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Seaside Seasons #2
Summer Shadows
The car accident that killed Abby Patterson's husband and daughter has left her with a limp and chronic pain. Still, Abby strikes out, determined to build a new life for herself away from her overbearing parents. Her perfect cottage home on the beach has one tiny Marsh Winslow, her landlord. But when Abby witnesses a hit-and-run accident and events make it clear that Abby is now a target, she and Marsh join forces to uncover a dangerous secret. Together they discover that God is in the business of putting broken lives back together so that they are more beautiful than ever.
355 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
30 people are currently reading
157 people want to read
About the author
Gayle Roper
84 books90 followersGayle Roper rejoices every day that she gets to be a writer because she's in love with story. Even on the days that words rebel and have to be coerced onto the paper, there is nothing else she'd rather do. When readers like her work, it's like God says, "See? I knew what you were wired to do." When her books win awards like the Carol Award (Caught Redhanded) or the RITA Award (Autumn Dreams), the Holt Medallion (The Decision, Caught in a Bind, Autumn Dreams) or the Reviewer's Choice (The Decision), it's icing on the cake. And she gets to teach others how to write at conferences too. She spends a lot of time smiling. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America and is the best-selling author of Hide & Seek and more than forty other books.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 13, 2020
Great read. In addition to the suspense, this book also dealt with family dynamics/boundaries in families. And though Marsh didn't seem very likable at first, he turned out to be an awesome character
July 19, 2016
The car accident that killed Abby's husband and daughter has made Abby to suffer from severe pain. It not only affected on her physical pain but also on mental pain terribly. In order to begin a new life and to get rid of her pain, she moved to new apartment in New Jersey where Marsh Winslow, the professor, lived. When she met him at first, he seemed so unkind and a temperamental human being. When only Abby witnessed a injured girl from a hit-and-run accident and could not attest about her witness due to the shock, however, Marsh helped her in God's way and became her only guardian angel.
This book has a romantic and inspirational mystery story that remind readers of what God tells them about a suffering. For both Abby and Marsh, God was controlling their broken lives to restore those to happier lives. This book enlightens me about the definition of suffering that it is not just unfortunate process for our lives but a gift of God that makes our lives better. As worse suffering I suffer, the more amazing grace would be given by God as Abby experienced His grace through the loss of her family. Since the unfortunate event was also one of God's plans for her life, He gave Marsh as a gift and as the reward of Abby being withstood the hardship in God. This book would inspire even non-christians because Abby's harsh situation can be seen in our real lives in general. I really recommend this book for people who have been suffering from severe pain and do not have any hope for their lives.
Gayle is a christian author who wrote a series of christian book including Summer Shadows. She usually connets God to general stories that can be applied to anyone. Because of this reason, many people heal their hearts from her books.
This book has a romantic and inspirational mystery story that remind readers of what God tells them about a suffering. For both Abby and Marsh, God was controlling their broken lives to restore those to happier lives. This book enlightens me about the definition of suffering that it is not just unfortunate process for our lives but a gift of God that makes our lives better. As worse suffering I suffer, the more amazing grace would be given by God as Abby experienced His grace through the loss of her family. Since the unfortunate event was also one of God's plans for her life, He gave Marsh as a gift and as the reward of Abby being withstood the hardship in God. This book would inspire even non-christians because Abby's harsh situation can be seen in our real lives in general. I really recommend this book for people who have been suffering from severe pain and do not have any hope for their lives.
Gayle is a christian author who wrote a series of christian book including Summer Shadows. She usually connets God to general stories that can be applied to anyone. Because of this reason, many people heal their hearts from her books.
August 22, 2024
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2020
This is such a cute story and I can't believe it has taken me this long to reread it again. (Granted it is a little more Christian than I typically go for -- Usually, I'm a big Young Adult Fantasy reader). But it is a sweet romantic story. Plus, it's really fun to watch Abby kind of get her big girl legs. Standing up on her own two feet and realizing that although her parents love her (and she loves them), they may not always know what is best for her.
2022
2020
This is such a cute story and I can't believe it has taken me this long to reread it again. (Granted it is a little more Christian than I typically go for -- Usually, I'm a big Young Adult Fantasy reader). But it is a sweet romantic story. Plus, it's really fun to watch Abby kind of get her big girl legs. Standing up on her own two feet and realizing that although her parents love her (and she loves them), they may not always know what is best for her.
February 19, 2023
PTB on page 56. Nothing against Christian fiction and I've read a few (even though I'm Jewish I still try to read different types of books) but this one was not for me. Too many bible phrases and it was a silly plot too. I found this book in a pile of books I bought at a yard sale thinking I could sell it but decided to try to read it too.
July 17, 2023
“Summer Shadows” a perfect summer read—a touch of mystery, suspense, friendship and romance. I couldn’t decide between 4 or 5 star review. Set in a cute ocean town. I wanted to visit Seaside.
Abby witnessed a hit-and-run accident but can't remember the events because of past trauma. I liked the character of Marsh and the teasing relationship between Abby and Marsh. I loved the literary characters that Abby pretended to be.
Now that I have three college-age children, I thought about the overbearing relationship between Abby and her mother. Would I treat my kids similarly if they were in a similar situation? Her mom treated Abby like a child and wouldn't let her daughter grow up. She way overstepped her boundaries. Abby eventually realizes how much of a people pleaser she is and stands up to her mom. I can so relate to Abby in that aspect.
The only part I didn't like about the book was the excerpts Marsh wrote about his novel. It didn't seem like it had anything to do with the story. However, as I read further, I did understand how it correlated with the story. Also, a really surprising villain revealed.
This would be a fun beachy read.
