The Summer of Good Intentions: A Novel

To say I enjoyed The Summer of Good Intentions might be saying a bit too much. Okay, yes, I enjoyed it. But I also felt sad, annoyed, dismayed, scared and a bunch of other emotions, too. Ultimately, without giving anything away, this is a beach read with some bite to it. The pros - very complex, well developed characters except for the mother/grandmother Gloria (but the author sort-of explains why that is). I would have liked to have known more about her and her reasoning for the divorce. I suspect she knew what was up with her husband for a loooong time before she left. Her explanation to her daughter rings very hollow. The other pro is that most of the storylines are tied up rather nicely and there's a hopeful sense about the book. The cons - predictable (at least to me . . . really, who couldn't see what happens to Arthur coming?) and very few twists, but perhaps that was just me. And for this type of book, that's probably okay, hence four stars and not three. I guess my geeky nature would have liked a bit more about Virgie's issues but I also get that writing in third person but with distinct point of view characters means, naturally, that the individuals will have limited perspective of their own situations as they are living in the middle of them. So this is probably why Virgie has just some information, and no, this isn't a medical or psychiatric textbook, after all.So without giving away the good stuff - it's a good beach read but not a light, fluffy one. There is plenty of family and marital drama and some real things going on and I think the author does a fine job overall. Each of the sisters gets her turn in being a point of view character which is a nice touch to round out their various takes on living in the same family, raised by the same two people. That's probably, overall, the most fascinating part of siblings - that they can each have such a different view of the exact same circumstances. As an only child myself, I will forever miss the conversations about what X meant to me versus my sibling. Oh well. If you ever wished you had a sister, then you'll probably "enjoy" this book a lot - along with occasionally wanting to yell at one of the characters, too.

This book was enjoyable, except I wasn't so much into the main character. This usually is a bit of an obstacle for liking reading a book. There were enough other things going on to where I could get past my dislike of that character and focus on the other story lines. I liked imagining summer, but found a lot implausible, like they can ALL get a month off work all at the same time? Doubtful. All those people in one house sharing, what, one, maybe two showers? Making a adult sleep in the bunk room? Frankly, this was like the story of the worst vacation ever, told by three of the most sentimental people on earth.In many ways this book reminds me of "The Sloop John B": the refrain "this is the worst trip I've ever been on" kept going through my head, but it's actually entertaining to hear about it from a safe distance. But man, not a story you're going to finish and say, "Oh, that was such an uplifting read!"PS:*** MILD SPOILER ALERT***I just have to say, the adults overreacted to the fire SO much! Kitchen fires happen. From what I remember, no exits in the house were blocked, except possibly the kitchen side door. It wasn't even a big fire!!! They were still able to stay in the house. Have your house burn ALL THE WAY down, then come back to me with all that whining and crying. Geez. They lost outdated appliances and a stupid memory book, which the one chick has GOT to chill about. So you no longer know what little Tommy said when he got his first toy bucket--then it must've not been that memorable. Move on. Whiny annoying spoiled women. Oh, and the whole "I'm getting older, let's start adopting babies!" thing was just like, "Huh???"

What a wonderful book filled with a lifetime of events unfolding over one month in July at the family vacation home on Cape Cod. Three sister are all dealing with their own inner problems, each struggling to find sense in it all. Maggie, the oldest of twins, has a full life with her loving husband and young but growing children. In her heart she is beginning to long for the days when her kids needed her at every moment. She is contemplating a big move but must tell and then convince her husband.Jess has a horrible secret she needs to tell her husband. But, telling will likely end her marriage even though she has felt the ever growing chasm that exists between her and her husband. She does not know if they can ever return to the life and love they shared.Virgie is fleeing a stressful job to vacation where life always felt safe. Leaving behind a man she has barely dated has left her longing for his presence but she feels it is too early in the relationship to introduce him to the craziness of her family. It soon becomes apparent to her that she needs him close but I'd hesitant to pursue it. It is he who takes matters into his own hands and comes to her side when she needs him most.Tragedy occurs more than the family feels it can bear but in the end, they are drawn closer together because of it.

I’ll read just about anything based on Cape Cod, as we’ve been vacationing there for over 40 years. This book struck a chord with me; three generations sharing a vacation house. The characters were believable, as were the storylines. I’ll be seeking out more of Wendy Francis’ writings.

I loved the story line,And all the characters..The only thing I did not like,Is how the book ended..I felt like I needed to know a little more..The author should have written one moe chapter on the sisters..Did Virginia stay with her boyfriend? Did they get married? Did her MS progress fast? Did Maggie and her husband adopt a child? Did Jess and her husband really stay together?Did they go back to the summer house the next summer? Or start a new tradition and went to Auther's old house for the summer?

This was a super cute read. I loved it. A great book to highlight what is most important in life.