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Book Club - November

This month's book was Snowfall at Willow Lake by Susan Wiggs.  It's book #4 in the Lakeshore Chronicles.  I ended up reading books 1-3 first and am now reading through the series.  Wait for my next post on another book in the series.


- The Story -
     International lawyer Sophie Bellamy has dedicated her life to helping people in war-torn countries. But when she survives a hostage situation, she remembers what matters most—the children she loves back home. Haunted by regrets, she returns to the idyllic Catskills village of Avalon on the shores of Willow Lake, determined to repair the bonds with her family.     There Sophie discovers the surprising rewards of small-town life—including an unexpected passion for Noah Shepherd, the local veterinarian. Noah has a healing touch for anything with four legs, but he's never had any luck with women—until Sophie.
     Snowfall at Willow Lake speaks from the heart about all the loves that fill a woman's life, and all the ways that love is tested and made to grow. It's the story of what comes after a woman survives an unspeakable horror and finds her way home, to healing and redemption and a new chance at happiness. -- From Amazon.com Product Description




- The Characters -

Sohpie-  Having read the previous books in the series I came into this story with a not so nice view of Sophie.  She seemed cold and detached, but I think that may be how we were supposed to see her, in helps in her transformation through this story.  She faced something traumatic and sees it as a wake up call to change her life and reconnect with those that are most important to her. 


Noah-  Noah was introduced in a previous book as a date to the heroine.  He's the sweet boy next door who went off got his degree and returned home. 


- Discussion -

     We didn't hate it, like The-book-that-won't-be-named, but it wasn't overall great.  The characters seemed a little flat and one dimensional and the story almost seemed forced and rushed.  Someone brought up that it seemed like she had to finish the book to meet a publisher's deadline. I filled everyone in on the other stories before this and compared to those this story was lacking a bit.  While it isn't my least favorite story in the series it isn't high up on my list.
     Sophie moves to Avalon, NY, it's where her kids are and her ex-husband who has recently gotten remarried (previous book in series).  She's moved here to change her life and be a mother and now grandmother.  It's a big change and at first she seems to struggle with the decision but she starts to make a life for herself that she's content with and seems to agree with her.  Her first night there she meets Noah and things just start right off with them, but it keeps stalling because of Sophie.  She doesn't want to get into anything, she wants to focus on her kids, she's older than he is, blah blah blah.
     Noah grew up in Avalon, went off to college and became a Vet, then moved back home to his parent's farm and turned it into his office/home.  He likes outdoor activities, does the winter triathlon, wants a big family; he's basically the perfect man.  Yes he has his faults but who cares, everyone does.

There isn't much more I can think of to say about this book.  I didn't dislike it, but I didn't like it, it was just the next book in the series and this month's book club read.  I got to see how the characters that we've met have moved on and got introduced to characters that will show up in books of their own next.

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