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Shore Leave Cafe #3
A Notion of Love
"Abbie Williams is an author who excels at the romance genre. Her Shore Leave Cafe Romance series is a showcase for her ability to weave a contemporary tapestry, complete with rich characters, vivid settings and seductive moods." ― Dean Mayes, Author The Hambledown Dream, Gifts of the Peramangk, The Recipient, The Artisan Heart
Twelve years ago, Jillian Henriksen cut off all her hair and placed it in her young husband's hands as he was buried. After his tragic accident, she clung to the only remaining stability she had - her youngson Clint, her family of women, and her job at their lakeside diner, the Shore Leave Cafe.
Now it is summer again, and change is in the hot and humid air. Jillian's sister, Joelle, and her teenaged nieces, Camille, Tish, and Ruthann, have come home to Landon, bringing a welcome distraction.
And then there is Justin Miller, longtime family friend, brooding and sexy, but damaged after a terrible accident five years earlier. Will Jilly and Justin risk their broken hearts - and the Davis family curse - to take a chance on lasting love?
A story about heartbreak, blame, family, destiny, and the difficulties of returning home, A Notion of Love is the third book in A Shore Leave Cafe Romance series.
A Shore Leave Cafe Romance
1. Summer at the Shore Leave Cafe
2. Second Chances
3. A Notion of Love
4. Winter at the White Oaks Lodge
5. Wild Flower
6. The First Law of Love
7. Until Tomorrow
8. The Way Back
9. Return to Yesterday
The story continues in her most recent novel, A Place to Belong.
Also from Abbie Williams, The Dove Saga
1. Heart of a Dove
2. Soul of a Crow
3. Grace of a Hawk
Twelve years ago, Jillian Henriksen cut off all her hair and placed it in her young husband's hands as he was buried. After his tragic accident, she clung to the only remaining stability she had - her youngson Clint, her family of women, and her job at their lakeside diner, the Shore Leave Cafe.
Now it is summer again, and change is in the hot and humid air. Jillian's sister, Joelle, and her teenaged nieces, Camille, Tish, and Ruthann, have come home to Landon, bringing a welcome distraction.
And then there is Justin Miller, longtime family friend, brooding and sexy, but damaged after a terrible accident five years earlier. Will Jilly and Justin risk their broken hearts - and the Davis family curse - to take a chance on lasting love?
A story about heartbreak, blame, family, destiny, and the difficulties of returning home, A Notion of Love is the third book in A Shore Leave Cafe Romance series.
A Shore Leave Cafe Romance
1. Summer at the Shore Leave Cafe
2. Second Chances
3. A Notion of Love
4. Winter at the White Oaks Lodge
5. Wild Flower
6. The First Law of Love
7. Until Tomorrow
8. The Way Back
9. Return to Yesterday
The story continues in her most recent novel, A Place to Belong.
Also from Abbie Williams, The Dove Saga
1. Heart of a Dove
2. Soul of a Crow
3. Grace of a Hawk
232 pages, Paperback
First published October 17, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
April 11, 2017
The first two books in this series begin with the end of Joelle Gordon's marriage to Jackie. Her sister, Jilly Henriksen, is a widow with a son and she's just beginning a relationship with Justin Miller. I'm so delighted that this story begins at the beginning...when both were still in high school and just starting their relationships with their first loves.
In order to understand Jilly and Justin's relationship, it was important to know about how they got there. This wasn't just about the two of them but the community of family in Landon, Minnesota. It's rich with stories of the women and men who shaped and influenced them, let alone the developing romances of all of them.
It's tricky to write retrospectives, especially when you know ultimately where and with whom the characters end up. I was captivated from the start, never bored or sensing too much repetition. I loved Jilly and Justin's backstories, complete with lovely high moments and devastating lows. It laid the foundation for their present day situations, so much so I felt I knew exactly how these characters would behave and react throughout. I couldn't put this book down. Lovely, just lovely.
In order to understand Jilly and Justin's relationship, it was important to know about how they got there. This wasn't just about the two of them but the community of family in Landon, Minnesota. It's rich with stories of the women and men who shaped and influenced them, let alone the developing romances of all of them.
It's tricky to write retrospectives, especially when you know ultimately where and with whom the characters end up. I was captivated from the start, never bored or sensing too much repetition. I loved Jilly and Justin's backstories, complete with lovely high moments and devastating lows. It laid the foundation for their present day situations, so much so I felt I knew exactly how these characters would behave and react throughout. I couldn't put this book down. Lovely, just lovely.
April 23, 2014
Ahh, spending more time in Shore Leave has become a lovely enjoyment for me this year. Though I think you *could* start with this one and still make sense of things, it makes most sense to read them in order, as I've been doing. And that way you also get the intriguing switch of POV here. It was cool to see another sister (Jillian in this one) through her own eyes, as well as to see her view of Joelle (narrator of the previous books)--Jilly turns out to have a much sexier side than her sweet domestic exterior might suggest, and Joelle, too, is to others definitely not the boring mom she was thinking herself to be.
As to Justin, who has captivated Jillian's fantasies, he is bound to captivate any of the rest of us, too, who have dark-wounded-hero soft spots. The way they help each other heal is quite uplifting (not to mention steamy--Abbie has quite the hand at writing erotic scenes!).
The story scared me a little toward the end, but this family will always somehow be all right, as those who get The Notions can tell us. I'll be curious to read on and see how relationships develop for the girls!
As to Justin, who has captivated Jillian's fantasies, he is bound to captivate any of the rest of us, too, who have dark-wounded-hero soft spots. The way they help each other heal is quite uplifting (not to mention steamy--Abbie has quite the hand at writing erotic scenes!).
The story scared me a little toward the end, but this family will always somehow be all right, as those who get The Notions can tell us. I'll be curious to read on and see how relationships develop for the girls!
February 9, 2014
This was a great book above love. LOVED the scene on the dock! I accidentally started with book 4 in this series and have kind-of read them backwards, since this is book 3. I loved the main characters in this one especially. They are so into each other but can't admit it. I loved the tension and how much they wanted each other, but then also fell in love. Really hard in love. It was a great journey. I can't wait to read the first 2 now.
October 6, 2017
Beautiful read.
Book three of this beautiful modern day family saga. This is Jolly and Justin's story and it is both heartbreaking and exhilarating. You will fall completely in love with the Davis girls and their men and the wonderful life they live.
Book three of this beautiful modern day family saga. This is Jolly and Justin's story and it is both heartbreaking and exhilarating. You will fall completely in love with the Davis girls and their men and the wonderful life they live.
October 11, 2017
Review to come.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews