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Summer's End
FAMILY AFFAIR
To their respective families, Jack Wells and Amy Legend are outsiders. A free-spirited man-of-all-trades who takes life as it comes, Jack is far different from both his mother, the ever-organized widow of an admiral, and his methodical lawyer sister. And Amy, a professional athlete with exquisite taste and golden beauty, has a glamorous career a world apart from her bookish older siblings and college professor father.
When Jack's mother marries Amy's widowed father, the newlyweds invite all the children to spend the summer at the Legends' retreat in northern Minnesota. While their parents hoped they'd all like each other, they hadn't counted on just how well Jack and Amy would get along. For affection unexpectedly flares into a burning attraction that threatens to destroy already fragile bonds. Caught between long-simmering conflicts and clashing personalities, Jack and Amy agree to deny their desire until vacation is over. But it seems the more they resist, the deeper they find themselves falling in love. With a passion this strong, how can they possibly wait 'til SUMMER'S END ...
To their respective families, Jack Wells and Amy Legend are outsiders. A free-spirited man-of-all-trades who takes life as it comes, Jack is far different from both his mother, the ever-organized widow of an admiral, and his methodical lawyer sister. And Amy, a professional athlete with exquisite taste and golden beauty, has a glamorous career a world apart from her bookish older siblings and college professor father.
When Jack's mother marries Amy's widowed father, the newlyweds invite all the children to spend the summer at the Legends' retreat in northern Minnesota. While their parents hoped they'd all like each other, they hadn't counted on just how well Jack and Amy would get along. For affection unexpectedly flares into a burning attraction that threatens to destroy already fragile bonds. Caught between long-simmering conflicts and clashing personalities, Jack and Amy agree to deny their desire until vacation is over. But it seems the more they resist, the deeper they find themselves falling in love. With a passion this strong, how can they possibly wait 'til SUMMER'S END ...
432 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 1, 1999
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
May 26, 2019
I remember reading this book and liking it back, some, oh ten years ago when I was on a Kathleen Gilles Seidel kick.
I saw a copy come across my library as a digital loan suggestion. Since all I could remember about it is that the main female character was a famous Olympic gold medal winning figure skater and there was some blended family shenanigans taking place in a lake house over the summer, I felt this was ripe for a reread.
And my original rating stands. I still enjoyed this a heck of a lot, bonus that it felt like reading new and not a re-read.
Gwen and Hal meet, fall in love and get married in a whirlwind. They decide to get the families together during a summer at the summer house/camp that Hal's family has owned.
So what happens when pull together a pair of older newlyweds, their 5 adult children, the spouses of two of those children, 6 grandchildren spanning in age from 8 months to 16 years old and a surly teenaged nephew -- all of whom are strangers who find themselves made into instance family -- all together in a lake house for two months? Drama, shifting family dynamics, some revelations, a new romance, a lot of inner reflections, some relationships repaired and some broken.
Even though Gwen and Hal are the newly married couple Amy (Hal's youngest daughter) and Jack (Gwen's son) make up the romantic center of the story. I liked how both characters are built. I loved reading about the background of Amy's figure skating, how she came to it how it shaped her and how she shaped her career. It runs through the book. I especially like how even though some in the family dismiss her as just a "famous figure skater", during one fraught event we are reminded she is a professional athlete with muscles and endurance who is fit and well trained.
I also enjoy the hell out of Jack. He is such a man's man character. I know someone IRL just like him. The kind of person you can let loose, give them a hammer and couple of nails and when you come back in a week they've built an entire house wit indoor plumbing, a road, an irrigation system, etc. Just so handy and competent!
To a person the supporting characters are also well done. Jack and Holly (Gwen's daughter) adjust very quickly to the marriage. This is mostly because they are used to change having been navy brats and grew up moving to new bases and having a father who came and went when he was out on the boat.
Any also takes to Gwen pretty quickly.
It is Hal's other two children that struggle a bit more. Phoebe, Hals oldest daughter has the hardest tie adjusting because she was so close to her mother. But the author doesn't go a cliche route and make Phoebe mean or anything, she is just manfully struggling with the change. I also like how grounded her marriage and children are.
Ian, Hal's middle son, has a host of problems that come bubbling to the surface during the summer. But I like the place he ends up.
A lot of story happens over the course of the summer. This is is a good, sprawling read with lots of characters who slowly gel into a family. Outside of the drama, the author manages to make you feel like you spent a fun summer by the lake. By the end I closed the book smiling and feeling like I read the perfect summer book.
I saw a copy come across my library as a digital loan suggestion. Since all I could remember about it is that the main female character was a famous Olympic gold medal winning figure skater and there was some blended family shenanigans taking place in a lake house over the summer, I felt this was ripe for a reread.
And my original rating stands. I still enjoyed this a heck of a lot, bonus that it felt like reading new and not a re-read.
Gwen and Hal meet, fall in love and get married in a whirlwind. They decide to get the families together during a summer at the summer house/camp that Hal's family has owned.
So what happens when pull together a pair of older newlyweds, their 5 adult children, the spouses of two of those children, 6 grandchildren spanning in age from 8 months to 16 years old and a surly teenaged nephew -- all of whom are strangers who find themselves made into instance family -- all together in a lake house for two months? Drama, shifting family dynamics, some revelations, a new romance, a lot of inner reflections, some relationships repaired and some broken.
Even though Gwen and Hal are the newly married couple Amy (Hal's youngest daughter) and Jack (Gwen's son) make up the romantic center of the story. I liked how both characters are built. I loved reading about the background of Amy's figure skating, how she came to it how it shaped her and how she shaped her career. It runs through the book. I especially like how even though some in the family dismiss her as just a "famous figure skater", during one fraught event we are reminded she is a professional athlete with muscles and endurance who is fit and well trained.
I also enjoy the hell out of Jack. He is such a man's man character. I know someone IRL just like him. The kind of person you can let loose, give them a hammer and couple of nails and when you come back in a week they've built an entire house wit indoor plumbing, a road, an irrigation system, etc. Just so handy and competent!
To a person the supporting characters are also well done. Jack and Holly (Gwen's daughter) adjust very quickly to the marriage. This is mostly because they are used to change having been navy brats and grew up moving to new bases and having a father who came and went when he was out on the boat.
Any also takes to Gwen pretty quickly.
It is Hal's other two children that struggle a bit more. Phoebe, Hals oldest daughter has the hardest tie adjusting because she was so close to her mother. But the author doesn't go a cliche route and make Phoebe mean or anything, she is just manfully struggling with the change. I also like how grounded her marriage and children are.
Ian, Hal's middle son, has a host of problems that come bubbling to the surface during the summer. But I like the place he ends up.
A lot of story happens over the course of the summer. This is is a good, sprawling read with lots of characters who slowly gel into a family. Outside of the drama, the author manages to make you feel like you spent a fun summer by the lake. By the end I closed the book smiling and feeling like I read the perfect summer book.
July 8, 2015
As a romance, this book doesn't deliver. It's much more a family drama, which is fine, I just don't want you to get confused about what you're reading like I was. :)
The book is about the coming together of two families after their older parents get married. The synopsis focuses a lot on Jack and Amy, the youngest of the group, but there was o much going on that I can't honestly feel like their relationship was the focus of the book, and judging by that relationship, it's extremely unsatisfying. What was more interesting were the different personalities and a family dealing with changing circumstances now that the matriarch has died and the patriarch has remarried. There's a spoiled, overindulged teenager, a grown woman resenting the intrusion of a new woman in her father's life and trying to figure out where she fits in, another troubled teen sent to stay with them because his own mom and grandmother can't deal with him. And so on.
Amy and Jack were interesting too, but their relationship wasn't. It was just part of the overall story. And to tell you the truth, if anything could have made this book better it would have been if that romance had just been another aspect of the shifting family dynamic. Its feeble attempt to take center stage from time to time were awkward and unconvincing.
If you're interested in an honest, heartwarming family drama, you may enjoy this.
The book is about the coming together of two families after their older parents get married. The synopsis focuses a lot on Jack and Amy, the youngest of the group, but there was o much going on that I can't honestly feel like their relationship was the focus of the book, and judging by that relationship, it's extremely unsatisfying. What was more interesting were the different personalities and a family dealing with changing circumstances now that the matriarch has died and the patriarch has remarried. There's a spoiled, overindulged teenager, a grown woman resenting the intrusion of a new woman in her father's life and trying to figure out where she fits in, another troubled teen sent to stay with them because his own mom and grandmother can't deal with him. And so on.
Amy and Jack were interesting too, but their relationship wasn't. It was just part of the overall story. And to tell you the truth, if anything could have made this book better it would have been if that romance had just been another aspect of the shifting family dynamic. Its feeble attempt to take center stage from time to time were awkward and unconvincing.
If you're interested in an honest, heartwarming family drama, you may enjoy this.
