Helpful Score: 3
I have read all of this series and at first I wasn't sure I would like this one. The other books seemed to tie in the previous characters a little more than this one. But after not giving up, I really did enjoy the story. After probably half way or so she did start mentioning more of the previous characters so that made me happy. =) I can't wait to see which character will be the main focus of the next one. All and all I would still recommend this book.
Helpful Score: 1
Although the beginning is a bit of a stretch, ultimately the story is compelling. The romance part of the story is great, but its secondary to the plot line about a little boy whose single mother is caught up in an INS sweep and deported. I thoroughly enjoyed this book
Another wonderful Susan Wiggs book. This is book #5 in the Lakeshore Chronicles series. It continues following the lives of the people of Avalon, NY. Susan Wiggs does a wonderful job of pulling you into the people in her books.
Here we have a sports plot that has been done quite a few times. A hot sports PR person helps fine-tune the public skills of a hot sports star. The PR person, after a very public and violent breakup with a previous client has vowed never to date a client again since that means losing not only the guy when the relationship end but the job as well. The sports guy even has a surprised son to deal with. But Wiggs does throw in some interesting things in regards to the son and his mother being caught up in INS and deportation (very heartbreaking and wished more time was exploring this).
Bo and Kim were never my favorite people in the series. But here they are a very sweet couple and compliment each other well. Although I really think Kim should learn not to mix business with pleasure in the future.
Surprisingly there were a lot of holes in this story and small details that didn't quite work out. Usually Wiggs creates more realistic characters that have true flaws. After the public breakup, Kim doesn't really suffer any reprocussions from essentially walking out on her job other than being fired via email. She was able to jump right back to it without any of her credibility damaged. Bo, being a womanizer, all of a sudden just becomes a misunderstood good guy. There was a lot of inconsistency with Bo's finances. Does he have money now that he has signed a pre-contract deal? Because he certainly throws it around at times. But then why does he move into a boarding house with his son and not get his own place. As a result, the story seemed more idylic and less real. Kind of like cookie cutter characters with an abrupt, easy happily ever ending slapped on.
It was an easy read but not my favorite from the series.
Bo and Kim were never my favorite people in the series. But here they are a very sweet couple and compliment each other well. Although I really think Kim should learn not to mix business with pleasure in the future.
Surprisingly there were a lot of holes in this story and small details that didn't quite work out. Usually Wiggs creates more realistic characters that have true flaws. After the public breakup, Kim doesn't really suffer any reprocussions from essentially walking out on her job other than being fired via email. She was able to jump right back to it without any of her credibility damaged. Bo, being a womanizer, all of a sudden just becomes a misunderstood good guy. There was a lot of inconsistency with Bo's finances. Does he have money now that he has signed a pre-contract deal? Because he certainly throws it around at times. But then why does he move into a boarding house with his son and not get his own place. As a result, the story seemed more idylic and less real. Kind of like cookie cutter characters with an abrupt, easy happily ever ending slapped on.
It was an easy read but not my favorite from the series.
The 5th book in the Lakeshore Chronicles is a fabulous lighthearted romantic romp. Susan Wiggs cleverly combines humor with a strong cast working through a difficult situation as life after striking out Kim has thrown two splitters at Bo just when he is about to join the Yankees.
Book five in the Lakeshore Chronicles, but you do not need to read the first four to follow Fireside. Bo Crutcher is finally getting his chance at Major League Baseball just as he's called to care for the son he's never known when the mother is brought in by immigration. Meanwhile, Kimberly VanDorn's career as a publicist is ruined when her relationship with a star athlete explodes publicly. She's hired to polish Bo's image for the press. After years of dealing with arrogant athletes, Bo's sincerity is a breath of fresh air. This was a sweet love story and the characters are likable. However, a lot of the story could be cut. It's more than halfway through the book before the characters admit any feelings for each other and the story with Bo's ex is really drawn out.
Aw, sweet ending! It seemed like Wiggs wrote a lot more background for Kim and Bo than the other Lakeshore Chronicles books, and it seemed to slow the pace down a bit.
Love this series...if you are looking for contemporary romanace with no major sex scence this author is a great choice & a super reality escape read that will keep you turning the pages.so far, not been dissapointed with any book in the lakeside chronical series. finished book 5
Very good book and Bo Crutcher is a kind and gentle man, with lots of patience too. Received this book through a book club and did not realize it was in a series, but was good by itself.
Another wonderful book in the Lakeshore Chronicles.
I loved this book! Susan Wiggs does such a good job; bringing joy and tears in equal measure. This one keeps you guessing right to the end. I'm really enjoying the town of Avalon, through the several books set in that area. I totally recommend this one!
Great book. Wonderful read.
This was a perfect comfort-read with a lot of depth and interesting characters. Like all Susan Wiggs books, Fireside is both well-written and thoroughly entertaining. For a Susan-Wiggs fan, this book delivers everything we've come to expect: fantastic writing, rich characters, and a captivating plot. For a new reader, this is wonderful introduction to a phenomenal author.
Eloise P. (loves-kingsbury) reviewed Fireside (Lakeshore Chronicles, Bk 5) on + 16 more book reviews
This is a wonderful series of books written by a terrific author! In this one the main female character is trying to help the main male character, Bo, polish up his life for the majors. He does well except he drops everything for his son. It's a good book!
great story - loved it
Kellyann M. (irishprincess318) reviewed Fireside (Lakeshore Chronicles, Bk 5) on + 2 more book reviews
This was a good story. It didn't have much about characters from the other books in the series though. Just enough to remind you of them. Nice easy read.
This was my 1st Susan Wiggs book, and it made me come back for more of her work! I love baseball stories, and this one was really cute!
This was the first book i have read of the series and once i got to know each character and the plot started to really develop and come together the book started moving at lightning speed and i ended up really liking it & finding it touching... Good romance as well as a touching account of the development and healing of the estranged relationship between a father and his young son (who had never met but do to a trajic event the boy is separated from his mother and sent to go live with his father) Plus the ending was not what i expected and it was better than i expected which is always nice... I would reccomend it... Im definitly going to go back and read the 1st 4 books in the series
"Fireside" is an entertaining read and a wonderful study of human nature.
From the start of this book, it was good reading. Love and what a father must do
Susan Wiggs sets this story in the small town of Avalon. Once again she included some information about characters featured in previous books, although not so much detail that it requires the reader to read her books in sequence. I recommend this book as an enjoyable read and can't wait to read the next book in the series.
Number 5 for the Lakeshore series. I was not as pumped about starting this book in the series. I had "met" the main male character in another book in the series and I wasn't impressed.. but this book turned it around. I had faith in Susan Wiggs an the Lakeshore series and neither she, nor the series, disappointed! This was a good read and a great addition to the series.
Another good read in the Lakeshore Chronicles books...a continuation of characters in this series...very good.
Another good one by Susan Wiggs!
This is the story of Bo and Kim; a very mismatched pair if I do say myself. Throw little AJ into the mix and it gets very complicated. Slow reading at times and the ending left me with more questions than answers. So so book.
very good read
This fifth in The Lakeshore Chronicles is worth the read. The suspense starts right off and continues through the twists and turns of events. A good weekend book.
Very good!