A Stardance Summer - Contemporary Romance Review

A Stardance Summer by Emily March

Rating:  Good
Source: Publisher

Description:   Lili Howe took a leap of faith when she decided to join the Tornado Alleycats, her elderly landlady’s all-female glamour-camping club. Lili’s always given everything to her career, putting herself on track to become her CPA firm’s youngest partner. But now that Lili’s carefully planned future is shattered, she’s willing to let summer work its magic on her―at all costs.
There’s never a dull moment at Stardance Ranch, the Colorado resort Brick Callahan built from the ground up. Still, a late night skinny-dipping session involving a bunch of “glamping” grannies. . .with his best friend’s kid sister Lili among them? He couldn’t have made up such story if he tried. The undeniable mutual attraction between Brick and gorgeous, spirited Lili is a reminder that life is full of surprises. But when Brick’s ex-girlfriend suddenly shows up, he’s faced with a desperate choice: Do right by a woman he once loved or take a chance on Lili. . .and do everything he can to win her heart?

Genre: Romance - Contemporary

Why I Picked This Book:  I've enjoyed every book I've read in this series so far and loved the sound of this one!

My Impression:  I came into this book with crazy high expectations. I had loved the last 2 books (Christmas in Eternity Springs and Reunion Pass) and expected to fall in love with this book in just the same way.  Plus, I love the best friend's little sister/big brother's best friend trope.  With all of that put together I just knew this was going to be on of those books that just pulled me in and didn't let go.  But it wasn't.

I mean I liked it.  I'm not sure it's possible for Emily March to write a book that I don't enjoy.  I loved catching up with the town of Eternity Springs and all the people I've met over the previous books.  I haven't been with the series from the beginning so there are a number of couples whose stories I haven't read.  It is never confusing but always makes me want to go catch up immediately!  I liked Lili a lot.  She's in a tough spot after an entire life of being the good girl and doing what she was supposed to do.  Now she's in trouble and it seems like no one is in her corner except for her landlady, Patsy, who may have been one of my favorite characters in this book along with the rest of the all female camping group, the Tornado Alleycats.  I also really liked Brick.  He's a good guy.  He's part of his community, he's working hard to make his RV park work.  He's had some bumps but isn't angry or bitter though he's not particularly interested in relationships since a bad breakup years ago.  Lili and Brick are good together.  She's still recovering from a childhood crush she had on him but she actually sees him for who he is and not this ideal she's developed in her head which is my usual problem with childhood crushes.  They have a shared history and they both need a friend. It seems natural when it turns to more.

So what was it that kept me from falling in love with this one?  Tiffany Lambeau.  She's Lili's childhood nemesis and Brick's high school sweetheart and she's just so awful that I groaned every time she was mentioned.  A lot of this is really personal as I'm not a fan of flashbacks back to school days or high school sweethearts.  If this doesn't bother you at all you're going to love this book.  If you're like me and would rather high school stay far far in the past than this is still worth reading though it might not be quite as much of a home run.  The story and the characters are wonderful and I always enjoy a visit to Eternity Springs.

Would I Read More of this Series/Author:  Absolutely!  March is one of my favorite authors.

Would I Recommend this Book?  I would!  This wasn't my favorite of the series but my issues were strictly personal.  This is a series you can jump in anywhere with and March always delivers a good read.