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The Lemonade Year
LOVE. LOSS. AND SECOND CHANCES.
Nina’s once-sweet life has unexpectedly turned sour. Her marriage is over, her job is in jeopardy, and her teenage daughter is slipping away from her. Then her father dies and issues with Nina’s mother come to a head; her estranged brother, Ray, comes home; and her sister, Lola, is tempted to blow a big family secret out of the water. They say the truth will set you free, but first it will make a huge mess of things.
All Nina’s got left is her final photography assignment shooting images for the book 32 Ways to Make Lemonade. Well, that and the attention of a younger man, but Oliver’s on-again-off-again romantic interest in her ebbs and flows so much she is seasick. And then Jack, her ex-husband, shows up, wanting to get back together.
As Nina struggles to find a way through her complicated relationships and to uncover her true path, she discovers just how valuable a second chance at life and happiness can be.
Nina’s once-sweet life has unexpectedly turned sour. Her marriage is over, her job is in jeopardy, and her teenage daughter is slipping away from her. Then her father dies and issues with Nina’s mother come to a head; her estranged brother, Ray, comes home; and her sister, Lola, is tempted to blow a big family secret out of the water. They say the truth will set you free, but first it will make a huge mess of things.
All Nina’s got left is her final photography assignment shooting images for the book 32 Ways to Make Lemonade. Well, that and the attention of a younger man, but Oliver’s on-again-off-again romantic interest in her ebbs and flows so much she is seasick. And then Jack, her ex-husband, shows up, wanting to get back together.
As Nina struggles to find a way through her complicated relationships and to uncover her true path, she discovers just how valuable a second chance at life and happiness can be.
352 pages, Paperback
Published April 3, 2018
33 people are currently reading
2148 people want to read
About the author
Amy Willoughby-Burle
8 books236 followersAmy Willoughby-Burle grew up in the small coastal town of Kure Beach, North Carolina. She studied writing at East Carolina University and is now a writer and teacher living in Asheville, North Carolina, with her husband and four children.
She writes about the mystery and wonder of everyday life. Her contemporary fiction focuses on the themes of second chances, redemption, and finding the beauty in the world around us. Amy is author of a collection of short stories entitled Out Across the Nowhere and a contributor to a number of anthologies. She is the author of the novels The Lemonade Year and The Year of Thorns and Honey.
She writes about the mystery and wonder of everyday life. Her contemporary fiction focuses on the themes of second chances, redemption, and finding the beauty in the world around us. Amy is author of a collection of short stories entitled Out Across the Nowhere and a contributor to a number of anthologies. She is the author of the novels The Lemonade Year and The Year of Thorns and Honey.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 153 reviews
April 3, 2018
I have some mixed feelings about this book. There were a lot of great moments for the characters in this book, moments of profound realizations causing personal growth and change. But, there was so much to muddle through. After the first third of the book, I will admit to skimming a fair bit, especially during the reflections, memories or fantasies. I could glean what I needed to quickly and move on to the more important moments.
This story is told from the first person with Nina being that character. Everything is as she sees and feels it. Usually I love first person because it allows for such an intimate, emotional connection. I didn't feel that as strongly in this book even though it seems like I should have. Nina just didn't feel really personable. I felt sympathy for her losses and I appreciated when she owned up to her part of the mistakes, but I didn't love her. I didn't feel emotionally connected to her.
All the characters in this book were dealing with lots of baggage, emotional struggle and dysfunction which made it hard to find and feel that balance of joy that is necessary for me as a reader. But, so much of this book is true to life. Life is hard. Rarely does it turn out like you hope it will. The struggles sometimes seem to outweigh the joys but the trick is, as this book says, to keep going. You can change how you look at things and you can adapt to new circumstances. Thank goodness for second chances.
Content: talk of infidelity, mention of sex outside of marriage, some references to alcohol and drug abuse, miscarriage, death, dysfunctional family relations.
- I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.
This story is told from the first person with Nina being that character. Everything is as she sees and feels it. Usually I love first person because it allows for such an intimate, emotional connection. I didn't feel that as strongly in this book even though it seems like I should have. Nina just didn't feel really personable. I felt sympathy for her losses and I appreciated when she owned up to her part of the mistakes, but I didn't love her. I didn't feel emotionally connected to her.
All the characters in this book were dealing with lots of baggage, emotional struggle and dysfunction which made it hard to find and feel that balance of joy that is necessary for me as a reader. But, so much of this book is true to life. Life is hard. Rarely does it turn out like you hope it will. The struggles sometimes seem to outweigh the joys but the trick is, as this book says, to keep going. You can change how you look at things and you can adapt to new circumstances. Thank goodness for second chances.
Content: talk of infidelity, mention of sex outside of marriage, some references to alcohol and drug abuse, miscarriage, death, dysfunctional family relations.
- I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions expressed are my own.
January 18, 2018
We are all broken human beings. We have been hurt as children by circumstances we didn't understand and by parents who were also broken, but who nevertheless struggled to do their best. And, our relationships are deeply altered by the pieces we hold onto that we so foolishly believe will protect us from ever being hurt again.
"The Lemonade Year" bravely tells all of our family stories --of those cycles of brokenness and ways we unwittingly hurt each other until we just have to let go in order to be vulnerable, be truthful, be forgiven, be healed and try, at last, maybe even again, and again to be truly, human.
I easily identify with narrator Nina because "when it rains, it pours." Her life has come unhinged--not only because of her recently finalized divorce, rebellious teen daughter, and job insecurity, but also because when her father dies and the estranged family comes together, the pain is so searing that the time for keeping secrets is over.