Abby witnessed a hit-and-run accident but can't remember the events because of past trauma. I liked the character of Marsh and the teasing relationship between Abby and Marsh. I loved the literary characters that Abby pretended to be.
Now that I have three college-age children, I thought about the overbearing relationship between Abby and her mother. Would I treat my kids similarly if they were in a similar situation? Her mom treated Abby like a child and wouldn't let her daughter grow up. She way overstepped her boundaries. Abby eventually realizes how much of a people pleaser she is and stands up to her mom. I can so relate to Abby in that aspect.
The only part I didn't like about the book was the excerpts Marsh wrote about his novel. It didn't seem like it had anything to do with the story. However, as I read further, I did understand how it correlated with the story. Also, a really surprising villain revealed.
This would be a fun beachy read.
July 18, 2022
This was just the right balance between romance and mystery. It was an interesting relationship between Abby and her parents. Her mom was so overbearing. Truly took charge of Abby's life. I couldn't blame Abby for wanting to run to Seaside to get her own place and make a life for herself that didn't label her as a victim or a cripple. Marsh always came to the rescue when Abby needed somebody. Making friends with Celia and her daughters and Vivian and the boys next door added to Abby's life. I was sure glad when Rick appeared on the scene for Celia. But the mystery of the hit and run that Abby witnessed almost got her and Marsh killed. It was a sneaky character that was the culprit. Good book.
September 9, 2017
I enjoyed the author's first book, however this one I did not. Could not really get into the whole book March was writing and the use of outdated characters that Abby kept referring to. Also, it was quite easy to guess the ****, was the culprit. The mom and her constant interfering left a really bad taste in my mouth. Probably will not read ANY FUTURE BOOKS!
March 23, 2019
Such a good read dealing with family relationships. Really enjoyed it. Made me think.
August 29, 2019
Good, a few surprises and a happy ending . No profanity.
June 20, 2024
Abby Patterson moved to Seaside to get away from her smothering parents- who immediately follow her there to stay with her during her first week in her new location. She's thrilled to make a new start, but not sure about her grumpy landlord.
Marshall Winslow bought a beach house on Seaside to get away from it all- and to write the western novels that have made him famous under the pseudonym Colton West. He just wants peace and quiet, and thought that renting the top half of his house to a librarian wouldn't ruin that. Abby's arrival changes his thoughts about librarians.
Between his issues with his father and hers with her parents, Abby and Marsh have enough to deal with, but after she witnesses the hit and run of a little girl, the perpetrator sets out to ruin her reputation before she can remember what she saw.
I LOVED this second trip to Seaside, this time for summer. Abby and Marsh play off each other well, as to the many supporting characters. Abby's new friend Celia and Marsh's actor friend Rick are welcome additions to the story.
Marshall Winslow bought a beach house on Seaside to get away from it all- and to write the western novels that have made him famous under the pseudonym Colton West. He just wants peace and quiet, and thought that renting the top half of his house to a librarian wouldn't ruin that. Abby's arrival changes his thoughts about librarians.
Between his issues with his father and hers with her parents, Abby and Marsh have enough to deal with, but after she witnesses the hit and run of a little girl, the perpetrator sets out to ruin her reputation before she can remember what she saw.
I LOVED this second trip to Seaside, this time for summer. Abby and Marsh play off each other well, as to the many supporting characters. Abby's new friend Celia and Marsh's actor friend Rick are welcome additions to the story.
June 11, 2011
This is a very interesting book. I liked how the protaganists,Marsh and Abby, spar and interact with each other and those around them. They are realistic and fun in their confidences and insecurities. Marsh, who writes under a psuedonym, has come to beach to have peace and anonymity while he writes for the summer. Abby is escaping from overprotective parents, even though she is 29 and has been previously married. Through the book Marsh and Rick are careful not to let anyone know who he is, but towards the end they are telling many people, then back to trying to conceal his identity at the end. It didn't make sense to me. Abby's parents, mainly her mother, have real issues of letting go to the point of obnoxiousness. I felt the murderous intent of one character was put in in hind sight to add excitement, which was over done and wrapped up "nice and neatly". I would recommend this others as it is easy reading and liable, average Christian fiction. I am giving it 3 1/2 stars.
September 13, 2011
This was a nice summer book to read. Abby's husband and 2 year old daughter were killed in a car accident leaving her with an injured hip and an overprotective mother and father who didn't want her living alone. She bought a house in Seaside overlooking the ocean and is happy to be providing for herself and self sufficient. She met an author, Marsh that lives downstairs that she ended up falling in love with. She met a new best friend in Celia who ends up falling in love with Marsh's best friend Rick who played a cowboy in the movies. This book was about motivation and new hope for love.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 26, 2015
#2 in Seaside Seasons Series Abby Patterson is a widow of 3 years. Her husband and daughter were killed in a crash. Now she has worked hard to become independent after recovery from her own injuries and has a new job in Seaside, NJ..........the landlord, Marsh, at her home on the beach does not impress her and her parents are not pleased that she has left their home. Christian romance and mystery.
March 18, 2016
I really enjoyed the Seaside series (5 books). These take place in the same town, but not with the same characters, so you can read them out of sequence if you want to. I hope Gayle writes more of this same type of fiction. I am not fond of her Amish fiction series.
July 8, 2008
I liked this book because I could identify with Abby's struggle to be her own person. Nice little story.
July 26, 2008
the best of the series. loved 'em all, but this was the best:}
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July 14, 2012Christian
March 22, 2013
Perfect for this summer!
February 8, 2015
Boring, boring, boring! It started to give a Tobe of excitement on page 196.
April 20, 2016
I read this and the whole series quite a while ago. Loved it.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews