Summer Breeze
By 
Nancy Thayer

A summary...my way...

Families who live in the Berkshires around Dragon Fly Lake begin their summer by meeting for a cookout.  There are old friends and new.  There are three young women in particular who are sort of learning about themselves.  They are the focus of this novel. They are Morgan, Natalie and Bella.

My thoughts...

I found this to be a light carefree summery book.  I am used to this author's books taking place on Nantucket so the Berkshires were a pleasant surprise.  Three reasonably young women live around a beautiful lake.  Each one has sort of life changing decisions to make over the course of this summer.   Morgan has issues with motherhood and leaving her career.  Natalie has artistic issues.  Bella is in love and unsure of where it will take her.  There are men and boys with issues too and the author addresses each issue neatly and succinctly.  I usually love this author's books because they are always lively and problematic but the problems always get neatly solved in a fun and tidy way.  There is always just the right amount of everything in a Nancy Thayer novel.  Marital tension, juicy bits, great food descriptions and lover's angst are all included in perfect proportions.

What I loved...

Life around a lake...sandy beaches...gatherings with friends and all of the characters...elusive Slade and lovely Louise and Natalie's mother with her precious bulldogs.  Loved their life just outside of Boston and close to Amherst.  Loved this setting...I love this part of the country.  Loved the shops and colleges and antiques.  I wanted to step out of my house and dash into Dragonfly Lake for a cooling swim.

What I didn't love...

The book seemed to lack a bit of excitement for me but I am so used to traditionally reading every Nancy Thayer book that I may just have been a teeny bit unenthusiastic about this one.  I loved it while I still wanted more.  I wasn't that fond of Morgan and it seemed a bit too easy for Bella to make the decision she made...you will see what I mean when you read the book!

Otherwise it truly is a lovely watery summery book!!!