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That Summer
2009: When Julia Conley hears that she has inherited a house outside London from an unknown great-aunt, she assumes it's a joke. She hasn't been back to England since the car crash that killed her mother when she was six, an event she remembers only in her nightmares. But when she arrives at Herne Hill to sort through the house--with the help of her cousin Natasha and sexy antiques dealer Nicholas--bits of memory start coming back. And then she discovers a pre-Raphaelite painting, hidden behind the false back of an old wardrobe, and a window onto the house's shrouded history begins to open...
1849: Imogen Grantham has spent nearly a decade trapped in a loveless marriage to a much older man, Arthur. The one bright spot in her life is her step-daughter, Evie, a high-spirited sixteen year old who is the closest thing to a child Imogen hopes to have. But everything changes when three young painters come to see Arthur's collection of medieval artifacts, including Gavin Thorne, a quiet man with the unsettling ability to read Imogen better than anyone ever has. When Arthur hires Gavin to paint her portrait, none of them can guess what the hands of fate have set in motion.
From modern-day England to the early days of the Preraphaelite movement, Lauren Willig's That Summer takes readers on an un-put-downable journey through a mysterious old house, a hidden love affair, and one woman's search for the truth about her past--and herself.
1849: Imogen Grantham has spent nearly a decade trapped in a loveless marriage to a much older man, Arthur. The one bright spot in her life is her step-daughter, Evie, a high-spirited sixteen year old who is the closest thing to a child Imogen hopes to have. But everything changes when three young painters come to see Arthur's collection of medieval artifacts, including Gavin Thorne, a quiet man with the unsettling ability to read Imogen better than anyone ever has. When Arthur hires Gavin to paint her portrait, none of them can guess what the hands of fate have set in motion.
From modern-day England to the early days of the Preraphaelite movement, Lauren Willig's That Summer takes readers on an un-put-downable journey through a mysterious old house, a hidden love affair, and one woman's search for the truth about her past--and herself.
342 pages, Hardcover
First published June 3, 2014
254 people are currently reading
7846 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Willig
41 books4,694 followersLauren Willig is the New York Times bestselling author of nineteen works of historical fiction. Her books have been translated into over a dozen languages, awarded the RITA, Booksellers Best and Golden Leaf awards, and chosen for the American Library Association's annual list of the best genre fiction. After graduating from Yale University, she embarked on a PhD in History at Harvard before leaving academia to acquire a JD at Harvard Law while authoring her "Pink Carnation" series of Napoleonic-set novels. She lives in New York City, where she now writes full time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 870 reviews
August 5, 2018
This was a delightful summer read! It's the story of two women who lived in the same home outside London: Julia's tale is set in 2009 and Imogen's is from 1849.
Modern-day Julia learns she's inherited a house from her mother's side of the family and goes to England with the intention of cleaning out the home and selling it. But her plan changes when she discovers a hidden painting from the 1800s, and she gets caught up in the mystery of who created the artwork and what really happened to her ancestors.
Meanwhile the reader is also following Imogen's story, who is trapped in a loveless marriage in the 1840s. One day she meets a kind painter named Gavin. Even though you know Imogen and Gavin are going to fall in love and a beautiful painting will be made during the affair, it was good fun to follow the story and see how the mystery unfolded.
Recommended for fans of historical romance. My thanks to the Bas Bleu company for including this book in their catalog, which is how I heard of it.
Modern-day Julia learns she's inherited a house from her mother's side of the family and goes to England with the intention of cleaning out the home and selling it. But her plan changes when she discovers a hidden painting from the 1800s, and she gets caught up in the mystery of who created the artwork and what really happened to her ancestors.
Meanwhile the reader is also following Imogen's story, who is trapped in a loveless marriage in the 1840s. One day she meets a kind painter named Gavin. Even though you know Imogen and Gavin are going to fall in love and a beautiful painting will be made during the affair, it was good fun to follow the story and see how the mystery unfolded.
Recommended for fans of historical romance. My thanks to the Bas Bleu company for including this book in their catalog, which is how I heard of it.
September 2, 2018
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Честно да си призная „Онова лято“ е първата книга в такава историческа насока, която чета (възможно е да има и други). И макар този жанр книги да са ми малко далечни, с радост искам да кажа, че определено грабна вниманието ми още от самото начало.
Не само с интересният сюжет, но и с мистерията около загадъчната картина, стояща зад гардероба в една стара къща от векове. Определено ми хареса преплитането на два различни свята, на миналото и бъдещето, в една поглъщаща история.