Willoughby-Burle's style is lively, vivid, humorous, and real. She is a master of dialogue! As a person of faith, I also appreciate the ways in which she weaves the universal themes of redemption, forgiveness, and unconditional love without being preachy.
I have even found some of my new favorite quotes in this novel:
"Being a mother doesn't stop me from doing things wrong. It doesn't give me superpowers. The most disheartening thing you realize as a parent is that no matter how hard you try, you're still just a regular human being. No cape or magic rope or invisible airplane can help you. You will screw up your kids. It's just a matter of how badly. You see it happening in front of you, yet you're powerless to stop it. Life spins out of control, and you are who you are. I guess the best superpower is having the courage to admit you have none."
and
"guilt and worry are evil cousins"
"Lemonade Year" epitomizes what we have to do in life---day in and day out--- for the rest of our lives: make lemonade out of the lemons that keep falling along the highway of life we are traveling. Indeed, that lemonade is the hope that keeps us moving forward toward wholeness.
"The Lemonade Year" bravely tells all of our family stories --of those cycles of brokenness and ways we unwittingly hurt each other until we just have to let go in order to be vulnerable, be truthful, be forgiven, be healed and try, at last, maybe even again, and again to be truly, human.
I easily identify with narrator Nina because "when it rains, it pours." Her life has come unhinged--not only because of her recently finalized divorce, rebellious teen daughter, and job insecurity, but also because when her father dies and the estranged family comes together, the pain is so searing that the time for keeping secrets is over.
Willoughby-Burle's style is lively, vivid, humorous, and real. She is a master of dialogue! As a person of faith, I also appreciate the ways in which she weaves the universal themes of redemption, forgiveness, and unconditional love without being preachy.
I have even found some of my new favorite quotes in this novel:
"Being a mother doesn't stop me from doing things wrong. It doesn't give me superpowers. The most disheartening thing you realize as a parent is that no matter how hard you try, you're still just a regular human being. No cape or magic rope or invisible airplane can help you. You will screw up your kids. It's just a matter of how badly. You see it happening in front of you, yet you're powerless to stop it. Life spins out of control, and you are who you are. I guess the best superpower is having the courage to admit you have none."
and
"guilt and worry are evil cousins"
"Lemonade Year" epitomizes what we have to do in life---day in and day out--- for the rest of our lives: make lemonade out of the lemons that keep falling along the highway of life we are traveling. Indeed, that lemonade is the hope that keeps us moving forward toward wholeness.
April 5, 2018
This book was definitely an interesting read. This is a contemporary women's fiction and it's written in first person, present tense. That was hard to get used to at first, but by the time I read the first hundred pages, I was starting to warm up to Nina's character. Although, I can't say that I was really invested until later on. This isn't a book that fits neatly in a box. It's a novel about loss, love, death, grief, childhood, parenthood, and so many other things. The writing is beautiful and Burle has a way of leaving out just enough to keep the reader hanging on the edge wondering how to fill in the blanks. This type of story takes some work on the part of the reader. It isn't a light, fluffy read. It's a thought-provoking read with wonderful nuggets of realization, hope, and learning.
If you're a fan of literary fiction, women's fiction, or a book that has layers of meaning, I think you'll enjoy The Lemonade Year. This book contains a lot of life issues including alcohol, drugs, mentions of sex outside of marriage, but all is done in good taste.
If you're a fan of literary fiction, women's fiction, or a book that has layers of meaning, I think you'll enjoy The Lemonade Year. This book contains a lot of life issues including alcohol, drugs, mentions of sex outside of marriage, but all is done in good taste.
April 29, 2018
I enjoyed reading this book. The story of family and forgiveness was well written and the family could be living next door. There were times I wanted to shake Nina and tell her to open her eyes. Nina is the sister that appears to be the rock of the family. She visits her father in the nursing home and is the one to take care of his funeral while dealing with her divorce and the rebellion of her teenage daughter wanting to live with her dad. Sister Lola has lapses in her memory and thinking patterns since a childhood accident and brother Ray is just out of prision in time for the funeral. Mom is a recovering alcoholic and everyone is determined to solve life's problems on their own. There are some great moments between Nina and her family. It's funny and a tear jerker all in one. I received this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
May 15, 2018
A wonderful work of women's fiction. Nina's struggles with family and love are very much relatable, which makes this an easy read. Though I sometimes wanted to give Nina a little shake, she was only a little lost. Don't we all get that way sometimes? And while it took a little longer than I'd like to reveal the issues behind her siblings Ray and Lola, it was satisfying to see it all come to together at the end. With flashbacks to the past, a marriage falling apart, family drama, and a lot of character development, this is a book that really puts you with Nina and her family. I especially related to her on the teen daughter relationship! Oh, when life gives you lemons...
I received a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
I received a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
May 1, 2018
***3.5 stars***
When I started this book I thought that I could get it read quickly. This is not a book that reads quickly! There are so many things to take in. Basically it is a story of love, loss, grief, forgiveness, and second chances. The family dynamic is complex, this is a dysfunctional family who have just lost their father. He was part of the glue that kept some of them together. They have to learn to work together as a family unit, instead of individuals.
Lola is the youngest sister and is probably the best of the bunch. She is dealing with an accident from her youth that still causes her problems as an adult. I won't say too much on this subject, because it is a huge part of the reason the family is struggling. Her story is revealed a little at a time.
