Summer in Bellbird Bay by Maggie Christensen is a heart-warming story about love, life, friendship, and starting all over again.
Alisa McNeil’s marriage of more than twenty-five years has ended and everything feels so different. When her friend, Bev, invites Alisa to spend the summer in Bellbird Bay, Queensland, she jumps at the chance to leave her home in Canberra.
She expects sun, beaches, and relaxation, but she certainly doesn’t expect romance!
Her friend’s twin brother, Martin Cooper, was the first man she was attracted to, when she was just nineteen years old.
Having travelled the world as a well-known travel photographer, his arrival at Bellbird Bay for the summer is unexpected. Reuniting with him takes her back to that initial attraction but she can’t help worrying that perusing something could lead to even more pain.
This story reflected on many topics, from marriage breakdown, empty nesting, through to friendship, rejuvenation, and … of course… romance! It was a beautiful read that kept me turning the pages late into the evening, and wistful for a summer vacation. This was my first Maggie Christensen book, but I’m looking forward to the rest in the Bellbird Bay series.
Thank you to Beauty and Lace and Cala Publishing for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
ISBN: 9780645128345
Copy courtesy of Maggie Christensen
A selection of our Beauty and Lace Club Members are reading Summer in Bellbird Bay by Maggie Christensen. You can read their comments below, or add your own review.
Raechel is a Professor, mother of 5 and avid reader. She always has at least four books on the go at any one time – an audio book, a fiction e-book, a non-fiction e-book, and an ‘actual’ book. She is often criticized for this behaviour!
Summer in Bellbird Bay starts with Alisa McNeil envisaging a new time in her life. Her children are grown and her husband and her will grow old together enjoying the next part of their life.
But her husband Bob is not happy and has drifted apart from her. So Alisa decides to visit her friend Bev at Bellbird Bay, just as Bob drops a bombshell.
Believing time away is what she needs, Alisa goes to Bellbird Bay. Beautiful beaches and time to catch up with her long time friend Bev. But Bev’s twin brother Martin suddenly decides to return and stay with Bev as well, as his career as a world renowned photographer and love life are falling apart. The two had a brief encounter when they were 19 and there is still an attraction but Bev doesn’t want any complications and Martin is reclusive.
The book also brings in Alisa’s family and in particular her children which adds a nice depth. This is a lovely story of second chances. Life doesn’t always work out the way you expect!
This book was very enjoyable and an easy read with well thought out character development. I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
Thank you Beauty & Lace and Cala Publishing for the opportunity to read this novel.
Thank-you Beauty & Lace for giving me the chance to read & review ‘Summer in Bellbrid Bay’ by Maggie Christensen.
Alisa finds her marriage in tatters after 25 happy years together, needing solace she goes to visit her friend Bev in Bellbird Bay – a place it seems has the ability to make everyone feel at home by creating a safe haven to heal and to explore new opportunities.
As Alisa begins to heal and come to terms with her marriage breakdown an old flame enters the picture, carrying life baggage of his own. This is a warm story of friendship, love, loss and how there can be a second chance at happiness. Thank-you ‘Beauty & Lace Bookclub’ for the opportunity to read ‘Summer in Bellbrid Bay’ by Maggie Christensen.
Such a wonderful book, full of heart and emotion with a journey towards a happy ending.
It made me wish I had a glorious place to go like Bellbird Bay. I really loved the characters and that it was a story about a middle age woman for a change, just lovely and a real page turner for me as I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Thankyou for this one.
A lovely easy read by Maggie Christensen, perfect to curl up with and dream of summer.
As I grow older I appreciate a book that has characters more of my age who are living life after kids, not just starting out.
The descriptions of Bellbird Bay had me wanting to go and experience it for myself.
Looking forward to discovering more of Maggie’s books.
Thank you Beauty and Lace and Maggie Christensen for the opportunity to read Summer in Bellbird Bay, an e-book.
Summer in Bellbird Bay follows the story of Alisa, who finds herself at a time in her life when things are at a loose ends when her children move out of home and her marriage has ended. Alisa visits her friend Bev in Bellbird Bay and through her time there learns to recenter herself and explore what life opportunities are available to her at this point in her life. She is able to reconnect with lost friends and lover.
The story is a lovely, easy to follow story that brings depth to the characters in a beautiful setting. One almost wishes the location was real so as to experience it for themselves!
Recommended as a holiday read or something light to enjoy.
I loved reading Summer and Bellbird Bay. It is a great read for women whose marriage has broken down, and kids have grown up, and the need to rediscover one self again….. even with a second chance of love!
The book is well written and easy to read. This is definitely a great holiday novel!