Jennifer R. (cucina1520) reviewed A Turn in the Road (Blossom Street, Bk 8) on + 38 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
I read this book without having read any of the Blossom Street books (beyond the second one). Enough information was provided on each of the Blossom Street "regulars" that I now don't feel a need to go back and catch up. Based on the quality of this story, I feel this saved me a great deal of time.
Bethanne, the woman who started a successful line of party stores after her husband cheated on her, is advised by her 22 year old daughter that Grant (the ex) wants a second shot at their marriage. Six years have passed and Bethanne isn't certain what she wants to do. A chance lunch with her former mother-in-law reveals an opportunity for a long road trip (WA state to FL state) and time to examine all the new questions and relationships she finds along the way.
Granddaughter Annie horns in on the trip, taking every opportunity to act in a very childish manner and attempts to manipulate her mother into giving Grant another chance. It's clear Annie should not be sticking her nose into anyone else's business. Bethanne allows herself to forget she is a capable and intelligent businesswoman, focusing instead on illogical and fluttery ideas.
Really, I was sorely disappointed in the way all of the characters in the book, with exception of Andrew (Bethanne and Grant's grown son) behaved. He was the best of the group.
Bethanne, the woman who started a successful line of party stores after her husband cheated on her, is advised by her 22 year old daughter that Grant (the ex) wants a second shot at their marriage. Six years have passed and Bethanne isn't certain what she wants to do. A chance lunch with her former mother-in-law reveals an opportunity for a long road trip (WA state to FL state) and time to examine all the new questions and relationships she finds along the way.
Granddaughter Annie horns in on the trip, taking every opportunity to act in a very childish manner and attempts to manipulate her mother into giving Grant another chance. It's clear Annie should not be sticking her nose into anyone else's business. Bethanne allows herself to forget she is a capable and intelligent businesswoman, focusing instead on illogical and fluttery ideas.
Really, I was sorely disappointed in the way all of the characters in the book, with exception of Andrew (Bethanne and Grant's grown son) behaved. He was the best of the group.
Helpful Score: 2
Loved, loved, loved this book. This road trip was both funny and endearing.
Jensyne M. (smoothiemaker) reviewed A Turn in the Road (Blossom Street, Bk 8) on + 17 more book reviews
I really enjoyed this book on a day at the beach. It was a good story and it kept me involved. I really wanted the story to go on because it was so good. When I was laughing out loud, I was seriously loving the story!
This is a great book and gift.It is a real cliffhanger to the last page. It's about 3 women who are related who have come to a crossroad in their life and must make a decision. For each the decision is about a relationship, which man in their life to choose. It's so realistic.Each of the three women look at mistakes in their life and how they might have done things differently, but as we all know the clock does not turn back on our past mistakes.
I couldn't put it down. What a great writer.
Very good as Debbie's books always are.
I liked this story of 3 Generations of women driving Cross Country from Seattle to Florida.
They start the trip, because Ruth ( the Grandmother and Ex Mother in law ) wants to go to her High School Reunion and possibly rekindle a old romance.
Ruth's ex Daughter-in-law (Bethanne) is struggling with her decision on whether or not to go back to her ex-husband and decides to take this Cross Country trip with Ruth and Bethanne's Daughter rides along also.
Along the way they have several adventures, and meet two very nice Gentleman, Max and Rooster.
I loved these characters!
Alot of the story involves Bethanne trying to make a decision to start(and continue) a romance with Max, or to go back to her ex-Husband.
Max and Rooster ride motorcycles, and I like this element to the story!
Even though Bethanne's Daughter tries to "push" her Parents together, I think overall this is a loving story of family and finding love again.
They start the trip, because Ruth ( the Grandmother and Ex Mother in law ) wants to go to her High School Reunion and possibly rekindle a old romance.
Ruth's ex Daughter-in-law (Bethanne) is struggling with her decision on whether or not to go back to her ex-husband and decides to take this Cross Country trip with Ruth and Bethanne's Daughter rides along also.
Along the way they have several adventures, and meet two very nice Gentleman, Max and Rooster.
I loved these characters!
Alot of the story involves Bethanne trying to make a decision to start(and continue) a romance with Max, or to go back to her ex-Husband.
Max and Rooster ride motorcycles, and I like this element to the story!
Even though Bethanne's Daughter tries to "push" her Parents together, I think overall this is a loving story of family and finding love again.