Nina is the MC and the voice of the book. She has a lot on her plate, a job that is in jeopardy, a failed marriage, problems with a teen, infertility, attraction to a younger man, angst for her mother, and a brother that needs a lot of TLC. It really isn't unrealistic for a woman to be dealing with so much. I could empathize with her emotions, but she is a hard character to embrace.
I don't want you to think this is a book about doom and gloom. The emotions are real, the drama is realistic, and we all have hard things to deal with. One thing this book does give you is hope. Life does not work out perfectly, but it does get better.
The book deals with substance abuse, trauma, adultery, infertility, and dysfunctional relationships.
Source: Thanks to Shadow Mountain Publishing for sending me a complimentary review copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
When I started this book I thought that I could get it read quickly. This is not a book that reads quickly! There are so many things to take in. Basically it is a story of love, loss, grief, forgiveness, and second chances. The family dynamic is complex, this is a dysfunctional family who have just lost their father. He was part of the glue that kept some of them together. They have to learn to work together as a family unit, instead of individuals.
Lola is the youngest sister and is probably the best of the bunch. She is dealing with an accident from her youth that still causes her problems as an adult. I won't say too much on this subject, because it is a huge part of the reason the family is struggling. Her story is revealed a little at a time.
Nina is the MC and the voice of the book. She has a lot on her plate, a job that is in jeopardy, a failed marriage, problems with a teen, infertility, attraction to a younger man, angst for her mother, and a brother that needs a lot of TLC. It really isn't unrealistic for a woman to be dealing with so much. I could empathize with her emotions, but she is a hard character to embrace.
I don't want you to think this is a book about doom and gloom. The emotions are real, the drama is realistic, and we all have hard things to deal with. One thing this book does give you is hope. Life does not work out perfectly, but it does get better.
The book deals with substance abuse, trauma, adultery, infertility, and dysfunctional relationships.
Source: Thanks to Shadow Mountain Publishing for sending me a complimentary review copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
April 27, 2018
Kind of a strange book. The main character did a lot of things that made me cringe, like (SPOILER ALERT) kissing a random guy after picking up her deceased dad's stuff at a nursing home, after he finds her at a coffee shop/bookstore, kisses him again and walks with him to his apartment and actually goes up with him because he said he wanted to get her a jacket (red flags anyone?) Lucky for her, he was a nice guy and didn't do anything he shouldn't and neither did she, but it was just too much for me.
The back story behind her sister's accident took way too long to reveal in the book and I'm still not totally sure I understand all of what happened.
I know they were grieving and had a lot going on, but it was just too unbelievable to me.
A lot of talking about drinking coffee and alcohol and just odd conversations.
PS. My coworker was disappointed that there wasn't any recipes for lemonade.
The back story behind her sister's accident took way too long to reveal in the book and I'm still not totally sure I understand all of what happened.
I know they were grieving and had a lot going on, but it was just too unbelievable to me.
A lot of talking about drinking coffee and alcohol and just odd conversations.
PS. My coworker was disappointed that there wasn't any recipes for lemonade.
April 6, 2018
I really do love being able to review books. Reviewing for Shadow Mountain Publishing is always great. I have loved everything they have sent me and this book is no exception.
This story takes you on a roller coaster ride in emotions. There is so much heartache and loss in this book that it kind of tears at your heart strings. BUT, there is also so much, love, forgiveness, and second chances, that your emotions are all over the place. I LOVE it when a book can do that for me.
I don’t want to give too much away so I am just going to tell you a little about the characters that I love in this book.
Nina – Is looking at life as a single mother now. She thought her whole live was going to be perfect. Perfect house, perfect husband, perfect child. Then life happens. Nina, is a photographer, and most of her work is made up of taking pictures of food. She can hear the talk around the office that it might get sold….so she has uneasy feeling easy feeling at work also. Nina also has a 15-year-old daughter named Cassie, who doesn’t seem to like Nina at all. Nina, and her sister Lola, are close and Lola seems to keep Nina grounded. Then walks in Oliver. Just in case her life wasn’t messy enough, in walks a yummy young man who is interested in her. Nina has also recently lost her father. Her life is a train wreck that you cannot turn the pages fast enough to see how it turns out.
Lola, Nina’s sister, is my favorite character out of all of them. Nina, may be the MC, but Lola is still my favorite. I love her outlook on life, and her beautiful ability to forgive and love. She has a little problem with memory that I don’t want to talk too much about, but sometimes she forgets things at the most inconvenient times. Lola is dating Chris, and well, let’s just say…. mmmmmm mmmmm. Everyone around Lola is careful about what they say and do, because they are fearful that it will send her into some kind of memory loss or remembrance. Neither of which any one wants. Lola is so beautiful. Really, I just grew to love her so much in this book. I need to use her outlook on life every day!
Ray, is Nina’s brother. The troubled soul. The tortured soul, and the convicted soul. Ray, has spent his whole life pulling away from everyone he loves, and one of those times it lands in in prison. Ray, is the bad boy all the girls go for. Well, that is what he wants everyone to think about him. He is no good. He doesn’t deserve to be loved. He is a screw up. Ray, really isn’t as bad as he makes himself out to be. I couldn’t help be drawn to this tortured young man. He lived his life doing everything he could to make those who love him most hate him. He came and went as he pleased, and usually caused havoc when he was around. Ray’s story is probably my favorite part of this book. Lola, favorite character, and Ray’s story just made me see what so many other people I know might be going through. It is sad and beautiful at the same time.
