I received an ARC from NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for an honest review. When Sweet fell down the basement stairs, her daughter Jenna and her granddaughter Sophie came to stay with her.
During that time, little snippets are revealed and discoveries are made. We learn about Sweet when she was 17 and how she got the nickname. We also learn about Jenna when she was younger. All will be revealed and there will even be a surprise near the end.
I never expected all that I got out of this book. It is a page-turner because there are new things to discover.

Barbara Josselsohn, the author of “The Bluebell Girls” has written a memorable, heartwarming, enjoyable and thought-provoking novel. The genres for this book are Family Fiction, Fiction, Women’s Fiction, and Romance. The timeline for this story is set in the present and goes to the past when it pertains to the characters or events. The story takes place in Lake Summers. The author describes her colorful and dramatic characters as complex, complicated, and quirky. Of course, there is a loveable dog in this story. There are three generations of women in this delightful story.

I love the way Barbara Josselsohn, vividly describes the interaction and storytelling of the characters and the details as the bluebell flowers and the carefree attitudes.

Jenna is recently divorced and comes back to her mother, Sweet’s home with her daughter Sophie and the family dog. Jenna’s sister has been concerned about Sweet’s health and memory. Jenna feels that perhaps this will be a good start for Sophie and herself to make a new life. This way Jenna can keep an eye on her Sweet as well.

Sweet bonds with her grand-daughter with her care-free ways, and stories of love. Jenna isn’t quite sure if they are real or not, but Sophie is obsessed with listening to them.

It seems the new Vet in the town is one of Jenna’s former neighbors, who has also come back to Lake Summers. He is also conflicted about many things.

This is an amazing novel of family, friendships, neighbors, love, and hope that I would highly recommend. Happy Reading!

I would state this is a nice women’s fictional novel. It had the elements of romance, connection, family and memories. Although I was hoping for a bit more of a love story, it was enjoyable to read about Sophie and Sweet's relationship as they grew closer. The element of mystery regarding Sweet’s first love and her letters also added a nice touch and made the story more interesting.

I enjoyed Josselsohn’s style of writing when she wrote about the character’s reflections on their surroundings and cricumstances. I wanted a little bit more from the story outside of wanting more about the love story, but just not quite able to put my finger on what was missing, but I felt yearning for more. The tidbits of past memories that tied in the past with the present with Troy’s and Jenna’s story was intriguing, but again, I wanted more.

Overall, this story was an enjoyable story about family ties and lost loves; despite leaving you wanting more out of it.

A beautifully written story about 3 generations of one family. It is set in idyllic Lake Summers.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Jenna is going through a divorce, job change, sister troubles all while raising her daughter and returning to her mothers home on Lake Summers, she (Jenna) loved growing up on Lake Summers, there are wonderful memories and the one painful memory of the one man who got away named Troy.
Troy has been avoiding relationships since his relationship with Jenna ended. This is a book about 3 generations of family that explore the past and rewrites the future! i loved the 3 generational stories and look forward to many more stories and the BlueBell GIrls.
Can i move to bluebell and start my life over too? sigh one can dream right?

Book Description:

Three generations. One summer that will change everything.

Growing up in Lake Summers, Jenna and her mother Sweet were known as the bluebell girls. Jenna was carefree, always running barefoot through their wildflower garden, and no one expected her to live in their little lake house in the Adirondack Mountains forever. But when Sweet’s health declines Jenna must return from her life near New York, and with her own daughter Sophie in tow, their family home comes to life again.

Away from the stress of her recent divorce, Jenna finds comfort in lazy afternoons along the water and long nights watching Sweet tell Sophie stories about her long-lost loves. And when she meets Sweet’s new next-door neighbour Troy, she recognizes him instantly as the boy with whom she shared her first kiss.

Seeing Troy reminds Jenna of just how reckless she once was, but as their feelings resurface, so do the secrets they hide about a tragedy in their past. And with Sweet and Sophie closer than ever before, Jenna is forced to make a choice: will she flee again, or is she finally brave enough to be honest with Troy and settle down in Lake Summers forever?

An unforgettable romance that will whisk you away to the sunny shores of Lake Summers. Perfect for fans of Carolyn Brown, Debbie Macomber, Mary Alice Monroe and anyone who’s ever dreamed of rekindling a long-lost love.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'The Bluebell Girls' by Barbara Josselsohn.

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous

Publication date 25th September 2020

This is the first book that I have read by this author. It is the second book in the 'Lake Summers' series. Although this is book is part of a series it can easily be read as a standalone.

I was originally drawn to this book by its intriguing and beautiful cover and interesting sounding blurb. I also wanted a change from my typical genre of crime fiction and this looked perfect. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).

This novel consists of 23 chapters. The chapters are medium in length so ideal to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!

This book is written in third person perspective and the main protagonist is Jenna. I enjoy books written in third person as it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters.

This book is based in the US 🇺🇸 .

This book is very well written with beautiful descriptions which really painted a picture. I loved how the storyline flitted from past to present to give a bigger picture so you can see how the past lead the characters to the present.

The storyline is a very easy read and heartwarming. It is nice to see how the three generations are so close and to read about their individual stories. I loved reading about Sweet's past and watching the relationships develop between Sophie and Sweet, Jenna and Chloe and Jenna and Troy. I also enjoyed meeting the other village characters who all had their own unique personalities.

All the characters were strong and I look forward to reading more of the 'Bluebell Girls' series and meeting them all again. It will be lovely to see how the individual relationships continue to develop and if anything happens between Jenna and Troy. Although the book was mainly written from Jenna's perspective it was nice to see some of the chapters were written from Troy's point of view too so you can see what he is also going through and what he is feeling.

Overall a perfect light hearted summer read about love, family and relationships.

Genres covered include Romance and family sagas.

I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as anyone looking for a light hearted read.

271 pages.

This book is £1.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!

Rated 5/5 (I loved it ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.

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Author Bio:

Barbara Josselsohn is an award-winning journalist and novelist who loves crafting stories about strong protagonists facing a fork in the road. Her novels center around second chances, family relationships and, of course, romance. She is the author of the Lake Summers series set in the fictional town of Lake Summers, nestled in the Adirondacks Mountains, which includes the books The Lilac House and The Bluebell Girls. Before joining with Bookouture, she published The Last Dreamer, a women’s-fiction novel from Lake Union Publishing, along with hundreds of articles and essays in major and regional publications about family, home and relationships. She lives just north of New York City and enjoys escaping to the beach or the mountains whenever she can. Other than writing, her biggest passion is her family: husband, her three kids, and her indefatigable shih-poo!

www.BarbaraSolomonJosselsohn.com
Facebook.com/BarbaraSolomonJosselsohnAuthor
https://twitter.com/barbarajoss

Buy Links:
Amazon: https://bit.ly/32Dvi7l

Jenna returns to Lake Summers with her daughter Sophie to help out her mother. Enter a guy from the past and wow romance. Jenna and Sophie find a new life in Lake Summers.

“For her, coming back was all about comfort. And family. For him, coming back was about emptiness. And loss.”

Jenna is moving to Lake Summers, nestled in the Adirondack Mountains; back into the house where she’d spent her summer months when she was growing up, and where her mother now lives year-round. She’s moving forward after being in “freefall” from her divorce and ex-husband’s pending engagement, mounting expenses, and the impact of all this on Sophie, her eleven-year-old daughter. Jenna’s return to Lake Summers is filled with memories of adventures spent exploring the trails with friends and grilling and eating on the deck under the trees with her family. But teenage romance is always part of summer at the lake, right? That was certainly true for Jenna. Enter, Troy-Jenna’s first love and first kiss. Mostly sweet memories, except for that Fourth of July, that changed everything. Troy, now returned to take over the Vet Clinic in Lake Summers, is operating mostly out of guilt. Readers will tangle with mixed emotions regarding Troy as he attempts to “untangle” his past.

Jenna’s older sister, Chloe, is loud, assertive, and always sports her “bossy pants!” Chloe is angry at having so little control over Jenna and fearful of what may be happening to “Sweet,” Jenna & Chloe’s mom. Operating out of fear rarely leads to good relationships or decisions. Will Jenna’s decision to move back to Lake Summers destroy or improve the sisterly bond?

Sophie has arrived in Lake Summers ahead of her mom to spend some “quality time” with Sweet, and is completely enthralled with a fascinating, never before told story of her grandmother’s first love. Sophie’s questions and excitement lead Sweet to begin examining her own long, lost memories. The memory that emerges involves a “chip” -which leads Sweet down to the basement and a tumble that lands her in the hospital. Sweet is frustrated with the gaps in her memory and is struggling to recall two very important words to share with Sophie. Readers will appreciate and learn from these two words.

The ups and downs of family dynamics are familiar to readers. In Barbara Josselsohn’s The Bluebell Girls connections are easily made with Sweet, Jenna and Sophie as they each attempt to move their lives forward while in Lake Summers; each “writing a story.” The emotions and attachments to the residents of Lake Summers become a part of the reader’s daily thoughts as the descriptions and dialogue ring heartfelt and so true. Whether it’s the juicy burgers at The Grill, new creations at the Smoothie Dude’s or fresh muffins at Pearl’s Cafe; readers will be welcomed with open arms to take a slow drive down Main Street, gaze at the Victorian-style homes, then settle back in wonder at the twinkling star filled sky over Lake Summers. Thank you, Barbara Josselsohn, for helping readers to understand family members sometimes operate out of fear, guilt, and lack of control; but in the end, love prevails.

Book #2 in The Lake Summers Series, The Bluebell Girls, is a reminder to always treasure memories and family.

The Bluebell Girls earns “Five Bluebell bouquets filled with twinkling stars and lots of love.” GR.

Three generations. One summer that will change everything.

Growing up in Lake Summers, Jenna and her mother Sweet were known as the bluebell girls. Jenna was carefree, always running barefoot through their wildflower garden, and no one expected her to live in their little lake house in the Adirondack Mountains forever. But when Sweet’s health declines Jenna must return from her life near New York, and with her own daughter Sophie in tow, their family home comes to life again.

Away from the stress of her recent divorce, Jenna finds comfort in lazy afternoons along the water and long nights watching Sweet tell Sophie stories about her long-lost loves. And when she meets Sweet’s new next-door neighbour Troy, she recognizes him instantly as the boy with whom she shared her first kiss.

Seeing Troy reminds Jenna of just how reckless she once was, but as their feelings resurface, so do the secrets they hide about a tragedy in their past. And with Sweet and Sophie closer than ever before, Jenna is forced to make a choice: will she flee again, or is she finally brave enough to be honest with Troy and settle down in Lake Summers forever?

Thi was just a sweet and hopefull read. I just need it something like that. It is not a wow read but it just did the work.
This was 3.5 stars for me.

This is the second book in the Lake Summers series and well worth investing the time to read it. There are a few background characters from the first offering (The Lilac House), but this novel serves very well as a stand-alone book. The locale itself is so well-described and integral to the story that it becomes a character in its own right.

Jenna has recently endured the demise of her marriage and has returned to Lake Summers, a small town in the Adirondacks. While contemplating a permanent move to her childhood home, Jenna realizes that she needs to stay the summer after her mother, Sweet, experiences a traumatic fall and is also exhibiting memory challenges. Sweet shares her experience as a seventeen year old running away from home and falling in love with Sophie, Jenna’s impressionable preteen daughter. Jenna is not sure the story is true, given her mother’s cognitive decline. Additionally Jenna rekindles a relationship with her first love after years of separation. As the three generations of the Clayton family explore the past, Jenna comes to realize that events do not define one’s life, that second chances are always present when they are embraced.

I enjoyed both books in this series (although I would give the Lilac House 5 Stars). The author deals with classic issues of family/relationship dynamics, love, loss and rebirth, yet she creates a refreshing approach with intelligent, relatable characters and interesting background elements. There are romantic aspects to both stories without being dominated by them. I look forward to more books in this series.

My thanks to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for providing the opportunity to review a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Three generations of one family reconnected for a summer and romance is in the air! Jenna was a sweet summer visitor each year and had a week long summer romance until it was time for reality to set in! Summer was over and things happened and lives changed!

Jennas mother Sweet retired to the summer home and Jenna and her daughter minus her now ex-husband were now possibly going to return as well! The long ago boyhood summer fling also has returned! Could they possibly rekindle that long ago flame? What about Sweet and her long ago romance she was telling her granddaughter about, did that really exist before she married Jennas father or is her mother getting dementia?

The Author takes you on a journey of life and memories of before you become a mother and have responsibilities! Can you have more than two true loves in your lifetime! This book explores how you can take many pathways!

I would definitely recommend this book.

Thank you to the authors and publishers who work diligently for us the readers.

I received an advanced copy from NetGalley and these are my willingly given thoughts and opinions.

Jenna and Troy grew up as next door neighbors. She was closer friends with his brother Steve, but just became involved with Troy when tragedy strikes.

Jenna returns to Lake Summers to care for her Mom, bringing her daughter along. Jenna just went through a divorce and needs a change as much as her Mom needs help. When it turns out that Troy is also back, they begin to be friends again.

This is a story of family, overcoming tragedy, and learning about unfinished work. Well crafted, good editing and a nice story. I enjoyed it.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.

The Bluebell Girls is about about three generations who are traveling down memory lane together at the special summer place. Jenna is moving back to a town that has special meaning after her husband left her. Sophie is intrigued with a mystery surrounding her grandmother. Sweet is grappling with aging issues, but can a blast from Her past help? I liked the setting, the characters, and the cover of the book. Readers will find out the significance of the bluebells. My favorite character is Troy, the vet who had to come to grips with his past.

4.2 Stars
“Three generations. One summer that will change everything.”
This line on the cover says it all. It is a book of second chances, of introspections, of understanding, compassion, and accepting life and love with a smile.
Jenna and her daughter Sophie, an eleven-year-old, come to Lake Summers, Jenna’s home. Jenna is in the middle of a messy divorce, her self-esteem all-time low. Sophie starts as a typical pre-teen but grows into a girl with more depth and layers to her characters. Sweet, Jenna’s mother, happens to hold the key to happiness and is a delightful person.
We see Chloe, Jenna’s elder sister, who appears to be dominant and controlling, but then we learn her thoughts and see her in a different light. Jenna meets Troy, her first love, and she begins to think about her life, her decisions, the past, and the present. Troy himself is battling with his demons and finds it hard to listen to his heart.
It’s been a while since I read romances, but I wouldn’t necessarily classify this as one. There is love, but it’s more in thoughts, in the past, and the words and gestures rather than two people being impulsive.
The writing is mellow, a bit slow in the beginning, and picks a little pace a while later. It doesn’t rush off towards the end but walks at a steady pace.
The book doesn’t have villains, baddies, or typical mean characters that throw a spanner just for the sake of it. The character arc of Jenna, from doubting her every action to become who she was once, a confident and bright woman, was crafted very well.
Sweet’s secret love story from her past, her bonding with Sophie, and how the threads tie-up at the end of the book were heartwarming without being too gooey. I did guess a few things (no spoilers), but that’s fine. The book isn’t based on the reader guessing anything.
Jenna has a lot of thoughts and conflicting emotions. She goes back and forth between past and present, but she doesn’t ramble. There are no repetitions in the story (except in one place). There is no information dump, either. We get to know bits and pieces of who Jenna was and how she let circumstances take away her spark. But she’s never bitter, sad, yes.
There are times when one needs to read something positive, hopeful, and sweet that’s not preachy and overly dramatic. This book fits the bill. The ending isn’t a perfect HEA. We know there will be issues. But we also know that the characters are now at a place where they are confident of finding ways to love and be happy.
I wish Troy had a better arc just as Jenna did. He is almost predictable, and that does cut down the points a bit. Lake Summers seems like a wonderful place to live, and boy, I love the use of bluebells in the story.
Overall, it’s a nice and satisfying book for those looking for something warm and cozy without too much drama.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the ARC copy.
#TheBluebellGirls #NetGalley

Thank you NetGalley and bookouture for giving me e-ARC of the bluebell girls. This review is solely mine and the words are 100% genuine.
I am at loss of words to explain how I felt about this book. I loved the plot and story of this book. The author has really done an amazing job in writing this wonderful book. The best thing is that although it is the second book of the Lake summers, yet it can be read as a standalone. I love stand-alones so this is a bonus point for me.
When I started reading the book, I didn't know I'll come to love it this much. Where to start from? Jenna? She was such a great character, full of life and warmth. I loved how she didn't let her marriage destroy herself completely. Her decision of coming back to the lake summers was a turning point of her life. I am so happy for that she made this choice. She grew and learned a lot about herself and life itself while being there. I guess her mother's injury was a blessing in disguise. My mind is still so full of Jenna that I called our helper Jenna by mistake few times.
Jenna was such a realistic character. What I mean to say is that she like other humans, had her doubts, hopelessness, confusion, heart-breaks etc. It is not like she was perfect and out of world character. This is what I like about her. She didn't make you feel worthless and unsuccessful. In fact, she made me realize that you can fail and yet you can start all over again. I loved how she stood up to her sister. She is my all time favorite character now.
Chloe was caring sister and was so sure of herself that she kind of imposed her decisions over others. But I understood her because she cared about all of her family.
Sophie was such a strong and loving character. I loved how she cared for her grandmother. This new generation doesn't like to spend time with older people. She was a warm and ever adapting herself to the environment type of a person. She went through a lot but she didn't use it to play a victim. This is what I admired about her.
Sweet was also my favorite. She was so lively even when her life had become dull and less adventurous. She found positivity in her present as well and shone brightly like a star at night.
This world is full of people like Matt. Although I would have loved to see his perspective as well but I still liked how Jenna made him do the right thing in the end. there are people out there who can not accept their own failures and hence blame everything on others. He was a self obssessed kind of person. Glad Jenna let him go (sorry Matt). I felt bad for his fiancee. He is going to blame everything on her as well.
Troy was the most difficult person. I was mostly mad at him but I guess it was not his fault the way he turned out to be. He had his responsibilities at young age and didn't get to enjoy his childhood and teenage, youth I mean. He was so broken that he had to shut off all his feelings. Again, he too was saved (rescued) by Jenna as she had dreamed in her teenage. I am happy for Troy.
I loved all characters, Sherry, Dr. Robert, Zoe, Mrs. Pearl etc. All of them were lovely.
The concept of the unfinished work is now my inspiration for living my life. I am glad I get to read this book or else I wouldn't have got my motivational words to lift up my spirits. I would definitely recommend it to everyone and to those who don't read this genre to step out of their comfort genre and give it a go. Trust me, I still feel like I haven't done any justice in describing this book.
Well done author, you have written a wonderful masterpiece. This book will stay with me for a long time.

This is the second book in the Lake Summers series but can be read as a stand-alone book, which is how I read it.
Jenna's marriage has come to an end; she decides to have a break from New York and returns to her childhood home with her daughter Sophie. Considering a permanent move back home, Jenna's mother Sweet has a bad fall and whilst in hospital, they confirm that she is also presenting memory difficulties.
Jenna decides to stay and look after Sweet. Three generations tell their stories.
A well written enjoyable story with a blend of heartbreaking/heartwarming moments, of second chances, romance and finding harmony in complicated family relationships. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I want to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and author Barbara Josselshon for a pre-publication copy to read.

Three generations. One summer that will change everything.

Growing up in Lake Summers, Jenna and her mother Sweet were known as the bluebell girls. Jenna was carefree, always running barefoot through their wildflower garden, and no one expected her to live in their little lake house in the Adirondack Mountains forever. But when Sweet’s health declines Jenna must return from her life near New York, and with her own daughter Sophie in tow, their family home comes to life again.

This was such a beautiful book. Full of romance that you will not want to put down.

I enjoyed the story, it did seem to take awhile to get where it was going. It’s still a nice addition to the series
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the early copy

I loved the first book of this series and I loved the second one as much. 

I was very happy to be invited to travel to Lake Summers again. Time to be welcomed by some of the inhabitants I met in the previous story as well as lovely new characters.

Family is important, but often work and others things take up most of your time. This story is about changing plans and adapting to current situations, about a bond being formed and getting stronger and stronger between a grandma and her granddaughter, about not taking a defeatist attitude but looking beyond what's in front of you.

Life is too short to not take every opportunity you get to explore new horizons. Don't settle for what you think is the only option. Sometimes you are so focused on the main road that you don't even consider trying out one of the smaller side streets. 

A great story constructed with a mixture of heartbreaking but beautiful events as well as heartwarming ones. 5 stars.

Thank you, Barbara Josselsohn and Bookouture

I loved this book. Jenna is going through a divorce, job change, sister troubles all while raising her daughter and returning to her mothers home on Lake Summers. Jenna loved growing up on Lake Summers, there are wonderful memories and the one painful memory that involves the one who got away, Troy.
Troy has been avoiding relationships since that night years ago that ended his relationship with Jenna .
This was such a great read, the characters were wonderful and the family story and secrets made this a page turner .
Now excuse me as I pack to move to Lake Summers so I can finish my unfinished work !