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Summer by the Sea
"Susan Wiggs paints the details of human relationships with the finesse of a master." —Jodi Picoult
Explore the pleasures of love and laughter, food and wine, friendship and romance in an endearing novel of one woman’s journey to rediscover herself over the course of a single summer…
With a little determination and a lot of charm, Rosa Capoletti transformed her family’s restaurant, Celesta’s-by-the-Sea, from a run-down pizza joint into an idyllic beachfront venue—one that has been voted “best place to propose” three years in a row. Though Rosa excels at creating romantic memories for other couples, her own romance life has been quiet since her love affair with Alexander Montgomery ended without explanation a decade earlier.
When Alex returns to town unexpectedly, the spark of their romance begins to rekindle. Reunited at the beach house where they first fell in love, Rosa and Alexander discover that the secrets of the past are not what they seem. Now, with all that she wants right in front of her, Rosa searches for happiness with the man who once broke her heart—and learns that in love, as in life, there are always second chances.
Explore the pleasures of love and laughter, food and wine, friendship and romance in an endearing novel of one woman’s journey to rediscover herself over the course of a single summer…
With a little determination and a lot of charm, Rosa Capoletti transformed her family’s restaurant, Celesta’s-by-the-Sea, from a run-down pizza joint into an idyllic beachfront venue—one that has been voted “best place to propose” three years in a row. Though Rosa excels at creating romantic memories for other couples, her own romance life has been quiet since her love affair with Alexander Montgomery ended without explanation a decade earlier.
When Alex returns to town unexpectedly, the spark of their romance begins to rekindle. Reunited at the beach house where they first fell in love, Rosa and Alexander discover that the secrets of the past are not what they seem. Now, with all that she wants right in front of her, Rosa searches for happiness with the man who once broke her heart—and learns that in love, as in life, there are always second chances.
400 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
2315 people are currently reading
5532 people want to read
About the author
Susan Wiggs
169 books7,419 followersSusan Wiggs's life is all about family, friends...and fiction. She lives at the water's edge on an island in Puget Sound, and she commutes to her writers' group in a 17-foot motorboat. She serves as author liaison for Field's End, a literary community on Bainbridge Island, Washington, bringing inspiration and instruction from the world's top authors to her seaside community. (See www.fieldsend.org) She's been featured in the national media, including NPR's "Talk of the Nation," and is a popular speaker locally and nationally.
According to Publishers Weekly, Wiggs writes with "refreshingly honest emotion," and the Salem Statesman Journal adds that she is "one of our best observers of stories of the heart [who] knows how to capture emotion on virtually every page of every book." Booklist characterizes her books as "real and true and unforgettable." She is the recipient of three RITA (sm) awards and four starred reviews from Publishers Weekly for her books. The Winter Lodge and Passing Through Paradise have appeared on PW’s annual "Best Of" lists. Several of her books have been listed as top Booksense picks and optioned as feature films. Her novels have been translated into more than two dozen languages and have made national bestseller lists, including the USA Today, Washington Post and New York Times lists.
The author is a former teacher, a Harvard graduate, an avid hiker, an amateur photographer, a good skier and terrible golfer, yet her favorite form of exercise is curling up with a good book. Readers can learn more on the web at www.susanwiggs.com and on her lively blog at www.susanwiggs.wordpress.com.
According to Publishers Weekly, Wiggs writes with "refreshingly honest emotion," and the Salem Statesman Journal adds that she is "one of our best observers of stories of the heart [who] knows how to capture emotion on virtually every page of every book." Booklist characterizes her books as "real and true and unforgettable." She is the recipient of three RITA (sm) awards and four starred reviews from Publishers Weekly for her books. The Winter Lodge and Passing Through Paradise have appeared on PW’s annual "Best Of" lists. Several of her books have been listed as top Booksense picks and optioned as feature films. Her novels have been translated into more than two dozen languages and have made national bestseller lists, including the USA Today, Washington Post and New York Times lists.
The author is a former teacher, a Harvard graduate, an avid hiker, an amateur photographer, a good skier and terrible golfer, yet her favorite form of exercise is curling up with a good book. Readers can learn more on the web at www.susanwiggs.com and on her lively blog at www.susanwiggs.wordpress.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 531 reviews
December 1, 2015
If you only like romances with lots of steamy sex, don't read this book.
If you only like breezy novels with quick payoffs, don't read this book.
If you don't like well-drawn characters, don't read this book.
But DO read this book if:
* You like to read about people finding lasting love the second time around;
* You like to see literary puzzle pieces come together in a pleasing plot;
* You like to settle in with characters for a while;
* You don't mind flashbacks and well-fleshed-out back stories.
