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The Summer Garden (Chesapeake Shores #9)

3.99 of 5 stars 3.99 · rating details · 923 ratings · 118 reviews

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 thrilledat 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 famil...more

Paperback, 384 pages

Published January 31st 2012 by Mira

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Sep 03, 2012 Susan rated it 4 of 5 stars

And so we go back to yet again another O'Brien family story. This time is is about Luke O'Brien, his discovery in Ireland and the woman he met while he was there "Maddening Moira" O'Malley.

Luke has come home from Ireland and has finally decided what he wants to do with his life...open up a truly authentic Irish Pub. While some members of the family doesn't necessarily support his idea, he really feels that this is his shot to prove to everyone (and I think to himself) that he is ready to settle...more

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Apr 25, 2012 Christina rated it 1 of 5 stars

Hhhmmm....how to begin....well, let me just say that I did not like this book. I read the whole thing all the while hoping for something interesting to happen since there are so many great reviews. PERSONALLY, I did not enjoy any of the characters. I really didn't feel any depth to them. Sure, they mentioned things to imply depth, but I didn't FEEL it. The dialogue was boring, tedious, redundant, and lacking most of the time. There were too many conversations about things that really held no r...more

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Mar 22, 2012 Diane rated it 4 of 5 stars

Let me start by saying that the romance genre is not one that I usually read. But something spoke to me about Sherryl Woods' The Summer Garden.

Maybe it was the beautiful cover art of a garden gazebo surrounded by lovely wildflowers. Maybe it was that the heroine Moira O'Malley is from Ireland, and I am Irish. Whatever it was, it captured my attention.

This is the 9th book in the Chesapeake Shores series, but I was able to jump right in without feeling lost. The numerous members of the O'Brien fam...more Let me start by saying that the romance genre is not one that I usually read. But something spoke to me about Sherryl Woods' The Summer Garden.

Maybe it was the beautiful cover art of a garden gazebo surrounded by lovely wildflowers. Maybe it was that the heroine Moira O'Malley is from Ireland, and I am Irish. Whatever it was, it captured my attention.

This is the 9th book in the Chesapeake Shores series, but I was able to jump right in without feeling lost. The numerous members of the O'Brien family live in Chesapeake Shores in Maryland, a small town where they own several businesses- an art gallery, a hotel, real estate management, an architecture firm- and young Luke O'Brien wants to join the club by opening up an Irish pub in town.

While it took a while to get to know who is who and how they are related (maybe a family tree and town map should be included for newbies to the series in the next book), but once I did, I fell in love with the O'Brien clan.

Moira met Luke when the clan went to Ireland for a family wedding, and they had a fling. Now Moira comes to America with her grandfather, who is having a romance with his long-ago love Nell, Luke's grandmother and owner of the titled summer garden.

In true romance novel fashion, Moira is maddening, "with the sharp tongue and wry wit." She is quick to anger and a bit mercurial. Luke, being a typical guy, is happy to see Moira, but not willing to make a commitment right away. He wants to wait and see what develops, and besides all his time and energy is going into making his pub a success.

What I liked about this novel was it's willingness to take on a hot topic: the changing role of women. Most of Luke's young female relatives have careers- one owns an art gallery, one owns the hotel-but Moira is not sure she wants to have a career.

She want to have a family and raise her children. When she was a child, her single mother had to work, and Moira wants a different life for her children. She discovers a talent for photography, but her heart is not it, and she is happier helping Luke prepare to open his pub.

Moira's ambivalence reflects what many young women feel today. Many of them were raised by single moms and would like to be there physically for their children. TV's The Good Wife recently tackled this in an arc where Caitlyn, a savvy young lawyer with a promising career, leaves the law firm after one year because she is pregnant and getting married.

Two of the older women in the law firm, Diane, an unmarried founding partner in the firm, and Alicia, a third year associate who returned to practicing law after a 15 year absence to raise her children, are astounded by Caitlyn's decision. Caitlyn's announcement causes Alicia to reflect on her own life's decisions.

The push-and-pull between Moira and Luke got a bit tedious at times, I thought that perhaps the author was beating a dead horse, but then I reflected upon my own experience many years ago and thought perhaps she really did capture that uncertain feeling of young love.

I enjoyed The Summer Garden, especially after not reading many romances. The romance between Luke's grandmother and Moira's grandfather was sweet. As the former owner of a restaurant, I related to Luke's efforts getting his pub up and running. But mostly, I liked getting to know the O'Brien family and will look for other books in this series.(less)

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Feb 14, 2012 Wendy Hines rated it 4 of 5 stars

This book is an easy and quick read. For those of you who have read the O'Brien series, you'll be able to pick up where you left off with loved and cherished characters. For those who haven't read any of the series yet, this isn't exactly the book you want to start with. Though the characters and plot are interesting, it took me a little bit to actually get into the book. By the fifth chapter I was actually caring about the characters and the blossoming romances, as well as businesses, but befor...more

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Feb 08, 2012 Marcia Berg Haskell rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, family, romance, series, want-to-keep

"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...more

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Jan 01, 2012 Julie Barrett rated it 5 of 5 stars

The Summer Garden by Sherryl Woods
This book starts where the last one left off: the trip to Ireland.
Luke did stay behind and has now returned to the US and is pretty sure
he wants to open a Irish pub. He majored in history and he doesn't
want to go that route. Family members are behind him all but his father. He doesn't want to start a family feud over it. His grandmother will even teach him to cook Irish meals and even pitch in at the bar some times.
He was quite taken with Moira-his grandmother'...more

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Apr 10, 2012 Sue Grimshaw rated it 3 of 5 stars

Another great addition to the Chesapeake series -- the H/H have met in the previous book (An Obrien Family Christmas); Luke and Moira have already developed the beginnings of their relationship while Luke vacationed in Dublin *wink*, in The Summer Garden they pick up where they left off, so, this book does not have a lot of conflict however, it is still about the journey of two people in love finding a way to make things work, *sigh*.

Secondary storyline with Nell and Dillon (grandma O'Brien and...more

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Jan 15, 2012 Hsiau Wei rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-read-in-2012

This book is the sequel of the previous entry that i reviewed and continue from thereon. In this book, the focus is on Moira and Luke and the continuation of Nell's story with Dillion. I am glad to see all the characters appeared again here ;). Moira and Luke are clearly infatuated with each other but among the two of them, Luke is more confident with their feelings. Moira, despite her rebellious behavior depicted in the early book, is actually possessed a very low self esteem. When Dillion make...more

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Feb 07, 2013 Darcy rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013, audio-book, listened-to-at-work, romance

When this series started out I thought it was just ok, but as it has gone on I have really liked the crazy O’Brien clan and their meddling ways. So I was a little disappointed to learn that this was the last book.

I did get tired of all the drama between Luke and Moira. For the most part I found myself siding with Moira and felt like she was justified in her anger at Luke. I will say that I did think that Luke had the patience of a saint in how he dealt with Moira. I hated though that Luke felt t...more

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Jan 14, 2012 Rhonda rated it 4 of 5 stars

Review:The Summer Garden by Sherryl Woods
4 STARS
Its always sad to see the end of a series that you like. All the familar characters from past books were back and showing how they are growing. This time their are two couples stories being told, that started in Ireland over Christmas. When the whole O'brien family went together to celebrate and share Nell's beloved Ireland.
Nell ran intoDillon her past boyfriend of 60 years ago. They got close over Christmas and wanted to see where it could go. Di...more

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Jan 20, 2012 Kat ~ Forever Book Lover ♥ rated it 4 of 5 stars

This review also posted on Forever Book Lover.

This is the final book in the Chesapeake Shore series. Sherryl brought us out in style, this book had marriages, babies and as always ~ Happy Ever After(s).

Throughout the book, characters from previous series popped in with cameo appearances. This was a wonderful wrap up of the characters we have met along the way. I will miss the O'Brien's, but Sherryl knew when a series had run its course and she brought us a beautiful closure. I can't wait to see...more

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Jun 13, 2012 Jeannie L rated it 3 of 5 stars

I've loved all the books in this series but I must say this particular book irritated me. I was ok with the introduction of Moira in the last book but she totally irritated the hell out of me in this one. She was so clingy and so needy for affirmation on Luke's affections and love. Even when there were so many advices given, she continued that way. While I understand how love can be and especially when u know he or she's the one, I felt irritated that she wanted to see action immediately instead...more

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Nov 17, 2012 Dr. Lin Stepp rated it 4 of 5 stars

It's nice when a main character isn't always someone you admire and like right away. Moira O'Malley had a lot of personal issues still unresolved when she came to American with her grandfather hoping to reconnect with Luke O'Brien. Luke is one of the warm-hearted and talented O'Brien's of Chesapeake Shores ... and I had met many of this family in plenty of other delightful books. I liked Luke, young and trying to find his way and become a strong man like his father, uncle, and brothers. I felt a...more

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Feb 06, 2012 Felicia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-read

Received for Review
Overall Rating: 4.25
Story Rating: 4.25
Character Rating: 4.25

First Thought when I Finished: People who have read this series are going to love this book. For those of us just jumping on the band wagon, it was pretty darn good too!

It is a little strange reading the last book in the series first. That is not my normal way of doing things but after reading the synopsis, I couldn't pass this book up! I really loved the whole O'Brien family and their very meddling ways. Grandma was...more

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Mar 01, 2012 Marie rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, own, review-book

This review was originally posted on my blog, Ramblings of a Daydreamer. You can find it, and many more reviews at the blog.

Each of the Chesapeake Shores novels is about a different member of the O’Brien family. The Summer Garden was about Luke, the youngest, and his love Moira. I haven’t read the previous eight books in the series, but figured I’d be safe reading this one since each book is about a different character.

What I liked:

I love stories that are about families. I love seeing different...more This review was originally posted on my blog, Ramblings of a Daydreamer. You can find it, and many more reviews at the blog.

Each of the Chesapeake Shores novels is about a different member of the O’Brien family. The Summer Garden was about Luke, the youngest, and his love Moira. I haven’t read the previous eight books in the series, but figured I’d be safe reading this one since each book is about a different character.

What I liked:

I love stories that are about families. I love seeing different family dynamics, how family members interact with each other, and I always enjoy scenes with big family gatherings. Even though this was my introduction to the O’Brien family, I think Ms Woods did a good job of giving back story on the secondary characters without going too deep into their stories - they did have their own individual books after all, but I find that a lot of authors spend too much time rehashing in series. I didn’t feel that was the case with book, and I was glad.

I appreciated the fact that Moira challenged Luke. Their relationship wasn’t all sunshine and roses, and that made it more realistic, because they had to work for it.

Nell, Luke’s grandmother and the matriarch of the O’Brien family, reminded me a lot of my Grama - strong, kind, loving, the head of the family, always looking after everyone and taking care of everyone, always giving out the best advice. She was my favorite character.

I really enjoyed the ending. I thought it was sweet and romantic, and a nice way to tie up a series.

What I didn’t like:

Moira in general really irritated me. She was so unsure of herself, always changing her mind about things, and always doubting her decisions. She and Luke had almost the exact same discussion/disagreement/argument throughout the entire book, and I found that exhausting. It was way too repetitive. Also, for a romance novel, I didn’t think there was actually that much romance. Luke and Moira spent so much time arguing about their relationship that it almost ruined what little romance there was.

This is a minor thing, and something that a lot of people might not notice, but I did: Moira’s voice didn’t feel authentic to me. She was Irish, but if we hadn’t seen her in Ireland or been told that she was from Ireland, I wouldn’t have known. Irish people have a very distinctive pattern of speech, and I always love reading books with Irish characters because of that, but it was completely missing in The Summer Garden.

There were a lot of characters. I found it almost impossible to keep them all straight. I’m sure that if I’d read the entire series I might have been able to remember who was who, but I spent a lot of time just trying to remember and keep up.

Overall, I didn't feel this book was really for me. I liked the premise, and it seemed like all the pieces were there, they just didn't really come together for me. I know a lot of other people really enjoyed it though, so if it sounds like something you might be interested in, I encourage you to give it a try! (less)

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Jul 25, 2012 Denise Whelan rated it 3 of 5 stars

Normally I would give 5 stars to Sherryl Woods for her great series "Chesapeake Shores," I just couldn't do so this time around. I have to say I was a little bored with this book, the story line was just not up to her normal writing within this series. I liked that Nell got to have her happiness with Dillon, after all those years! Luke and Moira's story just seemed less enthused! Since I go into each book with an open mind, I was very surprised on how little I liked this book. The fact that I ke...more

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Feb 18, 2012 Paula Mitchell rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-review, netgalley, read-in-2012

This story takes place not long after the family has returned to Chesapeake Shores after their Christmas in Ireland. Luke O'Brien is still suffering the affects of Maddening Moira who's the granddaughter of his grandmother's old flame Dillion O'Malley. The first thing Luke does is decide to bring a piece of Ireland to Chesapeake Shores by creating a Irish Pub.

We also find the beginning of the book taking place in Ireland and in Chesapeake Shores. Moira and her grandfather Dillion are planning a...more

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Jul 27, 2012 Farrah rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: book-reviews

It is always a delight to read another story of the O’Brien family from Chesapeake Shores. I’ve yet to be disappointed. The way Woods portrays the family and scenes make you feel like you’re one of the family or a very close friend. In this story (#9 of the Chesapeake Shores series), Luke O’Brien is in the works of opening an Irish Pub in the US and is attracted to the “Maddening Moira” O’Malley. Will they be able to work it out together while pursuing their own ambitions? Well you know by typic...more

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Jan 25, 2012 Michele rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Summer Garden – Sherryl Woods

I don’t normally read contempory romances but when I was asked to do a review/Giveaway for the Summer Garden I said of course I will. This book has kind of changed my feeling about the genre. This is the 9th in the Chesapeake Shores series (guess who will be getting the rest of the series!). This novel revolves around “Family” with all it’s ups and downs—a very close knit family! When Luke ‘Brien meets Moira O’Malley (in a previous book) sparks fly---Moira with h...more

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Feb 18, 2012 Danielle rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: chicklit, books-i-own, for-review

Luke is the last of the O’Brien clan to discover his place in the world and finally settle down, but finding both in Ireland never crossed his mind. Fortunately his family’s trip across the ocean resulted in discovering not only his passion & career but a women he thought he could be with forever. When Luke finally travels back to the US his thoughts continue to turn back to Moira and her sudden appearance with her grandfather in Chesapeake Shores is exactly the thing that could wrap his lif...more Luke is the last of the O’Brien clan to discover his place in the world and finally settle down, but finding both in Ireland never crossed his mind. Fortunately his family’s trip across the ocean resulted in discovering not only his passion & career but a women he thought he could be with forever. When Luke finally travels back to the US his thoughts continue to turn back to Moira and her sudden appearance with her grandfather in Chesapeake Shores is exactly the thing that could wrap his life up neatly or turn it completely upside down.

It must be overwhelmingly difficult to end such a successful and popular series like the Chesapeake Shores novels, but Sherryl Woods offers nothing but her very best. This is a series I’ve read about half of and each and every time I’m reminded of how enjoyable Woods’s writing is. Not only is it filled with quirky mischievous characters but the charm of the series rests in the family itself. As in the other novels in the series The Summer Garden immediately draws you in and welcomes you home into this amazing family and their meddling loving ways.

Of course much of the story is about Luke and Moira this time, but it also had the added twist of being about the eldest of the group Nell and her childhood love Dillon. In many ways this was perfect for the closure of the series as it ties up the family nicely and you finally get that happily ever after for everyone involved. Obviously more of the story focused on Luke’s new found career as a pub owner and his love interest Moira who was also beginning a career as a photographer. Honestly Moira irked me on numerous occasions, but oddly enough she isn’t the first of the women to come into the O’Brien clan that I’ve been irked with; it must be an easy plot device that doesn’t become so overbearing as to make you lose interest. That being said, it’s nice that not all the characters are cookie cutter shapes of perfection because I think the series would become too contrived in that way. Fortunately for Luke the differences between him and Moira slowly work out over time, but not without their own struggles.

Overall The Summer Garden by Sherryl Woods was the best possible series end for the Chesapeake Shores novels series. In the end it felt as though you’d come home to enjoy this wonderful family and their amazing accomplishments. This is truly one of the best, most well written cozy series out today and one I’d highly recommend to readers looking to settle in for a relaxing evening mixing with a wonderful family. In no way has the story become stale or felt pushed and that’s impressive considering the fact that The Summer Garden is the ninth book in the series. An absolutely wonderful end that leaves you with hope for the future of the happy O’Brien family and also gives you a bit of romance by way of Luke & Moira and Nell & Dillon.

Originally reviewed and copyrighted at my site Chick Lit Reviews and News.(less)

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Nov 30, 2011 Kathy rated it 4 of 5 stars

I have been following Sherryl Woods Chesapeake Shores series so I couldn't wait any longer to read this latest addition. Luke O'Brien met Moira O'Malley while the family was in Dublin for Christmas. Moira tags along with her grandfather when he comes to visit Nell O'Brien in America. Luke is in the midst of setting up his new business,an Irish pub. Although Moira could be the one Luke keeps letting her know that his new business is his number one priority. Will she wait for him?

This book continu...more

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Aug 01, 2012 Lynda rated it 3 of 5 stars

In this final volume of the series, Luke and Moira try to find their way past their poor communication skills to a lasting romance. They epitomize misunderstanding and lack of clear communication between two people. While Luke is struggling to open a real "Irish Pub" in Virginia, Moira discovers a talent for photography but that isn't really what Moira wants in her future. All of the plotlines for the other members of the family from Grandmother Nell to newly married Matthew and Laila are tied u...more

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Jul 30, 2012 Nancy rated it 4 of 5 stars

I was sad to see this series end. Moira and Luke originally met in Dublin when the O'Brien family spent Christmas there. When her grandfather decides to come to the states to visit Luke's grandmother, Nell, Moira comes with him. She drove me crazy, always getting upset with Luke because he wasn't ready to commit to her entirely. Always second guessing what he tells her. Not sure about her own career, enjoying helping Luke get ready for and open his Irish pub, O'Briens. Enjoying pursuing her phot...more

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Feb 20, 2012 Rachael rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Summer Garden by Sherryl Woods

The concluding book in Woods’ Chesapeake Shores series is not-to-be-missed. It is Luke and Moira’s story, as well as Nell and Dillon’s. It is a nice wrap up, with lots of visits with the beloved characters from the other titles, but I think that it may be the best in the series. Luke is the youngest of the O’Briens, and Maddening Moira tends to live up to her name, but they seem to realize when they’re being stupid, fix it, and move on—it’s really refreshing to...more

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Apr 09, 2012 Patricia Solla rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-own

We pick up this story with the Irish characters introduced in An O'Brien Christmas coming to Maryland to visit. Now we have two romances going. The grandmother and her first love and the grandson and the woman who has sparked his interest. The grandmother's story is smooth and relaxing. The grandson is another story altogher different. Turblence and miscommunication abound. The feeling at the end of the book is that this is the last we will hear of the O'Briens from Chesapeake Shores but I wonde...more

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May 04, 2012 Linda rated it 3 of 5 stars

This book is part of a series involving the O'Brien family and their development named Chesapeake Shores. The O'Brien's have returned home after holidays spent in Ireland but Luke can't forget a hard-headed woman named Moira. Luke planned on opening an Irish pub in Chesapeake Shores and had Moira accompany him around places in Ireland. Now Moira and her grandfather are in the US. Moira is not only stubborn but wants things her way and will not listen to reason. Although the story was okay, I did...more

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Mar 28, 2012 Mary (BookHounds) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, from-publisher-author

MY THOUGHTS
LOVED IT
I have read Woods' books off and on over the years and it is always nice to pop back in and see what is happening. If you have read any of the Chesapeake Shores series, then this will be a nice revisit and if this is your first book, you won't want to leave. The story continues a bit of Dillon and Nell relationship, but the true stars are Moira and Luke. Moira, Moira, Moira, what can I say? This girl has a lot of gumption, but she seems to lack when it comes to trusting her ow...more

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Apr 11, 2012 Lauren rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, own

I'm always in the mood for light contemporary reads, so when The Summer Garden by Sherryl Woods landed on my radar I knew it would be the perfect book for me. Luckily, it was just that, as not only did it provide a fun and cute read, but it also contained characters I adored and writing that fully brought the book to life.

The Summer Garden is the last in the Chesapeake Shores series, but since every book features a new character with previous ones in the background, it was easy to dive right int...more I'm always in the mood for light contemporary reads, so when The Summer Garden by Sherryl Woods landed on my radar I knew it would be the perfect book for me. Luckily, it was just that, as not only did it provide a fun and cute read, but it also contained characters I adored and writing that fully brought the book to life.

The Summer Garden is the last in the Chesapeake Shores series, but since every book features a new character with previous ones in the background, it was easy to dive right into Luke and Moira's story. Luke and Moira were characters I liked from the start. Luke's drive to have his Irish pub succeed showed how resilient and strong of a guy he was, and what I also liked about him was how flawed over the Moira situation. He really liked her, but there was always this voice going in the back of his mind saying "is she worth it?", and that made him realistic in my opinion. Moira, on the other hand, was extremely strong willed and hard hearted. She was a girl who has been hurt in the past, and wouldn't let that ever happen again, no matter how much she wanted to take the leap. I loved seeing Moira begin to find herself in the United States as well as divulge into her photography business and even help Luke start up the Irish pub. Another fabulous addition to The Summer Garden, was the little love story between Moira's grandfather and Luke's grandmother. It was so much fun seeing from their POVS, and I loved watching them get a chance at true love.

The plot in this wasn't especially suspenseful or hard hitting, but I still enjoyed it regardless. I loved seeing the town and its people come to life within the pages of the book, and I also adored seeing Luke and Moira's relationship begin, as it was sweet as well as complicated. Another fabulous addition to the plot was the wide variety of side characters much of which included Luke's extended family. Each and everyone was thoroughly developed as well as likable, and from reading this one, I can't wait to rewind and see how each of their stories began!

In all, The Summer Garden by Sherryl Woods is the perfect read for readers who love a good little romantic story. Best of all, it's the perfect start or exit to the Chesapeake Shores series, so whether or not you're a new reader or a longtime one, you're sure to love it.

Grade: B+(less)

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Apr 24, 2012 Jodie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, net-galley, sherryl-woods

When Luke O'Brien visited Ireland for Christmas, he was immediately taken by the maddening Moira. Since arriving back in Chesapeake Shores, he is determined to put his research to use and open an Irish pub. And of course, being an O'Brien, he will accept nothing less than success. On a surprise visit to Chesapeake Shores with her granddad, Moira soon learns that her dream of happily ever after may have to be put on hold for an undetermined amount of time. But, is she willing to wait?

I'm not qui...more When Luke O'Brien visited Ireland for Christmas, he was immediately taken by the maddening Moira. Since arriving back in Chesapeake Shores, he is determined to put his research to use and open an Irish pub. And of course, being an O'Brien, he will accept nothing less than success. On a surprise visit to Chesapeake Shores with her granddad, Moira soon learns that her dream of happily ever after may have to be put on hold for an undetermined amount of time. But, is she willing to wait?

I'm not quite sure what didn't capture me with this one as much as the others in the series, it was still a great read, but just a little less so than the others. I actually felt bad for Luke. I mean, we tell men all the time they need to speak their feelings and not bottle everything up. Well, he did, he very plainly told Moira that he wanted to wait for the "next step" in their relationship because he was trying to get his pub off the ground. I would much rather a man tell me that he couldn't focus the attention required on a relationship than to pretend he could then leave me feel left out or forgotten about. So, I felt Moira was being a little selfish wanting it her way. However, I totally understood where she was coming from. Sometimes though, love just doesn't happen how we want it to, but it makes it no less special.

With this being the last story of the O'Brien family, I'm a little saddened. It's like saying goodbye to some of my family. When I read the Chesapeake Shore series, I always feel like part of the family. The O'Brien clan is such a close knit family, looking out for each other, covering each other's backs, and being a strong support system for one another. "In this family we pull together in a crisis, no matter what kind it is." Who doesn't want a family like that? (Ok, well, maybe without all the meddling.)

I was graciously provided a free digital copy of this book from Harlequin in partnership with NetGalley to review it. I was not required to write a positive review and the opinions I have expressed are my own. (less)

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May 20, 2012 Celine rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: chick-lit, audiobook

I think maybe I was sick of the O'Brien's before I started this book and didn't realize it. While listening to this on audiobook I just kept thinking how annoying all the characters had gotten with their tendency to meddle in each other's lives. I didn't care about Luke and Moira at all which is the biggest difference between this book and the rest of the series. In previous books I at least liked one of the main characters and wanted to see them happily settled. I just felt both Luke and Moira...more I think maybe I was sick of the O'Brien's before I started this book and didn't realize it. While listening to this on audiobook I just kept thinking how annoying all the characters had gotten with their tendency to meddle in each other's lives. I didn't care about Luke and Moira at all which is the biggest difference between this book and the rest of the series. In previous books I at least liked one of the main characters and wanted to see them happily settled. I just felt both Luke and Moira were immature and I didn't buy that they were meant to be together. The relationship wasn't developed well. I think Moira just saw Luke as a way to have the family she didn't have growing up and she didn't care much about him specifically.

Also the story line about Moira's career was not well done. Moira says what she really wants is a family and career doesn't matter. She works in a pub in Ireland then in Luke's pub in Chesapeake Shores. She enjoys photography but doesn't know how to make that in to a career. When she gets the chance to explore photography as a career it didn't seem as if she cared that much about it and was doing it more because Luke's aunt, Megan, was pushing her towards it. Initially there's lip service paid to the fact that it's okay if Moira just wants to be a mother and wife but then the book seems to backtrack and say no a woman needs to have a career and it needs to be one that's more prestigious than just working in a pub even if she enjoys working there. In the end I didn't feel as if Moira had worked out how she wanted all the aspects of her life (Luke, potential kids, photography, and the pub) work together.

I felt like as an end to the series this was pretty poor. Woods parades out past characters but doesn't integrate them in to the story enough that we feel as if we're really reconnecting with the ones we cared about in past books. Basically, feel free to skip this book even if you're a Woods fan and a fan of the O'Brien series. Unless you're a completist like me then you'll probably feel compelled to read this one and end up disappointed. (less)

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About Sherryl Woods

With two other careers to her credit before becoming a novelist and four states in which she's lived for extended periods of time, Sherryl Woods has collected friends and memories, along with way too much unnecessary junk.

"The friends are the only things I've brought with me through the years that really matter," she says. "I could probably live without one more chintz teacup, another tin-litho sa...more With two other careers to her credit before becoming a novelist and four states in which she's lived for extended periods of time, Sherryl Woods has collected friends and memories, along with way too much unnecessary junk.

"The friends are the only things I've brought with me through the years that really matter," she says. "I could probably live without one more chintz teacup, another tin-litho sandpail or another snowglobe, but I need those friends."

The theme of enduring friendships and families is always central to Sherryl's books, including her latest Chesapeake Shores series — THE INN AT EAGLE POINT, FLOWERS ON MAIN and HARBOR LIGHTS.

Author of more than 100 romance and mystery novels, Sherryl Woods grew up in Virginia. Over the years she had lived in Ohio and Florida, as well as California. Currently she divides her time between Key Biscayne, Florida and Colonial Beach, Virginia, the small, river-front town where she spent her childhood summers.

A graduate of Ohio State University School of Journalism, Sherryl spent more than ten years as a journalist, most of them as a television critic for newspapers in Ohio and Florida. For several years she also coordinated a motivational program for the more than 8,000 employees at the University of Miami-Jackson Memorial Medical Center.

Her first book, RESTORING LOVE, was published in 1982 by Dell Candlelight Ecstasy under the pseudonym of Suzanne Sherrill. Her second book, SAND CASTLES, under the pseudonym of Alexandra Kirk, was published later that same year by Bantam. She began using her own name when she moved to the Second Chance at Love line at Berkley Publishing. In 1986, she began writing full-time and also began her long career at Silhouette Books with the Desire title NOT AT EIGHT, DARLING, set in the world of television which she covered for so many years.

In addition to her more than 75 romances for Silhouette Desire and Special Edition, she has written thirteen mysteries — nine in the Amanda Roberts series and four in the Molly DeWitt series.

When she's not writing or reading, Sherryl loves to garden, though she's not at her best on a riding lawn mower. She also loves tennis, theater, and ballet, even though her top spin has long since vanished, she's never set foot on a stage, and she's way too uncoordinated to dance. She also loves baseball and claims anyone who's ever seen Kevin Costner in "Bull Durham" can understand why.
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The Inn At Eagle Point (Chesapeake Shores, #1)

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The Summer Garden (Chesapeake Shores #9)

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