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Chesapeake Shores #1
Dromen aan zee
Eigenlijk heeft Abby O'Brien helemaal geen tijd om haar jongste zusje, Jess, voor de zoveelste keer uit de problemen te helpen. Ze heeft het veel te druk met haar carrière en haar tweelingdochters van vijf. Maar als het om haar zusje gaat, kan ze geen nee zeggen. Sinds hun moeder hen vijftien jaar geleden in de steek liet, heeft Abby als oudste van de vijf kinderen de moederrol op zich genomen. Dus reist ze van New York naar haar geboortestadje Chesapeake Shores. Naast Jess' probleem wacht haar daar echter een verrassing...
Wanneer Trace Riley door zijn vader is teruggehaald naar Chesapeake Shores om voor het familiebedrijf te komen werken, doet hij er alles aan om zijn zusje aan die baan te helpen. Zelf heeft hij geen enkele ambitie in die richting. Niet voor niets is hij lang geleden vertrokken, en bovendien: als hij in Chesapeake Shores gaat werken, komt hij ongetwijfeld zijn vroegere liefde, Abby O'Brien, weer tegen...
Wanneer Trace Riley door zijn vader is teruggehaald naar Chesapeake Shores om voor het familiebedrijf te komen werken, doet hij er alles aan om zijn zusje aan die baan te helpen. Zelf heeft hij geen enkele ambitie in die richting. Niet voor niets is hij lang geleden vertrokken, en bovendien: als hij in Chesapeake Shores gaat werken, komt hij ongetwijfeld zijn vroegere liefde, Abby O'Brien, weer tegen...
Kindle Edition
First published March 31, 2009
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About the author
Sherryl Woods
557 books4,533 followersWith 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.
"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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 763 reviews
December 27, 2017
This was a reach and I knew I was taking a chance because I've had problems with other Sherryl Woods books in the past. And I was going to dismiss this one "without prejudice" (i.e. rating), but then I remembered that the reason I dislike it is because the romance sucks and I think that's reason to rate.
The problem is that Abby in an immense coward and Trace is an idiot. There's supposed to be this tension because they'd fallen "in love" before, but I find I don't buy it. I mean, if Abby had loved him, she wouldn't have fled so very cowardly and then gotten engaged to another guy mere months later. And if Trace wasn't such an idiot, he wouldn't have waited months to approach her once he caught up with her. Yeah, they were young and young people make mistakes, but as far as I can tell the mistake the two of them made was thinking they were in love.
But my biggest problem in the present is that Abby is shaping up for a monster case of negative motivation*. Oh no! This might turn out like last time! Well, stupid woman, how about you don't run away and then it won't. Duh. He didn't break your heart, you did. And I can't figure out why Trace would want to have anything to do with her, either. He knows she's a bad bet for sticking around and there's no indication that she's changed.
The main couple is problematic, but I dislike the whole Jess storyline, too. Maybe I'm just sensitive having gone through undiagnosed ADD myself, but the whole "she doesn't need medication because she's not a complete basket case" line of reasoning grates on my nerves. And the fact she's struggling still as a result is ludicrous. And practically criminal if that's the advice she's getting from people who "care" about her. Also, the dad, Mick, doesn't match up. His present PoV doesn't match his known actions in the past. It's like Woods is setting up a redemption story arc for him, but doing so by letting this guy pay for the sins of someone completely different from the past. Because the PoV we're getting is thoughtful and caring (though certainly busy) and not at all the monster of neglect and withdrawal we're being sold by his kids.
So yeah, I'm rating this after all. I'm bumping it up a star on acknowledgement that there's a fan base and the craft is good and the setting/community seems interesting. I just wish the underlying romance and family dynamics were as interesting or as well portrayed.
* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
The problem is that Abby in an immense coward and Trace is an idiot. There's supposed to be this tension because they'd fallen "in love" before, but I find I don't buy it. I mean, if Abby had loved him, she wouldn't have fled so very cowardly and then gotten engaged to another guy mere months later. And if Trace wasn't such an idiot, he wouldn't have waited months to approach her once he caught up with her. Yeah, they were young and young people make mistakes, but as far as I can tell the mistake the two of them made was thinking they were in love.
But my biggest problem in the present is that Abby is shaping up for a monster case of negative motivation*. Oh no! This might turn out like last time! Well, stupid woman, how about you don't run away and then it won't. Duh. He didn't break your heart, you did. And I can't figure out why Trace would want to have anything to do with her, either. He knows she's a bad bet for sticking around and there's no indication that she's changed.
The main couple is problematic, but I dislike the whole Jess storyline, too. Maybe I'm just sensitive having gone through undiagnosed ADD myself, but the whole "she doesn't need medication because she's not a complete basket case" line of reasoning grates on my nerves. And the fact she's struggling still as a result is ludicrous. And practically criminal if that's the advice she's getting from people who "care" about her. Also, the dad, Mick, doesn't match up. His present PoV doesn't match his known actions in the past. It's like Woods is setting up a redemption story arc for him, but doing so by letting this guy pay for the sins of someone completely different from the past. Because the PoV we're getting is thoughtful and caring (though certainly busy) and not at all the monster of neglect and withdrawal we're being sold by his kids.
