Rating: 
Summary: Women being victimized...by themselves
Review: Although I tried, I just couldn't finish this book. For the same reasons I can't tolerate watching movies where women are vicitimized, I couldn't tolerate this book. It certainly started interestingly enough, but quickly deteriorated into three long, overly dramatic tales of women who allowed the men in their lives to walk all over them, time and time again. Perhaps the author was trying to elicite the reader's sympathy for these characters...instead I just wanted to scream at them to get a life.Please, Ms. Deveraux, although some women are forced to endure sub-standard treatment at the hands of their lovers, it's a bit tough to believe that these THREE such gifted women would ALL have had their lives ruined by men and been unable to, just a little, pull themselves out of their despair. Give women more credit, and give men a break. You must have characterized the most dysfunctional members of each gender in this book.
Rating: 
Summary: INSULTED INTELLIGENCE
Review: I was sucked into reading this book because it was supposed to be a grand departure from the author's typical fairy tale dribble. I give almost any author a second chance--but this time I'm sorry to have wasted my time. I did finish it, but it wasn't easy. The three women in this story have made stupid decisions which have adversly affected their lives. Instead of taking charge and changing their lives for the better, they seem to be basking in their own unhappiness. One is too fat (oh my), another is too thin (oh dear), and the other hasn't developed any interests of her own (what tragedy)! Upon reuniting with one another, they have an encounter with an orange-wigged psychic who provides them with an opportunity to go back and alter their pasts. I think the idea of female freinds re-visiting their pasts is wonderful, but this rendition is like a sibling of Disney's "Freaky Friday" (pretty cute, but too dumb to take seriously).
Rating: 
Summary: the dreams and the chances
Review: the summerhouse was the most envigerating book i have read in a long time. most books now are about some mystery or FBI case but this was so different yet so great you just cant put down this book untill you finish and then you want more. it took me 3 whole days to finish this book and i took it with me everywhere (the kitchen, bathroom, subway, work, bed etc...) and i just loved it i recomend this to anyone and everyone I gurantee that no matter what you will love this book.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent new direction for Devereaux
Review: I read through the other reviews and the story is pretty well summed up in them. This book is so good - and represents a new, extremely welcome direction for Devereaux. Her last few books have held up my belief, that a writer can only write a limited number of truly great stories of a specific type (in her case, romance novels), before it's time to shift directions. With the Summerhouse, Devereaux remains focused on women's concerns in the romance department, but shifts the focus to women's inner lives, as well as their material situations after the romance has progressed beyond the first flushes of love. Don't you wonder what happens to the characters twenty years down the road? Yeah, this story is "fantasy," but for me it represents a much more realistic attention to women's real life concerns - the state of their marriages, their careers, their children, their own well-being, and not just lust-centered needs to be with a man. And how many of us wonder what would happen if we could go back and redo parts of our lives? This book combines that desire with characters who have real concerns, who deal with the same problems we all do. Maybe I'm just growing up with Devereaux's writing - all I can say is, with this book, that maturity is very welcome. Did I mention, the story is great, and keeps the reader turning the page to see what happens next? I could not put this book down.
Rating: 
Summary: Beach Read Fairy Tale
Review: The Summerhouse is a very light, easy read that reminded me of a modern day fairy tale. Three women Ellie, Madison & Leslie are, at age 40, pained and bitter about life. As they meet again for the first time since they were 21 they get a mystical chance to see what their life would have been like had they chosen different paths. This novel takes an interesting look at the "what if's" in life and how the choices we make in life so deeply affect us. It is not realistic, but I don't think it's supposed to be-but rather a creative way to explore the road not taken. The novel isn't too deep and the writing is light, but the subject is intriguing.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing reading!
Review: I got this book as a surprise and was it ever! It sounds like such a simple concept. If you could relive three weeks of your life, any three weeks, which would you choose, if any, and how would it change your life? I'm sure I'm not the only reader who pondered this dilemma after finishing this fine book. Jude Deveraux has a wonderful way with words, and it made me want to finish it in one sitting. I think books that make you think while you are reading them and also when you're done are not that easy to come by and I was really pleased with every page.
Rating: 
Summary: Best Thing She's Written in Years
Review: A real pleasure, and a fun read. The last couple she wrote weren't so hot. It made me wonder if the character in this book who was a writer was a bit autobiographical, she was having a dry spell too. Welcome back Ms. Deveraux! This book was really enjoyable. p. s. One of my favorite books is "Ladies of Missalonghi", I read it at least once a year. You should too. :)
Rating:
Summary: A great Summer Vacation
Review: I loved being transported into this book. How nice for an adult book to be such a fantasy. Very compelling characters. A book I wish hadn't ended.
Rating:
Summary: What a ride Home
Review: Traveling home from by myself on a four hour drive I needed something to pass the time. So I stopped to look for an audiobook that would keep my interest. At first I was wanting something I could learn from, but the storyline of this book intrigued me. I love stories about time travel of sorts. Also, these three women are my age -- I too will turn 40 this August. I tell you, I couldn't stop listening. In fact I was home and the story had me so involved when I pulled up in from of my home I didn't want to get out of the car. I was only on the second tape! Each time I got back into the car I was rivited. Two days later on shorter trips (I travel a lot in my business) I finished the book -- I LOVED IT! Oh, I guessed pretty much what was going to happen, but the story was so well described that I could escape and be fully entertained which was refreshing since I rarely get a chance any more to read anything for fun. If you want a fun, but warm and light story -- This is the one!!
Rating:
Summary: What a fun book to read but also thought provoking ...
Review: I don't know what made me buy this book ... I had only seen the cover and felt I had to buy it. What a wonderful summertime read!!! I was immediately 'taken' from the first page, and not many books do that to me. I fell in love with each character and felt as though I was sitting beside them as they each went through their 'ordeal'. I don't want to say much so as to not spoil things for other readers because you can't say one thing without having to mention another and on and on. I will say you won't regret it ... it's a good book and one that will have you tossing 'this and that' around in the back of your mind for quite some time.
| 