Cassie, is Nina’s daughter, and I don’t like her at all. Yes, she is angsty teenager, but I still don’t like her. She is a good character to not like 😉. I feel bad that I don’t like her, but I don’t like any angsty teenager, so I guess it’s no a surprise I didn’t like her. Most of the time I just wanted to smack her in her face. But hey, the author did a great job of writing a character I loved to hate, so I guess that is great.
Jack, is Nina’s ex-husband. I still haven’t figured out how I feel about him in this story. I am still processing if I like where things went with him. He’s a great dad, and seems to be a good guy, but I am still on the fence about him. I would love to hear what you guys think about him though!
There are some other great characters in this book but these are the ones I chose to talk about. I decided I didn’t want to talk about Nina’s mother, because the jury is still out on her as well.
You should pick this one up. It has so much to it. It’s full of twists, and surprises, and second chances at life. Who doesn’t need a second chance once in a while. The author did a wonderful job bringing these characters to life for me. I could feel their emotions while I was reading, and there is nothing better than that. I felt like I was a fly on the wall during this whole book. Right there in it, but no one could see me. It was wonderful. I hope you take the time to read it.
Source: I was given this book as part of a blog tour in return for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way for this review. These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book.
This story takes you on a roller coaster ride in emotions. There is so much heartache and loss in this book that it kind of tears at your heart strings. BUT, there is also so much, love, forgiveness, and second chances, that your emotions are all over the place. I LOVE it when a book can do that for me.
I don’t want to give too much away so I am just going to tell you a little about the characters that I love in this book.
Nina – Is looking at life as a single mother now. She thought her whole live was going to be perfect. Perfect house, perfect husband, perfect child. Then life happens. Nina, is a photographer, and most of her work is made up of taking pictures of food. She can hear the talk around the office that it might get sold….so she has uneasy feeling easy feeling at work also. Nina also has a 15-year-old daughter named Cassie, who doesn’t seem to like Nina at all. Nina, and her sister Lola, are close and Lola seems to keep Nina grounded. Then walks in Oliver. Just in case her life wasn’t messy enough, in walks a yummy young man who is interested in her. Nina has also recently lost her father. Her life is a train wreck that you cannot turn the pages fast enough to see how it turns out.
Lola, Nina’s sister, is my favorite character out of all of them. Nina, may be the MC, but Lola is still my favorite. I love her outlook on life, and her beautiful ability to forgive and love. She has a little problem with memory that I don’t want to talk too much about, but sometimes she forgets things at the most inconvenient times. Lola is dating Chris, and well, let’s just say…. mmmmmm mmmmm. Everyone around Lola is careful about what they say and do, because they are fearful that it will send her into some kind of memory loss or remembrance. Neither of which any one wants. Lola is so beautiful. Really, I just grew to love her so much in this book. I need to use her outlook on life every day!
Ray, is Nina’s brother. The troubled soul. The tortured soul, and the convicted soul. Ray, has spent his whole life pulling away from everyone he loves, and one of those times it lands in in prison. Ray, is the bad boy all the girls go for. Well, that is what he wants everyone to think about him. He is no good. He doesn’t deserve to be loved. He is a screw up. Ray, really isn’t as bad as he makes himself out to be. I couldn’t help be drawn to this tortured young man. He lived his life doing everything he could to make those who love him most hate him. He came and went as he pleased, and usually caused havoc when he was around. Ray’s story is probably my favorite part of this book. Lola, favorite character, and Ray’s story just made me see what so many other people I know might be going through. It is sad and beautiful at the same time.
Cassie, is Nina’s daughter, and I don’t like her at all. Yes, she is angsty teenager, but I still don’t like her. She is a good character to not like 😉. I feel bad that I don’t like her, but I don’t like any angsty teenager, so I guess it’s no a surprise I didn’t like her. Most of the time I just wanted to smack her in her face. But hey, the author did a great job of writing a character I loved to hate, so I guess that is great.
Jack, is Nina’s ex-husband. I still haven’t figured out how I feel about him in this story. I am still processing if I like where things went with him. He’s a great dad, and seems to be a good guy, but I am still on the fence about him. I would love to hear what you guys think about him though!
There are some other great characters in this book but these are the ones I chose to talk about. I decided I didn’t want to talk about Nina’s mother, because the jury is still out on her as well.
You should pick this one up. It has so much to it. It’s full of twists, and surprises, and second chances at life. Who doesn’t need a second chance once in a while. The author did a wonderful job bringing these characters to life for me. I could feel their emotions while I was reading, and there is nothing better than that. I felt like I was a fly on the wall during this whole book. Right there in it, but no one could see me. It was wonderful. I hope you take the time to read it.
Source: I was given this book as part of a blog tour in return for an honest review. I was not compensated in any way for this review. These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book.
August 10, 2020
“Maybe not today, but one day, I will fly.
This is your lemonade year.”
1 Sentence Summary: Nina’s life is falling apart—her marriage just ended, her father just died, and her relationship with her teenage daughter is deteriorating—all she has left is her final assignment before she loses her job, 32 Ways to Make Lemonade.
My Thoughts: *Unidentifiable choking/screeching noises* I LOVED THIS SO MUCH! Honestly, I wasn’t expecting to love it, but it sucked me in from LITERALLY the very first sentence. The writing: exquisite. The characters: real and relatable. The family relationships: heartbreaking yet beautiful.
“It’s amazing, how life is laid out. The way we have to ride through the laughter and the tears. How hope is a release into the space around everything that hurts, giving all our pain somewhere to go, so that peace can find its way home.”