So yeah, I'm rating this after all. I'm bumping it up a star on acknowledgement that there's a fan base and the craft is good and the setting/community seems interesting. I just wish the underlying romance and family dynamics were as interesting or as well portrayed.
* Negative Motivations: I kind of hate that the term "negative motivation" isn't widespread, yet. Since it isn't, I'm going to save off this little jag to append to my reviews that feature the term. Jennifer Crusie blogged about it a bit back and it changed how I understand story. The problem with the term is that if you've never heard it before, you'd assume it meant motivations that are harmful or immoral. Not so. What it refers to is motivations not to do something. The thing is that many of us are motivated to not do things for a lot of different, perfectly valid and reasonable, reasons. The problem is that in a story motivations to not do things are a huge drag on the plot—particularly considering the fact that most negative motivations are overcome by the character simply deciding they don't care any more (or, rather, that they do care and are now motivated to do the thing). So not only do you have a counter to action but you also have a situation where to overcome it, all a character has to do is change their mind. Which means eventually, the reader is rooting for the character to get over him/herself already and do the thing we want them to do. Conflict drives story. Conflict between a reader and a main character drives readers away from story.
January 19, 2020
Translation widget on the blog!!!
“Golful visurilor” este o carte a unei situații care a marcat o întreagă familie. Este povestea lui Abby, care revine acasă, la Chesapeake Shores, pentru a sări în ajutorul surorii ei aflate în prag de a fi evacuată... Și nu doar atât! Este cartea revenirii pe panta trecutului, este șansa de a repara anumite lucruri pe care la tinerețe!
Trace revine acasă la insistențele tatălui său, și descoperă că trecutul revine în viața lui!
O poveste plină de emoții, bulversantă, care ne pătrunde în suflet!
Recenzia mea completă o găsiți aici:
https://justreadingmybooks.wordpress....
“Golful visurilor” este o carte a unei situații care a marcat o întreagă familie. Este povestea lui Abby, care revine acasă, la Chesapeake Shores, pentru a sări în ajutorul surorii ei aflate în prag de a fi evacuată... Și nu doar atât! Este cartea revenirii pe panta trecutului, este șansa de a repara anumite lucruri pe care la tinerețe!
Trace revine acasă la insistențele tatălui său, și descoperă că trecutul revine în viața lui!
O poveste plină de emoții, bulversantă, care ne pătrunde în suflet!
Recenzia mea completă o găsiți aici:
https://justreadingmybooks.wordpress....
September 3, 2016
Me reading this book all started because of the new Hallmark series Chesapeake Shores. I fell in love with the atmosphere of the story and the O'Brien family!
I must say first the book is very different and the changes that were made in the tv show were the right ones. Trace mainly. He annoyed me in the book and I preferred him much more as a struggling musician from Nashville than a graphic designer/banker who lived in New York. What?!
In its essence the story is great. I love the family aspects and more times than not I found myself very engaged in the story. It has an addictive quality for sure. I know I will continue on...
I must say first the book is very different and the changes that were made in the tv show were the right ones. Trace mainly. He annoyed me in the book and I preferred him much more as a struggling musician from Nashville than a graphic designer/banker who lived in New York. What?!
In its essence the story is great. I love the family aspects and more times than not I found myself very engaged in the story. It has an addictive quality for sure. I know I will continue on...
August 27, 2016
After her mother walked away from her five children, Abby O’Brien Winters left the family home in Chesapeake Shores, Maryland and made a life for herself in New York City. She has a demanding, high pressure job on Wall Street, which destroyed her marriage, but left her with adorable twin daughters. Abby has always been the one to keep her family together, so when her sister Jess calls in a panic, Abby races home to Chesapeake Shores to help.
It turns out that Jess is fulfilling her dream of renovating the Inn at Eagle Point and plans to re-open it as a Bed and Breakfast. Unfortunately, her plans hit a snag when she gets into financial trouble and the bank is threatening with foreclosure. Abby is ready to help but the banker she must deal with is Trace Riley. He just happens to be the man she walked away from years ago. She hopes he doesn’t hold a grudge.
Trace is stunned when his father insists he takeover the loan department at the bank. His sister is the one better suited for the job, not him. Then, he learns his first dealing will be with his old flame Abby. The true love of his life. He plans to use this chance for vengeance or is he really looking for a second chance at love?
I’ve always adored Sherryl Woods' writing and this book is no different. I’ve been wanting to read this for awhile. With the new Hallmark TV show based on this series starting in August, I just had to get busy and start reading. It’s not exactly like the show…which often happens with books, but that’s okay. I’m enjoying both.
The family closeness is touching. Abby’s strength is strong through the entire book. Although I do like Abby, I loved Trace even more. He’s the perfect hero. He’s both powerful and sensitive at the same time. The book also gives you a look at the rest of the O’Brien clan as they eventually get their own stories to tell. I look forward to the next one.
It turns out that Jess is fulfilling her dream of renovating the Inn at Eagle Point and plans to re-open it as a Bed and Breakfast. Unfortunately, her plans hit a snag when she gets into financial trouble and the bank is threatening with foreclosure. Abby is ready to help but the banker she must deal with is Trace Riley. He just happens to be the man she walked away from years ago. She hopes he doesn’t hold a grudge.
Trace is stunned when his father insists he takeover the loan department at the bank. His sister is the one better suited for the job, not him. Then, he learns his first dealing will be with his old flame Abby. The true love of his life. He plans to use this chance for vengeance or is he really looking for a second chance at love?
