Spring Shadows

Spring Shadows, Seasons of Love:Book Three, Jennifer Gracen Genre: Romance, Women's Fiction Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews Loved the start of this trio, and enjoyed the second book,but I didn’t feel the drama was quite as much as I wanted. Well, that mistake I thought Sam made, the one I just knew would catch up with him finally does...
Anyway to begin Lydia and Sam have accepted they’re in a relationship, and they’re moving forward, slowly of course because of Andy. Then Matt learns about Sam and Is Not Pleased. Poor Lydia, she’s pushed into a corner with Matt threatening for custody of Andy. Realistically he’d never get it but of course to a devoted mum the threat alone is devastating. Throw in the problems with long distance romance and they have to work hard to overcome their setbacks. They do though and are moving forward slowly, and things look good for them. Then disaster strikes, Sam's big brother, the obnoxious Alec, throws in a spanner in once again at a family dinner and sets things upside down. Poor Lydia is humiliated, Sam is furious and Alec – well sometimes I wonder how that man survived to be an adult he walks so close to the line. Its not the first time he’s done this to Sam, he did it with Sam’s dead wife Chelsea and Sam reminds him of just how wrong he was then. Alec though isn’t one to let things go – he’s convinced Sam is being taken advantage of by Lydia and will get his heart broken. As if that wasn’t enough on the following day that big mistake, the one that so disappointed me about Sam, crops up and Lydia is devastated. I would be too when she learns what happened. I can see what Sam did, and how he sees it. He knew once he thought about it he was wrong, and to his credit he could have lied but didn’t...but still, like Lydia,I would have been heartbroken given the circumstances surrounding it. She retreats big time and it looks like everything could be off...she’s not speaking to Sam, except to ask him to give her time to think. He’s so upset, he regrets of course what he did but no-one is perfect, we’ve all made mistakes, and the past can’t be changed. Then there’s more heartbreak, though thankfully it does make them both focus on what is really important, and what they need to do. Its been a great read and I’ve really enjoyed it. There is a further book out after this, but in a way I’m not sure I want to read more. This ends so well, and the magic for me of a romance is how the characters make it through, how they actually get together, not so much what happens after. I like to see that as an epilogue but I’m not sure I need a whole book. Still, that's just me of course and I’m sure others love to read more from them. I mentioned before how realistically the author writes about Andy's speech problems, and that she must have some personal knowledge, and at the end of this book she tells us she does, and that's what makes this so real for me. Too often disabilities are brought in but not researched, glossed over and to those that have similar problems its really irritating,so its been great to read of one that's properly described. Stars: Five, a great read. ARC supplied by Netgalley and publishers.

The third in a series of four. So far, out of the three I have read, this one has been the best. The scenes at the funeral actually made me weepy, which was good. Any writing that provokes that much emotion from reading is good. It is nice to see the growth of the relationship between Lydia and Sam, and it nice to see more of Andy too. In some ways, I am even beginning to feel a bit sorry for Matt, the ex. In some ways, by stretching the story out in a longer series, it is making it easier to get into the heads of the lesser characters. Trying to understand his POV has added a new twist for me, and I look forward to book 4. Would recommend this series.

Enjoyed the book but I needed to read the 1st two so I knew how they met but it was still a good story

I enjoyed this book more than the first one but not as much as the third. I was a bit bored at their routine. I felt theit relationship lacked spark. However the book is well-written and the characters are realistic and well-developed.

I have enjoyed reading all the books in this series. A wonderful romantic story that will keep you on your toes. Loved it!

In Shadow Springs we get to read about the next stage in Sam and Lydias relationship. I have enjoyed this series simply because the characters are so vividly drawn that you come to truly root and care for them. As we know, both Sam and Lydia have their own painful pasts to reconcile. In this third installment you get to see them let down any remaining walls they had. There are moments you wonder if Lydia will be able stand another second of Sam's brother and his horrific and hurtful behavior towards her. Then tragedy strikes and everyone can see how and why these two belongs together.

I am a picky and impatient reader. I love a good series but would normally get a little bored if the series was about the same couple every single book. Not so with the Seasons of love series. The reason is there are enough characters and each book is fresh. There is no gag me with a spoon cheesiness and the character are not cliche.
I'm looking forward to see what the fourth installment brings for these two.

Thank you to Netgalley and Booktrope for this copy in exchange for an honest review.

Spring Shadows is book 3 in the Seasons of Love series. This one was packed with drama. Arguments, misunderstandings, a death. It pulls your heartstrings in so many directions. Lydia and Sam have a strong relationship made stronger by the trials they face. I look forward to book 4 and I am hoping for a happy ending.

A lovely book full of romance, angst, heartbreak and friendships in turn.

After deciding to take their relationship away from a long distance stage they meet resistance from family and ex husbands! Sam's brother is particularly hostile towards Lydia which creates a terrible rift. Lydia also retreats and they experience a big hurdle in communication. She wants to curl up and ignore the outside world while she licks her wounds and tries to overcome the hostilities.

Something in Sam's recent past that disturbed me in the last book is uncovered and becomes another problem between them.

A tragedy causes much heartbreak in the book and it was sensitively handled and the outpouring of emotions quite hard for the reader- feeling like you wish you could comfort them!

I wish I could dive straight back into the final book in the series- but it's not released yet!

Another great addition to a series of books I love. The relationship between Sam and Lydia is challenging but their love and connection continue to drive them forward. Beautiful writing and real relationship issues. Can't wait for the last book!

The sage of Sam and Lydia continue with Spring Shadows by Jennifer Gracen. From the title, I thought that not all would be well. Much like real life counterparts, Sam and Lydia have some lows and highs in this part of their story. I like these two normal individuals, flaws and all.

I guess, I wish that Lydia’s ex-husband would not be such a pain. This is such a realistic drama that I can see him making some of the threats. No matter, how difficult family can be, Ms. Gracen reminds us in this story that they will always be our family. Also, that no one is perfect, but forgiveness is possible. Will love be enough for Sam and Lydia’s relationship to survive, I want to read the last in the series, Summer Champagne, to know for sure.

This book was just as good as the first if not better. I love Sam and Lydia I think Alec is a jerk and something happens to wipe his very nasty attitude away.. I thin Matt is POS an he really needs to get a life. He is bitter and vile to the core. Lydia is great an I LOVE ANDY having a child with disabilities made me love this book even more. Great Book and I even purchased the new one!!!!!

Sam and Lydia's relationship is progressing nicely.

It was wonderful to see how the two characters build themselves into something solid, especially given their past.

I will say that I for the life of me could not stand Sam's brother; like I get you want to protect your brother but back off, he's a grown man.

Other than Sam's brother making me mad; I cannot wait for the next and final book.

I devoured this book in one sitting! I love the way that the author has developed the relationship between Lydia and Sam. As in life, other issues, good and bad, tear at their relationship - family, Andy, Lydia's son with her ex-husband and a multitude of other things. Especially huge at this point is the fact that neither of them can handle the long distance any longer. The author has put real obstacles in the way of this couple and really like that. Again, the dialog and storyline are realistic and I saw myself viewing this novel as I would if I really knew them.

Thank you to NetGalley and Booktrope for the opportunity to read and review this book.