daughter who also grew and learned a lot about her own self and overcoming some of her insecurities from her childhood, and the things Brion over came and developed in his life was fasinating to see!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 307 reviews