I’ve always adored Sherryl Woods' writing and this book is no different. I’ve been wanting to read this for awhile. With the new Hallmark TV show based on this series starting in August, I just had to get busy and start reading. It’s not exactly like the show…which often happens with books, but that’s okay. I’m enjoying both.
The family closeness is touching. Abby’s strength is strong through the entire book. Although I do like Abby, I loved Trace even more. He’s the perfect hero. He’s both powerful and sensitive at the same time. The book also gives you a look at the rest of the O’Brien clan as they eventually get their own stories to tell. I look forward to the next one.
February 15, 2019
I was looking forward to be wow-ed by the book but maybe I shouldn't have. This is my first Sherry Woods' book. The setting was nice, however I find that the plot was too convenient and not plausible given the circumstances. It's also a very dialogue-heavy book (something I don't really prefer) and unnecessary conflicts at times followed by unrealistic conflict resolutions as well, but that's probably just me nitpicking.
I just don't find it believable that the main characters still have feelings for each other, especially given that Abby even got married and had twins in the meantime after she was the one who left Trace years and years ago to chase her ambition. I can believe the part where Abby's father still had feelings for his ex-wife, given that they've had a family together prior to the divorce.
I just don't understand the part where Trace's father, who convinced Trace to handle Jess O'Brien's matters just because he was aware of the history between Trace and Jess' sister. Why would a father interfere to rekindle that romance that happened years ago, Abby probably married someone else for all he knew, yet he did. If what he was trying to do was make Trace stay at his position at the bank, he wouldn't have taken the risk of making things harder for his son if things between Abby and Trace didn't go as planned. Hence I find that a bit weak as a starting point.
I also find that things between Abby and Trace didn't go as planned, and I would've expected Abby to tread carefully, given that things didn't go well between them in the past and also due to the divorce she had just gone through.
The starting plot was a bit weak, and the overall plot had a bit of unrealistic twist here and there. It was okay. I've read worse book than this.
I just don't find it believable that the main characters still have feelings for each other, especially given that Abby even got married and had twins in the meantime after she was the one who left Trace years and years ago to chase her ambition. I can believe the part where Abby's father still had feelings for his ex-wife, given that they've had a family together prior to the divorce.
I just don't understand the part where Trace's father, who convinced Trace to handle Jess O'Brien's matters just because he was aware of the history between Trace and Jess' sister. Why would a father interfere to rekindle that romance that happened years ago, Abby probably married someone else for all he knew, yet he did. If what he was trying to do was make Trace stay at his position at the bank, he wouldn't have taken the risk of making things harder for his son if things between Abby and Trace didn't go as planned. Hence I find that a bit weak as a starting point.
I also find that things between Abby and Trace didn't go as planned, and I would've expected Abby to tread carefully, given that things didn't go well between them in the past and also due to the divorce she had just gone through.
The starting plot was a bit weak, and the overall plot had a bit of unrealistic twist here and there. It was okay. I've read worse book than this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2021
3,5 / 5
May 14, 2009
Rather predictable, but still an enjoyable read, especially for late night when you need something that I call an "escape book". I'm a little tired of these "formula books" a la most of Nora Roberts (girl thinks life is fine, is beset by challenges and/or dangers, encounters love interest who helps her solve said problems, resists growing feelings for said love interest, finally accepts her true feelings and lives happily ever after).
Abby, a successful Wall Street professional, is called back home by her sister to help save the family Inn. The sister neglects to tell her that an old flame of Abby's is the banker in charge of foreclosing on the property.
A quick read...
Abby, a successful Wall Street professional, is called back home by her sister to help save the family Inn. The sister neglects to tell her that an old flame of Abby's is the banker in charge of foreclosing on the property.
A quick read...
January 21, 2023
Abby O'Brien Winters este chemata urgent acasa, in orasul natal, de catre sora ei mai mica Jess, aflata intr-o mare incurcatura. Chesapeake Shores din Maryland este oraselul proiectat de catre tatal sau, dar care ii aduce aminte de prea multe momente dureroase.
" Uneori, nu trebuie decat sa ne intoarcem la amintirile care ne fac ceea ce suntem." Avand in plan doar o scurta vacanta in care sa isi ajute sora si sa plece, Abby se nimereste la locul potrivit in momentul potrivit, desi ea nu-si da seama de la inceput. Astfel ajunge sa se implice in rezolvarea vechilor probleme familiare dar si in refacerea vietii ei personale. "... invatase cu mult timp in urma ca un barbat cu mandria ranita se putea transforma intr-un dusman incapatanat si neinduplecat."
Tot timpul am avut senzatia ca urmaresc un film, nu ca as citi o carte. Atat de cursiva si cu o atmosfera foarte faina, ce te prinde. Este ideala pentru o vacanta sau pentru un moment de relaxare, sau chiar si pentru un reading slump.
" Uneori, nu trebuie decat sa ne intoarcem la amintirile care ne fac ceea ce suntem." Avand in plan doar o scurta vacanta in care sa isi ajute sora si sa plece, Abby se nimereste la locul potrivit in momentul potrivit, desi ea nu-si da seama de la inceput. Astfel ajunge sa se implice in rezolvarea vechilor probleme familiare dar si in refacerea vietii ei personale. "... invatase cu mult timp in urma ca un barbat cu mandria ranita se putea transforma intr-un dusman incapatanat si neinduplecat."
Tot timpul am avut senzatia ca urmaresc un film, nu ca as citi o carte. Atat de cursiva si cu o atmosfera foarte faina, ce te prinde. Este ideala pentru o vacanta sau pentru un moment de relaxare, sau chiar si pentru un reading slump.
November 6, 2023
Bored, I was flicking through Netflix and found this Hallmark romance. After watching it for a few minutes, I realised the name seemed familiar. Checking my ereader, I discovered, yes, I had somewhere along the line bought the first book in the series the tv show was based upon. So, anyway, I decided to read the thing.
Well… Is it awful to say the quality of the tv show suits the book?
The series centres around the O’Brien family, divorced mum and dad, and, conveniently for sequels, five children. The romantic plot of Inn at Eagle Point is for Abby, the eldest child. Abby lives in New York City where she is a divorced mother of twin girls with a demanding career as a stock broker (well, I think that's what it is, IDEK). When Jess, the youngest O’Brien daughter, asks for help with the inn she recently purchased, Abby returns to Chesapeake Shores. There she reunites with her first love, Trace, when she goes to see the bank regarding Jess’s loan. Trace [sort of] works at the bank and only agrees to not foreclose on Jess’s loan if Abby stays in town (huge wtf). Anyway, obvious outcome is obvious.
One of the most annoying things about the book is the unrealistic way the characters speak. The dialogue is like something out of a therapy manual. Everyone talks about their feelings and their hopes and their past hurts and their fears and their EVERYTHING. No one has these deep and meaningful conversations every day at their local diner!
Trace and Abby also have zero chemistry. I never had that strong need for them to get together as one needs when reading a romance.
And there’s so much that doesn’t make sense in the book. Where did Jess find the money to buy the inn in the first place? (Actually even though Jess’s money woes is central to the plot, no one seems to have any real money issues. It’s a real ‘white rich people’ type of book. They all jump on planes from here to there, drive convertibles, rent and buy houses without a care.) Why does no one call out the mother as the selfish bitch she would have to be to abandon her children 15 years ago? (As a mother, I just can’t accept a workaholic father as the sole reason to up and leave. Forced conflict much?) What sort of bank has these sorts of recruitment policies? Why does Abby have not one friend either in Chesapeake or NYC? Why did she break up with Trace when they were young? I could go on!
The book is far too long. Woods doesn’t even entertain us with pretty descriptions of the town. It’s just endless yapping and nothing really happening. The plot was more suited for a novella, not the dragging almost 400 pages Woods presented (were there any editors?!!!??).
Oh and other than no one really having money issues, there was some other things included in the book that seemed to be in bad taste. One was the way Woods gave Jess ADD. Jess isn’t on medication because she’s not that crazy (wtf?!!?). But, oh, every five minutes everything Jess does, good or bad, is due to her ADD. She can’t decorate a room, make a phone call or eat a meal without one of the characters having an inner thought that her ADD is affecting her. WTF!!!!??? Can’t wait for Jess’s book. I’m sure her ADD will be the entire reason her and her potential man can’t get together. (Yes, this is sarcasm, just in case you were unsure.)
The conflict of the story also included Abby’s ex’s attempt to gain custody of the twins. This and its simple resolution was also a complete insult to anyone out there having real life issues in this area, if you ask me. Oh, and I also did not appreciate the anti-vac sentiment of the book.
I don’t think I’ll read any sequels.
I originally rated the book a 2 out of 5 but I’ve talked myself into a lower rating by putting all my grievances down in a review. LOL Now it's a 1 out of 5.
Well… Is it awful to say the quality of the tv show suits the book?
The series centres around the O’Brien family, divorced mum and dad, and, conveniently for sequels, five children. The romantic plot of Inn at Eagle Point is for Abby, the eldest child. Abby lives in New York City where she is a divorced mother of twin girls with a demanding career as a stock broker (well, I think that's what it is, IDEK). When Jess, the youngest O’Brien daughter, asks for help with the inn she recently purchased, Abby returns to Chesapeake Shores. There she reunites with her first love, Trace, when she goes to see the bank regarding Jess’s loan. Trace [sort of] works at the bank and only agrees to not foreclose on Jess’s loan if Abby stays in town (huge wtf). Anyway, obvious outcome is obvious.
One of the most annoying things about the book is the unrealistic way the characters speak. The dialogue is like something out of a therapy manual. Everyone talks about their feelings and their hopes and their past hurts and their fears and their EVERYTHING. No one has these deep and meaningful conversations every day at their local diner!
Trace and Abby also have zero chemistry. I never had that strong need for them to get together as one needs when reading a romance.
And there’s so much that doesn’t make sense in the book. Where did Jess find the money to buy the inn in the first place? (Actually even though Jess’s money woes is central to the plot, no one seems to have any real money issues. It’s a real ‘white rich people’ type of book. They all jump on planes from here to there, drive convertibles, rent and buy houses without a care.) Why does no one call out the mother as the selfish bitch she would have to be to abandon her children 15 years ago? (As a mother, I just can’t accept a workaholic father as the sole reason to up and leave. Forced conflict much?) What sort of bank has these sorts of recruitment policies? Why does Abby have not one friend either in Chesapeake or NYC? Why did she break up with Trace when they were young? I could go on!
