All Summer Long (Fool's Gold Book 9)

I have read/listened to a lot of Susan Mallery's books. I always enjoy them... until this one. Characters weren't interesting and thus I didn't care about them at all.
Ordered this on CD.... and forced myself to listen to 2 of the 8 CD's. After that unpleasant experience.... I threw it in the trash.
Makes me question what happened to the fun, enjoyable books that she has written before.

Don't waste your money on this book!!!!!!!!!!

This is another in the Fools Gold series that does not have much story line but is a gentle read for summer. It is difficult to believe there are so many, somewhat dysfunctional, people living in one area, although the theme of a town coming to the rescue for everyone is a nice dream.

The characters were more lifelike than usual in romance novels. Charlie came from a dysfunctional environment and she was not a gorgeous, petite little thing. She had a solid, honest character and was a perfect fit for Clay who was trying to leave behind his own demons. Few relationships are without doubts and external pressures, but working through them together was the key to their success. I did enjoy the book, but could have done with fewer intimate details. I will look forward to reading more of her books.

I was a fool; I believed the 163 people that gave (Fools Gold) 5 stars. What were you thinking? The book was a maw of foolishness. Were you fooled by the superficial underwear model that had everything handed to him and then comes home to people handing him more money for a lame idea. That's right, you fell for his magnanimous gesture of falling in love with the ugly duckling; gag me with a spoon! She was a firefighter who should have known better! Susan Mallery should have known better than using the stereotype of a homely girl gets beautiful boy: how shallow! But I gave you one star for making her a firefighter! I will not be fooled again!

As a general rule I love Susan Mallory books, but this one was missing something. It seemed like she was all over the place touching many issues but never fully developing any of them. Normally there is interaction between the romantic leads in a romance novel. I did not find that to be the case in this book. There was little conversation between the two. This book was very disappointing.

I am a huge fan of Susan Mallory but this is the worst piece of drivel I've had the displeasure to read in a long time. I'm not sure what it is but it is not a romance novel. It definitely is a fantasy and not in a good way. I kept looking forward to the white rabbit, man behind the curtain or perhaps even a vampire. Alas, no such luck.

Michelle is a returning wounded war veteran. Good marks for that one. However, she returns to find her former friend, Carly, has replaced her in her mother's affection, her former job and, most importantly, in her property. Not what one would expect when returning a war hero. Adding insult to injury, Michelle finds that her mother has mortgaged the property, a property that is owned wholly by Michelle, not once but twice and the bank is going to foreclose (of course they are) because the irresponsible mother didn't think to make the payments on the large loans.

This is where the fantasy begins. Banks (especially small town banks) do not lend large sums of money to persons of dubious means, for prolonged periods of time, on properties that do not belong to the borrower, without the owner's knowledge or consent. Even if we dispel reality for an instant and assume that the mother had some trust relationship over Michelle and the property, that trust relationship was very close to ending. Banks don't lend hundreds of thousands of dollars for tens of years to an individual in a position of fiduciary responsibility that is facing imminent termination of that very relationship.

Further, banks do not (not even small town banks) get involved in running a business that they have loaned money on. Banks are barely qualified to run their own businesses and, in this case, they have clearly mismanaged this piece of business. But, as one would expect from a flight of fancy, the bank agrees to work out payments if - and only if - Michelle agrees to retain the services of the traitorous Carly as Manager of the property/business. And, of course, Michelle eagerly agrees.

What absolute hogwash! In the real world, Michelle would have contacted the local bar association for a referral and brought suit against the bank for fraud with regard to those spurious contracts which were, at least, a huge breach of fiduciary responsibility, definitely unethical and very probably unlawful. Maybe then we could have had a really good court room drama with a heroic lawyer for the plaintiff. Or maybe Michelle would have contacted the local veterans association where she could have found legal advice and a hunky war vet to help her cause. Anything but the sentimental and oh so fantastic trash that was dished up.

In the end I felt that my intelligence had been insulted. It would have been much better if there had been a white rabbit, man behind the curtain or a vampire. At least that would have been true fantasy and I would not have been so offended.

In All Summer Long, Susan Mallery brings the Stryker brothers' trilogy to an outstanding finish and tantalizes her readers with a teasing glimpse of their sister Evageline's upcoming story. While this latest novel in the Fool's Gold series is a bit more serious than the previous two novels, it is a romantic and fairly light-hearted read.

Well drawn and true to life, Charlie Dixon and Clay Stryker are fabulous characters. Straightforward, blunt and to the point, Charlie is a refreshing breath of fresh air. She says what she means and she means what she says. Never mean or hurtful, she is sensitive to others' feelings and she gets her point across with an great deal of tact. Finally ready to put her painful past behind her, Charlie entices Clay with a proposal he finds impossible to resist.

Ahh, Clay. I confess. He is my favorite of the three brothers. Former underwear model and butt double with spectacular looks that routinely inspire numerous propositions from legions of women both young and old, he is surprisingly blasé about how gorgeous he is. More than just a pretty face (and butt), he is a kind-hearted, down-to-earth, intelligent and surprisingly insightful man. He has arrived in Fool's Gold with a well-researched business plan and a strong desire to contribute to the local community.

While their relationship is originally based on their mutual sexual attraction, there is true friendship, mutual respect and genuine affection between Clay and Charlie. Clay's patience and understanding with Charlie adds to his character's depth and appeal. Their sex scenes are quite sensual and reveal a lot about their emotions and feelings for one another.

The secondary story line with Charlie's mother, Dominique, provides most of the conflict in All Summer Long. Dominique is vain, shallow, amazingly self-centered and highly critical of Charlie. Absent for much of Charlie's childhood due to Dominique's career as a world-renowned ballerina, they have been estranged for quite some time and for Charlie, their relationship is a minefield of hurt feelings and unmet needs. With a whole lot of advice from May Stryker, Dominique tries to heal past mistakes and become the mother that Charlie deserves.

Ms. Mallery presents some very interesting contrasts in All Summer Long. May Stryker is the epitome of the perfect mother (at least for the Stryker men) and Dominique, well, we know where she falls on the parenting spectrum. Instead of the heroine being judged based on her appearance, Clay is the one who is objectified. But the difference I found most striking and fascinating is the vast and completely opposite effect fame has on Clay and Dominique. It is absolutely amazing how differently the two react to their respective careers and how they view and interact with other people around them.

All Summer Long is a moving and heartfelt story about healing the past. It is also a beautiful romance that is slow-growing, sweet and most important, realistic. Susan Mallery handles a difficult and sensitive topic with exquisite care in a believable and forthright manner.

All Summer Long is another magnificent installment in the delightfully charming Fool's Gold series that old and new fans are sure to enjoy. The intriguing glimpses of old and new characters leave readers eagerly anticipating their next visit in the lovely town of Fool's Gold.

I received a complimentary copy for review.

The premise of this story is harsh at times. Charley was raped in college and got no support from anyone. Ten years later she can't let herself get close to a guy, but her biological clock is ticking. Enter underwear model Clay who is the brother of her best friend's fiancee and things start to look up. Then her estranged mother arrives. You can see that I wasn't kidding about the emotions.

What I liked best about this story is how Clay handled teaching Charley the good parts of closeness. That was very impressive. The story mass lots of emotional growth for both of them, great secondary characters, some different animals as well as some steamy scenes. The emotion is intense at times, but really moves the story along. Try this if this sounds like a story for you. You don't have to read all the Fool's Gold series to get this'd. I didn't, but you may find yourself going back to reads the rest and then going on from there!

I just completed Clay’s book, the third in the Summer Trilogy or the year of the cowboy as I read somewhere. I am 12 books in (including the novellas) to the Fool’s Gold books and I can honestly say I am still really enjoying the journey. I love the town and the recurring characters. The books do stand alone, but having read the previous ones I enjoy the appearances of previous characters, though knowing their whole backstory is not necessary to enjoy the books. The author really concentrates on the current couple. It does enhance the reader’s enjoyment to revisit characters I’ve already fallen for! I do suggest at least reading the connected trilogies, like the 3 about the Hendrix Sisters, or the three about the Stryker brothers.

As for this book, I was uncertain how much I could really get behind these two characters. Both were well introduced in previous books and neither had issues that I thought were that significant. But I was wrong, the author did a wonderful job. Charlie wants to get past a rape that occurred a long time ago leaving her with a fear of intimacy. Her turn around did seem a little abrupt and maybe a little unrealistic, but it was still an enjoyable read. Clay wants desperately to be taken seriously when everyone identifies him with his modeling career instead. These two really worked together. I look forward to continuing on with the series. I believe I am headed into the Bodyguard trilogy. Bring it on.

While All Summer Long didn't start off as good as the other Stryker brothers books, I found by the end I was really enjoying it.

I was really excited to read Charlie's story. I liked her in the last book and wanted to see how she resolved her issues. I also liked Clay. I could understand why he would be annoyed with everyone thinking he is just a model. He wants to do something else with his life now and to have everyone just see you that way...I get it. I liked the Charlie and Clay together. He was so sweet with her. So nice, going slow, making sure she was okay with everything that was happening. Of course they started caring more for each other. They are both great and great together.

Charlie's mom comes back in this book and man she is a nightmare. I don't know how Charlie dealt with her or how they ever managed to have a relationship. She is just so self centered and doesn't care about others. She says really hurtful things and I just cannot imagine having her as a mom. I can't imagine anyone trying to help her. She is horrible. Somehow she does radically change and by the end is really proud of Charlie and supports her and whatnot. It was a bit unbelievable how much she changed. At the beginning the mom couldn't even figure out why people would be upset by what she said. At least the people of Fool's Gold are really nice and welcoming.

Overall this was a good read, though not my favorite in this series. The ending when Clay comes back was way too quick. Charlie out of anyone shouldn't have taken him back that quickly. She is way too strong and in charge to just be all whatever, all is forgiven just like that. This one in particular I thought needed longer to resolve. I mean it is Charlie! She is tough and yeah. So it was a good read, but not the best in the series.

This review was originally posted to Jen in Bookland

THE SERIES:
This is book 1 in the Blackberry Island Trilogy. Each book can be read as a stand alone. This author has written many romances which are primarily about relationships between men and women. For a change in this series she is writing about relationships between women as friends or sister-like. And I like the change. And I like that at the end of each book, the main female character also has a happy romantic ending with a guy. The main stories are about women, their friends, and choices in life, but secondary stories include their romantic life.

THIS BOOK:
Two women are trying to save a small tourist town inn from bankruptcy. They were friends in high school but not currently. Traumas, crises, and disappointments in life caused problems for them and their relationship. During the story we hear about things from the past.

Michelle is a b***ch. I did not like her or things she did during the first half of the book. But I viewed it as every story needs a bad guy and she was it. Then Michelle changed. I liked what happened with her in the last part of the book.

I loved reading about Carly. She had the most wonderful attitude and wonderful work ethic and was a good mother. Such a joy to read about. I loved the way she responded to various problems with the inn.

And just for fun, I am glad the author added a little romance for both Carly and Michelle toward the end. It did not feel thrown in. It was nicely developed. But I can’t call this a romance because the romantic relationships were not the main focus of the story. But they gave me a warm comfy feeling at the end.

AUDIOBOOK NARRATOR:
At first I was hesitant about the narrator Sarah Grace. I felt like she was reading a textbook, not thinking about what she was reading. But I didn’t notice that later on. She did various voices well. I would be happy to listen to her again.

CAUTION SPOILER:
The bank loan officer apparently did some unethical things. At the end the author tells us laws or regulations were violated and there were personnel changes at the bank. I was confused. I wanted more details. Did Ellen lose her job? What exactly did she violate? The author did not explain - that frustrated me.
END SPOILER.

DATA:
Narrative mode: 3rd person. Unabridged audiobook length: 9 hrs and 43 mins. Sweaing language: mild. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: 2. Setting: current day island near Seattle, Washington. Book copyright: 2012. Genre: womens fiction with romance.

If I could give this book 10 ? I would.

It had ALL THE FEELS! Granted I am reading it at an emotional time, preparing #3 to go off to college. But this book was so amazing. I just loved the banter between the 2 female characters. This is a story of 2 woman, who growing up had been like sisters and then bad choices combined with bad circumstances ripped them apart. Now 10 years later one returns from active duty, broken. The other a single mother and living the others would be life. This book is about finding your way back, it's about not liking choices others have made BUT still loving that person. It's about realizing that not every family can't be the Cleavers and you can be ok with that.

This book had a love interest and story for each of the woman but more importantly is was a story of 2 women who were sisters of the heart and finding there way back to it.

I cannot say enough about how much I adored this book. This book is so much more than a romance...it's a book about relationships, with family, friends, even yourself. It was a great read for me!

Former underwear model turned entrepreneur Clay Stryker has loved, tragically lost and vowed that he'll never risk his heart again. After making his fortune, the youngest of the rugged Stryker brothers returns to Fool's Gold, California, to put down roots on a ranch of his own. But he's frustrated to discover that even in his hometown, people see him only for his world-famous...assets.
Firefighter Chantal (Charlie) Dixon grew up an ugly duckling beside her delicately beautiful mother, a feeling reinforced long ago by a man who left soul-deep scars. Now she has good friends, a solid job and the itch to start a family--yet she can't move toward the future while she's haunted by painful memories.Clay finds an unexpected ally, and unexpected temptation, in tomboyish Charlie, the only person who sees beyond his dazzling good looks to the real man beneath. But when Charlie comes to him with an indecent proposal, will they be able to overcome their pasts and find a love that lasts beyond one incredible summer

A pretty good story, although there is a lot of sexual foreplay in the story. Yes, I also realize there is a reason for it beside the usual reasons. I really liked Charlie; she was tough because she had to be. It was not only to protect herself physically (and do her job) but also because she really did have a large, tender heart. That tender heart had been stomped on more than once.
Its been a long time since Clay had been seen as much more than a beautiful man with a really great butt. Charlie sees him, deep into him and recognizes his worth. A great friendship developed. I did like the story just not sure everyone will be on board with all the sex.
Oh and Charlie's mother? Wow, someone who was totally self absorbed. But I like how the story developed about her growing up some while in Fool's Gold. She really didn't have any clue about being a mother. One of my favorite conversations was with asking another mother for help, "Pretend I'm from another planet and I've never seen a mother, daughter relationship before".

