A St. Caroline Novel (St. Caroline Series) (Volume 1)

When Sterling Matthew returns home to run his family's inn on St. Caroline, he clashes with marketing director and Lucy Wyndham from the start. Complicating their professional relationship is the summer they shared when they were teenagers.

For me, this was a well-written but unremarkable story. The premise for conflict was good but the chemistry between Sterling and Lucy felt forced. As much as I wanted Lucy to be able to stay on St. Caroline, I never quite bought into the idea that she belonged with Sterling. There were some cute moments, however, and I did really like Lucy.

This is my first time reading something by this author. I didn't enjoy this book. It was oddly paced, some parts moved very slowly, while others moved too fast. I also felt the story was missing quite a bit in the plot. The ending seemed rushed and open ended, I prefer a story with a solid ending. While the characters were engaging, there was no real substance to their relationship. I don't plan to continue to read this author.

An interesting story though probably not realistic. Flawed characters whose lives were turned around following summer camp. Unfortunately, there no ending without assumptions - it seemed to me the writer guit writing and began another book so you're facing a sample and the assumption of a happy ending.

I really enjoyed Julia Gabriel's book, "Falling for the Prodigal Son." The premise of the book was fun and the plot an enjoyable one. I did feel like I wanted a little more from these characters, though. Lucy and Sterling were falling in love, but I (as the reader) wasn't quite sure why. What did they see in each other? I didn't really feel it. And Sterling was the "prodigal son" but why? His history was unfolded a little, but a complex relationship with his mother was never dug into, ergo never really resolved in my mind. That was the only thing that made me want more, though. Ms. Gabriel put together a very nice flow, and it made for an entertaining and fast read. I'd like to read more of her work!

I really enjoyed Julia Gabriel's book, "Falling for the Prodigal Son." The premise of the book was fun and the plot an enjoyable one. I did feel like I wanted a little more from these characters, though. Lucy and Sterling were falling in love, but I (as the reader) wasn't quite sure why. What did they see in each other? I didn't really feel it. And Sterling was the "prodigal son" but why? His history was unfolded a little, but a complex relationship with his mother was never dug into, ergo never really resolved in my mind. That was the only thing that made me want more, though. Ms. Gabriel put together a very nice flow, and it made for an entertaining and fast read. I'd like to read more of her work!

I thought I was searching Christian Kindle books when this one came up. Apparently I was wrong - this is not Christian at all, and isn't even interesting. Too much sex that didn't make the story better; it would have been a WHOLE lot better if that stuff was left out. And it's not even romantic. True romance means the people respect each other. Premarital sex is not respecting each other, and it's not love/romance. It's lust. I couldn't finish the book, even if it was a free one. I had to delete it from my Kindle.

If you're looking for a quick, romantic story, you’ll love Sterling and Lucy’s journey together.. Two individuals from completely different lives and backgrounds.

Sterling is the only son of the wealthy family who owns the Chesapeake Inn. Lucy is now the marketing director at the Chesapeake Inn and was once an underprivileged teen who visited the inn's summer camp; the same camp where she and Sterling had an intimate summer together. Sterling, in an attempt to save his inheritance, after many years abroad he returns to take control of the inn due to his father’s failing health. He's no longer the fumbling teenager that Lucy lost her virginity to, but a very sexy, desirable man and now her new boss! Just what she needs, right?

From the very beginning they fight about how the inn should be run, because they see and remember things differently. The summer camp which Lucy insists benefits the community and a lot of kids with troubled lives/homes BUT Sterling sees it as an unnecessary cost on the inn's bottom line. The camp helped Lucy survive as a teen, but Sterling holds a grudge against the camp, because as the son of the Inn’s owner is wasn’t allowed to experience certain things during his youth.

Sterling and Lucy’s romance allows the reader to experience the ups and downs of their relationship as it crosses lines of pre-conceived notions from the past, a strong romantic attraction that neither is immediately eager to admit.

There are a lot of great secondary characters in this story that you will grow to love and I would say that Douglas was one of my favorites. You don’t get to see a lot of Douglas, a friend of Lucy's who works at the Kids Kamp and is a very good friend of hers, but you can't help but fall for him and his protectiveness of Lucy.

Lucy is the Marketing Director for Chesapeake Inn and the children's camp associated with it - she has a special affiliation with the camp as she went to it when she was a difficult teenager and had problems that were helped by it.

Sterling is the son of the owner of Chesapeake Inn and due to his fathers illness he has returned to run the business and he definitely remembers Lucy from the past!

When Sterling decides that he must close the camp in order to save the Inn the sparks will fly and he will have a worthy opponent in Lucy who is determined that it must be kept open - will their shared past come back to them and re-unite them?

A good light hearted read that although predictable will make a good beach read

I received this book free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not effect my opinions or review of the book.

Falling for the Prodigal Son by Julia Gabriel is a delightful romance. I had not read this author prior to reading Falling for the Prodigal Son but I will be looking for her other books. It is the story of opposites attract and differing worlds coming together to create something magical. Falling for the Prodigal Son is Matthew and Lucy’s story. It held my attention from the beginning and I thought it got better as it progressed through the story.

Lucy grew up on the poor side of town. She didn’t have many opportunities but she did go to a camp and it changed her life. She loved the camp growing up and even more so as an adult. She works for the camp owners and continues the tradition going. She enjoys bringing kids the same experiences she had as a kid. She loves working with the staff and the owners of the camp but she can’t expect things to be perfect forever. Matthew her boss’s son shows up in town and reminds her of their shared camp kiss. She finds her feelings for him have only changed in intensity and passion. He ignites a fire within her. The only problem is he has come to change everything and that includes closing down the camp. She will do anything to save it. This causes tension between the two of them and they are constantly butting heads about it. Everything she suggests he shoots down. He is as determined to close it as she is to keep it open. The attraction continues to grow between them but they also continue to butt heads. Can they find a solution to their dilemma? Or will it cost her, her job and their relationship?

Matthew didn’t want anything to do with his family’s business. It had caused him nothing but heartbreak over the years. He felt it took his parents away from him and he was never able to enjoy his childhood not even at his father’s camp. He is treated differently. The only highlight of that camp was the kiss he shared with Lucy one of the campers. She has been an active part of his imagination since then. He never forgot her. When he was old enough he got away from his parents and their business. When his mother tells him he needs to come back he almost refuses but it is only going to be temporary. He is going to go in do what needs to be done as quickly as possible and get the heck out of dodge. He wasn’t expecting to run into Lucy and he didn’t expect the complications she brings. She opposes him at every turn and it is frustrating as hell. What is her attachment to the camp anyways? What is everyone else’s attachment to it? The more time they are in the office together the more his attraction to her grows, the only problem is that they are on opposite sides of the business. Can the two of them find a compromise? If they do will the two of them meet in the middle and end up together?

I really enjoyed Falling for the Prodigal Son. Lucy was my favorite character. I liked that she was giving back to the same place that had made such a difference in her life. I liked that she genuinely cared about the kids, the staff, and her bosses. She was a really great person and her actions proved it. I liked Matthew as well. I could understand why he had such an aversion to the camp and that he was also trying to do what was best for his family’s business. What I didn’t understand is why he wasn’t also thinking of the kids. He didn’t like how his childhood was why wouldn’t he want to brighten up someone else’s childhood? I did find the book to be a bit predictable in some parts but it didn’t take away from the romance. It was fun to watch them butt heads and then finally find what they were looking for in each other. I would highly recommend Falling for the Prodigal Son to lovers of contemporary romances.

I really enjoyed this romance novel. Just when you think the plot resolves itself, it goes on to bring more twists and turns. Lucy could be any one of us and Sterling, well, we don't think he could be anything but a prodigal son, but he turns out to have more in common with all of us than we know. How often do we judge others in real life when if we only would reach out we would find friendship all around us. Just the right amount of romance, sex and plot to be a wonderful read that begs to be read all at once.

The story was sweet and lighthearted, it was a short read with a happily ever after. Lucy can sometimes be a bit too idealistic, while Sterling often comes across as a bit of a douche. As you learn each of their back stories you get to sympathize with each of them. I would have loved to see more of Douglas, Lucy's best friend; the author gave us enough to be interested in the character. Overall, it was an enjoyable read.

Though much of this story is predictable as far as romance novels go, it didn't detract from the story at all. It is still a definite worthwhile read. While I enjoyed the story itself, it is really the characters that make this one such a good. All of the characters are so well-written and portrayed that I really felt I knew them, and that I was a part of their story. Highly recommended and I can't wait to read more from this author.

Falling for the Prodigal Son
by Julia Gabriel
4.5 - 5.0

Given by author for an honest review.

Falling for the Prodigal Son is a sweet and steamy read. I really enjoyed reading about Lucy and Sterling. Their story brought back some memories from my own teenage years.

This is a good, slow, easy read to curl up with.

I am looking forward to reading more books by Julia Gabriel.

I loved this book there was great chemistry between the main characters. The story was a real page turner I could not put it down until I finished it. Sterling and Lucy are reunited after years of being apart and the story of how things progress from reconnecting and how their values become very similar. The both have different ideas and reasons behind their motives in saving a child's camp.

I read this book in exchange for a honest review.
I felt it was a little bland at times. I kept waiting for it to spice up,but it never did. I felt Sterling was playing too many games for my liking. And it was getting on my last nerve. It seemed like a good storyline from reading the blurb, but it just didn't cut the mustard for me.

This book covers all the bases for fun, summer reading (or dreaming of summer reading). The main characters are really sweet, and are well developed - we get inside their heads with realistic thoughts and conversations (some quite awkward, and often humerous). I loved the idyllic setting, and it was easy to get lost in the pages...and I did, finishing the book in one afternoon. Very satisfying.
I was given a free copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book! I received this book in exchange for an unbiased review and I was very happy with it. The author brings the characters to life. It's a fun and easy read that will bring a smile to your face.

This book covers all the bases for fun, summer reading (or dreaming of summer reading). The main characters are really sweet, and are well developed - we get inside their heads with realistic thoughts and conversations (some quite awkward, and often humerous). I loved the idyllic setting, and it was easy to get lost in the pages...and I did, finishing the book in one afternoon. Very satisfying.
I was given a free copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book! I received this book in exchange for an unbiased review and I was very happy with it. The author brings the characters to life. It's a fun and easy read that will bring a smile to your face.