Helpful Score: 6
This is a classic case of "don't judge a book by it's cover"! It looks so sweet, but is such a heartbreaker. I loved it, though.
Helpful Score: 5
The reviews of this novel do not do it justice. I never cry over chick lit but this one got to me. Great characters, complex story and HEA ending, but never trite. The author writes the male characters in a multi-faceted way that never goes to the "he did her wrong". The women characters are just as well drawn. And the story takes twists and turns that keep you reading. This is a great book about how people stand up and take responsibility when life gets hard to bear.
Helpful Score: 4
Sometimes it takes a leap of faith in order to soar . . .
A gifted teacher, Lily Robinson adores her students, but fiercely guards her independent lifestyle. Deep inside, she is afraid of loving too deeply for fear of getting hurt. Only her best friend, Crystal, has ever been able to get close. Now an unthinkable tragedy has drawn Lily into the shattered lives of Crystal's family a family that suddenly needs her.
Sean McGuire is a rolling stone used to living in the shadow of his famous brother, Derek. He's made his own way in life, playing by his own rules. Then one April night everything changes when a fatal car crash orphans Derek and Crystal's three children. In an instant, Sean finds himself in the role of guardian.
Sean and Lily are brought together by tragedy, joined in their grief and their mutual love for these children. But raising three kids is a monumental job, and Sean realizes he's in over his head. And though Lily has been the unofficial aunt to these children since they were born, planting emotional roots means taking risks and Lily's not sure she can.
The ups and downs of love and family life can be a roller-coaster ride thrilling, unpredictable and downright terrifying, yet filled with incredible delight. and Sean and Lily are about to discover the possibilities that make everything seem worthwhile a future filled with hope, happiness and the certainty that trusting love is the best choice of all.
Susan Wiggs is the acclaimed, bestselling author of many poignant, unforgettable novels, including Summer by the Sea, The Ocean Between Us and Home Before Dark. she lives with her husband and daughter on an island in the Pacific Northwest, where she is currently at work on her next novel.
A gifted teacher, Lily Robinson adores her students, but fiercely guards her independent lifestyle. Deep inside, she is afraid of loving too deeply for fear of getting hurt. Only her best friend, Crystal, has ever been able to get close. Now an unthinkable tragedy has drawn Lily into the shattered lives of Crystal's family a family that suddenly needs her.
Sean McGuire is a rolling stone used to living in the shadow of his famous brother, Derek. He's made his own way in life, playing by his own rules. Then one April night everything changes when a fatal car crash orphans Derek and Crystal's three children. In an instant, Sean finds himself in the role of guardian.
Sean and Lily are brought together by tragedy, joined in their grief and their mutual love for these children. But raising three kids is a monumental job, and Sean realizes he's in over his head. And though Lily has been the unofficial aunt to these children since they were born, planting emotional roots means taking risks and Lily's not sure she can.
The ups and downs of love and family life can be a roller-coaster ride thrilling, unpredictable and downright terrifying, yet filled with incredible delight. and Sean and Lily are about to discover the possibilities that make everything seem worthwhile a future filled with hope, happiness and the certainty that trusting love is the best choice of all.
Susan Wiggs is the acclaimed, bestselling author of many poignant, unforgettable novels, including Summer by the Sea, The Ocean Between Us and Home Before Dark. she lives with her husband and daughter on an island in the Pacific Northwest, where she is currently at work on her next novel.
Helpful Score: 2
This book is so sad in the beginning you can hardly bear it- but it ends up so bittersweet and touching, you will really enjoy it!
Helpful Score: 2
Awesome book! You will not be dissapointed with this one! Get a box of tissues ready! But don't fret this book will make you happy also!
Helpful Score: 2
This one of the best books I have read in the past 5 years. I could hardly put it down. Excellent
Helpful Score: 2
Never say never is a good thing to remember in real life. This book shows life must be lived from moment to moment - because time goes on even when you are not looking. Enjoyed greatly.
Helpful Score: 2
This is a wonderful book about family, friends and relationships. While not a mystery, it has an element of suspense and anticipation that will keep you turning the pages.
Helpful Score: 2
Table for Five resonates with the sweetness and surprise of the unexpected paths life can take-and explores what it really means to be a family.
Helpful Score: 1
Sweet story of a schoolteacher and a golfer who are wildly unsuited but drawn together in the care of three orphaned children - mothered by her best friend and his brother. Not deep, but a sweet, warm tale which I enjoyed.
Helpful Score: 1
Good book. Predictable ending but a great journey. I laughed. I cried.
Helpful Score: 1
I loved this book. Wiggs makes the people she writes about in this book seem so real.
Helpful Score: 1
Wiggs gets it again and her stories really reach out and grab me. This one is great. Excellent read.
Helpful Score: 1
This book was very hard to put down. The characters were very captivating and the story line so realistic that it pulled me in. This is is a terrific read!
Helpful Score: 1
A Excellent summer read.
My first time reading Susan Wiggs and will look for more of her books.
My first time reading Susan Wiggs and will look for more of her books.
When Derek and Crystal Maguire are killed in a car accident, their three children are left to be raised by their designated guardians -- Lily Robinson and Sean McGuire. Brought together by tragedy, the two strangers are joined in grief and their mutual love for these orphaned children. Sean and Lily are about to embark on the journey of ups and downs, patience and understanding that makes a family. And along the way they will find a future filled with hope, happiness and the certainty that love is the best choice of all.
I loved it. A tear jerker but very greatly done. Bravo.
great story
I couldn't put the book down. Some golf references if you like PGA, which I do follow.
Great book! Very hard to put down! Tragedy,love,happiness!! Everything in one great book!
An outstanding example of a book in the "romance" category, one I normally avoid. This has wonderful character development, a gripping plot, and just about everything I like in any book.
Loved this book. Stayed up until 4 a.m. to finish it.
Great book! Susan Wiggs really knows how to paint a picture with words.
Pretty good. Kind of predictable.
Another good book from Susam Wiggs. Great story about a woman who has to care for 3 children when their divorced parents are killed.
Very enjoyable book about two unrelated people sharing a tragedy and the gardianship of three children. Their journey to becoming a family is filled with struggles and love.
Loved this book - a little depressing in some parts - but a good read!
What a great book although I had to keep a box of tissues handy.
Susan Wiggs is a great writer. I loved this book of hers. She tells real life stories
Fairly predictable but a cute, easy read!
This is only the second book I've read by Wiggs and I'm definitely getting more. I love that she takes her time (definitely not a "wham bam thank you" kind of romance. It was heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time to read about the challenges of putting the family back together after losing love ones.
Great read. I couldn't put it down. It's a tearjerker though.
Great read. I couldn't put it down. It's a tearjerker though.
Fun book and light read for hot summer time.
Susan Wiggs always tells a good story.
Very good read, but had a hard time connecting with the schoolteacher character, found the character off putting and irritating. Not someone I would root for or hope that they make a connection.
A great relaxing read. A great beach book!A very good love story with a twist when a friend is called on to care for her sister's children when both parents are killed in a car crash.There are many twists that keep it interesting. This made me want to read more of her books.
Predictable but you'll like the Halloway kids. Good if you want something less dramatic.
Great book, heartwrenching, joyous, amazing.
Wiggs writes emotionally satisfying books, and this is another of her good reads.
Great reading, but I found some grammatical and spelling errors. That's just me--they jump off the page. Good story, nevertheless.
about the power of love thur tragedy and the friendship the bins together
Excellent book. I couldn't put it down.
A lite contemporary romance with handsome golfers and "repressed" school teacher.
Very good romance!!
This book is good and very interesting it makes me believe that things happen for a reason.
First I've read by this author, will look for more from her.
This book is about three children and two adults dealing with the death of parents and friends. I thought is was a very good book. I couldn't put it down
Couldn't put it down. Susan Wiggs is one my favorite authors.
This was one of her best books yet. She is a great author and her talent really shines through in this one.
GREAT book! Could not put it down!
Modern love story with the emotional tug of children who have lost their parents. Wonderful and emotional.
Loved this book!
Although I could tell what was going to happen in this book just by reading the snippets on the back cover, it was a very well-written book. As the story progresses, the gut-wrenching reality happens and Lily and Sean are thrown together to take care of the children left homeless by a tragic accident. They embark on a wonderful adverture together. Some would call this book very predictable, but I thoroughly enjoyed it just the same.
I like Susan Wiggs' books and this one was especially good. A story of turmoil and divorce in a family with the parents reunited in death. Those left behind found strengths they didn't know they had and created a new family with and for the children that were orphaned.Susan Wiggs is another of those authors tht I don't think get the recognition they deserve.
Really good book, despite a very heavy first half. By the time I was halfway through I was wishing the book was longer. I liked the hero and heroine and the kids -- a good read.
Very sweet story...fast read! Great summer beach or pool book.
A gifted teacher, Lily Robinson adores her students, but fiercely guards her independent lifestyle. Deep inside, she is afraid of loving too deeply for fear of getting hurt. Only her best friend, Crystal, has ever been able to get close. Now an unthinkable tragedy has drawn Lily into the shattered lives of Crystal's family a family that suddenly needs her.
Sean McGuire is a rolling stone used to living in the shadow of his famous brother, Derek. He's made his own way in life, playing by his own rules. Then one April night everything changes when a fatal car crash orphans Derek and Crystal's three children. In an instant, Sean finds himself in the role of guardian.
Sean and Lily are brought together by tragedy, joined in their grief and their mutual love for these children. But raising three kids is a monumental job, and Sean realizes he's in over his head. And though Lily has been the unofficial aunt to these children since they were born, planting emotional roots means taking risks and Lily's not sure she can.
Very enjoyable read by Susan Wiggs
Sean McGuire is a rolling stone used to living in the shadow of his famous brother, Derek. He's made his own way in life, playing by his own rules. Then one April night everything changes when a fatal car crash orphans Derek and Crystal's three children. In an instant, Sean finds himself in the role of guardian.
Sean and Lily are brought together by tragedy, joined in their grief and their mutual love for these children. But raising three kids is a monumental job, and Sean realizes he's in over his head. And though Lily has been the unofficial aunt to these children since they were born, planting emotional roots means taking risks and Lily's not sure she can.
Very enjoyable read by Susan Wiggs
Sometimes it takes a leap of faith in order to soar . . . A gifted teacher, Lily Robinson adores her students, but fiercely guards her independent lifestyle. Deep inside, she is afraid of loving too deeply for fear of getting hurt. Only her best friend, Crystal, has ever been able to get close. Now an unthinkable tragedy has drawn Lily into the shattered lives of Crystal's family -- a family that suddenly needs her. Sean McGuire is a rolling stone used to living in the shadow of his famous brother, Derek. He's made his own way in life, playing by his own rules. Then one April night everything changes when a fatal car crash orphans Derek and Crystal's three children. In an instant, Sean finds himself in the role of guardian. Sean and Lily are brought together by tragedy, joined in their grief and their mutual love for these children. But raising three kids is a monumental job, and Sean realizes he's in over his head. And though Lily has been the unofficial aunt to these children since they were born, planting emotional roots means taking risks -- and Lily's not sure she can. The ups and downs of love and family life can be a roller-coaster ride -- thrilling, unpredictable and downright terrifying, yet filled with incredible delight. and Sean and Lily are about to discover the possibilities that make everything seem worthwhile -- a future filled with hope, happiness and the certainty that trusting love is the best choice of all. Susan Wiggs is the acclaimed, bestselling author of many poignant, unforgettable novels, including Summer by the Sea, The Ocean Between Us and Home Before Dark. she lives with her husband and daughter on an island in the Pacific Northwest, where she is currently at work on her next novel.
another good read from Susan Wiggs
Too good to put down!!! This is the first book I read by Susan Wiggs but I will read more.
Lily Robinson and Sean McGuire have nothing in common other than the shared guardianship of Sean's nieces and nephew. Brought together by tragedy the two strangers are joined in grief and their mutual love for these children.
Lily Robinson and Sean McGuire have nothing in common other than the shared guardianship of Sean's nieces and nephew. Brought together by tragedy the two strangers are joined in grief and their mutual love for these children.
This was such a great book! I can certainly recommend this book to anyone that loves to cry as well as laugh while reading!
Jackie S
Jackie S
Loved the book, will try more by this author.
Two strangers, Lily and Sean are brought together when they share guardianship of Sean's neices and nephews. They work hard to make their group a "family".
First Susan Wiggs book that I've read and would highly recommend her after reading this. Found it to be gripping as it dealt with the loss of live but it was tender and funny and I just loved it.
Love blossoms between school teacher and divorced father of three who is trying desparately to raise three children, make a living and do all the right things. Very heartwarming and deep with emotion. Very nice story, and I was sorry when it ended.
This was a really interesting book. A little predictable, but still, well written and worth the read!
Loved this book
A delightful story of 5 people who are brought together through a tragic accident and become a family
A great read. Susan Wiggs is always worth the time.
A really sweet book. . . this was a good book to read.
Wonderful and endearing!!!
This is a wonderful story of life and left turns. It about family and love. As Susan spins her magic on the story you will not be able to walk away. This is one family you will remember!
Book Description:
Lily Robinson and Sean McGuire have nothing in common other than the shared guardianship of Sean's nieces and nephew. Brought together by tragedy, the two strangers are joined in grief and their mutual love for these children. Now Sean and Lily are about to embark on the journey of ups and downs, patience and understanding that makes a family. And along the way they will find a future filled with hope, happiness and the certainty that love is the best choice of all.
Lily Robinson and Sean McGuire have nothing in common other than the shared guardianship of Sean's nieces and nephew. Brought together by tragedy, the two strangers are joined in grief and their mutual love for these children. Now Sean and Lily are about to embark on the journey of ups and downs, patience and understanding that makes a family. And along the way they will find a future filled with hope, happiness and the certainty that love is the best choice of all.
Wiggs is an excellent author. All of her books are good and quick easy reads!
This is a unique storyline, with the two, high-powered, high-profile parents killed in a road accident early in the book. It is how the children, the husbands' brother and wife's best friend learn to cope with the life in which they suddenly find themselves.
Here are my impressions:
Positive Reactions --
This seems to be a very realistic view of a professional golfer's milieu. It certainly isn't all the glitz-and-glamour that we see.
This book grabbed my attention throughout the story. The writer has a magic touch; even though I knew what would happen (happily-ever-after), I couldn't put this aside until the last word.
This was a very emotional book about grief and renewal. The author really got in the psyche's of her subjects and explained them well.
Negative Reactions:
As a former teacher, I can assure you that a best friend's child would not be assigned to a teacher. And if it accidently happened, the teacher would recuse her/himself so another teacher could be assigned. The only way this could happen was if Lily Robinson taught the ONLY third-grade class at the school; perhaps that was the case here.
Lily's discussion with her parents just before the last golf games, in which Lily suddenly let go of life-long-held beliefs seemed a bit too quick and pat.
XXXX SPOILER ALERT XXXXX The last golf game was over-the-top. No one has that much control over the ball. It did not seem necessary. The high school golf coach already had children that he resented paying child support for (mentioned earlier in the book). On the flip side, the solution chosen would certainly guarantee the golf coach's silence.
I'm certainly glad to have read this book. The author understood the emotions that would swirl around in orphan children, adrift with only their own thoughts and beliefs. All of the characters, but particularly Lily and Sean emerged from this trial-by-fire with a new understanding of themselves and the other members of their family.
Here are my impressions:
Positive Reactions --
This seems to be a very realistic view of a professional golfer's milieu. It certainly isn't all the glitz-and-glamour that we see.
This book grabbed my attention throughout the story. The writer has a magic touch; even though I knew what would happen (happily-ever-after), I couldn't put this aside until the last word.
This was a very emotional book about grief and renewal. The author really got in the psyche's of her subjects and explained them well.
Negative Reactions:
As a former teacher, I can assure you that a best friend's child would not be assigned to a teacher. And if it accidently happened, the teacher would recuse her/himself so another teacher could be assigned. The only way this could happen was if Lily Robinson taught the ONLY third-grade class at the school; perhaps that was the case here.
Lily's discussion with her parents just before the last golf games, in which Lily suddenly let go of life-long-held beliefs seemed a bit too quick and pat.
XXXX SPOILER ALERT XXXXX The last golf game was over-the-top. No one has that much control over the ball. It did not seem necessary. The high school golf coach already had children that he resented paying child support for (mentioned earlier in the book). On the flip side, the solution chosen would certainly guarantee the golf coach's silence.
I'm certainly glad to have read this book. The author understood the emotions that would swirl around in orphan children, adrift with only their own thoughts and beliefs. All of the characters, but particularly Lily and Sean emerged from this trial-by-fire with a new understanding of themselves and the other members of their family.
This was a very nice love story set by the sea, one any romantic woman (or man) would enjoy reading.
I really enjoyed reading this book. I'm such the sucker for romance!
I read this for the April 2012 "Number" theme in my online book club, The Reading Cove. Overall, I enjoyed this story about how a family forms after tragedy leaves three children orphaned. However, I did find it to be more predictable than it could've been. And one of the main conflicts mentioned throughout the story was resolved a bit too neatly for a cliché, bow-tie ending.
The beginning was engaging and I enjoyed the author's intimate writing style, it gave the characters a familiar feel. So I'm open to reading more from Susan Wiggs.
★
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The beginning was engaging and I enjoyed the author's intimate writing style, it gave the characters a familiar feel. So I'm open to reading more from Susan Wiggs.
★
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easy, nice read.
Excellent book, did not want to put it down
This is the first book I have read by Wiggs and while it was a bit long, it was a good story overall.
I have not read this book yet. I had two copies.
