Evening Stars by Susan Mallery ~ Review & Giveaway

Genre: Contemporary Women's Fiction
Series: Blackberry Island #3
Publication Date: 25th February 2014
Pages: 368
Book Source: Harlequin & NetGalley

Synopsis: Small-town nurse Nina Wentworth has made a career out of being a caretaker. More "Mom" than their mother ever was, she sacrificed medical school—and her first love—so her sister could break free. Which is why she isn't exactly thrilled to see Averil back on Blackberry Island, especially when Nina's life has suddenly become…complicated. 

Nina unexpectedly finds herself juggling two men—her high school sweetheart and a younger maverick pilot who also wants to claim her heart. But as fun as all this romance is, Nina has real life to deal with. Averil doesn't seem to want the great guy she's married to, and doesn't seem to be making headway writing her first book; their mom is living life just as recklessly as she always has; and Nina's starting to realize that the control she once had is slipping out of her fingers. Her hopes of getting off the island seem to be stretching further away…until her mother makes a discovery that could change everything forever. 

But before Nina and Averil can reach for the stars, they have to decide what they want. Will Averil stay? Will Nina leave? And what about the men who claim to love them? Does love heal, or will finding their happy ending mean giving up all they've ever wanted?

My Thoughts: 

Evening Stars was a nice read but I wanted to love it. Huh, what am I saying ... I expected to love it. I fell in love with Blackberry Island while reading Barefoot Season and Three Sisters ... well I just fell in love.

I feel a bit mean, I liked Evening Stars but Three Sisters made me laugh and cry and sigh, I wanted to live next door, I wanted to be friends with Andi, Boston and Deanna. Held up against that, Evening Stars felt just a little lackluster. 

Nina works as a nurse for Pediatrician Andi from Three Sisters. Nina has spent much of her life being the responsible one; from the age of nine, taking care of the house, younger sister Averil and her immature, irresponsible mother, Bonnie. She's spent so long putting others first, her sense of self has disappeared in obligation, lost dreams and resentment and she struggles with relinquishing control. 

Character growth is at the centre of Evening Stars and that's something I love to see but sadly I didn't have an emotional connection with any of the characters. I liked them, except for Bonnie, Bonnie I wanted to slap. Bonnie needed her Peter Pan complex smacked right out of her!

I nearly forgot, there are guys ... Dylan and Kyle, they're instrumental to Nina's growth but the romance is almost secondary.  

I liked it, I liked how things worked out and you should read it because you can't not read the final Blackberry Island book. And maybe you'll love it? Let me know ...

Looking forward to the Mischief Bay series.

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GIVEAWAY: 

Thanks to the lovely folk at Harlequin I have a paperback copy up for grabs. Just leave a comment throwing your hat in the ring. US/Canada Only

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Giveaway ends 8th March and winner will be announced on my blog. Good luck!