The book is far too long. Woods doesn’t even entertain us with pretty descriptions of the town. It’s just endless yapping and nothing really happening. The plot was more suited for a novella, not the dragging almost 400 pages Woods presented (were there any editors?!!!??).
Oh and other than no one really having money issues, there was some other things included in the book that seemed to be in bad taste. One was the way Woods gave Jess ADD. Jess isn’t on medication because she’s not that crazy (wtf?!!?). But, oh, every five minutes everything Jess does, good or bad, is due to her ADD. She can’t decorate a room, make a phone call or eat a meal without one of the characters having an inner thought that her ADD is affecting her. WTF!!!!??? Can’t wait for Jess’s book. I’m sure her ADD will be the entire reason her and her potential man can’t get together. (Yes, this is sarcasm, just in case you were unsure.)
The conflict of the story also included Abby’s ex’s attempt to gain custody of the twins. This and its simple resolution was also a complete insult to anyone out there having real life issues in this area, if you ask me. Oh, and I also did not appreciate the anti-vac sentiment of the book.
I don’t think I’ll read any sequels.
I originally rated the book a 2 out of 5 but I’ve talked myself into a lower rating by putting all my grievances down in a review. LOL Now it's a 1 out of 5.
December 24, 2011
Pleasant story about family conflicts and relationships. Not very engaging, but ok.
STORY BRIEF:
A spread out family with a handful of conflicts among different family members.
The main couple:
Abby and Trace were in love fifteen years ago, but Abby left him to pursue a career in New York City. She now works for a brokerage firm managing investments for clients. She married Wes who divorced her. She now has twin daughters five years old. Wes loves the girls and sees them frequently. Abby comes to Chesapeake Shores for a while to help her sister. While there she runs into Trace. Trace lives elsewhere, but his father asked Trace to come to Chesapeake Shores for six months. Trace has a successful business as a freelance commercial artist doing ads for large companies. Trace still loves Abby and asks her out several times. They go on walks, have lunches, etc.
Secondary characters:
Jess is Abby’s youngest sister who has ADHD. Jess bought a hotel using bank loans in their hometown Chesapeake Shores. She has been remodeling and decorating but has been irresponsible with the finances. The bank is going to foreclose. Jess asks Abby to come help with the banking problem. The bank will not foreclose as long as Abby stays in the area to manage the Inn’s finances. Abby is able to continue serving her New York clients while she stays in the area with Jess.
Megan and Mick are the parents of Jess and Abby. They divorced fifteen years ago. Megan left Mick alone with his mother to raise their five children. Megan would like relationships with her grown children but that hasn’t happened, except for the oldest Abby. Jess has never forgiven Megan for leaving and has refused to talk to her all these years.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
This was ok and kept my interest, but it was easy to put down. I wasn’t pulled in with a need to keep reading. It was more of an acceptable something to read to fill some time. It’s mostly family interactions, conflicts, and resolving them. For example: Jess is irresponsible and tries to hide her spending, Abby has to say no to Jess, Jess is upset. Wes comes to visit his daughters and doesn’t like seeing Abby with another man Trace. Wes has other problems, and he wants custody of the girls. Abby is now worried about those things. Abby and Trace still love each other, but Abby thinks it can not work. Once or twice I was tired of hearing the same argument.
It needed more interesting dialogue. Conversations are ordinary, everyday things that are predictable and frequently used. Also, it could have used more intriguing, unusual, or colorful characters.
Technically this book qualifies as “romance,” but it feels more like “women’s relationship fiction.” There was one sex scene. It felt out of place, as if the author was required to include it but didn’t feel like doing it.
I liked seeing how Abby learned that she had been verbally abused and never realized it at the time. Wes was passive-aggressive and judgmental toward Abby. I enjoyed the way Trace desired Abby and the way he treated her. That was the best part of the book. It felt good since I easily identified with Abby.
DATA:
Story length: 378 pages. Swearing language: mild. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: one, 3 pages long. Setting: current day Chesapeake Shores, Maryland, and New York City, NY. Copyright: 2009. Genre: contemporary romance and women’s relationship fiction.
STORY BRIEF:
A spread out family with a handful of conflicts among different family members.
The main couple:
Abby and Trace were in love fifteen years ago, but Abby left him to pursue a career in New York City. She now works for a brokerage firm managing investments for clients. She married Wes who divorced her. She now has twin daughters five years old. Wes loves the girls and sees them frequently. Abby comes to Chesapeake Shores for a while to help her sister. While there she runs into Trace. Trace lives elsewhere, but his father asked Trace to come to Chesapeake Shores for six months. Trace has a successful business as a freelance commercial artist doing ads for large companies. Trace still loves Abby and asks her out several times. They go on walks, have lunches, etc.
Secondary characters:
Jess is Abby’s youngest sister who has ADHD. Jess bought a hotel using bank loans in their hometown Chesapeake Shores. She has been remodeling and decorating but has been irresponsible with the finances. The bank is going to foreclose. Jess asks Abby to come help with the banking problem. The bank will not foreclose as long as Abby stays in the area to manage the Inn’s finances. Abby is able to continue serving her New York clients while she stays in the area with Jess.
