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It's official: Brynna Phillips is done with men. They only break your heart. But, just when she makes this declaration, her friend Jan convinces Brynna to join her on a camping vacation in Sonoma Wine Country. As they wind their way toward their destination, spanking-new mini camper in tow, Brynna recalls her teenage camp romance with a boy named Leroy. How can it have been nearly 30 years ago? All she remembers is that Leroy was a genuinely good guy and that his family owned a vineyard-in Sonoma. She doesn't even remember his last name. Jan insists they look for him, and the search begins. Beyond the slim chance they'd ever be able to find him are questions that have haunted Brynna for decades, including What is the point of digging up the past? and Can Leroy ever forgive me for losing touch? Bestselling author Melody Carlson invites you on a trip to rediscover the carefree days of youth and, just maybe, to get a second chance at love.… (more)
User reviews
For the most part, “Looking for Leroy” is an enjoyable romance novel by Melody Carlson. Carlson takes her time developing the romance between the two (both past and present) allowing readers to get to know both characters – the book alternates between Brynna’s viewpoint and Leroy’s viewpoint. By the end of the book I felt like I knew both Leroy and Brynna as characters – truthfully I liked Leroy a bit more as Brynna could be a little flaky. I loved reading about the background of each character and the relationship between them and the other characters in the book – mostly Leroy’s family but also Brynna’s friend Jan and their new friend Mike (those two need a book of their own!). I also l liked the vineyard setting – I felt like I was there while reading the book. Unfortunately, I felt that while the characters and setting were fully developed, the current day romance of Brynna and Leroy wasn’t – they didn’t meet again until the book was more than halfway over and I felt their relationship after that was rushed. Still, I did enjoy the book and the ending –I just wish we had more time to see Brynna and Leroy fall in love again.
Descriptions of life in wine country, in a vineyard setting, and the RVing vacation sounded fun. The main characters formed an unlikely friendship, which was heartwarming. There was a lot to enjoy as the story unfolded. It seemed to drag a bit, as the actual meeting of the Leroy and Brynna drug out a little too long, but overall an enjoyable story, and a happy ending. As an avid reader, I read a lot of 'heavy' topics, but to read a light romance now and then for sheer enjoyments is nice, and this book fits the bill! It would make a great Hallmark movie!
I was happy to participate in the early readers review program to read and review this book!
I was excited to read this book. I loved the idea of the camping road trip. I loved the idea of a second chance with a lost love. The setting was beautiful... but when I actually got going into the book I was really just underwhelmed. There wasn't much camping or road tripping adventure. The second chance at love took FOREVER to come about because Brynna was acting like she was still back in high school and avoiding LeRoy for over half of the book. The story flips back and forth between the characters of LeRoy and Brynna and it was just too slow moving for me. Nothing really happens. By the time something did happen I had lost interest. Overall, it was a sweet story. I think lots of people will enjoy it, it just didn't live up to my expectations.
My sincere thanks to Revell and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book and give my opinion of it. I have read other Melody Carlson books that I have enjoyed and will continue to check out her work in the future.
When they arrive in Sonoma, she remembers that she spent two weeks at a camp in the area and fell in love with another camper named Leroy. Their romance ended on a bad note with a letter that she sent to him asking him not to write any more. She does remember that he lives in the area and it becomes a bit of a game to try to find Leroy. When she finds his winery and ends up working in the office, she isn't sure how she ended up there or how he'll feel when he sees her. Will he be angry at the way she ended their relationship years earlier or will he be happy to see her?
I really enjoyed the descriptions of the scenery in wine country. Both characters were well written but I thought that they were both kind of wishy-washing in their decision making. Leroy let his daughters make most of his decisions and Bryanna got pushed around a lot. The plot is what makes this book fun to read -- the thought of re-connecting with a boyfriend from over 25 years ago is a possible game changer in both of their lives.
Looking for Leroy is a well-written second-chance at love story. The two main characters are middle-aged which is always a plus for me. The beautiful Sonoma wine country is so well described that you may want to pack a suitcase and visit. It's a nice clean Christian romance that is an easy read and leaves readers with a smile at the happily ever after ending.
A sweet Christian romance. Bryanna is talked into going on an RV road trip with a colleague for a few weeks. Just by chance, they stay at an RV camp that was an overnight camp for teens 30 years ago, where she met and fell in love with
Brynna is a divorced, elementary school teacher whose vice-principal invites her along on a summer camping
Leroy Sorrentino is the widowed vintner of a small California vineyard. Preparing to celebrate the historical longevity of the vineyard, two of his three grown daughters attempt to market and make Sorrentino’s profitable.