Честно да си призная „Онова лято“ е първата книга в такава историческа насока, която чета (възможно е да има и други). И макар този жанр книги да са ми малко далечни, с радост искам да кажа, че определено грабна вниманието ми още от самото начало.
Не само с интересният сюжет, но и с мистерията около загадъчната картина, стояща зад гардероба в една стара къща от векове. Определено ми хареса преплитането на два различни свята, на миналото и бъдещето, в една поглъщаща история.
August 5, 2019
Re-read for 2019 challenge
Setting: England 2009 and 1849
Steam Factor: Mild
4 1/2 Enjoyable Stars again!
There is nothing better than picking up a book and cracking it open, an not expecting to get totally lost in the story.
As in...forgot to make dinner, and 3 hours past bedtime in it.
I'm a big fan of past/present stories and the author did a fine job here.
It involves a double love story stretching from Victorian England to the present day 2009.
This is more than just a love story or a mystery, with it's alternating viewpoints it's also a tale exploring the lives of two women and how secrets can create as well as destroy relationships. Writing this type of story/plot is no easy task and it has to be well balanced and not leave the reader lost in either time period and getting confused.
They have to merge..blend if you will easily into one another to please this reader at least.
And Lauren Willig did just that.
She cleverly leads the reader into two mysteries, answering some questions but at the same time leaving others untouched...hence missing dinner and burning the midnight candle.
She also brilliantly demonstrates how the truth can bring freedom and understanding.
I loved this story and it will linger in my mind for a while, which makes the next book I pick up hard to get into till I let go of Julia and Imogen's story.
Summary: 2009- Julia Conley is stunned to discover that she has inherited an old home in England called Hern Hill from an unknown great-aunt.
Julia remembers little of England due to a tragic event that brought her and her father to the States to live when she was about five.
Losing her job and having time on her hands, she decides to go to England and clean the house out and sell.
She has no plans to stay as memories long forgotten of the past there haunt her in her dreams.
So she ends up inspecting her inheritance with antique dealer Nicholas and discovers a pre-Raphael painting.. (lovers of this time period and art will love this as I surely did!)
We even meet a few famous artists of the time, anyways...they discover this painting hidden in the back of a wardrobe.
1849- Gavin Thorne arrives at Hern Hill to view Arthur Grantham's antiquities collection and meets Grantham's wife Imogen whom Arthur commissions him to paint.
Gavin and Imogen begin an affair so powerful Imogen is willing to risk scandal to run off with him. But..sometimes the things we plan in life in a moment of passion can bring consequences and they become far reaching and touching as Julia in her time uncovers long buried secrets as well as dealing with ones of her own.
Loved it! And highly recommend! I truly hope this author will continue to write another tale in this theme and I will look into her other books in the meantime.
On my keeper shelf this one goes! :)
Setting: England 2009 and 1849
Steam Factor: Mild
4 1/2 Enjoyable Stars again!
There is nothing better than picking up a book and cracking it open, an not expecting to get totally lost in the story.
As in...forgot to make dinner, and 3 hours past bedtime in it.
I'm a big fan of past/present stories and the author did a fine job here.
It involves a double love story stretching from Victorian England to the present day 2009.
This is more than just a love story or a mystery, with it's alternating viewpoints it's also a tale exploring the lives of two women and how secrets can create as well as destroy relationships. Writing this type of story/plot is no easy task and it has to be well balanced and not leave the reader lost in either time period and getting confused.
They have to merge..blend if you will easily into one another to please this reader at least.
And Lauren Willig did just that.
She cleverly leads the reader into two mysteries, answering some questions but at the same time leaving others untouched...hence missing dinner and burning the midnight candle.
She also brilliantly demonstrates how the truth can bring freedom and understanding.
I loved this story and it will linger in my mind for a while, which makes the next book I pick up hard to get into till I let go of Julia and Imogen's story.
Summary: 2009- Julia Conley is stunned to discover that she has inherited an old home in England called Hern Hill from an unknown great-aunt.
Julia remembers little of England due to a tragic event that brought her and her father to the States to live when she was about five.
Losing her job and having time on her hands, she decides to go to England and clean the house out and sell.
She has no plans to stay as memories long forgotten of the past there haunt her in her dreams.
So she ends up inspecting her inheritance with antique dealer Nicholas and discovers a pre-Raphael painting.. (lovers of this time period and art will love this as I surely did!)
We even meet a few famous artists of the time, anyways...they discover this painting hidden in the back of a wardrobe.