The pacing was a little slow in spots, but overall the book kept me engaged. One of the plot twists toward the end wasn't really a surprise, but another one was.
Susan Wiggs' books are usually good reads, and this one will satisfy her many fans.
If you only like breezy novels with quick payoffs, don't read this book.
If you don't like well-drawn characters, don't read this book.
But DO read this book if:
* You like to read about people finding lasting love the second time around;
* You like to see literary puzzle pieces come together in a pleasing plot;
* You like to settle in with characters for a while;
* You don't mind flashbacks and well-fleshed-out back stories.
The pacing was a little slow in spots, but overall the book kept me engaged. One of the plot twists toward the end wasn't really a surprise, but another one was.
Susan Wiggs' books are usually good reads, and this one will satisfy her many fans.
December 6, 2010
I am not sure how this author made it on my radar, but this will not be the last book that I read by her. This book was a very sweet story about first loves, first betrayals, and screwed up families.
The story switches back and forth from the present to the past. In the beginning we see where Rosa doesn't have the time of day for Alex, and I have to admit I wondered why, it seemed like she was out of line. But it is as we learn how these two meet as kids and see their friendship progress that we understand why Rosa is so mad, and yes, then you get why she feels the way she does. At this point I was happy that she was making Alex grovel like she did, he definitely needed to. But yet I really loved their story and wanted them to get together. It doesn't help that their story is basically that of West Side Story, the rich kid that summers at the island vs. the townie that those rich people believe are there to serve them. Of course it isn't just Alex's family that is against them, Rosa's family and friends look down at the "summer" guy, telling her he isn't a forever kind of guy. Among all this strife and love there seems to be one event that everything can be traced back to and just at the end we learn some hidden facts to those, ones that when you really think about it aren't that surprising and put the events in a new light.
The story switches back and forth from the present to the past. In the beginning we see where Rosa doesn't have the time of day for Alex, and I have to admit I wondered why, it seemed like she was out of line. But it is as we learn how these two meet as kids and see their friendship progress that we understand why Rosa is so mad, and yes, then you get why she feels the way she does. At this point I was happy that she was making Alex grovel like she did, he definitely needed to. But yet I really loved their story and wanted them to get together. It doesn't help that their story is basically that of West Side Story, the rich kid that summers at the island vs. the townie that those rich people believe are there to serve them. Of course it isn't just Alex's family that is against them, Rosa's family and friends look down at the "summer" guy, telling her he isn't a forever kind of guy. Among all this strife and love there seems to be one event that everything can be traced back to and just at the end we learn some hidden facts to those, ones that when you really think about it aren't that surprising and put the events in a new light.
October 4, 2020
#RetoRita4 #RitaSusan
4 Estrellitas. He quedado muy satisfecha con ésta novela, no lo esperaba para nada porque normalmente éste tipo de novelas me dan pereza. Pero éste libro me atrapó y de mala manera, porque una vez lo cogí no pude soltarlo.
"Una casa junto al mar" de Susan Wiggs es el libro que he elegido éste mes de octubre para el Reto Rita. Creo que no es lo primero que leo de la autora, pero con ésta novela me ha conquistado.
El argumento es muy típico y nada original, pero muy bien aderezado. Rosa Capoletti es hija de inmigrantes italianos y dueña de su propio restaurante en Winslow, un pueblecito ficticio de la Costa Este cercano a Nueva York. Si algo ha tenido de particular éste pueblecito es la oleada de veraneantes que vienen a disfrutar de las vacaciones estivales, y así es como Rosa conoció a Alex Montgomery.
Rosa y Alex se conocieron cuando eran niños, la madre de Rosa acababa de fallecer, y su padre era el jardinero de las villas de los ricos de la ciudad. Alex Montgomery era el hijo flacucho y enfermizo de un prestigioso hombre de negocios que veraneaba todos los años en la casa de la playa. Desde que ambos de conocen, se hacen inseparables, y cada uno espera con ansias al verano siguiente para volver a verse, hasta que siendo adolescentes pasa algo más entre ellos y su historia acaba inexplicablemente.
Han pasado doce años y Rosa aún no ha olvidado a Alex Montgomery. Aunque está satisfecha con la vida que lleva, con un negocio de éxito y los mejores amigos que puede desear, su vida no está completa. Pero Alex acaba de volver a Winslow, fuerte y sano, convertido en un irresistible hombre de negocios y volverá a poner la vida de Rosa patas arriba.
Desde el principio la historia de Alex y Rosa es muy intensa, pero ambos vienen de mundos muy diferentes y éste será el gran escollo en la historia. Rosa es hija de inmigrantes pobres, no pudo ir a la universidad y tiene que cuidar a un padre enfermo; mientras que la familia de Alex es de la alta sociedad americana y sus padres nunca estuvieron a favor de la relación de su hijo con la hija del jardinero.
Alex vuelve a Winslow con un propósito, y no sólo cambiar su vida. Su madre acaba de fallecer y necesita un cambio de aires, volver a ése pueblo donde una vez fue muy feliz, y poder volver a ver a Rosa, si todavía no es tarde.
El libro está dividido en varias partes entrelazadas. Por un lado la historia del presente, por el otro la historia de la niñez de Rosa y Alex cuando se conocen, y que es realmente enternecedora. Y otra parte, siendo adolescentes y con las hormonas revueltas, cuando se aman por primera vez, para acabar todo de manera muy precipitada y como si fuese una pesadilla.
Como digo el libro me ha enganchado capítulo a capítulo y lo he disfrutado muchísimo, si no le doy las 5 estrellas es porque me ha faltado algo más de romance, y unas pocas cosas más que han quedado en el aire y sin explicar, aunque la autora lo ha dejado a la imaginación. En éste libro todo girará en torno a los protagonistas, y cómo las acciones y decisiones de sus padres influyeron en la vida en común de Rosa y Alex, por un lado el padre de Rosa, y por el otro lado la infeliz y mezquina madre de Alex. Pero a pesar de todo, Alex está aquí para quedarse y para conseguir una segunda oportunidad con Rosa.
He disfrutado mucho éste libro, y una de las cosas que más me han gustado es que la autora nos ha dejado entre capítulos algunas recetas de comida casera italiana de la mamma de Rosa, una genialidad. Me ha gustado mucho la lectura elegida de éste mes y estoy segura de que volveré a leer a Susan Wiggs.
4 Estrellitas. He quedado muy satisfecha con ésta novela, no lo esperaba para nada porque normalmente éste tipo de novelas me dan pereza. Pero éste libro me atrapó y de mala manera, porque una vez lo cogí no pude soltarlo.
"Una casa junto al mar" de Susan Wiggs es el libro que he elegido éste mes de octubre para el Reto Rita. Creo que no es lo primero que leo de la autora, pero con ésta novela me ha conquistado.
El argumento es muy típico y nada original, pero muy bien aderezado. Rosa Capoletti es hija de inmigrantes italianos y dueña de su propio restaurante en Winslow, un pueblecito ficticio de la Costa Este cercano a Nueva York. Si algo ha tenido de particular éste pueblecito es la oleada de veraneantes que vienen a disfrutar de las vacaciones estivales, y así es como Rosa conoció a Alex Montgomery.
Rosa y Alex se conocieron cuando eran niños, la madre de Rosa acababa de fallecer, y su padre era el jardinero de las villas de los ricos de la ciudad. Alex Montgomery era el hijo flacucho y enfermizo de un prestigioso hombre de negocios que veraneaba todos los años en la casa de la playa. Desde que ambos de conocen, se hacen inseparables, y cada uno espera con ansias al verano siguiente para volver a verse, hasta que siendo adolescentes pasa algo más entre ellos y su historia acaba inexplicablemente.
Han pasado doce años y Rosa aún no ha olvidado a Alex Montgomery. Aunque está satisfecha con la vida que lleva, con un negocio de éxito y los mejores amigos que puede desear, su vida no está completa. Pero Alex acaba de volver a Winslow, fuerte y sano, convertido en un irresistible hombre de negocios y volverá a poner la vida de Rosa patas arriba.
Desde el principio la historia de Alex y Rosa es muy intensa, pero ambos vienen de mundos muy diferentes y éste será el gran escollo en la historia. Rosa es hija de inmigrantes pobres, no pudo ir a la universidad y tiene que cuidar a un padre enfermo; mientras que la familia de Alex es de la alta sociedad americana y sus padres nunca estuvieron a favor de la relación de su hijo con la hija del jardinero.
Alex vuelve a Winslow con un propósito, y no sólo cambiar su vida. Su madre acaba de fallecer y necesita un cambio de aires, volver a ése pueblo donde una vez fue muy feliz, y poder volver a ver a Rosa, si todavía no es tarde.
El libro está dividido en varias partes entrelazadas. Por un lado la historia del presente, por el otro la historia de la niñez de Rosa y Alex cuando se conocen, y que es realmente enternecedora. Y otra parte, siendo adolescentes y con las hormonas revueltas, cuando se aman por primera vez, para acabar todo de manera muy precipitada y como si fuese una pesadilla.
