One More Summer

Jan 07, 2012 Racquel rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult, favorites, read-in-2012, adult-contemporary, contemporary, favorite-of-favorite♥, tear-jerker, review-copy

Review also on my blog: The Book Barbies

Could a cover, summary, and title be more misleading? I picked this up while I was in NYC for vacation thinking it will be a quick fun read to pass the time but oh wow, NOT! This was one emotional, heartbreaking and moving read.

I really can't do this book justice but I will try my best. One More Summer is not the perfect book, it started slow for me, I didn't like how it jumped around at the beginning and a few other things. But why does all of that NOT ma...more Review also on my blog: The Book Barbies

Could a cover, summary, and title be more misleading? I picked this up while I was in NYC for vacation thinking it will be a quick fun read to pass the time but oh wow, NOT! This was one emotional, heartbreaking and moving read.

I really can't do this book justice but I will try my best. One More Summer is not the perfect book, it started slow for me, I didn't like how it jumped around at the beginning and a few other things. But why does all of that NOT matter? Because when you have a book with such a powerful story like One More Summer does, who gives a damn about grammar and spelling? (not that there are any grammar or spelling mistakes!) that's petty stuff! What matters is the STORY.

I want to know these characters in real life. My heart fluttered when there were sweet actions, I cried at the ugliness and unfairness some of theses characters had to go through and most of all I just I fell in love with these characters. They're completely realistic, not perfect in looks or personality (some might argue Faith is, but hello tattoo;D) the situations they go through are also realistic and I say that AFTER I thought a certain event that is mentioned in the book was a bit over dramatic BUT it hit me how my aunt and mom were talking about a very very similar ugly event happened to a distant cousin of theirs and I Googled a couple of statistics and oh wow, definitely realistic! (I will not mention the even because I don't want to spoil it for you!) I'm always asking for books about the other people, those people who we don't get to read their stories since MC's are always plain janes or written out destinies and I got my wish with Grace.

I loved to see the relationship grew between characters and how each one of them developed. I was just cheering for Grace when she accomplished something or got over a fear and the same goes for Dillon. The romance at first for me was too... weird. It happened too fast but I got over it because I saw it develop properly. Grace and Dillon have become some of my favorite couples even!

This review is so hard for me to write because I cannot put into words how good this book is. I look forward to rereading it even though it was hard at parts and I had to put it down for a little while to wipe away the tears but also, along with the tears I laughed and fell in love and it was a damn great ride. If you're a contemporary fan, this is one realistic read you don't want to miss. It's full of emotion, heartache and love and I'm so happy to have read this book. It's a great way to start off the year!

Rating: 5 hearts~ one of my new favorite reads!

*thanks to the publisher for providing a copy to review*

-thank you&come again.(less)

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Apr 14, 2013 Michelle Doyle rated it 5 of 5 stars

This book had to be one of the most 'healing' books in my life. I related to it extremely, on a personal level. I had a lot of cleansing cries from it - that's for sure...

I remember reading this and stopping to share my feelings as the book progressed. Here's some of them...

Feb. 27

Reading only the first chapter and crying my eyes out!!!! ...One More Summer by Liz Flaherty... Check it out!

Reading "One More Summer" by Liz Flaherty... It's really hitting home, (view spoiler)[Grace's friend Promise...more

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May 09, 2012 Brie C. rated it 3 of 5 stars

Originally posted at Romance Around the Corner

I’ve been meaning to read this book for a while now, and I finally managed to do it. This is another case of misleading everything. Look at that cover with the happy headless girl acting all playful with Mr. Headless, so cute, right? (1) Wrong! This book is a sappy, drama infested, sob-fest. It’s also the most addictive book I’ve read this year, couldn’t stop reading it even if I kept thinking: “now what!?” Just keep reading and see.

One More Summer h...more

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Jan 20, 2012 Theresa rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: gift, non-nook-ebk, favorites

What a fantastic story!! This pulled me in from the first few lines I read. I was only scanning at first because I wasn't familiar with Liz Flaherty's work but it looked interesting....let's just say I didn't get any sleep last night because I couldn't put it down. I found myself on such an emotional rollercoaster; laughing out loud and smirking, breaking down for a good crying session at points. The characters and story were so engaging, I was so invested in each and every one of them and they...more

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Jan 16, 2012 Judith rated it 5 of 5 stars

I would give this book MORE than a 5-star rating if I could. It is one of those books that comes along and literally traps the reader in the lives and activities of the characters and their context. This book is about one woman, Grace Elliot, and the people--both past and present--who have impacted her life positively and negatively and those who surround her now and help her "slay her dragons." while a very real part of this story is the long-delayed romance between Dillon and Grace, it is real...more

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Jan 13, 2012 Julie Barrett rated it 5 of 5 stars

One More Summer by Liz Flaherty
Grace Elliot has returned to the family house where her brother Steven and sister Faith
have turned over their 1/3 of the property to her as their father had passed away a few weeks ago.
She planned on running it as a Bed and Breakfast but an Inn would be better for long
term residents which a lot of them are the elderly of the town.

