Such a wonderful book about the strength of sisters, love and family support. #SummerofNewBeginnings #Netgalley

I really enjoyed reading this book whilst on holiday. It was light and perfect to read whilst sitting out in the sun. I read it in one day and loved the family/friends relationships

Healing. The Book is about healing of three women. One a mother and her two daughters. Each in different stages in life. Each of them becomes a helping hand for the other.

The book started with the death of George, Husband and Father. From there, the story shows them coping and bringing themselves together and up. The story is realistic, especially with the addition of Meghan and Tracy.

The Summer of New Beginnings by Bette Lee Crosby is a sweet read about the family dynamics between mothers and daughters and sisters. Meghan is forced to leave her dream of becoming a journalist behind in order to take over her father’s business when he dies unexpectedly. Her sister, Tracy, is irresponsible and takes off to another state with her boyfriend. When Tracy returns with her young son, Meghan knows that there is something not quite right with the child. Yet her mother and sister are in denial. It is up to Meghan to convince them to seek treatment. Meghan’s lovable dog plays a key role in helping this to happen, and in sparking the relationship between Meghan and a potential beau, the town’s new veterinarian. Spiritual undertones emanate throughout this book and give it a flavor of hope, even in life’s more dire circumstances.

This was such a beautiful book, starting with the cover! I was excited to see a new series by Bette Lee Crosby and once again she did not disappoint. I've never read one of her books that I didn't love. There is almost something magical in her writing.

Magnolia Grove is one of those towns you'd love to live in. And the author gives such a descriptive writing of the town, you feel as if you live there.

The characters were well developed and very easy to like. The author manages to bring them to life. By the end of the book, you feel as if they are your friends.

This is truly a touching, at times emotional, story. I look forward to the next in the series! I highly recommend The Summer of New Beginnings!

* I was provided an ARC to read from the publisher and NetGalley. It was my decision to read and review this book.

The unexpected passing of George Briggs, husband to Lila and father to sisters Meghan and Tracy started a chain of events which altered the course of their lives considerably. Meghan's love of words had set her on a course for university and a degree in journalism. But with her father's passing, Meghan's direction changed as she took the reins of her father's business.

Tracy on the other hand stepped up her rebellion, and without her husband's influence, Lila found herself unable to change the course of Tracy's life. But never once did she turn her daughter away - her love for the two girls in her life would never change. And when Tracy arrived back home to Georgia after a couple of years in Philadelphia she had baby Lucas with her. Lila was in raptures as she took on the role of grandmother.

As Tracy struggled with motherhood, Meghan rescued a stray dog she named Sox. And while Meghan half-heartedly tried to find his owner, everyone fell in love with him, especially Lucas. What would be the outcome for this fractured family that was gradually making its way to the surface? Would life send more heartache to them? Or would this be the start of a new beginning for them all?

The Summer of New Beginnings by Bette Lee Crosby is another heartfelt and emotional tale which I flew through, finishing in a matter of hours. I thoroughly enjoy this author's work, and with this one being the beginning of the Magnolia Grove series, I know I have more to look forward to. The Summer of New Beginnings is one I have no hesitation in recommending highly.

With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read and review.

Wonderful, heartwarming characters; a believable storyline; and a dash of humor. It’s the perfect recipe for a good book.

This is a great novel about the relationships of sisters during times of family strife. Their father has recently passed and they are faced with many challenges to save his business. Both are facing personal challenges as well, with Tracy dealing with motherhood and Meghan, trying to deal with her feelings for a stray pup she found.
I would recommend this book for anyone that loves a good family based fiction novel. The characters were likable and easy to relate to. I would recommend this book to friends and give it a 5 star rating.

This is such a sweet book. I felt like I was invited into this family of a mother and her two daughters and I had a vested interest in their lives. Lila is the mother and right off she loses her husband-the father of her daughters, and the love of her life. Tracy is the oldest daughter-a rebellious teenager who runs away with her bad boyfriend. Meghan is the youngest daughter. Meghan really misses her Dad and tries to hold onto his memory by living her life the way she thinks her dad would want. The story could be about your next door neighbors or your family. It is very well written and the characters are developed really well. I will recommend this book to family and friends and I will read others by this author. Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union for allowing me to read an advance copy for my honest review. A

3.5 Stars.

Megan has always been the level headed, responsible one in the family. Her Sister Tracey has always been the impulsive and party loving one. Both sisters reacted to their father's death in her own way. Megan decided to put her college education on hold to continue running her father's business, while Tracey followed her heart and left for Philadelphia to live with her boyfriend. Both have a lot of change and growing to do and the reader watches (reads) as they do so. One becomes a Mother while the other adopts a pet and finds happiness in the process.

I really enjoy Bette Lee Crosby books because they focus on relationships - Parent/child relationships, sibling relationships, romantic relationships, extended family relationships, relationships with pets, relationships with those in the community, etc. Her books have characters dealing with real issues such as death, loss of a pet, adopting a pet, having a baby, falling in love, falling out of love, the consequences of choices, and the stumbling blocks one faces while chasing his/her dreams.

Bette Lee Crosby's books are also not graphic in nature. You won’t be reading a lot of "vulgar" language or be reading graphic sex scenes. Fans of Debbie Macomber should really enjoy Crosby's books as well.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing, NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a very laid back, mellow sort of book. It was about family relationships and there wasn't a great deal going on, but it just worked as a relaxing and thoughtful book.

The family was Lila & George (parents), with daughters Meghan and Tracy. George passed on suddenly and Meghan took up the reins of his business, the Snip & Save Magazine that he ran from home, as she was the responsible sister, deferring the Grady School of Journalism that she was due to go to shortly.

Tracy was the wild sister who ran off with a guy, without (the shock of it!) not getting married first, but she eventually came home with her baby boy, Lucas, when the relationship didn't work out.

Once Tracy came back the dynamics of the family changed again, with Meghan meeting a guy, Tracy taking on more responsibility with her son who had hearing difficulties and also taking on, and actually liking, working on the Snip & Save alongside her sister.

There was also a lovely dog in it, Sox (nothing happens to him!), which is always a good point in my opinion. Enjoyable book.

I love the cover of this book. I thought this was a cute story and it was a quick read. I want to thank Netgalley for this book. All reviews and opinions are my own.

The Summer of New Beginnings is a very heart felt book. It deals with the loss of a loved one, the closeness of family, and the love and loyalty of a dog. I do believe that Sox brought a lot of healing to this family. It also deals with the disability of a child, a prodigal daughter, and the special bond that sisters share.
All of the characters were well thought out and I could envision what was happening as though it were playing out before my very eyes. I have read several books by Bette Lee Crosby and have never been disappointed. She is truly a gifted author.

The Summer of New Beginnings is the newest novel written by Bette Lee Crosby. She continues to amaze me with the words of wisdom that she pens into her stories. And I love the little touches of magic that she seems to inject into each of her books. Once again she has written a beautiful story filled with loving, caring–and sometimes a little flawed–characters who struggle to end up with the lives they are meant to live.

Meghan is left alone to carry on the family business after her father dies, even though she was getting ready to leave for college. She feels like she has to stay and carry on the business so she doesn't let her father down. Then unexpectedly, a dog enters her life after she saves him from drowning. Was the dog put in her life by her dad? Is the dog going to be able to heal her and show her what's important in life?

And then there's Tracy, the total opposite of her sister, Meghan. When her life falls apart, she turns up on the doorstep, hoping that home will be a safe haven for her and her child. Two sisters, as different as night and day. It seems impossible but will they be able to work out their differences?

The Summer of New Beginnings is the first book in Bette's new series, the Magnolia Grove Series. I'm so excited that I'll get to spend more time in this wonderful community and with the people I came to know and love.

This book draws you into Meghan's family; their struggles, love and sacrifices they make for one another. There are painful moments and there are the wonderful moments where love overcomes the struggles they encounter- and there's also an adorable dog in the mix. Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the eARC. This book is a heartfelt read that I'd recommend to lovers of fiction.

I have adored Bette Lee Crosby`s novels for a long time so was anxious for this new series. She doesn't disappoint! A tightly knit family sees change following a loss. Meghan and her sister, Tracy, see a once close relationship begin to splinter.
Crosby`s writing is so heartfelt. This is just a `feel good` book (her books generally are!). Certain problems with a child arise that are handled with the capable and sensitive Crosby magic that brought tears to my eyes.
She is currently editing the second book in the series and I can't wait to read it.
Thank you, Lake Union and netgalley for an Advance Review Copy. All opinions are my own.

After the death of her beloved father George, Meghan Briggs makes a decision about her future. She had planned on going to college to take a course in journalism, but she just could not dessert the business called ‘Snip and Save’ that had been her father’s vision and that he had worked tirelessly to make a success of. It was his creativity that had provided for his wife Lila and their two daughters. Meghan had loved helping him in her spare time and she really felt as though it was the last thing of her father’s that she could keep going – a piece of her father to honour even in his absence. Her sister Tracy had never shown any interest or flair for the business and neither had her mother. They were just unable to run the business and had no skills to keep it going and Meghan couldn’t bear the thought of letting it go.
Tracy was deep into a relationship with her boyfriend Dominic and when he moved away he persuaded her to go with him, dangling the carrot of a marriage later down the line. So Tracy flew the nest despite the worries of her mother and her sister. She had always been the flighty and flamboyant sister to Meghan’s quiet and serious personality. But oh how Dominic let her down, even after she had given birth to their son Lucas. As the relationship deteriorated, so Tracy decided she must return home to keep Lucas safe and well provided for and also for her own stability and for support. Lucas was slow to develop and she was very concerned about him. Returning home seemed to be the right thing to do.
One day, while out for a walk, Meghan sees a small puppy in the middle of a lake struggling to get out of trouble. The weather is quite rough, promising torrential rain and high winds. Without a thought for her own safety Meghan swims through the choppy icy cold waters and guides him ashore, later taking him to the new Vet’s practice for a check up. She names the puppy Sox and there begins a new chapter in her life.
This is the setting of a beautifully told family drama, draped in love and support; clothed in loyalty and ingenuity. I hugely enjoyed this memorable and superbly planned story. I thought the characters each grew together with their new responsibilities and this cemented their family dynamics and relationships. The three ladies learned valuable lessons that would equip them admirably for their futures. I loved how a character from the two sister’s pasts stepped in to advise and help them and I loved the gorgeous ending, with both Meghan and Tracy in a new career. ‘My heart swelled with happiness for them both.
I would like to thank NetGalley and publisher Lake Union for my copy of ‘The Summer of New Beginnings’, sent in return for an honest review. I loved the beautiful cover and loved every aspect of the novel inside it as well. That’s why I’m giving a well deserved all round 5* review. I look forward to reading other Magnolia Grove novels in the future.

First I want to thank Bette Lee Crosby, Lake Union Publishing and Netgalley for allowing me to read this ARC.
Since finding this author a few years ago she has become one of my favorites, you'll be delighted and completely engrossed by reading any of her books. So far The Memory House series is my favorite.
The Summer Of New Beginnings is the first book in a new series. It's about a family whose husband/fathers untimely death changes the course of the lives of his wife and two daughters. It has its emotional ups and downs with a baby and a puppy thrown into the mix along the way.
I was pulled into this story from the beginning of the book and would strongly recommend it to anyone looking for a great book. It definitely deserves a 5 star rating.

Lila and George are a young couple in love. They marry and move to a nice new community to raise a family. They have two daughters, Tracy and Meghan. George starts a magazine to make a living and Meghan is his right hand "man". They work closely together until one day, George passes away. Meghan decides to postpone school to keep the magazine up and running. Tracy is the wild child and runs off with her boyfriend to the dismay of Lila.

I love reading Bette's books, they never disappoint. This book brings forth the love of family and the lengths they will go to for forgiveness and reaching out a helping hand when needed. The closeness of the sisters and the loving home that Lila provides in the face of adversity keeps the reader turning pages. This endearing story was inspirational and gave this reader chills from time to time. I highly recommend this book.

With a cast of wonderfully realised characters, this story transported me to Ireland and Galty House, set in the beautifully described coastal location of Rosshaven. Archie Fitzgerald, legendary actor, is dying, but determined to depart on his own terms. He wants Mia, the daughter of his close friend and fellow actor, Fenella Flanagan, to come home to Galty House for what will be their last summer together.

I love the almost ethereal quality of the cover image which compliments the theme of the book perfectly. Reminders of a past long gone, reminiscences and repercussions play a big part in the story. Whatever happened all those years ago has been a closely guarded secret, long buried and never spoken of. But now things are changing. Fenella is terrified Archie will feel compelled to break his promise and Bernice, Archie’s sister, wants to know what’s going to happen to Galty House when Archie is no longer there. Added to that is the mystery of the small island in the bay, with its atmosphere of secrecy and darkness.

Mia has only ever wanted to know who her father was, and why her mother would never say, but she gave up asking years ago and was content with the people she loves and who love her–her mother, Archie, Bernice and unconventional housekeeper Leela. But now, the desire to know has reasserted itself. When Archie lets her know she will inherit his estate, it makes her wonder if he is her father.

Newcomers to Rosshaven, Ross Power, Chief Executive of the new Harbour Spa Hotel in the village, and his niece, Pearl, quickly become involved with the family, and the stage is set for a very eventful summer of joy, heartbreak, tragedy, romance and surfacing revelations. Secrets are exposed, as is the greed and selfishness of certain people.

Sections from the past are scattered tantalizingly throughout the narrative and, as the small group spend time together, layers are uncovered, feelings laid bare and several threads are woven into the storyline. As with her previous books, Adrienne Vaughan’s knack of creating engaging and compelling characters who completely captivate, in a fabulous setting, is evident. Archie is outwardly theatrical and colourful, wanting to make the most of the time he has left, but understandably frailty shows through. I love Mia, the bond between her and Archie and the developing one with Pearl, another wonderful character.

Written with confidence, delightfully authentic dialogue and style, this was a joy to read.