Once Upon A Summertime by Melody Carlson - REVIEWED

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing

Once Upon A Summertime 

by 

Melody Carlson

About the Book:  She's looking for her big break. She never imagined it would depend on a blast from her past.

Managing the Value Lodge in her hometown was not what Anna Gordon had in mind when she set out in the hospitality industry. But it's a safe choice for a young woman starting out her career.

Then, out of the blue, she gets the opportunity of a lifetime: a chance to reinvent herself and reinvigorate her career by moving to New York City. She applies for a management position at a stylish new hotel, The Rothsberg. But the city is full of surprises--not the least of which is discovering that Sean O'Neil, a once-upon-a-time crush, has applied for the very same position. 

This sweetly romantic tale of dreams come true takes you through the storied streets of New York City--and into the depths of the human heart. 

My Thoughts:

“I got the job.”  (p. 114)

Anna Gordon got a dream job in New York managing the housekeeping staff at a newly renovated hotel.  For once in her life, things seemed to be going in a direction that both fulfilled her and made her happy.  The fact that her childhood friend, Sean O’Neil is working with her – or, more accurately, that she will be working for him -  is an added bonus! 

Or is it?  What begins as a relationship with magical wings of serendipity and similar tastes becomes complicated by charming roommates and work related policy.  Anna finds herself balancing a series of awkward situations and even more awkward conversations.  At one point, her dream job ceases to look very dreamy at all.

Melody Carlson creates characters that are very realistic, and the romantic aspect builds naturally and believably.  I think one of my favorite scenes in the entire novel is the first full day Sean and Anna spend together in their new city home.  It was a totally enchanting day – even for me as the reader!  Now, I want to go to New York!  Once Upon a Summertime  is an enchanting and engaging book that revisits lots of “firsts” in life for Anna, as well as new beginnings.  This is the first in the Follow Your Heart series, and I am more than happy to recommend it to readers of all ages!

About the Author:

Melody Carlson is the award-winning author of over two hundred books with sales of more than five million. She is the author of several Christmas books from Revell, including the bestselling The Christmas Bus, The Christmas Dog, and Christmas at Harrington's, which is being considered for a TV movie. She is also the author of many teen books, including Just Another Girl, Anything but Normal, Double Take, the Life at Kingston High series, and the Diary of a Teenage Girl series. She is the winner of aRomantic Times Career Achievement Award in the inspirational market for her many books, including the Diary of a Teenage Girl series andFinding Alice. Melody and her husband live in Oregon.

For more information about Melody visit her website at www.melodycarlson.com.