1849- Gavin Thorne arrives at Hern Hill to view Arthur Grantham's antiquities collection and meets Grantham's wife Imogen whom Arthur commissions him to paint.
Gavin and Imogen begin an affair so powerful Imogen is willing to risk scandal to run off with him. But..sometimes the things we plan in life in a moment of passion can bring consequences and they become far reaching and touching as Julia in her time uncovers long buried secrets as well as dealing with ones of her own.
Loved it! And highly recommend! I truly hope this author will continue to write another tale in this theme and I will look into her other books in the meantime.
On my keeper shelf this one goes! :)
August 1, 2014
Here is another dual-story novel where a young woman from our current time inherits a house in another country and, although she intends to just clear it, sell it, and leave, she discovers family history, mystery, and Love. I must say, this is the perfect formula for “chick lit” and I love it, especially when something extra is added such as ballet (Wildflower Hill) or Pre-Raphaelite art and artists in That Summer.
However, in this book, Julia (main modern character) is hard to like because she’s wishy-washy and not much fun. We later come to understand (as she does) that she’s been emotionally stunted by events she couldn’t quite recall, and those final chapters almost redeem her for this reader, but not quite. Other characters such as Nick, Imogen, and Gavin are much more fully realized and likable. There are too many flat, stereotypical characters such as Jane, Evangeline, Natalie, Caroline, Helen, and even Julia’s father.
This edition (hardback) had quite a few errors not caught by a proofreader, which I thought was odd. My main “complaint” is that the author would repeat over and over again Julia’s inner monologue and it was tedious, always the same thing. She employed this so many times I wondered if it was filler of some kind, because it wasn’t necessary to convey Julia’s emotional hesitations.
My second complaint is that the rather interesting character of Aunt Regina, who willed the London house to Julia, was unfortunately undeveloped. Never fully explained was her reason for choosing Julia as her heir, and never revealed is what she, Regina, knew, and how she knew it! That was a terrible sentence, but to be specific would reveal too much.
I recommend the book, but it isn’t a favorite.
PS, I'm adding this at a later date: the reader never learns Who killed a certain person, and why the smell of a decaying body wasn't detected (less worrisome in the times). And, Who was it that entered a studio "with a key?" - it would have to have been Jane since she wound up with a particular painting. If so, her entire fascination and compulsion should have been an interesting and important piece of the story.
However, in this book, Julia (main modern character) is hard to like because she’s wishy-washy and not much fun. We later come to understand (as she does) that she’s been emotionally stunted by events she couldn’t quite recall, and those final chapters almost redeem her for this reader, but not quite. Other characters such as Nick, Imogen, and Gavin are much more fully realized and likable. There are too many flat, stereotypical characters such as Jane, Evangeline, Natalie, Caroline, Helen, and even Julia’s father.
This edition (hardback) had quite a few errors not caught by a proofreader, which I thought was odd. My main “complaint” is that the author would repeat over and over again Julia’s inner monologue and it was tedious, always the same thing. She employed this so many times I wondered if it was filler of some kind, because it wasn’t necessary to convey Julia’s emotional hesitations.
My second complaint is that the rather interesting character of Aunt Regina, who willed the London house to Julia, was unfortunately undeveloped. Never fully explained was her reason for choosing Julia as her heir, and never revealed is what she, Regina, knew, and how she knew it! That was a terrible sentence, but to be specific would reveal too much.
I recommend the book, but it isn’t a favorite.
PS, I'm adding this at a later date: the reader never learns Who killed a certain person, and why the smell of a decaying body wasn't detected (less worrisome in the times). And, Who was it that entered a studio "with a key?" - it would have to have been Jane since she wound up with a particular painting. If so, her entire fascination and compulsion should have been an interesting and important piece of the story.
September 10, 2014
My Review: Have you ever finished reading a book and don't have a firm grasp on how you feel about it? You kind of liked it, but kind of didn't. That's where I stand with this book.
On the surface this book has a lot of things that I enjoy in a book - a Gothic setting in a rather creepy ancestral home, dual narrative in two eras and historical references. Sounds great, right? I was expecting this book to be along the lines of the The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton or The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley. And while it did have similar settings and time frames That Summer didn't have the substance or character development that the other two authors bring to their books of a similar genre. There's something missing in this book. I was a decent read but that's it.
I think the mystery started off strong and I was eager to see what family skeletons Julia would unearth in her new abode. The addition of some extended family with questionable motives was wonderful but it wasn't used to the full extent I was hoping. The story kept referring to Aunt Regina knowing all kinds of family lore and secrets but her role was very undeveloped and wasn't used to boost the storyline at all which was a shame because I think she could have brought a depth to the story.
I also didn't feel connections to Julia or Imogen and I know that that affected my feelings towards the book. In the end, I was hoping for a grittier plot, a more substantial treasure hunt and more interesting characters. This book felt more like Gothic Mystery Light - a hint of mystery but unfortunately not an edge of your seat kind of read.
My Rating: 3/5 stars
*** This book review, as well as MANY more, can also be found on my blog, The Baking Bookworm (www.thebakingbookworm.blogspot.ca). ***
On the surface this book has a lot of things that I enjoy in a book - a Gothic setting in a rather creepy ancestral home, dual narrative in two eras and historical references. Sounds great, right? I was expecting this book to be along the lines of the The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton or The Winter Sea by Susanna Kearsley. And while it did have similar settings and time frames That Summer didn't have the substance or character development that the other two authors bring to their books of a similar genre. There's something missing in this book. I was a decent read but that's it.
I think the mystery started off strong and I was eager to see what family skeletons Julia would unearth in her new abode. The addition of some extended family with questionable motives was wonderful but it wasn't used to the full extent I was hoping. The story kept referring to Aunt Regina knowing all kinds of family lore and secrets but her role was very undeveloped and wasn't used to boost the storyline at all which was a shame because I think she could have brought a depth to the story.
I also didn't feel connections to Julia or Imogen and I know that that affected my feelings towards the book. In the end, I was hoping for a grittier plot, a more substantial treasure hunt and more interesting characters. This book felt more like Gothic Mystery Light - a hint of mystery but unfortunately not an edge of your seat kind of read.
My Rating: 3/5 stars
*** This book review, as well as MANY more, can also be found on my blog, The Baking Bookworm (www.thebakingbookworm.blogspot.ca). ***
June 23, 2014
I loved this book! It is a page-turning romantic mystery with compelling characters, a clever plot, wonderful imagery involving the chivalric paintings of the pre-Raphaelite artistic movement (I SO WANT one of those!) and a twist that left me gutted. Hugely recommended.
June 23, 2015
След като дочетох книгата чувствата ми надделяха.
4,5/5 звездички и нова книга на рафтчето за "любими". :)
4,5/5 звездички и нова книга на рафтчето за "любими". :)
July 2, 2014
I really liked this book when I began. It's the story of a young woman who inherits a house in London from a great aunt she's never met. When she goes there to clean it out, she finds a painting of Tristan and Iseult painted by one of the original Pre-Raphaelites. Trying to find out the details of the painting, she uncovers a mystery involving the painter and a woman who lived in the house in the 1850's. The story is told in parallel time between the contemporary time and the young woman in the 1850's. I was really enjoying it until the end, when the author just wraps it all up without laying any foundation for these people to behave the way they ultimately act. It was just so unsatisfying and disappointing. It felt like the author had a deadline and spent an all-nighter just to get it done.
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May 1, 2017С много голямо удоволствие прочетох романа на Лорън Уилиг "Онова лято".
"Заканвам" й се от половин година, но моментът настъпи едва преди няколко дни. Очаквах увлекателна и приятна история, малко викторианска загадъчност, малко съвременна романтика... и ги получих. Но получих и много повече.
Има книги, които те завладяват неусетно - час след като отвориш първата страница и си кажеш: "Я да видим какво имаме тук", изведнъж установяваш, че си прехвърлил петдесетата страница и изобщо, ама изобщо не искаш да спреш. Ей такава книга е "Онова лято".
Някак много ярка и жива беше тази история - и особено по-старата част от нея. Не че съвременната не беше убедителна, но онази, развиваща се през 19 в., беше доста по-въздействаща.
Някой беше определил "Онова лято" като "приятна книга". За мен тя е много повече от това. Не мога да определя точно кое в нея ме "спечели" - но може би с хубавите книги е така, те просто са хубави като цяло и един опит да обясниш защо точно са те "хванали" само би развалил нещата.
Иначе мога да изтъкна много банални причини да посегна към книгата - фактът, че в нея са "замесени" картини, защото в семейството ми имаше художник и защото познавам лично такива; защото обичам книги, в които действието се развива в миналото и в настоящето; защото ми беше препоръчана. И всичките ще са верни. Но освен това, сега мога да кажа и че книгата има едно особено очарование, една притегателност, заради която не ти се иска да се разделиш с нея. И накрая чак не ти се вярва, че е свършила.Прекарах няколко приятни дни с тази книга... и подозирам, че ще я препрочитам и в бъдеще.
"Заканвам" й се от половин година, но моментът настъпи едва преди няколко дни. Очаквах увлекателна и приятна история, малко викторианска загадъчност, малко съвременна романтика... и ги получих. Но получих и много повече.
Има книги, които те завладяват неусетно - час след като отвориш първата страница и си кажеш: "Я да видим какво имаме тук", изведнъж установяваш, че си прехвърлил петдесетата страница и изобщо, ама изобщо не искаш да спреш. Ей такава книга е "Онова лято".
Някак много ярка и жива беше тази история - и особено по-старата част от нея. Не че съвременната не беше убедителна, но онази, развиваща се през 19 в., беше доста по-въздействаща.
Някой беше определил "Онова лято" като "приятна книга". За мен тя е много повече от това. Не мога да определя точно кое в нея ме "спечели" - но може би с хубавите книги е така, те просто са хубави като цяло и един опит да обясниш защо точно са те "хванали" само би развалил нещата.
Иначе мога да изтъкна много банални причини да посегна към книгата - фактът, че в нея са "замесени" картини, защото в семейството ми имаше художник и защото познавам лично такива; защото обичам книги, в които действието се развива в миналото и в настоящето; защото ми беше препоръчана. И всичките ще са верни. Но освен това, сега мога да кажа и че книгата има едно особено очарование, една притегателност, заради която не ти се иска да се разделиш с нея. И накрая чак не ти се вярва, че е свършила.Прекарах няколко приятни дни с тази книга... и подозирам, че ще я препрочитам и в бъдеще.
April 21, 2014
2009 - Julia Conley has just inherited a house in England from a great-aunt she never knew she had. Since age six, she and her father have lived in New York City, moving there after the death of her mother. Dad, a well-known surgeon, his second wife, and their two sons are all the family Julia has known. With little to no information about her mother’s family, Julia sets off for England to claim the house, sell it, and return to New York. There’s no big rush, though, since Julia has been unemployed since losing her job as a financial analyst for a major corporation when Wall Street went belly-up in 2008.
1849 – For ten years, Imogen Grantham has been wed to the much older Arthur, a collector of medieval artifacts. With his late wife’s sister running the house, Arthur uses Imogen as another pretty thing that he’s collected, but mostly ignores her. She’s had two miscarriages, but loves Arthur’s daughter, Evie, a sixteen year-old who is anything but scholarly like her father. Imogen is bored with her life until the arrival of three young artists who visit Arthur. When Arthur hires one of them, the quiet, enigmatic Gavin Thorne to paint Imogen’s portrait, her world begins to brighten.
2009 – Julia is met at her great-aunt’s home, Herne Hill, by her cousins, Natalie and Andrew, and Andrew’s close friend, Nicholas, an antique shop owner. Julia’s memories of her cousins are vague, at best, but her father warned her that their mother, Caroline, is upwardly mobile and probably not pleased that her Aunt Regina left her house to the “American” side of the family. So when Julia finds a Pre-Raphaelite painting hidden in an ancient wardrobe, who can she trust to find out if it’s worth anything, and just as important to Julia, who painted it?
I should know better than to start one of Lauren Willig’s books on a Sunday morning. THAT SUMMER is riveting, and I read almost straight through to one o’clock Monday morning! Julia is a woman coming to grips with her past, with memories slowly creeping back into her head and heart. The longer she stays at Herne Hill, the more intrigued she is with finding the painter who did the work, and determined to discover the woman he painted. Nick and her cousin Natalie are helping, but Julia and Nick get off to a rocky start. As for Imogen, Victorian England wasn’t kind to women, and her need for companionship, intelligent conversation, and a real life will affect several lives.
Once started, THAT SUMMER will not allow readers to put it down. I promise you. It’s A Perfect 10 from page one to the poignant, heartwarming endings of both stories. Humor, history, a wee bit of mystery, and brilliant characters in both centuries will guarantee a fun and satisfying read. I must say that Ms. Willig's writing is reminiscent of Rosamund Pilcher's books, another favorite author of mine, with heartfelt tales, and memorable characters. Don't miss this wonderful book.
1849 – For ten years, Imogen Grantham has been wed to the much older Arthur, a collector of medieval artifacts. With his late wife’s sister running the house, Arthur uses Imogen as another pretty thing that he’s collected, but mostly ignores her. She’s had two miscarriages, but loves Arthur’s daughter, Evie, a sixteen year-old who is anything but scholarly like her father. Imogen is bored with her life until the arrival of three young artists who visit Arthur. When Arthur hires one of them, the quiet, enigmatic Gavin Thorne to paint Imogen’s portrait, her world begins to brighten.
2009 – Julia is met at her great-aunt’s home, Herne Hill, by her cousins, Natalie and Andrew, and Andrew’s close friend, Nicholas, an antique shop owner. Julia’s memories of her cousins are vague, at best, but her father warned her that their mother, Caroline, is upwardly mobile and probably not pleased that her Aunt Regina left her house to the “American” side of the family. So when Julia finds a Pre-Raphaelite painting hidden in an ancient wardrobe, who can she trust to find out if it’s worth anything, and just as important to Julia, who painted it?
I should know better than to start one of Lauren Willig’s books on a Sunday morning. THAT SUMMER is riveting, and I read almost straight through to one o’clock Monday morning! Julia is a woman coming to grips with her past, with memories slowly creeping back into her head and heart. The longer she stays at Herne Hill, the more intrigued she is with finding the painter who did the work, and determined to discover the woman he painted. Nick and her cousin Natalie are helping, but Julia and Nick get off to a rocky start. As for Imogen, Victorian England wasn’t kind to women, and her need for companionship, intelligent conversation, and a real life will affect several lives.
Once started, THAT SUMMER will not allow readers to put it down. I promise you. It’s A Perfect 10 from page one to the poignant, heartwarming endings of both stories. Humor, history, a wee bit of mystery, and brilliant characters in both centuries will guarantee a fun and satisfying read. I must say that Ms. Willig's writing is reminiscent of Rosamund Pilcher's books, another favorite author of mine, with heartfelt tales, and memorable characters. Don't miss this wonderful book.
September 5, 2019
2019/
Като си припомням, това което съм написала четейки за първи път книгата , си давам сметка че е възможно, при мнението за една книга да имат значение много обстоятелства. Не че книгата е лоша, но днес не бих била толкова възторжена. Просто сега ми звучи доста наивно. Особено по отношение на факта, след близо 200 години да намериш в един дом някакви толкова важни неща. Ако толкова време не разчистваш в една къща, мога да си представя какви планини ще се натрупат.
Явно съм станала още по-земна, ако въобще това е възможно.
В крайна сметка , махнах с ръка на двете рогати същества , които са намерили място в мен и се наслаждавах на четенето.
Вероятно и аз като героинята , установявам със съжаление, че живота с който съм се оградила е като сценичен декор от картон, който е изглеждал убедителен , докато не го бутнеш и не видиш как се сгромолясва.
И още :"Срокът на годност на човешката доброта отдавна бе изтекъл."
2017/
Бях малко предубедена,както за творбите на всеки нов за мен писател,който започвам да чета.Но съм много щастлива ,защото се оказа попадение.Историята си я бива,а стила на авторката е страхотен.Харесвам книги с добър диалог и чувство за хумор.Тук има всичко.Ще чакам с нетърпение да преведат и други нейни книги.
Като си припомням, това което съм написала четейки за първи път книгата , си давам сметка че е възможно, при мнението за една книга да имат значение много обстоятелства. Не че книгата е лоша, но днес не бих била толкова възторжена. Просто сега ми звучи доста наивно. Особено по отношение на факта, след близо 200 години да намериш в един дом някакви толкова важни неща. Ако толкова време не разчистваш в една къща, мога да си представя какви планини ще се натрупат.
Явно съм станала още по-земна, ако въобще това е възможно.
В крайна сметка , махнах с ръка на двете рогати същества , които са намерили място в мен и се наслаждавах на четенето.
Вероятно и аз като героинята , установявам със съжаление, че живота с който съм се оградила е като сценичен декор от картон, който е изглеждал убедителен , докато не го бутнеш и не видиш как се сгромолясва.
И още :"Срокът на годност на човешката доброта отдавна бе изтекъл."
2017/
Бях малко предубедена,както за творбите на всеки нов за мен писател,който започвам да чета.Но съм много щастлива ,защото се оказа попадение.Историята си я бива,а стила на авторката е страхотен.Харесвам книги с добър диалог и чувство за хумор.Тук има всичко.Ще чакам с нетърпение да преведат и други нейни книги.