Como digo el libro me ha enganchado capítulo a capítulo y lo he disfrutado muchísimo, si no le doy las 5 estrellas es porque me ha faltado algo más de romance, y unas pocas cosas más que han quedado en el aire y sin explicar, aunque la autora lo ha dejado a la imaginación. En éste libro todo girará en torno a los protagonistas, y cómo las acciones y decisiones de sus padres influyeron en la vida en común de Rosa y Alex, por un lado el padre de Rosa, y por el otro lado la infeliz y mezquina madre de Alex. Pero a pesar de todo, Alex está aquí para quedarse y para conseguir una segunda oportunidad con Rosa.
He disfrutado mucho éste libro, y una de las cosas que más me han gustado es que la autora nos ha dejado entre capítulos algunas recetas de comida casera italiana de la mamma de Rosa, una genialidad. Me ha gustado mucho la lectura elegida de éste mes y estoy segura de que volveré a leer a Susan Wiggs.
January 26, 2020
Keliamės į kurortinį pajūrio miestelį, kuriame pagrindinis veiksmas vyksta vasaromis, kai sugrįžta atostogauti pakankamai pasiturintys žmonės į savo vasarnamius. Roza šiame pajūrio miestelyje turi savo restoraną ir visas jos gyvenimas sukasi aplink jį. Kol netikėtai, po dešimt metų, sugrįžta jos vaikystės draugas, anksčiau čia sugrįždavęs tik vasaroms, Aleksandras. Na ir tada prasideda…
Žinot, aš mėgstu romanus ir romantines meilės istorijas, bet šioji man beveik sukėlė skaitymo bloką. Nežinau kodėl, bet iš jos tikėjausi kažko daugiau ir šiek tiek gilesnio, o gavau visiškai atvirkščiai! Man, ši istorija, pasirodė labai paviršutiniška, banali, nors ir įdomi, nes tokio siužeto filmai kartais tikrai būna reikalingi. O kalbu aš apie daug Santos Barbaros ir kitokios panašaus lygio dramos, pvz.: turtingas ir vargšas, myliu - nemyliu, kažkas kažką pasakė, patikiu, apsiverkiu, išvažiuoju ir taip toliau..
Pagrindiniai veikėjai manęs taip pat nesužavėjo. Šiaip, net kai knyga nepatinka, man vistiek prie širdies būna bent vienas iš pagrindinių veikėjų, o čia man jie abu buvo atstumiantys savo kvailumu, sprendimais ir vaikiškumu. Atrodo suaugę žmonės, bet elgiasi… Dar tik noriu pabrėžti, kad skaitytumėt šią knygą bent kažkiek pavalgę, nes va kas tikrai patiko, tai receptai ir maisto apibūdinimai, tikrai norėjau pusę receptų bėgti ir iškarto gaminti!!
Žodžiu, nesužavėjo manęs ši knyga, o tiksliau - nuvylė mano lūkesčius, nepaisant visų skanių receptų, bet atostogoms prie jūros ar kažkur, kur šilta, manau ji būtų liuks! Kai nesinori nieko rimto ar sudėtingo - rekomenduoju šią, o ir šiaip, gal kitiems kaip tik ji patiks ir daug labiau nei man, nes kiekviena knyga atranda savo skaitytoją. O Jums patiko ši knyga?
August 26, 2008
I always say that I will take sleep deprivation over a bad book any day of the week and twice on Sundays. Thanks to Susan Wiggs, I'm now sleep deprived. This was the first book I picked up by her, and it won't be the last. She has a way of winding love, family, and friendship into a book that's so emotionally powerful you jump right in the setting. Bravo! I love her already!!!
July 22, 2012
The writing is solid. The characters are fine. So why did I hate this book? Soooooo slow to tell the story. The first chapter is fine, and then we have chapters and chapters--and chapters!--of the back story. And I knew on p. 297 of this 396-page book what the big secret was. Oy!
October 24, 2020
Estoy entre las 2'5 estrellas o las tres... Es la primera vez que leo algo de Susan Wiggs y ha sido gracias al #RetoRita4.
Para mí está historia ha sido entretenida pero sin más. Una lectura ágil de una historia muy bonita pero que me ha dejado un poco vacía. Para mí hay algo que le falta a este libro y me ha dejado esa sensación.
Alex es un hombre que ha vuelto buscando una segunda oportunidad con su amiga de la infancia, Rosa.
Por su parte, Rosa, Alex le hizo mucho daño en el pasado y no le apetece volver con él, aunque su corazón le diga lo contrario.
