Kristy Woodson Harvey

The Summer of Songbirds is a story of three young girls who meet at a very young age when they are sent to an overnight camp. They become forever friends, helping each other even into their adult years. When they learn that the camp is failing and the property is at risk of being sold, the girls come together to help save it.

The characters are well rounded and the camp setting is beautifully described. It felt good to see old friends unite to help the camp they love remain open. But the girls do not see eye to eye when it comes to romance. This is not a squeaky-clean read for those who prefer that drugs and sex (not a lot, but it is there) are left out of the picture.

From my perspective, the story looks back on the camp days through rose-colored glasses. I went to an overnight camp when I was just a few years older than the girls in the story and, while I made some wonderful summer friends, those relationships did not last long. Of course, we did not have the convenience of computers and smartphones to make keeping in touch easy, so my outlook comes from that point of view.

This is a sweet story – one that a reader can enjoy sitting in a comfortable chair or while relaxing on the beach.… (meer)

I read this book almost entirely in one sitting while waiting for my son for 8 hours in the emergency room. They had books by donation in the cafeteria and I had read one book by this author so I decided to try it to pass the time. I was a little distracted reading it but seem to recall just some minor language and just mentions of intimacy I believe.
The book is about 3 sisters who for various reasons all move home with their mom at the same time. Their father had been killed on Sept 11. The book is told in alternate chapters by Mom Ansley and oldest daughter Caroline. I kept waiting for the points of view of the other sisters but I believe there are two other books in the series so maybe those will be from the sisters POV.
Overall it was an entertaining book with the sisters trying to get along and make hard decisions. The one thing that I really didn't like had to do with the moms storyline and had me shaking my head in disbelief. I may or may not read the next one in the series, there are a few things that I'm a bit curious about at the end of the first one but it wasn't the type of book where I immediately wanted to get the next one.… (meer)

This book is about four different women. It starts in 1914 with Edith Vanderbilt and in present day with Julia. Then we also get the story of Babs who's Julia's grandmother. Then eventually we also get Edith's daughter Cornelia.
Julia leaves her fiance at the altar because she suspects he cheated on her. She goes on the honeymoon by herself and of course meets a guy. We see her processing the relationship with her fiance and figuring out what the future holds for her now. I really liked Babs story. She moves out of her home and into a retirement residence and meets someone from her past.
I didn't care for Cornelia's story, she makes some decisions that were very selfish.
I enjoyed this book and even though it wasn't a page turner it held my interest for all 400 pages and I wanted to see what would happen to the different characters. It's always nice as well when a book is based on real people, Edith and Cornelia really did exist and they did have a wedding veil that went missing.
Content wise there were about 10 instances of blasphemy, and approx 8 instances of mild profanity. Closed door spice. One of the characters dabbles in numerology.

This book was reviewed on the Literary Club Podcast episode 61… (meer)

Every time I read a new book by Kristy Woodson Harvey, it becomes my new favorite. I think that her newest book A Happier Life will remain my favorite even after she publishes new books. This book is a look at life in the South in a small town full of nosey neighbors along with strong women who live their lives to the fullest.
It has a bit of a mystery, a little romance and a cast full of intriguing characters plus loving descriptions of Beaufort.

Keaton has a major problem with her job in NYC and decides to quit. She's at a loss of what to do with her life when her mother asks her to go to Beaufort NC and get her grandparent's home ready to be sold. Keaton has never met her grandparents because they died in a car accident before she was born. She expects to find an empty house that just needs some work and is amazed when she walks into a house that is exactly like it was when her grandparents died 50 years earlier. There are still dishes on the table and a newspaper on the couch. When she finds her grandmother's Guide to Entertaining dated 1976 and her grandfather's journals, she realizes that she now has a way to learning more about her grandparents and the life that they lived.

In 1976, Becks was considered the best hostess in her small town. She had walked away from her past when she fell in love with her husband and her main goal in life was to entertain people and help them relax. But this summer, she is hiding something from her husband and her friends that will change her life as she now lives it.

The setting in Beaufort, North Carolina is so well described that I'm ready to pack a suitcase and head back to Beaufort again to enjoy some of its small town ambience -- plus its great seafood! Have your calendar clear before you start this book because once you start it and meet all of the wonderful characters, you won't want to put it down until the last page. Be sure to read Kristy's Acknowledgements at the end to learn a little bit about her life in Beaufort.… (meer)