MY BOOK REVIEWS

Book Review – The Bluebell Girls By Barbara Josselsohn

Book Review

The Bluebell Girls By Barbara Josselsohn (Lake Summers Book 2)

About the Author

Barbara Josselsohn grew up on Long Island and lived for several years in her beloved New York City before moving to the northern suburbs. She began her career as a business journalist and then turned her attention to her first love, fiction.

The Synopsis of the Book

Returning home to her family’s little lake house is the perfect way for Jenna to escape her heartbreaking divorce. Her mother Sweet has been losing her memory and Jenna is sure that taking her daughter Sophie for a break with Sweet in Lake Summers, tucked under the Adirondack Mountains, is what they all need.

Jenna finds comfort in lazy afternoons along the water, and during long nights overlooking their bluebell garden, she’s relieved to hear Sweet telling stories about her long-lost loves. Surrounded by family, it seems that some of Sweet’s memories have returned and Jenna knows she has made the right decision to come home. But when she meets handsome next-door neighbor Troy, she is reminded of a tragedy in her past she has tried hard to forget.

Troy is the boy with whom Jenna shared her very first kiss—she’s relived that moment under the stars every night since she was seventeen. But though he once swept Jenna off her feet, he also broke her heart, and living next door to him for the summer feels impossible.

But sometimes the only way to heal is with those who know you best, and despite her best efforts, Jenna is drawn to Troy again. With her family reunited at last and happier than ever before, is she finally brave enough to face up to her past, and settle down in Lake Summers forever?

My Review

Book Review The Wife Between Us

This is the second book in the Lake Summer Series but it can easily be read as a standalone. I have not read book one but I had no problem diving into the book and not feeling lost. The author did a great job providing enough of the back story from the first book.

This is a beautiful, well-written story that had me fully engaged throughout the entire book. If I wasn’t busy writing my own book I would have easily finished this in a couple of days.  The story is set in the small resort town, Lake Summer and from the author’s wonderfully descriptive writing, she painted a vivid picture and I felt like I was there. It was a great escape.

A fast easy read with likable characters and a sweet love story that will stay with you for a long time. I would like to know what happens next and I’m hoping there will be a book three.

Book Review The Wife Between Us

COVER DESIGN – 5 STARS – I have one word for the cover—Brilliant. Its vibrant, eye-catching, and a perfect fit for the book.  

CHARACTERIZATION – 5 STARS – I loved the characters and easily related to Jenna – They were well developed and their independent personalties were well defined. 

STORY & PLOT 5 STARS – I was captivated the entire time, wondering what the outcome would be.  I loved the storyline and learning the history of the family.

OVERALL RATING – 5 STARS – This was a great read and I highly recommend it. 

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My Book Better Endings Received Readers’ Favorite gold medal award for best Fiction Adventure 2020

Read The Review

Better Endings is a beautiful story that explores a woman’s heart and I enjoyed the way Tina Hogan Grant builds resilience in the protagonist. The journey that Tammy makes is inspirational and will give hope, especially to female readers who have suffered abuse and have experienced unhealthy relationships.
Tammy’s character is well handled and the growth process that happens in her life is well-captured in the story. Tammy grows from someone who is prone to fear to a woman who takes control of her life, creating the kind of life she wants. Themes of family, love, and adventure are deftly handled and it is easy to develop a fondness for the sea after reading Better Endings. Great prose, exciting characters, and themes that evoke the realism of everyday life. -Readers’ Favorite

 

 

MY BOOK REVIEWS

Barbara Josselsohn Releases 2nd Book of the Lake Summers Series, The Bluebell Girls

Hello everyone,

It’s been a while since I’ve sent out a blog but I wanted to share this news with you and also have it on my website.

Barbara Josselsohn Releases Second Book of the Lake Summers Series, The Bluebell Girls

SCARSDALE, NY (September 25, 2020) –  Acclaimed author Barbara Josselsohn today released the second book of the Lake Summers series, The Bluebell Girls. Her third novel to-date, Barbara’s newest tale is a story of self-discovery, familial bonding, and the rekindling of a former spark. The novel follows three generations of women retelling personal stories of long-lost loves while uncovering the beautiful history of the town of Lake Summers, nestled in the Adirondack Mountains.

After a recent divorce, protagonist Jenna returns full time to her native town of Lake Summers from her life outside of Manhattan to help heal her mother, Sweet, whose health is failing, and better support her daughter, Sophie, who is acclimating to major changes in her own life. When she reconnects with Sweet’s next-door neighbor Troy, recognizing him instantly as the boy with whom she shared her first kiss, secrets, and romance resurface. Now, Jenna must determine whether she’s ready to settle down in Lake Summers for good.

Reviews

Readers are already giving The Bluebell Girls high praise. Five-star reviewers on Goodreads rave that the novel is “a charming page-turner” and “a well written, enjoyable story with a blend of heartbreaking and heartwarming moments, of second chances, romance, and finding harmony in complicated family relationships.”

The Bluebell Girls gives readers the chance to return to the small town and characters they fell in love with during The Lilac House, Barbara’s second novel, and first in the Lake Summers Series. Published in March, The Lilac House is an uplifting summer romance that tells the story of Anna Harris’ newly found independence following a personal loss, a devastating disclosure, and a daring new romance that reinvigorates her love for her summer escape, Lilac House.

In addition to publishing two novels during a pandemic, Barbara recently re-signed with her publisher Bookouture and will publish two more heartwarming and feel-good romance novels set in the same charming, fictional town of Lake Summers in 2021.

“I am so thankful to have the opportunity to bring readers The Bluebell Girls and tell stories about powerful women discovering their identity and navigating the next chapter of their lives which I believe is such an important message, especially now,” said Barbara Josselsohn. “I am beyond thrilled to continue the Lake Summers series with two more books in 2021 and can’t wait to share the next adventures that take place in the wonderful town of Lake Summers, which has become a second home to me.”

The Bluebell Girls was published by Bookouture, an imprint of Hachette U.K. Readers can now purchase the novel in three formats in paperback or eBook from Amazon or from select retailers.

About the Author

Barbara Josselsohn is the author of The Bluebell Girls, The Lilac House, and The Last Dreamer. She is also a journalist and magazine writer whose work appears in the New York Times, Consumers Digest, Parents, New York Magazine, and Westchester Magazine, and on numerous websites. She lives in Westchester County, New York, and teaches writing at Sarah Lawrence College and privately.

To learn more about Barbara Josselsohn and her newest novel, visit barbarasolomonjosselsohn.com, or follow @barbara_josselsohn_author on Instagram.

A Live Chat with Barbara Josselsohn

I can’t wait to dive into this book and talk to Barabra about it when we go live on Monday, October 26th, at 5:00 pm PST / 8:00 pm EST, and you are all invited.

I will be broadcasting from my Facebook Author page and YouTube so be sure to tune in.

My Review to follow

After our live chat, I will be posting my review of The Bluebell Girls here on this page and in my Facebook group.

Final word

My Award-winning book which won Readers’ Favorite Best Fiction Adventure 2020 is available for FREE in Kindle Unlimited or you can buy for $3.99. The Paperback edition is available where ever paperbacks are sold.

Grab your copy today