Book Review: Evening Stars

I love Susan Mallery's books.  I had to read this book, Evening Stars, which is the third book in the Blackberry Island.  It is also the last book.  The first 2 books are called Barefoot Season and Three Sisters.  Both very good books.

About Evening Stars, I loved it!

Goodreads Description:

New York Times bestselling author Susan Mallery returns to Blackberry Island with the poignant tale of two sisters on the verge of claiming their dreams. 

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?

Questions for Discussions:

1.  Why did Nina stay on Blackberry Island so long?  Why did she put everyone else's needs ahead of her own?  Do you know any women like that?

I think Nina stayed so long on Blackberry Island because it was her safe zone.  She was afraid of the unknown.  From the time Nina was young, she took care of her mother and her sister.  Nina did not know anything other than taking care of her mother and sister.  I think moms with special needs kids always puts them ahead of their own.  I know I have been doing this since we found out that Ashleigh was delayed. 

2. One of the themes of Evening Stars clearly related to taking responsibility for one's own life.  How were different facets of responsibility explored through the characters of Nina, Averil, and Bonnie?  Is it possible to be too responsible?  Where do you fall on the responsibility spectrum?

In this book, I saw a variety of responsible adults.  While Nina was the best in the responsible spectrum, her mother, Bonnie, was definitely at the other end.  She said she wanted to be Peter Pan.  Averil fall in between Nina and Bonnie.  

3.  What other themes did you think about as you read Evening Stars?

Follow your dreams was one of the themes I saw.  Nina always wanted to be a doctor.  Averil wanted to write novels.  

4.  Were you on Team Dylan or Team Kyle?  Why?  Did your allegiance change as you progressed through the book?  Were you satisfied with the choice Nina made?

I was on Team Dylan's, but I kept thinking that the what life would be like as a Navy Wife.  Living in different cities would be so different than living on an island.  I love that Nina had a history with Dylan.  They knew each other.  

5. What did you think of Averil's relationship with her husband, Kevin?  

Kevin loves Averil and she loves him, but she got afraid about starting a family.  I can see why because of the way her mother is.  Bonnie wasn't really a mother.  She was like another child.  Averil was afraid of change, the unknown.   

6. Do you think Bonnie will change?  Why or why not?

I am not sure if Bonnie will change.  I think if Bonnie does, it may only be for a short period of time.  She needs someone to keep her at task, but she has that in her partner.

Happy Reading!
Melissa