Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

The Shakespeare Sisters #3

Absent in the Spring

Rate this book
Losing control never felt so good . . . A successful lawyer, and the eldest of four sisters, Lucy Shakespeare is used to being in control of everything and everyone around her, most particularly herself – that is until she meets the gorgeous Lachlan MacLeish. Lachlan’s hired Lucy because he needs the best. His inheritance, the Lairdship of Glencarraig, is suddenly in doubt, thanks to his devious half-brother. Glencarraig is the only place where his memories of his family are happy ones and there’s no way he’s going down without a fight. The very last thing he wants is a distraction, but as soon as he sees Lucy, he knows he’s in trouble. Despite their efforts to resist, it isn’t long before Lachlan has Lucy longing to break all her careful rules. As they travel from Scotland, to Paris and on to New York, Lucy can’t help but is it sometimes worth risking it all?

368 pages, Paperback

First published April 26, 2018

68 people are currently reading
817 people want to read

About the author

Carrie Elks

68 books2,172 followers
Carrie Elks is an international bestselling author of traditionally-published and self-published novels. Her books are sweet yet sexy contemporary small town romance stories. You can find her in all these places:


Website:https://www.carrieelks.com
Amazon: http://author.to/CarrieElksAuthor
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarrieElksAu...
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/carri...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carrie.elks/

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
284 (37%)
4 stars
262 (34%)
3 stars
170 (22%)
2 stars
39 (5%)
1 star
9 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews
Profile Image for Claire.
2,323 reviews738 followers
April 26, 2018
5 - "Never change..." Stars!

ITs LIVE!

Amazon US ➜ https://amzn.to/2JrILTl
Amazon UK ➜ https://amzn.to/2Hr30nz
iBooks ➜ https://tinyurl.com/yb6428j5
Kobo ➜ https://tinyurl.com/yazg826r
Nook ➜ https://tinyurl.com/y7tojhh6

We return to the Shakespeare Sisters series with book three; Absent in Spring giving us Lucy’s story.



This is a story that takes the reader to both sides of the Atlantic, with Scotland, Miami and New York playing a part in the story that plays out between Lucy and Lachlan. Initially starting out as a Solicitor/Client relationship, things start to develop into more when the pair of them visit the remote Scottish Castle that Lachlan has been bequeathed in his fathers will. However, being his illegitimate son, the rest of the legitimate family are less than happy, hence the requirement of Lucy’s services.

He was danger dressed in a designer suit…

I think the main thing that stood out for me about this book was that this was a couple who have more in common with each other than they can actually see themselves at the beginning. They may live on opposite sides of the pond, and under vastly different circumstances, but both they are intrinsically just extremely lonely people, and you see each of them fill that emptiness in the other more and more as the story progressed.

She knew exactly what to say to make his dried-up little heart beat faster…

This was a pretty easy-going read, mainly focussed around a couple trying to work through the logistics of building a relationship when they live on opposite sides of the globe. As you would expect, lots of sexy times abound due to the long separations, and the conflict when it came, didn’t offer up any huge surprises. Of the three books from the series, I think Absent in Spring offered up the least challenging storyline in relation to the tropes used.

"You can’t always be the strong one… Everybody needs carrying sometimes…"

Juliet is up next, if you have read all the books in the series so far, you know that her story is likely to be an emotional one, and I look forward to reading it.

ARC provided by the author, and it was a pleasure to provide the above honest review in exchange.
Profile Image for Nicola.
1,390 reviews286 followers
April 19, 2018
The third in the Shakespeare Sisters series takes us on a global trip visiting Edinburgh and Paris, New York and the Scottish Highlands, so I couldn’t wait to hop aboard and see what lawyer and eldest sister, Lucy’s story would bring.

description She was Lucy Millicent Shakespeare. She ate American businessmen for breakfast.”

The American businessman comes in the form of Lucy’s newest client, Lachlan MacLeish who is facing a legal battle over the Scottish home bequeathed to him by his father, and who also happens to be drop-dead gorgeous. And when his visit to Scotland moves from Lucy’s Edinburgh office to his ancestral home nestled away in the Highlands, business soon becomes pleasure.

description You want to see me lose control? Just keep doing what you’re doing.”

description

To a degree, Carrie Elks lulls her reader in to a false sense of romantic security as you watch these two career-focussed people throw caution to the wind and give into their mutual attraction making full use of the sparks flying between them. But on the flip side, Lachlan and Lucy have crossed a professional line, live thousands of miles apart and each have a vulnerable edge stemming from years of dealing with their own personal hurts and you can’t help but feel that after the calm, a storm is coming.

description You can resist all you want, but you can’t fight against nature.”

I won’t lie, at 70% this story took a bit of a nosedive for me, with elements added to create conflict which did little to endear secondary characters and led me questioning whether I needed to be checking myself in for anger management counselling. Yet I still remained invested in Lucy and Lachlan’s plight and, whilst the crescendo towards the storm might not have worked entirely for me, everything beforehand was a delight to read and what came after set everything back on track.

description If you wait for the stars to align, and for everything to be just perfect, you’ll be waiting for ever.”

Book 2 in this series remains my favourite all round, but with a likeable leading lady, moments of amusing banter between the sisters and a man to fall in love with, Absent in the Spring does come a close second. And with the foundations set for Juliet’s story, I’m looking forward to seeing what By Virtue Fall brings when released in November.

Copy generously provided by the author for an honest and unbiased opinion.

description
3,117 reviews3 followers
May 11, 2018
Book Reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com

Absent in the Spring is the third book in the Shakespeare Sisters series by Carrie Elks, with Summer’s Lease being book one and A Winter’s Tale being book two.

Each book follows the life of one of the four Shakespeare sisters. This time we get to spend our time with the eldest sister Lucy Shakespeare, who is a lawyer living and working in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Lachlan MacLeish lives and works in New York. His father recently died and in his will left him Glencarraig Castle in Scotland and the Lairdship that comes with it.

