Category Archives: Swan Point

Review: Swan Point by Sherryl Woods

swan pointTitle: Swan Point by Sherryl Woods
The Sweet Magnolias Book Eleven
Publisher: Harlequin
Imprint: Mira
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length: 368 pages
Book Rating: B+

Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley

Summary:

#1 New York Times bestselling author  Sherryl Woods draws readers back into  the world of strong friendships and heartfelt emotions in Serenity, South Carolina

Determined to build a new life for her family after her divorce, Adelia Hernandez has bought a home in the historic Swan Point neighborhood of Serenity. Promoted to manager of Main Street’s most fashionable boutique, she feels revitalized and ready for a fresh start as a single mom. But barely into this new independent phase, she crosses paths with the sexiest man to hit Serenity in years.

Gabe Franklin, back in town to make amends for past mistakes, has no intention of settling down, but Adelia’s proving irresistible. Cheered on by their friends, “the Sweet Magnolias,” Gabe is bringing long-absent passion and laughter into Adelia’s life. To his surprise—and hers—sometimes a rolling stone is just what it takes to build the rock-solid foundation of a family.

“Woods’ readers will eagerly anticipate her trademark small-town setting, loyal friendships, and honorable mentors as they meet new characters and reconnect with familiar ones in this heartwarming tale.”  —Booklist on Home in Carolina

The Review:

Swan Point is another warm and inviting novel in Sherryl Woods’ incredibly heartwarming Sweet Magnolias series. In this latest visit to Serenity, newly divorced Adelia Hernandez is beginning a new life with her four children while Gabe Franklin is trying to make peace with his turbulent past. They are caught off guard by their mutual attraction, but with plenty of encouragement from interfering but well-meaning friends and family, they tentatively begin dating. While this couple has plenty of external obstacles to overcome, it is their internal struggles that threaten to derail their burgeoning romance.

Moving into a new house is just the first step Adelia makes in regaining her independence. After years of criticism from her ex-husband, her flagging self-esteem gets a boost with a well deserved promotion to manager of the clothing boutique where she works. Her biggest concern is the emotional well-being of her children and she is focused on helping them adjust to their new life.

Gabe has a lot of misgivings about his temporary return to Serenity but he is pleasantly surprised by the how well received he is by most of the townspeople. Growing up with an promiscuous mother with an alcohol addiction, his childhood was marred by rumors of her numerous affairs and his countless fights to defend her honor. Older, wiser and more mature, Gabe gains a new perspective on his past and while it would be easy to slip back into old habits, he now considers the consequences before acting on his impulses.

The romance between Adelia and Gabe is sweet and slow-growing. Both are hesitant to enter into a serious relationship but when Gabe begins renovations on Adelia’s house, their attraction becomes impossible to ignore. They begin dating, but the close scrutiny of family and friends adds tension to their already shaky romance. Adelia’s family is dismayed that she is dating and her slimy ex-husband becomes a force to be reckoned with as well. But, in the end, it is Gabe’s unresolved issues that are the real threat to their relationship.

Swan Point is another captivating novel in The Sweet Magnolias series. This lovely romance unfolds at a leisurely pace but it is always quite engrossing. The cast of characters is beautifully developed with realistic flaws that are easy to relate to. The town of Serenity is quite charming and while the townspeople sometimes overstep their boundaries, they genuinely care about one another. Another superbly written love story from Sherryl Woods that I highly recommend.

Please click HERE to read my reviews of the other books in The Sweet Magnolias series.

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Filed under Contemporary, Harlequin, Mira, Rated B+, Review, Romance, Sherryl Woods, Swan Point, The Sweet Magnolias