This is for sure a more character-driven than plot-driven novel. BUT that is not to say that the story is boring! I was completely invested in what was happening and I pretty much couldn’t put this book down. I loved the focus on family; Nina, Lola, and Ray’s interactions and connections were extremely well-written. And the mother-daughter relationships—Nina and her mother, as well as Nina and her own daughter, Cassie—paralleled each other beautifully.
“‘See you Thursday, Mom,’ I say like Thursday isn’t Dad’s funeral.
‘Good night, sweetie,’ Mom says, like it is.”
There was SO MUCH EMOTION in this novel. It was seriously (yes I know how cliched and overused this expression is but I can’t help it because it’s true) an emotional rollercoaster. I loved the theme of new starts and second chances, yet not completely forgetting the past. Nina had to figure out how to learn from the past without letting it overtake her and keep her from shaping her own future.
“You can’t turn around and head back down the road you’ve already traveled. All you can do is keep walking forward and hope that you’ll come across the path that leads you home.”
This novel was beautifully written, with wonderfully well-developed characters and relationships and I definitely recommend it.
Recommend to: People who want to read a beautiful story about family.
January 29, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed this read! A family full of dysfunction but much more full of heart. It's a book that makes you appreciate the strength of family. There are twists you won't see coming. While every character is struggling with their own many demons, they were likeable characters that I rooted for. They had their light-hearted moments that made me laugh and and ending that warmed my cold little heart and left me wanting more.
January 31, 2018
Loved the writing and the characters and the way it came together at the end.
May 13, 2018
I wanted to love this book but I don’t. It’s character driven, which I love, but the the dialogue was lacking. I think the character development was great overall.
However, Nina’s thoughts and nearly all of the dialogue between characters was extremely disjointed, especially in the first half of the book. The family’s story (all of their various stories) took too long to be revealed. The worst part is I have no idea how Nina came to the conclusion that she did at the end of the book in terms of her romantic life. There was absolutely no clue to her feelings or that it would happen that way except for other people telling her how she felt! She had her own admissions of guilt but that was no reason for it to play out the way it did. I understand the reason behind the arc of her and Oliver’s relationship but not her Jack’s. At all.
However, Nina’s thoughts and nearly all of the dialogue between characters was extremely disjointed, especially in the first half of the book. The family’s story (all of their various stories) took too long to be revealed. The worst part is I have no idea how Nina came to the conclusion that she did at the end of the book in terms of her romantic life. There was absolutely no clue to her feelings or that it would happen that way except for other people telling her how she felt! She had her own admissions of guilt but that was no reason for it to play out the way it did. I understand the reason behind the arc of her and Oliver’s relationship but not her Jack’s. At all.
December 13, 2017
Unfortunately, this book didn't appeal to me. There was just too much dysfunction to make it enjoyable. Each of the characters lives are a mess. Add them together and their family was a train wreck.
I felt like the first 75% of the book was just the characters going around in circles, complaining and afraid to do anything. The last 25% of the book was better, but not enough to redeem the story.
The writing was good, but the way the author interspersed huge sections of flashback sometimes left me confused.
If you are looking for a deep, heavy book about how life decisions can affect your life or about forgiveness and redemption, you might enjoy this one. If you are looking for a light fun read, skip this one.
I felt like the first 75% of the book was just the characters going around in circles, complaining and afraid to do anything. The last 25% of the book was better, but not enough to redeem the story.
The writing was good, but the way the author interspersed huge sections of flashback sometimes left me confused.
If you are looking for a deep, heavy book about how life decisions can affect your life or about forgiveness and redemption, you might enjoy this one. If you are looking for a light fun read, skip this one.
April 18, 2018
This book…wow, just wow!
As I started reading, I wasn’t quite sure what to think of the main character. I actually wasn’t sure what her name was for a chapter or two. The way the book is written, it’s all from her perspective. I like the way she is. She’s a little bit crazy! Talk to herself, make her whole life into a movie, kiss the man from the nursing home who helped her father when she doesn’t even know him kind of crazy. Really the best kind of crazy! Nina really grew on me throughout the book. She became someone that I really liked and I really wanted her life to go the best way for her.
I liked her family too! There’s Jack, her ex-husband. Cassie, her daughter who is not at all happy that Jack is her ex-husband. Lola, her sister who has holes in her memory. I just want to stop her and say I really liked the way you don’t know what happened to Lola for a really long time in the plot. Lola’s boyfriend Chris, he’s a commercial actor who Lola has no idea is on TV, so funny! Ray, the black sheep of the family, he’s been in jail and his life is so interesting! There’s Nina’s mom, who Nina pretty much feels like caused all of her problems. And Oliver, the nursing home worker that Nina kissed.
The plot of this one is so good. The book is really about relationships. I know I have relationships in my life that are just messed up, Nina’s got so many of those. Almost everyone of her family has a huge issue that has caused huge issues for Nina. But the book is really about how we get around those, how we love those people anyway. How we make things work every day that really shouldn’t work at all. I have to say, I liked how everything turned out.
This one is so great! You won’t want to miss reading this Women’s Fiction novel.
As I started reading, I wasn’t quite sure what to think of the main character. I actually wasn’t sure what her name was for a chapter or two. The way the book is written, it’s all from her perspective. I like the way she is. She’s a little bit crazy! Talk to herself, make her whole life into a movie, kiss the man from the nursing home who helped her father when she doesn’t even know him kind of crazy. Really the best kind of crazy! Nina really grew on me throughout the book. She became someone that I really liked and I really wanted her life to go the best way for her.
I liked her family too! There’s Jack, her ex-husband. Cassie, her daughter who is not at all happy that Jack is her ex-husband. Lola, her sister who has holes in her memory. I just want to stop her and say I really liked the way you don’t know what happened to Lola for a really long time in the plot. Lola’s boyfriend Chris, he’s a commercial actor who Lola has no idea is on TV, so funny! Ray, the black sheep of the family, he’s been in jail and his life is so interesting! There’s Nina’s mom, who Nina pretty much feels like caused all of her problems. And Oliver, the nursing home worker that Nina kissed.
The plot of this one is so good. The book is really about relationships. I know I have relationships in my life that are just messed up, Nina’s got so many of those. Almost everyone of her family has a huge issue that has caused huge issues for Nina. But the book is really about how we get around those, how we love those people anyway. How we make things work every day that really shouldn’t work at all. I have to say, I liked how everything turned out.
This one is so great! You won’t want to miss reading this Women’s Fiction novel.
February 26, 2018
The Lemonade Year by author Amy Willoughby-Burle is a story about family, love, loss and new beginnings. Nina, the main character is a photographer for a food publication. Her current assignment is to photograph 32 ways to make lemonade. As Nina is dealing with serious real-life issues in her home and extended family, she has to make choices.
Nina is still grieving the loss of a baby, she is at the ending of her marriage to Jack, she is at a loss of how to deal with her teenage daughter Cassie, and she is in the midst of a funeral for her father. How much can a person take all at once? Oh yes, and her publisher may be selling out to another company, she could lose her job, too. Read further and you will be able to sympathize with Nina and her family as they each have personal problems and obstacles to overcome.
Nina's mother had been dependant on alcohol years in the past and then she became consumed in caregiving after Lola's horrific injury. This left Nina and her brother Jack to wade through their teenage years with their father as their main source of support. As you read you can feel that Nina has bitterness in her heart for her mother. I think this carried over into Nina's married life with Jack. Especially after the loss of the baby boy at her nineteenth week of pregnancy. Nina cannot easily accept the fact that she will not have more children. As so often happens in families experiencing the loss of a baby, the remaining child will feel as if they are not enough. Nina imagines and believes the worst about the distance in her relationship with Jack.
There is a scene in the cemetery of Nina and her mother that made my heart hurt for both of them! Have I hooked your interest? I hope so because this story is about finding the truth ...not just Nina's personal truth, but each truth for each person in her family. When Nina realizes and accepts responsibility for looking at the truth of each person, she can let go of never feeling content or happy in the moment.
When it seems your life has given you only lemons, and no sugar to sweeten the choices, grab some strawberries and add to the mix, look again with a different perspective. Enjoy!
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Nina is still grieving the loss of a baby, she is at the ending of her marriage to Jack, she is at a loss of how to deal with her teenage daughter Cassie, and she is in the midst of a funeral for her father. How much can a person take all at once? Oh yes, and her publisher may be selling out to another company, she could lose her job, too. Read further and you will be able to sympathize with Nina and her family as they each have personal problems and obstacles to overcome.
Nina's mother had been dependant on alcohol years in the past and then she became consumed in caregiving after Lola's horrific injury. This left Nina and her brother Jack to wade through their teenage years with their father as their main source of support. As you read you can feel that Nina has bitterness in her heart for her mother. I think this carried over into Nina's married life with Jack. Especially after the loss of the baby boy at her nineteenth week of pregnancy. Nina cannot easily accept the fact that she will not have more children. As so often happens in families experiencing the loss of a baby, the remaining child will feel as if they are not enough. Nina imagines and believes the worst about the distance in her relationship with Jack.
There is a scene in the cemetery of Nina and her mother that made my heart hurt for both of them! Have I hooked your interest? I hope so because this story is about finding the truth ...not just Nina's personal truth, but each truth for each person in her family. When Nina realizes and accepts responsibility for looking at the truth of each person, she can let go of never feeling content or happy in the moment.
When it seems your life has given you only lemons, and no sugar to sweeten the choices, grab some strawberries and add to the mix, look again with a different perspective. Enjoy!
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
April 4, 2018
The Lemonade Year by Amy Willoughby-Burle
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Release Date: April 3, 2018
Rating: 4 Stars
I would like to thank the publisher for providing me with an advanced reader copy of The Lemonade Year for an honest review.
The Lemonade Year is a journey of heartache and loss and finding a way out of it and seeing if you can heal. The family dynamic is filled with lots of pain and dysfunction but you are revealed the truths as to how most of it all occurred in slowly throughout the book. The siblings of Nina’s Lola and Ray with their painful past and present and learning to let go and be happy despite it all was a highlight for me.
FULL REVIEW GO TO: https://takemeawaytoagreatread.com/20...
Publisher: Shadow Mountain
Release Date: April 3, 2018
Rating: 4 Stars
I would like to thank the publisher for providing me with an advanced reader copy of The Lemonade Year for an honest review.
The Lemonade Year is a journey of heartache and loss and finding a way out of it and seeing if you can heal. The family dynamic is filled with lots of pain and dysfunction but you are revealed the truths as to how most of it all occurred in slowly throughout the book. The siblings of Nina’s Lola and Ray with their painful past and present and learning to let go and be happy despite it all was a highlight for me.
FULL REVIEW GO TO: https://takemeawaytoagreatread.com/20...
