Summer Harbor

I particularly enjoyed this book I think because of Susan Wilson's writing style. The same story could have been told by someone else but not quite as well written. Ms. Wilson has such insight and sensitivity. The story flows very well and the characters become part of your heart. This was my first venture into her books and it will definitely NOT be the last.

When I picked up Summer Harbor by Susan Wilson, I couldn't put it down. I wanted to read it every chance I got. Questions were constantly building in my mind. The main question that kept haunting me was "who is will's father?" The plot wasn't rushed. The conflicts built up slowly, but when the climax occurred it left a shock to the reader. Characters are portrayed realistically and are very likeable. Kiley Harris, a strong willed, independent, single mother internally battled her past. She and her parents traveled to Hawke's Cove every summer for eighteen years. In Hawke's Cove, Kiley met Mack McKenzie and Grainger Eagan. The trio did everything together until Kiley and Mack became romantically connected. Realizing she made a mistake, she moved on to Grainger. Mack became bitter and sailed out to sea, never to return again. Two months after leaving Hawke's Cove, Kiley realized she was pregnant. When she had her son, Will, Kiley still promised never to return to that horrible place. Ironically, she was forced to go back to sell her aging father's house and boat. Kiley knew she would not only have to face Grainger Eagan, but relive her past. She would also have to explain that she had had a son who was conceived nineteen years ago. The story line flowed well and it wasn't very predictable. It changed from good to bad quite frequently. Many problems were addressed but it showed how a persistent woman could over come many things. It focused on how hard it is to forget your past and move on. The descriptions in this book made me feel apart of Hawke's Cove. I often wondered if this were a real place. It makes you want to spend time in Hawke's Cove, New England. The people however were rather judgmental and rude; they didn't except outsiders. I really enjoyed this book, and look forward to reading other books by Susan Wilson. The next book I plan to read by her is Beauty. Her writing style is similar to Barbara Delinsky and Sandra Brown. If you enjoy a good, easy to read romantic fiction, Summer Harbor by Susan Wilson is for you.

I enjoyed this refreshing book and looked forward to reading it every chance I could get. Kiley's estrangement from Hawke's Cove was a poignant one.The setting in a small New England coastal village was wonderful. The relationship between Kiley and her sonWill was at the same time typical for a teenager and idealistic.The story was not rushed. I have read too many books where the main characters make love too soon, then they regret it. While I am wondering why they did in the first place.Also I am looking forward to reading more books by Susan Wilson.