No es una historia jamás contada, pero ha sido bonito ir descubriendo como se desarrolla la relación entre ellos y como la retoman.
Para mí está historia ha sido entretenida pero sin más. Una lectura ágil de una historia muy bonita pero que me ha dejado un poco vacía. Para mí hay algo que le falta a este libro y me ha dejado esa sensación.
Alex es un hombre que ha vuelto buscando una segunda oportunidad con su amiga de la infancia, Rosa.
Por su parte, Rosa, Alex le hizo mucho daño en el pasado y no le apetece volver con él, aunque su corazón le diga lo contrario.
No es una historia jamás contada, pero ha sido bonito ir descubriendo como se desarrolla la relación entre ellos y como la retoman.
October 11, 2020
#retorita4 #ritasusan
Nueva autora que conozco gracias al #RetoRita
Aunque no ha estado mal este libro, tampoco creo que merezca más puntuación.
No está mal como escribe la autora, cada vez que leía aunque me ha parecido muy entretenido, tenía todo el tiempo la sensación de que me faltaba algo más y también me ha sobrado tantas recetas que aparecían en el libro, que entiendo que tenga que ver con la historia, pero para mi personalmente me sobraba.
No ha estado mal, pero tampoco ha sido para tirar cohetes.
Nueva autora que conozco gracias al #RetoRita
Aunque no ha estado mal este libro, tampoco creo que merezca más puntuación.
No está mal como escribe la autora, cada vez que leía aunque me ha parecido muy entretenido, tenía todo el tiempo la sensación de que me faltaba algo más y también me ha sobrado tantas recetas que aparecían en el libro, que entiendo que tenga que ver con la historia, pero para mi personalmente me sobraba.
No ha estado mal, pero tampoco ha sido para tirar cohetes.
August 16, 2016
Summer by the Sea by Susan Wiggs is a perfect beach side read. This is my first novel by Wiggs and it turned out to be a pleasant surprise, so I was definitely glad I included it in my summer reading bundle.
In this novel, we meet Rosa Capoletti who is a successful restaurateur of Celesta by the Sea. It’s located in lovely beach town that has been Rosa’s home since she was born. As with most summer beach spots, the townies always seem to stand apart from the regular summer residents that occupy the country clubs and local stops. However, when Rosa was eighteen, she made the mistake of falling for Alexander Montgomery, which ended in heartbreak for Rosa.
Now, ten years later, Alex is back in town and hoping to rekindle a romance he mistakenly sacrificed for reasons that slowly unfold throughout the story.
I really enjoyed this second chance romance novel. It was exciting to uncover the backstory that included slow and steady drama that was never over the top. I enjoyed how Susan Wiggs slowly, but purposefully, exposed the events that led up to Rosa and Alex going their separate ways.
Overall Summer by the Sea was filled with characters I enjoyed meeting and a storyline that was the perfect backdrop for a beach side read. I enjoyed this one quite a bit!
P.S. The recipes in this novel sound amazing and simple to make. The book inspired me to give a few of them a try. I'm quickly becoming hooked on food fiction. YUM!
In this novel, we meet Rosa Capoletti who is a successful restaurateur of Celesta by the Sea. It’s located in lovely beach town that has been Rosa’s home since she was born. As with most summer beach spots, the townies always seem to stand apart from the regular summer residents that occupy the country clubs and local stops. However, when Rosa was eighteen, she made the mistake of falling for Alexander Montgomery, which ended in heartbreak for Rosa.
Now, ten years later, Alex is back in town and hoping to rekindle a romance he mistakenly sacrificed for reasons that slowly unfold throughout the story.
I really enjoyed this second chance romance novel. It was exciting to uncover the backstory that included slow and steady drama that was never over the top. I enjoyed how Susan Wiggs slowly, but purposefully, exposed the events that led up to Rosa and Alex going their separate ways.
Overall Summer by the Sea was filled with characters I enjoyed meeting and a storyline that was the perfect backdrop for a beach side read. I enjoyed this one quite a bit!
P.S. The recipes in this novel sound amazing and simple to make. The book inspired me to give a few of them a try. I'm quickly becoming hooked on food fiction. YUM!
April 7, 2020
Για κάτι πολύ χαλαρωτικό που δεν χρειάζεται να σκέφτεσαι τίποτα είναι εξαιρετικό! Ελπίζω να κατάφερε να με βγάλει απ το αναγνωστικό τέλμα των τελευταίων εβδομάδων και να συνεχίσω δυναμικά με αξιολογότερα αναγνώσματα.
August 10, 2021
I devoured this book, as it is, mainly, a simple romance, well-written and well put together. There are some side issues, such as family interactions, depression, forgiveness and second chances. None of these overshadow the romance ... I was about to say simple romance (again) but we all know romance is never really simple. The book propelled me quickly to the end, and I really enjoyed a book that I just sat and read to enjoy the story.
March 16, 2021
Un libro sencillo y veraniego. Una historia algo predecible y con un final un poco precipitado. Sin embargo, igualmente lo he disfrutado. El libro indicado para cuando queremos algo fácil
September 30, 2025
I have read a number of books by Susan Wiggs, and have enjoyed them all, though some more than others. "Summer by the Sea" is not one of my favorites. There were things about it that really irked me. Remember Erich Segal's "Love Story," a novel that was on everyone's nightstand in 1970? The movie was just as good and had us all talking about a rich "preppie" and his lower class girlfriend. Her name was Jennifer Cavilleri, and she was a bright, beautiful dark haired girl, Catholic and Italian, with a dead mother and a hard working father. She fell in love with waspy, wealthy, Oliver Barrett IV, with his blonde hair and fair skin. Got all that? And now, in "Summer by the Sea, we meet Rosa Capoletti, dark haired, Catholic, and Italian, who falls in love with Alexander Montgomery, (Alex), waspy, blonde, blue eyed, and whose parents, much like Oliver Barrett IV's father, do not approve of such a romance. Clearly, the wealthy county club set parents in both books did not like their sons dating girls from the other side of the tracks. In these modern times, the stereotypes bugged me. I would like to think we are beyond this, but not in the fictional world of "Summer by the Sea."
Unlike in "Love Story," neither lead character is dying of leukemia, but there was a scene in Wiggs' novel where I expected Alex to tell his father that "Love means never having to say you're sorry," (the most memorable line from "Love Story). Alex and Rosa met as children when Alex's family spent summers in the Rhode Island seaside resort town of Winslow, where Rosa and her family lived year round. Rosa lost her mother as a child (so did Jennifer Cavilleri). Alex suffered from severe asthma and his overbearing mother forbid him from participating in normal childhood activities. Rosa helped him to do things he might not have ever tried if not for her. No surprise that, at some point, they would start to feel attracted to one another as they entered their teen years.
They were in love, but many things happened to tear them apart. They grew up, grew apart, and after a horrific accident, Alex never came back to the town where he had spent his summers, until, many years later, he did, and adult Rosa and adult Alex were still drawn to one another, but there were so many obstacles to their trying again. Secrets, manipulations, and promises continued to tear them apart.
The novel is told in many different timelines, which were sometimes confusing. I like a dual timeline, but this one bounced around, rather than being linear in any way. The romance between Alex and Rosa was strong, but tortured. I cared about them, and wanted them to have their happy ending, and I was definitely engaged. I just had trouble with the stereotypes of different demographics of society being based on money, nationality, and religion. I will definitely continue to read books by this author. She writes well, and with heart. This was not a bad book, not at all. It just was not as good as some her others. Perhaps this is due the book having been written nearly 20 years ago. The things that bothered me may not have bothered others, but it explains why this was only a 3 star read for me, even though I consider Wiggs to be a 5 star writer.
Unlike in "Love Story," neither lead character is dying of leukemia, but there was a scene in Wiggs' novel where I expected Alex to tell his father that "Love means never having to say you're sorry," (the most memorable line from "Love Story). Alex and Rosa met as children when Alex's family spent summers in the Rhode Island seaside resort town of Winslow, where Rosa and her family lived year round. Rosa lost her mother as a child (so did Jennifer Cavilleri). Alex suffered from severe asthma and his overbearing mother forbid him from participating in normal childhood activities. Rosa helped him to do things he might not have ever tried if not for her. No surprise that, at some point, they would start to feel attracted to one another as they entered their teen years.
They were in love, but many things happened to tear them apart. They grew up, grew apart, and after a horrific accident, Alex never came back to the town where he had spent his summers, until, many years later, he did, and adult Rosa and adult Alex were still drawn to one another, but there were so many obstacles to their trying again. Secrets, manipulations, and promises continued to tear them apart.
The novel is told in many different timelines, which were sometimes confusing. I like a dual timeline, but this one bounced around, rather than being linear in any way. The romance between Alex and Rosa was strong, but tortured. I cared about them, and wanted them to have their happy ending, and I was definitely engaged. I just had trouble with the stereotypes of different demographics of society being based on money, nationality, and religion. I will definitely continue to read books by this author. She writes well, and with heart. This was not a bad book, not at all. It just was not as good as some her others. Perhaps this is due the book having been written nearly 20 years ago. The things that bothered me may not have bothered others, but it explains why this was only a 3 star read for me, even though I consider Wiggs to be a 5 star writer.
November 27, 2019
I was completely planning on giving this story a happy 4 star rating right up until the last few pages. Then... that was the weirdest, most unsatisying, non-ending I have ever read in a “romance” book!
February 3, 2022
3.5 stars
An enjoyable 2nd chances romance with lots of yummy food references.
An enjoyable 2nd chances romance with lots of yummy food references.
October 8, 2011
Susan Wiggs is an American author, she's written many stand alone novels and also a couple of series. Summer By The Sea is a romance novel, no getting away from it - if you don't like a bit of love and heartbreak then don't bother. If you like a story that makes you feel good, with a cast of interesting characters and a dollop of Italian food thrown in, then this one will suit you down to the ground.
Our heroine; Rosa, is the owner of a succesful Italian restaurant in a small coastal US town. Her restaurant has been voted the best place to propose for a few years now and it is the perfect setting for romantic couples. Rosa's food is legendary, Italian and learnt at her mother's knee. The only thing missing in Rosa's life is a romance of her own. She's been single since her childhood sweet heart Alex up and left her ten years ago. But now he's back in town. Rosa is determined not to let him back into her life, he's from an upper-class family, she's a small town girl who didn't even go to college. Alex thinks differently, he's changed over the years and wants to make amends.
This is great writing, easy to read, light but not fluffy - there is a bit of a mystery in the story too and the added bonus of gorgeous sounding recipes from Rosa's kitchen at the beginning of each chapter.
Our heroine; Rosa, is the owner of a succesful Italian restaurant in a small coastal US town. Her restaurant has been voted the best place to propose for a few years now and it is the perfect setting for romantic couples. Rosa's food is legendary, Italian and learnt at her mother's knee. The only thing missing in Rosa's life is a romance of her own. She's been single since her childhood sweet heart Alex up and left her ten years ago. But now he's back in town. Rosa is determined not to let him back into her life, he's from an upper-class family, she's a small town girl who didn't even go to college. Alex thinks differently, he's changed over the years and wants to make amends.
This is great writing, easy to read, light but not fluffy - there is a bit of a mystery in the story too and the added bonus of gorgeous sounding recipes from Rosa's kitchen at the beginning of each chapter.
February 12, 2016
This book was on my To-Read list ever since I started Goodreads-ing. I've always wanted to read it, but I never got a chance until now. It never occurred to me, until the moment I acquired it, that I won't enjoy it, because my reading taste has evolved.
1. I thought the characters were very two dimensional. I couldn't relate whatsoever.
2. The conflict(s) were petty and underdeveloped.
3. I only continued on reading it because it had some dumbfounding quotes that I read a very long while ago and I wanted to see them within the context of the story. They're better off alone.
4. To be fair, I did enjoy some parts especially during the beginning but the rest was mostly eh.
1. I thought the characters were very two dimensional. I couldn't relate whatsoever.
2. The conflict(s) were petty and underdeveloped.
3. I only continued on reading it because it had some dumbfounding quotes that I read a very long while ago and I wanted to see them within the context of the story. They're better off alone.
4. To be fair, I did enjoy some parts especially during the beginning but the rest was mostly eh.
October 30, 2009
A very nice romance novel. Not as sexually explicit as some. However, when the teenager takes his girlfriend out after dark with his telescope to see the 'transit of Mercury' and it wasn't a boondoggle, I thought "What's wrong with this picture?" A transit of Mercury takes place when the planet Mercury comes between the Sun and the Earth, and Mercury is seen as a small black dot moving across the face of the Sun. How are you going to see that at night?? Huh? Anyway you don't just point your telescope at the sun and look throught it, unprotected.
August 27, 2014
Susan Wiggs possesses great skill in describing the nuances of human emotion and intertwining them into a story line that is real and believable. In "Summer by the Sea" I enjoyed the progression and the complexities of the romance between Alex and Rosa, the flashbacks that put their history into perspective, the descriptions of scenery and the characters' reaction to it. I loved the recipes that fit so well into the theme. Most of all, I liked that the ending was not mushy or overly emotional.
August 6, 2024
The fluff required to read on a February lockdown. It also has a surprising amount of twists at the end. My only criticism is that Rosa is far more interesting than Alex ! I felt like there was a bit too much lord Fauntleroy in his character ...
July 4, 2023
I have a degree in English, yet Susan Wiggs added so many words to my vocabulary. Her images are lovely, her story line and arc, so compelling. Sadly, my Summer by the Sea is over, but it also gives great satisfaction ruminating over this engaging, yet lyrical, story.
