Member Reviews
This story was heartbreakingly beautiful. The writing was incredible - Fiona does an incredible job of setting the scene in such a detailed way that you feel you are there as well. At times, hard to read, this story is a great depiction of how hard it can be to choose what is best for us vs what is right in front of us. Honestly one of the best and most authentic love stories I’ve read, told over four seasons of life. There are a few twists and turns that just break your heart but in the best way.
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced electronic copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This was a touching story of love, regret, and what might have beens. Spanning many years it challenges us on true love, responsibility and grasping the chance for love.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for my honest review.
The perfect family, or so Rachel thought. She meets Gabe during three seasons, in different years, but still their love endures.
I liked both character's, but the husband Jonny, I found a little hard to like. He seemed very selfish, and quite demanding, but nevertheless, Rachel stood by him. His daughter Teddy, was a delight, and I thought she was fun, from the start.
This book was such a comforting, beautiful way to spend a weekend, and I really enjoyed it.
Thank you to the author, and to the publisher, for allowing me to read this advanced copy.
This was a brilliant read. A great story-line, well developed characters and a really enjoyable style of writing to read.
The story spans several decades and how the characters continue to meet and reconnect in unexpected ways. I was so invested in Rachel's story and kept changing my mind as to where she would (and should!) go with Gabe or stay with Jonny. I felt this the whole way through and gripped me to keep on reading whenever I could!
A particular highlight for me was the part of the story in Marrakech. I was reading this on holiday in Marrakech and loved being able to pick out places mentioned in the story. The author described perfectly the hustle and sights and I could imagine the characters there even more!
A great first read on NetGalley - can't wait to read more!
A love story set over 4 decades, with themes of loyalty, self-denial and loss.
The setting is nicely constructed, making you want to visit the village, or even live there. This is contrasted with the home of the hero, Gabe, who I think we'd all like to meet. The main character, Rachel, is sympathetic and you find yourself really rooting for her and hoping she'll see the light.
A good holiday or weekend read.
Wow the romance and storytelling of Shane and Rachel’s journey to each other was epic. Through years and seasons their story took many a twist and turn. I loved this book
A gentle read that meanders through the main characters lives over several decades. This was a tale of love, loss, loyalty and family. It was quite sad in places with Rachel as the female lead continually putting others before her own needs as she laid to rest her childhood issues.
4.5⭐️ rounded up.
Rachel and Gabe meet in Spring and the connection is almost immediate. However, Rachel is engaged to be married to someone else. It takes many years and passing seasons, during which they met several times, falling in love as life and their choices keep them apart- until at last, the stars align.
This tale of longing is an epic, moving journey through the beautiful and excruciating and complicated nature of love.
*I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Very accomplished prose and a great characterisations. This was a beautiful story of longing and duty and I loved how the concept of fate was explored. Rachel was so relatable and I adored Gabe therefore it was easy to be immersed in their love story.
This was a lovely story but also very sad. Some great characters and an interactive community..Distant love and final fullfillment. I was gripped from begining to end, it was such a such a heart warming, heart breaking story..
A domestic family saga. A boy and girl who meet in Spring. Each decade and season they meet again. I loved reading their story, their growth, their careers. A lovely read.
This book takes place over the course of 33 years, and all four seasons. It's the story of a woman who meets a man at the wrong time, and spends much of next few decades wondering "What if? Is the grass really greener?".
From the very first encounter in the book, I fell in love with the story. I was happy and heartbroken numerous times throughout the lives of the characters, and the author was able to portray exactly how they were feeling with such ease. It's a story about love, about loss, and about choosing whether to follow your heart or play it safe. I will not give much away about the storyline, but would recommend this book over and over again.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing me with a free digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
A very complicated love story where things kept getting in the way. Rachel was always put off taking a risk and she chose safe over her heart and connection. Fate intervened over many decades, prompting her to question her decisions. Over the course of the book you will be heartbroken at events. a poignant tale of love trying to conquer all. Such a great read.
This book spanned several decades and is exploring that love can thrive despite whatever life has planned for you.
A good read. The premise is good. One choice could change the course of your whole life but…..is it worth taking that chance?
This is a delightful book and beautifully written, a classic case of will they won't they with some twists. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and would recommend.
This book is a sweeping novel that covers a decades-long love between Rachel and Gabe. They first meet in 1986, and we follow them through each of their next three meetings, eleven years apart. Rachel's sense of duty and safety prevent her from following her heart. But, each time she sees Gabe again, her love is steadfast. This book was a satisfying read, although towards the end I felt like it was a bit long. I found myself knowing where the story was going and rushing to just get to the end. Overall, a nice read.
This is the first book I have read by this author, but I really enjoyed her style of storytelling and was drawn to the characters.
I feel I have been on a rollercoaster of emotions, with the old heartstrings being well and truly stretched. This is full of longing, doing the right thing, missed chances, loyalty and family.
Not wishing to spoil things, you do need to read this!
Really enjoyed this book! My first read by this author but I would definitely look out for other stories by her. Absolutely loved the characters, who were so well portrayed that you couldn't help but like them (well, the ones you are supposed to like anyway!). I really liked the concept of the story - I felt it was unusual for the story to move on by several years each time, rather than going back and forward in it's timeline. I thought this made it easier to read. All you are hoping for as you get further through the story is the "right" outcome for Rachel & Gabe but you are kept on your toes and never sure if this is going to happen. Does it? I wouldn't spoil your enjoyment of reading this by telling you - you'll just have to read it yourself to find out!
Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review,. which is what I have given.
Rachel has always wanted a stable relationship after seeing her parents arguing all the time. So when Jonny proposes, her dreams seem about to come true, and even handsome American Gabe is not going to interfere. But as the years pass, and she meets Gabe again, decisions have to be made.
I enjoyed reading Spring, Summer, Autumn, Us, and its a great holiday read. I did find Jonny self obsessed and irritating from the start, and therefore Rachel's behaviour was annoying. Overall, however, an entertaining read.
I don't know whether to love or hate this book. Major Spoilers.
I hated Rachel spent her time with someone who would never love her to the fullest extent, who lied to her their whole marriage, and isn't that just as bad as cheating?
She could have been happy with Gabe if she would have had the courage and the self-awareness to let go of her ideas of what life "should" be like. She could have been much happier. And maybe she didn't necessarily waste her love on Jonny and Teddy, but she wasn't doing anyone a service of sacrificing her dreams and happiness.
I loved all the times Rachel and Gabe met, and I was rooting for them to stick together every time, even though I knew they would get through another season leaving each other for whatever reason. Told from Rachel's perspective, and she was the one engaged, we see why she won't leave Jonny and Teddy. But honestly, it didn't do her any good to stay with the.
This would be a great book club read, lots of discussion about what Rachel should have or shouldn't have done.