Review: Stardust Summer By Lauren Clark

Today, I'm happy to be apart of the Stardust Summer Book Tour presented by ABG Reads Book Tours! There's also a giveaway going on! 

Title: Stardust Summer
Author: Lauren Clark
Genre: Women’s Fiction
Number of Pages: 280

Synopsis: 

Single mom Grace Mason doesn’t believe in miracles, magic, or love at first sight. She likes the quiet life, complete with her eight-year-old son, their tiny house, and her teaching job. For Grace, happiness means that nothing much ever changes in Ocean Springs, Mississippi.

Then, one thousand miles away, tragedy strikes. A massive heart attack leaves Grace’s estranged father comatose in an Upstate New York hospital. While a team of doctors fight to keep Henry Mason alive, Grace and Evan rush to his bedside to say their final goodbyes.

Henry’s passing brings little closure for Grace, but she finds herself inexplicably drawn to her new surroundings. What begins as a short trip results in an entire summer spent with Henry’s second wife, Kathleen, and her next-door neighbor, Ryan Gordon, the town doctor. When a series of unlikely events lead to Evan’s disappearance, Grace must face her worst fears to find her son and bring him back home.

Stardust Summer explores the complexities of forgiveness, what it means to be a family, and the fabulous possibility of falling in love—again.

My Review:

Stardust Summer is a moving story set in a small town on Keuka Lake, in Upper New York State. It’s a story of loss, resentment, forgiveness and love.

When Grace Mason learns of her father’s death she finds herself and her son, Evan, traveling to a place she never wanted to be, and spending time with a person she never wanted to be see again. Nine days...she could handle nine day, couldn’t she? While there, Grace is forced to face her resentment and anger, and deal with her loss. She might even learn to love again. 

Grace's step-mother, Kathleen Mason loved her husband very much and can’t image going on without him. She does some pretty bizarre things after his death. I don’t think it is usual for people to behave strangely when dealing with a sudden loss. Kathleen’s emotions felt realistic to me.

The tension between Kathleen and Grace is pronounced. They have a lot of unresolved issues to deal with. We know something has happened to drive a wedge between them, but it takes a while to find out what those issues are.

Then there is the hot doctor next door to add to the many feelings Grace is dealing with. Ryan was not only Henry’s doctor, but also a good friend to both Kathleen and Henry. He spends a lot of time with Grace, Evan and Kathleen.  There is definitely some chemistry between Ryan and Grace.

I found the first part of the book to have a melancholy feel, which is understandable with Henry’s death and the reflecting both Grace and Kathleen are doing. There are some humors scenes also, for example, when Kathleen has the outside of the house painted an unusual color! And some suspenseful moments as a storm would come up suddenly on the lake. 

I could really relate to Grace's feelings toward Kathleen. I’ve had some of those same feelings toward my step-mother.

The picturesque descriptions of the lake and countryside are beautiful! 

Stardust Summer is a lovely story of finding forgiveness and love again!

4 out of 5 stars.

I was provided an e-copy of the book for my honest review.

Buy a copy here. (Disclaimer: Link to Amazon. Should you purchase a copy of the book through the link I will receive a small commission.)

Giveaway!! Lauren Clark is having a giveaway on her website! Her book Dancing Naked in Dixie and 5 $10 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift cards are up for grabs! Click here to fill out the Rafflecopter form.


Connect with Lauren Clark:

Website:  http://www.laurenclarkbooks.com/

Blog: http://www.laurenclarkbooks.com/blog/

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Lauren-Clark/235315706518284

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/laurenclark_bks

Youtube:  http://www.youtube.com/user/laurenclarkbooks

Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5280308.Lauren_Clark

More stops on the tour:

February 20 Chick Lit Goddess Guest Post
February 21 Forget The Housework, I'm Reading  Review/Guest Post 
February 22  I Am A Reader, Not A Writer  Author Interview
February 23 Hanging With Bells  top ten list
February 24 Reflections Of A Bookworm Review
February 25  Book Reviews by Dee Guest Post
February 26 The Book Bag Review
February 27 A Buckeye Girl Reads Top Ten List
February 28  Chick Lit Cafe Author Interview
March 1 Happiness, Passion, Love & Faith Top Ten List
March 2  Books, Etc. Review
March 4 My Devotional Thoughts Author Interview
March 5 Amys Booket List Guest Post
March 6 Chick Lit Plus Excerpt  
March 7 Colorimetry  Excerpt Or Top Ten List
March 8 Christine Raines Guest post
              Tracie Banister Character Interview 
March 9 Kaisy Daisys Corner  Review/Guest Post
March 10 Reflections of A Book Addict Guest Post
March 11 So Little Time...  Review
March 13 A Bookish Affair  Review
March 14  Reading Reality Review/Guest Post
March 15 Truth, Beauty, Freedom and Books Guest Post
March 16 Jersey Girl Book Reviews Guest Post/Review/Excerpt
March 18  The Romance Bookie Review
March 19 Chick Lit Reviews & News Author Interview
March 20  Literary Musings & Life's Little Lessons Learned Review

Any thoughts? I'd love to hear from you!