I liked the premise of the storyline and the predictable but realistic conflicts Carlson presents for her characters to overcome.
“Had he settled? Both in life and in marriage? He sometimes wondered.” This is a very sad, possibly tragic, thought for a person to have to ponder after it seems too late to make changes.
I also wondered if LeRoy were my friend, what advice I would give him about his love life. Each of his daughters certainly has an opinion! Some characters didn’t grow as much or as fast as I wanted them to. Honestly, people in real life are like that, though. We people don’t always grow as quickly and steadily forward as we should.
Sophie is my favorite character. She seems warm, accepting, able to see the best in others, and willing to forgive. Plus, she’s a hard worker!
I received a copy of this book from Revell Reads. No positive review was required, and all opinions are my own.
Notable Quotables:
“Training dogs was much easier than training daughters.”
“Wisdom, understanding, knowledge. More than ever, she longed for those elusive qualities—because she felt foolish, confused, and just plain stupid.”
Struggling to put her life back together, Brynna agrees impulsively to go on a camping vacation with a co-worker at the school where she teaches. Traveling through California and the area that fated summer camp is located, Brynna’s memories are triggered. She shares this with Jan during a relaxed campfire moment. Her friend comes up with the scathingly brilliant idea that they find Leroy! Brynna remembers his family owned a winery in the area and that sets Jan off on a search much against her friend’s will. They locate Leroy and his winery and that’s when a most unusual, complicated, and crazy reunion begins.
I felt sorry for Brynna with who was already in emotional turmoil over her divorce and Jan pushing her into trying to arrange this reunion. I totally understood her reluctance and insecurity but also became frustrated with her indecisiveness with so many decisions. I have to admit I admired her adaptability in a very difficult situation!
It was interesting to see how many changes were in both their personalities, yet their core qualities remained the same after all these years. I mean who wouldn’t change some after 30 years!
One of my favorite parts of the book was the cottage Brynna stayed in, so beautiful and cozy. The descriptions of the décor made me feel as if I was walking through the door and seeing it myself. I think this is because the simplicity and comfort that was there. Something I want to have in my life at difficult times.
My favorite character was Sophie, Leroy’s daughter. She was so down to earth and sweet. Her energy, juggling her family, helping her father, and still able to have compassion for Brynna warmed my heart.
Be prepared, this story has many twists, turns, surprises and sweet moments. I stayed up until 2:00 a.m. because I couldn’t put it down. Insomnia alert! LOL
Another amazing Melody Carlson book!
I received this book from Revell Publishing in exchange for an honest review. The opinions stated are my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Revell Publishing. Opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
At this emotionally vulnerable point in her life, Jan, the Vice Principal at Brynna’s school, coerces her into joining her on a camping trip. A tattooed motorcyclist they meet the first day joins them, and they camp the first night at the location of the long-ago summer camp. Jan and Mike pry the story of Brynna’s summer camp infatuation from her. In a flaming violation of personal boundaries, they demand that Brynna turn over her cell phone and coerce her into searching for Leroy.
The outrageous emotional abuse of Jan and Mike is so off-putting I nearly DNFed. At this point, we have a story of a depressed, emotionally vulnerable woman whose boss hijacks into an unplanned vacation and commands her to undertake an intensely personal task against her will. The story is more a tale of bondage than of romance.
Fortunately, I continued reading, for this is Melody Carlson’s most enjoyable book since ≤i≥Courting Mr. Emerson. The faith-based element is somewhat intrusive, but I imagine fans of faith-based fiction will appreciate that aspect of the story. Once I got past the emotional abuse, Looking for Leroy was close to a can’t put it down book.
I subtracted half a star for the unnecessary depiction of emotional abuse as a plot element to launch Brynna on a search for Leroy.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this story. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.
Every time I saw the title the song "Looking for Love" would be stuck in my head.
Jan's and Mike's behavior both in pushing the search for Leroy and in the office manager position seemed a bit bullying. (though I did
If it was real life, I'm not sure I'd give Leroy's and Brynna's relationship a good chance of surviving. Leroy seems to be stuck for words an awful lot--in ways that Brynna misinterprets. Brynna's tendency is to run away--though by the end, she may have begun to recognize that pattern in herself and be willing to work to change it.
I liked the take on the story of Ruth that Leroy's mother gives Brynna. At the same time, putting your heart out like that invites hurt--and real life isn't fiction. It does make me feel for guys (the traditional role is that they say they love you first and they do the asking of "will you marry me?"). But it's just as likely that the other person could say he/she doesn't feel the same way when you humble yourself and admit your love.