Synopsis: Marketing maven Kate Sherwood’s world is fast-paced, challenging, and always changing. The last thing she wants to do is slow down to a crawl at Rainbow’s End, a dilapidated resort in the Texas Hill Country. But she cannot deny her ailing grandmother’s request to visit the place where she and her deceased husband spent one glorious week (albeit fifty years ago). There Kate meets Greg Vange, the resort’s handyman. But there’s more to Greg than meets the eye–billions more, in fact, as he recently sold his successful software company and is at the resort in search of what’s next for his life.
Kate isn’t looking for romance, but she can’t deny the sparks of attraction that fly every time she and Greg are together. She even starts to see potential in the rundown resort. Could there be a future there? Or will Kate’s long-sought promotion take her back to the big city? – Goodreads
At Bluebonnet Lake, by Amanda Cabot | Book Review
‘AT BLUEBONNET LAKE,’ BY AMANDA CABOT #FWarchives #BookLovers #RomanceFiction Click To TweetGiving a new author a chance can be difficult. That is the place I was in when picking up this new novel from historical author, Amanda Cabot. At one time I did own several of Amanda’s books, but since I never read them I put them in a “donate” or “giveaway” box. As this is Cabot dipping into my favorite contemporary genre, this review is the resulting thoughts.
There is story after story that seems to tell the tale of a person returning to or finding a small town. Often in the result of that, the climax is about them understanding or coming to terms with “home” or God in their life. Boiling it down, that is essentially what this story is about. It’s cute, fluffy and the kind of book anyone can read on a rainy afternoon. I did enjoy its (overall) likeability and the familiarity with which the characters march across the pages.
However there is something lacking that the writing or concept never quite makes up for. I don’t think I can pinpoint any one thing aside from personal quibbles, which in no way should sway anyone from enjoying this. Fun characters keep the story interesting and in this Bluebonnet Lake world, there is definitely many possible set-ups for future stories. There’s some slow portions, and if I’m being honest, I’m not the biggest parallel love stories fan.
Minus these minor issues, this is a sweet read. If you like sweet stories you read on one of those cozy afternoons, At Bluebonnet Lake might be your jam.
About the Book:
(Disclosure: this post does contain affiliate links; if you buy anything through these links, I may receive a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you. Thank you to anyone who makes a purchase through these links. Read the disclosure page for details.)
Author: Amanda Cabot
Publisher: Revell
Source: Publisher Provided
Publication Date: 2014
Find the Review elsewhere: Goodreads
Shop the Book: Bookshop.org | Goodreads
Series: Texas Crossroads, book 1
Genre: Fiction; Contemporary
Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Sincere thanks to the publisher for providing a complimentary copy of this book for reviewing purposes.
12 Comments
Adorable cover. :) I haven't read any of Amanda Cabot's books, but I do like cozy afternoon reads. That's a good way to describe a book, really. There are books that keep you up late and don't let you sleep. And there are books you save for a lingering afternoon…ones that maybe don't have you turning the pages as quickly but make you smile and relax…
Exactly – this novel is just that, Melissa! I did enjoy the book and it's definitely one of those good, lazy Saturday afternoon reads. :)
I feel like it has been such a long time since I read a cute and fluffy novel (feels like their in the rarity more often then not)! Thanks for sharing your thoughts Rissi! :)
Hope you enjoy this, Laura – that is just what this one is! And we do need those now and again, don't we!? :)
Like you, I've not read any of Amanda's historicals (well the novella doesn't count). But I did enjoy the fluffiness of this one. Sorry it wasn't a favorite, but glad you did enjoy it.
I did indeed enjoy it, Dawn, it just wasn't a favorite in comparison to some of the other contemporaries I've read. That being said, we all need one of those cozy afternoon reads now and again and this one certainly was that. Super glad you liked it! :)
I've been on the fence about reading this one, but the cover is gorgeous and it sounds cute. I haven't read any of Cabot's novels yet, but if I'm ever in the mood for a "cozy afternoon" read, like you said, I will try this one out! Great review, Rissi! :)
I know that feeling all too well, Bekah. Some novels have that kind of dilemma attached which makes it hard to decide. If you read it, I hope you enjoy – and yes! The cover is so sweet. I love the picture it paints as well as the followup. :)
I've got an ARC of this so I'll be reading it and I do love a light read sometimes. I also know what you mean though too. Sometimes books are just missing the extra something to make them more meaningful or unique.
Hope you enjoy this one when you read it, Tressa! It's sweet even if for my reading tastes, I did find something missing. :)
Thanks so much for taking the time to read and review my book. I'm sorry it wasn't your favorite, but I appreciate your honesty.
Hi, Amanda! Thanks so much for stopping by. I did enjoy this one. Definitely a sweet kind of story. Looking forward to your next book – such a sweet cover. :)