Summer in Good Hope (Good Hope #2)

Our Review

SUMMER IN GOOD HOPE (GOOD HOPE #2) was a quick paced and enjoyable read that is set in a small town in Wisconsin.  The townspeople are there for each other even if they are a bit gossipy!  When Prim returns to the town she grew up in after the death of her husband things get interesting fast.  The primary reason she returns is so she could have support for herself and her six year old twin boys who are just adorable and all boy!  Best friend but not love interest growing up, Max, and she cross paths immediately  and there is a lot of chemistry between them – especially when they realize they will be next door neighbors and be the co-chairs of the July 4th parade committee. 

While her deceased husband is mentioned throughout he seemed a bit selfish to me.  He always put himself first even though he did get married to his high school sweetheart and have twin boys knowing that he had a life threatening illness.  It didn’t help that he was put on a pedestal by his parents because he was an only child and they supported all his athleticism growing up.  There is some darkness to the story due to the memories that are invoked and the push and pull between Prim and his parents but it doesn’t overshadow the book.  Prim is stronger than she seems!

There are family and friends, festivals, get-togethers, meetings, sadness, tears, anger, laughter, happiness, loving and love.  The epilogue gave nice closure and tied up the loose ends.  I received the happily ever after I was looking for and am happy to know we’ll be back in Good Hope next year when BE MINE IN GOOD HOPE is released.  There are definitely more stories to tell about the Bloom family and the residents of Good Hope.  Although I have not yet read the first book in the series there was enough background given that I didn’t feel lost.

Kirk is a new to me author and I don’t know how I’ve missed her books along my travels.  I will be adding many of them to my always growing TBR pile especially book one in THE GOOD HOPE SERIES, CHRISTMAS IN GOOD HOPE.  Her writing is reminiscent to me of Susan Mallery’s Fool’s Gold series as well as Jill Shalvis’ Lucky Harbor.