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Summary: A wonderful love story!
Review: "Bitter Sweet" is the first book that I have read by Lavyrle Spencer. It is a wonderful romantic story where the characters grew on me and I couldn't stop thinking about them. You have to read this book, you won't be disappointed.
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Summary: VERY GOOD WRITER :)
Review: - I GOT TO KNOW HER BOOKS WHILE I STAYED IN THE STATES, AND BACK IN MY OWN COUNTRY I'M WAITING FOR THEM AS I WAIT FOR THE HOLIDAYS. - MY COPY OF BITTER SWEET IS SO WORN OUT BECAUSE I'VE READ IT SO OFTEN, I ALWAYS ENJOY IT. LOOKING FORWARD FOR HER LAST BOOK. THANKS SO MUCH FOR THOSE BOOKS
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Summary: A Second Chance At The Guy Who Got Away
Review: Anyone who ever loved and lost someone when he or she was in high school, will be drawn to this story. The author presents an interesting scenario. What if we had a second chance at having a relationship with our high school sweetheart? I liked the idea of love transcending time and getting a second chance with the one who got away, but I wish that Eric wasn't married. Since he is married, it would have been better for Maggie and Eric to just have a friendship. I liked the grief issues that Maggie was facing in the beginning of the story. I thought Ms. Spencer handled those scenes very well. If you like Ms. Spencer's other novels, this one won't leave you disappointed.
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Summary: Thought it was a great read nearly had me in tears
Review: As most of Lavyrle's books this is as good as the rest. It is a classic love story with all its twists and turns. Old lovers rekindle their passions to only have a party fighting to keep them apart. Just a fabulous book
Rating: 
Summary: Good settings
Review: As others have said, I disliked the character of Nancy. Ithink she got overloaded with bad characteristics to make the affair(and Maggie) seem like a great option. I kind of felt sorry for Nancy, getting stuck with a guy who harped all the time about having kids and quitting her job (which provided insurance for them!) Maybe he should have discussed kids with her before marriage...instead of assuming things!Aside from that, I enjoyed the book a lot. I got it as a gift when I was about 14 (23 now), and still pick it up occasionally. I am also from near Door County and am familiar with the settings of the story. I would recommend the book as good light reading, nothing that will shake your world but pretty good . And enjoy the settings--it really is beautiful in Door County!
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Summary: Spectacular
Review: Being from near Door County Wisconsin this book was wonderful and made me homesick. I was from Kewaunee County (next door to Door County) I have read EVERY one of her books and was so sad to hear she was going to give it up....PLEASE write us more books.....
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Summary: Forbidden Love
Review: BITTER SWEET by Lavryle Spencer A widow returns home and revisits memories and a high school love in BITTER SWEET, a romance by one of the best writers in this genre, Lavryle Spencer. Maggie Stearn deals with the death of her husband with weekly group counseling sessions, and as the story opens, she is finally saying "goodbye" to Philip. At this same session she, along with her other group-mates, learns that one of the group's members had just attempted suicide, and this leaves a heavy feeling of sorrow among the group. Maggie goes home depressed with the knowledge of Tammi, but also knowing that Maggie's only daughter Katy is about to leave home for college. The house, and her life, will soon be empty. Maggie remembers something her counselor advised: sometimes one can help ease the pain of grief by contacting old friends from years gone by, rekindling old friendships from the past. Feeling this is a good idea, she immediately telephones her best friend from her childhood, Brookie, and after all these years they reconnect. It's been over 20 years since Maggie and her high school "gang" had been together in one place, and it was about time she called to tell them how she was doing. As she pours her heart out to Brookie, Maggie feels happy again and she finds herself laughing over old times. Brookie gives Maggie the phone numbers of all their friends, and soon, Maggie is talking to each one of them on the phone. She finally comes to the last name, Eric Severson, who also happens to be her first love. She forgets about the time difference and wakes up his wife and Eric who are fast asleep in bed, and with apologies to them both, she and Eric talk and start their long road to rediscovery. Maggie loved her husband Phillip deeply, but Eric was her first love, and knowing he was a married man, she put thoughts of him out of her mind. However, that soon becomes difficult when Maggie decides to move back home to Wisconsin to buy an old building and renovate it into a bed and breakfast. An obvious turning point in her life, Maggie finds something to live for. She puts her life with Philip behind her, and despite her daughter's protests, begins her new life back in her hometown, where memories of childhood and first love surround her. Despite warnings from family, Maggie renews her old friendship with Eric, and with his help they rebuild the old historical home together, making plans and feeling energized and excited about the future. Maggie knows her future lies alone, but is this what she really wants? She does not want to admit she still loves Eric, and his place is beside his wife Nancy. I've read several LaVyrle Spencer novels, but I have to say this was by far my favorite. For a romance novel, it wasn't the typical sappy sweet tale. This story had twists and surprises, and it kept me in suspense until the very end. Read about forbidden love in BITTER SWEET.
Rating:
Summary: Forbidden Love
Review: BITTER SWEET by Lavryle Spencer A widow returns home and revisits memories and a high school love in BITTER SWEET, a romance by one of the best writers in this genre, Lavryle Spencer. Maggie Stearn deals with the death of her husband with weekly group counseling sessions, and as the story opens, she is finally saying "goodbye" to Philip. At this same session she, along with her other group-mates, learns that one of the group's members had just attempted suicide, and this leaves a heavy feeling of sorrow among the group. Maggie goes home depressed with the knowledge of Tammi, but also knowing that Maggie's only daughter Katy is about to leave home for college. The house, and her life, will soon be empty. Maggie remembers something her counselor advised: sometimes one can help ease the pain of grief by contacting old friends from years gone by, rekindling old friendships from the past. Feeling this is a good idea, she immediately telephones her best friend from her childhood, Brookie, and after all these years they reconnect. It's been over 20 years since Maggie and her high school "gang" had been together in one place, and it was about time she called to tell them how she was doing. As she pours her heart out to Brookie, Maggie feels happy again and she finds herself laughing over old times. Brookie gives Maggie the phone numbers of all their friends, and soon, Maggie is talking to each one of them on the phone. She finally comes to the last name, Eric Severson, who also happens to be her first love. She forgets about the time difference and wakes up his wife and Eric who are fast asleep in bed, and with apologies to them both, she and Eric talk and start their long road to rediscovery. Maggie loved her husband Phillip deeply, but Eric was her first love, and knowing he was a married man, she put thoughts of him out of her mind. However, that soon becomes difficult when Maggie decides to move back home to Wisconsin to buy an old building and renovate it into a bed and breakfast. An obvious turning point in her life, Maggie finds something to live for. She puts her life with Philip behind her, and despite her daughter's protests, begins her new life back in her hometown, where memories of childhood and first love surround her. Despite warnings from family, Maggie renews her old friendship with Eric, and with his help they rebuild the old historical home together, making plans and feeling energized and excited about the future. Maggie knows her future lies alone, but is this what she really wants? She does not want to admit she still loves Eric, and his place is beside his wife Nancy. I've read several LaVyrle Spencer novels, but I have to say this was by far my favorite. For a romance novel, it wasn't the typical sappy sweet tale. This story had twists and surprises, and it kept me in suspense until the very end. Read about forbidden love in BITTER SWEET.
Rating:
Summary: High school sweethearts
Review: Bitter Sweet is a love story about a pair of high school sweethearts who rediscover each other after many years. Recently widowed Kate contacts former high school friends on the advice of her grief therapist and meets Eric,her first love,now married to a dedicated career woman who refuses to consider starting a family,although why this wasn't discussed before marriage,one can't imagine! She sells the family home and returns to her hometown to open a B and B,much to the horror of her teenaged daughter,newly at college. After many trials and tribulations(including an unexpected pregnancy) everyone lives happily ever after. This was,I thought,a fairly typical soap,until the last pages of the book,when I found that I couldn't swallow the huge lump in my throat as I read the wedding scene,and found tears of happiness trickling down my cheeks. I'm not a book crier and haven't felt totally choked up by a book since the attic scene between Jo and Beth in "little Women" which I read when I was 12. So what was it about the wedding scene that was SO moving? Just Ms.Spencers wonderful ability to get right into the emotion of the moment and make you feel that you were there in person. I'll NEVER sneer at romantic stories again-promise!
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Summary: The best way to get hooked on LaVryle Spencer!
Review: Bitter Sweet is the first Lavyrle Spencer book that I had the pleasure to read. It was during my first summer break from the University I attended, that I discovered the special people and places she creates in her novels. I myself was hooked immediately. As soon as I was done BITTER SWEET, I went back to the book store and bought YEARS and HUMMINGBIRD. I have enjoyed LaVyrle Spencer's books so much that I have recommended them to family and friends. These wonderfully crafted books draw you in to the story like no others have done for me. LaVyrle takes such time and care in researching plots, and reinventing times in which we could only wish we could relive. LaVyrle Spencer has created a world for myself (23), my mother (50), and even my grandmother (75) to enjoy and feel good about reading. Currently I am reading NOVEMBER OF THE HEART, and as soon as I am done, it's being passed on to someone else who will enjoy it just as much as I do.
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