The Summer Garden by Sherryl Woods

Title: The Summer Garden by Sherryl Woods
Chesapeake Shores
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: MiraBooks
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 384 Pages
Book Rating: B+

Review Copy Obtained from Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

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.

The Review:

The Summer Garden is the charming conclusion to Sherryl Woods’ Chesapeake Shores series starring the captivating O’Brien family. While on their Christmas vacation to Ireland, Grandma Nell rekindled her romance with old flame Dillon O’Malley and Luke O’Brien and Dillon’s granddaughter Moira fell for one another. A few months later and back in Chesapeake Shores, Luke is on the verge of opening an Irish Pub and Nell is eagerly awaiting Dillon O’Malley’s visit. Much to Luke’s surprise and delight, Moira joins Dillon on his trip. Will these two couples finally find their way to happily ever after?

Both Moira O’Malley and Luke O’Brien are struggling to balance their personal wants and desires with their families’ expectations of them. Moira’s photography hobby is on the verge of becoming a viable career, but she is unsure if a career is what she is looking for. Surrounded by his thriving family Luke feels pressured to make his newfound venture a success.

Moira’s self-doubts and insecurities are exacerbated by Luke’s single minded goal of establishing his pub. She is impatient with the slow progression of their relationship and Luke’s inability to commit long term. Normally straight forward and forthright, Moira has a difficult time communicating her expectations to Luke. With a little advice from their grandparents, Luke and Moira learn the key to a successful relationship is balance and compromise.

Nell and Dillon’s romance is a sweet counterpart to Luke and Moira’s rather tumultuous relationship. Despite their happy marriages to other people and a sixty year separation, Dillon and Nell are still deeply in love with one another. They are an adorable couple who quietly resolve the issues facing them and enjoy their newfound relationship.

The Summer Garden is a well-written and beautifully executed story. Fans of the series will fall in love with this heartfelt romance and enjoy the glimpses of characters from past novels. A wonderful epilogue ties up all of the loose ends, and with the oldest and youngest of the O’Brien family finding love, Sherryl Woods wraps up her much loved and endearing Chesapeake Shores series.

2 Comments

Filed under Contemporary, Harlequin, Mira, Rated B+, Romance, Sherryl Woods, The Summer Garden

2 Responses to The Summer Garden by Sherryl Woods

  1. Timitra

    I haven’t read anything by Sheryl Woods…this book and series sound pretty good!!!

    • Book Reviews & More by Kathy

      It’s a great series, Timitra. You don’t have to read the whole series, but it is helpful in keeping the characters straight. And you’ll want to know everyone’s stories :D!