Not one of my favorites - didn't really like the negativity between the main characters. I was looking for a lighter book, and this seemed heavy to me. I got a little tired of them not liking each other. I also thought the "Blackberry Island" books were a series, but they are actually not related at all, other than taking place on the same island. Occasionally a character from one book is mentioned in the other, but you can read them in any order. Of the 3, this was my least favorite.

Michelle Sanderson has come home after a ten-year absence to inherit the inn left to her by her father. An army veteran, she's been horribly injured and treated in a veterans hospital. But not all the wounds are on the outside.

Ten years ago she fled her Blackberry Island home after a youthful betrayal, and promptly enlisted in the army where she re-upped twice. Now, after being shot and going through a slow and painful recovery from a partial hip replacement, she's returned to the inn she called home. Her arrival brings another set of problems: she now must confront the woman who was once her best friend, and whom she thinks she hates, and she must deal with post traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD).

Carly Williams, once Michelle's inseparable friend, has weathered a barrage of lies about an unsavory past. She has worked at the inn for nearly ten years. A single mother to a charming nine-year-old daughter, Carly has struggled to provide normalcy for the girl as well as run the inn under the inept management of Michelle's mother who has recently died.

Their first meeting goes badly, and things deteriorate from there. Michelle finds Carly and her daughter occupy the owner's suite, once Michelle's residence. Furthermore, the inn has been remodeled in what Michelle fells is a garish display of kitsch. Michelle's long-time friend, Damaris has few good things to say about Carly, even though the inn's other staff members and their customers love her.

When Michelle discovers the inn is on the verge of foreclosure, she digs into the records and learns of her mother's woeful mismanagement. She immediately set out to keep the inn afloat and she has to rely on Carly for help. The two form an uneasy truce that is fraught with problems as Michelle's PTSD threatens to incapacitate her.

Ms. Mallery's first book in her new Blackberry Island series blows the lid off women's fiction with a complex coming home story that will keep readers riveted to the pages. There's romance in the pages, but the premise is so much more complex than a mere happily ever after. She deals realistically with PTSD and the characters' twisted betrayals. Michelle instinctively knows how to get the business on solid footing, but she handles life badly. She resists going to meetings to help cope with her PTSD and uses alcohol as her crutch. When the one person she counted on fails her, she goes off the deep end and must finally admit she needs help. Both Michelle and Carly are multi-faceted characters. As the plot slowly reveals the behind-the-scenes traumas that drive their actions, the reader is caught up in wanting each character to confront her own demons.

The story is complex, and extremely well plotted. I couldn't put the book down until I finished it and was not disappointed. Barefoot Season is a romance with just the right amount of passion to delight Ms. Mallery's fans but not so much as to overpower the wonderful story. It goes on my keeper shelf, and I'll be recommending it to my friends.

Brava Ms. Mallery. You've made a fan of this reviewer.

I read Susan Mallery years ago, but stopped because I thought her books were too uneven, with the bad ones being really bad. Recently, I don't know why, I decided to try this one as a library e-book. At least I wouldn't be out of money if I didn't like it, I thought. Oh, wow, was I unprepared and blown away! This does not read like the author I thought I knew.

It is a great disservice to call this a romance. This is "women's fiction" or whatever they call it these days. Susan Mallery has found her voice, and it's powerful. She should never write another basic romance!

This story has great depth and is extremely emotional. Explores a lot of relationships and personal growth, not just a simple romance. This is digging down deep inside yourself to fight your demons, struggling to make a living, working out who's a true friend and what lies you've been fed. Relationships with parents, friends, co-workers, employees are all examined and resolved. And there's romance along the way, but it's not the only, or even the main, focus. This is about vanquishing one's demons and healing enough to welcome all kinds of love and support into your life.

Unlike others, I do NOT see this as beach reading. It's too intense for that. It's a curl-up-in-private-and-prepare-for-emotional-catharsis reading. Extremely highly recommended. Loved it so much I read the rest of the series, then sought out other "chick lit" stories by SM. Only after I'd exhausted them did I start pulling out pure romances she's written. The good feelings from this and her other literary books gave me a lingering, higher tolerance for her romances (which I still think are uneven and are in my non-keeper list).

SM will be on my auto-buy list for any future literary types of books.

This is the third woman's fiction book I've read by Susan Mallery and it's another book that proves that Susan Mallery has the ability to capture those little nuances in women's relationship with each other.

Michelle Sanderson and Carly Williams were best friends from elementary school through high school. But through no fault of their own, they were pitted against each other through the acts of their parents. Then when they were working towards re-establishing their relationship a man and jealousy came between them causing a rift that seemed unrepairable.

Fast forward ten years and we have an injured Michelle returning home to Blackberry Island after serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. She's broken...not just physically, but psychologically as well. Coming home to the Inn she loves should be just what the doctor ordered. Unfortunately, it also means dealing with the Carly (who now runs the Inn) and the ramifications of both her mother's actions, hers and Carly's past, and the ghost who haunt her from her tour.

If you're hoping to find romance being front and center, like other Susan Mallery books, you won't find it here. The focus here is truly the relationship between Carly and Michelle. It was interesting to see the hurt and anger that both woman had held onto for so long fall away when they soon learn that the other is not at all the evil bitch they remembered the other to be. They both need to learn how to take responsibility for their part in what caused their rift and understand that outside forces (mainly their parents) also contributed. Once they learned to forgive each other and realize that they can truly trust the other, they were able to re-establish their connection.

An emotional read that will have readers remembering those good friends who you have/had a rift with and taking a look at that relationship with new eyes.

What a great book! Ms Mallery has written a wonderful "friendship" book. I want to say I cried for both bad times and the good times too! Great book when you can feel all the emotions while reading it.

Michelle's family owned Barefoot Island Inn and she loved it! She left at 18 to join the army and now 10 years later she's back to run the place. Michelle was wounded both physically and emotionally but was going home.

Her one time best friend, Carly, was living and working at the Inn. She had worked with Michelle's Mom while Michelle was gone but now she was back and Carly knew she was going to have to leave but she didn't have anywhere to go and with her daughter life was going to be tough if they left.

Michelle and Carly have so much to work out between them after the true dirty dealing of their parents. Can they learn to forget what these last few years had been like? Can Michelle overcome her pain from the army? Can these two learn to live the good life as friends? They had been for many years.

I enjoyed watching these 2 circle each other and find that no one else would be at their back and side. Wonderful characters and Carly's Gabby, 10 year old daughter, is another cute but fun child. Ms Mallery has given us some great characters to cheer on in life and they do need it!

Don't want to give away any of the book--it's so good! I couldn't put it down and sure I'll be reading it again before long. It's a keeper and will be on that shelf.

Bought this book last year as a "beach read," and just got in under the wire, this year.

Charlie (Chantal) is not your average heroine. She's tall (5'10"), strongly built, NOT conventionally pretty or girlie, and still more than a little traumatized by her college rape, some years back.

Clay Stryker is a widower who loved his wife very much. He's close to most of his family, who now live in Fool's Gold, California (this is part of a continuing series, but works well as a stand-alone), and a former underwear model, which, though it has padded his bank account, has also hindered his acceptance as just another guy in this small community.

I like the reversal here where the GUY is being judged as superficial, since he's a "pretty boy" and not taken seriously because of his looks. Love that Charlie is a kick-ass firefighter who is excellent at her job.

There are threads of other romances worked in here, but skillfully, so they don't take over too much page space. Also loved the dynamic between Charlie and her dainty, ballerina mother who's come to the town in hopes of rebuilding their relationship, but makes one false start after another.

The rising sexual tension between Clay and Charlie works, and the consummation scene(s) are hot. Very enjoyable book I breezed through in one weekend.

I've been sitting on this book for quite a while. Generally, when I get my serving of Fool's Gold, I inhale them end on end like jam out of a donut. For some reason, however, I missed reading this one. This was a real pity, because once I did read it, I quickly realised that this is just about my favourite one of the series so far.

Both Clay and Charlie have been judged on their looks unfairly. People assume Clay is only a pretty face attached to a body with a hot backside, and that Charlie isn't feminine because she works in a traditionally male occupation. I loved that despite the pain and difficulties that each experiences and has been through in the past, you don't feel pity for them but sympathy and a desire to cheer them on to their happy ending.

Their romance, while slow-burning to begin with, was passionate and real for me. Charlie was prickly and stubborn, and Clay's patience and persistence complemented her really well.

I'm a real fan of Susan Mallery and this world she has created. I saw someone refer to it as a little cultish and too happy-happy, but that's what I love about Fool's Gold - I love that it's positive and happy and full of people who care about those around them.

The next summer instalment of Fool's Gold is on its way soon, and I am really looking forward to it. Keep them coming.

All Summer Long is by far my favorite Fool's Gold book so far. I have always felt a connection with Charlie and her strong atypical job as a firefighter. There was always something that made me want to know more about what made her the way she was and All Summer Long delivered that and so much more. The main story line is that of Charlie and Clay. Clay is Rafe and Shane's younger brother. Now that both of these men have found the love's of their lives it is Clay's turn. The problem is that Clay thinks that he has already had the love of his life who died year earlier. Charlie feels that she is damaged good since she was raped as a teen and no one believed her. She has not been able to be with a man since then but she really wants to have kids and in order to do that she must heal. Charlie knows she doesn't have to have a man to have a baby but she does not want to pass her issues on to her children. Charlie proposes a deal to Clay, he will teach her that it is okay to have sex and that's it no strings attached just fun. Well, we all know how deals like this go. It was a blast watching these two fall in love even though neither realize it is happening until Clay makes a huge mistake, will it end them?

As always, there are many other plot lines running. While Charlie is in the middle of all of this with Clay her mother comes to town. A woman that treated her very poorly, especially with the rape. She wants back in Charlie's life and has no idea what the issue is. May, the boy's mother, is kind enough to try and explain all of the shortcoming's Dominique has as a mother in order to try to fix the relationship. This was a very nice side plot and lead to even more since later in the story Dominique realized that May is not the perfect mother she though May was, when while watching a football game May's daughter, who she has not spoken to in years, is injured. This give Dominique new hope that she can overcome the past and tries to help May being to fix hers.

Clay is also faced with some issues with his new business idea for Fool's Gold, Haycations. It is an amazing idea that bring people into Fool's Gold for a working vacation and helps to support all of the business in town. The problems start when bones are found in the field he was going to plan in which brings the archaeological community back to town and puts a damper on his plans. Next, is picking a farm manager he just does not know what to do follow his guy or logic. And then there is a problem with the plants he plants. It just seems that nothing is coming together and maybe he should just give it up.

There was just a lot about All Summer Long that I enjoyed and I really did not want to put the book down. It was a bit steamier that the last few and that was just fine with me. The sparks between Clay and Charlie are amazing. As always, I highly recommend this series for a feel good read with real life issues along the way.

It was refreshing to read about character where there was a sort of typical gender based role-reversal. On one hand we have Charlie Dixon who is a strong and independent fire-fighter, while on the other hand we have Clay Stryker who is an underwear model, and often objectified for his body.
As a victim of rape, Charlie has never been open to any sort of relationship, much less a physical one. But as an adult she experiences a yearning to have children. She then chooses the non-traditional route and seeks out Clay’s help to overcome her intimacy issues. Although I think such a situation is totally implausible, Charlie troubles are genuine and Clay’s charming ways and reassurances are swoon-worthy! What once began as a short interlude grow into something more beautiful; can it last a lifetime?

“Loving someone meant engaging in a level of trust she wasn’t comfortable with.”

“It’s safer to be alone. Easier. You can live a small, tidy life and never be hurt. There are no highs, but there aren’t any lows either.”

With two people who similar views on relationships and love come together, it makes for a very satisfying read.

Michelle Sanderson is a wounded veteran returning to her family home on Blackberry Island, Washington, to take possession of her inheritance: the inn that her mother, Brenda, owned and ran until her recent death. Despite the old axiom, you are able to go home again. But as Michelle is about to find out, you might wish you hadn't. Immediately upon her return, she learns that her mother had run the inn into the ground, with two mortgages, a bloated staff, and a vengeful bank manager looming in the distance. The place is hemorrhaging money. Michelle quickly realizes that her inheritance has now become her albatross.

Carly Williams has been working for Michelle's mother for the past eight years. She and Michelle had been best friends in high school, but when Carly's mom eloped with Michelle's dad, their friendship became strained: "Then the actions of the adults in their lives had split them apart." And if that wasn't enough, Carly discovered her fiancé and Michelle in bed together two days before her wedding. Sadly, Carly went ahead with the marriage. She was pregnant and scared, and was told by Allen that Michelle had seduced him. She went along with his story, because she needed to believe that Michelle was the bad guy.

