Susan F. (scoutmomskf) -
Terrific start to the new series. Gwen is a writer who left her small town behind as soon as possible and rarely returned. But with her father's death six months ago, her mother and sisters called her home to help finish the brewery and pub that was his dream. Gwen complies but makes it clear she's returning to her solitary writer's life as soon as possible. She's working on a new book and is running behind on finishing it because of various issues. She never expected her girlhood crush on her sister's ex-boyfriend to be as strong as ever.
Case has lived across the street from the Suttons all his life. He owns a tree-cutting service with Lane, his cousin and best friend, and loves his life in Stonefield. Gwen was the quiet sister of his high school girlfriend. He's surprised by his sudden attraction to her and unsure what to do about it.
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Case and Gwen. Case has always been a friend to the Suttons and, after David's death, pitched in to help with anything they need. As Lane is also a partner in the fledgling brewery, Case has added incentives to ensure the brewery is successful. He spends much of his free time helping out, which puts him near Gwen. Gwen resists the pull at first with the idea that you don't date your sister's ex. But after a toe-curling kiss with Case and a hilarious conversation with her sister, she gives in. She remains clear that she doesn't plan to stay in Stonefield past the brewery's opening, but Case finds himself hoping to change her mind.
I liked Case and Gwen though she did frustrate me at times. Because she's spent so much time away from Stonefield, her relationships with her family have suffered. She's not as close and sometimes comes off as self-centered. However, I felt her grief over her father's death and guilt over missing so much time with him. Part of Gwen's problem with her hometown is her awkward relationship with the townspeople since the publication of her first book and its movie adaptation. Though she and her family regain their closeness as they work together, Gwen remains fixated on her goal of returning to Vermont. Case is an all-around nice guy. He has a big heart which shows in his relationship with the Suttons and with the townspeople. He has an adorable dog named Boomer, who tends to steal the scenes where he appears. Case is ready to settle down and pictures a life with Gwen.
As the summer progresses and the brewery comes together, Case and Gwen grow closer. I loved seeing how observant Case is regarding Gwen's moods and the steps he takes to help her through them. He is very good at seeing what she needs and trying to see that she gets it, which creates some delightful scenes between them. But Gwen has some decisions to make when the brewery opening is done. Does she return to her old life or take a chance on staying home? I ached for her and Case as she wrestled with this question. The ending was terrific, and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
Sutton family dynamics were a large part of this book. Each woman deals with her grief in her own way while helping to bring David's dream to fruition. Gwen has to deal with the family's pressure for her to stay. Mallory, the middle daughter, is a single mother of two who lives with her mother and helps with the family store and the brewery. Evie is the youngest, a rolling stone, who is also the ex-wife of Lane, the brewmaster and co-owner of the brewery. Evie had no idea of that partnership until she came home and was not happy to be blindsided by it. Ellen is the driving force behind the completion of the brewery for many reasons. She is the glue that holds the family together while trying to find a way to make peace with David's death. An emotional scene involving Ellen and some glassware illustrates the scope of her grief.
I loved the brewery/pub setting and seeing how everyone worked together to make it happen. Lane is an interesting character, and I look forward to seeing more of him. An emotional scene involving him and some special beers at the brewery opening illustrate the bond between him and David.
Case has lived across the street from the Suttons all his life. He owns a tree-cutting service with Lane, his cousin and best friend, and loves his life in Stonefield. Gwen was the quiet sister of his high school girlfriend. He's surprised by his sudden attraction to her and unsure what to do about it.
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Case and Gwen. Case has always been a friend to the Suttons and, after David's death, pitched in to help with anything they need. As Lane is also a partner in the fledgling brewery, Case has added incentives to ensure the brewery is successful. He spends much of his free time helping out, which puts him near Gwen. Gwen resists the pull at first with the idea that you don't date your sister's ex. But after a toe-curling kiss with Case and a hilarious conversation with her sister, she gives in. She remains clear that she doesn't plan to stay in Stonefield past the brewery's opening, but Case finds himself hoping to change her mind.
I liked Case and Gwen though she did frustrate me at times. Because she's spent so much time away from Stonefield, her relationships with her family have suffered. She's not as close and sometimes comes off as self-centered. However, I felt her grief over her father's death and guilt over missing so much time with him. Part of Gwen's problem with her hometown is her awkward relationship with the townspeople since the publication of her first book and its movie adaptation. Though she and her family regain their closeness as they work together, Gwen remains fixated on her goal of returning to Vermont. Case is an all-around nice guy. He has a big heart which shows in his relationship with the Suttons and with the townspeople. He has an adorable dog named Boomer, who tends to steal the scenes where he appears. Case is ready to settle down and pictures a life with Gwen.
As the summer progresses and the brewery comes together, Case and Gwen grow closer. I loved seeing how observant Case is regarding Gwen's moods and the steps he takes to help her through them. He is very good at seeing what she needs and trying to see that she gets it, which creates some delightful scenes between them. But Gwen has some decisions to make when the brewery opening is done. Does she return to her old life or take a chance on staying home? I ached for her and Case as she wrestled with this question. The ending was terrific, and I can't wait to read the rest of the series.
Sutton family dynamics were a large part of this book. Each woman deals with her grief in her own way while helping to bring David's dream to fruition. Gwen has to deal with the family's pressure for her to stay. Mallory, the middle daughter, is a single mother of two who lives with her mother and helps with the family store and the brewery. Evie is the youngest, a rolling stone, who is also the ex-wife of Lane, the brewmaster and co-owner of the brewery. Evie had no idea of that partnership until she came home and was not happy to be blindsided by it. Ellen is the driving force behind the completion of the brewery for many reasons. She is the glue that holds the family together while trying to find a way to make peace with David's death. An emotional scene involving Ellen and some glassware illustrates the scope of her grief.
I loved the brewery/pub setting and seeing how everyone worked together to make it happen. Lane is an interesting character, and I look forward to seeing more of him. An emotional scene involving him and some special beers at the brewery opening illustrate the bond between him and David.
