Tag Archives: Kristy Woodson Harvey

A Happier Life by Kristy Woodson Harvey – a Review

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A Happier Life by Kristy Woodson Harvey – a Review

 

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Description:
A tender and touching novel about a young woman who discovers the family she has always longed for when she spends a life-changing summer in North Carolina.

Present Keaton Smith is desperate for a fresh start. So when her mother needs someone to put her childhood home in Beaufort, North Carolina, on the market—the home that Keaton didn’t know existed until now—she jumps at the chance to head south. Keaton’s grandparents died in a tragic car accident before she was born, so she’s eager to learn more about the family she never met. But even though she has help from her charming next-door-neighbor, his precocious ten-year-old son, and a flock of endearingly feisty town busybodies, Keaton soon finds that she has more questions than answers.

1976: After meeting her adoring husband Townsend, Rebecca “Becks” Saint James abandoned the life she knew and never looked back. Forty years later, she’s made a name for herself as the best hostess North Carolina has ever seen. Her annual summer suppers have become the stuff of legend, and locals and out-of-towners alike clamor for an invitation to her stunning historic home. But she’s struggling behind the façade. Becks strives to make the lives of those around her as easy as possible, but this summer she is facing a dilemma that even she can’t solve. And as the end of the season looms, she is brought to a decision she never wanted to make.

As both Keaton and Becks face new challenges and chapters, they are connected through time by the house on Sunset Lane, which has protected the secrets, hopes, and dreams of the women in their family for generations. For fans of Summer of ‘69 and The Notebook , Last Summer on Sunset Lane explores the power of family, the bonds of friendship, and the boundless nature of love.

 

 

Review:

A Happier Life by Kristy Woodson Harvey is another wonderful story that we have come to expect from Harvey.  Keaton Smith, has been fired from her successful job; and her mother asks her to travel to Beaufort, North Carolina (her childhood home) to clean up the home that hasn’t been lived in for decades.  Keaton’s mother and uncle have never returned to that home, after the death of their parents; and once it’s cleaned up, Keaton will put it on the market to sell. There are two POV’s in this story, the present and in the past, 1970’s.

Rebecca (Becks) and Townsend fell in love, and despite her family not accepting that her husband was of a different religion, she married Townsend having a wonderful marriage. Rebecca Saint James became a household name in Beaufort, as the best hostess in North Carolina, with her annual suppers and local parties; with everyone hoping to get invitations to their historic home. Keaton finds her journals, and begins to learn about Becks wonderful life with Townsend for more than 40 years.  Her grandparents died in a car accident, and Keaton was determined to discover what really happened all those years ago.

Keaton quickly meets a number of friends of Becks, who recognize her as she looks like Becks, and they go out of their way to make her feel welcome.  A friendship with these wonderful older ladies, escalates as she learns more about Becks; keeping the memory of Becks and the wonderful things she did all these years.  Keaton works hard to clean the place, and even her newfound friends would come over and help her.  She also meets her next-door neighbor, Bowen and his wonderful adoring son, Anderson; which will lead to a slow burn romance, and her feelings about possibly staying in Beaufort.

A Happier Life is a wonderful journey with fascinating chapters revolving around Keaton in present day and Becks from the past, learning more about what happened to Keaton’s grandparents when they died. It was nice to see Keaton’s brother show up, and help her find more clues to solve the mystery. I love how Keaton begins feel at home, especially with Becks friends and how much they all loved Rebecca Saint James.

A Happier Life was such a heartwarming and wonderful story that was so very well written by Kristy Woodson Harvey.  If you enjoy a story of family, bonds of friendships, and the love of two generations; you should read this book. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Summer of Songbirds by Kristy Woodson Harvey – a Review

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The Summer of Songbirds by Kristy Woodson Harvey – a Review

 

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Description:
Four women come together to save the summer camp that changed their lives and rediscover themselves in the process in this moving new novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Wedding Veil and the Peachtree Bluff series.

Nearly thirty years ago, in the wake of a personal tragedy, June Moore bought Camp Holly Springs and turned it into a thriving summer haven for girls. But now, June is in danger of losing the place she has sacrificed everything for, and begins to realize how much she has used the camp to avoid facing difficulties in her life.

June’s niece, Daphne, met her two best friends, Lanier and Mary Stuart, during a fateful summer at camp. They’ve all helped each other through hard things, from heartbreak and loss to substance abuse and unplanned pregnancy, and the three are inseparable even in their thirties. But when attorney Daphne is confronted with a relationship from her past—and a confidential issue at work becomes personal—she is faced with an impossible choice.

Lanier, meanwhile, is struggling with tough decisions of her own. After a run-in with an old flame, she is torn between the commitment she made to her fiancé and the one she made to her first love. And when a big secret comes to light, she finds herself at odds with her best friend…and risks losing the person she loves most.

But in spite of their personal problems, nothing is more important to these songbirds than Camp Holly Springs. When the women learn their childhood oasis is in danger of closing, they band together to save it, sending them on a journey that promises to open the next chapters in their lives.

From an author whose “writing coats your soul with heart” ( E! Online ), The Summer of Songbirds is a lyrical and unforgettable celebration of female friendship, summertime freedom, and enduring sisterhood—and a love letter to the places and people that make us who we are.

 

 

Review:

The Summer of Songbirds by Kristy Woodson Harvey is another one of her wonderful novels.  This story has multiple (3) POV’s, Daphne, Lanier and June, with the third close friend, Mary Stuart. 30 years ago, June, decided to buy Camp Holly Springs, turning it into a successful and thriving summer haven for girls. At that time, June enrolled her 6-year-old niece Daphne to the camp, and there she met Lanier and Mary Stuart, who became inseparable BFF for all those 30 years.  Now in the present time, June realizes her financial situation may force her to close the camp.  When the girls learn that June has financial problems, which will possibly close the camp; together all three gather together to help with fundraisers, projects to find a way to save the camp.

Daphne is a successful attorney, with a 4-year-old adorable son, Henry.  Steven is the Henry’s father, and despite they never married, and not together, they remain close friends, with Steven and Daphne co-parenting.  Daphne has always loved Huf, who is Lanier’s brother, and he has always loved her; but Lanier forced them to break up, because of Daphne’s past issues.  But now, Huf and Daphne are determined to find a way to be together, despite Lanier’s determination to stop them. Will this ruin the friendship between Lanier and Daphne?

Lanier is getting married in a few months, and neither Daphne and Mary Stuart like her fiancée; but they try to support their friend.  Mary Stuart is actually getting married soon, and her friends are always supportive.  When Daphne learns some bad news about Lanier’s fiancée, she wants to tell Lanier the truth, but is threatened to keep quiet or lose her job.  Daphne and Mary Stuart try to tempt an old flame of Lanier’s in hope she will stop her upcoming marriage.  Lanier finds herself torn between her fiancée and the man who was her first love. 

What follows is a wonderful heartwarming story about three friends, who were always there for each, through thick and thin.  Daphne, Lanier and Mary Stuart were great, even in difficult times, their bond was always strong.  I loved Huf and Daphne together, as their love for each other was amazing. Lanier would learn the secrets about her fiancée, and open her heart to her real love.

The Summer of Songbirds was a delightful story, friendship, memories, love, summer camp, and sisterhood.  Kristy Woodson Harvey once again gives us a sensational moving storyline that is not to be missed.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

 

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The Wedding Veil by Kristy Woodson Harvey – a Review

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The Wedding Veil by Kristy Woodson Harvey – a Review

 

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Description:
Four women. One family heirloom. A secret connection that will change their lives—and history as they know it.

Present Day: Julia Baxter’s wedding veil, bequeathed to her great-grandmother by a mysterious woman on a train in the 1930s, has passed through generations of her family as a symbol of a happy marriage. But on the morning of her wedding day, something tells her that even the veil’s good luck isn’t enough to make her marriage last forever. Overwhelmed and panicked, she escapes to the Virgin Islands to clear her head. Meanwhile, her grandmother Babs is also feeling shaken. Still grieving the death of her beloved husband, she decides to move out of the house they once shared and into a retirement community. Though she hopes it’s a new beginning, she does not expect to run into an old flame, dredging up the same complicated emotions she felt a lifetime ago.

1914: Socialite Edith Vanderbilt is struggling to manage the luxurious Biltmore Estate after the untimely death of her cherished husband. With 250 rooms to oversee and an entire village dependent on her family to stay afloat, Edith is determined to uphold the Vanderbilt legacy—and prepare her free-spirited daughter Cornelia to inherit it—in spite of her family’s deteriorating financial situation. But Cornelia has dreams of her own. Asheville, North Carolina has always been her safe haven away from the prying eyes of the press, but as she explores more of the rapidly changing world around her, she’s torn between upholding tradition and pursuing the exciting future that lies beyond Biltmore’s gilded gates.

In the vein of Therese Anne Fowler’s A Well-Behaved Woman and Jennifer Robson’s The Gown, The Wedding Veil brings to vivid life a group of remarkable women forging their own paths—and explores the mystery of a national heirloom lost to time.

 

 

Review:

The Wedding Veil by Kristy Woodson Harvey is another one of her wonderful standalone novels.  The story revolves around four women in two different time periods.  There is a lot of Historical and Fiction in this storyline, with the wedding veil being the key to this story, which was originally created by the Vanderbilts, only later years to be given away to another family. 

In 1898, Edith Dressler married George Vanderbilt, and lived in the newly built Biltmore Mansion, in Asheville, North Carolina, which was very much like a castle, with 250 rooms.  Edith stepped into the role of the famous and wealthy Vanderbilts, and was determined to help the workers and town of Biltmore Village; two years later she gave birth to a baby girl, Cornelia.  When George unexpectedly died, Edith made sure to keep up the Vanderbilt legacy, as she continued to take charge of the mansion and surrounding village. As Cornelia gets older, Edith prepares her for the time when she will inherit the Biltmore legacy, which in later years becomes a major challenge, with the depression and difficulty to manage the estate.

In the present day, Julia and Babs (her grandmother) take center stage, as we meet Julia, who is getting married, planning to use the magical wedding veil that has been passed down to each bride in the family.  When Julia spots a picture of her soon to be husband kissing another girl, she decides run away and clear her head, to determine if she wants to marry him, and ends up in the Virgin Islands; which was to be her expected honeymoon.  Babs has recently lost her beloved husband, and decides she wants to move out of their house, and go to a retirement community, which will allow her to meet new friends, and leave all the work of keeping up the house.  Babs surprisingly meets an old flame, and it will take Julia to convince her to maybe take a second chance at love.  Julia will also meet someone, who will make her realize that she made the right choice to not go through with  the marriage.

What follows is a wonderful story of two families in the past and present, as we watch how life changes over the years, with the wedding veil that was always intended to bring good luck in their marriages. Cornelia will marry Jack, and have two children, but things will change, as she has issues dealing with difficult choices, as well as not being able to handle her inability to always being in the spotlight as a Vanderbilt. Julia will eventually, with the help of someone new in her life, to resume her wanting to be an architect; as well as convince her grandmother to allow herself to be happy, even in an older age.

The Wedding Veil was so very well written by Kristy Woodson Harvey.  I wholly suggest you read this wonderful story. 

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

 

 

 

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Under The Southern Sky by Kristy Woodson Harvey-a Review

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Under The Southern Sky by Kristy Woodson Harvey-a Review

 

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Description:
Recently separated Amelia Buxton, a dedicated journalist, never expected that uncovering the biggest story of her career would become deeply personal. But when she discovers that a cluster of embryos belonging to her childhood friend Parker and his late wife Greer have been deemed “abandoned,” she’s put in the unenviable position of telling Parker—and dredging up old wounds in the process.

Parker has been unable to move forward since the loss of his beloved wife three years ago. He has all but forgotten about the frozen embryos, but once Amelia reveals her discovery, he knows that if he ever wants to get a part of Greer back, he’ll need to accept his fate as a single father and find a surrogate.

Each dealing with their own private griefs, Parker and Amelia slowly begin to find solace in one another as they navigate an uncertain future against the backdrop of the pristine waters of their childhood home, Buxton Beach. The journey of self-discovery leads them to an unforgettable and life-changing lesson: Family—the one you’re born into and the one you choose—is always closer than you think.

 

 

Review:

Under the Southern Sky by Kristy Woodson Harvey is a wonderful standalone novel.  We meet our heroine, Amelia, who is a well know journalist, who discovers a story of abandoned embryos; to her shock, one of those embryos belongs to her childhood friend and his late wife. Amelia makes the decision to visit Parker, our hero, whom she has not seen in a few years, especially after the tragic death of his wife, Greer.   Under the Southern Sky focuses on three POV’s; Amelia, Parker and Greer.

Parker lost his beloved wife to cancer three years ago, and has not been able to move forward; just working and being by himself.  When someone knocks on his door, to his surprise, it’s a friend from the past, Amelia. She explains why she has come, and he realizes he has totally forgotten about the frozen embryos, and Parker asks Amelia to help him find a surrogate, so that in a small way he will have some semblance of Greer back in his life.

Amelia is also having a hard time recently, as she discovered her husband was having an affair with another man; unable to accept this, she files for divorce. Slowly the friendship between Parker and Amelia rekindles, as each helps one another move forward in their lives; especially after Amelia reviews the names on the surrogate list, and insists to Parker, that she will step up to be the surrogate, and go back to her normal life, leaving him with the child(s).  They return to Cape Carolina, the hometown they both grew up in and where both families still reside.  This was a wonderful part of the story, where the parents of Parker and Amelia, who are best friends and privately hope they one day they can their children maybe can be more than just friends.

Though the story line centers on Parker, Amelia and their family, we get to see the POV of Greer; when she met and fell in love with Parker, her wonderful happy life, her successful book career, the tragic news of her cancer, and planning to help Parker move on after her death.  The was a very emotional part, which was not only heartbreaking and very sad closer to her end.   When the embryos are not successful, both will go back to their own lives, keeping in touch, with their friendship and family.   This is a love story of Parker with two women he loved along the way, and Amelia knowing she had fallen for Parker again, but did not want to be second to his dead wife.  

What follows is a sweet slow build second chance romance and finding hope.  There is so much that happens pulling on our emotions along the way; with heartbreak, love, tragedy and anguish.  To say too much more would be spoilers, which would ruin the over all experience.  Under the Southern Sky was a fabulous heartwarming and heartbreaking emotional story of love, heartache, family, friendship and sadness.  I did love all the characters in this book that Kristy Woodson Harvey created, especially Amelia, Parker, Greer, and both families Thank you, Kristy Woodson Harvey for a wonderful story that I enjoyed thoroughly.  You should be reading Under the Southern Sky.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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Feels Like Falling by Kristy Woodson Harvey – a Review

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Feels Like Falling by Kristy Woodson Harvey – a Review

 

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Description:
It’s summertime on the North Carolina coast and the livin’ is easy.

Unless, that is, you’ve just lost your mother to cancer, your sister to her extremist husband, and your husband to his executive assistant. Meet Gray Howard. Right when Gray could use a serious infusion of good karma in her life, she inadvertently gets a stranger, Diana Harrington, fired from her job at the local pharmacy.

Diana Harrington’s summer isn’t off to the greatest start either: Hours before losing her job, she broke up with her boyfriend and moved out of their shared house with only a worn-out Impala for a bed. Lucky for her, Gray has an empty guest house and a very guilty conscience.

With Gray’s kindness, Diana’s tide begins to turn. But when her first love returns, every secret from her past seems to resurface all at once. And, as Gray begins to blaze a new trail, she discovers, with Diana’s help, that what she envisioned as her perfect life may not be what she wants at all.

 

 

Review:

Feels Like Falling by Kristy Woodson Harvey is a wonderful fun and emotional stand-alone novel revolving around two women, and their family and friends.

Gray Howard, one of our wonderful heroines, is a very successful business women, who started her own company years before, becoming very wealthy along the way.  Gray is in the midst of getting a divorce from her husband (who also works for the company), who left her for a younger woman; they have a young son, and are currently fighting over terms of the divorce, with him wanting half of the business that Gray started.  Gray has some great friends that support her during this difficult time.

Diana Harrington, the second and equally wonderful heroine, is coming off a recent breakup with her boyfriend, and loses her job.  Diana is struggling to make ends meet; she is in dire straits, with no job or home, distant family, and sleeps in her car.  She meets Gray, who happened be there when Diana lost her job.   When Gray sees Diana sleeping in her car, she offers her a place to stay at her guest house, and a fantastic friendship begins.   I loved both Diana and Gray, who were so supportive of each other, and the banter between them was awesome.  I did love Gray’s best friend Marcy and her partner Trey, too. The friendship between these two women, as well as the female friends for both Gray and Diana made this such a wonderful fun, as well as emotional read.

Diana accepts a job taking care of Gray’s son, cooking for the family and being a perfect friend as well as employee.  Later, she will meet someone from the past, who comes back into her life, as well as opening up to reconcile with her family.

Gray recently lost her mother, and her sister is distant, leaving her to utilize her friends for support. Gray originally hated Brooke, her ex’s young girlfriend, but later on things change, surprisingly, as the heated relationship between her and her ex improves.  When Gray takes her son for a tennis lesson, she meets the handsome tennis teacher, who shows an interest in her.  A slow build romance between Gray her hot young hunk, with her trying to keep it private, knowing nothing can come from any possible permanent relationship.

Feels Like Falling was a fabulous heartwarming story of friendship, love, forgiveness, heartache and absolute fun as we enjoy the camaraderie of these wonderful supportive friends that make life better for all.  Thank you, Kristy Woodson Harvey for a wonderful story that I enjoyed thoroughly.  You should be reading Feels Like Falling.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher

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