April 19, 2018
I'm beginning to think that women's fiction isn't my favorite genre. This was a well written book that had a great storyline but it wasn't my favorite. I understand Nina's struggles. I've been there with some of them. I was enjoyed getting to know Oliver and Nina together and try to figure out Oliver's mystery, but I didn't like how that ended up. Maybe there was no foreshadowing of his story. I'm not sure but I wasn't satisfied with what happened with Oliver, although in a way I can see why it works.
I did enjoy see how Nina's family relationships ended up mending. I did feel like there were too many flashback stories. Some were necessary but some we not. In the end, this book will appeal to lots of women. It is a great story, but just not for me.
I did enjoy see how Nina's family relationships ended up mending. I did feel like there were too many flashback stories. Some were necessary but some we not. In the end, this book will appeal to lots of women. It is a great story, but just not for me.
April 3, 2018
4 1/2 stars
Reviewed for www.compassbookratings.com
Overall Review:
The Lemonade Year is a powerful story about life and second chances. Set in North Carolina, this contemporary fiction is narrated by Nina, a woman whose life is in shambles. Nina and the novel's other characters are complex -- perhaps a little over-the-top and stereotyped in some scenes -- yet endearing and memorable. As a character-driven story, the plot is filled with Nina's reminiscings and not always chronological. Despite these frequent recollections, the story is easy-to-understand and completely captivating. Readers will adore the book's wisdom and humor. Author Amy Willoughby-Burle packs an emotional punch with tender scenes, well-crafted sentences, and plenty of stunning imagery. The Lemonade Year is inspiring, entertaining, and sure to be a hit!
Review of an Advance Reader Copy
For full content analysis, go to www.compassbookratings.com
Reviewed for www.compassbookratings.com
Overall Review:
The Lemonade Year is a powerful story about life and second chances. Set in North Carolina, this contemporary fiction is narrated by Nina, a woman whose life is in shambles. Nina and the novel's other characters are complex -- perhaps a little over-the-top and stereotyped in some scenes -- yet endearing and memorable. As a character-driven story, the plot is filled with Nina's reminiscings and not always chronological. Despite these frequent recollections, the story is easy-to-understand and completely captivating. Readers will adore the book's wisdom and humor. Author Amy Willoughby-Burle packs an emotional punch with tender scenes, well-crafted sentences, and plenty of stunning imagery. The Lemonade Year is inspiring, entertaining, and sure to be a hit!
Review of an Advance Reader Copy
For full content analysis, go to www.compassbookratings.com
April 4, 2018
Happy #pubday to The Lemonade Year! 🎉 I found this book to be quite enjoyable and relatable. In The Lemonade Year we meet Nora. Nora's life is spiraling out of control-she is recently divorced, has a teenage daughter that is taking her anger out on her, her father has just passed away, and her job is in jeopardy. When life is handing you a bowl full of lemons, how do you sweeten it up to make lemonade? This book was her journey to find hope and peace in situations that left little hope to be found. Also found in this book is some family dysfunction, a new love interest, and an ex-husband looking to reconcile. I enjoyed all of the characters and was rooting for this family to come together, and for them all to find happiness in their lives. I found the relationship between Nora and Oliver strange at first but then we find out why and it all makes sense. This was a quick, easy read that had me invested and engaged. Thank you @shadowmtnpublishing for this advance reader in exchange for my honest review.
August 8, 2021
Best ending I have read in a long time!!!
Favorite quotes from the book:
"How does forgiving you change the past?"
"It doesn't; it changes the future."
"Your try too hard to figure things out on your own... Sometimes you have to give up control because if you want to know the truth, control wasn't yours to begin with. You are scraping and clawing to hold the reigns of a horse that you can't lead. Turn them loose."
"I finally see that Mom just wanted to be Wonder Woman but her cape was constantly stuck in the door of the invisible airplane and she couldn't see where the door handle was to release it.
Nina: "Thank you for wearing jeans," I say in greeting.
Other character: "I don't often go out in public without pants...sometimes, but not often."
Favorite quotes from the book:
"How does forgiving you change the past?"
"It doesn't; it changes the future."
"Your try too hard to figure things out on your own... Sometimes you have to give up control because if you want to know the truth, control wasn't yours to begin with. You are scraping and clawing to hold the reigns of a horse that you can't lead. Turn them loose."
"I finally see that Mom just wanted to be Wonder Woman but her cape was constantly stuck in the door of the invisible airplane and she couldn't see where the door handle was to release it.
Nina: "Thank you for wearing jeans," I say in greeting.
Other character: "I don't often go out in public without pants...sometimes, but not often."
August 15, 2021
This book was picked out solely because of the cover. It took me a bit to get into the book. But between work and kids it took me longer to read that it normally would have.
I knew there was something about Oliver but I couldn’t figure out what. I sensed things with Jack weren’t over either. Cassie is just like every typical teenager. I knew she wouldn’t stay away from Nina long.
I love that Lola and Chris have made it work. She was one of my favorite characters.
Ray chose the right thing to do by staying. Hopefully he stays on the right path and keeps Nicole and Michael in his life.
I knew there was something about Oliver but I couldn’t figure out what. I sensed things with Jack weren’t over either. Cassie is just like every typical teenager. I knew she wouldn’t stay away from Nina long.
I love that Lola and Chris have made it work. She was one of my favorite characters.
Ray chose the right thing to do by staying. Hopefully he stays on the right path and keeps Nicole and Michael in his life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 30, 2018
One of my favorite books of the year. The opening paragraph made me want to rip my highlighter out and mark up so many phrases. The story should be morose but it was also laugh out loud funny.
February 19, 2022
Different! A bit slow moving but the characters are so interesting you get wrapped into their lives. I will read her second book, for sure!
June 9, 2023
By the time I got halfway through I just started skimming. Not a great read.
November 27, 2020
Actual rating 3.5. This was a little heavier than I expected. It was a good audio book, and I would have finished sooner if I were doing more walking, so don't let the amount of time it took me to read it reflect on the book. This is a novel of family dynamics, skewed memories, troubled relationships, personal trauma. Parts were almost as amusing as I'd hoped when I picked it up. Parts were predictable. That's a long way of saying I still don't know what I think of it - sometimes I find myself wondering if I finished the book.
March 10, 2018
I loved Ms. Willoughby-Burle’s witty, conversational writing style and poignant observations. This book had me in tears several times.
February 27, 2018
awesome. would recommend to almost any audience. keeps your attention and leaves you satisfied at the end.
June 3, 2018
If you like stories about redemption and second chances then ‘The Lemon Year’ might be a book that you would enjoy. Death, struggling relationships and a broken marriage are just some of what we see at play here in the lives of the book’s characters. While often one character can injure or damage a relationship it takes at least two to heal it. We see that in the exchange of Nina and her mother as they speak of forgiveness and redemption as Nina struggles to let go of some past wrongs of her mother. Nina asks, “But how does forgiving you change the past?” The mothers response simple yet profound, “It doesn’t. It changes the future. That’s all that we can do.” Too many of us allow the ugliness of the past to shackle us down, preventing us from ever seeing the beauty and grandeur of a better and brighter future. Forgiveness is the key that can break those binds. The occasional whiplash of scenes from past to future and more is annoying at times but getting passed that allows the message of redemption to come through loud and clear. A great summer read.
Enjoy and #ReadOn
Enjoy and #ReadOn
May 14, 2018
Overall it is a book you want to enjoy. Unfortunately, there are a few things standing in the way of making this a truly enjoyable book. First, the editing. There are a number (a very high number) of grammatical errors that should have been caught by any decent editor. Very elementary things like blatant misspellings and missing words. The other editing problem comes in that this book is about 100 pages too long. The story gets bogged down in repetitious wanderings and generally just way too many words. A good editor would have cut out a lot of unneeded blathering and had the book running along at a much better pace.
The second reason this book is not as enjoyable as it could be it that as it progresses the main character, Nina, becomes more and more unlikable. The "strong" member of a generally dysfunctional family we see her acting more and more not as the rock that holds everyone together, but as a bratty adult who treats everyone around her with anger, unkindness, and downright contempt. One begins to see why her daughter would rather not be around her, why her marriage crumbled, and one wonders why on earth her ex-husband would want her back. After about half the book the reader also begins to wonder if anyone in this family has ever heard of therapy and why on earth have they not hired someone to help them with their many issues.
Third, there are a number of improbable situations that cause the reader to wonder if the author just lacked the creativity to bring two characters together in a more believable way or if she really expects us to believe the random ways characters colide. Several instances with Oliver come off as more stalkerish than romantic. This is only one of quite a few situations where the reader is expected to buy into a situation that just doesn't seem realistic.
I know this review is coming off a bit harsh, but my three star rating would have been 2.5 if that were permitted. Overall it is an okay book, but only okay. I got half way through in one sitting because it is difficult to put down until you realize how awful Nina is and you start focusing on how frequently you are finding editing errors. I may have read faster than normal when I started skimming ahead because I'd already read and processed how unhappy Nina was too many times and I was getting sick of how she treated her brother. Not a great book, but okay if you have some time and nothing better to do.
The second reason this book is not as enjoyable as it could be it that as it progresses the main character, Nina, becomes more and more unlikable. The "strong" member of a generally dysfunctional family we see her acting more and more not as the rock that holds everyone together, but as a bratty adult who treats everyone around her with anger, unkindness, and downright contempt. One begins to see why her daughter would rather not be around her, why her marriage crumbled, and one wonders why on earth her ex-husband would want her back. After about half the book the reader also begins to wonder if anyone in this family has ever heard of therapy and why on earth have they not hired someone to help them with their many issues.
Third, there are a number of improbable situations that cause the reader to wonder if the author just lacked the creativity to bring two characters together in a more believable way or if she really expects us to believe the random ways characters colide. Several instances with Oliver come off as more stalkerish than romantic. This is only one of quite a few situations where the reader is expected to buy into a situation that just doesn't seem realistic.
I know this review is coming off a bit harsh, but my three star rating would have been 2.5 if that were permitted. Overall it is an okay book, but only okay. I got half way through in one sitting because it is difficult to put down until you realize how awful Nina is and you start focusing on how frequently you are finding editing errors. I may have read faster than normal when I started skimming ahead because I'd already read and processed how unhappy Nina was too many times and I was getting sick of how she treated her brother. Not a great book, but okay if you have some time and nothing better to do.
January 10, 2018
I enjoyed this book for many reasons. I especially like the way the characters personas and back stories were revealed in layers. The relationships between characters was very believable and I was surprised by twists I didn't see coming. I devoured the story greedily because I couldn't wait to see how it ended. I now will go back and read it more leisurely so as to be able to ponder the parallels to real life relationships (mine) that I only allowed in glimpses the first read through.
I hope there are more books from this author on the future!
I hope there are more books from this author on the future!
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