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Summer Serenade
When Ballerina Elle Harrington suffers a career-ending injury, she is forced to return to her hometown of Sugar Hollow, Virginia. With no income, no savings and a mountain of credit card debt, Elle is in dire need of immediate employment in her small town. When she sees a help wanted sign in the window of the local diner, Elle decides to apply for a waitressing position. Jonas Landry, the owner of the Sugar Hollow diner, can't believe his eyes when his former high school crush, Elle Harrington, shows up at his establishment looking for a job. The last time he saw Elle she was heading toward a life of fame and fortune as a ballerina in New York City. Although skeptical, Jonas soon finds himself impressed by Elle's pluck and work ethic. As they work side by side at the diner, Elle and Jonas begin to develop romantic feelings for each other. But will a misunderstanding doom their summer romance?
69 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 14, 2017
48 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
About the author
Belle Calhoune
95 books434 followersBelle Calhoune writes heartwarming, inspirational romance novels set in small, cozy towns. Married to her college sweetheart and living in southern Connecticut, she is the mother of two girls. Born and raised in Massachusetts, she is one of five children. Growing up across the street from a public library allowed her to become an avid reader who aspired to be a romance writer. When she isn't writing, she enjoys reading, spending time in Cape Cod, traveling and enjoying time with friends and family.
Belle hopes her books will provide readers with inspiration, entertainment and an escape from day to day life.
Belle hopes her books will provide readers with inspiration, entertainment and an escape from day to day life.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
July 7, 2017
BELIEVE IN YOURSELF
It's hard to believe in yourself when everything you thought you'd ever do or be will no longer happen. Elle was a professional ballerina until an injury ended her career. Dancing was all she ever knew and all she ever wanted to do, so now that she couldn't do that, what was she supposed to do now?
She finds herself at the door of the diner in her hometown, face-to-face with the owner, whom she knew in school but they'd never been friends. She never really noticed him much, but Jonas definitely noticed Elle, and when she came asking for a job, he didn't believe the world-famous ballerina was not only home but looking for a waitressing job. That just wasn't Elle. But they both found things out about each other that they'd never expected. We misjudge people all the time and expect them to fit into this image we have of them, when we don't really know the whole story.
Elle proves she's not the high and mighty socialite everyone thinks she must have become when she moved to New York, and Jonas isn't the nerdy nobody everyone thought he was in high school. Not only did they have things about each other that they never knew, they also had a relationship they never saw coming.
Elle has to learn to change her focus and find a new dream, and Jonas has to accept something good when it comes his way without sabotaging it because he's jealous, or he thinks he has to protect himself from something bad happening to him when he's really keeping something good from happening instead. Both have to believe in themselves, and believe in each other.
It's hard to believe in yourself when everything you thought you'd ever do or be will no longer happen. Elle was a professional ballerina until an injury ended her career. Dancing was all she ever knew and all she ever wanted to do, so now that she couldn't do that, what was she supposed to do now?
She finds herself at the door of the diner in her hometown, face-to-face with the owner, whom she knew in school but they'd never been friends. She never really noticed him much, but Jonas definitely noticed Elle, and when she came asking for a job, he didn't believe the world-famous ballerina was not only home but looking for a waitressing job. That just wasn't Elle. But they both found things out about each other that they'd never expected. We misjudge people all the time and expect them to fit into this image we have of them, when we don't really know the whole story.
Elle proves she's not the high and mighty socialite everyone thinks she must have become when she moved to New York, and Jonas isn't the nerdy nobody everyone thought he was in high school. Not only did they have things about each other that they never knew, they also had a relationship they never saw coming.
Elle has to learn to change her focus and find a new dream, and Jonas has to accept something good when it comes his way without sabotaging it because he's jealous, or he thinks he has to protect himself from something bad happening to him when he's really keeping something good from happening instead. Both have to believe in themselves, and believe in each other.
June 18, 2017
3.75 Stars
This book is the first book of Belle Calhoune’s that I have read. Because of this I wasn’t sure on what to expect. But I needn’t have worried because I enjoyed this short story. I liked the storyline for this book and like both the hero and heroine. I will admit that I liked Elle more than Jonas. I liked that although her dreams of a ballerina career had ended, Elle didn’t mope. She got up and got herself a job and got on with her life. I liked Jonas but I didn’t feel a connection towards him. I wanted him to open up more. He preached about Elle being everything he wanted. Yet when her ex entered the picture he was off with Elle. He judged her, believed she would bad mouth the diner and upset her. Although I liked Elle and Jonas together, I thought she forgave him too easily.
The storyline for this book is easy to follow and a nice read.
This book is the first book of Belle Calhoune’s that I have read. Because of this I wasn’t sure on what to expect. But I needn’t have worried because I enjoyed this short story. I liked the storyline for this book and like both the hero and heroine. I will admit that I liked Elle more than Jonas. I liked that although her dreams of a ballerina career had ended, Elle didn’t mope. She got up and got herself a job and got on with her life. I liked Jonas but I didn’t feel a connection towards him. I wanted him to open up more. He preached about Elle being everything he wanted. Yet when her ex entered the picture he was off with Elle. He judged her, believed she would bad mouth the diner and upset her. Although I liked Elle and Jonas together, I thought she forgave him too easily.
The storyline for this book is easy to follow and a nice read.
August 13, 2017
OK, so the story isn't about a serenade, but hey, one gets over it.
The plot was interesting: injured ballerina meets ex-classmate. Characters were pretty well built up too. But then the stage broke: towards the end BC probably felt there should be some kind of conflict so she hooked one off the peg... but dropped it. Both hero and heroine behaved out of place so the story collapsed.
What hurt me even more, that in th beginning there was the promising story line of the hero's little sister. Why didn't BC use this idea and incorporate it into the structure, to cause conflict, to give deeper characters to the hero/heroine? Lost opportunity. I recommend a re-write, it could easily be a 4-star story!
The plot was interesting: injured ballerina meets ex-classmate. Characters were pretty well built up too. But then the stage broke: towards the end BC probably felt there should be some kind of conflict so she hooked one off the peg... but dropped it. Both hero and heroine behaved out of place so the story collapsed.
What hurt me even more, that in th beginning there was the promising story line of the hero's little sister. Why didn't BC use this idea and incorporate it into the structure, to cause conflict, to give deeper characters to the hero/heroine? Lost opportunity. I recommend a re-write, it could easily be a 4-star story!
June 20, 2017
SUMMER SERENADE is an inspiring story of a ballerina and her courage to find purpose for her life after the injury that ruins her career. It’s not only a story of hope, but it also is a heart-warming story of forgiveness. One of my favorite quotes is: “God had surely left His fingerprints all around this town.” Wonderful story of Hope & Forgiveness! I really enjoy this author! I originally read this story in the Sweet Summer Nights collection.
June 18, 2017
Elle turned to The Lord after the loss of her ballet career and with His love and guidance she was set on the right path.
I loved all the characters and the story line.
I recommend this novella to those who like Christian romance.
I loved all the characters and the story line.
I recommend this novella to those who like Christian romance.
July 30, 2017
Another great read and message
When Belle gives life to characters she does it so beautifully. Thank you for telling Elle's story. Believing in ones self is very difficult when you've been brought down and Belle does a great job showing us how to overcome.
When Belle gives life to characters she does it so beautifully. Thank you for telling Elle's story. Believing in ones self is very difficult when you've been brought down and Belle does a great job showing us how to overcome.
September 5, 2017
When Elle comes back to Sugar Hollow her life changes. Jonas is surprised when Elle walks into his restaurant looking for a job. Watching these twos relationship change is wonderful. You will feel God working throughout this whole book.
March 23, 2018
The Dancer
A former ballerina returns home after a career ending injury and finds love. Home is really where her heart is but she still dreams of using her dancing abilities while falling in love. Very sweet romance.
A former ballerina returns home after a career ending injury and finds love. Home is really where her heart is but she still dreams of using her dancing abilities while falling in love. Very sweet romance.
July 27, 2017
Good short read
I enjoy Belle Calhoune. She is a good author. This is a good, easy read. The storyline is interesting and easy to follow.
I enjoy Belle Calhoune. She is a good author. This is a good, easy read. The storyline is interesting and easy to follow.
June 22, 2017
Blah!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews