Status
Available
Call number
Series
Collection
Call number
F GAB
Publication
Revell
Description
Fiction. Christian Fiction. Historical Fiction. HTML:This complex and well-written story is the perfect conclusion to the Hollyhill story. With true-to-life family drama, refreshing humor, and lovable characters, Summer of Joy will delight readers.
Media reviews
Jocie Brooke is a freshman in high school, her older sister a new mom, and her father is smitten by a younger woman who appears to share his feelings. David is ready to ask Leigh to marry him, but embarrassed about the small size of his mother's diamond. Leigh wasn't worrying over a diamond. She
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was more concerned about David's feelings about being older than she. Other challenges are about to veil the size of the diamond. Shadows from the past and a newcomer to town become the clouds of the future.
This is the third book in a series set back in the 1960s in a small town called Hollyhill. The Brooke family is the focus of these stories, and the activities in small town America are typical of the time period. Prejudices still remain and gossip is a common activity. The setting is quaint and the characters are varied and colorful. The development of the characters throughout this series and in this concluding book is commendable. Ann Gabhart has a wonderful talent for creating a great cast of characters and making the reader a part of Hollyhill and sharing all of the activities therein.
If you're looking for an engaging, satisfying and unpredictable story of family and love, mystery and intrigue, wit and comedic events, Summer of Joy will satisfy your quest. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and felt very much a part of the story as I traveled back in time to my own high school years along with Jocie. Grab a copy of this book and relax with a pot of tea. You're in for some great surprises once again. Ann Gabhart is a specialist at creating a warm and sensitive novel.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from Revell in exchange for my honest opinion. All opinions expressed are my own, and no monetary compensation was received for this review. Show Less
User reviews
LibraryThing member alekee
I so enjoyed me return visit to Hollyhill, KY, and the Brook family. In fact, I hated to leave!
This is the summer of 1964, Vietnam War time, no cell phones, a quieter time, but hard time. David Brook is still running the newspaper, and being the Pastor at Mt. Pleasant. He is also hoping to have a
Things are still active at the Brook home, with Aunt Love, Jocie, David, Tabathia, and sweet little Stephen Lee. I can just picture this house; it is not large, but so filled with love. Makes you wonder how Dee-Dee could have left, even for the greener pastures. Life is funny at times, and now some of the things you think you have gotten past, and left behind, have started to return.
There are some so hysterical things that happen you will have a hard time not laughing out loud. We still have loveable Wes, and his Jupiter life, what a blessing he has been in Jocie’s life. Zelda keeps everyone on their toes, and she ends up wanting to hide under her desk, but as Zelda does recover, she is back at managing everyone’s life, and sometimes it is good that she does.
We are going to face some evil, or misguided people, in the form of a teacher, and some parents. Will this family be able to weather all of this and end up with life back to some kind of normalcy? Once you open the cover, you will not want to leave. Enjoy!
I received this book through the Publisher Revell and their Blogger Tour, and was not required to give a positive review
This is the summer of 1964, Vietnam War time, no cell phones, a quieter time, but hard time. David Brook is still running the newspaper, and being the Pastor at Mt. Pleasant. He is also hoping to have a
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new start in life and include Leigh.Things are still active at the Brook home, with Aunt Love, Jocie, David, Tabathia, and sweet little Stephen Lee. I can just picture this house; it is not large, but so filled with love. Makes you wonder how Dee-Dee could have left, even for the greener pastures. Life is funny at times, and now some of the things you think you have gotten past, and left behind, have started to return.
There are some so hysterical things that happen you will have a hard time not laughing out loud. We still have loveable Wes, and his Jupiter life, what a blessing he has been in Jocie’s life. Zelda keeps everyone on their toes, and she ends up wanting to hide under her desk, but as Zelda does recover, she is back at managing everyone’s life, and sometimes it is good that she does.
We are going to face some evil, or misguided people, in the form of a teacher, and some parents. Will this family be able to weather all of this and end up with life back to some kind of normalcy? Once you open the cover, you will not want to leave. Enjoy!
I received this book through the Publisher Revell and their Blogger Tour, and was not required to give a positive review
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LibraryThing member MyBookAddiction
SUMMER OF JOY by Ann H. Gabhart is an interesting Christian Contemporary Romance set in 1964, HollyHill, Kentucky. #3 in the "HollyHill" series, but can be read as a stand alone.
A sweet tale of friendship, family,controversy, secrets, past meets the present and love set against the backdrop of
*Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, provided this complimentary copy for my honest, unbiased review.*
RATING: 4
HEAT RATING: SWEET
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
A sweet tale of friendship, family,controversy, secrets, past meets the present and love set against the backdrop of
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1960's Kentucky. Nothing will never be the seem again. Ms. Gabhart writes with passion, devotion and endurance of people in everyday America. A must read for anyone who enjoys contemporary romance, and the storm that is brewing. A great summer read! Powerful and compelling!*Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group, provided this complimentary copy for my honest, unbiased review.*
RATING: 4
HEAT RATING: SWEET
REVIEWED BY: AprilR, courtesy of My Book Addiction and More
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LibraryThing member ReviewsbyMolly
When I think of reading an Ann Gabhart novel, I think Shakers. The first novel I read by Ms. Gabhart was one of her Shaker novels, called The Seeker. I loved it. Her writing style is different, yet refreshing and really captivates me with each book that I read. Summer Of Joy was no different, and I
In this novel, Ms. Gabhart captures everything from romance, to secrets and letting go of the past. She fills the book with tenderness and love, but also with anger and hatred. It makes for a wonderful combination as you turn the pages. Jocie's character really brought out my mama side! I wanted to wrap her up and hold her all day long and tell her everything would be okay!
Of course, Ms. Gabhart adds characters that made me quite mad, too! For instance, Jocie's mother. Let's just say, I wanted to through the book across the room and throttle her! But, Ms. Gabhart over came that with adding humor to the story to keep me smiling through out the book, as well.
If you are looking for a novel that is both dramatic and refreshing, then Ms. Gabhart's Summer Of Joy is for you. She will pull you into her 4 star books and keep you hooked from start to finish. Another fabulous job, Ms. Gabhart! Thank you!
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thoroughly enjoyed reading. However, sadly, I didn't read both the first books in this series, so I want to go back and read them. In this novel, Ms. Gabhart captures everything from romance, to secrets and letting go of the past. She fills the book with tenderness and love, but also with anger and hatred. It makes for a wonderful combination as you turn the pages. Jocie's character really brought out my mama side! I wanted to wrap her up and hold her all day long and tell her everything would be okay!
Of course, Ms. Gabhart adds characters that made me quite mad, too! For instance, Jocie's mother. Let's just say, I wanted to through the book across the room and throttle her! But, Ms. Gabhart over came that with adding humor to the story to keep me smiling through out the book, as well.
If you are looking for a novel that is both dramatic and refreshing, then Ms. Gabhart's Summer Of Joy is for you. She will pull you into her 4 star books and keep you hooked from start to finish. Another fabulous job, Ms. Gabhart! Thank you!
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LibraryThing member ecataldi
Told through the eyes of fourteen year old Jocie, this story of love, faith, and redemption is full of vibrance and enthusiasm. It's the 1960's and Holyhill is still as small town as ever, nearly immune to the turbulent times across the nation. Two outsiders come to this quaint town and threaten to
Cute, fast read. For fans of Christian historical romance. Be warned though, this is the third book in a series and some of the characters back stories are only touched upon. Also, unlike the title, the story is only set in summer for about three chapters (not that it really matters, but I found it amusing).
I received this book for free from Revell Reads in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.
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undo that peace and quiet. One, a mean and calculating freshman english teacher, and the other a long lost relative. Jocie speculates on how these characters affect not only her but those around her. Her father is due to be married and Jocie can hardly contain her excitement at getting a new mother, in fact most of the town is excited. But will these unexpected visitors throw everything off? Will God provide?Cute, fast read. For fans of Christian historical romance. Be warned though, this is the third book in a series and some of the characters back stories are only touched upon. Also, unlike the title, the story is only set in summer for about three chapters (not that it really matters, but I found it amusing).
I received this book for free from Revell Reads in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.
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LibraryThing member mom2acat
This is the third and last book of The Heart of Hollyhill series, picking up about 3 months after the 2nd book, Orchard of Hope, left off. Even though the title is "Summer" of Joy, most of this story actually takes place in the fall and winter of 1964 going into 1965.
Jocie Brooke is now 14 years
Life seems to be going well for the Brooke family, but their happiness is threatened to be destroyed by two people; one from the past who David thought was gone for good, and the other is a newcomer to the town.
The story was a little slow starting out, but after the first few chapters, it was a real page-turner with all of the unexpected plot twists. If you read the other two books first (which I highly recommend) it's easy to guess who is coming back from the past, but the story behind that person's return surprised me. This book was a nice wrap up to the series, but I think it could have used an epilogue to completely wrap up a couple of the story lines of some of the minor characters.
Jocie Brooke is now 14 years
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old, and her first year of high school is going well, except for the new English teacher that seems to have it in for her. Her father David, who is a pastor and editor of the small town's newspaper, finally gets up the nerve to pop the question to his girlfriend Leigh. Jocie's older sister Tabitha is happy being a mother to her new baby, a baby that the entire family adores.Life seems to be going well for the Brooke family, but their happiness is threatened to be destroyed by two people; one from the past who David thought was gone for good, and the other is a newcomer to the town.
The story was a little slow starting out, but after the first few chapters, it was a real page-turner with all of the unexpected plot twists. If you read the other two books first (which I highly recommend) it's easy to guess who is coming back from the past, but the story behind that person's return surprised me. This book was a nice wrap up to the series, but I think it could have used an epilogue to completely wrap up a couple of the story lines of some of the minor characters.
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ISBN
9780800731700
Series
Heart of Hollyhill (3)