Category Archives: Mary McNear

September 24, 2018 · 11:58 pm

Review: The Secrets We Carried by Mary McNear

Title: The Secrets We Carried by Mary McNear
Butternut Lake Series Book Six
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Genre: Contemporary, Women’s Fiction
Length: 368 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss

Summary:

Readers who love Susan Wiggs and Susan Mallery will adore New York Times bestselling author Mary McNear newest novel. A young woman travels home to Butternut Lake, confronting her past and the tragedy she and her friends have silently carried with them for over a decade while also facing an unknown future.

Butternut Lake is an idyllic place—but for one woman, her return to the lake town she once called home is bittersweet…

Sometimes life changes in an instant.

Quinn LaPointe grew up on beautiful Butternut Lake, safe, secure, sure of her future. But after a high school tragedy, she left for college and never looked back. Becoming a successful writer in Chicago, she worked to keep out the dark memories of an accident that upended her life. But now, after ten years, she’s finally returned home.

Butternut is the same, and yet everything is changed. Gabriel Shipp, once her very best friend, doesn’t want anything to do with her. The charming guy she remembers is now brooding and withdrawn. Tanner Lightman, the seductive brother of her late boyfriend, wants her to stick around. Annika Bergstrom, an old classmate who once hated Quinn, is now friendly. Everyone, it seems, has a secret.

Determined to come to terms with the tragedy and rebuild old relationships, Quinn settles into Loon Bay Cabins, a rustic but cozy lakeside resort, where she begins writing down her memories of the year before the accident. Her journey though the past leads her to some surprising discoveries about the present. As secrets are revealed and a new love emerges, Quinn finds that understanding the past is the key to the future.

Review:

The Secrets We Carried by Mary McNear is an engrossing journey of recovery.  Although this newest release is the sixth installment in the Butternut Lake series, it can be read as a standalone.

Following the tragic deaths of boyfriend Jake Lightman and his friends Dom Dobbs and Griffin Hoyer ten years earlier, Quinn LaPointe leaves her small hometown for college. After graduation, she begins working as a freelance reporter and stays as far away from Butternut Lake as possible. After receiving an anonymous announcement that a memorial is going to erected at the scene of the accident, Quinn decides it is time to try to put the incident behind her. Hoping to renew her friendship with Gabriel Shipp, she is surprised by his slight animosity towards her but she continues her efforts to find common ground. Quinn is also taken aback when Jake’s brother Tanner and Annika Bergstrom seem pleased to spend time with her. As she sifts through her memories with hopes of finally assuaging her guilt over her self-perceived role in the events that led to the three boys’ deaths, will Quinn finally make peace with her past so she can finally heal?

Quinn may have a successful career, but her personal life is lacking. She has not had any lasting relationships and her friendships are somewhat superficial. She is close to her dad and stepmother and they are concerned by her decision to return to Butternut Lake. The memories of her romance with Jake easily rise to the surface after she arrives in town and she hopes embracing these recollections will help give her a better understanding of the past. Will writing down these memories provide her the perspective she needs to come to terms with what happened?

Quinn is shocked when she learns Gabriel’s life took a dramatic turn after she left town. She is troubled by their encounters and she is at a loss as she tries to understand why he keeps trying to push her away. Quinn is also quite concerned by his appearance and reactions to her attempts to renew their friendship. Unbeknownst to Quinn, Gabriel is harboring his own secrets from their shared past.

Quinn is also quite curious about Tanner’s surprising friendship with Annika. She is equally puzzled by Annika’s friendly overtures towards her. The two women have never been friends and Quinn is stunned by Annika’s revelations.

The Secrets We Carried is a very engaging novel with a wonderful cast of characters and an enjoyable storyline. Quinn is very introspective as she tries to reconcile her guilt so she can move forward. Gabriel, Tanner and Annika must also come to terms with their perceived culpability in the tragedy. This latest installment in Mary McNear’s heartwarming Butternut Lake series is an endearing novel that features a winsome storyline, appealing characters and an uplifting conclusion.

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Filed under Butternut Lake Series, Contemporary, Mary McNear, Rated B+, Review, The Secrets We Carried, William Morrow Paperbacks, Women's Fiction

June 19, 2017 · 11:58 pm

Review: The Light in Summer by Mary McNear

Title: The Light in Summer by Mary McNear
Butternut Lake Series Book Five
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Genre: Contemporary, Women’s Fiction, Romance
Length: 384 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss

Summary:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Mary McNear brings you home to Butternut Lake and a novel filled with irresistible characters who you will want to call your friends.

It’s summertime on Butternut Lake, where the heat of noon is soothed by the cool breezes of the evening, where the pace grows slower, and sometimes, just sometimes, the summer light makes everything clearer…

For the lovely Billy Harper, Butternut Lake is the place she feels most at home, even though lately she feels the only one listening to her is Murphy…her faithful Labrador Retriever. Her teenage son, Luke, has gone from precious to precocious practically overnight. Her friends are wrapped up in their own lives, and Luke’s father, Wesley, disappeared before his son was even born. No wonder she prefers to spend time with a good book, especially ones where everything ends in perfection.

But Billy is about to learn that anything is possible during the heady days of summer. Coming to terms with her past—the death of her father, the arrival of Cal Cooper, a complicated man with a definite interest in Billy, even the return of Wesley, will force her to have a little bit of faith in herself and others…and realize that happiness doesn’t always mean perfection.

Review:

The Light in Summer, the newest addition to Mary McNear’s delightful Butternut Lake series, is another heartwarming novel of family, love and new beginnings. Although this latest release is the fifth in the series, it can be read as a standalone.

Single mom and head librarian Billy Harper is going through a bit of rough patch with her thirteen year old son Luke.  The normally co-operative and outgoing teen is hanging out with the wrong crowd, getting into trouble and refusing to talk to his mom.  So when Billy meets Cal Cooper at a wedding, she is not sure the timing is right to bring a new man into their lives, but can she ignore the sparks that are flying between them?

After Billy unexpectedly became pregnant just as she finishing high school, her parents were extremely supportive and helpful.  However, five years earlier, Billy knew the time was right for her and Luke to strike out on their own and they moved to Butternut Lake. She and Luke have always been close so she is deeply trouble by the recent changes in her soon and she is at a loss as she tries to bridge the gap between them. Billy has not dated much over the years and she is quite surprised by how much she enjoys spending time with Cal.  The timing is definitely not right for a new relationship but Billy finds Cal much too irresistible to resist.

Cal’s life is in the midst of huge upheaval when he decides to spend the summer in Butternut Lake. He is looking forward to relaxing as he contemplates the next stage in his life.  Like Billy, Cal is not really looking for love but he is quite open to exploring their unexpected attraction. His laidback and easygoing acceptance of the complications in her life is quite refreshing but will their romance last once summer is over?

The Light in Summer is an engrossing, feel-good read that old and new fans of the Butternut Lake series are going to love. The characters are multi-dimensional with realistic strengths and true to life problems to overcome. Butternut Lake is a wonderfully charming community with eclectic yet caring residents.  Cal and Billy are appealing protagonists and their relationship is an absolute joy to watch unfold. Mary McNear continues to keep this wonderful series fresh and inviting with interesting storylines and the introduction of new characters.  Another outstanding visit in Butternut Lake that will leave readers grinning from ear to ear as Cal, Billy and Luke’s story comes to an uplifting conclusion.

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Filed under Contemporary, Mary McNear, Rated B+, Review, Romance, The Butternut Lake Series, The Light in Summer, William Morrow Paperbacks, Women's Fiction

June 13, 2016 · 11:57 pm

Review: The Space Between Sisters by Mary McNear

Title: The Space Between Sisters by Mary McNear
The Butternut Lake Series Book Four
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Women’s Fiction
Length: 336 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss

Summary:

Return to Butternut Lake with New York Times bestselling author Mary McNear in a story where the complicated bonds of sisterhood are tested, long-kept secrets are revealed, and love is discovered…all during one unforgettable summer at the lake.