Michelle C. (Shellaree) -
I did enjoy the book although at times the main character drove me crazy! But I loved the grandma. The daughter for me, was written a bit young. She was to be in college and yet she acted like she was 16, so she was a bit uneven.
But overall, a very enjoyable book and a great companion novel to the Blossom Street series.
But overall, a very enjoyable book and a great companion novel to the Blossom Street series.
There really were some 'turns in the road' in this book and it was an interesting read the entire trip!
Leola C. (swamponkeymom) reviewed A Turn in the Road (Blossom Street, Bk 8) on + 353 more book reviews
I really enjoyed this book in the blossom street series. I loved how the characters intermingled and grew in their relationships. Live Love and forgive.
This is the latest addition to the Blossom Street book series. I have enjoyed the other books. Unfortunately, not this one. The theme of the book is about relationships and the possibility of forgiveness/redemption after a betrayal. It talks about 3 main characters:
The grandmother, who betrayed her first love due to circumstances, sees if there is a way to go back 50 years later.
The mother, whose husband cheated on her and left her for another woman, deliberates if it is possible to reconcile.
The daughter, whose boyfriends lies and hides things from her, reflects on the possibility of a future with him.
These reflections are presented in the context of a road trip. Parts of the book were repetitive, and the characters were not engaging. I am disappointed as I always look forward to the new books in this series. ( )
The grandmother, who betrayed her first love due to circumstances, sees if there is a way to go back 50 years later.
The mother, whose husband cheated on her and left her for another woman, deliberates if it is possible to reconcile.
The daughter, whose boyfriends lies and hides things from her, reflects on the possibility of a future with him.
These reflections are presented in the context of a road trip. Parts of the book were repetitive, and the characters were not engaging. I am disappointed as I always look forward to the new books in this series. ( )
Carol N. (carolpwv) - , reviewed A Turn in the Road (Blossom Street, Bk 8) on + 47 more book reviews
As always, Debbie Macomber writes with ease. She cares deeply about her characters. This book was an enjoyable, easy read. I particularly enjoyed the road trip that the main character takes with her daughter and ex-mother-in-law. It changed the three women's lives.
CONNIE M. (girlofthehollow) reviewed A Turn in the Road (Blossom Street, Bk 8) on + 23 more book reviews
As always, Macomber turns in a solid offering. This one was a little surprising to me, both in the twists & turns and the ending. I loved it.
great book love this author
This book is a great easy read that leaves you wanting more information! Loved it and happy to share and pass on for others to enjoy!
Last time we met Bethanne, she had reinvented herself after her husband walked out on her (and really their children as well because he shut them out) for a younger women. She had to learn to bring herself out of her husband's shadow and reinvent herself. Now six years later, her husband's second marriage has fail and he wants back.
The story kept me reading and I enjoyed it to a degree, but there were a lot of annoying things about it. Bethanne was one of my favorite characters. Unfortunately she was really frustrating in this book and I found myself being really disgusted with her. Where was Elise when you need her most to slap some sense and backbone into Bethanne? According to Bethanne she had changed a lot, was straightforward, and wasn't afraid to stand up for herself. Yet from the very first page on, she avoided confrontation, did what everything others wanted, and was so wishy-washy that I realized she was still that person who panicked at the idea of taking a knitting class. She lacked backbone not just when it came to Grant, but with everyone around her. She was the ultimate doormat. I don't think she starts to stand up for herself until about the last two pages the book and even then, it was pretty weak. I lost so much respect for her and by the end of the book I didn't like her very much at all.
Ruth's (ex-mother-in-law) story was sweet but it was hard for me to really like her because she kept passing judgement on Bethanne. I couldn't see how Bethanne would ever think this woman cared for her because it was obvious through most of this road trip she only cared what was good for her son, not what would make Bethanne happy. It would have been nice if Macomber tied some of Ruth's insistence on Grant's reconciliation with Bethanne to Ruth's own hope that Royce (the one she betrayed fifty years ago) would forgive her and reunite. But nope. Also the relationship with Royce and Ruth went so smoothly that it wasn't even worth the bother to include in this book.
Annie was a brat in the last book as well but then she had a reason. This one she hasn't grown at all and was still stuck at sixteen and I have no idea why. Again, she only wanted what was best for her not her mother's happiness. Really, I wondered several times why Bethanne didn't leave Annie and Ruth by the side of the road and join Max's gang. Trust me, I would have. Come on, hot motorcycle guy versus nagging judgmental crone and idiot-child wanting to run my life? Which one I pick should be a no-brainer. Anyway, Annie still acted like a four year old but there were some interesting stories/love interests introduced. Unfortunately Macomber decided not to continue with Annie. Her story just ends and was left undone. In fact Annie's story in this book was sloppy and seemed like a rough draft. Maybe Macomber just needed something to fill up the pages.