So that was the end of their friendship. Allen abandoned her soon after, and Carly has been raising their daughter, Gabby, on her own. But losing her husband wasn't what hurt Carly. She pined more for the loss of her best friend, Michelle: "The worst part wasn't losing Allen...it was losing her." She was grateful to Brenda for hiring her and giving her a place to live. Now, with Brenda gone and Michelle in charge, will she and her daughter be thrown out onto the street?

With everything bearing down on her, Michelle knows that she must make some hard decisions. Her mother seemed to have made every mistake in the book. Carly had been assisting her all those years, so why didn't she see the mistakes? Was she taking advantage of the woman, or is she just as clueless at business? (Michelle had no knowledge that Brenda had promised Carly part of the inn when she passed away.) At least there's Damaris, the long-suffering cook who has been like a true mother to her. She has always been on Michelle's side, and she needs all the friends she can get because she's about to make some decisions that will guarantee her some new enemies.

Given that Carly and her daughter are living in what was once her room, Michelle has to find new digs. She rents a room from Jared, another veteran who helps newly returning vets get back on their feet. Michelle had seen some horrific things in her tours of duty --- things she has a hard time putting behind her. Her nightmares have gotten worse --- to the point where she wakes up screaming. Jared recognizes the classic signs of PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) and urges Michelle to seek help. But with all she has on her plate, this is one problem she's not ready to address just yet. She has accepted that she is damaged and tries to move on her with life. A sergeant she once knew told her that "dying was the easy part --- it was living that was the real bitch. She knew now that he'd been telling the truth."

Carly decides to stop living in fear that she and her daughter will be homeless and tries a new tact. She attempts to work with Michelle instead of against her. As much as Michelle hates to admit it, Carly has some really good ideas about how to bring in new business and generate enough of a profit to pay off the bank. Maybe she was clueless to Brenda's hapless ways after all. Despite their complicated past and all that has gone on between them, these two very different women must come together to make a success of this business --- and rebuild their own lives in the process.

BAREFOOT SEASON will appeal to book clubs (great discussion topics abound!) and fans of Barbara Delinsky and Jodi Picoult. Susan Mallery weaves a tale of broken friendship with enough twists and turns to keep even the most seasoned reader of commercial women's fiction guessing about where the story will lead.

Reviewed by Bronwyn Miller

I've read a few of Susan's books now, including this one, and won't be reading more. The plot is nothing more than a framework for her to bombard you with a bunch of porn. It's not love or romance. Characters having sex with people they don't even love, and in the case of Charlie and Clay in this title, barely even know! Are we no better than animals?! Is this the kind of behavior we want modeled for our teens or even adults? Then, on top of the books being nothing but a bunch of graphic sex scenes in a crappy storyline, the scenes always follow the same pattern with the same phrases in every book. I've read 5 or 6 titles hoping I'd find why they are raved about, and only one had a halfway decent and believable story though it was still full of a bunch of mindless "I can't control myself even though I barely know this person" sex scenes before the characters even love each other. I have, and I want my children to have, more dignity and self respect than that!

I think this maybe my fave, so far, in the Fool's Gold series of course I've said this about each book LOL I do love both the hero and heroine. Charlie has been a little out of focus through several of the books-she's been seen as the big, strong friend but this book brings out her wonderful personality and of course the hero, Clay, that compliments her.

Charlie is best friends with Heidi, the newlywed in SUMMER DAYS, and Annabelle, the newly engaged in SUMMER NIGHTS, who have met their soulmates in the Stryker brothers, Rafe and Shane so this leaves the youngest brother Clay, single and unattached. He has been a underwear model and even had his bare butt in the movies. Charlie needs some help and Clay seems to be the guy that can do it!

You can take a wild guess what she needs help doing and maybe you'd be right. This is the big secret Charlie has been holding onto for years. She tells her close friends after she has decided to do this. To add to Charlie's problems her mother has come to town to make Charlie pay attention to her and Dominique needs a lesson on how to get along and be close as mother/daughter.

The book is great! Ms Mallery has created a too good place in Fool's Gold but like a tourist I'll keep coming back.

This is a book that is very timely with regard to some of the issues the author tackles. A returning veteran who did three deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan is faced with emotional and physical damage. Two former best friends are angry at each other over a very powerful event seen by both individuals as a betrayal. The need to overcome one or more deep seated fears -- whether it be fear of the water or a willingness to take a chance on love again. Michelle Sanderson is the returning wounded veteran. She owns Blackberry Island Inn. Carly Williams has managed the Inn for the last ten years, while Michelle has been in the military. These are the two key characters in the book, and former best friends. As the story unfolds it becomes clear that both Carly and Michelle have emotional baggage. Carly fears Michelle's feelings about her will cost Carly her job at the Inn. Michelle confronts Carly and fires her on Michelle's first day back, only to learn she badly needs Carly in the Inn's crisis situation. The book centers around the people and their relationships. Can Carly and Michelle call a truce given both are needed to overcome the dire financial straits faced by the Inn and accumulated by Michelle's now deceased mother, Brenda? Will Carly and Michelle bond? Does Ellen, the banker who drew up strict financial stipulations regarding the Inn, be a help or hindrance, friend or foe? Know that a Chance, an abused dog, given to Michelle by her landlord Jared, plays an important role in this story. The dog faces his own recovery. Also, not all people (e.g. Damaris) are what they seem to be! I loved reading this book especially because of the development of the characters. A good read!

All Summer Long A Fool's Gold Romance by Susan Mallery
ISBN: 9780373776948
Clay Stryker, model movie butt double was just trying to help the firewoman get the cat out of the tree.
Charlie is the towns firewoman and has a handle on things.
The Stryker family wants to go into business where families come to stay at their houses and work on the farm to see/feel how things are done in that environment with no deadlines, called haycations with some modern conveniences.
Clay was still considering joining the family to do just that.
Love the fact that you can read this as a standalone book and it summarizes on what's happened in the past so you're not totally lost.
Charlie has her horse stabled at Rafe's ranch, where Clay is staying so they run into one another often and go riding together. That gives them a lot of time to talk and get to know one another better.
Charlie has had a bad shake when it comes to men and that was explained in another Fool's Gold book. She's attempting to get over the fear by showing interest in Clay.
She opens up to Clay hoping he can help with her problems. She wonders if he will ever answer her after a few days have gone by.
There are a lot of things I've left unsaid as I think it's best you read about them yourselves first hand with a smile on your face as it was on mine.
Her famous mother coming back into he life just complicates things.
Like Clay's approach, nice and slow to fix her problems.
Steamy hot sex and you won't be disappointed in the storyline.
Learning about fires and how to fight them, the training they go through is very thorough.
Love the travel adventure, just right!

Barefoot Season by Susan Mallery

Michelle is back on Blackberry Island where she's owner of the Inn. She has left others in charge of it
while she was in the Army for 10 years. Her mother has passed away now also.
Carly is the one who runs the Inn. She stayed and married Allen after finding him in bed with Michelle.
They have a daughter called Gabby and Allen is out of the picture. Although his brother Robert has stepped
up to the plate by helping with anything Carly and Gabby need.
Michelle is still recuperating from her hip injury and she is still suffering from severe pain.
She doesn't like how the Inn has changed, inside and outside.
She is doing therapy at the VA center and on her way out finds a sign about a rental on the island. She called
and will be moving in after she saw the place. It's close to the Inn and will help once she gets the finances for
the Inn straightened out. She had to make a deal with the bank on that score.
Carly and Michelle are at least talking and brainstorming about how to save money so the Inn will survive.
Michelle also shares some of the ordeal she went through when she got shot.
She really needs a group to help with the pain of remembering what happened during the war and she's fighting doing
that. They handle crisis at the Inn and in their personal lives.
Something has to give or Michelle is just gonna collapse...
They are both forced to confront their parents, water mishaps and getting shut down by the Health Dept.
Recipes are at end make this an exc read!

I really enjoyed this book. It seems as though I have read many books recently where the heroine is supporting her wounded or psychologically damaged man but this time the wounded warrior is the heroine! Michelle is an interesting character as she is physically and emotionally damaged and we should instantly like her. But she is also nasty and vindictive and at first not really likable.
Carly, the other main character in the series is also all of the things we normally admire; plucky single mom wronged by her husband and best friend, but she too has sides to her that are not very admirable. Both of these women have pasts that cause them to dislike each other but they also have a long friendship seems to be sorely needed by both of them.

When Michelle returns to run the inn her father left her years ago, she has just been discharged from a military hospital, and nothing is what she expected. Her recently deceased mother has run up the bills, added lots of unneeded parts to the inn and left Michelle's former best friend in charge. Michelle has every intention of giving Carly the boot, but circumstances force the two women together. There have been betrayals on both sides and neither woman is ready to forgive let alone forget

Ms. Mallery does a wonderful job of portraying two women in an awkward situation who have to just suck it up and get on with their lives. The reader thinks they know all of the reasons why they hate each other but we really only know the surface issue until halfway through the book. Both women need to find a way to coexist and put the past behind them. Michelle is dealing with PTSD and teetering on the edge of alcoholism. Her relationship with her landlord Jared is perfectly done- no Mr. Right jumping in and solving all of her problems right away. She has to work on getting better before the relationship. Carly also has to look at her priorities when a possible romance comes her way and not make the same bad decisions she has before.

There are some interesting secondary characters who provide a little villainy to the story but primarily the story revolves around Michelle and Carly which works very well. I am not sure if this is the start to a series but I would definitely enjoy another visit to Blackberry Island (Daisies and all) !

This is the end of the third cycle of books set in Fool's Gold. This book focuses on Charlie and Clay. Clay is the youngest Stryker brother. He is a former model who has moved back to Fool's Gold to be closer to family and start a new business venture. Charlie is a firefighter and has just watched her two friends Heidi and Annabelle fall in love. She has decided that she is going to overcome her issues with men and intimacy so that she can move on with her life. Charlie wants to be a mother and has decided she needs to work on her own healing first. Clay agrees to help her, with the understanding that everything is casual between them.

I can't say enough about the Fool's Gold series by Ms. Mallory! I usually do not like contemporary romance novels and yet I can't stop reading this series. I want to know more about the characters and want to learn more about the town. I love the little peeks at the prior couples and updates on their lives that she weaves into the story. I can't wait to pick up the next book!

I really enjoyed this book. The characters Charlie & Clay were two very emotional characters written very well. Charlie was afraid of touching men & men in general since a horrible experience 10 years earlier. Clay was trying to retire as a world famous butt model but found everyone judged him & saw him only as a model. They were both trying to break free of their past & found a way to help each other "heal".

I love the fact that Clay & Charlie became friends before they became lovers. They had great dialouge between each other since they were both stong minded. Their love story was sweet and had a great ending. I loved Clay, he so far is my favorite male in this series. I thought Charlie was okay, I am not fond of stories where the women is insecure in sexual ways but this is what Charlie's character is about and it written very well. It was nice seeing her open up to Clay and becoming more secure with herself & Clay.

There were some side stories about Charlies mom & Clay's haycations that went well with the story. You got to meet the sister Edie who will be in the next book. There was little with past characters from Fools Gold books, even Annibelle & Heidi. I enjoyed this book better than the last two in the series and look forward to more.

This is my second book from Susan Mallery and I loved the first one so I had extremely high standards for this book. I think that Mallery does a wonderful job writing literary fiction and has the ability to write about real-life problems without completely romanticizing everything. I like the fact that not everything is like a fairytale, much like real life. Of course, everyone wants that happy ending, but I also like realistic, which I think Mallery has certainly mastered in her writing.

I did find a tad bit of difficulty in starting out on the book, however, once I got past the first few chapters, it was smooth sailing and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Michelle and Carly. I thought that it was a great story, not similar to many other romance books. I have seen some complaints about the lack of romance in this story, however, I am just the opposite, and appreciated a real genuine story without all of the romance. I liked being able to hear about the life of Michelle and Carly and how they were trying to get back to their true selves and their true love for Blackberry Island.

I thought that the characters were catty, sarcastic, and unforgettable. I enjoyed reading about characters that are not your ordinary people. I would have liked to learn more of how the relationships evolved at the end but there's more to the series, so we will see what follows.

Overall, I really enjoyed reading this book and look forward to more Blackberry Island with Three Sisters!

Charlie is my favorite Fool's Gold character!
Susan Mallery does a beautifully sensitive job writing about the lasting scars and long recovery from rape. She is able to incorporate fear, apprehension, longing, and humor into this sensitive subject.

Charlie grew up with a mother who made her believe she was too big and too awkward to ever be considered beautiful. And then when she was raped by one of the "popular" boys in college, no one believed he would ever have sex with someone like her without her begging for it. These emotional scars have remained with Charlie her entire life, and have kept her isolated from romance and relationships. When Charlie decides she wants to have children she talks to her friends about the options available to her without involving a man. Upon the urging of one of her friends, she decides to work on healing and caring for herself a little more before she tries to care for a child. When Charlie meets Clay she is excited that, for the first time since the rape, she has butterflies in her stomach and finds herself attracted to a man. The butterflies are an indicator to Charlie that she is not completely broken and healing may be possible. A friendship quickly develops between the two when Charlie sees Clay being unfairly judged based on his past work and good looks, and she decides to stand up for him. As Charlie begins to trust Clay and continues to feel yearnings and anticipation around him, she decides to ask Clay for help in her healing.

While Clay is taken by surprise at Charlie's request, and initially hesitant, he decides he would be honored to help his new friend. Clay takes Charlie's request very seriously and does some research on the trauma of rape and what victims need to recover. Clay refuses to honor Charlie's request to simply have sex; he wants to build up her trust and anticipation so the actual sexual event will be about the two of them and their relationship. But, as their relationship deepens and progresses, Clay worries about hurting Charlie because he "knows" he is not in love with her.

While all of this is happening with Charlie and Clay, Charlie's mother shows up in town determined to heal the relationship she is lacking with her daughter. Charlie's life is thrown into an upheaval and it is not clear if she is going to come out of it healed, or more damaged.

Reviewed By~Stacey
Review Copy Provided By~ARC by Author

Best friends; you love each other, you hate each other. It's all part of life. In Susan Mallery's soon-to-be released "Barefoot Season" we meet two former best friends who have so much hostility toward one another that it was hard to like them or imagine why anyone would want to be friends with them in the first place!

I have to admit, I am a die-hard Susan Mallery romance fan. I've read them all - twice! As with last year's Best of Friends, Susan takes us through the story that does have romantic elements but the main plot deals with the difficult relationships between family and friends. In previous books, she presents realistic struggles between friends, family and lovers and Barefoot Season is no exception. The animosity between Michelle and Carly is palpable on every page and at times I wished that they would just scream it out and move on.

Everything in its own time.

Not only is Michelle recovery from the horrors of war and an injury, she returns home after her mother's death to find her beloved inn in financial ruins. Add to that the fact that Carly is running the inn and the two are forced to work together.

Carly's a single mom struggling with a lifetime of lies and just wanting a chance at a normal life but with Michelle back in town, she finds it difficult to look at the future when the past is still hanging over her head. Along the way other relationships form and, as she does so well, we get that taste of romance that Susan Mallery writes so well. If I had one complaint it was that I would have liked to see a little bit more of the development of these relationships; I think it could have been interesting to watch the romantic relationships evolve and how those relationships come to help Carly and Michelle with their own friendship.

All in all, Barefoot Season is a wonderful read. Once I started, I could not put it down. While not your typical romance, there's still enough for even the most devout fan. For those of you looking for a good book to use with your book club, Susan has even included questions for discussion at the end. Being that we all have had best friends, this story has a lot to offer to a group discussion setting.

I love an author who is in tune with her readers!

For those of you that are fans of Susan Mallery's and have become obsessed with her Fool's Gold series (like myself) the first thing you realize is this is not the "Land of Happy Endings". But Blackberry Island will have you wanting to visit all the same.

Michelle left her home 10 years ago after her life fell apart and she lost everyone she cared about including and probably most importantly her best friend Carly. Now Michelle returns from serving her country batter and bruised in more ways then one. She was shot in the hip and what she wants is a little bit of R&R (rest and recovery) at home on Blackberry Island. She needs a place to heal both physically and emotionally. However as the saying goes "you can never go home again". When she returns to the Inn that was given to her by her father and was in trust until her mother died a few months ago she finds that everything has been changed and none of it for the good. And the worst part is that Carly has had a hand in all of it.

Carly has been running the inn under the assumption that she would grow into becoming a partner but when Michelle's mother passes she learns the 10 years she has spent working her tail off was for nothing. Her biggest fear is losing her job and being homeless with her 9 year old daughter. She would do anything for her daughter. Even work beside Michelle, the woman who betrayed her so many years ago.

This book is not about romance but about relationships. The relationship between friends, parents and men and how having them and losing them define who we are. Usually when reading a romance you read both the man and woman point of view but this is about Michelle and Carly. This is their story and while romance is on the horizon it is not the focus of this novel. It is about lifelong friendships and how the decisions we make effect us for the rest of our lives. The book is also a look into the healing of a returning soldier but this time that soldier is a female which is different then so many novels out now. This is an incredible book told about women by a woman and meant to be read by every woman. We have all had that friendship we thought would last a lifetime. But for Carly and Michelle it didn't.. or did it? Do not miss this book and while you are picking up this book pick up Mallery's Fool's Gold series... You will not be disappointed!

My Review:

Friendship.
Recovery.
Forgiveness.
That's what this book is about and it was a really fantastic read. But there is a long road in this book to the happy ending and a lot of it is filled with very real issues for both Carly and Michelle, but especially for Michelle. She's just come back from war, wounded both inside and out, and she is sinking fast.

This entire book takes place in the quaint little tourist destination of Blackberry Island. The inn where Michelle grew up is here and now she owns it. She's come back to take over after being gone for 10 years. Standing in her way is her former best friend, Carly. Michelle fled Blackberry Island when she slept with Carly's fiance 2 days before their wedding and they've never spoken since. But as you could guess, there is MUCH MORE to both sides of their story than this.

There are two main characters in this book...Carly and Michelle. Both of them have learned to be strong and self-reliant the hard way. Once upon a time, they were there for each other, but then one of those hard-knocks of life ripped their friendship to shreds and neither one of them have truly recovered in the ten years since. Michelle has spent that ten years at war as a soldier and she has the scars to prove it. Carly spent those ten years as a single mother under the dominated, manipulative hand of Michelle's mother. When they find out that they have to work together, neither one of them is happy, but they are in a situation that neither of them can control.

This is a book about healing. Michelle has a physical and mental healing that needs to happen. Carly needs some mental healing too. Both of them need relationship healing and over the course of the summer, you get to share that with them through this book. There are so many poignant, moving scenes in this book as well as minor romance story lines for the both girls. The scene when the dog comes on the scene with Michelle...bawling! Such an amazing scene.

This is a book that makes you feel good to read it. It's certainly not all rainbows and daisies...although there are a LOT of daisies in the book. But it's real. It's about real emotions and real feelings and real life situations....set in a fictional book. ;o) I really enjoyed it. It would make a fabulous summer vacation read.

Clay is one of three brothers. He left home young and made a career for himself as a model & got married. He's returning to his hometown a widower and looking to make his new business in town and put down roots in the community. Charlie is an only child - her father died years ago and she is enstranged from her prima ballerina mother. Years ago she was date raped in college, and while this hasn't stopped her from living her life (she is a full-time firewoman), she hasn't been in any kind of intimate relationship with a man for 10 years. When Clay and Charlie meet, they are able to talk and form a personal connection. Charlie asks Clay to work on her intimacy issues with her so that she can heal emotionally. Her goal is to be more together emotionally so that she can make plans to have a child. The learning curve of seduction for Charlie & the interaction between her and Clay is very sweet. In the end they both kind of heal each other. The sub-plot involving Charlie's mom coming to town was good too - realistic and not too syrupy. I would read more books by this author.

Two ex-best friends find themselves in a predicament. One, Michelle Sanderson, finds herself returning home to Blackberry Island injured and broken from the war, never expecting to find her legacy in its current state. The Blackberry Island Inn has changed drastically over the years that she has been gone, and its place stands a monstrosity in Michelle's opinion. Unfortunately, for Michelle there is one person who sees things differently.

Carly Williams had her carefully orchestrated life turned upside-down by those she thought were supposed to love her. Just days before her wedding, she found her fiancee in bed with whom she thought was supposed to be her best friend, a best friend who conveniently escaped the island and went off to war. Carly's life crumbled after that through further betrayals and it was at the Blackberry Island Inn that she found a way to try and heal and provide for her baby. That same inn was promised to her by Michelle's mother, Brenda, in return for dedicating her life to helping Brenda run it.

Michelle's return brings turmoil and pain as well as the truth about who actually owns the inn. Carly realizes that Brenda had lied to her and she and her daughter Gabby's future lies in Michelle's hands. Michelle and Carly are also surprised to see the financial damage that Brenda caused before her death and that both will have to work together to find a way to survive.

Susan Mallery weaves a story of broken friendships, betrayal and damaged relationships that need a helping hand in order to mend. Carly and Michelle are women that have been hurt in different ways and are both weary of change and the pain that may come along with it. Readers will enjoy learning about the characters struggles and inner strength while they rediscover the power of friendship. Susan Mallery has yet again written a story that draws you in and makes you root for the characters.

I enjoyed this book, though there were a few moments where I thought it could move faster.

This is a story about two women that grew up together as best friends but became estranged through family issues and jealously. Michelle ran away to the Army for ten years while Carly was a single mother scratching out a living. The story begins when Michelle returns home wounded physically and suffering from PTSD to find her former friend Carly has taken over the Inn that Michelle owns. It is a story about both of them finding themselves and rediscovering their friendship through financial and business problems.

I would classify this as a friendship story, since the romance relationships that each of them find is very secondary. The author had her work reviewed by returning women soldiers and I found the PTSD discussed in the book realistic and not overwhelming for a fiction and romance specification.

SPOILER ALERT: I had trouble understanding how the Michelle's mother was able to get 2 mortgages on the Inn when it seemed Michelle had just sort of let her manage the place while she was away. Access to checking accounts is one thing, but mortgage signature authority without the owner being involved? I also thought the father had died at some point and she had inherited the Inn, but he had run away so I guess he signed it over to his daughter in the divorce?

The next in the series appears to be on the same island and about 3 new women that rediscover themselves and friendship.

Format: Borrowed ebook

Review: Barefoot Season by Susan Mallery
4 STARS Barefoot Season is the first Blackberry Island novel. It is a complex storyline with a little romance in it. A couple of love scenes. I like the questions about the book in the back. Michelle has been away from her home on Blackberry Island at the hotel thats been in her family for a couple of years. She has been in the army and deployed over thier 3 times and come back wounded. Her mother has died three months ago and really blamed her for everything. She finds her former bestfriend Carly running the inn and living in her apartment with her daughter at the inn. Michelle and Carly were close until thier senior year when Michelle's father left her mother to runaway with Carly's mother. Carly and Michelle's mother both blamed her for thier running away. Both Michelle and Carly loved the same guy who two days before the wedding slep with Michelle and Carly walked in on them. Carly pregant still married him and Michelle ran away and enlisted. Michelle is suffering physcally and emotionly from the war. She also finds that the hotel has grown and now as two morgages on it. The day she got back she fired Carly when she found her living in her former room. Carly is scared for the future. She found out that Michelle's mother had lied to her for years telling her that she will be earning up to half of the hotel. It was never hers to promise that. She had been working for peanuts because of that promise of a better future for her and her daughter. Her husband Alan had left before the baby came and took all her money with her. she would lose her job and her daughters only home. So she did not leave as Michelle told her too. The bank officer is making Michelle keep Carly on for two years to run the hotel and if Michelle can't bring the morgages current will have to forfit the hotel. Thier has already been an offer for the hotel. The characters were complex at least Michelle and Carly are. They have real problems to work through. The romance of the book seems rushed and could have had a bigger part of the story than it did. I was surprised at some of the developments in the story. Like Gabby and Chance a lot. Wonder if I missed exactly why Michelle really hates daisies. I was given this ebook to read in exchange of honest review from Netgalley. 03/17/2012 PUB Harlequin Mira

"A delightful surprise from classic romance writer Susan Mallory, Barefoot Season explores the boundaries of friendship and family, and the difficulties our soldiers face when there is no longer a war to fight.

Wounded in action, Michelle Sanderson has no choice but to return to the place she had turned her back on so long ago, a small inn on Blackberry Island. Although her mother is no longer alive, every room is filled with reminders of Michelle's difficult past. Struggling with a very real but unacknowledged case of PTSD and her physical limitations, Michelle has little choice but to depend on her former friend Carly Williams despite an age-old betrayal that sent her fleeing to the armed services in the first place. To save the Inn, the two must put aside old bitterness and resentments and work together.

While each heroine is matched with a perfect romantic hero and romance blooms, the true heart of the story is in Michelle's recovery and rediscovered friendship between the two women. A pleasant surprise, Barefoot Season will stay with readers long after they turn that last page.

-Lanine Bradley, posted on Sacramento Book Review

Michelle Sanderson is returning to Blackberry Island Inn in Puget Sound after ten years in the army. She had fled her beloved inn after being caught in bed with her best friend Carly Williams's fiancé by Carly herself and the military seemed like a better alternative than facing Carly and Allan again. Michelle thought that after fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, the inn would be a sanctuary where she could recover from her wounds, both physical and emotional. Michelle is disappointed when she finds that everything has changed. Carly is now managing the inn and Michelle's mother, who is now deceased, renovated the inn and mismanaged the finances so poorly that the bank is about to foreclose. Michelle pleads with the bank manager and is given a chance to save the inn, on the condition she retains Carly as an employee. That means Michelle and Carly must put old grievances aside in order to keep the inn that means so much to each them.

Michelle and Carly have known each other since childhood and have always had a complex relationship. Carly is loving, but often insecure and wants everyone to like her. At first, I actually didn't care much for her, but then seeing what a good mother she is and how much she loves the inn, I grew to like her more. I connected more with Michelle's character right away, even though on the surface she isn't always likeable. Michelle is blunt and quick to anger, but is clearly vulnerable beneath all the bluster. As the story unfolds, there are plenty of twists as more details are revealed about events in their past and how they went from being best friends to enemies. While they are trying to get along for business purposes, it's hard to get over some of the events of the past, but they can't forget the good times they had. Seeing them take tentative steps to rebuild their friendship is my favorite part of the book. It's also interesting to see what it's like for a war veteran to adjust to civilian life, especially when the vet is a woman.

While learning how to work together to keep the inn, they each find time to take a chance on love. Carly is a single mother of a nine-year-old girl and is best friends with the girl's uncle, her ex-husband's brother. They love each other, but there is no chemistry. However, there are plenty of sparks between Carly and Michelle's army buddy Sam, which further complicates Carly and Michelle's tentative truce. On the other hand, Michelle slowly builds a friendship and then the possibility of something more with her landlord Jared. Their story is romantic and enjoyable to read.

While there are a couple of short, but steamy love scenes in the book, this is more a novel about friendship, overcoming fears, and moving past old hurts to find happiness. While some of the things that occur in the book are unbelievable, such as the conditions the bank board has put on the inn's mortgages, overall the story is sweet and uplifting. There are also discussion questions and a few recipes at the end. Also, something more unique is the reference and link to a website that gives readers access to additional recipes.

This review was originally written for The Season EZine. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.

Michelle ran away from mistakes made at home to the army, and now she's coming home from three tours of duty to Blackberry Island in the Pacific Northwest. Her father abandoned the family when she was a teenager, but left his historic inn in trust to her. Her mother was running it until she died, and now Michelle is back to reclaim her inheritance. Only it seems that her mother may have not so much been running the inn as running it into the ground. Meanwhile, Michelle's once best friend, Carly, thought she was working toward owning part of the inn only to be side-swiped by the fact that Michelle's mother lied to her....not to mention the bad blood between her and Michelle. It's a lot for anyone to deal with, but toss in Michelle's PTSD and Carly's single motherhood, and it seems impossible for either of them to ever truly get their lives in order.

I found the story relatable, heart-warming, and a welcome escape. The plot is complex, which I think is evident from my plot summary. There is a lot going on. But it never feels forced or like too much. Although both Michelle and Carly have their own romance plot lines, the story is really about healing their broken friendship, as well as their wounds from their individual painful pasts.Of course, being the mental illness advocate that I am, I was incredibly pleased to see Michelle's PTSD come up and be dealt with in such a true to life manner.

Although we do have a couple of sex scenes, I did feel that the romance was a bit....quick and forced for both women. However, this is the first book in a series, so perhaps their romantic relationships will be explored more in future books.

I also have to say that the title makes zero sense to me. It brings to mind summer, but that's about all the relation I can see between it and the story.

Overall, this is a piece of chick lit with an intelligent perspective on PTSD in female soldiers and a dash of romance. Recommended to fans of the genre as well as those who enjoy a contemporary tale and want to dip their toe into the chick lit world.

4.5 out of 5 stars, this is an emotional, compelling, and entertaining novel about two women who learn to deal with their past mistakes while trying to accept their current realities and overcome their adversity with each other to become best friends again. I truly got wrapped up in this novel with its multiple twists and intriguing storylines. It made me wish that Book 2 of this series was already written so I could start reading it now! The characters were fabulous!!

About the Characters:

* Michelle: Army vet and owner of her family's inn. Tough. Has PTSD but doesn't want to go to any support group for it. She's Jared's roommate.

* Carly: Manager of the inn. Very girly. Is scared of water--swimming or getting to close to it--even though she lives on an island. She's Gabby's mother.

* Gabby: She's 10-years-old and gets along with almost everyone and everything. She's Carly's daughter.

* Damaris: The cook at the inn. Has worked at the inn and known Michelle since she was 16-years-old. Is more of a mother figure to Michelle than Michelle's own mom is to her.

* Jared: Rents out a room in his house to Michelle. Use to be a sniper but now he owns his own boat tour company on the island.

* Sam: Michelle's ex but now her full-time friend. He's interested in dating Carly.

* Ellen: Works at the bank and is in charge of making sure Michelle pays her mortgage on time. She wants revenge on Carly for something Carly did to her in high school.

I'm very curious to see where this series will be going especially in comparison with Miss Mallery's Fools Gold Series. I say that since this novel isn't written in the same way (meaning it's more about the female characters--Michelle and Carly--instead of any romantic entanglements they might get into) making wonder if Michelle and Carly's story will be continuing in the next book (and if they'll still be the main characters) or if it'll be someone else on Blackberry Island. I can't wait to find out!

I recommend this novel and series to anyone who's a fan of Susan Mallery or to whoever enjoys dramatic novels that have great female leads that has some romance included.

Review By: From Me to You ... Book Reviews
(read more of this review and a few teasers on my blog)

I think out of all the Fool's Gold books, Charlie's story is the one that I have been anticipating the most.
I couldn't help but like Charlie's gruff exterior and heart of gold in past books and I couldn't wait to see her get past her demons and have a happily ever after. And to know that HEA might be with one of the fabulous Stryker brothers and the most handsome one at that? Well that made this read all the better.

And I wasn't wrong, Charlie was everything I thought she was going to be and I am so glad I read her story. I loved watching her character grow and learn and feel again.

I think out of all the woman in the Fool's Gold series, she is by far my favorite so far. I just loved how honest and down to earth she was.

And Clay, well Clay couldn't have been more perfect for her. I liked Rafe, really loved Shane, but Clay? Clay may have stolen the Stryker brother lime light. I loved how he handled Charlie and how he helped her and loved her.

This was a great addition to the Fool's Gold series and the Stryker Family story too.

I can't wait for the next one!

You just never know when it's time to confront your past. Let go of the pain, make amends with those you once loved. In Barefoot Season, Ms. Mallery sets the stage for two women, once friends, until betrayal tore them apart.

Carly and Michelle were like sisters at one point. Who would have thought they envied each other, never once sharing those feelings with one another? Michelle, bitter and angry, has come back from serving in the military. Though she isn't very likable at first, it's understandable why she acts the way she does. As the story progresses, Michelle is redeemed into a character I cared about. I'd hoped things would work out for her in the beginning, despite her attitude. She's got a lot to own up to, and people to deal with she'd left behind all those years ago. It's never easy.

Then there's Carly, the other heroine. She works hard to be the best mother she can be for her daughter. She doesn't allow her past to overcome her, though there are people on Blackberry Island who don't ever want to let her forgot who she once was. The fears within her about her Michelle's homecoming turn into surprise. Carly and Michelle are pushed into working together to save something they both care about - the inn.

It looks almost as if history may repeat itself again when Carly shows feelings for Sam, and he takes a liking to Carly and her daughter. For Michelle, her love interest is less subtle, but it does show promise with Jared. Though Both Sam and Jared play a role in this book, their relationship with the woman doesn't take a leading role in the story. I was particularly interested in how the story would play out with Sam, as he knows both Carly and Michelle. I would have loved to learn more about Jared, but his character wasn't as up front and center as some of the others.

Ms. Mallery creates another delightful story with emotion and depth readers are bound to fall in love with. When picking up a book by this author, we know one thing- we're in for a wonderful heartwarming ride. Barefoot Season is no different. The bonds of friendship and family are tested within the pages of this novel. Let's not forget about falling in love. Both Michelle and Carly have a chance for happiness.

This book aims to please. It's one that belongs on the keeper shelf, to be read over and over again. Michelle and Carly, plus all the other characters in this book found their way into my heart and mind, even when the book was finished. If you're a fan of contemporary women's fiction with strong romance elements, then I strongly suggest Barefoot Season.

originally posted at LAS Romance Reviews

I think women will relate to this book a lot easier than men. After all, what woman hasn't had a female friend who was closer than a sister, who betrayed them in some fundamental way, and then comes back - if not asking for "forgiveness", at least moving right back into the rhythm of the friendship that existed before the betrayal? And even though the wound (on the surface) looks healed and almost non-existent, it doesn't take much to rip the scab right off to expose raw nerves and blood. That's how I felt about the two heroines in this story. Right away, you can see, understand and identify with both sides of the story of betrayal - and yet, from the onset you can't help but wish that these two friends will see past the event in their past and rekindle the friendship of their youth. I think the mixed emotions come because there is no real "villainess" in the story. Both women made mistakes in their friendship, both women betrayed the other, and both women are seeking redemption from the other - even though they go about it in vastly different ways. This book also looks, realistically, at what our returning veterans go through when they come home and have to cope with the realities of what they faced while serving our country. PTSD, alcoholism, isolation, all of those issues are explored in an honest, compassionate and truthful way.

Received for Review
Overall Rating: 4.50
Story Rating: 4.50
Character Rating: 4.50

First thought when finished: This is definitely at the top of my favorite Women's Fiction stories.

What I Loved: Barefoot Season managed to do so many things to me while reading: I laughed, cried, rooted for reconciliation, and got fighting mad during the middle. I am not usually a fan of women's fiction but if there were more like this I would gobble them up by the handfuls. I identified with both lead characters: Michelle in the beginning and Carly at the end. There was so much to love about their characters and the development around both of them. I dare you to read this and not want to simultaneously hug and sock both of them (at different times). The secondary characters were just as strong and important to the story. Susan did a great job of not letting them overwhelm Michelle and Carly's story but they did support it in a fantastic way.

What I Liked: I really liked the B&B. It was the perfect setting for this wonderful story of friendships, heartaches, and growth. You could feel the B&B working with the story and almost feeling like a character itself.

Final Thought: This a fantastic story and one that will stick with you long after your finished reading.

Felicia Extra Note: I am not usually a fan of women's fiction---I stop/start (DNF) more books in this genre more than any other. However, this is one that I would read again. In fact, I read the last 3 chapters 3 times because it was just a moving and fulfilling ending. I highly recommend this story to anyone who has had friendships that have been lost, gone through hard times, or is embarking on reconciliation with a friend. It truly left me thinking about miscommunication and things that happen in friendships to drive them apart!

Give me an S-U-S-A-N!! What does that spell?! Susan! LOL. I know it's corny. But I'm one of her cheerleaders and I have to cheer for Barefoot Seasons. Like all the other books Susan has written, this one didn't disappoint me. Even when Barefoot Season's main concept was more based about friendship and coping with PTSD then it did in the romance department. But don't for one second believe that's there no romance in this book, because there is. It's just more subtle. Once I finished reading this novel, as always Susan left me wanting to continue reading her Blackberry Island series.'

My heart went out to Michelle, wanting to run away from her problems, she enlisted in the Army. But running away from your problems isn't going to solve anything. Because as she settled back into civilian life, her problems escalated to something much more serious. Now having to put her best foot forward and face life head first, she must swallow her pride and do what she dreads the most.

I really liked this story. Barefoot Seasons is the only book I've read that's about a female Army vet. Susan wrote Michelle's part so well that I felt like hugging her at times and comforting her. I also enjoyed Carly's character, she was spunky just like Michelle. When both Carly and Michelle were on the same page together, I knew someone was going to blow up! That's what you get when you put two strong minded women together in one room or should I say one page. Throughout the story both characters show growth, and I promise you will definitely be pleased with the ending. A story well written! Barefoot seasons is a 4 out of 5 stars! A definite Good Choice for reading!

[...]

His looks enabled him to be a successful underwear model, but Clay Stryker wants to make it due to his intelligence. Everyone including his family assumes he is shallow except in the underwear region though he has been successful in business. He returns to Fool's Gold, California with plans to start a ranch.

Firefighter Chantal "Charlie" Dixon knows her mother the graceful ballerina has always been disappointed in her tomboyish offspring. She is like everyone else who assumes Clay has no depth outside his underwear. Thus when Clay volunteers as a firefighter, a surprised Charlie revises her opinion of him. They are attracted to one another, but he lost a loved one before and fears commitment of his soul; while she was assaulted at college and fears the intimate touch of the heart.

With a tender amusing gender bending look at don't judge a book by its cover, fans will enjoy this Summer's Fool's Gold romance (see Summer Nights and Summer Days). Besides the shallow first impressions that hurt each of them, the lead couple carry emotional baggage that they must overcome if they are to catch rather than run away from "the bright elusive butterfly of love" (Bob Lind).

Harriet Klausner

This book is a continuation of the Fool's Gold series but I think it is my favorite so far. This book touches on some serious issues but also includes a light, warmhearted touch. Charlie Dixon is the daughter of a famous ballerina. She always felt inferior in her mother's presence. She suffered a tragedy as a teen and is now trying to work through her issues of trust so that she can one day have a family. Clay Stryker is a former model and has moved back to Fool's Gold looking to fit in and become a member of the community. Clay and Charlie agree to help each other. The more time they spend together, they become friends, lovers and finally fall in love. Great story.

Have you ever just wanted to go home? To just go back where you know life is good, to where you were happy? Well, Michelle in this book wishes she could do that, but realizes in more ways than one that she can't--her mom is dead, there was a reason she left in the first place, and all is not well with the inn. Michelle herself is suffering from physical and psychological ills as a result of her military service. Getting "home" and finding that things have changed, and not for the better, is just one more thing to overcome.

Carly has been at the inn since Michelle left and had been under the impression that she would end up owning part of it. After Michelle's mom died, she learned that the inn had belonged to Michelle all along.

As these two women, who used to be best friends, are more or less forced to work together, they learn to deal with their pasts and work toward the future they want. Of course that future includes guys for both girls.

I enjoyed the story. Though the romances were not major parts of the story,I was disappointed there was not more development of relationships shown. In both cases, I didn't really think I knew why these people liked each other. Both couples end up in bed before marriage and while the language is more flowery than descriptive, we are in the room with them when it happens.

I'd like to thank the publisher for making a review copy available via NetGalley. Grade: B.

Hott Synopsis
Charlie has been hiding. Ever since she was raped in college, Charlie has done her best to make herself invisible.
Now, it's time to get on with her life. She needs to heal so that she can have the child she so desperately wants without passing on her fear and mistrust to her child. There seems to be only one way to rid herself of those feelings.
Well, yes, she could go the psychotherapy route but doesn't it just make more sense to tackle her problem head on? Of course it does! Yet, there's only one man who has stirred any feelings in her since that fate filled night, Clay Stryker, but he'd never look twice at the likes of Charlie... until he does.