May 31, 2021
That Summer
Well, it is a dual timeline novel that has the female character inheriting the manner house in another, going to clean it out and sell it, meeting the guy and well you know… pitted against the past timeline where there is a loveless marriage and an artist who paints her portrait and guess what? Yep, there is an affair!
Now I know I might have made this sound like I didn’t enjoy it, and that would just not be true! I did! I mean I want to inherit the manor house in another country and then get the really good-looking guy! Since that isn’t going to happen… I enjoy reading about it!
3 stars
Happy Reading!
Well, it is a dual timeline novel that has the female character inheriting the manner house in another, going to clean it out and sell it, meeting the guy and well you know… pitted against the past timeline where there is a loveless marriage and an artist who paints her portrait and guess what? Yep, there is an affair!
Now I know I might have made this sound like I didn’t enjoy it, and that would just not be true! I did! I mean I want to inherit the manor house in another country and then get the really good-looking guy! Since that isn’t going to happen… I enjoy reading about it!
3 stars
Happy Reading!
June 7, 2014
This was the reverse of The Ashford Affair for me. In this one while I liked both the contemporary and historical sections my favorite part is definitely the contemporary. I would so like to visit them again maybe five years in the future. And when I discovered the hero's name--Nicholas Dorrington!--I just smiled.
July 29, 2014
*4.5
I admit it took me a good 100 pages to get into this but once I did, I didn't want to put it down. Lauren Willig has become one of my top favorite authors that I will read whatever she puts out.
I admit it took me a good 100 pages to get into this but once I did, I didn't want to put it down. Lauren Willig has become one of my top favorite authors that I will read whatever she puts out.
January 23, 2021
I can't say if I am giving it 3 stars because it is worth 3 stars or the fact that I have been reading books lately that I'm not liking , this one seem good. You get the idea - I've even been behind writing my reviews lately - Sheesh! Anyway - another book folks that I would suggest you read some other reviews and go from there!
May 17, 2014
This is a dual time line story set in both 2009 and 1849. In 2009 a young woman inherits a home in England full of unknown family history. In 1849 in the same home another young woman is struggling with marriage to a cold older man. The two stories are tied together by a mysterious pre-Raphaelite painting.
I enjoyed the 1849 story line much more than the 2009 one. I was frustrated with the protagonist's seeming lack of direction or drive or even enthusiasm about her situation. If Goodreads allowed half stars I would bump this up to 3 1/2 stars. I did enjoy it and would recommend it especially if you enjoy historical fiction. This would make a great book for a light readers book club.
I received a free copy of this book from BookReporter.Com
I enjoyed the 1849 story line much more than the 2009 one. I was frustrated with the protagonist's seeming lack of direction or drive or even enthusiasm about her situation. If Goodreads allowed half stars I would bump this up to 3 1/2 stars. I did enjoy it and would recommend it especially if you enjoy historical fiction. This would make a great book for a light readers book club.
I received a free copy of this book from BookReporter.Com
April 30, 2021
A really good dual storyline novel, with both time periods holding my interest. Although the premise seems a bit cliched (young woman inherits house from unknown relative), the story was well done. I liked the characters in both timelines. The 1840’s story had an extremely high level of tension. The main character in the modern story had a nuanced history which was revealed over time.
February 11, 2017
Читателската ми душа негодува и същевременно е в екстаз от прочетеното.
Съвременната история, развиваща се през 2009 г. ми беше някак между другото, дори малко ме дразнеше не много добрият опит за чиклит. Двамата герои не ми бяха много на сърце, образите им не изглеждаха реалистично на хартия, но пък чудесно допълваха мистерията около това, което прави книгата толкова невероятна - историята за любовта на вглъбения и талантлив художник Гавин и красивата дама Имоджен. Това е сюжетната линия, което ме покори и съкруши. Със седмици ще ми е криво за съдбата на тези двама влюбени и с дни ще се чудя кой е виновникът за тайнствения край на тяхната любов. Уилиг знае как да пише влудяващо интересно и със замах на обигран и много подъл майстор на трилърите да те кара да си скубеш косите, чудейки се какво се е случило и кой е извършителят? А тя не е автор на трилъри, само да спомена, книгата е в съвсем друг жанр. Последната страница те оставя с повече въпроси, отколкото отговори, макар привидно да ти ги дава. Бога ми, исках си черно на бяло да е написано какво точно се е случило, защото сега ще полудея заради този край. :)
Съвременната история, развиваща се през 2009 г. ми беше някак между другото, дори малко ме дразнеше не много добрият опит за чиклит. Двамата герои не ми бяха много на сърце, образите им не изглеждаха реалистично на хартия, но пък чудесно допълваха мистерията около това, което прави книгата толкова невероятна - историята за любовта на вглъбения и талантлив художник Гавин и красивата дама Имоджен. Това е сюжетната линия, което ме покори и съкруши. Със седмици ще ми е криво за съдбата на тези двама влюбени и с дни ще се чудя кой е виновникът за тайнствения край на тяхната любов. Уилиг знае как да пише влудяващо интересно и със замах на обигран и много подъл майстор на трилърите да те кара да си скубеш косите, чудейки се какво се е случило и кой е извършителят? А тя не е автор на трилъри, само да спомена, книгата е в съвсем друг жанр. Последната страница те оставя с повече въпроси, отколкото отговори, макар привидно да ти ги дава. Бога ми, исках си черно на бяло да е написано какво точно се е случило, защото сега ще полудея заради този край. :)
July 21, 2016
I found this book HIGHLY disturbing. The pedophile murderer of the star crossed lovers then raises their daughter??!!? Gross, gross, gross. If the author had made him gay instead of attracted to girl children, and that's why he was not sexually interested in his wife, I'd have NO PROBLEMS with the book.
I knew they had to die because the past was linked to the present with the house. If it had been a painting she inherited the couple could have lived.
I'm usually a fan of Lauren Willig. This one missed the mark big time for me.
I knew they had to die because the past was linked to the present with the house. If it had been a painting she inherited the couple could have lived.
I'm usually a fan of Lauren Willig. This one missed the mark big time for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 25, 2014
This dual timeline/stories novel will appeal to fans of Susanna Kearsley. The novel has a little mystery and a little romance. The stories take place in 1849 and 2009, and they converge via a painting. The premise of the story is creative, and while neither plot is terribly complicated, the weaving of the two stories together and providing closure was complex.
A thoroughly enjoyable and engaging book.
A thoroughly enjoyable and engaging book.
June 29, 2024
The story picked up quickly, so it didn't take long to get involved. Two stories are being told, set 150 years apart, and as usual, Lauren Willig does a great job of blending the stories so they don't feel choppy or disjointed; each change just makes you want more. As always, the historical details are very well-researched and brought to life. It left me feeling a little sad that it was over. Full review you can find on my blog: https://poetryofreading.blogspot.com
October 16, 2016
I am currently on vacation with wishy-washy internet connection, so this will be brief. If you like a murder mystery, art history, Austenian relationships, and dual time settings, this book is for you!
Go Cards! L1C4!!
Go Cards! L1C4!!
August 16, 2017
If you like swearing, affairs, lies, murder, jealousy, narcissists, hidden motives, & all types of dishonesty & unhappiness, then this book is for you. Otherwise, don't read it. I don't like any of those, so this book wasn't for me. Although I thought the name Imogen was a beautiful, old name.
July 28, 2015
Totally loved it. It's perfect mix of historical events and romantic moments.
October 10, 2015
Краят на книгата може само да ме накара да убия авторката.
March 29, 2017
Another book with two stories, in different generations where the characters are connected--this time through a house outside London that Julia Conley inherits from her Aunt Regina. That is the modern-day protagonist. With alternating chapters we are introduced to Imogen, Julia's ancestor, who lived in the house in a loveless marriage. As Julia cleans the house of years of belongings, she is drawn to a painting of a lady that hangs in the house. Along with cousins and their friend, Nicholas, an antiques dealer, Julia, who has some knowledge of art history, searches out the history of the painting and another that was hidden in the house. I didn't find it difficult to follow the two threads and thought the characters were well-formed. Though I'm not knowledgeable about the art period the book delves into, I was able to appreciate how it added to the intrigue and mystery of the paintings. Even though this book has an element of romance, the emphasis, I feel is on the characters and the mystery.
September 30, 2017
I've gobbled up THAT SUMMER as my first Willig book and it was just gorgeous. Two parallel stories that are so tightly interwoven and echo back and forth...I just loved it. My credit card is going to take a hit as I glom her earlier books!
October 3, 2021
Ping-pong plotlines set in mid-1800s and present.
June 1, 2022
Lauren Willig never disappoints!
Two women in the same home outside of London. Dual timelines, mystery, romance, intrigue, and even a jealous, pouty cousin. What’s not to like?
Two women in the same home outside of London. Dual timelines, mystery, romance, intrigue, and even a jealous, pouty cousin. What’s not to like?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 870 reviews