Despite it all, I did have a hard time putting the book down so it was engaging. I just wished I enjoy the characters more and that Macomber had spend more time developing Annie and Ruth's story. Sloppy writing and a few stolen ideas from other books (Pay it Forward / and of course rather Thelma and Louise) as well. It was a cool read if you have nothing else better and can borrow the book from somewhere. I wouldn't spend money or credits on it.
The story kept me reading and I enjoyed it to a degree, but there were a lot of annoying things about it. Bethanne was one of my favorite characters. Unfortunately she was really frustrating in this book and I found myself being really disgusted with her. Where was Elise when you need her most to slap some sense and backbone into Bethanne? According to Bethanne she had changed a lot, was straightforward, and wasn't afraid to stand up for herself. Yet from the very first page on, she avoided confrontation, did what everything others wanted, and was so wishy-washy that I realized she was still that person who panicked at the idea of taking a knitting class. She lacked backbone not just when it came to Grant, but with everyone around her. She was the ultimate doormat. I don't think she starts to stand up for herself until about the last two pages the book and even then, it was pretty weak. I lost so much respect for her and by the end of the book I didn't like her very much at all.
Ruth's (ex-mother-in-law) story was sweet but it was hard for me to really like her because she kept passing judgement on Bethanne. I couldn't see how Bethanne would ever think this woman cared for her because it was obvious through most of this road trip she only cared what was good for her son, not what would make Bethanne happy. It would have been nice if Macomber tied some of Ruth's insistence on Grant's reconciliation with Bethanne to Ruth's own hope that Royce (the one she betrayed fifty years ago) would forgive her and reunite. But nope. Also the relationship with Royce and Ruth went so smoothly that it wasn't even worth the bother to include in this book.
Annie was a brat in the last book as well but then she had a reason. This one she hasn't grown at all and was still stuck at sixteen and I have no idea why. Again, she only wanted what was best for her not her mother's happiness. Really, I wondered several times why Bethanne didn't leave Annie and Ruth by the side of the road and join Max's gang. Trust me, I would have. Come on, hot motorcycle guy versus nagging judgmental crone and idiot-child wanting to run my life? Which one I pick should be a no-brainer. Anyway, Annie still acted like a four year old but there were some interesting stories/love interests introduced. Unfortunately Macomber decided not to continue with Annie. Her story just ends and was left undone. In fact Annie's story in this book was sloppy and seemed like a rough draft. Maybe Macomber just needed something to fill up the pages.
Despite it all, I did have a hard time putting the book down so it was engaging. I just wished I enjoy the characters more and that Macomber had spend more time developing Annie and Ruth's story. Sloppy writing and a few stolen ideas from other books (Pay it Forward / and of course rather Thelma and Louise) as well. It was a cool read if you have nothing else better and can borrow the book from somewhere. I wouldn't spend money or credits on it.
I enjoy Debbie Macomber's series and the Blossom Street books are an easy, enjoyable read.
Yes I read and really enjoyed A Turn in the Road book, by Debbie Macomber! I have read most of her books I think, enjoyed them all, shes one of my favorite authors! :-)
I would give it 5 stars, when I click on rate it only allows me to rate it at 2 1/2 stars!
I would give it 5 stars, when I click on rate it only allows me to rate it at 2 1/2 stars!
Linda B. (24racefan) - , reviewed A Turn in the Road (Blossom Street, Bk 8) on + 41 more book reviews
As I read this book I became very interested in finding out how things would end up for Bethanne, Annie, and Ruth. The story is about these three women--a mother, her daughter, and the mother's ex-mother-in-law who have embarked on a road trip across the country. Each one of them had some soul searching to do about their relationships with the men in their lives either at present or in the past. I enjoyed the story very much and Debbie MaComber kept be guessing right up until the end about how Bethanne, in particular, would figure out what she needed to do.
Liked the story, Debbie is one of my favorite authers!!
Good Read
this book was a great read! I was happy...sad....mad...excited...it made me laugh...and cry...a few parts were predictable...but in all...it was a smooth read...a couple events I was totally unprepared for...but it ended pretty much how I thought it would.
