LaVyrle Spencer, known for her “heartrending slices of Americana”* writes of how love can be more special the second time around in this New York Times bestseller.It is 1916 and Roberta Jewett is surprised to find that her hometown of Camden, Maine, considers a divorced woman little more than a prostitute. Condemned by her mother and scorned by neighbors, she nonetheless perseveres in her … perseveres in her struggle to forge a good life for her girls and herself. Behaving like no “respectable” woman would, she gets a job as a county nurse, learns to drive, and buys her very own Model T.
Embittered by her painful marriage to an unfaithful husband, she has no intention of being any man’s victim again. So Roberta is taken aback to find the widowed carpenter Gabriel Farley has somehow found his way into her heart. And in the ultimate test of will and devotion, she must depend on the man she has grown to love—and summon the courage to stand up to an entire town.
“[LaVyrle Spencer] knows how to tug at readers’ heartstrings.”—*Publishers Weekly
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I love everything ever written by LaVyrle Spencer! You cannot go wrong with any of her books. Sadly, she is no longer publishing new novels.
Love her books. Anything you read by this lady will be a joy. I’ve read just about everything by her. You can’t go wrong. I’m sorry that she retired from writing years ago.
I thought I had read all of LaVerle’s books, but was overjoyed to find I had some how missed this delightful story of a true feminist long before there was such a term
Spencer is my favorite author. I found her books while cleaning out my grandma’s house and have come to treasure them. That Camden Summer, set in the early 1900’s, is Spencer at her best. Roberta, the main character, is strong-willed and forward-thinking, and sets out to make a better life for herself and her 3 daughters by divorcing an asshole husband and moving back to her home town. She buys a home, gets a job as a public health nurse, and even purchases an automobile. Along the way she meets Gabriel, a carpenter who first judges Roberta for being a divorced woman. Their story is redemptive and beautiful, and has so much heart.
It tackles many relevant things that still hold up 20+ years after this book was written, such as love between middle-aged people who are often left behind in romance novels, women’s rights, the ugliness of judgements and preconceived notions, violence against women, and the freedom to be one’s true self. This story makes me laugh, cry, and feel joy with each reading. Plus the dialog, scene setting; and descriptions make it feel real and believable.
It was mindless
It’s been years since I read one of Ms. Spencer’s books. It was like finding friends after being apart.
Loved the book, need to read more of her books!
love this author and have not read any
of her books in years. i love Camden,
Maine, and her description was wonderful
and book was very sweet and romantic
and happy!
This is a great story of a woman’s resolve to be strong and take care of her family and standing up to community biases.
Excellent read. Returning to home town with her three girls, Birdie wants to be independent. As a divorced woman she faces challenges. Over coming them, she also finds a second chance at love.
I really enjoyed reading this book. Loved the very original story and characters.
Like all of Spencer’s novels this was great!
Spencer is one of my favorite authors and she did not disappoint.
I love everything by this author!
Very enjoyable read
I really enjoy LaVyrle Spencer’s book. They draw me in and seem realistic!
I have read almost all Lavrle Spencer books over the years and enjoyed them.
I loved the fact that she was determined to own and drive a car!
Clean story with wonderful, easy to love characters
Her books are classics. This story did not disappoint.
B