Hott Review
I adored it!! Every last second! All these years later Charlie is still reeling at the devastation, not only of the rape but also of her mother's reaction. Charlie can't help but feel mistrust but she doesn't want her child to be mistrustful just because Charlie's heart's been broken.
Clay, on the other hand, isn't ready to love again. He still misses his deceased wife and Charlie is one of the few people he knows she would have adored. It only makes sense that they should be friends - and of course friends help out with problems.
I think my favorite part about this is that it felt so real. The hurt, the animosity, the seduction, the friendship it was all so very genuine.

I have to say, Barefoot Season is my favorite Susan Mallery book to date. It had a much more serious feel to it than most of her contemporary romances, and a lot more substance. It dealt with some pretty heavy issues--friendship and family, betrayal and forgiveness, denial and healing.

I really liked both Michelle and Carly--which at times seemed like it would be impossible, since each woman seemed to have such opposite views of nearly everything! Mallery really helps you see every issue from both of their points of view, though, and eventually their issues and differences are explained to the reader in a way that is believable and makes sense. I was rooting for them every step of the way as they struggled through problem after problem in their quest to make their inn succeed--this was not a one-size-fits-all magical ending kind of book; they definitely had to work for their HEA. The secondary characters--Gabby, Helen, Sam, and Jared, among others--were all well done too. It definitely put me into a vacation mood (which is kind of sad, since it's only March, but still....something to look forward to. Where can I find a real-life Blackberry Island Inn?)

There are even some delicious sounding recipes at the end (including Helen's Chicken Salad!) and more on the author's website which I really want to try out. I can't wait to see what book two of this series will bring.

I was given the opportunity to read and review an ARC of "Barefoot Season". Readers who usually shy away from Mallery's contemporary romances will enjoy that this story is all about a friendship relationship. The main characters, Michelle and Carly, are very different but share a lot of common history. I didn't like Michelle's character for the way she treated Carly but she grew on me the more I read. I really admired Carly's character, she made mistakes and when people around her were hateful she powered through life. I love that she didn't settle for an easy relationship with one of the men around her when she wasn't attracted to them. The setting of the story is great, I could easily picture right were this island was located. I was so glad when the people who hated Carly finally got what they deserved. Because the story is focused on Michelle and Carly's friendship, I didn't feel the sparks when they met their love interests; Sam and Jared. Both the men were nice characters but there was no sizzle for me. I give "Barefoot Season" 3/5 stars. One of the best things about this book are the recipes in the back. Readers can attempt to make the delicious foods they read about.

Although a few others have criticized Susan Mallery's literary departure from pieces that focus on the romantic relationships between characters, Barefoot Season is a well-written, multi-faceted novel that examines the complex realities of life and relationships.

The novel introduces the life stories of Carly and Michelle who share a complex relationship as former friends, co-workers, and step-sisters. The road back to rebuilding their trust and friendship is a rocky one requiring them to work out personal and interpersonal issues.

Michelle is an injured war veteran suffering from PTSD and struggling with her rehabilitation. After ten years abroad she returns home to find that issues she had been running away from still need to be faced. As the story unfolds she is forced to challenge her perspective of the past while becoming open to the perspective of others. She faces the added challenge of struggling psychologically with the after-effects of active duty and the life or death decisions that she was forced to make. There is no knight in shining armor waiting to save Michelle from her self-destructive behaviour instead there are friends along the way who offer support but Michelle must do the real work herself. Hope comes in the form of an abused dog who also needs to learn to trust again. Like Michelle, Carly is also forced to examine the role she played in the outcome of past events.

Barefoot Season is a story of the human ability to overcome and how the past helps to shape the present.

This was my favourite out of the three Summer themed Fool's Gold books I read.
Charlie is tall and unfeminine, working as a firefighter. Clay is a model renowned for his butt. Two more disparate people you couldn't hope to throw together.
Yet when they do, it really works. Clay is really something. Not just a pretty face by any means and amazingly enough had a good marriage to an older woman that grounded him through his early meteoric rise to fame.
Now a widower, he is just the right person to help Charlie get over a nasty incident from her college years that left her fearful of intimacy and hiding her femininity.
As cliche ridden as this is I really engaged with this particular story. Clay is wonderful and real and warm and has human fears and failings. Charlie has courage and more than just physical bravery.
Tangled up with the romance is Charlie's reconciliation story with her mother who seriously didn't know what to do with such a gangling unfeminine daughter.
ONce again there was quite a bit of townsfolk clutter and yes I can guess who are the next couple to be hooked up. I really like Susan's romance style but I'm not a big fan of cluttery village stuff that takes me away from my main focus.

Why read: Requested from NetGalley

What impressed me: The assumed-to-be-dumb underwear model and the tough firefighter, in a complete role reversal that is more difficult that you could ever imagine. I've never been a large fan of Charlie, but I feel like I understand her now. In All Summer Long, Susan Mallery finally explains by Charlie is so uninterested in men and everything starts falling into place. This was perfect plot planning and went a long way to endear Charlie to readers. Clay is something other in the Fool's Gold world - a male love interest that doesn't immediately come off as an undeserving jerk. It's Clay you love from page one and Charlie you have to warm up to. Switching things up, I like it.

What disappointed me: Charlie had enough on her plate, emotion-wise, without having to add in her mother. Dredging up another part of her past and playing on her insecurities in yet another way is sort of overkill.

Recommended: Oh yeah. I have yet to read a Fool's Gold romance I didn't enjoy.

Continue series: Definitely. I'm still waiting for Mayor Marsha's love story.

Oh man where to begin...

Cons:
For starters I'd like to say the book started off very slow, I mean slow. Like, it didn't pick up until half way through the book and even then it was still pretty darn boring. I don't mind light, easy, reads but that as just painful! I found myself wondering what the point was all throughout the book.

The author tried to keep the reader engaged and in suspense by creating missing bits in the story; however, when you discover these missing bits it doesn't clear everything up for you in a `aha!' moment. In fact, it made me want to go back and read the beginning again because I felt I missed so much of the plot line due to being so confused with it.

I hated the writing style and structure of the author. Seriously, it drove me insane.

1. Things like this bother me personally: "Sure. Let's go in here." The "here" was a small conference room set aside for business guests.... Really? Did she have to say word the sentence like that?
2. The conflict was really immature. Most of the conflict between the two main characters and other characters in the book was from high school. I mean the banker hates Carly just because she thinks she's a slut and then tried to sabotage the Inn... THAT'S NOT EVEN Carly's... really? Are people on this Island that petty and bored with life?
3. The author really makes the reader feel stupid by stating the obvious connection we already make. I felt the author thought I was too stupid to make these connection on my own because she ALWAYS stated them when they didn't need to be stated.

For example: In this scene they're talking about the same person and Carly's confrontation with her yet the author still makes that connection for the reader for BOTH.... AND THEY'RE IN THE SAME DAMN SCENE!!!! It's pretty obvious when you're reading what Robert was asking and who he was referring to.

Gabby returned to the table and Robert closed the door. "How was it?" he asked, walking into the kitchen. Carly knew what he meant and didn't know how to answer.

"You saw her yesterday?" he asked. There was no reason to ask who "she" was.

4. Cheesy dialog at times and it really brings down her book. It is so unnatural; no one talks like that. For example: In this scene Michelle is buying a truck off a kid, a young kid, might I add.

He stepped back and studied her. The dog stayed back, his eyes dark with worry, a low whine indicating his concern. She held out her hand to the dog. "It's okay, Buster. I'm fine." The dog stepped forward and sniffed her fingers before giving them a quick lick. "Hey, I wanted to do that," the kid said, managing a shaky laugh. Michelle smiled. "Sorry. He's more my type."--> Really... no one talks like that. In fact, if some random kid I was buying a truck off of told me he wanted to lick my hand, I would be very weirded out. I wouldn't be laughing and joking back with him. Plus, she is much older than the kid and has a cane due to being shot at war and the kid was trying to get her in his bed... made no sense.

5. She made stupid comments throughout the book like, "Seasons are for sissies." Please explain what that means, because I have no idea what that even means... and I didn't take it out of context... it just made no sense.
6. Last, but definitely not least, both the main characters had these emotional connections with each other and they were done very sloppy. Happening too quickly, either when they're insulting each other and then say something randomly nice or are having a nice conversation and randomly start insulting each other and walk away upset. I can't explain it well; you would have to read the book to know what I'm talking about.

Pros

1. I liked that neither the characters were perfect. The author makes it look like Michelle is the complete bitch at the beginning but then you realize that Carly is no angel either.

I have so much more I could say but it's just not worth it. I've main the key points as to why I did not like the book. Hope this helps some people. I will not be reading any more from this author.

Civilian life is not an easy adjustment for Michelle, which she makes even harder by ignoring or spurning anyone who tries to help. Her bitterness and hostility are so relentless it is very hard to feel any empathy for her. Carly is almost a doormat in the face of Michelle’s tirades, yet her unwavering need for her daughter’s security keeps her standing strong. It may take a while, but I think Michelle eventually realizes how extremely lucky she is to have Carly and a few very special people in her life who refuse to let her self-destruct.

Lototy Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More - See more at: http://coffeetimeromance.com/BookReviews/barefootseasonbook3bysusanmallery.html#.VaFY4I39N9A

"All Summer Long" is one of the best romances I've read in a long time. The characters (both the main characters Charlie and Clay and all the quirky, lovable townsfolk of Fool's Gold) are well-developed with interesting backstories, flaws and qualities to admire. Charlie became a favorite of mine from the moment I met her, so I was ready to cheer for her when "All Summer Long" came out. Clay, on the other hand, was a pleasant surprise. With his ridiculous good looks and a successful career as a model, I was skeptical about him. However, Mallery has done an excellent job creating a multi-dimensional character in him. He is determined and gentle, but he also has some believable insecurities, particularly about making his Haycations idea work. I for one can certainly relate to that. Also, the way people look at him and see only what's on the outside rather than delving a little deeper and finding the real treasure within had me begging them to open their eyes.

I love that Mallery has created a whole cast of characters for Fool's Gold and gives readers the details about each necessary to make us feel like we are right there in Fool's Gold. These are people I feel like I know, people who help each other out and love and laugh together. The small town feel imbibed in this series is simply marvelous.

I cannot believe I had not read Susan Mallery's books before now. You can be assured I will be reading more by this author.

Barefoot Season is book #1 of the Blackberry Island Series. I wasn't sure what to expect in the story but was pleasantly surprised by the difficult issues that were raised in this wonderful novel. The sensitive way that issues like war veterans returning to civilian life, broken families, and unfair labeling of people made the subject lines personal and solutions for healing hopeful. The story line kept me engaged from the beginning to end with great character development and careful placement of romance. This was my first time reading one of her books, but Susan Mallery has absolutely gained a new fan. I can't wait to read all of her other books.

This is the last of this summer's trilogy in Fool's Gold that had the Stryker family at its center. There was so much depth and reality to this story - especially the layers that we peeled away from many of the characters to see the real them. Clay and Charlie stole my heart. Clay was more than a pretty face who made his fortune as an underwear model. He had heart. He was so caring in the way he treated Charlie until the end but that resolved itself in a great way but I wanted more. The chemistry built slowly but they connected and knew the others thoughts and feelings just by a look or a touch many times. There were some laugh out loud moments, tears, friends, family, romance and love. There were a couple of happily ever afters and others we hope will be resolved in a future book i.e. Evie. I think this is my favorite Fool's Gold story so far - sorry Annabelle - just because you could feel yourself a part of the story - happy when the characters were happy, sad when they were, etc. We also saw facets of characters we've met before that we hadn't seen before. Give Susan and the Fool's Gold series a try. You'll be glad you did.

Reading the latest Fool's Gold tale is like coming home after being away at school for a few months. It's comfy, cozy, you know all your neighbors & that you can get a strong cup of joe down the street at the local Starbucks. The ninth installment of Susan Mallery's hit series is no different.

Clay Stryker, former underwear model and butt double, is looking to settle into Fool's Gold now that his mom and two brothers have done the same. He's traveled, modeled, got his degree, married his one true love, and is ready to get involved in a community as well as start a new business with his brothers ("Haycations" where a family comes & works on a farm to get away from modern life...can't say I'd do it!) Between meetings with the City Council to gain support for his project, he starts the journey to become a volunteer firefighter in the community.

Enter Charlie Dixon. Charlie is one of Fool's Gold's female firefighters & one of the strongest (physically and emotionally) characters I've read in a while. I loved her spirit of growth, of wanting to be better for her future, for the opportunity at a real family. Charlie has the opposite problem Clay does. She grew up with a ballerina star for a mother, and she was never pretty enough, girly enough, or good enough. Then, to make her scars worse, when she was in college she was raped at a party and her mother blamed her. It made me irate. It made me wish I could scream and bitch slap that woman for even thinking that not being on your daughter's side against anyone else was even an option. But I digress.

In order to get over her fears of intimacy, Charlie asks Clay for his help, which of course being a man, he agrees. Neither expect anything but friendship from the arrangement (of course!) but both come to trust each other in a way that he hasn't had since his wife passed away, and she never experienced with anyone of the male persuasion. Watching them fall for each other was truly enjoyable and you end up wanting nothing but good things for them.

While I couldn't feel too bad for Clay & his greek godness, it was an interesting change of perspective - being too pretty to be taken seriously as a professional. It's hard to get past a nice ass! But I loved watching him prove himself to Fool's Gold as a valuable member of society and how Charlie stood up for him constantly, even when she didn't understand what that meant.

Mallery has proven once again that she deserves her spot on NYT Bestsellers list & I can't wait to see who will be falling in love in Fool's Gold next!

Rating: A

This review & more at RedHotBooks.com!

Barefoot Season, a Blackberry Island novel.

Susan Mallery is an accomplished writer that not only shows her creativity but shows her wit in her books with a good dose of humor. She is able to give descriptions that are decisive and realistic, her characters take on a life of their own which enables you to actually feel their suffering, sadness, fear and at times their annoyances, but Susan Mallery is able to complete it with love, desire and happiness.

For reasons unknown to me, I could actually envision a Robert Redford type in Sam, always the gentleman, and always a man of integrity and so willing to assist when needed. What I am saying is, the characters came to life easily in my mind, Sam was well suited with Carly and Gabby, yet it was easy to see how he and Michelle could fit together.

Jared, well now....... talk about a prince charming (Sam Elliott type in my mind). I liked him from the get go. When Jared gave Michelle Chance, it was a perfect solution; it gave Michelle a reason to think of something other than herself and the many problems she faces. Chance seemed to give her focus.

I fell in love with Blackberry Island and the Inn with its quirky employees. I see this as a place anyone would enjoy.

Susan Mallery is able to weave an incredible amount of history of two childhood friends and how their circumstances affected each of their lives, which keeps you turning pages.

This book covers many issues from friendship to parents with the complications of relationships and the feelings of betrayal, but balanced with an incredible amount of love.

This is my first Susan Mallery book but not my last; from beginning to end I enjoyed this book, and give it a strong 5 stars!

Thanks Goodreads!

5 out of 5 stars!! Ever since this year's three-part series from Fool's Gold came out, I have wanted to read more about Charlie's romance! Therefore, I'm so happy that it turned out even better than I expected!!! This is a novel about what the heart is able to overcome when faced with the opportunity to heal. I LOVED CHARLIE & CLAY!!! Together or apart Charlie and Clay were a great duo that I couldn't get enough of!! I loved the way this novel dealt with Charlie's fears, helping Clay with his ambitions, and bringing Charlie and her mother back together again. It was a charming book, which I could not put down!!

While this novel also gave me a little idea of what to expect within one of the next books in this series and I can't wait to see where it'll take us....Justice & Patience! *hahaa* Their names even sound great together!

I recommend this series and DEFINITELY this novel to anyone who loves contemporary romances that have just the right amount of drama! =0)

Review By: From Me to You ... Book Reviews
(read more of this review and two teasers on my blog)

A great summer read, Barefoot Season, by Susan Mallery opens with Michelle returning home from rehab after being injured in the war and finding that fitting back in is not as easy as one would hope. Especially when one suffers from PTSD. She struggles to overcome financial issues as well as interpersonal ones while trying to find peace with her past and a path toward her future.

The setting for this novel, a quaint inn on an island suited the story and my personal tastes wonderfully. All of the characters were exceptionally well developed and their mini story lines played out perfectly along side the main plot line. The pacing of the novel was perfect and I breezed through it very enjoyably in a matter of days. By the conclusion Michelle and we learn that home is not so much a place but is more the people with which you surround yourself.

Recommended as an enjoyable easy yet fulfilling summer read for all lovers of contemporary women's fiction, chick lit, or contemporary romance.

NOTE: I recieved a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed Charlie and Clay's story. They are great characters and clearly bring out the best in each other. However, Charlie's "solution" to her problem was realllllly far-fetched; though I have to admit that it was ultimately handled well and of course seemed way more fun than traditional therapy. The story definitely hinged on it as a plot point, so I was more than willing to suspend belief this time in the name of fiction. Two things bothered me just a bit, though. One is that the treatment of Clay by many of the women of the town was just over-the-top inappropriate. I realize that Mallery was trying to make a point, but shouldn't a town that prides itself on its strong female presence and history be a bit more sensitive to blatant gender discrimination? Secondly, the ending/resolution seemed a bit rushed. The rest of the story was well-paced and developed, but the end had more of a slap-it-on-ending feel to it. Ultimately, though, I really liked this book. This trilogy of stories has definitely been the strongest of the series so far, and I am really looking forward to Dante and Evie's story.

(However--is it just me, or do the cover models for this series seem completely random? They never appear to match what the characters should really look like, IMO. Not that they're not pretty, but still....)

Barefoot Season by Susan Mallery was a good opening to the Blackberry Island Series. This book makes you think about what is important in your life, and makes you contemplate whether the characters are performing adequately as adults, or are in fact acting childish. I loved the ending of the book and look forward to the rest of the series. Some may find the PTSD, as spoken of in the book, a hard subject to read about. It happens everyday and as the book points out, a friend is what is needed at the end of a rough day. Another thing this book is good at pointing out is, do not give up.

This book was my favorite out the 3 released this summer. It delved into a very real subject, date rape and it's long lasting effects. The book was not about the act itself but about the recovery process and it was very will written and researched. So many times things are glossed over and I truly appreciate Ms. Mallery taking her time to let this story develop and not rush through it. If your not a fan of this series yet, what are you waiting for. Fools Gold is a place that many of us wish truly existed. Kudos to you Ms. Mallery for another winner, look forward to next summer :)

This book is very different from the other books I've read by Susan Mallery. There is a lot of conflict on different levels throughout this book. The romantic relationships for the two main characters, Carly and Michelle, weren't the major plots in "Barefoot Summer." However, Ms Mallery does have both ladies in a relationship with their own special man.

I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a story that is full of conflicts that are interwoven between the two major characters along with a bit of mystery as they find out who they can trust and who they can't. Loved this book.

As Michelle returns home after ten long years she begins to wonder how much has changed.
Her mother, Brenda, has died leaving their family inn all to Michelle, which is great - except that she isn't sure what condition it's in. Brenda, has also left behind `the daughter of her heart', Michelle's former best friend, Carly - the entire reason she left the island to begin with. She will have Damaris, the inn's chef that Michelle hired when she was only sixteen - and one of the few people left on this earth that she still trusts.

Michelle isn't worried though - the inn is hers - she'll just walk in, fire Carly, and handle things. But things never go as planned...

The best book in the Fool's Gold series so far!
Charlie is a firefighter in the town and is at the heart of the community but she also want's to give the love in her heart to a child and is desperate to become a mother but after a rape when she was young she wants to deal with her own issues so that it wont affect any children she has. So when Clay, a goergeous model, comes back to town and they become friends with each other she asks him if he can help her overcome her fears of intimacy. Clay agrees and he hopes Charlie can help him care about something again after the death of his wife.
Things don't always go smoothly for them with Charlie's estranged mother showing up and Clay's new business having problems and not to mmention the ogling of Clay from most of the woman in town.
A great contemporary romance and a great addition to the Fool's Gold series.

This book should be my favorite in this series.

I LOVE Clay! He's so much more than a pretty face and despite being a underwear model, he's down to earth, caring and has a big heart. I really love how patient and sensitive he was with Charlie. I loved how he worked hard to prove to people that he's more than just a pretty face.

I enjoyed the courage that Charlie showed in wanting to get past her trauma. I also love the chemistry between Charlie and Clay and how their feelings crept up on them.

There were just so many sweet and heartfelt moments that warmed my heart in this book. Can't wait to read the next book on Dante.

I love reading a Susan Mallery book, but if you are looking for a typical light-hearted romance ala Fool's Gold, you won't find it here. I think there should be a warning label on her books that are not light romances (i.e. Already Home) because she typically doesn't write books such as this. However, that's not to say this book is not fabulous. This book is a wonderful story of two friends finding their way back to the closeness they once had and one character trying to find normalcy again after being injured at war. There is some romance, but it's secondary to the overall story. Susan weaves a fantastic story and I do look forward to reading more in the series.

Oh My Goodness this is a fantastic story of a returning soldier who has been wounded and the difficulties re-entering into normal life and all of the trials set in front of them to become a regular citizen again. It is heart-wrenching to feel all of the pain of rehabilitation both physically and emotionally. I think this is the most well written story that gives us an eye-view of the hardships of war. This is the first book in a new series about Blackberry Island and am looking forward to more of them in the future. Thank you Susan for a remarkable story. I will purchase as many of them as possible and treasure them always. Diana S.

A decade ago, Michelle Sanderson fled in anger from her family inn on Blackberry Island in Puget Sound to enlist in the Army. She spent multiple deployments in Afghanistan and Iraq, but has recently left the service due to a badly injured hip.

When her mother died, Michelle former high school BFF Carly Williams manages Blackberry Island Inn. Single mom Carly feels this is only appropriate as she seeks redemption for betraying her friends like Michelle by sleeping with their boyfriends. Michelle returns home suffering from PTSD. She wants to fire the woman she loathes, but has no choice except to work with Carly to stave off the bank foreclosing on the inn.

This is a great character driven drama as readers observe what happened to the best buddies in the past, which has left both emotionally traumatized as each grieves the death of their friendship and much more; and what is occurring in the present. Filled with two wonderful estranged friends, a strong support cast and plenty of angst while keeping the romance as a secondary subplot, fans will appreciate the first visit to Blackberry Island.

Harriet Klausner

The characters that Susan Mallery has created in Fool's Gold ,Rafe and Heidi,Shane and Annabelle and now Clay and Charlie are so interesting and real that they make one not want to leave town. All the surrounding townsfolk and family members and their backstories kept me turning pages until I got to the last one in "All Summer Long" and realized ,in fantasy life at least, I had to go. Buy the series, indeed anything by Susan will not disappoint and I hope she writes a lot more. I want to take another trip to Fool's Gold!

The entire story was developed so well, that the reader almost feels as if they are an invisible character themselves cheering for the characters as they face their challenges! The town is that Fran a storybook, but with just enough realism that you can genuinely take a postcard picture of it within your heart! Thank you Susan for brightening my day by sharing this captivating fantastically woven tale!

This book was absolutely fabulous.I had never read her books before but this was a delight. I loved michelle, carly and all the other players and all the backstabbing that went on, and misunderstanding.
I loved that the people you wanted to hate you ended up liking and the ones you wanted to like you wanted to hate. She threw enough curves in the inn with thhe money being short as a cafe you wanted to know who did it. there was so much drama, and high and lows, that I am so glad I got it from the library. After reading this book i thought she could be the next mary higgins clark.

Warning: Rape Triggers
Excellent story of emotional healing. In college, Charlie was raped by a "popular" boy. Both the police and her mother told her it was her fault. Years later she decides to heal herself and asks Clay, an acquaintance, if he will help her. Clay has his own demons, being a widower and world famous model.

I may re-read this story and always look forward to other works by Susan Mallery.

Out of all the "Summer" series with the Stryker brothers, this book was my favorite to read. Both Charlie and Clay were likeable characters without being over the top or annoying. I enjoyed reading their developing relationship as well as their connection to each other. The marriage proposal at the end was too typical though-NY cover magazine model proposes in Time Square using the billboard...predictable. But other than the sappy ending, an enjoyable mindless read. Perfect summer get away reading.

An excellent story well worth reading. A story of love lost, forgiveness and redemption, second chances and never giving up on those you love. A bit of role reversal as the female protagonist is the "strong, silent" type unable to deal with emotions caused by terrible circumstances. Too bad life can't end up in happily ever after but that's why books take us places we can't go on our own.

It has been a while since I read Susan Mallory and I forgot how much I liked her. I enjoyed the setting on BlackBerry Island. I thought the characters were very believable, particularly Michelle and the description of just some of what our veteran's must deal with. How horrible it must be! I loved how Michelle was finally able to begin to heal. A really nice story.

This book was great. It seemed to take me a little longer to get into it, prob around the 4/5th chapter but then I was hooked. It was good to see the relationship progress between friends/enemies and friends again. I loved the bickeriness between Michelle and Carly and the home-town feel of Blackberry Island. Susan Mallery does a wonderful job taking us with her on the Journey to Great Friends, Wounded Soldiers, Family and Ultimately Taking Chances and Finding Love. Can;t Wait for Three Sisters!!

The author has created another small town where people will come to heal, with a darker story and more realism than she often displays. no one is perfect and the story is timely. a female vet suffering from ptsd, a former best friend, financial challenges and a chance for love to grow. it's a bit more painful to read than Fool's Gold but also more evocative. I love the San Juan island area where the story takes place and this book made me feel it all over again, both for the people and the place.

~Actual rating: 4.75 stars~

I seriously can't get enough of the Fool's Gold series! Charlie and Clay's story (so far) is my favorite. Even though both their pasts involved dealings with fame, whether it was Clay's career or Charlie's mother being a famous ballet dancer, their struggles are still very easy to relate to. They seem to bring out the best in each other and draw from one another's strength as they became friends. The story was full of Susan's trademark wit and fun dialog.

I didn't like the premise of the book. It was clumsy and unrealistic. I really like parts of the book but it felt very amateurish. The ending was rushed and didn't make sense. The book had the possibility of being a good book but missed it.

I gave this book four stars.
It was a very readable book. The author is very talented. The story really grabs you from the beginning!
I was a little surprised because this was very different than any of the other books that I have read from this author.
It almost wasn't really a romance. It was a story about two former childhood friends who are both at a crisis in their lives.
I enjoyed this book very much and would recommend it to anyone.

Susan Mallery is one of my "go to" authors. I don't even read the "blurbs" anymore. I just see a book by her, and get it! She has NEVER let me down; I have loved every book of hers that I've read, and Barefoot Season is NO exception! It may be, in fact, my favorite book by her to date.