They are two sisters who couldn’t be more different. Win organized and responsible, plans her life with care. Poppy impulsive and undependable, leaves others to pick up the pieces. But despite their differences, they share memories of the idyllic childhood summers they spent together on the shores of Butternut Lake. Now, thirteen years later, Win, recovering from a personal tragedy, has taken refuge on Butternut Lake, settling into a predictable and quiet life.

Then, one night, Poppy unexpectedly shows up on her sister’s doorstep with her suitcases, an aging cat named Sasquatch, and a mysterious man in tow. Although Win loves her beautiful sister, she wasn’t expecting her to move in for the summer. At first, they relive the joys of Butternut Lake. But their blissful nostalgia soon gives way to conflict, and painful memories and buried secrets threaten to tear the sisters apart.

As the waning days of summer get shorter, past secrets are revealed, new love is found, and the ties between the sisters are tested like never before…all on the serene shores of Butternut Lake.

Review:

The Space Between Sisters by Mary McNear is a wonderful novel of family, healing and love.  This fourth installment in The Butternut Lake series can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend the entire series.

After quitting yet another job, Poppy Robbins shows up unannounced at her sister Win’s cabin on Butternut Lake. Although they were quite close growing up, they have drifted apart during the past few years.  Win is impatient with her sister’s impulsiveness while Poppy is exasperated with her sister’s almost compulsive need for order. Despite their differences and minor annoyances, their relationship easily withstands the friction between them but will their summer together strengthen their bond? Or will the inevitable conflict tear the sisters’ apart?

Poppy floats through life without taking anything or anyone too seriously. She quits jobs, moves and ends relationships at the drop of hat. She is incredibly beautiful yet she is extremely uncomfortable with the attention she receives as a result.  Poppy is kind-hearted but she quickly falls short of her promises to find a job and clean up after herself. After falling in love for the first time in her life, she knows it is time to face the traumatic events from her past but her relationship ends before it has really begun.  Heartbroken, Poppy is unable to discuss her problems with Win and her sister becomes frustrated by her despair.

After their chaotic childhood, Win wanted nothing more than a stable life with someone she could always count on to be there for her.  She met and married the man of her dreams but sadly, she lost her beloved husband to cancer.  Although she still mourns her loss, Win has created a new life for herself in Butternut Lake.  She has a job she loves and she has formed new friendships, but she has no interest in falling in love again.  Although delighted to see Poppy, she soon feels like she is once again living her beautiful sister’s shadow and Win’s self-doubts cause her to lash out at the man is beginning to care for.

The relationship between Win and Poppy is realistically depicted and even though there is not serious conflict between them, these minor irritations and annoyances are definitely easy to relate to.  Although they always try to be supportive of each other, they are also honest with one another, even when the truth is not exactly what the other person wants to hear.  Poppy is harboring a deep secret that she has tried to ignore for years, and when the truth is revealed, Win finally understands much of her sister’s behavior.  While Win’s issues are not as serious as Poppy’s, they are nonetheless something she needs to make peace with in order to find happiness.  Both Win and Poppy find love but their romances are secondary to their personal growth as they work through the underlying problems that have been keeping them moving from moving forward.

The Space Between Sisters is a heartwarming journey of healing for both Win and Poppy.  The characters are well-developed and immensely appealing. The storyline is heartfelt and engaging and readers will need to keep a few tissues handy as the novel moves toward its emotional yet uplifting conclusion. This latest addition to The Butternut Lake series is sure to be a hit with old and new fans of Mary McNear.

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Filed under Contemporary, Mary McNear, Rated B+, Review, Romance, The Butternut Lake Series, The Space Between Sisters, William Morrow Paperbacks, Women's Fiction

May 11, 2015 · 11:57 pm

Review: Moonlight on Butternut Lake by Mary McNear

moonlight on butternutTitle: Moonlight on Butternut Lake by Mary McNear
The Butternut Lake Trilogy Book Three
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 384
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss

Summary:

From the author of the New York Times and USA Today bestselling Up at Butternut Lake comes the third novel in the Butternut Lake series—a dazzling story of two wounded souls seizing a second chance at life and love.

