Monday, May 28, 2012

Review: A Summer in Europe by Marilyn Brant

“Gwennie,” Aunt Bea began, “we’ve got a little surprise for you.”
Her aunt shot a look at Connie Sue, who raised her eyebrows at Hester and who, in turn, nudged Zenia, who blurted out, “Angie’s havin’ a hip replacement.”
“I-I’m sorry to hear that,” Gwen replied...”
“What Zenia means, dear,” her aunt interrupted, “is that Angie and Thomas aren’t going to be taking the trip with the group… So, I bought their tickets and transferred them to our names,” her aunt said brightly. “We’re going on the trip instead.”
“Surprise!” the S&M club members cried in gleeful harmony.
Gwen’s heart paused, as if not sure whether it should keep beating. The anxiety at the prospect of undertaking such a journey with this nearly insane crew tangoed with the allure of her first foreign adventure. I could see a world I’ve only read about... (from A Summer in Europe p.22-24)

For her thirtieth birthday, Gwendolyn Reese doesn’t receive the expected engagement ring from her boyfriend. Instead, her aunt and the Sudoku and Mahjongg Club present Gwen with a grand tour of Europe. With no ring, Gwen decides to go abroad, her first step in finding herself. Having rarely left the comfort of the Midwest, and uncertain as to whether she is up to spending a summer with her aunt’s crazy friends, Gwen is apprehensive. Yet, it is somewhere between Capri and Sorrento that Gwen has her great awakening. Everything now is vivid, vibrant, and alive; she is alive.
Helping her along is physics professor Emerson Edwards. However, the more time Gwen spends in Emerson’s company, the greater her struggle becomes, as her new passion for culture is not the only awakening Gwen is having. Even though things may be platonic between the two, there’s no getting around the sparks flying from all the sexual tension. From feeding each other linguini and chocolate cake to their unique understanding for each other, I was completely wrapped up in their story. But will Gwen’s renaissance take root enough for her to forget the safety and predictability of life back in Iowa with her boyfriend Richard or will she take a chance in her search for her own passions?
Adding to the amusement of the story was the S&M Club. It didn’t matter if Hester, Zenia and Aunt Bea were discussing The Bold and the Beautiful, which men are “fling-worthy,” or a new way to dispose of someone as a plot for a novel, they had me in stitches. I mean, who expects a sixty-seven year old aunt to encourage her niece to “lose” her hotel key so she will have no other choice than to spend the night elsewhere?
A Summer in Europe was truly an enjoyable novel. I found Brant’s storytelling supreme, her characters real, and Europe breathtaking. In addition to the lovable characters, it was the author’s picturesque language that had me experiencing Gwen’s awakening and Europe first hand. Brant’s ability to take the smallest details and tie them into the major themes and motifs, as well as her perfectly chosen descriptions, wove this story together like one of Zenia’s finely knitted scarves.
I was not ready to say good-bye to my new friends or to unpack my bags and put away my passport. In doing so, it would mean my summer in Europe was over, and while entertaining and introspective, A Summer in Europe was a journey I did not want to end.

*Wednesday I will be interviewing Marilyn Brant, who is generously GIVING AWAY a copy of A Summer in Europe!!

About the Author:
As a former teacher, library staff member, freelance magazine writer and national book reviewer, Marilyn has spent much of her life lost in literature. She’s been told — and not always with the intent to flatter — that she’s “insatiably curious” and “a travel addict.” Marilyn has traveled to 46 states and over 30 countries (so far — she’s not done yet!), but she now lives in the Chicago suburbs with her family. When she isn’t rereading Jane’s books or enjoying the latest releases by her writer friends, she’s working on her next novel, eating chocolate indiscriminately and hiding from the laundry.

Marilyn Brant
Website: www.marilynbrant.com 
Blog: www.marilynbrant.blogspot.com 
Twitter: @marilynbrant

A Summer in Europe
Available on Amazon
Available on Barnes and Noble


34 comments:

  1. I still haven't read this one!! Marilyn is such a great writer, I'm sure it's fantastic! I'll try to win a copy! Lol, the S&M club ladies sound hilarious!
    Great review!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, the ladies in the Sudoku & Mah-jongg club remind me of my Aunt Marg! She truly is a character! ;) Yes, Marilyn is a highly talented writer and this novel exhibits that well!

      Delete
  2. Jakki, thank you so, so much!! (And Candy, thanks for your sweet comment, too ;) )
    HUGE hugs to you both and wishes for a fabulous day!
    xox

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. And I feel like it is I who should be thanking you for such a wonderful read that I will surly be coming back to time and again! ;) Thanks, Marilyn! And you have a fabulous day as well! :)

      Delete
  3. Stellar review, Jakki! I am dying to read this one! Sounds like the ultimate book to read during the summer! Travel, romance, comedy - it sounds like it has it all!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Meredith! Yes, it really does! And to all this Brant adds something more substantial, in the descriptive imagery. It was truly as if I was experiencing these places with the characters! I hope you find time to read this, even though you really don't stray from Austenesque pieces.

