Jude Deveraux - Summerhouse

Pros: Answers the age old "what if" question
Cons: I didn't want it to end!

When I was in high school and college, I devoured every Jude Deveraux book I could get my hands on. I loved all of her historical novels. She had romantic male leads and stunning, strong women. I didn't get into her non-historical novels much,...

Pros: Jude Deveraux; the angst of middle age; time travel; reliving your past
Cons: Not a love story. No Montgomery, no Taggarts.

Funny, for the last three books Jude has written, I've had to preface my review by reminding everyone that I really am a Jude Deveraux Fan! High Tide and The Temptation were (in my humblest opinion) such previous written regurgitations...

Pros: Interesting concept, entertaining
Cons: Had issues with some of the time travel inconsistencies

Let me start by saying that I'm not one for romance novels. In fact, I rarely read anything but mysteries. There are only two authors for whom I make an exception. One is Jude Deveraux.

I read her book Remembrance a few years ago. I don't...

Pros: Leaves everyone to ponder what they would change in their lives
Cons: I wanted more detail about all three women.

Romance typically is a sort of escape for me. I can mindlessly read how women are swept off their feet, imagine all these things for myself, and then go back to living my "real" life. However, this book leads you to ponder so many life choices you have...

Pros: If only we really had such opportunities.
Cons: It sure ain't real life.

Once again I’ve stumbled upon a book that strikes close to home.

I admit it, i've had a couple rough nights revisiting the pain of an old wound--well i'm shaking it off. I've too much to do to mourn for long... but my sob story can rival...

Pros: Very well written, easy to follow.
Cons: This isn't her usual style of writing.

I don't even know where to begin with this book. I love all of Jude's other books, and have read them all at least once, so you can imagine my excitement when The Summerhouse was released. I ran to my local bookstore and purchased it right away, then...

Pros: It's Jude Deveraux, feeds the dream of traveling back in time to change things.
Cons: Not a typical Jude Deveraux romance, but that's hardly a con.:)

Have you ever wanted to rewrite your past?

In Jude Deveraux's 32nd(?) novel, three women are given that very opportunity. Ellie, Madison, and Leslie met each other at the DMV at the tender age of 21. They were all newcomers to New York...

Pros: Well written story line. Not mush-gush. Not a heavy romance or tear jerker.
Cons: can't think of any

Have you ever made a statement that went something like this: "If only I could go back to ____ and know what I know now." I know that I have. Then I have a tendency to realize this is only a dream. To go back to our past and try to redirect the...

Pros: Great characters, surprising storyline
Cons: No sequel

When I first got this book, I did it because it was written by one of my favorite authors, Jude Deveraux. But what I got was a wonderfully different and refreshing.

Nineteen years ago, three girls met while getting their driver's license in...

Pros: Captures your attention immediately
Cons: There's no sequel!

I have read Jude Deveraux's books in the past, so when I saw this one I picked it up immediately. Reading the jacket, I wasn't sure I'd like it. I usually prefer books to be realistic and this one definitely didn't sound like anything I'd ever...

Pros: Great Summer read. Will make you addicted to Judy Devaraux.
Cons: none

The Summerhouse was the first Judy Deveraux book I have ever read. Actually I listened to the abridged audio version of this book and really enjoyed the story.

The audio was only three tapes long, a quick but thoughtful story. The story is...

Pros: Very original, captivating
Cons: (maybe) science fiction premise

This is a great modern day story of three women that get the chance of a life time. During a visit to a small town to celebrate their birthday's at one of the womens' therapist's suggestion, they come across a women who offers them the chance to re live...

Pros: The best characterization was Ellie's husband. He came off as more real than others.
Cons: See above.

I was very disappointed in this author's writing style. I expected better from so prolific a writer. She has a complicated story line with many subplots. The main plot is that three women are given the chance to relive three weeks of their pasts with ...

Pros: Not just another romance novel
Cons: nothing really

19 years ago in the NYC Department of Motor Vehicles. Ellie is a struggling artist trying to get her license. Sitting there are the two most beautiful women she has ever seen. Madison a soon-to-be model and Leslie a dancer. The three form a friendship.

Ellie writes them both in hopes of getting together to celebrate her 40th birthday.

Ellie, who was once a successful writer has writers block brought on by a horrible exhusband and has added a few pounds. She is a little apprehensive about meeting her friends who she is sure are still the beauties they were back then.

Madison is now a shadow of her former self. Tied down to a boyfriend who uses her and has left her bitter.

Leslie is no longer the beautiful dancer with the beautiful body. She is a housewife whose life revolves around her family.

They all go out for gifts and come back with a card for Madame Zoya. They decide to go and check her out. Madame Zoya allows them to go back to any point in their life they want and stay there for three weeks.


Will they decide to go back? You may be surprised

Pros: It evokes true, strong, emotions and is one that you just can't put down.
Cons: The only con was that it ended. I wished it would go on forever.

I started reading Jude Deveraux about 6 years ago, starting with A Knight In Shining Armor. I fell in love with her novels. I thought romances were cheesy until then. The summerhouse is an amazing story about three women, best friends, who have some current life situations that they are unhappy with. They are given the opportunity to have an entirely new past, present, & future and to choose to keep it or go back to their old life. I cried during this book. I laughed out loud during this book. It was wonderful.