The Courtship of Carol Sommars

by Debbie Macomber

Matchmaking as a team effort!

Peter Sommars is fifteen, and he needs a little more independence. Which is why he'd like his mom, Carol, to start dating. He even knows the perfect man—Alex Preston, his best friend's single dad.

Alex is weary of mindless dates. Carol is different, though. She's a woman of substance, and he is interested.

Staying one step ahead of her energetic teenage son has taught Carol some pretty fancy footwork. But when he rallies Alex to sweep her off her feet, she does everything she can to sidestep his pursuit. Which only makes Alex—and the boys—more determined!

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Chick Lit

312 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1990

About the author

Debbie Macomber is a #1 New York Times bestselling author and one of today’s most popular writers with more than 200 million copies of her books in print worldwide. In her novels, Macomber brings to life compelling relationships that embrace family and enduring friendships, uplifting her readers with stories of connection and hope. Macomber’s novels have spent over 1,000 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Fifteen of these novels hit the number one spot.

In 2023, Macomber’s all-new hardcover publication includes Must Love Flowers (July). In addition to fiction, Macomber has also published three bestselling cookbooks, three adult coloring books, numerous inspirational and nonfiction works, and two acclaimed children’s books.

Celebrated as “the official storyteller of Christmas”, Macomber’s annual Christmas books are beloved and six have been crafted into original Hallmark Channel movies. Macomber is also the author of the bestselling Cedar Cove Series which the Hallmark Channel chose as the basis for its first dramatic scripted television series. Debuting in 2013, Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove was a ratings favorite for three seasons.

She serves on the Guideposts National Advisory Cabinet, is a YFC National Ambassador, and is World Vision’s international spokesperson for their Knit for Kids charity initiative. A devoted grandmother, Debbie and Wayne live in Port Orchard, Washington, the town which inspired the Cedar Cove series.

Reviews

[Linda (NOT RECEIVING NOTIFICATIONS) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found my copy of The Courtship of Carol Sommars on the ‘new book’ shelf at our local library. I was attracted to the beautiful cover. What I didn’t realize until I got home and started reading the romance was the original publication year was 1990.

That said, I found the 15-year-old boys a bit cutesy, the romance likable because of the H, but Carol was too fickle for my tastes. The backdrop of abuse was a serious matter but it didn’t match with her close-knit family’s unawareness and her dating on occasion before Alex Preston entered her life. For lack of a better word, her fear of a serious relationship felt ‘off’.

Still, I liked Alex and their two sons caused for some funny moments.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this novel by Debbie Macomber even if it is one of her older books. The only thing I did not care for is when authors try to "modernize" their books. This one has a few mentions of forgetting a cell phone etc., when cell phones did not even exist, but it was very minimal, and did not take away from this book.
I also loved Carol's mom Angelina even if she was just a minor character. I could just hear her rattling off in Italian, and her accent when speaking English.

[Cindi]

Another good one by Debbie Macombe r!!

[Luka Onee-san · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast-paced. Light read. Romanticized phycological abuse.
I disliked only two facts about this book:
1. the mind set that 34 year old was considered old.
2. It was said that Alex Preston was understanding man but we never saw that. It was SAID he was waiting for Carol. But he was pushing her to make a decision faster. We saw him getting mad at her asking for more time. And finally we saw him threatening he will find another woman if she was to refuse his proposal. How is all THAT "understanding"?
Other than that the story was flowing and didn't look rushed. It's a good read if you need to relax and are in the mood of some light romance.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part of combo read: Right Next Door.

[Emma Inman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I realized I had read this book awhile back about 1-2 chapters in, but it’s very good and decided to re-read it. Love Debbie books.

[Garnet · Rating 5 out of 5]

We should never underestimate the damage that can be done to someone in a bad/rough marriage.

[Julie Barrett · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Courtship of Carol Sommars by Debbie Macomber
Carol Summers is a single mom, nurse with a teen age driving son.
Peter and Jim are friends. Jim's dad Alex Preston is mad his son is late coming home.
Carol's car breaks down after the class she taught at night for first time mothers. She made it to a restaurant and her phone is at home charging.
Alex is there with a blind date and can't wait to get rid of her. He does come to the rescue and she has a cup of coffee while they finish their meal and then he takes her home.
Her Italian family came to the rescue of her borrowing one of her brothers cars. The grandparents drill Peter for information about Carol dating.
She has secrets about her past that have harmed her for life and she won't tell others.
The boys are all for them getting married but she's still holding back.
Alex shares his pain and fears with her: his wife had leukemia and was lucky to get pregnant.
Love the time spent at the Italian relatives, the day long simmering sauces and the dialog and very detailed descriptions of the rainforest in WA state.

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Courtship of Carol Sommars is Debbie Macomber’s 41st stand-alone romance novel. Carol Sommars has been a widow for 13 years, ever since her husband Bruce died in a car accident. Her fifteen year-old son, Peter, is best friends with James Preston, and James’s dad, Alex, has been a widower for three years. When they meet, Carol is not at her best, but Alex can see that she is much more the woman he wants to settle down with than the blonde bimbos his friend Barney keeps setting him up with. Carol is attracted to Alex, and the boys can see only positive things coming from their union, so they plot to make it happen. And even though Alex is not Italian and not Catholic, her mother Angelina is all for it too. But Carol has misgivings about remarrying. This is a sweet romance with some delightful characters and some snappy dialogue. Another enjoyable Macomber romance.

