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ncrabb's review
4.0
This is book three in the Chesapeake Diary series, and it was great fun to read. I’m discovering the magic of revisiting characters doing a series from beginning to end. I never thought I’d say that, but I'm coming around slowly. I’ve learned that if I read things between visits to a series, the magic is preserved and the burnout doesn’t happen.
So we met Steffie Wyler in book one. She is a close friend to Vanessa, the owner of a clothing and jewelry boutique, who was the central character of book one. Even in book one, you learn that Steffie has had a lifelong thing for Wade MacGregor, but he has been rather elusive, to say the least, in the first two books of the series. It is here in book three that the two come together—uh—all too literally.
Steffie is a delightful character. Her brother is the town vet, and she is the owner of One Scoop Or Two, the local ice cream shop. There’s just nothing about her not to like. She’s well grounded; she works hard, and she’s pretty creative when it comes to designing those ice cream flavors.
She and Wade were getting pretty cuddly at her friend Vanessa’s wedding, then his phone went off, he took a quick call, and literally left her standing alone the apparent victim of unfulfilled desire, to say the least. As this book opens, Wade is back in town, and he has a little boy with him. The mystery behind the sudden appearance of the little boy is one Steffie will have to come to grips with if the romance is to flourish.
Here’s the thing: If you dislike romance-genre books, you probably want to avoid this. It’s everything you dislike; it’s predictable, the sexual descriptions are prevalent, all of that. But if you are charmed by fictional small towns where good people deal with bad times and come through them stronger because members of the community have bonded, pooled their resources, and helped one another. This series is a kind of a feel-good schmaltzy read. There are two more books in this series of which I’m aware, and I’ll read them—not because the romance appeals to me; I’m getting to a point with that genre where I can take it or leave it; but because I’ve come to care about the residents of this small Maryland town.
allingoodtime's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this book better than the second installment, but not as much as the first. Let's say it's really at 3.5 stars.
From book one in this series, I've loved the character of Steffie. I was looking forward to this book and certain aspects did not disappoint. I fell in love with Wade and Austin. I was super glad Mariah Stewart didn't drag out the whole mystery behind Austin's parentage. And mostly, since we've been getting enigmatic glimpses since book one, I really liked that this book delved deeper into the past of the town and possible magic.
What I missed was the warm-fuzzies. Yes, I said I loved the characters. I even think they belong together. But there was never any butterflies in the stomach for me. Somehow, the chemistry is missing from the writing.
I still enjoyed seeing the other residents of the town out and about. I'm glad there is a possible story ahead for Brooke and maybe her brother, too. Plus, Lucy's name has been being dropped a lot and I wonder if she avoids the town due to a broker heart herself. So I'm sure she'll come to town and we'll get her story soon.
Although this isn't my favorite series out there, it still gives me joy to read so I will continue on. I'm a bit invested in the people of St. Dennis at this point.
From book one in this series, I've loved the character of Steffie. I was looking forward to this book and certain aspects did not disappoint. I fell in love with Wade and Austin. I was super glad Mariah Stewart didn't drag out the whole mystery behind Austin's parentage. And mostly, since we've been getting enigmatic glimpses since book one, I really liked that this book delved deeper into the past of the town and possible magic.
What I missed was the warm-fuzzies. Yes, I said I loved the characters. I even think they belong together. But there was never any butterflies in the stomach for me. Somehow, the chemistry is missing from the writing.
I still enjoyed seeing the other residents of the town out and about. I'm glad there is a possible story ahead for Brooke and maybe her brother, too. Plus, Lucy's name has been being dropped a lot and I wonder if she avoids the town due to a broker heart herself. So I'm sure she'll come to town and we'll get her story soon.
Although this isn't my favorite series out there, it still gives me joy to read so I will continue on. I'm a bit invested in the people of St. Dennis at this point.
margreads's review
4.0
Started this at 11pm on a Saturday night. finished it at around 3am.
Steffie Wyler is an ice-cream maker extraordinaire. She has always lived in St Dennis and she has no real desire to move anywhere else. She has a successful ice cream business called One Scoop or Two that is right on the waterfront, she is constantly coming up with new, divine sounding flavours. Really, her life is exactly what she imagined it would be when she was growing up, except for the bit where she thought she would be married to Wade MacGregor.
There is no doubt that there are still sparks between them, especially when Wade comes back to town for his friend's wedding. Wade has been building up a successful micro-brewery business in Texas and is in town for only a few days. Things are just heating up between Steffie and Wade when he receives a phone call and leaves town immediately, leaving Steffie confused and wondering what exactly happened.
When Wade comes back, it is with a small child in tow, which leaves her with even more questions. Was he married and is he divorced? Why has he closed his business down in Texas? How long is he staying in town this time?
Keeping secrets in a town like St Dennis is always difficult. The big question is what will happen when the truth comes out!
I have to say, one of the highlights of this book is all the flavours that Steffie comes up with for her shop. If I lived in St Dennis I would be at the ice cream shop just about every day.
Rating 4/5
See my thoughts on the first five books in the series here:
http://www.theintrepidreader.com/2013/02/the-chesapeake-diaries-series-by-mariah.html
Steffie Wyler is an ice-cream maker extraordinaire. She has always lived in St Dennis and she has no real desire to move anywhere else. She has a successful ice cream business called One Scoop or Two that is right on the waterfront, she is constantly coming up with new, divine sounding flavours. Really, her life is exactly what she imagined it would be when she was growing up, except for the bit where she thought she would be married to Wade MacGregor.
There is no doubt that there are still sparks between them, especially when Wade comes back to town for his friend's wedding. Wade has been building up a successful micro-brewery business in Texas and is in town for only a few days. Things are just heating up between Steffie and Wade when he receives a phone call and leaves town immediately, leaving Steffie confused and wondering what exactly happened.
When Wade comes back, it is with a small child in tow, which leaves her with even more questions. Was he married and is he divorced? Why has he closed his business down in Texas? How long is he staying in town this time?
Keeping secrets in a town like St Dennis is always difficult. The big question is what will happen when the truth comes out!
I have to say, one of the highlights of this book is all the flavours that Steffie comes up with for her shop. If I lived in St Dennis I would be at the ice cream shop just about every day.
Rating 4/5
See my thoughts on the first five books in the series here:
http://www.theintrepidreader.com/2013/02/the-chesapeake-diaries-series-by-mariah.html
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