However, the will is being contested by his half-brother Duncan MacLeish, as he believes that he should be the rightful heir to the castle and the title, as Lachlan was the illegitimate son of his father, although the oldest of the two.

Lachlan needs the best lawyer in Scotland to help him win the case, so hires Lucy. If anyone can win she can, with her no-nonsense, tough attitude. The two though don’t expect to find themselves highly attracted to one another. Can they manage to keep their relationship strictly professional?

Once again Carrie Elks has written an absolute joy of a book. One that had me hooked from the very first page. The whole setting, from Scotland, New York, Miami, and Paris had me pining for a holiday as the places sounded so amazing. The characters were all such a delight to spend my time with, perfectly realistic and very relatable too.

Lucy is normally a stickler for the rules and a workaholic, but something comes alive in her from the moment she meets Lachlan. She is a very professional woman and doesn’t like feeling like a teenager, having tingling moments every time Lachlan’s name is mentioned.

Lachlan himself is a workaholic too, spending his time between his head office in New York and one of his businesses in Miami. He’s had to work so hard to get where he is now, whilst Duncan had everything handed to him on a plate, so he’s not giving up the castle that easily. His father obviously wanted him to have it, and have it he will.

Both have issues to deal with in regards to ageing, sick parents. Ms. Elks has clearly done her research as these parts were written with such finesse and thoughtfulness. Having watched a member of my family suffer from dementia, I can honestly say that Oliver Shakespeare’s character (The sister’s father), has been written so accurately to what I personally witnessed.

What I truly like about this series is how the sisters from the previous books, make numerous appearances in this one too. I enjoy seeing how their stories carried on after the end of their books.

This is a feel-good, uplifting novel that I enjoyed immensely. I now look forward to reading the last in the series, book four, and getting to meet the last sister Juliet and her daughter Poppy properly. Although I’m not sure that I want the story to end, it has been a wonderful series, one of the best I’ve read in a long time.
Profile Image for Dale Harcombe.
Author 14 books410 followers
February 18, 2021
Eldest of the four Shakespeare sisters and a successful lawyer, Lucy is used to being in control. Until she meets Lachlan Macleish. Lachlan has hired Lucy to sort out the issues involved in his inheritance. The illegitimate son of Duncan MacLeish senior he is embroiled in a clash with his half brother Duncan who is contesting the will. But then a line is crossed between Lucy and Lachlan. What will that mean for their professional relationship?
Initially I was interested in this book but I found much of the dialogue and banter boring and pointless. If steamy sex scenes are your thing, you might enjoy this story more than I did. Anyone looking for a simple romantic story may well enjoy it. I didn’t really find enough in the plot or the characters to hold my interest. Another of those books where I started to skim.
Admittedly I hadn’t read the first two books in this series about the Shakespeare sisters, so perhaps that would have made a difference, but I just never connected with the characters enough to care that much what happened. Could be just me, so best read some other reviews and see what others think. Just an okay two star read for me, obviously I was not the right person for this book.
Profile Image for Alison.
482 reviews26 followers
April 26, 2018
5 Passionate, Heart-Warming Stars!!!

I was given this book in turn for an honest review.

Lachlan is Lucy’s new client, being the professional she is, she strives to keep things on a professional level. However, when temptation becomes too hard to resist, Lucy questions if some things are worth the risk? Will she follow her heart or her career?

Carrie Elks has written an epic contemporary romance, that has you sat on the edge of your seat as you watch the relationship between Lucy and Lachlan unfold. I absolutely loved this story; it has an edge of sadness to it, that I feel we haven’t seen in the first two Shakespeare sister’s books, which gave it a slightly more relatable feel.

I saw a different side to Lucy, in this book. She is a very strong woman, with a lot on her shoulders. She truly did take on the care of her three younger sisters when her Mum died, and was carrying an even bigger burden, than we could ever imagine. The love for her family ran so deep, she put her life on hold, to make sure that they were all cared for and happy.

Lachlan was a complex character, it was clear he had spent much of his life hidden behind a mask, portraying a himself to be a confident man, happy with his life. However, deep down his true self was begging to be let loose. He was a caring, loving, loyal and hardworking man, who had chosen work to escape the desires his heart truly wanted. However, when he did want something he wasn’t afraid to fight for it.

An excellent story, that can be read as a standalone. However, to fully enjoy and embrace this story, I recommend reading the series, starting with Summer’s Lease.
Profile Image for Rachel Gilbey.
3,274 reviews567 followers
June 28, 2018
I do love this series of books about The Shakespeare sisters, and really enjoyed getting to see Lucy, the eldest sister's story this time around.

I did though find it a tricky to get into but that could have just been my concentration level instead of the book itself, as once I was onboard and had met Lachlan, I was far more invested in the story.

There is sizzling chemistry between Lucy and Lachlan, even if they really shouldn't be getting together due to being client and customer.

It was good catching up with Lucy's family too, and getting updates as to what they are all up to.

I found this to be really enjoyable and another good book in the series, but I think perhaps due to their professions, that I have preferred the first two in the series. I am looking forward to the next installment already.

Thank you to Clara Diaz at Piatkus for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Profile Image for Cyndi Becker.
1,383 reviews13 followers
April 19, 2018
Absent In The Spring is perhaps my favorite book in this series. There was something particularly enticing about this story line and characters, Lucy Shakespeare and Lachlan MacLeish. Ahh yes, from the moment they meet there's magic.

As the oldest of the Shakespeare sisters, Lucy has always been the one taking care of the necessities when there's a parent with failing health She tales responsibility very seriously and is the one with the most conservative professional role. It's her job as a lawyer that brings Lucy and Lachlan together. There's an element of the forbidden (he's her client), and one of adventure. And something about Lachlan that has Lucy experiencing feelings completely foreign to her. He's intriguing and the attraction is instantaneous.

"As soon as the elevator doors closed behind her, Lucy leaned her head on the mirrored wall, holding on to the handrail as it began to ascend. Though he was in the lobby, she could still smell his cologne, still see that dimpled smile. She’d never met somebody with so much presence, with such an easy ability to take her breath away. He was danger, dressed in a designer suit."

This story is probably the sexiest of the three. It's one of those cases where I swear the pheromones were coming off the page. Lachlan pulls Lucy out of her head and she begins taking chances where this "follow the rules" girl excels. Maybe it's allure that Lachlan provides. I for one loved seeing her shed her inhibitions. But Lachlan is pretty dreamy, hes a very balanced character, a little broken and as with Lucy's attraction to him, Lachlan finds himself taking emotional risks

"That was another thing about him, he knew how to say all the right things. But more than that, the way he looked at her only underscored his words, making her feel as though she was the most important person in his life."

Aside from the noticeable heat between them, they do build a friendship based on mutual respect and that points to one of the reasons why I love reading book by Carrie Elks. They are multifaceted with characters and situations that are well thought out and fully developed. As with the other Shakespeare Sisters book, the family comes together to support each other and even through perceived wrong doings.

In it all, Elks takes us on a vacation to the Scottish Highlands and Paris. And of course there's Miami and New York. Maybe Lucy does get a little something from her two youngest sisters and their ability embrace the unknown. Another 5 star addition to the series

*I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
Profile Image for Samantha Kilford.
210 reviews106 followers
April 26, 2018
Little, Brown were extremely generous enough to provide me with a copy to review.

Carrie Elks never disappoints. Her books are easy and entertaining reads full of witty humour, angst and heart-warming moments and the third book in the highly enjoyable Shakespeare Sisters series is no different.

From the first meeting between Lucy and Lachlan, the spark is evident and Absent in the Spring takes us globetrotting from Miami, to snowy Scotland, to a romantic jaunt in Paris as we follow the blossoming relationship between the American businessman and his solicitor. The way in which Elks writes about these locations in such vivid and lush detail makes it all feel genuine, as if you're actually there right alongside the happy couple!

Often fluffy romantic literature can either feel sickly sweet and overbearing or just overdramatic, but Elks knows how to seamlessly blend just the right amount of angst/will-they-won't-they-trouble with steamy and heart-fluttering scenarios. I loved the witty one-liners and flirtatious exchanges between not just Lachlan and Lucy, but every couple in Elks' romantic series as no matter how unlikely the situation, the couples always come across as real and the romance always has me on tenterhooks. The Shakespeare Sisters series is one of the most enjoyable chick lit series I've read in a long, long time and Absent in the Spring is a brilliant addition to its predecessors.

I look forward to picking up the next instalment in the series and seeign what other romantic adventures else Elks cooks up!
Profile Image for Lizzi.
2,056 reviews16 followers
May 2, 2018
This is the first book in this series that I have read, and I will now go and read the others. This book was a slow burn, but so romantic. Loved Lachlan and Lucy and the global trotting to get to their HEA!!
Profile Image for Daniela  Daneva.
303 reviews11 followers
November 8, 2024
Поредната прекрасна история от четирилогията!
Profile Image for Peggy M.
815 reviews8 followers
April 23, 2018
4,5 stars


I received an ARC of this book and this is my voluntarily, honest review of it.

‘Absent in the Spring’ is the third book in the ‘Shakespeare sisters’ series. Each book in the series can be read as a standalone but I would suggest that you start with book one. Simply because I enjoyed the three books very much and also because that way you can also follow the relationship between the four sisters and their search for love.

Just like the other two book in the series I liked ‘Absent in the Spring’ very much.
I must confess that I was very curious about Lucy’s story because in the two precious books she came over (to me) as very intelligent but also much more serious, more in control then the other sisters. But I think that that is normal when you are the eldest daughter of four and you lost your mother on a young age. It’s almost natural that the eldest child then takes on more responsibility, especially when the father isn’t up to it. But in this book I discovered a different side of Lucy, a more adventures side and I was very glad about that.

Although both Lucy and Lachlan are work alcoholics. They have both come to a point in their lives where they both need more than just work. I really appreciated that although there was an instant attraction between t hem, they didn’t immediately give it to it. They both fought it for different reasons but there’s always that point where the attraction is just too much to resist anymore.
But because they live in different countries, in different time zones, it isn’t going to be easy to have a relationship together.

I really liked that fact that the long distance’ relationship’ was part of this story. The frustration, the longing, the trust in each other, the impact it had on their careers. I found it very fascinating to read about it. One of the things that I also appreciated in this story was the fact that both, Lucy and Lachlan, took effort to see each other. It didn’t come from one side only, it was in balance. They both put energy into the relationship.

Just like in the other two books the writing style was fluent, the story was easy to read. I liked both characters very much. Lachlan is a strong character but never too dominant. He’s intelligent but he’s not arrogant. Lucy is intelligent with a good heart, loyal to her family and friends.

I’m already looking forward to the next book that will be about the last of the Shakespeare sisters.
Profile Image for Цвети Запрева.
108 reviews5 followers
March 18, 2025
Луси е най-голямата от четирите сестри и изключително успешен адвокат. Тя обича да държи под контрол всичко и всички, но нещата се променят когато се запознава с привлекателния предприемач Лаклан, който на свой ред е свикнал да получава винаги най-доброто. За това, когато неговия полубрат успорва наследството му, Лаклан се обръща към кантората, в която работи Луси. Привлечени един от друг, двамата се впускат в борба за титла и замък в Шотландия, но дали нещата няма да излязат извън контрол?

Кари Елкс определено знае как да завладее сърцето на читателите си, грабвайки ме още с първата си книга, тя се нареди сред любителите ми автори.
"Пролетна магия" е лека, романтична история, която разказва за щастието да получиш втори шанс. Междувременно ни отвежда на прекрасни места като Единбург, Ню Йорк, Париж.