May 10, 2011
SUMMER'S END by Kathleen Gilles Seidel is a contemporary read.A family affair indeed.When Jack Wells' mom marries Amy Legend's Dad the family is invited to spend the summer at the Legend's family retreat in Northern Minnesota. What occurs is an expected affection between Amy and Jack.They agree to wait until summer's end to deepen their growing feelings and their passion. This story weaves family drama of two conflicting families together to make one family through marriage. While one family lost a mother the other lost a father,together they gain both a new mother and a new father.here is grief,squabling with step siblings,bonding of two families and the transformation of these two families into one family by summer's end. A great summer read full of family drama,passion and step squabling.Any contemporary fan will enjoy this quick read.This book was received for the purpose of review from the publisher and details can be found at William Morrow,an imprint of Harper Collins Publishers and My Book Addiction Reviews.
October 27, 2016
3.75.....Rarely do I rate a book exactly what it's overall rating is but that is what I give it. Not quite a 4 but still a good read. A book about relationships, different personalities, and families trying to blend and accept loss and change. The setting of a cabin by the lake makes for some fun and exciting adventure. I read it as my summer was coming to an end. A feel good read.
July 6, 2020
Not what I was expecting, but still a good read. A lot of characters, but they were all very well developed and were needed as part of the story.
Jack Well's mother marries Amy Legend's father. Their yearly (now combined) summer trip to the lake will change their lives and futures forever.
I want to read Pleas Remember This, Almost Uncommon Degree of Popularity, and Keep Your Mouth Shut and Wear Beige.
Jack Well's mother marries Amy Legend's father. Their yearly (now combined) summer trip to the lake will change their lives and futures forever.
I want to read Pleas Remember This, Almost Uncommon Degree of Popularity, and Keep Your Mouth Shut and Wear Beige.
September 16, 2021
Zunächst ging es schleppend voran und war relativ flach, aber dann konnte ich es nicht mehr aus der Hand legen. Die Spannungskurve war relativ flach und der Schreibstil altertümlich, allerdings haben sich die Charaktere unbemerkt verändert und ich habe Zugang zu Ihnen gefunden, was es zu einem guten Buch gemacht hat!
January 3, 2022
Summer's End Giles Seidel, Kathleen 3 F Rom. 2 families blend when professor marries admiral's widow, 2 adult children figure skater prof's daughter falls for admiral's son jack of all trades at summer place, make room for all family find out what matters peace with differences & past 2017 10/10/2017 10/5/2017
February 18, 2020
De verhaallijn is pure romantiek en tegelijk met een modern tintje over het nieuw-samengesteld gezin en de problemen die zich daarbij voordoen omtrent acceptatie van de nieuwe ouder, spanningen met de plus-zussen en -broers. Een mooi verhaal, zeker de moeite waard!
October 10, 2020
Again this book is a trademark Kathy.
While it’s much more a family drama than a romance, you will cheer for Amy & Jack to work it out.
I’ve read & reread this book numerous times since it’s publication in 1999 and it never gets old to me.
While it’s much more a family drama than a romance, you will cheer for Amy & Jack to work it out.
I’ve read & reread this book numerous times since it’s publication in 1999 and it never gets old to me.
March 2, 2018
It was good, but kind of slow.
May 20, 2021
Very Good
January 17, 2022
One of my must-re-reads in a Winter Olympics year.
January 9, 2023
A perfectly charming little romantic drama/family story that was a nice, comfortable read.
February 25, 2014
Three and a half stars. I wasn’t sure how I was going to go settling to another book after reading The Captain’s Daughter. Sometimes reading a really good book makes it hard on the book that follows, so it took me a little while to settle to Summer’s End. As one who wouldn’t consider staying in such rustic conditions without essential facilities like and indoor toilet and electricity just to mention two, I failed to see the big attraction of the family holiday at the lake. One of the other things that took a bit of getting used to was the style. Early on, it seemed like so much telling the reader rather than showing characters by their words and actions. I found I tended to skip bits about Amy, simply because I’m not that into figure skating.
The story starts when Gwen dates and then marries Hal Legend. It is only eighteen months or thereabouts since Hal's wife Eleanor died. As a consequence the family are not overly thrilled with the new marriage, especially Phoebe the eldest who really had set her mother on a pedestal. They agree to the family holiday at the lake as do Gwen’s two, Holly and Jack. The aim is to try and help them get to know each other and blend the two families. But it is an uneasy gathering.
What no-one had counted on were the complications caused by the attraction that springs up between Amy and Jack. Jack is a great character. One of my favourites in the story along with Holly and Gwen. This is not just a romance but a story of a family trying to fit together and work through issues. Having come from a one child family I was interested in the pecking order that went on between siblings and how even as adults they reverted to roles held as children. I enjoyed this book more than I expected to initially, though I still tended to skim over the skating bits. It is a short quick read but one that packs a lot into those pages. This is my first book by this author and I’d be likely to read another.
The story starts when Gwen dates and then marries Hal Legend. It is only eighteen months or thereabouts since Hal's wife Eleanor died. As a consequence the family are not overly thrilled with the new marriage, especially Phoebe the eldest who really had set her mother on a pedestal. They agree to the family holiday at the lake as do Gwen’s two, Holly and Jack. The aim is to try and help them get to know each other and blend the two families. But it is an uneasy gathering.
What no-one had counted on were the complications caused by the attraction that springs up between Amy and Jack. Jack is a great character. One of my favourites in the story along with Holly and Gwen. This is not just a romance but a story of a family trying to fit together and work through issues. Having come from a one child family I was interested in the pecking order that went on between siblings and how even as adults they reverted to roles held as children. I enjoyed this book more than I expected to initially, though I still tended to skim over the skating bits. It is a short quick read but one that packs a lot into those pages. This is my first book by this author and I’d be likely to read another.
April 8, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. The characters are so well written and so well rounded. I love when a story is mostly character based, especially when the characters are so interesting and loveably.
Gwen and Hal get married, both of their spouses have died within the past few years and neither expected to fall in love so suddenly.
They each have grown children, Gwen has Jack and Holly. Hal has Phoebe, Ian and Amy.
Each year Hal takes his family to a summer place by the lake. This year, of course, he takes Gwen and they encourage her children Jack and Holly to come too.
Every person on Hal's side is very used to their place in the family and how things should be done (for them, things should be done the way they're always done). Phoebe is the oldest and feels very untethered since losing her mom and is holding tight to being the oldest sister. Meanwhile, Amy is the youngest. She's a world famous Olympic athlete but in her family she feels like an afterthought.
Gwen's kids are easy going. Jack is very loveable and he just wants his mom to be happy.
When Jack and Amy start to fall for each other, Jack knows his mom doesn't approve of them starting a relationship right now when this new family is still forming. Jack and Amy have to deal with their own feelings, while trying to figure out if everyone can be happy.
Gwen and Hal get married, both of their spouses have died within the past few years and neither expected to fall in love so suddenly.
They each have grown children, Gwen has Jack and Holly. Hal has Phoebe, Ian and Amy.
Each year Hal takes his family to a summer place by the lake. This year, of course, he takes Gwen and they encourage her children Jack and Holly to come too.
Every person on Hal's side is very used to their place in the family and how things should be done (for them, things should be done the way they're always done). Phoebe is the oldest and feels very untethered since losing her mom and is holding tight to being the oldest sister. Meanwhile, Amy is the youngest. She's a world famous Olympic athlete but in her family she feels like an afterthought.
Gwen's kids are easy going. Jack is very loveable and he just wants his mom to be happy.
When Jack and Amy start to fall for each other, Jack knows his mom doesn't approve of them starting a relationship right now when this new family is still forming. Jack and Amy have to deal with their own feelings, while trying to figure out if everyone can be happy.
July 13, 2018
I picked up this book somewhere in my travels, where it had been abandoned by another traveler. I liked it enough on the first read to bring it home but it has really endeared itself to me in various re-readings since, the latest of which was this past Christmas.
There's one scene where the hero and heroine meet again after a long absence, and the hero gives a speech about skylights that's one of the most romantic things I've ever read.
That speech aside, Seidel's talent is not in crafting a grand, epic love story - which is probably why "Summer's End" didn't make it out of Vancouver when I moved. However, the cast of characters - three generations of a blended family - is delightful. Each person is distinct but nuanced and their interactions with each other are surprising yet organic. While not really relevant to the story, Seidel's observations about all manner of miscellaneous things are astute and interesting to read.
There's one scene where the hero and heroine meet again after a long absence, and the hero gives a speech about skylights that's one of the most romantic things I've ever read.
That speech aside, Seidel's talent is not in crafting a grand, epic love story - which is probably why "Summer's End" didn't make it out of Vancouver when I moved. However, the cast of characters - three generations of a blended family - is delightful. Each person is distinct but nuanced and their interactions with each other are surprising yet organic. While not really relevant to the story, Seidel's observations about all manner of miscellaneous things are astute and interesting to read.
May 31, 2011
My grade: B-. Although this is billed as a romance, to me it is women's fiction. There is a romance in it--Amy and Jack's--but that's just one of the plot elements. It's about a big, dysfunctional extended family. I liked all the family members (except the two I wasn't supposed to like). I adored Jack. I'd like to marry him, actually. Everyone in the story has to realize they have contributed to the dysfunction and work to change. There was no description of Jack and Amy's sex or even of their kissing. They were brought together and the door (or in this case the tent flap) was closed. It was as clean as an inspirational romance, but that's where the similarity ended.
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October 28, 2021This is more of a family saga than a romance, IMO, but it's readable despite the plethora of characters. It's also interesting and wise. Two families blend in more ways than one when a parent remarries (and one falls apart), but it all seems like it's for the best. It's a book that helps us understand and appreciate those of us who are intelligent in less traditional, non-academic ways. Recommended if you like women's fiction with a touch of romance. Also, fair warning: The large print edition I read suffers from terrible proofreading/copyediting in the last eighth or so. Somebody (the publisher, not the author) didn't finish the job.
March 14, 2010
I had not read a Kathleen G. Seidel book in several years. I had forgotten what a lovely writer she is. This book had alot of family dynamics in it, and the romance was not the 100% focus of the book, but Seidel's characters are so compelling, interesting and real that I found the book to be an absolute page turner. I was sad for it to come to an end.
imo her writing style is similar to: (small town feeling)
Susan Wiggs
LaVyrle Spencer
Sheryl Woods
loved it.
imo her writing style is similar to: (small town feeling)
Susan Wiggs
LaVyrle Spencer
Sheryl Woods
loved it.
August 15, 2012
This was my first book by this author. I liked the story and the multiple family threads. The internal dialog was sometimes confusing-I would have to read a few times or flip a page to figure out whose thoughts I was reading. I also did not completely buy into the romance or at least the speed of it but I could see the possibility and liked everything else well enough. I give 4 stars despite these problems since I picked it up to read a few chapters and didn't put it down until I finished.
July 21, 2013
My Mom passed this book to me after she finished it during our summer vacation. I enjoyed it-definitely a clean read (romance there, but no details!)-definitely more than just chick lit. This is a story of a dysfunctional family and their annual month spent at their lake cabins. At times, a page turner.
October 23, 2013
Wanneer haar vader hertrouwt met zijn moeder en hun twee families de zomer doorbrengen in het vakantiehuis aan het meer, springt de vonk tussen Amy en Jack over. Maar niet al hun broers en zussen zijn het eens met de uitbreiding van de familie en als ze ontdekken wat er tussen Amy en Jack gaande is, gaan de poppen aan het dansen…
Een typisch liefdesromannetje, dat uiteraard goed afloopt…
Een typisch liefdesromannetje, dat uiteraard goed afloopt…
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January 23, 2015THIS IS RLY AS MUCH A NOVEL-WITH-ROMANCE AS A ROMANCE NOVEL. LOTS OF FAMILY DYNAMICS, ESPECIALLY WELL-DONE PORTRAYAL OF ADJUSTING TO A PARENT'S REMARRIAGE AS AN ADULT.
A PROFESSIONAL FIGURE SKATER FALLS FOR AN AWESOMELY NICE OUTDOORSY GUY. THIS IS COMPLICATED BY THE FACT THAT HER DAD JUST MARRIED HIS MOM, AND THEIR EXTENDED FAMILIES AREN'T EXACTLY MESHING WELL :(
A PROFESSIONAL FIGURE SKATER FALLS FOR AN AWESOMELY NICE OUTDOORSY GUY. THIS IS COMPLICATED BY THE FACT THAT HER DAD JUST MARRIED HIS MOM, AND THEIR EXTENDED FAMILIES AREN'T EXACTLY MESHING WELL :(
January 23, 2008
Kathleen is one of my three favorite living authors. I have never lent one to anyone who didn't like Kathleen, men and women alike. Some of her books are date because she wrote them years ago, but all are still very worth reading - even the Harlequins!
December 17, 2023
One of my favorite rereads (usually around Thanksgiving, even though most of the story is set over the summer). Almost more of a family story than a traditional romance, but I love all the characters and their relationships. The heroine's figure skating career is also well rendered and fascinating.
August 11, 2011
Another book I really enjoyed. Love the family dynamics and the awwwww ending. Also another book that I wished din't end when it did, I want to know how everything ends :( It's not finished to my liking LOL I guess that is a sign of a good book - I want more :)
September 14, 2015
This is not a romance novel and more a contemporary fiction about the family dynamic. The synopsis is very misleading since a majority of the novel centers around the two families and goes into detail about their personal issues. No sex, no romance, and very little about Amy & Jack as a couple.
May 23, 2019
romance,sentimental vacation home,athlete
June 21, 2010
A lovely family story/contemporary romance set at a lake in Minnesota. I bought a lot more books from her back list but this is my first read, so I hope the rest will be as interesting.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews