My Review: Summer Garden

The Summer Garden (Chesapeake Shores)

About the Book:

Falling for "Maddening Moira" O'Malley was the unexpected highlight of Luke O'Brien's Dublin holiday. So when she pays a surprise visit to Chesapeake Shores, Luke is thrilled…at first. A fling with this wild Irish rose is one thing, but forever? Maybe someday, but not when he's totally focused on establishing a business that will prove his mettle to his overachieving family.

Given Luke's reaction, Moira has some soul-searching of her own to do. Scarred by her father's abandonment, she wonders if Luke, with his playboy past, is truly the family man she longs for. Adding to her dilemma, she's offered an amazing chance at a dream career of her own.

Deep down, though, Moira knows home is the real prize, and that love can be every bit as enchanted as a summer garden.

My Comments:
This volume of  the Chesapeake Shores saga by Sherryl Woods picks up neatly where An O'Brien Family Christmas ended.  Luke and Moira are a young couple, both with trust issues, both trying to find their way in the world, who finally realize they are stronger together than apart.  They both are trying to prove themselves professionally, though Luke has a better idea of his path than Moira does of hers.

Their story is nicely balanced by the story of their grandparents--people in the twilight of their lives who loved each other in their youth, were separated, married others and raised families, and now are able to be together.  Fans of the series will enjoy catching up on all the members of the O'Brien family.

The book is clearly series romance with a large cast of characters who seem to do little in this book.  Luke and Moira and their grandparents are likable couples that you just "know" belong together and of course, as it is a romance novel, they get their happily ever after (after a few bumps in the road). There is plenty of bedroom activity, but we are left outside the door.

I'd like to thank the publisher for making a review copy available via NetGalley.  Grade:  B.