      Delete
    2. When it is from an author that I adore, I will follow them where ever they go! A perfect example is Syrie James's novels, I'll read anything she writes. I have all Marilyn's books on my list, just need to find time to read them!

      Delete
    3. Aww, Meredith, you and Jakki are making me blush! Thanks to you both ;).

      Delete
  4. Fabulous review, Jakki! This book is such a treat, isn't it? You get the humor and wisdom of the S&M club, and Gwen's awakening, so to speak, and a couple brilliant, handsome gents thrown in, too! And of course, the travel. For me just getting to go to one of the locations would make my life. I couldn't imagine being able to see them all!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I know, Monica! There are *so* many sights to see! I think it would be difficult to pick just one! Let's start saving our money & head over when we are 65! We can be Aunt Bea & Zenia! ;)

      Delete
  5. LOL, Monica and Jakki!! I can totally see you two being your fun-loving selves in Europe at any age! Since I'm older than you both, maybe I can come along then and be Hester... I'll start scrounging up ideas for a mystery. *grin*

    ReplyDelete
  6. A great review! (You can make me want to read a book also without a vlog, Jakki ;)).
    My Summer in Europe sounds like a wonderful novel, looking forward to discovering new parts and parts where I have been (Is Vienna in the novel?) and the story of Gwendolyn and Emerson sounds interestng! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Katrin! Ooh, and I look forward to hearing the places you have visited and the ones you still want to visit! Vienna sounds like such a great place to visit! I will be interviewing Marilyn about the book and Europe tomorrow! I really can't say enough for this novel! If you read it, I would love to hear your thoughts!

      Delete
    2. Katrin,
      Thank you! I'm so glad you think Gwendolyn and Emerson's story sounds interesting! And, yes! Vienna is definitely in the novel. The characters spend a few days there, visiting the Hofburg, Schloss Schonbrunn and the Prater, among other spots. And, of course, the characters have to try Sachertorte, right?! :)

      Delete
  7. Marilyn, I need you to find me some fling-worthy guys when we go! Lol

    ReplyDelete
  8. Marilyn, we would love and be honored to have you come with us! We will truly appreciate your sagely advice and plot schemes! It will be GGW (Grandmas gone wild!) :) Monica, I have a feeling finding you a "fling-worthy" man won't be a problem! (Isn't Europe crawling with them?) ;)

    ReplyDelete
  9. You're right, I'm sure I can *find* them but I'll need your Wingwoman skills to rope 'em in!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Monica and Jakki,
    Any chance we could rent one of those vans while we're there, like the one Jakki has?!! And I love GGW!!! *snicker*

    ReplyDelete
  11. Squee! I love reading your full review of this, after the gushing tweets, hehe...Must remember to come by tomorrow ;o) I love the cover, and yeah, totes need to read this...It sounds amazing. A perfect summer read...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Rebecca, glad my full review didn't disappoint! It was such a great read, for any time of year, really! I do hope you are able to read it! Maybe you will win a copy! ;)

      Delete
    2. Rebecca, I've got my fingers crossed that the story will live up to Jakki's wonderful review and that you'll enjoy it! :)

      Delete
  12. I alreday commented but on the worng article , goning to cpy my comment and paste here.
    oh ! I can't win I live in europe ! I alreday travled in england ..and if I could travle in north america..I would like to visit canada, quebec and some place in the US :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lana,
      How cool that you live in Europe!! I'm envious ;). Where on the continent are you? I'd love to hear about it!

      Delete
  13. Seems like the ultimate summer read. Regularly enjoy exchanges with Marilyn on Twitter and after this interview even more.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for stopping by Poof...books! Yes! This is a great summer read and a must-read for any fellow Marilyn Brant lover! Hope you enjoy it! :)

      Delete
    2. *waving* So nice to see you here, Poof...books! And thank you ;).

      Delete
  14. Wow, this looks like a great book for this summer. I will have to post about it on my blog: http://www.curlingupwithagoodbook.com
    I would love to read this book because it seems to have lots that I love incorporated in the story: music (my husband attended Peabody Conservatory), dance (my daughter-in-law was on a college dance team and still dances), Sudoku (love puzzle games) and I noticed that Brant was a teacher and so was I! Looking forward to reading this during the summer.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Cute blog, Brenda! I hope you get to read ASIE this summer! What did you teach, Brenda? I used to teach too!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Right now I want to go to Venice, Italy!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ooh, that does sound nice! May I come with you? ;)

      Delete
  17. This sounds like an amazing book! I can't wait to read it!

    ReplyDelete
  18. Brenda, what a great blog -- I've visited yours before! So cool that you have so many ties to the themes and activities in the story...music, dance, even Sudoku!!

    Debbie, I *always* want to go to Venice ;).

    Jessica, thank you! I really hope it's a story you'll enjoy!!

    ReplyDelete
  19. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete