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Dockside (Lakeshore Chronicles #3)

by Susan Wiggs (Goodreads Author)

3.93 · rating details · 1,299 ratings · 91 reviews

LONG, LAZY DAYS ... HOT SUMMER NIGHTS

With her daughter grown and flown, Nina Romano is ready to embark on a new adventure. She's waited a long time for dating, travel and chasing dreams. But just as she's beginning to enjoy being on her own, she finds herself falling for Greg Bellamy, owner of the charming Inn at Willow Lake and a single father with two kids of...more

Mass Market Paperbound, 408 pages

Published August 1st 2007 by Mira Books

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Apr 24, 2010

Zosia rated it

Shelves: contemporary-romance, women-s-fiction

I knew in advance I was going to have some issues with this book, as it prominently features the insipid Daisy, and because I was ambivalent towards the supposed heroine, Nina. Be warned: this is not a romance book; it’s a women’s fiction story with a very heavy focus on teenagers. There is no romance, but there’s plenty of discussion about pregnancy, relationships between children and parents, and speculation about lifestyle choices and ways to raise children. I’m no fan of women’s fiction, so ...more

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Feb 14, 2009

Sueij rated it

Recommended to Sueij by: Linda

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Here's the thing with this book: I liked it quite well right up until the climax. It had interesting characters, unexpected twists, and a compelling plot. But here's how the climax runs, when the hero and heroine finally get together (slightly paraphrased):

He shows up at her house unexpectedly. They talk about a few things, and at the end he says, "Come on, Nina, what do you say? Is it a date?" "Everything about this is wrong," she blurted out. He stared at her.

...moreHere's the thing with this book: I liked it quite well right up until the climax. It had interesting characters, unexpected twists, and a compelling plot. But here's how the climax runs, when the hero and heroine finally get together (slightly paraphrased):

He shows up at her house unexpectedly. They talk about a few things, and at the end he says, "Come on, Nina, what do you say? Is it a date?" "Everything about this is wrong," she blurted out. He stared at her. "You're right. You're absolutely right." He slammed back the beer and stood up. "Glad we cleared that up about Max. Thanks for the beer. See you around."



He left. She sat there stunned. She cried, but not the good kind. Then he called, saying, "I forgot the most basic rule of dating. Don't show up unannounced. I was wondering if you'd like to go out with me." She says (notice how clear she is!), "No. I'm not going anywhere with you, Greg. But, um, thank you. Bye, Greg."

Did you notice how the woman said no. Said it clearly. Even though we hear her inner (and confused about Greg) dialogue, what she said to the man was, without ambiguity, "No."

But here's what happens, quoted exactly:

When she heard the heavy footsteps on the deck outside her door, she froze, too surprised to do anything but stand there as Greg returned to her. He didn't bother knocking but wrenched open the door and strode inside. How Rhett Butler of him, she thought.... And although she found her voice, the words that came out were totally inane. "I thought you had a new rule about unannounced visits." "I lied," he said, and grabbed her as though she'd been about to fall off a cliff. And then he walked her backward into the room, pressed her down on the sofa and kissed her -- long, hungry kisses that took her away somewhere, huge and endless makeout kisses that felt more like sex than kisses.

This scenario plays out almost identically right at the end of the book when Greg has told Nina to go away (out of mis-directed anger) and she begins to do that. Again, she tells him no and he overrides her.

Clearly, an underlying message that can be taken from this book is that a strong woman, a teen mom who raised her daughter on her own and was mayor of the town for years, doesn't know her own mind enough to be respected. And a man who knew her as a child and moved back a year ago after a failed marriage knows better.

I can't like or respect a hero who assumes he knows more about the heroine's preferences than she does. I can't recommend a book that teaches that a woman's "NO" doesn't mean no. And I'm surprised that an author would write such a story in 2008.(less)

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Jun 08, 2011

Lola4 rated it

Overall, I liked this book, but it sure had a lot of weak points--primarily any part involving a very poorly developed and uninteresting character named Daisy who is badly in need of a personality transplant. Since Daisy's out-of-wedlock pregnancy takes up much of the book (wow, imagine any guy who would have such poor taste as to screw Daisy, yuck, guess he has a thing for empty headed blow-up dolls) that means there is a whole lot of parts with the boring Daisy stuff detracting badly from the...more

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Dec 20, 2010

Darcy rated it

Shelves: 2010

It is official, I have fallen in love with this series. What I have discovered about this series is that these books are about the have's and the have not's. The have's seem like they have it all....money, society class, and family, while the have not's seem to struggle for the things that money can buy, but they have lots of love. But all is not what it seems, the have's seem to be slowly finding out that money and the status will not get you what you need. The other thing that these books ...moreIt is official, I have fallen in love with this series. What I have discovered about this series is that these books are about the have's and the have not's. The have's seem like they have it all....money, society class, and family, while the have not's seem to struggle for the things that money can buy, but they have lots of love. But all is not what it seems, the have's seem to be slowly finding out that money and the status will not get you what you need. The other thing that these books are about is second chances, how most often in life doing what others expect you to do is not what is going to be what makes you happy.

A three year age difference doesn't seem like it would be too much for a relationship, but when the ages are 15 an 18, those 3 years are so far apart, in fact there is a very good term for it, jailbait. Greg immediately feels the attraction to Nina, but when he learns her age, he very quickly backs off. They seem to keep running into each other when they are at their worse, the attraction still strong.

Fast forward a great many years and we run into these 2 again. Life has become interesting for them, Nina is just hitting the empty next stage of her life, after giving birth at 15, while Greg is coming off a divorce to a marriage that shouldn't have happened in the first place and dealing with his pregnant 18 year old daughter.

Unfortunately both Nina and Greg have the same dream, the Inn. It is something that Nina has dreamed about since she started working there at the age of 13, while Greg is hoping the Inn will salvage his broken family, giving him a new home for his daughter and son.

Most of the book deals with Nina and Greg's issues. Nina not sure what to do with her life and Greg rebuilding his. As they work close together the old attraction heats up again, but with new complications, both of their kids, their own reluctance, and the interference of all their family and friends. Can they both get over their issues to do what they really want?

The other very sweet aspect to this story was watching Daisey become more confident and sure of herself and just what she needs to do for her and her baby.

I can't wait until I can get the next book and get back to this crazy, but lovable family and community.

(less)

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Sep 28, 2010

Jane Stewart rated it

Shelves: contemporary-womens-fiction

OK, but not recommended.

This is a book about relationships floating around and developing from three different unmarried teens getting pregnant. I would categorize it as contemporary women's fiction, as opposed to a romance novel. There were no sex scenes in this book. The author describes a couple kissing and the next sentence was similar to they woke up at dawn in each others arms. I don't require sex scenes to enjoy a book. For example, Claire Cross wrote two "relation...moreOK, but not recommended.

This is a book about relationships floating around and developing from three different unmarried teens getting pregnant. I would categorize it as contemporary women's fiction, as opposed to a romance novel. There were no sex scenes in this book. The author describes a couple kissing and the next sentence was similar to they woke up at dawn in each others arms. I don't require sex scenes to enjoy a book. For example, Claire Cross wrote two "relationship" books (having little or no sex) which I thoroughly enjoyed. Therefore, when comparing Susan Wiggs to Claire Cross I would not recommend Susan unless you specifically desire the subject matter. The words I used to described Claire Cross' books were: charming, witty and unpredictable for All or Nothing; and fulfilling, enjoyable and thought provoking for One More Time. I wouldn't put any of those adjectives with Dockside, unless I might say "somewhat thought provoking." The book just didn't hold my interest. Nothing surprised or delighted me. Greg hires Nina to work for him after he gets a divorce. He and she are in their 30s. I enjoyed their developing relationship, but I did not enjoy all the back stories about their earlier lives as teens and then being parents for fifteen plus years which were significant parts of the book. But, for those who might want to read about teen pregnancies, I will mention some things under spoilers, below.

CAUTION SPOILERS:
Nina gets pregnant but does not tell the father because it would hurt his career plans and get him kicked out of West Point. She raises the girl by herself, but tells the father four years later. He stays in the girl's life even though he marries someone else and has children with his wife. Sophie breaks up with Greg not knowing she is pregnant. Several months later she shows up with the baby and Greg feels he must marry her for the child's sake. Greg does not love her but marries her anyway. He is angry but he tries to do the right thing. Eventually they divorce. Greg's daughter Daisy gets pregnant due in part to teen anger at her parents' divorce. This book is about choices and results. It is also about happy vs. unsuccessful marriages.

DATA:
Sexual language: none. Number of sex scenes: none. Setting: around 2005, small town of Avalon in the Catskill Mountains in upstate New York. Genre: comtemporary women's fiction.(less)

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Jan 03, 2011

Shana Donahue rated it

This is the third book in the Lakeshore Chronicles series. It is the story of Greg Bellamy and Nina Romano. Greg is a divorced father of two. His son, Max, is having issues adjusting to his parent's separation and his oldest daughter Daisy is pregnant.

Daisy, Max and Greg have been with the series since the beginning. Nina has too, but only as a minor character. She had more of a role in the the second book “The Winter Lodge,” but was still a supporting character.

I like Greg a...more

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Dec 04, 2009

Stacy rated it

Shelves: contemporary-romance

I think this was my favorite book of the whole series.

Nina Romano and Greg Bellamy share a turbulent past fraught with humiliation, rejection, and a mutual, if never-consummated, sexual attraction stretching back to her early teens. When Nina discovers that Greg is now a recently divorced, rich, and successful father of two and the new owner of the Inn at Willow Lake, she is forced to reevaluate her lifelong dream of owning the place herself. For his part, Greg finds the mature woman e...more

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Jul 10, 2011

Bonnie rated it

...more

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Jul 21, 2011

Vicki rated it

Dockside, the third book of Susan Wiggs's Lakeshore Chronicles - I loved every second of this book. Nina Romano is one of my favorite characters to date. Among many wonderful traits, she knows what she wants and goes for it. This book tells the story of Nina Romano and Greg Bellamy whom share a long, complicated history and are now working as business partners with a possible intimate relationship blossoming. We are also re-intruduced to Daisy Bellamy whose teen-pregancy as well as per maturi...more

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Apr 18, 2010

Debby rated it

Shelves: romance

Story of Nina Romano, Jenny's best friend, and mother of Sonnet, Daisy's best friend. Sonnet was the result of a one-night stand when Jenny was fifteen. Nina worked hard to raise her, getting her degree and becoming Avalon mayor along the way. Sonnet's just graduated and Jenny's now free to take over The Inn at Willow Lake - her long held dream. Newly divorced Greg Bellamy has the same plan though, and together they try to work through past history to make a future for them together... succe...more

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May 17, 2011

Stephanie rated it

Willow Lake: Where every pregnancy is unplanned. That should be the motto for this series. This is the third book I've read in this series; there are more, but I'm done. The first book was a sweet PG modern-day romance novel...nice rainy afternoon or beach reading. But seriously, an unplanned pregnancy appears to be the heart of every storyline in every book. Shotgun weddings, failed marriages, secret siblings, teenagers repeating their parents' actions. There must be something in the wate...more

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Dec 06, 2009

Liz rated it

This story is good, but if you read the first two book of this series, you can predict the storyline pretty easily. Boy meets girl. Boy and girl come from different social circles. Boy and girl separate. 10 years later... Man meets woman again. Man and woman face insecurities from childhood but work out differences. Marriage. Throw in an unexpected pregnancy and you have the basic plot line of all the books in this series. The details and characters are different, but the plot is too similar in ...more

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Mar 16, 2010

Rossy rated it

Recommends it for: Macomber, Carr, Wiggs and Cont. romance fans

Recommended to Rossy by: series continuation

Shelves: challenge-cont-series-2010, series-contemporary-romance, challenge-144-books-2010

Again a great follow up to the series!

Things i liked:

*The heroes so far are the best thing in the series. They are somewhat broken men who when they love they do it deeply, but of course are afraid to just come out and say it.
*The side stories. They give us glimpses on the past couples along with the start development for future ones.
*Again, the community and family. I love stories like this.
*The heroines accomplishments and determination at such a young...more

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Jun 01, 2009

Patty rated it

Shelves: 2009, contemporary-romance, fiction, new-york, romance, women-writers

It has been awhile since I read the first two in this series and unfortunately that affected this read. I did not remember all that had happened before and Wiggs kept referring to the past. This would be easier to deal with if I had any memory left. This storyline was good and I am sure that there could be several more Lakeshore books besides the 5 that Wiggs has already written.

I will probably only read them if I run out of other romances. These are good, but nothing special, in m...more

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Jul 01, 2011

Tina Theresa rated it

Shelves: don-t-recommend, books-read-2011

Where is the romance? All about their kids. Very frustrating book. Here is two people who have made two different choices when faced with an unexpected pregnancy. Greg got married. Nina raised her kid on her own. Now the kids are grown. They have a spark between them but it gets stomped on before anything can happen. More than half way through the book and they aren't even dating. I would think they would know that life is too short for not going after what you want.

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Jan 18, 2012

Anna rated it

Another good read from the Lackshore Chronicles. I race through these books because I so want to know what's going to happen. By this third book in the series you pretty much know most of the main characters quite well and it's nice when you get to explore their story in more detail. I've got the next three of these waiting to be read, I'll have to see how long I can make myself hold off so I don't run out of them too soon!

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Jan 18, 2010

Kittygabe added it

Shelves: borrow

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

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Jan 30, 2011

Rachel rated it

I put this book aside. I couldn't even make it through the 4th chapter. It seemed like for every sentence uttered by someone, there was at least a page or two of history. Was too much...I wanted to read about Nina and Gregs story, not the history of every room, building, feeling or person. It just dragged on to the point I am debating whether to move on to the next book. I am worried the same thing will happen.

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Dec 17, 2010

H2 rated it

Shelves: beach-reads, comtemporary-romance

My fourth in this series. I am reading them out of order but so far that isn't a problem. They are not steamy, but they are good. There is a trend I have noticed in three so far where the characters seem to find excuses not to be with each other, or to deny themselves the right to be happy. That is irritating and I hope it doesn't continue with the rest of the series or any of her other books I have on order at the library.

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Mar 25, 2011

Anothertag rated it

The third story is the love story between Nina and Greg. Similar to others in the Chronicles Nina and Greg known each other since they were teenagers. Now Nina has a child in College and Greg is divorced with 2 kids (one who is a pregnant teenager). Both want the Inn at Willow Lake. This story takes place in the spring/summertime. I am starting on the fourth story in the Chronicles.

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Mar 18, 2011

Virginia rated it

What I enjoyed the most about this book was that it was totally realistic. Kept my interest throughout the entire story too. Our heroine was a single mom at 16 yrs old. Flash forward 18 yrs and she is a very young empty nester. Her guy is recently divorced and the father of two teens, one an 18 yr old single pregnant. Lots going on. Very very good book.

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Jan 16, 2012

Terri Tinkel rated it

This was a typical romance story with a feisty woman and a man who misunderstands her. They have known each other forever, had a special place in their heart for each other but never got together...until now. It was a cute story with some life lessons thrown in to make it a learning experience. And as always, it all ends well.

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Jan 06, 2009

Loretta rated it

Shelves: jan-2009

Greg and Nina have edged around each other for years. This story is told in the then and now method. Includes teen pregnancy, single moms, divorce and the eventual "hsappily ever after". Willow Lske and it's nice population made for a good read..

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Dec 07, 2008

Rachel rated it

Didn't realize this one existed before _Winter at Willow Lake_ until I started it. Another nice story. I like the building sympathies for characters as we meet them that works as a precursor for their story.

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Mar 12, 2011

Helen Thompson rated it

Number three in the series gives you a chapter from Nina's life. I think I'll read number four and then take a break from the Bellamy clan and read something else! (Who am I kidding, I'll finish the set!)

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Feb 13, 2009

Michele rated it

I'm still loving this series. Greg Bellamy and Nina Romano open Willow Springs Inn together and then fall in love. It's just the sweetest series of books ever! I love happily ever after.

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Dec 28, 2008

Jina rated it

I enjoyed this book and would recommend the author. It's what I would consider a women's lit. She's up there with Barbara Delinsky and Luanne Rice. Two other favorites of mine.

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Jan 31, 2011

Erin rated it

Once again, I loved the setting, AND the story. But sometimes I have a problem with characters, and the 'main man' in this one drove me nuts. Towards the end I just didn't like him at all.

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Aug 06, 2011

Melanie rated it

Story was predictable, felt like there was a too much filling which made the story drag on. Was a bit tired of Nina Romano's neurosis. I was expecting more from this author.

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Jul 06, 2010

Rebecca Dean rated it

Interesting characters, ties into Summer at Willow Lake and that was also fun. I feel like I am getting to know this family and I suppose that is the goal of this author.

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About Susan Wiggs

Susan Wiggs's life is all about family, friends...and fiction. She lives at the water's edge on an island in Puget Sound, and she commutes to her writers' group in a 17-foot motorboat. She serves as author liaison for Field's End, a literary community on Bainbridge Island, Washington, bringing inspiration and instruction from the world's top authors to her seaside community. (See www.fieldsend.org ...more

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Summer At Willow Lake (Lakeshore Chronicles, #1)

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Dockside (Lakeshore Chronicles #3)

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