Upon starting the book, I thought it was going to be solely Michelle's story; her coming home from the Army to recover, and reclaim her inheritance, the Blackberry Island Inn. I quickly realize that this was not JUST Michelle's story, but Carly's, too. Michelle and Carly are forced to work together, which neither of them are excited about. They butt heads often and hurt each other often, but that leads to understanding and reclaiming their old friendship.

My FULL REVIEW here: [...]

I've been waiting for this forever! ALL SUMMER LONG is just amazing. One of my all time favorites from Susan Mallery. If you've been reading the Fool's Gold books, then you know about Charlie. I'm so glad she finally met her guy. And Clay couldn't be more perfect. Not just because he's an underwear model! lol But his gentle masculinity is so good for her. Sigh. LOVED this story!!!

Not what I expected. I actually did not read a summary about the book but actually read this book based on the pretty cover and engaging title. I am not sure what barefoot season has to do with a story about a woman who comes home from serving several military tours overseas and is suffering from PTSD. She is also confronted with all kinds of unresolved issues that she sought to escape by joining the army. The story is very current and I enjoyed reading it.

I love the Fool's Gold series but this book was the best one yet! I love the fact that Charlie and Clay didn't even realize that their experiment was going to lead to love. It was understandable that neither one was expecting or looking to fall in love, which made it even more enjoyable when they both realized it happened. This book had it's moments of humor that literally left me laughing out loud but it was Clay's moments of tenderness and protection that I found most heartwarming. You will never be disappointed by reading a book by the NY Times Bestselling Author Susan Mallery. And "All Summer Long is a perfect example of why.

I really enjoyed Clay and Charlie. They are great characters with a great story. Susan Mallery deals with a sensitive subject in an interesting way, and in that way I felt like the progression of Charlie and Clay's relationship was very believable. And after reading the other Fools Gold books, I was familiar with Charlie's character and she was a personal favorite. So I was excited to hear her story. Enjoyable read. Good author.

I am a super huge fan of Susan Mallery. I think this was one of her best books yet. The charcters of Charlie and Clay felt so real to me. I cheered on the charcters through the whole book. I love that new charcters were introduced so I just have to read the next book. yeah!!! I love that the author keeps melding characters from the other stories. I would love to visit this town and its people. Highly reccomend this book.

Good cast of characters, not just H and h, but friends and family, too. Good humored and emotionally wrenching in turn. Delves not just into the romance, but also into parent-child and friend relationships, struggling to repair and/or support one another. Another good tearjerker from Susan Mallery.

ALL SUMMER LONG is the best of the three Fool's Gold books, which tell the stories of the Stryker brothers, and that's saying a lot because they were all good books. The developement of Clay's relationship with Charlie, the heroine, is written with humor and compassion as they help each other deal with the burdens of their pasts. Charlie is a courageous, compassionate heroine dealing with a past that - sadly enough - is similar to many women in today's society. It seemed as if I wanted all summer for the book's publication, but it was definitely worth the wait. Another great book from Susan Mallery!!!!

Fools gold is a wonderful town that once you read about it makes you wish you could be there. I was always curious about Charlie and couldn't until we got her fully story. She is funny, strong and rude to a point, yet you just have to love her. Clay and Charlie just flowed so naturally. I just wanted more of it. It had me laughing & tearing. The Fools Gold series always has me waiting for the next book to come out.

**** This portion of the Stryker family is about Clay and Charlie. He was a male model and previously married, his wife had die from a car accident. She was raped in college, has trust issues. Charlie asks Clay to get her over her fear of male companionship. The story of how this plan takes place is wonderful. Author has done a wonderful job.

Coming off a very busy time with my business, I was looking for a light, easy, beachy book. This one fit the bill perfectly. It also had some depth in how the main characters dealt differently with past history as well as a lesson on who we trust in our lives to "have our back" isn't always who we think. I really enjoyed this book!

Charlie is struggling to overcome something from her past and Clay is just the man to help. Clay has already found love once (only to lose it too soon) and is not sure if he is ready to risk that loss again.

Hot...Hot...Hot!!! Loved this book! It's a must read for fans of this series. (Although the cover picture definitely does not match Clay - or at least the one I envisioned.)

The heroine's PTSD was handled with great care and realistic detail. I loved how the relationships slowly unfolded and old betrayals healed. Few authors write women as nuanced and true as Susan Mallery. Once again, I'll be thinking about her characters long after the book is finished. This book made me fall in love with Blackberry Island. I'm so glad more stories are coming. Could not recommend it more.

I'm a new reader to Susan Mallery's books and the first couple that I read were some of her lighter Christmas ones. This book starts with a very serious tone that almost disappointed me at first, until I got further in and the interaction between the characters was less intense and brought out more compassionate feelings from me. As a military brat, sister and mother, I have a sincere appreciation for books that can honestly touch on the heroism of those who serve, and also be realistic about their war experiences.

Another winner! I love the folks in the town of Fool's Gold and have enjoyed getting to know each of them. The story explores some complicated relationships and helps the characters to resolve personal issues. This book is another indication of SUSAN Mallery' s talent for story telling. A great read so get it soon.

3 stars

I did and didn't like this. Liked the plot, even if it was very unrealistic at times. I didn't like Carly that much. And Michelle was a little more likeable than Carly, but not by much.

This book made me laugh and cry.

The story of Charlie and Clay is more serious than the other two Stryker Brothers books. I compared this to Mallery's previous Fools Gold book on Simon and Montana. It was a serious and sad topic, that was mixed with humor and passion. You find yourself deeply invested in the characters and truly rooting for thier happiness.

This was a great story and quite a twist on beautiful people and how others react to them. Loved the strong heroine and her psychological issues and her solution to her problem. Very intense and sexually descriptive. If this type of novel is not your speed you might not enjoy it. However it was just my type of story!

Susan Mallery delivers in this book. I'm going to like this series; it pulls you in. The characters make you care about what happens. Humor, emotion, interesting topics that seem plausible. I'm looking forward to more in this series.

OMG! If you have not read any Susan Mallery YOU MUST!!!! SHE IS THE BEST! And Fools gold books AWSOME SERIES!!!! I have several fav's in her Fools Gold series but THIS ONE made my NUMBER 1!!! LOVE CHARLIE!!! I have loved Charlie and waited for her store thru the series!!! I knew she would be a emotional one!!! AND SUSAN MALLERY DID IT!! Ebook or Print GET IT!!!!

I was very disappointed with this book. I could not wait to finish it. I kept hoping for the book to pick up speed but never did for me. I did not like any of the characters. The book was repetitive at times. I was touched a few times with the dog; unfortunately, not with the humans. I did not like how there would finally be an emotional moment and then it was quickly over and it never developed - then days or weeks pass. I also did not like all the sarcasm, and I am sarcastic. It just felt out of place and awkward - certainly not funny. The issue with Damaris was never resolved and very disappointing. Damaris clearly cared for Michelle. I would definitely not consider this book a romance novel, which is okay. Still I did not like it.

I just finished reading the latest book in Susan Mallery's Fool's Gold series, "All Summer Long".
If you have not read any of these, start with the first in the series and read them all! I
really like Charlie and Clay together. The book touches on the mother/daughter dynamic...
very touching. Charlie's mother is something else when she first shows up but learns a lot
from some of the other mothers in Fool's Gold. Great read!

Can't believe all the good reviews on this one. Didn't take to the heroine, her personality was too hard and as for the hero couldn't believe he could be bothered with helping her fix her 'problem' which was more than just a problem and needed professional intervention. Clay, the hero,is home to start up a new business having left his previous life as a big time model. Just too unrealistic for me, couldn't finish the book.

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading the Fool's Gold series. Reading this trilogy about the Stryker brothers has been lot of fun -- love watching those macho men fall! Clay Stryker was not the typical ranch-bred man, and Charlie not the typical "girlie-girl", but somehow they managed to overcome their damaged pasts and will go on to have a marvelous future.

I would place this book under general fiction rather than romance. The book went about 80% of the way without seeming like a romance at all. Then, when it was time to wrap it up, the usual romance ending fell into place. I enjoyed the book and felt satisfied with the ending. It just seemed that the end was inconsistent with the writing in the rest of the book.

I truly enjoyed this book. I liked getting to know the characters and the setting. The story revolves around two best friends through school who deal with the loss of parents and each other through betrayal, lies, war, but eventually learn to respect and appreciate each other again. This was a great summer read. Can't wait to continue the series.

The book deals not only with the romance of the protagonists, but also with real problems. Rape, over bearing mother, and low self esteem affect Charlie in her adult life. It was well written showing us real life issues and how the power of love and support can help one overcome them.
Once again, Susan Mallery has outdown herself.

A wonderful story with wonderful characters! I really enjoyed this book. I found the characters to be very real and likeable. The history between Michelle and Carly is revealed throughout the entire book which keeps the story interesting. A wonderful summer read about friendship, finding yourself, and of course, romance.

I loved this book and finished it in one sitting. I couldn't put it down! This is a great love story but has a lot more substance than other romances. The characters are interesting as are their relationships. The plot involves more than you would expect.

I really enjoyed this book & had a hard time putting it down. I'm a fan Susan Mallery's, but I think this book is definitely one of her best. It had a little bit of everything in it, but mostly dealing with relationships -- and not just romantic relationships, family & friendship as well. All in all, I loved it!

This was my first Susan Mallery book, but I cannot wait to start the next one. I could actually see all the characters and had to force myself to put the book down and go to bed. I am so excited to have discovered Susan Mallery!

This was an entertaining read. I only found it slow in a couple of spots. Clay and Charlie are great characters and the storyline was nice. A nice romantic read with just a little bit of suspense. Probably would have been better with more suspense involved but a really good read anyway.

Hated for this book to end. The journey Charlie and Clay took as they were falling in love was one of the best I've read. The "coming together" of Charlie and her mother was well done. I recommend this book to everyone. If you've not read a Susan Mallery book before, this series will certainly hook you.

A good read specially at this time when we are getting so many vets with PTSD. Good reminder of the damages that war brings not only to the vets but also to the families left behind. And also a good reminder that being a parent is not a temporary job but a lifetime commitment.

I am just in love with Susan's Fools Gold series and the wonderful town of Fools Gold. I do think All Summer Long is my favorite of the series. I just loved Clay and Charlie together. Neither of them were looking for love, but it somehow snuck up on them. They had great chemistry together and I loved the way they healed each other from their past hurts.

I first gave this book only four stars. Yes, the ending is pretty predictable. But the story and the characters really held my attention. Both Michelle's and Carly's emotions are real. The way they learned to deal with their emotions and the events that triggered them are good examples for real life. On second thought this book decidedly deserves five stars.

I love Susan Mallery's wit & facts, she does her homework. She makes me laugh out loud. Fool's Gold is a place I wish I could really visit & have a drink at Jo's Bar. She makes her characters come to life & you fall in love over & over again. I always look forward to all of her stories.

This is unlike the traditional romance novels that I have read. The story is quite complicated with intertwined lives that must work together to save an inn which is the subject of their supposed conflict. There is humor and a light drama in this story which makes it unique and unconventional.

This book and the whole series is a great read, the characters Susan has made them seem like your friends and relatives. I can`t get enough of her books, it is a town I wish was real life as I would move there in a heart beat. So get all the books in that series and see what I mean

I loved this book. I listened to the audio version and the book really came to life for me. Clay and Charlie became friends first and then lovers. I really like that in a book. There was no snarky dialogue. They clicked from the beginning. They really got each other. Can't wait for the next book in the series.

I am a new fan of Susan mallery, having an addiction to reading means I have recently read everything of hers that I could get my hands on!
This book is colorful, funny and well written ! I thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward to the next one!

I have been waiting for Charlie's story and it did not disappoint me. She and Clay are the perfect match, she needs help and he is the perfect one to help her. The last of the Stryker brothers find true love. I love the town of Fool's Gold, wish there really was one.

I loved this book. I love series books because it lets you visit old friends. I like that Charlie was a tomboy. I always anxiously wait for the next book and find myself going back and re-reading some of my favorites or starting the series over from the beginning.

I have read all of the Fool's Gold books that are out and this story was the juciest!!! What an unlikely couple with a ton of heat!!! Susan Mallery is one of my favorite authors and when I am reading about Fool's Gold I feel that I live there!! Can't wait for the next book!!

As the final book in this set of books, I loved it, who would have thought that a famous male model would fall for the Town Fire Chief? Charlie (Chantal) and Clay were the perfect couple. I loved reading about them falling in love, what started out as a deal ended up as a glorious love affair. The icing on the care was that Charlie and her two best friends all married the three Stryker brothers. I loved it, but I doubt that I have ever read a Susan Mallery book that I didn't love, and that did not end too soon. Kudos Susan Mallery, you are one of the absolute best authors in my library.

Stayed up late, grabbed it first thing in the morning. Just a great story about relationships, healing, learning to trust, facing your fears and also not the least loving what you do. I thought the characters were real and had depth and multi-faceted personalities.

Clay Stryker came home to Fool's Gold to put down roots of his own. When he meet Firefighter Charlie Dixon sparks started to fly. This was a GREAT BOOK! I loved it as well as all the Fool's Gold books! I'm excited for the next Susan Mallery book!

My first time to read Susan Mallery, a light read but an insight to the way we women handle situations. I liked it and felt Susan really captured how we feel about family sometimes, but how we will work to keep a friendship that is important to us. I will read more of this author down the line.