Willow Brook Road (A Chesapeake Shores Novel, 13)

I'll began by expressing how much I have admired Woods as an author throughout the years as her stories are always enriched in happiness, in love and of course within the bonds of friendships. Yet, I feel like I am ready for some new material or at least a new series beyond the shores of Chesapeake.

As a reader who has enjoyed most of what this series has offered I was disappointed by this story. I felt like Carrie as the lead character did not fit when comparing her to fellow heroines of the past. She seemed more distant and unlike her family, perhaps even uptight. I found myself unable to relate to her as I did the other characters and I'm not so certain that even at this point that I liked her character all that much.

The same can be not said for Sam, the hero of the story. To my surprise he did pair well with Carrie and he was well written. I enjoyed Sam's company above the other characters. He was handsome with a sense of humor and someone that I could see living within the boundaries of the story and he alone made the romance far more interesting.

I'm certainly not the biggest fan of this book within the series. I feel like as a reader that as a series continue book after book the stories tend to lose some value and are not as strongly written as the early books and yet I will always consider Woods to be an outstanding writer. However I would love to see something a little different the next time I select a book penned by the author.

-For more reviews please checkout The Bookish & The Romantic.

A special thank you to Harlequin/MIRA and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. 3.5 Stars

Sherryl Woods returns with her charming Chesapeake Shores #13 series, and the famous O’Brien family, with another heartwarming story of the strong bonds of family, and a budding romance in the picturesque Chesapeake Bay with WILLOW BROOK ROAD —and of course, always nice catching up with familiar characters from previous books.

Mick O’Brien, architect designed the adorable cottage with porch and rockers facing Willow Brook for a perfect Chesapeake Shores’ vacation getaway, or starter home for a small family. However, Carrie Winters had been living there alone at loose ends for the last six months.

After two years in a high pressure public relations job, Carrie does not like being idle. However, she was too distracted to read and even though she enjoyed cooking, no sense in making anything fancy for one, making her feel more lonely.

Carrie ad been in a funk since she arrived and her grandfather Mick was frantic, as the O’Briens do not believe in self-pity. Carrie had been doing just that since her breakup of her last relationship, Marc Reynolds, fashion world icon, which was timed with the crash and burn demolition of her career in the fashion industry— the combination had sent her fleeing from Paris, back to the comfort of her family.

She had finally realized he thought of her more as a convenient bed partner and workhorse. Her public relations efforts for his fashion empire had helped put him on the fast track to international acclaim. Unbeknownst to her, his heart apparently belonged to a self-absorbed model who treated him like dirt.

She was not interested in a man anytime soon, and could hardly even trust her own instincts. She was spending time taking care of her twin sister, Caitlyn’s little boy, Jackson, while her sister was serving a medical internship at John Hopkins and her husband Noah was running an increasingly busy family medical practice in town. She had volunteered for daycare duty whenever they needed her.

Of course everyone wants to know what Carrie is planning for her life. From her cousins, and nosy family members. She really just wanted to be a wife and mom, as Gram was always her role model. Nell, always loved cooking, baking, and taking care of her family.

Enter sexy, newcomer Sam Winslow who is raising his nephew, Bobby which has entered his life. His parents died in an accident only weeks ago. Images of him were a little too enticing for her comfort. Of course everyone is involved in her business about this guy. Sam is the new web designer and tech expert for Mack at the paper.

Will these two hit it off with their own personal issues and baggage? In between brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, grandparents, nieces and nephews, a large family and faithful friends, nothing is impossible. Will Carrie and Sam be the perfect match to carry on the O’Brien legacy and overcome all the obstacles and challenges?

If you have read any of the previous books in the series, the O’Brien’s pretty much run the town, with the Irish pub, while each of the family members possess numerous talents and qualities. Not too shabby a bunch. They seem to run off to spread their wings with successful careers, world travels, and return home to find a partner, and settle down, plus more.

Having read all the books in the series, always nice catching up with familiar characters and old friends. They are growing up fast, always expanding by marrying, and adding more babies with every book. They always seem to gather around the dining room table, so assume it has lots of extensions.

For all you Christmas book fans, look for the new Chesapeake Shores novella, Bayside Retreat, coming Oct 27, and of course the upcoming Hallmark channel featuring Chesapeake Shores series and the exciting line up of stars.

Fans of Debbie Macomber’s Cedar Cove series, Susan Wiggs’ Lakeshore Chronicles, and Mariah Stewart's Chesapeake Diaries will enjoy Woods' small town charm, family, friendship, home, and light romance.

LOVE THESE BOOKS!! Totally addicted!

I have never been disappointed with any book by Sherryl Woods that I have read and this one is no different. So make sure you are comfortable when you start this book as you won't get up until you have read the last word.

In Willow Brook Road we are taken back to the town that Mick O'Brien has built, Chesapeake Shores. It is here that Carrie Winters, Mick's granddaughter, returns after a disappointing relationship came to an end. Carrie was in France and working in fashion design and in love or so she thought with Marc Reynolds until her eyes are opened.

Sam Winslow has come to Chesapeake Shores for a new job. He is also grieving over the death of his sister and brother-in-law who were recently killed in an auto accident. Because of this Sam is now the legal guardian for his nephew, Bobby who is five years old. Sam is not having an easy time of it going from a footloose and carefree bachelor to a responsible father figure.

Carrie always seems to be there to help Sam out with Bobby. They are becoming close but Sam has a fear that if he loves her then if he loses her he won't be able to cope with the hurt. He is still healing from his sister's death.

Much goes on with these two from the time they meet...you will also spend some time with Mack and Susie and their problems. You will feel everything they all feel and when you reach the end will have a sweet smile on your face. I never hesitate to pick up a book by Sherryl Woods and you shouldn't either.

This is a good read. It's about a small town and some of the people who live there. It's about one family in general the O'Brien's. It follows some of the family thru out the story. It follows Sam Winslow as he loses he sister and brother in law when they die and leave their little boy for him to raise. This is a nice read and quick. It had me turning the pages.

Love this Chesapeake Shores Series!
Sherryl Woods has you almost breathing in the salt air and feeling the balmy breezes! Great characters! I ll read all 14!

JUST RECEIVED AND HAVEN'T HAD TIME TO READ IT.

love her books

Great read; great condition; good price.

great condition