Ако все още не сте се запознали с творчеството на авторката и сте фенове на любовните романи Ви съветвам да го направите. Определено ще Ви хареса. 🌸
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Ellie ☀️.
31 reviews4 followers
August 2, 2025
2.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Honestly the book wasn't for me. I guess I could say I liked the plot. the characters were okay. The first part of the book was awesome I even wanted to learn more about law but the second part of the book seemed a bit slow (or at least for me). I also didn't know that there were a few freaky chapters which I did not enjoy because I thought that the book was cutesy and innocent. Would I read it again, no. Would I recommend it - it depends but I feel like I would just because it's something that perhaps my friends would enjoy reading but again not for me.
Profile Image for Stacey .
634 reviews16 followers
May 17, 2018
This wasn't my first book by the author but it was my first read from the Shakespeare sisters series. (As a side note - how beautiful are the covers?!)

This book is the story of Lucy & Lachlan - lawyer & client. The attraction between the two of them is clear from the first meeting, but I could tell that one of them was going to fight it - understandable, given their professional relationship! But, our heart doesn't always go the way we want, does it?

Both MC's are fighting their own demons but won't open to each other, which frustrated me a little as they were so perfect for each other otherwise, and I was truly hoping for a happy ending.

The book is mostly set between two locations - Lucy's home of Scotland, and Lachlan's of New York. Elks' writing is so descriptive that I could actually imagine myself in the setting and wanted to jump into the book!

We briefly meet the other Shakespeare sisters in this book, and although it's a standalone I would probably want to read the series in order, as I think this one gives away what happens in the others.

Nonetheless, I really enjoyed this and look forward to reading the rest of the series!

4.5*
Profile Image for Diane.
926 reviews15 followers
April 2, 2018
This is the third book in a series about the Shakespeare sisters, but can also be read as a stand-alone. This is the story of the eldest sister Lucy. Lucy is a successful lawyer who try’s to look after the family by keeping the family secrets to herself. By trying to protect her sisters Lucy doesn’t even realise the damage she is causing herself. Through her work she meets and falls in love with Lachlan another damaged soul. Can they help each other repair the damage and move on. A great read.
Profile Image for Teresa Lara.
3,411 reviews51 followers
April 20, 2018
what an amazing beautiful sweet love story.Lachlan and Lucy story was heart wrenching emotional and loving.
Profile Image for Melanie Moreland.
Author 72 books5,411 followers
April 28, 2018
Carrie Elks is a go-to-author for me. Her stories draw me in, her words delight, and her characters slip in my heart.

Absent in the Spring is the perfect example.

I love Carrie’s series. I am always anxious for the next book, and this one did not disappoint.—in fact it is my favorite.

Two people are brought together due to an inheritance. His life is nothing but work, her life is all about duty. Together, they discover life isn’t simply about existing. It is about love, forgiveness, and coming to grips with your past.

Together, they find love, and discover life is sweeter when you exist for someone else.

5 Springtime stars.
Profile Image for Reshu.
48 reviews
May 5, 2020
This is the third book in the series about the sisters and it about the eldest one.. Lucy ... How the story is woven around various cities to across the atlantic.. is amazing .. Its gripping and keep you on the urge to read more... It same carrie's style of writing .. Romantic with a twist .. good and easy read..
Profile Image for Lectrice-lambda.
434 reviews8 followers
July 1, 2019
Et voici le dernier tome de la série « The Shakespeare Sisters ». J’ai adoré suivre les trois précédentes soeurs, leurs histoires, leurs doutes, leurs vies. C’est avec un petit pincement au coeur que je me suis lancée dans cette dernière histoire, à la découverte de Lucy.

C’est l’aînée des soeurs Shakespeare, celle qui a toujours veillé sur les autres depuis la mort de sa mère. Très tôt, elle a dû prendre ces lourdes responsabilités, mais le bonheur de sa famille est la chose la plus importante pour elle.
Elle est également une avocate redoutable et reconnue pour son implication et sa volonté de fer. Elle aime avoir le contrôle sur tout et tout organiser. Alors lorsque Lachlan a besoin de ses services pour l’aider à défendre son héritage, Lucy ne s’attendait pas à autant perdre le contrôle sur ses sentiments et sur sa vie.
Lachlan, quant à lui, a besoin du meilleur avocat pour l’aider à conserver l’héritage de son père : un château en Écosse et un titre de Laird… Qui sont contestés par son propre demi-frère. Il ne veut pas perdre ce lieu qui est rempli de souvenirs. Pour lui, Lucy sera parfaite comme avocate, sauf qu’il ne s’imaginait pas être autant attiré par cette femme. Or, il doit être concentré sur son objectif et absolument pas déconcentré.

J’ai vraiment beaucoup aimé ce dernier tome. Je peux presque dire que finalement, Lucy est devenue ma soeur Shakespeare préférée.

On entre directement dans le vif du sujet avec la fameuse affaire concernant l’héritage de Lachlan.
La rencontre entre lui et Lucy arrive également rapidement, et l’on comprend de suite que cette simple rencontre professionnelle va être beaucoup plus que cela.
J’ai vraiment été sensible à cette première rencontre entre les deux personnages principaux, à leur première vision, leurs premiers instants ensemble. Ils s’aperçoivent et tombent immédiatement sous le charme, une attirance naturelle et impossible à refouler. Ils sont tous les deux adultes, dans la trentaine, et ce regard beaucoup plus mature m’a séduite. Ils dressent le portrait de l’autre avec délicatesse, un peu à la manière d’un peintre qui met des touches de couleurs sur sa toile.

La relation entre Lucy et Lachlan évolue lentement, avec langueur. On sait comment tout va se terminer, il n’y a aucun doute là-dessus.
Cependant, ils ont vraiment le sens des responsabilités et du professionnalisme, des qualités qui vont les empêcher de céder à la tentation, créant ainsi une tension bienvenue.
De plus, ils n’habitent pas dans les mêmes pays, des frontières et des kilomètres qui vont les empêcher de se voir tous les jours, même si finalement les rencontres vont être nombreuses.
Ce que j’ai vraiment apprécié dans leur histoire, c’est la dimension romantique du récit. On est vraiment sur un classique, mais qui réchauffe le coeur, avec un homme qui va tout faire pour courtiser la femme qu’il aime, même s’il ne le sait pas encore.