On the run from her abusive husband, Mila Jones flees Minneapolis for the safety and serenity of Butternut Lake. Ready to forge a new life, Mila’s position as home health aide to Reid Ford is more than a job. It’s a chance at a fresh start. Though her sullen patient seems determined to make her quit, she refuses to give up on him.

Haunted by the car accident that nearly killed him, Reid retreats to his brother’s cabin on Butternut Lake and lashes out at anyone who tries to help. Reid wishes Mila would just go away. . .until he notices the strength, and the secrets, behind her sad, brown eyes.

Against all odds, Mila slowly draws Reid out. Soon they form a tentative, yet increasingly deeper, bond as Mila lowers her guard and begins to trust again, and Reid learns how to let this woman who has managed to crack through his protective shell into his life. While the seemingly endless days of summer unfold, Reid and Mila take the first steps to healing as they discover love can be more than just a dream.

Review:

Moonlight on Butternut Lake is the third installment in Mary McNear’s magnificent Butternut Lake Trilogy. This latest release is a beautiful novel of healing but it is the heartwarming romance between protagonists Mila Jones and Reid Ford that makes it such an outstanding read.

Mila desperately needs to put some distance between her and her abusive husband Brandon so a temporary job at a secluded cabin is perfect for her. The only downside is her new patient, Reid, has already scared off two other home health care aides, but she is confident she can handle him. He certainly lives up to his well deserved reputation, but Mila is not intimidated by her ill-tempered patient.  Despite her best efforts to coax Reid out of his self-imposed exile, he will not co-operate with her or his concerned brother, Walker. However Mila refuses to concede defeat and slowly, but surely, Reid begins to participate in everyday life. Just as their relationship deepens, Mila’s past comes back to haunt her and threatens to destroy their newfound happiness.

Mila’s childhood was anything but happy so it is understandable that she was unable to resist the attention that Brandon showered on her. There were several warning signs that she ignored before they married, but he easily charmed her into overlooking them. It did not take long for her to realize she had made a terrible mistake marrying him, but leaving him was next to impossible. Luckily she discovered a kindred spirit who recognized that Mila was in a very dire situation and she offered her the opportunity to safely escape from Brandon.  Although Mila never stops looking over her shoulder, she steadily regains her confidence and she finally begins to trust again.

Reid’s childhood was just as unhappy as Mila’s and he found solace in making a success of the boat making business he co-owns with Walker. Before his car accident, Reid was a workaholic whose romantic entanglements were casual and short-lived. In the aftermath of the accident, he refuses to co-operate with his family and he is plagued with PTSD. Everyone tiptoes around him so he is stunned when Mila finally stands up to him. This becomes a turning point in his recovery, but he continues to retreat from her efforts to convince to get treatment for his PTSD. Their relationship deepens as Mila helps him cope with his nightmares and their mutual attraction catches both of them off guard.

The relationship between Reid and Mila is very uneasy in the beginning. Although Reid is gruff and reclusive, she instinctively trusts him. She is frustrated by his self-pity and ingratitude and after she calls him on it, he begins to interact with the people in his life. Reid finally takes stock of his life and once he admits it is severely lacking, he decides to make some much needed changes. This coincides with Mila’s ongoing recovery from her abusive marriage and their relationship slowly turns romantic. However, Mila has been less than forthcoming about her past and she does not see how she can possibly have a future with Reid.

Moonlight on Butternut Lake is a very touching novel that deals with some serious, true to life issues. Mary McNear handles these difficult topics with a great deal of sensitivity.  The resolution of the various story arcs is unhurried and although some parts of the storyline are a little predictable, the novel is still quite enjoyable. The romance between Reid and Mila is sweet and it is such a delight watching them help one another heal the wounds of their respective pasts. This heartfelt addition to The Butternut Trilogy can be read as a standalone, but I heartily recommend the entire series.

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Filed under Contemporary, Mary McNear, Moonlight on Butternut Lake, Rated B+, Review, Romance, The Butternut Lake Series, William Morrow Paperbacks

August 13, 2014 · 11:58 pm

Review: Butternut Summer by Mary McNear

butternut summerTitle: Butternut Summer by Mary McNear
The Butternut Lake Trilogy Book Two
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 400 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through Edelweiss

Summary:

Return to the golden beauty of Minnesota’s Butternut Lake in this emotional story that vividly captures the joy and pain of first love, as a mother and daughter each come to terms with the desires of her heart.

Summer at Butternut Lake—a season full of surprises . . . and life-changing choices.

Preparing for her final year of college, Daisy is crazy busy now that she’s back at Butternut Lake. She’s helping her mother, Caroline, run their coffee shop and trying to build a relationship with the absentee father who’s suddenly reappeared. She never expected to fall in love with Will, the bad-boy from high school who works at the local garage. With every passing day she and Will grow closer to each other . . . and closer to the day they will have to say goodbye. As summer’s end looms, Will and Daisy face heartbreaking choices that might tear them apart.

Caroline already has her hands full trying to make ends meet at the coffee shop without having her no-good ex suddenly show up. Now that Jack is back, he’s determined to reconnect with the family he walked out on twenty years ago. But with the bank pounding on her door and Jack’s presence reminding her of the passion they once shared, Caroline’s resolve begins to crumble. As Daisy’s departure looms and her financial worries grow, Caroline just may discover the support she needs . . . in the last place she ever imagined.

The Review:

Butternut Summer is the absolutely charming second installment in Mary McNear’s delightful Butternut Lake Trilogy. With central themes such as forgiveness, trust and the age old question which ponders whether people can truly change, this novel also features a dual storyline with both Caroline Keegan and her daughter Daisy both finding love over the course of a summer.

Caroline’s tumultuous marriage to Jack Keegan ended in divorce after he walked out on both her and their daughter Daisy. Unbeknownst to Caroline, Daisy and Jack have repaired their fractured relationship and in fact, Jack is moving back to the small town of Butternut Lake. Jack would like nothing better than to reunite with Caroline, but she is nowhere near ready to forgive him for his past transgressions nor is she willing to trust his claims that he is a changed man. Adding to Caroline’s stress is the financial crisis she is facing with the family owned business. But it is Daisy’s out of character relationship with Will Hughes, an auto mechanic with a questionable past, that is the biggest source of frustration to this overprotective mom.

Daisy’s romance with Will figures most prominently and it is incredibly sweet watching them fall for one another. The two have the disadvantage of coming from completely different backgrounds, but their budding relationship becomes a catalyst for Will to find a new direction for his life. Daisy is about to embark on her senior year of college and while her future has a few uncertainties, she is a smart, capable young women who remains focused on her career goals. Will’s family life is heartbreaking but seeing himself reflected through Daisy’s eyes gives him the direction he has been lacking up until now.

Caroline’s past with Jack colors her present day viewpoint of both Will and Jack and she stubbornly clings to her opinion that neither of them deserves a second chance. Caroline and Daisy have always been close, but during this summer of change, she is feeling disconnected from her daughter. Her relationship with Jack is adversarial at first, but slowly, Caroline begins to see that Jack is different than before but she is afraid to trust that he won’t revert back to the man he used to be. With a financial deadline fast approaching, Caroline finds help from a very unexpected source when she finally shares the burden she has been carrying on her own.

Jack knows that trying to get back together with Caroline is going to take a lot of time and patience on his part. He respects the boundaries Caroline places on their relationship and he bides his time trying to show her he has truly turned over a new leaf.  Jack has overcome a lot of his past demons but he knows he must remain vigilant to avoid falling back into the destructive lifestyle he has worked so hard to escape. Caroline’s realization that Jack is serious about the changes in his life is gradual but that is what makes the resolution of their part of the storyline so realistic.

Butternut Summer is a thought-provoking novel with a warm and inviting setting, a likable and sympathetic cast of characters and a credible storyline that is very heartwarming. An easy to read and engaging romance that is heartfelt and moving, this latest addition to Mary McNear’s delightful Butternut Lake Trilogy can be read as a standalone but I highly recommend the entire series.

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Filed under Butternut Summer, Contemporary, Mary McNear, Rated B+, Review, Romance, The Butternut Lake Series, William Morrow Paperbacks