September 6, 2019
This was a cabin read, discovered on my mother-in-law's bedside table. It's not my normal type of book, and I'm not sure how to categorize it, as it doesn't seem to be a true romance. Women's fiction? It reminded me a bit of my mom's Danielle Steel novels.
Some aspects of it were enjoyable: the beach-town setting, a restauranteur protagonist who shares her authentic Italian recipes within the book, any of the childhood/past scenes. But some of it was purely bizarre. Wiggs is Harvard-educated, so I can only guess she wanted to infuse this book with a bit of higher learning by having her extremely busy, entrepreneurial protagonist constantly auditing courses at fancy universities, but this didn't seem to fit, and the asides to quantum physics and complex psychology were off-putting and strange.
"Why do I keep thinking of him?" Rosa asks herself. "Ah, it must be neutralinguistic implantation."
The other jarring aspect was any scene in the "hero's" POV, as Alexander has thoughts that would be foreign to most straight men, which include comparing any woman he finds attractive to an ad in a particular magazine or catalogue, waxing on about the fruity scent of various shampoos, etc. And even though he's in his thirties, he appears to have the self-control of a teenager, as he has a "violent carnal reaction" (I assume this means an erection) just from seeing an attractive woman in a nice dress. I was left wondering if Wiggs actually knew any men well, or if she suspects this is what women want to think men are like, but to me, this just seemed ridiculous.
However, for some brain-candy cabin reading, it fit the bill.
Some aspects of it were enjoyable: the beach-town setting, a restauranteur protagonist who shares her authentic Italian recipes within the book, any of the childhood/past scenes. But some of it was purely bizarre. Wiggs is Harvard-educated, so I can only guess she wanted to infuse this book with a bit of higher learning by having her extremely busy, entrepreneurial protagonist constantly auditing courses at fancy universities, but this didn't seem to fit, and the asides to quantum physics and complex psychology were off-putting and strange.
"Why do I keep thinking of him?" Rosa asks herself. "Ah, it must be neutralinguistic implantation."
The other jarring aspect was any scene in the "hero's" POV, as Alexander has thoughts that would be foreign to most straight men, which include comparing any woman he finds attractive to an ad in a particular magazine or catalogue, waxing on about the fruity scent of various shampoos, etc. And even though he's in his thirties, he appears to have the self-control of a teenager, as he has a "violent carnal reaction" (I assume this means an erection) just from seeing an attractive woman in a nice dress. I was left wondering if Wiggs actually knew any men well, or if she suspects this is what women want to think men are like, but to me, this just seemed ridiculous.
However, for some brain-candy cabin reading, it fit the bill.
April 12, 2019
This was a fun, light read with plenty of romantic feelings without romance scenes. The author has an elegant way of writing and storytelling. In this book, she unravels a love story that starts with a boy and a girl at the age of 9. Wiggs moves forward and backward in time throughout the book to seamlessly unveil pieces of the story as the reader needs to know them. It moves at a nice pace. This book is a perfect example of less is more.
June 4, 2022
Pati istorija graži, bet autorės rašymas, kaip 13 metu mergaitės, jau tokios banalios ir nuspėjamas scenos... Dar kažkas parase: "Susan Wiggs yra viena atidžiausiu širdies istoriju pasakotojo" . Jūs rimtai? Jaučiu net ⭐⭐⭐ nevertas rašymas. Greičiausiai ne mano knyga... Gal daugiau nieko ir nekomentuosiu, man nepatiko, pigūs meilės romaniukštis ir tiek.
February 3, 2019
I liked this book, but I didn't *love* it, you know? It didn't spark a lot of passion. I mean, it was nice and sweet, a good beachy summertime read, and sure, there was drama, but it just didn't excite me.
March 16, 2018
This was a great read! Credible characters with real lives full of joy and angst in equal measure. Italian food descriptions that you can almost smell and taste. And a bonus, recipes included.
What could be better!
What could be better!
April 11, 2021
Me ha gustado mucho. Muy bien escrito. El plus? Las recetas, me encanta que cada parte lo termine con una receta italiana. Me las he apuntado todas.
May 23, 2021
The title is exactly how I hope to enjoy my summer...by the sea. With Memorial Day weekend coming up, I wanted to start enjoying some beach themed books. I picked this mostIy on the title and it turned out to be an enjoyable, quick read. This is the first book I read by Susan Wiggs and would read more.
December 29, 2022
4,5 ☆
Lengvas ir smagus romanas! 🤗
Lengvas ir smagus romanas! 🤗
May 7, 2024
Nice beach read romance. Loved the recipes and how the book was set up like a menu.
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