Heureusement, on ne tombe pas trop dans le « niais », notamment parce que Lucy est une vraie femme moderne. Une femme forte, qui cache ses douleurs et ses moments de faiblesse, qui a dû prendre ses responsabilités et qui assume pleinement son indépendance et sa carrière. J’ai beaucoup apprécié cette femme et ses valeurs.
Lachlan n’est pas en reste. Il fallait un homme avec du caractère et de la force pour tenir tête à Lucy. Avec lui, elle a clairement trouvé son compagnon idéal.

Tout au long du livre, nous retrouvons à plusieurs reprises les différentes soeurs Shakespeare qui font des apparitions plus ou moins longues. Quel bonheur de les revoir et de partager avec elles des moments volés, même si la plupart ne sont pas joyeux.
Il est par contre dommage que l’ordre de parution des tomes ne soit pas le même qu’en version originale, car on retourne en arrière avec « La fantaisie du printemps » puisque c’est le dernier tome en version française qui est en réalité le troisième en version originale. Du coup, il y a un décalage entre ce que l’on a lu et ce que l’on lit en se plongeant dans ce dernier opus et c’est un petit peu dérangeant pour le lecteur, mais cela n’empêche en rien de comprendre l’histoire.

La fin est le point qui m’a un peu moins convaincue, notamment parce que j’aurais aimé en avoir encore un peu plus !

En conclusion, « The Shakespeare Sisters, tome 4 : La fantaisie du printemps » est un dernier tome qui m’a complètement charmée. Carrie ELKS nous plonge dans l’histoire de Lucy et de Lachlan avec douceur et tendresse, avec un regard adulte de la vie. Derrière leurs forts caractères se cachent des êtres sensibles qui vont petit-à-petit apprendre à se connaître.
Ce côté très romance classique est contrebalancé par Lucy qui est une femme moderne et complètement indépendante et ce mélange rend l’histoire tout simplement belle.

Je vous conseille vivement la série « The Shakespeare Sisters » qui est à chaque fois un vrai moment de douceur et de tendresse.

( https://lectrice-lambda.blogspot.com/... )
March 21, 2020
Foi totalmente não planejado acompanhar a trajetória das irmãs Shakespeare. Eu nem esperava ler o primeiro livro, Um verão na Itália, mas li e amei a trama de Cesca e Sam. Depois conhecido Kitty e Adam, através de Um amor de Inverno. E agora, a terceira parte apresenta a mais velha das irmãs, a responsável workaholic Lucy Shakespeare e, desde já devo dizer, esse livro se tornou um dos meus queridinhos em chick lit adulto, justamente ao lado do primeiro da série, sobre Cesca e a linda Itália.

Acho que livro é muito coisa de momento. Eu estou em um momento bem doido da minha vida, e bem bagunçado também. Mudança de estado, de casa e de rotina, assusta mas também desafia a gente. E eu precisava demais nesse momento de uma estória moderna, mas que garantisse um final de feliz, mostrando que é possível vencer barreiras, ressentimentos e dores. E a estória de Lucy e Lachlan MacLeish, seu par romântico igualmente carismático, traz tudo o que eu queria em um livro nesse momento.

Apesar de prometer muito da Escócia, o livro não necessariamente está todo focado naquele país. Na verdade, a Escócia aparece bem pouquinho e até mesmo o tema inicial que é a disputa por uma propriedade naquelas terras entre dois irmãos rivais, ficou bem em segundo plano, quase inesxistente. A verdade é que Uma surpresa na primavera é uma estória de amor, puro e simples, então se você espera reviravoltas, suspense ou dramalhão, pode se decepcionar. A trama é bem linear, tem poucas super revelações ou mudanças, mas apresenta uma narrqativa tão gostosinha e aconchegante que é impossivel não se prender e querer mais e mais.

Lucy foi uma tremenda protagonista. Eu adorei a personalidade da garota. Centrada e responsável sem ser uma chatona. Decidida sem ser arrogante. E disposta a arriscar, humilde pra reconhecer seus erros, e acoma de tudo, mega coerente. Lucy Shakespeare foi uma das melhores protagonistas românticas que li. Bem trabalhada, completa e cheia de carisma, tive uma afinidade imediata com ela logo de cara e durante todo o livro me surpreendi mais e mais com a profundidade da personagem. Lachlan MacLeish é um par romântico à altura e não fica atrás em brilho. Adorei ver que ele é atraente, requintado e irreverente sem precisar se comportar como um macho alfa ou um bad boy idiota. Lachlan define bem o homem que agrada leitoras ao redor do mundo: moderno, real e confiante o suficiente pra se expor sem parecer forçado ou idealizado demais.

Uma delicia também foi encontrar os personagens das estórias anteriores e saber como prosseguem suas vidas. Tem um pouco mais de Kitty e Adam, e mais ainda de Cesca e Sam, além disso o leitor tem a oportunidade de conhecer mais dos pais das garotas, especialmente detalhes da falecida mãe. Achei legal a autora explorar também esse passado das garotas porque firma bem no leitor a idéia e a certeza de como e porque elas se tornaram tão unidas e tão fortes. O pai das garotas aliás traz um lado sensível e duro à estória, que acredito eu poderá ser ainda mais elaboraod no outro livro da série, o último, que retrará a estória de Juliet Shakespeare.

A ambientação continua sendo apaixonante porque a autora nos transporta à Paris, Nova York e Edimburgo, descrevendo cada cidade com uma sutileza agradável de acompanhar e nos fazendo sentir um pouquinho da magia de cada um destes lugares. Eu gosto da maneira como Carrie Elks descreve lugares, sensações, pessoas e sentimentos, é tudo muito crível, muito sucinto e convincente, a gente sente segurança e credibilidade na estória que nos é narrada e o leitor se pega completamente envolvido no roteiro criado pela autora.

Embora Um verão na Itália tenha sido uma leitura muito incrível, acho que Uma Surpresa na primavera se torna meu favorito da série, já que através desta estória me encantei por completo com a família Shakespeare e o destino de cada irmã.

Mais do que um romance, Uma surpresa na primavera é uma estória delicada sobre superação, perdão e perseverança, onde o leitor aprende que, às vezes, trocar o certo pelo duvidoso pode ser uma tremenda aventura e o início de um momento único e inesquecível.
Profile Image for Clare.
530 reviews17 followers
April 10, 2018
Absent in the Spring is the third book in this wonderful series about the Shakespeare sisters. This story features Lucy the eldest of four girls who took on the role of surrogate mother to her younger sisters after their mother tragically died and their father couldn't cope with it all. Lucy is a great character, she comes across as a strong, hardworking and independent woman which I totally love about her, but even though her flaws are few, sometimes her wilful but caring nature and her over the top need to protect her sisters, often brings trouble to her door. She is a truly believable character and I found that I could easily relate to her.
Lachlan Macleish our very dashing hero was very swoon worthy... * sigh * your in for a real treat! but he is whole different kettle of fish to Lucy as he is a rich and powerful businessman that is very distant to his family apart from his sick mother. I absolutely adored his character, although he too has a very strong minded personality that often causes him more damage than good in his own life because of his stubborn and wilful nature. Carrie Elks certainly got his personality absolutely right because aren't most real alpha men like that? Haha!! So here I'm being absolutely honest now ladies, hands up and tell me what woman fictional or real wouldn't want to forgive him for all his misgivings especially as he is such a hot, sexy and handsome man, one who's also extremely charming and with such a great sense of humour, and not to mention that he could have in his future the possibility of being a dashing kilt wearing Scottish Laird? Well I certainly would forgive him that's for sure. (Especially as I do love a man in a kilt) but I'm not saying that just because he's a fine male specimen that it still doesn't stop it from leading to a battle of wills for Lucy and Lachlan regardless of how attracted they are to each other.
Our hero and his heroine have a great chemistry and connection that builds and burns slowly between them throughout the book which was particularly exciting to read about but at times I could have absolutely banged both of their heads together for being so stupid of not seeing what was there all along in front of them, on occasion they were utterly infuriating, exasperating even, proving what I said before about them both being stubborn, which leads them to go through a lot of heartache and unnecessary pain. but their story is not only a romance full of passion fire and drama it's a journey of learning about when to let go and of following your heart. Many times as I was reading this book I became a little tearful because of what was going on in their lives, with their families and of how the past had affected them both and shaped them into the people they had become. The setting of the lodge in Scotland was described beautifully and I really felt like I was there with them both seeing it all for the first time, it was breathtaking. Carrie Elks has written an amazing emotional story that really touched my heart. Her writing is always flawless and each book in this series just keeps getting better and better. I think that this might just be my favorite book by this author and of this series.
Profile Image for Vania Nunes.
2,323 reviews51 followers
December 11, 2021
A contracapa me deixou um tanto perdida... Fala que este é o último livro da série. Mas não tem ainda o livro da 4ª irmã? Que doideira é essa, Verus? O revisor não reparou isso????

Lucy Millicent Shakespeare é a irmã mais velha. Trabalha como advogada em Direito Imobiliário em Edimburgo... e guarda um terrível segredo da família.

Uma disputa familiar de uma propriedade nas Terras Altas leva Lucy a viajar para Miami, onde ela conheceria seu cliente, o empresário Lachlan MacLeish.
Lachlan recebeu, via testamento, o castelo de Glencarraig, assim como o título de Laird de Glencarraid, líder do clã, pela morte de seu pai.
Acontece que Lachlan era filho mais velho, mas ilegítimo, por isso, seu meio-irmão estava contestando o testamento.

Tudo levava a crer que, apesar de ser um caso delicado, não havia como Lachlan perder.
Enquanto cuidava do caso, Lucy também teria de encarar a situação de saúde de seu pai, que mostrava sinais de demência e já não podia morar sozinho em Londres.
Com as irmãs, cada uma morando numa parte diferente do globo, e ela sendo a mais velha, sempre tomava para si a responsabilidade em manter todos unidos.
Mas ninguém sabia que parte desse peso que ela carregava era agravado pela culpa.

Com a própria mãe também passando por problema delicado de saúde, Lachlan começa a rever as prioridades na vida. Além de sentir-se só, ele se vê querendo rever a propriedade herdada que ele não visitava desde que era garoto. E pede que a advogada, mais conhecedora da região, vá com ele.

Os dias que passam lá mexem com os dois, que se aproximam romanticamente. Trocam confidências, e ele consegue arrancar dela como conseguiu a cicatriz que tinha. No acidente que vitimou a mãe, quando Lucy tinha 15 anos.

Lucy não poderia ter um romance com um cliente, assim, avisa no escritório que sairia do caso. Ao mesmo tempo, ela começa a passar por um turbilhão na família quando Cesca descobre o segredo que Lucy vinha mantendo há tanto tempo das irmãs.

Tudo vem a baixo.
O trabalho.
O romance com Lachlan.
A interação familiar.
Qual dessas questões ela daria prioridade?

Lucy e Lachlan não são tão mais velhos assim (29 e 34 anos, respectivamente), mas o enredo traz um relacionamento/romance de pessoas mais maduras, se não pela idade, pelas experiências vividas e responsabilidades impostas.
Os dois também enfrentam doenças sérias com seus progenitores, e, com isso, a culpa em algum grau.
Ainda que a gente saiba que é uma série/romance de final feliz, o caminho percorrido por cada personagem nos leva a pensar em nossas próprias escolhas; as decisões nem sempre fáceis de serem tomadas e as expectativas postas nelas.
É certo querer a felicidade de entes queridos em detrimento de nossa própria?
Um romance questionador, no qual nem sempre se perde na derrota e se ganha na vitória.
5 estrelas

Quote: A primeira vez que vi essa cicatriz, pensei no Kintsugi. Você a esconde como se fosse algo para se envergonhar. Mas as cicatrizes não te desfiguram, são medalhas. Elas mostram que você sobreviveu.

