I want to thank Bette and the BFF Clubhouse for the opportunity to read this fantastic book! It's another great story by a truly gifted storyteller and author, Bette Lee Crosby. She has a beautiful gift of putting words on pages that bring them to life and make you feel the emotions of the characters. The book started out so sad and heartbreaking. It broke my heart. But true to the way Bette writes, she brought the story around to how things that happen can bring good things. One of the quotes I liked is this one, "Fate isn't controlled by wishes. It just is what it is, and it happens whether you want it to or not." I really liked the way Sox, the dog, was in the story. I am a huge dog lover and her way of weaving him into the book is exactly how I feel about my dogs. It made me feel so good that Sox "picked" his person and he was so vital in the story. The other quote that stood out to me was this one, "That's what love is-wanting something good for some body more than what you want for yourself." I so enjoy Bette's books because she has such great wisdom and life lessons in them. I truly loved this book and highly recommend it.

I had the pleasure of being asked to read an ARC of The Summer of New Beginnings by Bette Lee Crosby in exchange for an honest review. I’d like to thank both Lake Union Publishing and author, Bette Lee Crosby for this. Just like every other book that I’ve read by this author, I found this to be a very enjoyable read. Bette has a magical way with words that somehow make you feel a real connection to the characters. This is a story about a family and the love that they have for each other. It depicts how they stick together in good times and in bad after the sudden death of their father who was the true patriarch of the family. What I really liked was that there was an essence of the father’s spirit who seemed to be looking out for his family from beyond. I like to believe that such things are truly possible. I found that this book leaves you feeling very optimistic about life. It’s a heartwarming, uplifting story that I would recommend to other readers who enjoy women’s fiction.

I really enjoyed The Summer of New Beginnings. I thought the characters were interesting and realistic. I really liked that the idea of sometimes what you think you want may not be what you thought they were. I hope there will be more Magnolia Grove books.

I really enjoyed this book - especially Meghan Briggs, the youngest daughter of George and Lila Briggs. She seemed mature beyond her years - while her older sister, Tracy, ran off with her boyfriend, she gave up her dream of attending college to run her father's business, the Snip 'N Save. When her sister returned home with a baby who displayed some evidence of having challenges with learning, it was Meghan who advocated to bring him to a doctor and, when she suspected what was wrong, researched what could be done to help him (which, in the process, introduced Tracy to Gabriel which will hopefully be another story!). The author did a great job with character development as well as with the story line - the Briggs women really came together to triumph over adversity.

Bette Lee Crosby once again shows what well-written women's literature is all about. A story about life...and how it can throw a curveball that changes the direction of family futures. The strength of three women, mom Lila and her daughter's Meghan and Tracy, in dealing with their challenges was a good focus point of this book. But we can't forget the father, who although is no longer living, is still a vital influencer in the family in many ways. A quote attributed to him was so good...and insightful for the characters. "There are very absolute things in this world. The years between birth and death are filled with possibility and probability. What you make of those years is up to you." I also appreciated the thoughtful and informational way the topic of hearing impairment was brought into the story and dealt with. Another aspect I appreciated was the "journal entry" pages for each character with their thoughts of current situations...especially since a big part of Meghan's story was about journal entries. I received an ARC copy of this book but the opinions are my own.

First, I want to say thank you to Bette Lee Crosby and Lake Union Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book. Full disclosure - Bette is a good friend and I have read and reviewed most if not all of her novels. There has not been one that I did not love.

All that being said, The Summer of New Beginnings is another beautifully written novel crafted by this amazing author. Bette has continued to write in the Southern tradition of her previous books, but has added a more dynamic plot line with a few more twists to it. Her characters seem to come alive in the pages and the dog, I love dogs, reminds me of my own best friend! I’m a sucker for books with dogs in them!

Other reviewers will go further into the plot. I simply want to say that this is an amazingly readable book. It’s perfect for reading in front of the fire with the snow falling or on a beach drinking an iced tea! I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a great, well developed story with characters you will want to know. I’m looking forward to more in this new series.

"They say that after a person goes to his maker, a part of them stays behind with those they've loved."
This is the thesis of this wonderful heartwarming story.
A family who each has to find their own vocations in life, as they move forward after the sudden loss of the patriarch in the household. A man who had the answers to most questions and yet was gentle and kind in his ways.;whose favorite words were "Possibly" and "Probably".
This book will touch your heart and soul!
It gave me renewed faith to believe that things do happen for a reason and our loved ones do watch over us.
I enjoyed the writing, the family, and most especially Sox, who is more than a dog!
PS- You will possibly or probably need tissues while reading at times!
Thank you to Bette Lee Crosby and to Lake Union for allowing me to read this terrific novel!

I received an ARC of this book. I have read other books by Bette Lee Crosby and enjoyed every one very much. I believe this is her best one yet! It is a story of family, love and survival. Once I started it I couldn't put it down. The characters are so well-developed that I felt I knew them personally. The story touched my heart I felt the love, joy, fears and sadness right along with the characters. I didn't want the book to end, it was like saying goodbye to family. For me, that is what makes a good book a great one!

I love the way Bette Lee Crosby writes ! The reader is woven into the story, I feel like I'm at the dining room table with the family, or curled up on the couch with the sisters. This book is about family, the good times and the bad and getting through it together! If you are already a fan, you will love this book and if you haven t read a book by this author, this is a good place to start as this is the beginning of a new series!
I cannot wait for the next book!!

This book is so well-written and engaging I literally did not move from my chair until I finished it. From the moment George Briggs unexpectedly dies, it is clear the impact his absence will have on a family for which he was so present. Daughter Meghan immediately shoulders the responsibility of guiding the family forward by maintaining the business her father started in order to spend more time with his wife and daughters. Setting her dream aside for her family, Meghan still understands the pull of her sister's desire to strike out on her own. Even though Tracy's choice of men is not the best, Meghan helps their mother accept that she must let her go in order to hold onto her. Lila comes to appreciate Meghan's wisdom when Tracy returns home months later with a baby in tow and the boyfriend left behind. With George guiding them from above and within, the three women learn to help build each other up and reach for the future they deserve. Crosby has a real talent for smoothly telling a story of dreams and disappointments intertwining over time. While hope and happiness prevail, it is because Crosby has realistically shown that, like many of us, Meghan and Tracy chose to look beyond themselves to build a life of contentment.