A Summer In Europe

Marilyn Brant

Nov 2011 · Kensington Publishing Corp.

About this ebook

On her thirtieth birthday, Gwendolyn Reese receives an unexpected present from her widowed Aunt Bea: a grand tour of Europe in the company of Bea's Sudoku and Mahjongg Club. The prospect isn't entirely appealing. But when the gift she is expecting--an engagement ring from her boyfriend--doesn't materialize, Gwen decides to go.

At first, Gwen approaches the trip as if it's the math homework she assigns her students, diligently checking monuments off her must-see list. But amid the bougainvillea and stunning vistas of southern Italy, something changes. Gwen begins to live in the moment--skipping down stone staircases in Capri, running her fingers over a glacier in view of the Matterhorn, racing through the Louvre, and taste-testing pastries at a Marseilles cafe. Reveling in every new experience--especially her attraction to a charismatic British physics professor--Gwen discovers that the ancient wonders around her are nothing compared to the renaissance unfolding within. . .

"A thinking woman's love story, it swept me away to breathtaking places with a cast of endearing characters I won't soon forget. Bravissima!" –Susan McBride, author of Little Black Dress

Praise for Marilyn Brant's According to Jane

"A warm, witty and charmingly original story." --Susan Wiggs, New York Times bestselling author

"Brant infuses her sweetly romantic and delightfully clever tale with just the right dash of Austen-esque wit." –Chicago Tribune

"An engaging read for all who have been through the long, dark, dating wars, and still believe there's sunshine, and a Mr. Darcy, at the end of the tunnel." --Cathy Lamb, author of Such a Pretty Face

Ratings and reviews

My Look: In work, in love, and in life Gwendolyn Reese lives in a world that is as narrow as her focus, for her comfort level. But what happens when the trip of a lifetime shakes up that orderly and predictable world? Marilyn Brant's A SUMMER IN EUROPE is a tale as timeless as humanity. We watch Gwendolyn come to the realization that life is bigger than the box we often try to contain it in and that it offers more than what we think we want or need. As a young girl, Gwen lost her mother and took on a full adult role in caring for her siblings and her father. However, having to grow up that fast cost her so much. As a woman, Gwen's life is orderly and in an almost a compulsive fashion, she strives to keep it that way; she fears change. Nonetheless, when her boyfriend needs a relationship break, Gwendolyn Reese does the unthinkable. She agrees, and then she accepts her Aunt Bea's gift and a chance to know Europe. But she's out of her element with her aunt's well-traveled group and is skittish, at first. Soon, Gwen is breaking free of her own restraints and living life the way it should've been lived while enjoying every never scripted, scheduled, or listed moment, and she finds herself loving the freedom, enjoying Europe, and a Brit named Emerson. Now, when her old boyfriend returns, will Gwen go back to the predictable lifestyle she'd always known? My Take: I recommend Marilyn Brant's A SUMMER IN EUROPE. Not only will you enjoy the changing life of Gwendolyn, but also you'll meet a whole ensemble of characters that will make you laugh, show you Europe, and teach you something that you didn't know already. Marilyn Brant is a gifted writer who brings you to Europe. Really. Her descriptions engage the reader enough that the aroma of the regional cuisine will make you hungry. While visiting the sites, you'll feel the charge of discovery and the gift of the experience. And through her characters, the author shares a love of life and its many experiences, showing the reader that sometimes we can accept what we have or find happiness elsewhere. This book is a standalone title, but you'll want to check out some of Marilyn Brant's other works such as FRIDAY MORNINGS AT NINE (Kensington 2010) and ACCORDING TO JANE (Kensington 2009).

A story that centers around a newly 30-year-old who didn't celebrate her birthday quite like she had thought - no jewelry meant for the left hand was received, if you get my drift. She ends up taking a trip around Europe with her Aunt and her wacky friends who find math, philosophy and history all interesting topics of conversation and debate. Although the characters were definitely interesting, I didn't fall in love with them and couldn't connect with them. There was a quite a large ensemble cast to keep straight, it required a post it note! The characters may have been off, but the location was spot on. The way the author described the different tourist stops in Europe made me want to book a trip immediately. I loved exploring the city along with the main character Gwen. A great story concept that at times had me enjoying this one, but in the end the wordie philosophical aspect of the characters had me turned off. If you are a reader who likes a little more wordiness to your women's fiction, this book would be the perfect one to add to your holiday wish list.