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Bitter Sweet
Newly widowed, still beautiful, and suddenly wealthy, Maggie Pearson Stearn has come home to Wisconsin to start a new life. The recent death of her much-loved husband has left an empty space in her heart. Back on familiar ground, with a gratifying business venture off to promising start, she finds a new zest for life in the rekindling of old friendships-and of her love aff...more
Audiobook
Published
May 19th 2009
by Phoenix Books
(first published 1990)
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I'm going to have to simmer on how to put this one into words. I loved this book. Loved it.
Let me start by saying I "normally" don't enjoy cheating themed books.
And I hate Nancy.
Maggie broke my heart, watching her grieve and grow and well, strengthen. She truly is a beautiful and very strong willed person. She literally had life throwing shit into her face but kept rising above it.
Eric, stuck and miserable and craving a family. Living with a wife who deserved everything she got in the end, I...more
Let me start by saying I "normally" don't enjoy cheating themed books.
And I hate Nancy.
Maggie broke my heart, watching her grieve and grow and well, strengthen. She truly is a beautiful and very strong willed person. She literally had life throwing shit into her face but kept rising above it.
Eric, stuck and miserable and craving a family. Living with a wife who deserved everything she got in the end, I...more
I very much enjoyed this book. Maggie lost her husband in a plane crash a year ago and she and her 17 year old daughter Katy are trying to move on with their grief. Katy leaves for Chicago for school and Maggie is all alone. Her therapist suggests she call someone she hasn't talked to in a very long time. She calls her best friend from High School and are thrilled to find each other again. Brookie gives Maggie the phone number for her old high school sweetheart who is married to a very beautiful...more
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I loved this book. It was a great story and made me cry in parts.
Back Cover Blurb:
Maggie - shattered by the loss of her husband, she struggled each day to put her grief behind her. To be there for her teenaged daughter. And to face life again. When she returned to her Wisconsin hometown, she never expected to feel a spark of longing - for her old high school sweetheart, Eric.
His marriage to a driven career woman had left him childless and unhappy - he knew there had to be more to life than alway...more
Back Cover Blurb:
Maggie - shattered by the loss of her husband, she struggled each day to put her grief behind her. To be there for her teenaged daughter. And to face life again. When she returned to her Wisconsin hometown, she never expected to feel a spark of longing - for her old high school sweetheart, Eric.
His marriage to a driven career woman had left him childless and unhappy - he knew there had to be more to life than alway...more
Hmmmm, this is an older book. So, the social conventions that are reflected here are not necessarily what you would expect today.
I must say, I do't care for adultery themes, ever. To me there is no real justification for the lying, deciet and pain that comes with adultery.
Having said that, Ms. Spencer did well with her character development and the pace of the book was spot on. I did not put this book down but one time from when I began to read it.
I had a real problem with a father not seeing h...more
I must say, I do't care for adultery themes, ever. To me there is no real justification for the lying, deciet and pain that comes with adultery.
Having said that, Ms. Spencer did well with her character development and the pace of the book was spot on. I did not put this book down but one time from when I began to read it.
I had a real problem with a father not seeing h...more
This was a sweet romance that is all about Maggie's "what if" guy - her first love. Nothing can be that simple though. The story made complex by his marriage, her disfunctional relationship with her mother, and her daughter's growing disapproval of all the changes Maggie is making.
My main problem with this story is the non-chalance stance of adultery. The characters give it minimal thought, justifying it with their history, and the existing discord in the marriage. My feeling is that if the marr...more
My main problem with this story is the non-chalance stance of adultery. The characters give it minimal thought, justifying it with their history, and the existing discord in the marriage. My feeling is that if the marr...more
I love LaVyrle, but this isn't one of my favorites. I feel that sometimes she leans a bit too heavily on predefined gender roles. (view spoiler)...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Memorable - all time favorite
My friends and I read this MANY years ago when it first came out. Although we lived in various parts of the country, we converged on Door County and Egg Harbor for a “girls” weekend. That was the ULTIMATE reader’s club experience. We loved the book then and I have read its tattered covers many times since and have purchased copies for others. Just read it yet another time. I was not disappointed and neither will you be if you read this wonderful novel.
My friends and I read this MANY years ago when it first came out. Although we lived in various parts of the country, we converged on Door County and Egg Harbor for a “girls” weekend. That was the ULTIMATE reader’s club experience. We loved the book then and I have read its tattered covers many times since and have purchased copies for others. Just read it yet another time. I was not disappointed and neither will you be if you read this wonderful novel.
I'm not much into romance novels...I read them but they are not my first choice. This book was great....the characters were wonderful and I really felt as if I knew them. You felt every single emotion they felt...I was so torn when they were ripped apart.....and thrilled when they were together....it sounds kinda gaggy I know......but it was the kind of book that just sucked you in....I couldn't wait to get to the next event in the book.....it was a really fun read.
Like 'Years', this was the only other book of hers I couldn't finish, as soon as I realised where this novel was headed it was the beginning of the end for me.
(view spoiler)
(view spoiler)
Ahh, the book that started it all for me. I read this book in 7th grade. Yes, you read that correctly, 7th grade. Totally inappropriate for a 12 year old, but it's the book that made me realize that I actually liked reading. This book is a total package for me. The characters feel real, and it's got a great story to go with the steamy love scenes. I've actually read this book several times. It really is that good for me.
I liked this book, and it was my very first LaVyrle Spencer book. I remember seeing LaVyrle Spencer books on my Mom's bookshelves, in bookstores, in women's bags, etc., over the years, but had never read her until now. I found this particular book at our church rummage sale, so I scooped it up to read. I'm excited to read her other books, only because this was a love story (which I like), but I just had a hard time getting past the marital affair of the romance in this story. Even though Ms. Spe...more
Dump your current wife (okay, yeah, except for sex - they didn't have anything in common any more)... for your high school, widowed ex-girl friend... who just happens to get pregnant (you've wanted a baby and your wife won't agree to it)... has a million dollars (yes - the life insurance)... and is as beautiful as she was in high school...
perhaps more fantasy than romance... hmmmmm
perhaps more fantasy than romance... hmmmmm
I came across this book and remembered it as a favorite guilty-pleasure read from many, many years ago. Very predictable- oh let me look up my 1st love in friendship only because he's married- kind of a story but there's something about the characters that get to you from page 1. The story also makes you think about what and who you're willing to give up for a love you believe in.
This is one of my favorite books by this author. It's my go to book, when I can't find something else to read. I enjoy her books, because they take place in familiar Midwest settings. This one makes you wonder, what would of happened if you had married your high school sweetheart? Would it have worked? Would you both be happy? The what ifs.
This is one I read after watching soppy films on TV! All sorts of things could be criticised, (Maggie's conveniently wealthy, the adultery is perhaps too easily justified, and surely Roy would have considered leaving Vera years before, she's horrible!) but lovely to come back to as escapism.
Another stellar writing performance from my favorite author, Lavyrle Spencer.
The story of recently-widowed Maggie Pearson Stearn returning to her hometown of Door, a small fishing town where she buys and opens a new bed and breakfast (the town's first) thanks to her high school sweetheart Eric Sverson's aid. He is unhappily married to a wife married to her job; each party in the marriage want different things.
Unlike in real life, the two protagonists carrying on an affair leave you wanting the...more
The story of recently-widowed Maggie Pearson Stearn returning to her hometown of Door, a small fishing town where she buys and opens a new bed and breakfast (the town's first) thanks to her high school sweetheart Eric Sverson's aid. He is unhappily married to a wife married to her job; each party in the marriage want different things.
Unlike in real life, the two protagonists carrying on an affair leave you wanting the...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
click here.
Loved this book. I didn't read it when I was younger because it deals with infidelity and divorce. Only Ms. Spencer could make you route for both. Amazing. I wish there would be a sequel involving the older daughter, Katy and possibly Brookies son
I loved this book several years ago and just got reaquainted with it again. Still a wonderful love story set in a tourist town up north- is never going to win a nobel prize, but for its genre, its a great book. A good afternoon read on a rainy Saturday.
I like that the book takes place in Wisconsin, but the premise of one of the love interests being married really got to me. I think it's wrong to cheat, no matter what. Had they both been single I would have given another star or two.
This was the first LaVyrle Spencer book I ever read. Set in Wisconsin it shows the determination of a strong woman, it shows the bond between father and daughter, and a love rekindled. I've read this book numerous times.
I really enjoyed this book, which I found on the bookshelf of a hotel cottege in Sark. It's just off being predictable, and I found it a nice easy read, perfect for being on a short holiday!
Aug 15, 2010
Jaime Atkins
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
read-in-2010,
favorites
GREAT book!!! I love just about anything Lavryle Spencer writes. This one was emotional and dramatic. I stayed up half the night unable to put it down. I can't wait to find another treasure by Spencer!
This book was fantastic! I couldn't stop reading. Although it is quite aptly named since it was very bitter sweet. Equally heart wrenching and heart warming.
I really enjoyed this book. Yes, it does have adultery in the story; but God says to judge not lest you be judged. I really hurt for Maggie and Eric. Nancy didn't really love Eric. She only wanted him because he was nice looking and good in bed - and she didn't want to be alone. Any married woman who could callously have a secret abortion (knowing how much her husband wants a baby) doesn't care about him. It was like Eric told her, she only loved herself. No, I don't condone cheating. It almost...more
This book was so good. I read faster than I have probably read any other book lately. I wasn't as in love with the characters by the end of the book. They got a little cheesy, but I really liked the story!
Apr 19, 2013
Taylor Timms
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
will-read-again
I stole this book from my Mom when I was 14 (and probably to young to be reading it). It is one of my favorites, and I read it at least once a year.
This was the very first LaVyrle Spencer book I ever read. Couldn't put it down the first time reading this. I've read this book numerous times.
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LaVyrle Spencer is an American best-selling author of contemporary and historical romance novels. She has successfully published a number of books, with several of them made into movies. Twelve of her books have been New York Times bestsellers, and Spencer was inducted into the Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame in 1988.
Spencer is known for creating realistic characters and stories that focu...more
More about LaVyrle Spencer...
Spencer is known for creating realistic characters and stories that focu...more
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