Pocket Books The Summerhouse

I first read this book in 2003. Now over 20 years later I still pick it up from time and again as it’s that good. My original copy got damaged so I purchased this one. One of my all time favourite reads. It has romance, mystery and the reflection of what could have been/the butterfly effect. Would make a good movie! Timeless storyline.

ニューヨークの運転免許試験所（DMV)で出会った３人の女性。その後それぞれの人生を歩むことになるが、１９年の時を経て３人はメーン州のサマーハウスで再会する。モデル志望で才色兼備のマディソン、ダンサー志望で美しいレスリー、芸術家志望で頭の良いエリ。それぞれの顔には絶望と苦悩の色が濃くにじみ出ており、もはや昔日の面影はない。一人づつこれまでの人生を語り合うのだが、それは聞くに絶えないほど残酷な話となる。特にマディソンの人生は残酷で、途中で読むのを止めようと思ったくらいだ。Jude Deverauxの作品を読むのはこれが最初だが、作品はいつもハッピーエンドだと言うことなのでそれを期待しつつ最後まで読んでみた。　平凡な暮らしや思わぬ方向に行ってしまった人生の中で埋もれてしまっているとは女性に限らず誰でもそう感じているに違いないけれど、そして、誰でも人生をやり直せたらと思っているのでしょうが、この本はそんな「もしも」を生き生きと描いていて、しばし現実を忘れることが出来たような気がする。そして、なんといってもどんな人生でもそれは誰のせいでもなくて「自分」に責任があり、「自分」の生き方いかんで人生はいかようにでもなりえると作者は言っているような気がしてくる。健気に、そして華やかにエネルギッシュに生きる女性たちに心からエールを送りたくなってしまう。これはすばらしい現代のファンタジーかもしれない。

Not my usual type of book, but one worth reading. The story is about 3 likeable women who meet on their collective 21st birthday, all have the world at their feet and everything to look forward to. 19 years on they meet up to spend their 40th birthday together, sadly each has made mistakes and all have regrets. They receive an offer - relive 3 weeks of their lives, and if they prefer they can keep their new lives.I won't spoil it for you and tell you what each chooses to do with this gift, but overall this book is a light, cheerful read and gives you something to think about for an evening or two - which 3 weeks would you choose?

This book is one of my top 2 favorite Jude Deveraux books! (the top one being Knight in Shining Armor, of course!)It is excellent...Don't we all wonder what we would change if we could go back in time and have a "redo"? And would we really change anything? I know many times I have wondered if I made the best decisions in my life...and what if one little decision had been different?If I had chosen a different college, I would not have met my husband. I might not have had infertility. I might not have adopted my daughter, or had my son, etc. My life, which is pretty darn great, would be different.This book explores those possibilities...for 3 very different women, who had 3 very different lives. And then they had to decide if they wanted to keep their new life, or keep their old life.What a choice! Who can resist finding out? If for no reason than to live vicariously thru them?Buy this book. Read this book. I think you'll enjoy it! I know I did, and I have loaned it out to many of my relatives, from my granny to my mom to my sister!(review courtesy of Kathy Smith, Robert's wife, who shares his account!)

If you could go back and change the past, with the knowledge you know now...would you? And if so what would you change or keep? Follow the lives of three women who met each had numerous modern day issues allowing for a recognition to seek a sense of self worth by valuing themselves and their talent it makes a rewarding read with a twist of magical romance!