[Debbie Heaton · Rating 4 out of 5]

In Macomber’s romance novel, Carol Sommars is a single mother of a fifteen year old son, Pete. Pete wants less supervision and more freedom. To achieve that, he sets out to set his mother up with a date. His target—single father Alex Preston. Alex is hesitant to pursue meaningless entanglements but Carol is a woman of substance who has sparked his interest. Carol is accustomed to her son’s pranks and is seasoned at avoiding them but Alex has plans of his own he won’t let go of.

Once again Macomber has created a delightful tale of romance!

[Barbara]

I loved this book! So good from the first page until the last! Thoroughly enjoyed the ending! Quick read!

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a nice easy read. I believe this was one of her first books.

[Chloe (Always Booked) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Debbie Macomber was just what the doctor ordered. This book is about Alex and Carol. Their teenage sons are best friends and they’re both young and widowed. The boys think they should date and try to matchmake. Alex is ready to date and has been on many terrible ones but Carol is not. She married her husband at 18 because she was pregnant and then he turned into a drunk who abused her. The whole story is Alex pursuing her and her pushing him away. He proposes and gives her a 2 week ultimatum. She doesn’t respond well to this and they break up. Of course, in the end they get back together and have twin girls. I loved carols very Italian mother. I also just loved the friendship between the boys and the little family they made when all together. I thought Alex was just ok. He was a little pushy (especially in romantic stuff) for my liking but it worked out in the end.
I’d recommend!

[Misty Grim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read!!
LOVE the storyline and characters.

Peter Sommers would love for his mom to start dating, so he can have a little more independence.
Carol Sommers, does not want to get into a relationship. She remembers all to well her unhappy marriage.
Peter has the perfect man for Carol, his best friends dad.
Peter looks up to Alex Preston and would love for his mom and Alex to get together.
The boys scheme up ways for them to hook up.
Carol fights all the feelings she is feeling about Alex and his attractiveness.
The more Carol fights the more determined the boys and Alex become to win Carol over and Alex is determined to make Carol his forever!💑

[Amanda Hash · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was actually surprised by how much I enjoyed this book! Usually Macomber's earlier works are a little...off to me (presumably because I only recently discovered her) but this one read beautifully.

While I totally understood where Carol was coming from, I still frequently had the urge to smack some sense into her. I get heartbreak, I get that a traumatic past can haunt you, I get fear... but there were many times I just yelled, "Get over it, Carol!! Alex is PERFECT!!"

Overall, another sweet read from Macomber, and one that will have me searching out more "classic" tales to see if they still hold up today.

[Mary Cassidy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have liked some of her books, but this one was much too simplistic. She took on a serious issue, the trauma of an abusive marrage and, I am sorry but in my opinion, turned it into a plot point. I felt for the main character, who is bossed around by her mother, her child, and ultimately the “prince” who saves her. Her autonomy is never really respected, despite the supposed understanding by the hero. And trauma is not just magically relieved by love, I am sorry, but this woman needed to get serious help that is never even suggested. Too much pseudo sex, not enough insight. A quick read.

[Joan Coates · Rating 3 out of 5]

My husband left his book at home when we left to join our cruise. I had brought The Outlaw Noble Salt by Amy Harmon with me but when we went to the Viking Sea's Library Jim pointed out this Debbie Macomber book. It was a quick read with a predictable outcome but it was a "feel good" book and for that reason I enjoyed it. I debated about 4 stars but think 3 is a better match.

[Carol Maciej-Weber · Rating 1 out of 5]

This wasn’t a favorite by any means! If this was romance, not for me. The woman was a traumatized soul, the man kept pushing her even after he realized she had a horrible first marriage. It all seemed a little creepy to me! EVERYONE was pushing this poor woman to not let this man escape her but if things were so right why push for a marriage decision within a few weeks?

[Linda Conant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable book. This author does not disappoint me. I never can put Debbie Maccomber books down till I finish it. Easy read and an enjoyable story about second chance of romance. It is an older book of Debbie MacComber.

[Donut Cat (Leah) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really liked the beginning of this novella. The characters were interesting and the plot had possibilities. However, the resolution of the conflict felt really forced and just didn't really make sense so it kind of contradicted the rest of the book.

[Julie Akeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great moving story of a second chance at love Two 15 year old boys who are best friends decide to work together to bring their single parents together for a match. Full of warmth and humor, the book was a joy to read.

[jamie · Rating 2 out of 5]

"she'd never shown any real pleasure at seeing him."

And yet he still pursued her? He's pushy and overbearing and controlling.

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

needed a quick read where everyone lived, everyone loved, everyone was happy at the end. this delivered.

[Patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was super romanc-y and leapt too quickly. I did enjoy reading about “the good ol’ days” before cell phones were everyone’s go to.

[Eileen · Rating 1 out of 5]

Short romantic story between young widow/widower. Sappy, predictable, hero too good to be realistic, so if you like the Harlequin type story, this is for you.

[Dianne Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

great book about romance.

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was nice to read a book about family instead of so much sex!

[Debi Steeley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good read by Debbie Macomber

[Donna Covell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two short stories with happy endings.

[Alexandra Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel like I never read romantic books about single parents! It was a steamy yet sweet story & I liked the involvement of the kids.