Her best friend, Promise Delaney is going to be going through breast cancer surgery and chemo and will
need her help.
Dillion Campbell, t...more

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Dec 15, 2011 Lady Lioness rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: pretty much everyone

Shelves: ebook, genre-contemporary-romance, read-december-2011

I made the mistake of reading this at work. I thought, from the blurb and the cover, it was going to be a humorous Southern romance. It wasn't. It was Southern, but it wasn't funny and it wasn't a romance. I define a romance as a book that is focused on the relationship between two people with the obligatory happy ending. One More Summer wasn't about Grace and Dillon. It was about life and loss and all the messy things in between. This is not a happy book. There is death. The ending isn't 'happy...more I made the mistake of reading this at work. I thought, from the blurb and the cover, it was going to be a humorous Southern romance. It wasn't. It was Southern, but it wasn't funny and it wasn't a romance. I define a romance as a book that is focused on the relationship between two people with the obligatory happy ending. One More Summer wasn't about Grace and Dillon. It was about life and loss and all the messy things in between. This is not a happy book. There is death. The ending isn't 'happy' so much as it is hopeful. Everything is going to be okay, it says, you just have to keep moving forward.

I don't read a lot of fiction, so I'm not the best judge, but this felt quintessentially Southern to me. From the pace of the dialogue, the emphasis on community and food, the weather, it felt like I was there, observing these characters.

A lot of angst happens, but it's not angst for the sake of angst if that makes any sense. This story is told over the course of months, not days, and the characters react naturally to the events. Their emotions, their decisions, their relationships with each other, it all made sense to me. It felt logical, it felt real.

To be quite frank, I find myself a bit at a loss for words. One More Summer is not for everyone and, if someone had told me what it was really about, I probably would have never read it. However, if you don't mind books that will leave you in tears and frantically trying not to smudge your eyeliner, read this. Read this and be comforted that someone else understands what you are going through or be grateful for a life free from this kind of pain.

I'm going to conclude this with a quote from the last chapter because it's representative of the book as a whole and demonstrates the author's gift with words. I'll tuck it behind a cut for the pure at heart, but it shouldn't ruin anything for anyone.

(view spoiler)(less)

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Jan 05, 2012 Sharon rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: netgalley, romance-general

More of my reviews @ www.obsessionwithbooks.blogspot.com

One More Summer was kindly provided to me by Netgalley for Carina Press.

Grace Elliot has had a difficult life thanks to her uncaring father who constantly belittled and abused her, she does everything for everyone else and it isn’t until her father passes away that she decides what she wants to do with her life and the large house left to her in Peacock, Tennessee.

Well known Author and Grace’s brother’s best friend Dillon Campbell stood Gra...more More of my reviews @ www.obsessionwithbooks.blogspot.com

One More Summer was kindly provided to me by Netgalley for Carina Press.

Grace Elliot has had a difficult life thanks to her uncaring father who constantly belittled and abused her, she does everything for everyone else and it isn’t until her father passes away that she decides what she wants to do with her life and the large house left to her in Peacock, Tennessee.

Well known Author and Grace’s brother’s best friend Dillon Campbell stood Grace up at her senior prom and she has never truly forgiven him but she agrees to let him rent her guest house over the summer to work on his latest novel.

I loved the banter between Grace and Dillon, he respected her but also trod extremely gently with her, he seemed to know what she wanted and when she needed it and the care and affection was certainly reciprocated. I thought they truly belonged with one another and was pleased with how their relationship progressed.

I think the secondary characters truly make this book, we have Grace’s siblings Faith and Steven, tenants Jonah & Maxie and of course Grace’s wonderful best friend Promise Delaney, her fight was one of the hardest I have read about. I thoroughly enjoyed the interactions between them all and love how they each pulled together when support was needed whether it was for health, love or when secrets revealed.

There is a lot of sadness in this book, I went in thinking it would be a typical contemporary romance with the typical HEA but it wasn’t the case, there were many hardships each of the characters had to face in this novel and it was downright heartbreaking and emotional but also very real, it tugged at the heartstrings from the first page to the last.

Liz Flaherty has written an incredibly touching and thought provoking story with believable characters, they were well thought out and each likeable – I loved the journey we took with each of them despite what they were having to endure.

I enjoyed Ms Flaherty's writing, it was detailed and enjoyable. There were a few parts I found myself skimming but probably more so because I was anxious to get to the witty dialogue between the characters.

I will definitely read more books written by this wonderful author.
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Feb 07, 2012 Britainy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012, kindle, netgalley, romance, comtempary, 3-floozies

Normally I like to rate & review the technical and emotional aspects of a book as one because 99.9% of the time they are inseparable. One More Summer is the .1% hold out. I was so emotionally devastated and technically irritated it would be impossible for me to combine them.

Technically: The author left me confused many times throughout this book. Scene changes with no lead in, pivotal information that is just assumed and never explained or introduced. And wholly guacamole, how many different...more Normally I like to rate & review the technical and emotional aspects of a book as one because 99.9% of the time they are inseparable. One More Summer is the .1% hold out. I was so emotionally devastated and technically irritated it would be impossible for me to combine them.

Technically: The author left me confused many times throughout this book. Scene changes with no lead in, pivotal information that is just assumed and never explained or introduced. And wholly guacamole, how many different sub-plots can one book have. It seemed I was continuously rereading to make sure I got the characters, scene, plot, etc. correct.

Technical Score: 2/5 floozies

Emotionally: I hate this book! Not really, I was just too upset and sad the whole way through. I read as a form of escapism not so I can be reminded of just how crappy life can be for some people. Ms. Flaherty must have missed the class about happy endings. All joking aside, I am more than aware of the injustices inflicted on good people. Most books take those injustices and wrap them up in a pretty bows. Things hardly ever work out the way they do in romance novels and to 'dock' this book because it did not come with a happy ending would be an injustice in and of itself. Still doesn't mean I'm happy about it. There is a line Dillion spoke that sums up this book perfectly:
"This isn't a book you get out of the library and read on Saturday night, Gracie. In those books, the endings are happy, all the strings neatly tied, and the hero and heroine's story is the one that counts. If we're the lead characters in this story, we're not doing a very good job of it because right now we're not the ones who matter most."
Yup, pretty much.

And talk about water works, oh boy! After this book and the last one I read (Sunrise Point) I need to restock my tissue. I have never experienced half of the horrible things Grace had to endure, but I have suffered the loss of a best friend. Shoot, I'm crying as I write this :( "Better to have loved and lost than to have never loved at all," right? The bond that Grace and Promise have goes beyond sisters, kindred spirits is exactly what it is. Grace's hound-dog, self sacrifice, second fiddle attitude bugged me. I get the why, but it will always be something I have a hard time truly understand. Dillion was depressing too. Grace shares and he won't, way to go husband. Then again, the book and marriage was not truly about them.

In the end, One More Summer is a depressing, true-to-life account of how crappy life can be and how blessed we should all feel for the love and support from those who really matter in our lives. I kept reading waiting for things to turn around for Grace and they never did. Once again I realized, waiting gets you nowhere, getting up and doing something about it is the only way to live.

Emotionally: 4/5 floozies

So, I guess 3/5 floozies would be the fairest rating. I'm not opposed to more Liz Flaherty books, but for the love of Pete, can you make them just a smidgen more happy?

Thank you NetGalley.com for providing me with this ebook!(less)

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Feb 02, 2012 Christi Snow rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I listened to this book on audio and WOW, this is one incredible story. I am still trying to compile my emotions and thoughts and will post a full review soon. But for now, know that this is a great story...so much more than a romance. This is a story about the power of friends. Just incredible!!! Tears rolling down my face for much of the last of the book and I still get choked up thinking about it now.

My Review:
When I started this audiobook, I was expecting a light contemporary romance, but wh...more I listened to this book on audio and WOW, this is one incredible story. I am still trying to compile my emotions and thoughts and will post a full review soon. But for now, know that this is a great story...so much more than a romance. This is a story about the power of friends. Just incredible!!! Tears rolling down my face for much of the last of the book and I still get choked up thinking about it now.

My Review:
When I started this audiobook, I was expecting a light contemporary romance, but what it is...is so much more than that! At the center of this book is Grace. She is the youngest of three siblings and has always been inexplicably hated by her father. He was mean, spiteful, and abusive. The odd thing about this was his horrible actions only applied to Grace, not her older brother Steven, or her older sister, Faith. Nevertheless, Grace was the one that stood by him and took care of him until he finally died. Now Grace is trying to start a new life by turning the family home into a bed & breakfast. And despite it all, Grace is a wonderful giving and thoughtful person who takes care of everyone else in her life.

There is a whole cast of characters to this book who serve as Grace's support system. She is an incredible person, despite her difficulties growing up and her friends realize what a special gift she is.

*Dillon- Steven's best friend and best-selling writer. He moves into the guest cottage on the property as a favor to Steven who knows that Grace needs the money. He stood her up for the prom, but his reason (that she isn't aware of) is so heartbreaking. He also has a secret in his past that shattered him emotionally.

*Promise- Grace's best friend. She moves into the house when she finds out that she has cancer so that Grace can help her through the chemo. Promise has been dating Grace's older brother Steven for 20 years.

*Steven- Grace's older brother and Promise's boyfriend since high school. Also a doctor who lives several hours away.

*Faith- Grace's perfect older sister. Kind-hearted to the point where no one can dislike her.

*Grant- Faith's husband who is a banker.

*Maxie- a friend of Grace's mother and father who simply never left after the funeral. She has moments where her age is showing and she becomes confused.

*Jonah- he loves Maxie and is helping Grace handle some of the handyman type issues on the property.

There is a love story to this book between Dillon & Grace. There are also gorgeous love stories between Promise & Steven and between Maxie & Jonah, but at the heart, this story is not about romantic love. This book is about love of friendship. At the heart is Grace, Dillon, Promise, and Steven and their road through this book IS NOT an easy one. It was incredibly moving and emotional. Even thinking about it now, 24 hours after I finished it, the power of the emotions are so strong that I still well-up with tears.

The wonderful thing about audiobooks is that you have the time to soak in all of the nuances of the story. The narrator on this one, Rebecca Gibel, was just wonderful. She handled the emotions through her voices so incredibly well. There is a huge cast of characters to this book and she managed to give them ALL their own distinct sound through all the ups and downs of the book. It was really well-done and I think completely added to my enjoyment of this book. While I think that I would have enjoyed reading it, I KNOW that the audio version enhanced my emotional reaction to the book to the point where I absolutely fell in love with it. It's definitely one that I recommend!(less)

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Mar 03, 2012 Alex rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: contemporary, rainy-day-reads, romance, tearjearker, for-review, net-galley

At First Sight: Grace Elliot has spent her life under her fathers thumb - she was his least liked child and things got worse after her mother died when she was 12. But now, her father has died and her brother and sister have signed their shares of the family's property to her, and she wants to open and B&B.

But before she can get her plans in motion, things get derailed. She takes in two elderly boarders, Maxie - a distant relative of her mom's and a has-been actress . and Jonah - an old frie...more At First Sight: Grace Elliot has spent her life under her fathers thumb - she was his least liked child and things got worse after her mother died when she was 12. But now, her father has died and her brother and sister have signed their shares of the family's property to her, and she wants to open and B&B.

But before she can get her plans in motion, things get derailed. She takes in two elderly boarders, Maxie - a distant relative of her mom's and a has-been actress . and Jonah - an old friend of her dad's who lost all his retirement money in a scam.

And then Grace's best friend Promise asks if she can move in too, as she just found out she has breast cancer and doesn't want to be alone when facing the aggressive treatments. She's also asking her to keep it a secret from Steven, Grace's older brother who has been dating Promise on and off since they were teenagers.

And, to top it off, Steven's best friend Dillon Campbell is back in town. Dillon was Grace's impossible crush and the guy who stood her up the night of her senior prom. Since then, Dillon was a war reporter and wrote five successful books. He moves into Grace's guest cottage for the summer - and pays an exorbitant rent - allegedly to work on his next book, but really he was sent there by Steven to keep an eye on Grace and, with the rent, help her to make her dream of owning an inn a reality.

But soon things begin to unravel, what with Promise's illness and the Elliots' family secrets slowly coming out of hiding as Grace's siblings start to realize how deep their father's abuse went and what it did to their sister. And Grace, who never in her life had anyone to fully lean on, learns that Dillon might be her strongest support.

Second Glance: When I first picked up One More Summer, I thought I would get something light and fluffy, but that was not the case at all. Further more, at the beginning I was convinced I was going to DNF this book since the first quarter of the book was a struggle and I had a hard time getting into it.

But once the ball got rolling, I became engrossed with the story. It's not a straight romance, though there is a lot of love in the story. Dillon and Grace are both very complex and have gone through a lot of unhappiness. And Grace isn't exactly the easiest person to like as she has martyr tendencies and refuses to ask for help - eventually it makes sense why she's like that, but still, not the most likable person ever.

She is, however, very giving. And loves the people in her life deeply, even if sometimes she can't show it. Her friendship with Promise is so realistic, they are each other's kindred spirits and their bond was amazing.

I loved a lot of things about this book, I really did. But it wasn't perfect. As I said, the beginning was a a struggle, and I felt that the back story on Grace was a bit much - though it made sense, and was so heartbreaking.

And the ending, gosh, it left me a sobbing mess.

Bottom Line: One More Summer made me cry, a lot. It wasn't the easiest read but it touched me in a way I wasn't expecting. And I ended up liking it more than I thought possible. It's a realistic and bittersweet story.(less)

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Feb 04, 2012 Hsiau Wei rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-read-in-2012

This is not really a romantic book per se. It have so many conflict between the characters that it make this book a heavy reading instead. The story started with the funeral of Grace's father; where some guests remained to stay in the house even after the funeral ended; Promise, Grace's friend, Maxie, Grace's late mum friend and Jonah.

Grace is a very low esteemed women who have given her 30 plus year of life to care for her late father. At the beginning of the book, the father was depicted to be...more

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Jan 30, 2012 GONZA rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Quello che doveva essere un tranquillo romanzo d'amore si è trasformato, mano a mano che giravo le pagine virtuali, in uno dei libri più belli che abbia letto recentemente e credetemi ne ho letti tanti.

Grace si è presa cura del padre malato fino a quando è morto lasciandole una casa da dividere con i due fratelli e un sacco di ricordi; senza un lavoro e senza un compagno, Grace si divide tra i bambini della biblioteca e i suoi affittuari che, per sopraggiunti limiti di età, non sono proprio più...more Quello che doveva essere un tranquillo romanzo d'amore si è trasformato, mano a mano che giravo le pagine virtuali, in uno dei libri più belli che abbia letto recentemente e credetemi ne ho letti tanti.

Grace si è presa cura del padre malato fino a quando è morto lasciandole una casa da dividere con i due fratelli e un sacco di ricordi; senza un lavoro e senza un compagno, Grace si divide tra i bambini della biblioteca e i suoi affittuari che, per sopraggiunti limiti di età, non sono proprio più abili a prendersi cura di se stessi come una volta.

Dillon non torna nel suo paese natale da tempo, per essere precisi da quando non si è presentato a prendere Grace la sera del ballo scolastico 17 anni prima. Ora decide di scrivere il suo romanzo nella depandance di Grace.

All'inizio non è chiaro come mai Dillon decida di venire a scrivere a Peacock, nel Tennessee, uno di quei posti dove tutti sanno tutto di tutti, poi a mano a mano che si va avanti sembra che lo scopo sia convincere Grace che uscire di nuovo assieme potrebbe valere la pena. Questo è l'unico punto poco chiaro anche perchè poi, considerato il bagaglio emotivo che si porta dietro, Dillon non dovrebbe essere poi così entusiasta di ributtarsi in una relazione, con quella che poi (sorpresona - da leggere con chiaro sarcasmo) è la sorella del suo migliore amico.

Nella casa oltre a Grace ci sono Promise, sua amica d'infanzia e fidanzata pluriennale di suo fratello Steven, Jonah un compaesano che ha perso tutti i soldi in un investimento sbagliato e Maxie, lontana parente e attrice in declino. Promise è venuta da Grace perchè a breve deve affrontare una mastectomia e tutta la trafila della chemioterapia e quindi è preoccupata di non riuscire a cavarsela da sola, ma gli scambi di battute tra queste due amiche d'infanzia sono tra i più godibili che mi sia capitato di leggere recentemente.

Tra una guarigione e uno scandalo familiare assistiamo al lento riavvicinamento di Grace e Dillon fino al loro matrimonio che però, sarà inizialmente più di facciata che altro, Grace non vuole i resti di quello che sembra essere il cuore di Dillon e fino a quando lui non le rivelerà quello che giace nel suo passato lei non è disposta a scendere a compromessi.

Veramente molto bello, storia affascinante anche se per alcuni versi già letta e riletta, la caratterizzazione dei personaggi è ben riuscita e non mi dispiacerebbe leggerne il seguito, dovrei solo convincere l'autrice a scriverlo ;)

Grazie a Netgalley e Carina Press per la preview!(less)

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Jul 05, 2012 Xenia rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed, alternating-pov, death-and-dying

I have had quite a hard time deciding what I think of this book, and, frankly, I still haven't figured it out. Part of the time I liked it and thought I would end up giving it four stars, and the rest of the time I didn't really liked it and fluctuated more towards two stars. Which is why a rating of three stars seemed an appropriate compromise.

I don't know whether my ambivalence towards this book can be blamed on the book per se, or rather on the fact that I - incorrectly obviously - had expect...more I have had quite a hard time deciding what I think of this book, and, frankly, I still haven't figured it out. Part of the time I liked it and thought I would end up giving it four stars, and the rest of the time I didn't really liked it and fluctuated more towards two stars. Which is why a rating of three stars seemed an appropriate compromise.

I don't know whether my ambivalence towards this book can be blamed on the book per se, or rather on the fact that I - incorrectly obviously - had expected something quite different from what it turned out to be. Perhaps I should have read the synopsis more carefully, but I had expected a light summer read, perfect for a quick pick-me-up. What I got, however, was a thorough exploration of a multitude of aspects of love, humanity, friendship and life in general. And, in particular, of the opposite of life, namely death, and how people prepare for and cope with it in different ways.

The man character, Grace, has led a tragic life, feeling unloved and unwanted, and when her abusive father dies, she has pretty much accepted that this may very well be all life has to offer for her. Left with a big house, she accepts a number of boarders into her home, including Dillon who she hasn't seen since he stood her up at prom 15 years earlier. With the help of her house guests, Dillon in particular of course, her best friend, Promise, and her brother and sister, Grace slowly starts to open herself up to happiness, in spite of her previous beliefs. Still, tragedy strikes even after this, but now she has friends to lean on - and who can lean on her in return, so maybe it will all turn out in the end after all?

One of the things that I did like in this book was the way all of the characters interacted with and related to each other. While in some books everything revolves around the main character, in this one all of the characters have their own separate relationships and their unique way of being with and around each other.

I can't quite put my finger on what it was that I disliked about it. Perhaps it was the fact that everything bad possible seemed to happen to the characters. Perhaps it was the way it was written. Or perhaps it was just, as mentioned, that I expected something very different. Nevertheless, it ended up seeming somewhat lengthy (view spoiler), but I still wanted to finish it, just to find out what happened. And when a book compells you to finish, it can't have been all bad, can it? :)

"This isn't a book you get out of the library and read on Saturday night, Gracie. In those books, the endings are happy, all the strings neatly tied in bows, and the hero and heroine's story is the one that counts. If we're the lead characters in this story, we're not doing a very good job of it because right now we're not the ones who matter most."

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Jan 26, 2013 Marran rated it 2 of 5 stars

a big fat DNF I'm so sad right now because I was really looking forward to this due to the fact that I loved Jar of Dreams

But I can't stand this I'm 30% in and I can't take anymore...

Update

I had just read a very emotional book when I started this so I decided to give this another try thinking I might not have liked it because I was still reeling from all the feelings I got reading that other book. So I decided to read another book in-between...

Sadly that was not the case I did bump it up from on...more

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Feb 02, 2012 Yas added it

The first thing you should know is that I am not your typical reviewer. I refuse to be the person that gives you all the details in a book. That's what the summary is at the back of the book is for.

What I will tell you about this book is it took me on a journey of love. Yes, love between a man and a woman but most importantly love between the people we let into our hearts. I laughed, I cried, and I mourned. I was outraged and I was touched. This book will remind you what it is to love, trust, an...more

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Aug 19, 2012 Eileen rated it 5 of 5 stars

This was a recommedation from Kathy's blog and I finally pulled it to the top of the TBR pile and read it. I am so glad that I finally did because it was really good. It was so much more than I expected and was feeling all sorts of emotions with this story. Family is there to support but then they can be your biggest obstacles in life. Grace was a wonderful character and the author brought her to life quirks and all. I love her relationship with her best friend Promise. Even Dillon coming back i...more

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May 01, 2012 Gail rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: e-book, contemporary-romance, womens-fiction

This is a lovely story about ... life. People die before this book begins, and who they were and how they lived and died affect the people who are in this book. People come close to dying in the book, and one of them does die, and it's about how those who love them deal with the dying and with the living, and heal from the grief past and present.

Grace is the main character, and her brother Steven and sister Faith, and the people Grace and Steven and Faith love are also main characters. Grace's...more

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Jan 11, 2012 Janna rated it 2 of 5 stars

To me this book was okay, not something I will reread in the future but overall it never really hooked me in. Grace just annoyed me with the way she was, she was in her 30's not 80's and some of her thinking was just out there. I understand that her upbringing was anything but ideal, and its not until alomst the end of the book do you find out the worst of it, but her non-existant self esteem in herself was one of the things I couldn't stand. There were way too many side stories going on, and to...more

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Mar 07, 2012 Tessamari ♥Many Waters...♥ rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: highly-emotional, lead-character-s-famous

4.25 Stars

First off the cover for this book is all wrong. It doesn't even come close to what the book is all about. It was so much more. Lots of emotions came out of me on this one and I really enjoyed this read. All the characters, the H/h & supporting cast were all wonderful. You really felt for Grace's character. She is indeed a true heroine. Even after all her father's cruelty, Grace is nothing but kind and loving, though at times can be a spitfire. She takes care of people. After the d...more

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Feb 08, 2012 Heather rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Mar 05, 2012 Margherita rated it 5 of 5 stars

Che meraviglia!

One More Summer é un libro delicato.
No. Non quel genere di delicatezza vuota e insipida.
É una delicatezza profondae commuovere.

Vi é mai capitato, mentre provate a vivere la vostra vita, di sentire, dentro di voi, la voce di qualcuno ( o la vostra stessa voce) che vi rimprovera o vi dice che state sbagliando?

Ecco, la vita di Grace Elliot é questa.
Costretta dall' evolversi degli eventi e dal padre a vivere una vita dedicata alla cura degli altri prima della sua.
Ma sbagliate a pensar...more

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Mar 31, 2012 Dinjolina rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc, angst, different-social-classes, lite-romace, love-your-fellow-man

I got the book as a romance.

But it was really so much more.
It is actually a detailed drama of developing relationships. Be it the ones that have just started or those that lasted for years.
It is about hurt, expectations, beliefs, trauma.

It is…dare I say it? A life study.

And I loved it!
I am mostly not a fan of such books, but this one was executed well. And when I say well, I mean very well.
Will I pick up the next book from this author? I am pretty sure I will.
Even thou some subplots annoyed me b...more

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Feb 22, 2012 Angie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorites

This was an amazing book about people I just wished I could hang out with! This is an emotional read about a woman who has been hurt by life but whose heart is huge. Grace gives of herself because it makes her happy and she can't live any other way. She's loved one man her whole life but he just sees her as his best friend's little sister. Dillon is not living his life fully since he lost 2 people he loved. He goes back to his hometown as a favor to his best friend, Steven. What he finds there i...more

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Apr 02, 2012 Becky Mrs Condit Reads Books rated it 5 of 5 stars

ONE MORE SUMMER is a tender story of loss and hope, of reality and dreams, of every authentic emotion that life offers. I loved this book. The characters are so beautifully written they seem real. The story flows movingly from an emotional high to a valley of sadness and back up to joy. The reader is warned to have a box of Kleenex at hand but it is as much to wipe tears of happiness as it is to wipe tears of sadness. How has Liz Flaherty escaped my list of favorite authors? I have no idea but s...more

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Jan 26, 2012 Shannon rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: kindle, net-galley

Sweet, emotional and touching.

The names of the characters threw me off a little bit, but I'm glad I didn't stop reading. There was an incredible depth in the relationships between friends, siblings and romantic interests in this book. The romantic interests were based on way more than physical attraction. Each character in the book was important and involved in the story.

The author made me laugh and cry with the warm fuzzy feelings, affection shared between the characters, the poking of hilario...more

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Jan 02, 2012 Book Reviews rated it 5 of 5 stars

A+ and A Recommended Read. One More Summer is a novel firmly based in reality with all of the joys and sorrows, hopes and dreams, anguish, heartache, and love that life has to offer. Liz Flaherty has written a beautifully poignant and moving story that is filled with deep emotions that will touch your heart. Be prepared to laugh and cry as Grace and Dillon’s romance unfolds in the midst of some of life’s harsher moments. To read this review in its entirety, please visit http://www.bookreviewsand ...more

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Feb 01, 2012 A Tasty Read/ Sweet Reads Reviews rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: netgalley, first-reads, acr

Review can be seen at http://atastyread.blogspot.com

Another reviewer on Goodreads wrote something along the lines of "I have never read a book where the Cover and the description didn't match the book inside".

I have to agree with her. The book I finished last night was SO MUCH MORE than the cover and description give you. The book is not a fluff read in the least. It is filled with emotion, and heart-break, love and loss.

WOW...One More Summer kind of knocked me on my butt!

Our heroine, Grace, i...more Review can be seen at http://atastyread.blogspot.com

Another reviewer on Goodreads wrote something along the lines of "I have never read a book where the Cover and the description didn't match the book inside".

I have to agree with her. The book I finished last night was SO MUCH MORE than the cover and description give you. The book is not a fluff read in the least. It is filled with emotion, and heart-break, love and loss.

WOW...One More Summer kind of knocked me on my butt!

Our heroine, Grace, is what my husband would call "a collector of old people". She is a giver, because it's all she feels that she's good at. And you can't knock a person for using "giving" for a skill. With the passing of her father, a horribly mean man, she has taken in a few kind folks, who need a home and they become a "family".

This family includes Dillon Campbell, Grace's older brother Steven's best friend, who stood her up on the night of her prom fifteen years prior. All these years she never knew the real reason, only the reasons her father had told her, that she was ugly and no one would want her. But things change the summer he comes to stay in her guest house, love blooms, family secrets are brought to light, and Grace might have found more in Dillon Campbell than either of them bargained for.

One More Summer has so many wonderful secondary characters, from Grace's brother and sister to her best friend, Promise, and I couldn't imagine the book being the same without every single one of them! Many broken connections are brought together and healed, some are just blooming and some are so strong that they will last even into the afterlife.

Yep, this book had my emotions all over the place, from mad to sad to so angry I wanted to punch something to my chest tightening with heart-ache. Oh boy....just have some tissues handy.

This is one of those books where you can't judge a book by the cover, because this book is beyond what you think it will be. Give it a shot and I know you won't be sorry!!

And at only $4.79 on Amazon...You can't go wrong!!

Ill definitely be adding Liz Flaherty to my Authors to Watch list!! (less)

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May 13, 2012 Mandi Schreiner rated it 3 of 5 stars

This author has a nice voice and I was definitely sucked into this story. However, while it is a romance, it also read a little more like women's fiction. I couldn't read a book like this all the time.

I really enjoyed the heroine though - she is plain, frizzy hair, baggy clothes, ugly feet. The hero really falls for WHO she is on the inside and I like that.

Also has fab supporting cast with big storylines - one that killed me. No, really.

I had some issues with how the heroine's past was presente...more

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Feb 02, 2012 Kelly rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: re-readable

Don't be taken in by the cover and description--this book is not simply a romance. Oh, it contains romantic relationships, but that isn't really what I saw as the ultimate focus of this novel. This is a book about tragedy, trauma, loss, love, family and friendship.

The main plot of this book revolves around Grace, and her interactions with all the other characters. Grace is a thirty-three year old who has never lived outside her childhood home, never been to college, never had a job outside the...more Don't be taken in by the cover and description--this book is not simply a romance. Oh, it contains romantic relationships, but that isn't really what I saw as the ultimate focus of this novel. This is a book about tragedy, trauma, loss, love, family and friendship.

The main plot of this book revolves around Grace, and her interactions with all the other characters. Grace is a thirty-three year old who has never lived outside her childhood home, never been to college, never had a job outside the home. She was emotionally and physically abused by her father her entire life, but she still cared for him in his old age. But he has recently died, and after his death Grace opens the doors of her home to a slapdash of characters. There is her best friend, Promise (also Grace's brother, Steven's significant other off and on for 20 years). Promise is a spunky, funny, caring teacher who has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer--the same disease that killed her mother. Also in the house is Maxie, a distant relative who was close to Grace's mother. She came for the father, Robert's funeral and simply stayed on. There is also Jonah, an older gentleman that was acquainted with Robert whose health and financial problems have made living on his own impossible. And last, there is Dillon Campbell. Dillon is Steven's best friend, an award winning author, and also the guy who stood Grace up on the night of her senior prom. In addition to these characters, there are also Grace's remaining family: Steven, her cardiologist older brother and Faith, her perfect older sister.

The intricate web of relationships that build between all of these characters is the reason to read this book. They build a powerful support system for one another, holding one another's head above water during all of the trials they face (and they face several), alternating at various times between being the one holding and the one being held.

What I liked about this book was that it dealt with real issues in a very real way. It acknowledged that miracles sometimes happen, but it also acknowledged that often they don't happen no matter how much you hope, pray, fight or bargain. Sometimes you have to take the time you are given and be content with that. I loved that there were no magic cures for the problems the characters face. Nobody gets better because they fall in love; marriage doesn't cure cancer, saying "I love you" doesn't erase past trauma, and sleeping together does not mean that someone is ready to spill their guts about the worst parts of their life.

I also really enjoyed the characters themselves. They were at times cynical, sarcastic, humorous, sad, brave, heartbroken...and I always believed their reactions and interactions. I loved the relationship between Promise and Grace, loved how they always lifted one another up no matter how low they were feeling, and how they played their "game" where they talk around an issue that one or both isn't willing to broach. I loved the development between Grace and Dillon, and how they held back from one another the things that had hurt them in the past for so long, because that was so realistic. It takes time to build that kind of trust, and the author gave them that time.

My main complaints with this book was that I found the Maxie/Jonah subplot sort of distracting, and Maxie's role at times melodramatic. Also, I felt that I as the reader knew Grace and Dillon's secrets for way too long before they actually disclosed them to one another. At times, I felt like screaming at Dillon "How have you not figured this out yet?!" because there was heavy foreshadowing of Grace's secret.(less)

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