Megan and Mick are the parents of Jess and Abby. They divorced fifteen years ago. Megan left Mick alone with his mother to raise their five children. Megan would like relationships with her grown children but that hasn’t happened, except for the oldest Abby. Jess has never forgiven Megan for leaving and has refused to talk to her all these years.
REVIEWER’S OPINION:
This was ok and kept my interest, but it was easy to put down. I wasn’t pulled in with a need to keep reading. It was more of an acceptable something to read to fill some time. It’s mostly family interactions, conflicts, and resolving them. For example: Jess is irresponsible and tries to hide her spending, Abby has to say no to Jess, Jess is upset. Wes comes to visit his daughters and doesn’t like seeing Abby with another man Trace. Wes has other problems, and he wants custody of the girls. Abby is now worried about those things. Abby and Trace still love each other, but Abby thinks it can not work. Once or twice I was tired of hearing the same argument.
It needed more interesting dialogue. Conversations are ordinary, everyday things that are predictable and frequently used. Also, it could have used more intriguing, unusual, or colorful characters.
Technically this book qualifies as “romance,” but it feels more like “women’s relationship fiction.” There was one sex scene. It felt out of place, as if the author was required to include it but didn’t feel like doing it.
I liked seeing how Abby learned that she had been verbally abused and never realized it at the time. Wes was passive-aggressive and judgmental toward Abby. I enjoyed the way Trace desired Abby and the way he treated her. That was the best part of the book. It felt good since I easily identified with Abby.
DATA:
Story length: 378 pages. Swearing language: mild. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: one, 3 pages long. Setting: current day Chesapeake Shores, Maryland, and New York City, NY. Copyright: 2009. Genre: contemporary romance and women’s relationship fiction.
June 25, 2019
3 stars!
I love a second chance at love story because it brings in possibilities. Add Trace to the mix and Le sigh.
I haven't read the books I only saw the Hallmark series on Netflix.
I love a second chance at love story because it brings in possibilities. Add Trace to the mix and Le sigh.
I haven't read the books I only saw the Hallmark series on Netflix.
May 3, 2014
Jess O'Brien has finally found what she wants to do. She bought and restored the old Inn at Eagle Point. She'd hope that her family would finally see that she isn't the failure they think of her to be. She has ADD, and that is partly why she's in this mess. Another reason is that she believes she is the reason why her mother left all those years ago. The bank is ready to foreclose, and Jess desperately turns to her sister, Abby, for help. But Abby isn't prepared for whom she has to deal with from the bank. Trace Reilly makes a condition that Abby can't refuse or Jess will lose the Inn - she has to manage the books and reel in Jess' spending habits. Of course, he has an ulterior motive - he's still in love with Abby. Does he want to win her back or exact revenge upon her sister because Abby left him to move to NYC to pursue a career in the markets? And what about her twin girls? Will Trace jeopardize her twin girls just to get even, or wll her ex-husband do that?
This is a predictable Romance novel with happy endings all around the O'Brien clan. It is also the story of sisters and relationships. It is a sugary sweet novel that a reader can enjoy on the beach or on a rainy afternoon.
This is a predictable Romance novel with happy endings all around the O'Brien clan. It is also the story of sisters and relationships. It is a sugary sweet novel that a reader can enjoy on the beach or on a rainy afternoon.
August 4, 2016
I picked this up after I'd heard about Hallmark's new show debuting this month. I had forgotten two things: first, how welk Sherryl Woods writes, and second, how much I like contemporary romances that don't have "sex...now that I have your attention..." as their focus. This is a real family story; of how it broke apaet and how it might just come back together because of Abby, the sibling with some "wicked" smarts in business but is so closed around her heart's desire, she's almost forgotten everything else.
Abby's return to Chesapeke Shores to help her sister out from an economic meltdown means she has to come to grips with her hometown and the guy she left behind who has also come home to deal with family issues. What starts out as advisarial confrontation melts as they become more friendly around her sister's purchase of the old Inn and what it will do, not just for Jess, but for A by and her extended family. But isn't that what things like this do...point us in the right direction?
Set in one of the most gorgeous areas I have ever visited, I do hope that television can see the nuance and sublety that is a "hallmark" of Sherryl Woods' writing
Abby's return to Chesapeke Shores to help her sister out from an economic meltdown means she has to come to grips with her hometown and the guy she left behind who has also come home to deal with family issues. What starts out as advisarial confrontation melts as they become more friendly around her sister's purchase of the old Inn and what it will do, not just for Jess, but for A by and her extended family. But isn't that what things like this do...point us in the right direction?
Set in one of the most gorgeous areas I have ever visited, I do hope that television can see the nuance and sublety that is a "hallmark" of Sherryl Woods' writing
October 17, 2017
Like thousands of others, I have fallen in love with the Hallmark Channel's Chesapeake Shores series. After completing just one season I knew I wanted to read the series. If you are a fan of the tv show, you will find many similarities in the books, but you will also find many differences. The characters are the same, and the basis of the story is the same, but many of the details have been changed for the tv series. Some of the changes I appreciate, some not so much. Saying all that, I can say I enjoy both the first book and the series equally. Now I'm going to watch the second season - and read the second book!
