Christie C. (ChristieC) reviewed The Summer Kitchen (Blue Sky Hill, Bk 2) on + 145 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Awesome book! The characters are very well written and you totally get sucked into the story. Definitely recommend!!
Helpful Score: 2
As always, Lisa pulls me into the story and keeps me there. It is a book that is hard to put down and I felt all the emotions described in the book. Lisa Wingate is good at looking at the human emotions, the responses to situations we find ourselves in and the resiliency of the human spirit. 5 stars, definitely.
Eileen S. (smileen) -
Another heartwarming book by Lisa Wingate.( She, of the Tending Roses series I always recommend!)
This is written from two views, SandraKaye, a mother going through a major upheaval in her family life, and Cass, the young orphan she befriends who is going through more than any 12 year old should be. This story contains domestic violence, drug addiction, poverty and homelessness, but tugs at your heartstrings in every chapter.
This is written from two views, SandraKaye, a mother going through a major upheaval in her family life, and Cass, the young orphan she befriends who is going through more than any 12 year old should be. This story contains domestic violence, drug addiction, poverty and homelessness, but tugs at your heartstrings in every chapter.
Another good series by Lisa Wingate.
Enjoyed this book very much! I look forward to reading more from this author.
Valerie S. (VolunteerVal) -
The Summer Kitchen is book 2 in the Blue Sky Hill series but can be read on its own. The setting is an older economically depressed neighborhood in Dallas and the primary characters are well developed. SandraKaye and Cass are in mourning, scared of the future, and searching for meaning, although their lives are completely different. SandraKaye is married, has a family, and an enviable lifestyle and home, but her life is falling apart around her. Her physician husband is suddenly working many hours at the hospital and is seldom home; her son Jake has run off to Guatamela, her beloved uncle recently died due to a random act of violence, and her teenage son Christopher is struggling with all of the family changes. Cass is only 12 but presents herself to the world as a 17-year-old so she and her teenage brother Rusty won't raise the suspicions of well-intended strangers to call Child Protective Services since they're on their own following the death of their mother. This book is Christian fiction so references to church, prayer, faith, and God are part of the plot, but in a very natural non-preachy way. This novel does not shy away from tough subjects such as childhood hunger, domestic violence, drug abuse, etc. There's no romance in this book, which is a plus for some and a minus for others.
Each book in the Blue Sky Hill series made an impact on my thinking. Each book's theme caused to me to examine my attitudes towards some social issues. Lisa Wingate writes redeeming literature. She is one of my favorite authors. Start with book #1 and work through all of the series. You'll become more knowledgable and encouraged in your faith.