Profile Image for Lucie.
1,050 reviews38 followers
June 20, 2019
Les Shakespeare Sisters tirent leurs révérences demain et pour ce dernier opus c'est l'aîné des sœurs qui a son tour aura eu son happy-end. Lucy a eu un rôle important dans la vie de ses sœurs et cette femme active qui se plie en quatre pour ses proches ne m'a pas déçue. Après quatre mois à vivre au rythme des saisons, des découvertes de cette famille attachante c'est l'heure de clôturer cette série et de laisser les personnages vivre leur vie.

Depuis la mort de sa mère Lucy a toujours tout contrôlé, à commencer par sa carrière d'avocate qu'elle mène brillamment et qui ne laisse pas la place à l'imprévue. Seulement sa rencontre avec Lachlan McLeish va venir bouleverser son quotidien millimétré et la conduire vers l'inconnu. Lachlan a besoin de la meilleure dans le domaine pour le défendre s'il ne veut pas perdre son héritage : la propriété et le titre de Glencarraig. Le ton professionnellement va rapidement se transformer en distraction, et alors qu'ils tentent de rester focalisé sur leur travail, ils vont devoir se rendre à l'évidence, la petite étincelle ne cesse de gagner en intensité et la flamme brille.

J'ai apprécié découvrir Lachlan et le voir évoluer dans son quotidien à Miami et interagir en tant que chef d'entreprise, on voit rapidement que c'est un homme respecté et qu'il a réussi à faire ses preuves sans l'argent de son père. Au fil des pages on apprend davantage sur son enfance et sur les séquelles qu'il a conservées, mais on ne s'attend pas à le voir tout lâcher pour redécouvrir une propriété qu'il n'avait pas visitée depuis son enfance. Il a un côté assez surprenant, il endosse l'image d'un homme d'affaires respecté et sa notoriété ne semble pas l'intéressé, son cercle d'amis est d'ailleurs très restreint et en leur compagnie je lui ai découvert un côté vulnérable.

Celle qu'il me tardait le plus de découvrir dans cette histoire c'est Lucy, dans chacun des tomes consacrés aux sœurs Shakespeare ont a pu constater l'influence que l'aîné à eu sur sa fratrie. Elles s'accordent toutes à dire que depuis la mort de leur mère Lucy a toujours répondu présente pour porter assistance à ses sœurs et bien qu'elle n'est jamais pue remplacer le rôle d'une maman, sa dévotion n'a échappé à aucune des sœurs. Désormais ses sœurs peuvent compter sur les hommes de leur vie et face à ces changements la jeune avocate va se laisser absorber par sa vie professionnelle, laissant de côté sa vie personnelle. Sa rencontre avec Lachlan va complètement bousculer la vie qu'elle s'est construite et il va lui montrer l'importance de se reposer sur quelqu'un.

L'histoire aborde un côté de la romance un peu plus érotique et en comparaison des autres tomes ça ajoute un côté épicé très appréciable. Et l’alchimie du couple fonctionne parfaitement. On termine cette série sur une jolie conclusion tant du côté de la romance, que du côté de la fratrie qui a su consolider des liens que la distance avait fragilisés. La narration à la troisième personne pourrait en bloquer certain, moi-même n'étant pas une grande fan lors de la lecture, mais en toute honnêteté on oublie facilement ce détail en découvrant l'histoire.

Ma chronique : my link text
Profile Image for Carole.
1,875 reviews62 followers
September 1, 2019
2.5/5

http://www.my-bo0ks.com/2019/09/the-s...

Ca y est, l'histoire des soeurs Shakespeares touche à sa fin. C'est au tour de Lucy, l’aînée de nous raconter son histoire, son parcours. J'étais vraiment pressée de lire ce tome car je vous avoue que l'ambiance écossaise, un grand domaine avec un mystérieux Laird qui doit tout faire pour garder son héritage, ça avait de quoi intriguer. Et puis, sachant qu'il s'agissait du "dernier" tome, j'étais vraiment impatiente d'avoir enfin les quatre histoires de nos chères soeurs. Un peu comme si on quittait sa famille.

Si le début de La fantaisie du Printemps m'a plutôt bien embarquée, je me suis rapidement mise à déchanter. En réalité, passé le cap de la première rencontre et des explications du contexte j'ai eu la sensation de faire du surplace. L'histoire n'avançait pas spécialement vite et à part l'attirance - évidente - de nos deux héros vis-à-vis de l'autre.

A vrai dire, j'ai été assez déroutée de me rendre compte que l'essentiel ne se passait pas au domaine. Je m'attendais à découvrir celui-ci, ces coutumes, l'envers du décor et tout ce qui va avec tout en me plongeant dans cette ambiance bien écossaise. Et de ce côté là, je suis restée sur ma faim. Certes, Lucy fait son travail comme jamais et apporte l'aide à son client dont il avait besoin mais le tout reste très en surface. Pourtant, il y avait vraiment matière à développer, notamment du côté des deux frères et de l'histoire avec leur père. L'auteure n'a pas vraiment mis en avant cet aspect et je trouve ça assez dommage...

Nos personnages sont néanmoins attachants, drôles et mignons à souhait mais il m'a manqué les étincelles, les émotions et la profondeur qui allaient rendre leur couple vraiment mémorable. Il faut dire que la comparaison se fait forcément avec les soeurs, et notamment le tome juste avant, qui avait réussi à me plonger dans une ambiance de Noël en pleine canicule.

Ce que je déplore, c'est de ne pas les avoir lu dans l'ordre original. Car même si ce ne sont que des détails, les histoires s'entremêlent et certains passages ont une importance. Et malheureusement, savoir des choses sur certaines soeurs avant de les vivre pleinement, ça "gâche" un peu le final qui n'en est plus vraiment un.