January 26, 2025
This is a fantastic book that draws you in with its richly developed characters and heartfelt storytelling. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know the main character and her family, each of whom is complex, relatable, and deeply interesting. The story beautifully explores themes of human relationships, mistakes, reconciliations, and the power of understanding. It’s an emotional and engaging read that stays with you long after the final page. I can’t wait to dive into the next installment in the Chesapeake series!
May 26, 2010
I have had these three books by the same author sitting on my shelf forever. As part of my resolution, I am slowly chipping away at my To Be Read pile. Now I know why these books have been sitting there for so long. These are terrible. The characters are shallow, yet you feel like you are wading through muck to get through these things.
September 15, 2021
Pushing the autism/anti-Vax fear mongering.
Stopped the book, won't be reading anything else by the author
Stopped the book, won't be reading anything else by the author
March 10, 2021
I'm pretty sure there is a show about this book series.. but I might be wrong about that.
The Inn at Eagle Point was an okay book to dive into. But I just couldn't connect with the actual characters. Or maybe I was just in a weird mood while reading this and everyone just somewhat annoyed me. I did try to find something likable about any character but there was always something that would me think - hmm, better not.
I'm hoping that the next book will change my opinion immensely but I'm also not holding my breath at the same time. If anything, the romance could be a bit better but so could the character development and growth. Not sure if I will dive into the next book since I do have the ENTIRE series on my TBR. Or maybe I'll see if there's a movie or tv show about it and possibly dive into that instead?
Again, not sure. At least I tried.
The Inn at Eagle Point was an okay book to dive into. But I just couldn't connect with the actual characters. Or maybe I was just in a weird mood while reading this and everyone just somewhat annoyed me. I did try to find something likable about any character but there was always something that would me think - hmm, better not.
I'm hoping that the next book will change my opinion immensely but I'm also not holding my breath at the same time. If anything, the romance could be a bit better but so could the character development and growth. Not sure if I will dive into the next book since I do have the ENTIRE series on my TBR. Or maybe I'll see if there's a movie or tv show about it and possibly dive into that instead?
Again, not sure. At least I tried.
October 31, 2012
I really liked the setting of this book, loved the explanation that the author had at the beginning, why she wrote such a crazy family. But I got tired of all the family dysfunction, it was always something and not contained to just one person. Jess drove mu nuts, she acted like a petulant child and what made it even worse was she realized this. Abby sort of drove me nuts too, she kept trying to be the perfect woman, still living up to her place in the family when her mother left. I loved Gran, she was feisty and didn't put up with crap from anyone. The little girls were cute. It drove me nuts how Mick and Meghan were upset because they weren't close to their kids, but they did it to themselves.
I didn't like Trace at first, thought his actions were all about revenge at first, then when it was revealed he wanted a second chance I hated how he used his position to blackmail Abby.
Because of all my issues with this one I am not sure if I am going to continue with the series.
I didn't like Trace at first, thought his actions were all about revenge at first, then when it was revealed he wanted a second chance I hated how he used his position to blackmail Abby.
Because of all my issues with this one I am not sure if I am going to continue with the series.
August 1, 2017
Edit : finalement c'était moins pire que je ne le pensais mais si j'ai aimé le fond de l'histoire, la famille , je n'ai pas réussi à oublier le chantage du début!
Pas fini mais j'avais juste envie de faire baisser la note de cette bouze où on essaie de nous faire croire que le fait qu'une ado ait laissé tomber son petit ami pour partir faire ses études est une raison valable pour qu'une fois adulte et banquier le mec en question menace la petite soeur de l'héroïne de lui prendre ses biens si l'héroïne ne met pas sa vie (et ses enfants) de côté pour qu'il puisse assouvir sa vengeance. (woooooaaaaahh j'ai fais une longue phrase)
Je ne peux pas comprendre que cela serve de base à une histoire d'amour. Je crois que je deviens de moins en moins indulgente. Qu'on nous serve ce genre de soupe dans un NA où on parle de gamins de 20 ans ... mais des soit-disant "adultes" non merci!! Dommage, le reste me paraissait intéressant ...
Je vais tenter le premier épisode de l'adaptation histoire de voir s'ils ont changé ou non cet aspect de l'intrigue ...
Pas fini mais j'avais juste envie de faire baisser la note de cette bouze où on essaie de nous faire croire que le fait qu'une ado ait laissé tomber son petit ami pour partir faire ses études est une raison valable pour qu'une fois adulte et banquier le mec en question menace la petite soeur de l'héroïne de lui prendre ses biens si l'héroïne ne met pas sa vie (et ses enfants) de côté pour qu'il puisse assouvir sa vengeance. (woooooaaaaahh j'ai fais une longue phrase)
Je ne peux pas comprendre que cela serve de base à une histoire d'amour. Je crois que je deviens de moins en moins indulgente. Qu'on nous serve ce genre de soupe dans un NA où on parle de gamins de 20 ans ... mais des soit-disant "adultes" non merci!! Dommage, le reste me paraissait intéressant ...
Je vais tenter le premier épisode de l'adaptation histoire de voir s'ils ont changé ou non cet aspect de l'intrigue ...
July 23, 2017
Love the TV series which will start up again soon so I decided to listen to the series. Abby, one of the O'Brien daughters is the focus of this first installment and I love her feisty attitude and her rambunctious twins. But, I have to say my favorite character is the grandmother, whom the narrator brings to life with a delightful Irish accent.
February 25, 2014
It wasn't one of my favorites - too much points of view and useless information. The main story didn't feel in the center of things and I can't say I loved the end.
October 13, 2021
Absolutely LOVE Chesapeake Shores series on hallmark. Now I’m starting the book series because why not?! Definitely started out well, I’m excited to read the 2nd😝
July 7, 2024
The Inn at Eagle Point #1 Chesapeake Shores
5🌟
5🌟
June 12, 2011
An absoulutely wonderful heart warming read,loved each character
absolutely adored Trace Riley one of the best heroes and on my "favourite heroes list",such a good son a terrific brother and excellent business man,the way he makes way and fights for his sister Laila to achieve her dream job to be at bank(the Riley's are sexist to the core both hubby n wife,their thoughts is Man brings money-woman cook food and look at house)
Abby is such a optimistic and wonderful head strong character,she is a wonderful mother and great sister always wants to see her family together which was affected and shattered when their mother Megan left,now Abby is divorced with 2 cutie dotties ans she is back cause Jess needs her
From there Trace-Abby get their second chance at love and how they cross their hurdles and face their demons and this time Trace is always there with Abby supporting her and he is determined to win his love back,loved the bond between the girls and Trace and way he handles all problems of Abby and also keeps fighting for Laila
Nell-O-Brian is one lovable cute character absolutely love her and way she makes everyone realise thier mistakes and lectures them on their behaviour and past sins,its fun to read how she makes Mick realise how he has been a lousy father and he has to start mending the fences,absolutely love the way Nell makes each one of them realise their mistakes and gives advice without nosing in their love life's,love her and so eager to read her part in each one's love life
so wanna read each sibblings story,now i am taking up Bree's story in which we also have Megan-Mick story
Great read
Recommend it
absolutely adored Trace Riley one of the best heroes and on my "favourite heroes list",such a good son a terrific brother and excellent business man,the way he makes way and fights for his sister Laila to achieve her dream job to be at bank(the Riley's are sexist to the core both hubby n wife,their thoughts is Man brings money-woman cook food and look at house)
Abby is such a optimistic and wonderful head strong character,she is a wonderful mother and great sister always wants to see her family together which was affected and shattered when their mother Megan left,now Abby is divorced with 2 cutie dotties ans she is back cause Jess needs her
From there Trace-Abby get their second chance at love and how they cross their hurdles and face their demons and this time Trace is always there with Abby supporting her and he is determined to win his love back,loved the bond between the girls and Trace and way he handles all problems of Abby and also keeps fighting for Laila
Nell-O-Brian is one lovable cute character absolutely love her and way she makes everyone realise thier mistakes and lectures them on their behaviour and past sins,its fun to read how she makes Mick realise how he has been a lousy father and he has to start mending the fences,absolutely love the way Nell makes each one of them realise their mistakes and gives advice without nosing in their love life's,love her and so eager to read her part in each one's love life
so wanna read each sibblings story,now i am taking up Bree's story in which we also have Megan-Mick story
Great read
Recommend it
August 3, 2016
I enjoy alternating genres, from crime to fiction, to police procedurals, to romances, to historical reads. It enhances the pleasure of reading. Light romances are certainly part of my choices. The last Sherryl Woods I’ve read was quite a while ago I must admit, I either must’ve forgotten how I feel about her books or I have to conclude that my taste in light romance writers has rather drastically evolved, because I couldn’t enjoy this book. Don’t get me wrong, it was sweet, but also very generic. All the characters lacked genuine human traits. They didn’t feel real. They felt like cardboard cut-outs with nothing authentic to bring to the story. It’s not because this is a light romantic read, that it can’t bring an authentic feel.
I appreciate the author’s effort to create that large family dynamic; there were four generations of O’Briens in this book, presenting us with many family members, so that was good: If you got bored with one, you got to the next. But admittedly picked individually the characters were very superficial in my opinion. Their words felt phony in my ears.
I am sure that this story pleases many a reader, but for me, it didn’t do it.
I appreciate the author’s effort to create that large family dynamic; there were four generations of O’Briens in this book, presenting us with many family members, so that was good: If you got bored with one, you got to the next. But admittedly picked individually the characters were very superficial in my opinion. Their words felt phony in my ears.
I am sure that this story pleases many a reader, but for me, it didn’t do it.
June 30, 2011
I don't expect a lot from romances & I can be kind of picky, but the characters were SO one-dimensional! Jess's ADD was not a quirk, but a real problem. How could she get mad that people expected her to screw up, when she CONSTANTLY DID screw up.
5 siblings, huh? There just might be sequels.....
5 siblings, huh? There just might be sequels.....
October 11, 2016
Inn at Eagle Point was a great introduction to a series I can already tell I'll enjoy. The narration was great! And now I'm ready to watch the tv series based on this book. :)
January 20, 2020
Not great. It was all a bit ridiculous. I don't know why I put myself through it. Over the top and a little problematic to be honest.
April 16, 2022
i cant decide if i like the show or the book more 🥺 loved getting to know more about abby and trace but wished the brothers were more included.
if u like family drama, friends to lovers to strangers to lovers, old money east coast aesthetic, small-town romance, new york-small town contrasts ur gonna loooooove this
if u like family drama, friends to lovers to strangers to lovers, old money east coast aesthetic, small-town romance, new york-small town contrasts ur gonna loooooove this
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