Member Reviews
I found this to be a great summer read that was simply fun! Lila's world is about to be rocked. The book was full of fun characters each more dramatic than the last. I loved her family, every one of them. I laughed a lot at the antics. I loved the romance in the book too and the ending was perfect. The story is quick paced and just the right kind of escape for a summer day. I received an advance copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Summer on Sunshine Bay, and I am eagerly anticipating the possibility of it being the first installment in a series. The story was captivating and engaging, leaving me wanting more.
Lila is returning home after being gone for years hoping that news of her engagement will not bring unhappiness to her family. Things don't go as planned though when her fiance shocks her with an engagement party at Windemere, the new rival to her families restaurant. Her mom is happy to have her daughter home but isn't happy that her ex has also come to town. The two can't seem to get alonf but hope to put their differences aside for their daughter. Lila is worried about her families restaurant and wants to help save it but also has to spend time planning her wedding which no one seems happy about. There is also a secret that she has been keeping from her family. Follow along to see if Lila can find happiness in this move she has made and if her family will survive the fallout it has brung.
I always enjoy Debbie Mason’s novels and the relationships she develops among the characters. The Rossetti women are supportive and delightful. I did struggle a bit with some of the characterizations, Lila is described as strong-willed and knows her own mind, but yet she lets her soon to be mother-in-law and fiancé run all over her (she never seems to be able to say no). I also disliked the fiancé on sight, which makes the fact he didn’t have many scenes good. I am looking forward to the next installment as I can’t wait to see the other Rossetti women fall.
Fun, cute book!
When Lila discovers that she and David are pregnant, of course he proposes and she accepts, normal, right? Except due to the infamous Rossetti curse, none of Lila’s female relatives have happily married! Lila is going to be the first, and she is dreading telling the family.
David has his own issues, mostly around his father who is very controlling and emotionally abusive. He recently purchased a property in Sunshine Bay that will directly compete with Lila’s family business. Sounds like a setup for trouble!
I liked the book, it moved along nicely. Lots of family drama on both sides, along with a healthy dose of emotional baggage from the past. Some of it was a bit far-fetched but not so much to spoil the story.
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book, but my opinions are my own.
I enjoyed my visit to Sunshine Bay! 3 generations of independent Rosetti women who think that marriage is cursed for them, are shocked when the youngest comes home engaged!!! Needless to say, chaos ensues!
It is that time of year to grab a good fun beach read and this is one to choose!
Summer on Sunshine Bay will give you hours of enjoyment. It has twists and turns along with family, romance, and good friends. The characters in the story will bring so much emotion to you as you are reading. I was so drawn into the story and that what a good book is all about.
Thank you NetGalley, Debbie Mason and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for the ARC of Summer on Sunshine Bay. This is my personal review.
I'm a huge Debbie Mason fan, so I was ready to really love this book. Somehow it was just a little off for me. Some of it felt really slow and drawn out. I enjoyed the last fourth of the book more than the earlier parts of it. I think it was because at that point Lila and her mother both started to realize how screwed up their relationships were and there was finally some growth in that area.
I did really love the family aspect of the book. There were plenty of quirky family members to go around and they made the book fun. Luke was by far my favorite character. He was just a really good guy and a great romantic character.
Thanks to Forever/Grand Central Publishing and NetGalley for the gifted copy. All thoughts are my own.
There were so many endearing moments causing either laughter or tears
I have never read a book that had me rooting for so many “other” characters in a story. I’m not sharing more on that. This is truly a book to read, enjoy and figure out yourself. There are several plots of different characters that will have you happy or sad, depending on your perspective. This book gave me cringe-worthy moments as well as fist-pump moments. There were even some where I was afraid the author was going to take a different direction. Clever plotting!
David and Lila have had a “vanilla” relationship: safe, cautious and bland. Now Lila is pregnant and David finally gets his desire that Lila accept his marriage proposal. Why has she avoided the marriage talk up until now? The Rosetti women have a reason whether real or imagined. While the wedding is being planned so much will happen, some good and some not so much. If you like intricate and well told stories with angst, romance and a surprising culmination, read this book. Low on the steam but high on the passion. I volunteered to review an ARC of this book through NetGalley.
Summer on Sunshine Bay is the perfect bingeable summer read. It’s of humor, family, food, romance, and a bit of drama. I loved the characters and thought the arcs were great!
The ending was a little rushed. I found a few details to be a touch unbelievable, and I wanted a bit more before the Epilogue, but I still completely loved it!
I really hope it's a series, because I want to return to Sunshine Bay!!
4.5 stars!
Fabulous! Heartwarming story of family drama and love. There is heartbreak and tears and a family curse going back generations. This story emphasizes a mother's love for her child no matter how old she is. The heart wants what the heart wants or should I say WHO the heart wants. You can't help but love the Rosetti family and all their drama.
Thank you to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for this advanced review copy. In return, I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
Thank you to Net Galley for the advanced copy of this book. What a fun story. This book's plot is complex with lots of different characters but everything comes together in the end. It has characters that you love and characters that you dislike immensely, however you find yourself rooting for the characters you like to come out ahead in the end. I love the multi-generational aspect of the book, with the eccentric grandmother being my favourite. The whole idea behind the "curse" and superstitions make the book a delight. It is a book filled with love stories, not just between men and women but the love between family members. It illustrates how being close with family can help you to navigate through any problem with your family by your side and having your back. The story is filled with so many emotions, love, jealousy, competitiveness, regret, and forgiveness. This book is a great summer read.
This is my first book by Debbie Mason. The story is set in the beautiful beach town of Sunshine Bay where the Rosetti family runs a quaint Italian restaurant La Dolce Vita. The story focuses on the strong, vivacious Rosetti women, including Lila, her mother Eva, Nona Carmen, Aunt Gia, and cousins. Although I enjoyed the family dynamics between the close knit Rosetti women, they also had me rolling my eyes at times. Lila comes home to Sunshine Bay pregnant and engaged unbeknownst to her family. The story revolves around their belief in a "Rosetti curse" that no woman in the family could marry unscathed -- either their partner would die or leave them. They believe no Rosetti woman should get married. Of course, this belief leads to antics and messes up the love lives of all the women. I found this a bit ridiculous. At times, I just wanted to shake some sense into them. I thought it wrapped up a bit too neatly in the end given the big deal about the curse.
I did enjoy this book even with some of the plot lines that stretched believability. If you can look beyond some unrealistic interactions, you might enjoy reading about the antics of these colorful family of women.
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book.
A intriguing story about the Rosetta women and the marriage curse that haunts them.
A quirky story full of family drama and laugh out moments.
Highly recommended summer reading!
Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Nice quick beach read that is totally predictable. Reminds me of the 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding' rom- com movie. Lots.of playful banter amongst the women ,that gets to be a bit much at times.. A couple of male characters that are extremely unlikeable, the kind you really want the lady to take them down several notches along with a big slap- and to say don't let the door hit you on the way out. There are a few laugh out loud moments along the way.
So if you're looking for a easy predictable rom-com you'll enjoy this book.
I was give a complementary copy of this book and was under no obligation to provide a review. The opinions expressed my own. Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Debbie Mason has given us another fantastic book in Summer on Sunshine Bay. This is a beautifully written and emotional story. It is a complex story and deals with some complex issues. It is a story of love, not only the romantic love but love of your family and friends. It deals with family drama and all the confusion and misunderstandings that go with it. It is fast paced with some very wonderful characters to fall in love with. Debbie Mason’s descriptions will make you feel welcomed on Sunshine Bay. This is a must read for the beach this summer.
Thank you NetGalley, Forever/Grand Central Publishing and Debbie Mason for this terrific book to read and review. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
#netgalley. #forever/grandcentralpublishing
#debbiemason #arc #sunshinebay. #beachread
Lila Rosetti Sinclair has headed back to her hometown of Sunshine Bay with her fiancé David, a man no one in her family has ever met. They know him as a friend and colleague of hers, but given that none of the Rosetti women ever marry because of a believed curse she has not mentioned it to the very strong women in her life including her nonna, mother, aunt and two cousins.
David's family has recently purchased Windemere, an upscale inn in Sunshine Bay, that threatens to put her family restaurant, La Dolce Vita, out of business. Not to mention, and unbeknownst to Lila, David's mother has begun planning their wedding. What comes to pass is a story with lots of shenanigans courtesy of the women in Lila's family, Lila's father, David's parents, and we can't forget Luke, the very handsome older brother of Lila's high school boyfriend.
This was a very entertaining summer read and one I would recommend picking up!
**I voluntarily read an early copy of this title courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review**
Absolutely loved this book!
The characters are wonderful and family oriented. Lila is back in Sunshine Bay with her, her fiancé David. David's family bought a hotel/restaurant that may just put Lila's family restaurant out of business. Will this happen? Or will the two families come to some sort of agreement. Will they help each other out? I'm not saying another word but I highly recommend this if you like romance, family conflict, humour and all together family oriented.
I just started reading Debbie Mason's books about 2 years ago and she never disappoints with her stories. I loved each and every one of them that I have read. Great characters and strong storylines that doesn't disappoint a reader.
Highly recommend!
While I love this author, I felt this one fell short for me. I could see the ending coming from the beginning. I didn't really care for the characters (especially the mom). I usually love how Debbie Mason writes series with each book following a different character, but there really weren't any other characters in this book that I'd care to know more about. It might just be me, but this one was a miss.
Perfect summer beach read! Plenty of family and romance drama. Lots of love and laughs. Strong women characters and great friendships. A sweet, heartwarming story. I loved it!
I received an ARC of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.