En conclusion, si j'ai passé un bon moment en compagnie de Lucy et Lachlan, je dirais que ce tome est en-dessous des autres. Néanmoins, je vous conseille fortement cette série (que je lirais dans l'ordre original) si vous aimez les histoires de famille, d'amour et d'amitié !

382 reviews18 followers
April 1, 2018
Carrie Elks has yet again delivered a stunning classic - a story of two souls more alike than they could have ever have first realised, drawn together like moths to a flame seeing in each other something they recognised from inside themselves. Lucy and Lachlan both bear scars, physical and mental, but like the Kintsugi china they find that by repairing themselves the result can be something far more beautiful.

As ever with this author's stories I found myself falling in love with the characters and rooting for them to find their happy ever after. My heart was opened wide to Lachlan right from the start, it was obvious he had so much to give and, even if he didn't know it, that he needed something more in his life.. and as much of a workaholic as Lachlan, Lucy had always put everything and everyone else before herself, she finally deserved some happiness of her own.

Lachlan had a way about him that made a smile spread across my face often, so no wonder Lucy couldn't resist him, even though she knew it could be professional suicide.

Could love conquer all, or would their bubble burst before it could ever be released to fly high.

The settings take you to the heart of the stunning scenery in Scotland and transatlantic to New York and Miami, and everywhere they go Carrie manages to put you right in the heart of the story with her perfect descriptions.

As with the previous books in the Shakespeare Sisters series, I truly love the connection these sisters have and how it is interwoven into the stories - "together, they were more than the sum of their parts. They made broken look beautiful."

There were also lots of laugh out loud moments caused by conversations between them - " ‘You keep believing that,’ Kitty said. ‘And next week you can tell me how Santa Claus truly exists, and that the Tooth Fairy is building a palace with all of our molars.’ " !!

But also tears, as Lucy comes to realise that she can't always control everything or protect her sisters from real life.

There is also plenty of humour between Lachlan and Lucy, but outstanding for me is the way Carrie manages to write such tasteful sex scenes that have you burning from within - at one point I was so hot under the collar I could have been right there in his bedroom next to the roaring fire!

I couldn't wait to get my hands on this story and was honoured to receive an arc copy, this in no way biases my opinion as this story really is all I hoped it would be and more ...and I eagerly await the fourth instalment from the sisters, in November!
Profile Image for Jennifer.
Author 13 books977 followers
May 27, 2018
I have to admit something upfront. Although, I’ve been purchasing the books of the Shakespeare Sisters series, I hadn’t settled down long enough to read the first two installments. But when Absent in the Spring was released, there was just something about the book that begged me to pause and give it my full attention.

This book focuses on the story of Lucy Shakespeare, the eldest of the 4 Shakespeare sisters. As the first born daughter in a family without a mother, Lucy has spent her much of her life assuming a maternal role and the responsibilities that accompany it. As a result, she maintains tight control over her life and has thrived in her career as a lawyer.

When her legal services are retained by an American to represent his interests in a contentious inheritance case, she finally meets her match in Lachlan MacLeish. He is a successful businessman, making his own mark on the corporate world even as he follows in the professional footsteps of his Scottish father, a man he’s been distanced from his entire life. When Lachlan inherits the Lairdship of Glencarraig from his father’s estate, he finds himself fighting for his birthright in court.

Lachlan is that perfect type of man for me. He’s intelligent, looks magnificent in a suit, has a fun-loving and romantic streak, and fights for the family and the woman he loves with determination and passion. As Lucy spends more time with her newest client, she finds her self-control slipping whenever they’re together. The two soon begin a passionate love affair that is nothing less than pure magic. The connection between Lucy and Lachlan is palpable and swept me away into one of those perfect reads that I didn’t want to end.

Although this is Book 3 in the series, it can be easily read as a stand alone and Carrie Elks fills in other essential details of the bigger picture effortlessly. I never felt confused or left scrambling to piece together information I may have missed in the earlier books.

I am a true and solid fan of this series and am eager to read the rest. There is no doubt that Absent in the Spring will be one of my favorite reads of 2018.
Profile Image for Anielka .
194 reviews4 followers
May 9, 2019
Tym razem po książkę sięgnęłam bez żadnego zastanowienia i bez czytania opisu. Po przeczytaniu „Miłość zimową porą” było dla mnie jasne, że koniecznie muszę sięgnąć po historię o kolejnej z sióstr Shakespare. Pozycje wychodzące spod pióra Carrie Elks są niezwykle urocze, słodkie i wciągające.

„Wiosna w sercu” przedstawia nam historię Lucy i Lachlana, czyli najstarszej z sióstr oraz jej klienta, który potrzebował pomocy przy sprawie spadkowej. Tak jak w przypadku poprzedniej części, mamy tutaj dość słodką i uroczą historię, z czego jestem niesamowicie zadowolona. Nie jest to kolejny przesycony seksem erotyk, a właśnie uroczy romans co jest miłą odmianą.

Fajnie, że autorka zdecydowała się na malowniczą Szkocję wiosną. Carrie naprawdę umiejętnie wprowadza klimat i strasznie fajnie czytało się coś, gdzie akcja działa się o tej porze roku. Naprawdę spodobał mi się ten wiosenny motyw i jestem strasznie ciekawa, jak to będzie wyglądało przy lecie i jesieni. Mam nadzieję, że autorka podoła.

„Wiosna w sercu" to świetny, uroczy, ciepły i nieco słodki romans. Dzięki tej wiosennej atmosferze niesamowicie fajnie się go czytało, ale sądzę, że można spokojnie czytać tę pozycję obojętnie w jakim czasie. Malownicza Szkocja kupiła mnie w stu procentach, z czego również jestem zadowolona. Jeśli szukacie właśnie czegoś takiego to ta pozycja, a nawet cała seria będą idealne. Zdecydowanie polecam Wam przygody sióstr Shakespare w leniwe wieczory!

Pełną opinię znajdziecie na moim blogu, zapraszam!
www.zaczytanaanielka.blogspot.com
~Zaczytana Anielka~
Displaying 1 - 30 of 113 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.