Books & Spoons Review: WILLOW BROOK ROAD by Sherryl Woods

#1 New York Times bestselling author Sherryl Woods sweeps readers away with the story of a beloved member of the O'Brien family as she claims the life she's always dreamed of...

Spirited, spontaneous Carrie Winters has grown up under the watchful eyes of not only her grandfather Mick O'Brien, but the entire town of Chesapeake Shores.

Now that she's home from Europe, a glamorous fashion career behind her and her heart broken, there seem to be far too many people watching to see if she'll live up to the expectations her family has for her.

As if that weren't enough pressure, Carrie finds herself drawn to sexy, grief-stricken Sam Winslow, who is yearning for someone to help him raise the nephew who's unexpectedly come into his life after a tragedy.

With her own life in turmoil, is Carrie really ready to take on a new career and a new man? Or is Sam exactly what she needs to create the strong, loving family she's always wanted?

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A heartfelt story about life in a large family, with joys and sorrows, finding your place in life, and daring to take the steps to happiness, whatever it may take.
The large, extended family of O'Brien loves to get involved in each other's lives, gossip and meddle as much as possible, but mostly with a loving, caring heart, with the best intentions towards each other.
Carrie and Sam obviously have a spark, the connection is real, the attraction strong. They take the relationship forward very slowly and cautiously, with the turmoil in their lives enough of a challenge right now. The tone of the story is sweet, there's no love scenes in the tale, nor language either, that would be bothersome.
For some reason I did have difficulty connecting with Carrie, I loved her life goals, admired her spunk to go forward, but there was something that made it hard for me to get her, to understand where she was coming from, all the reasons not getting involved with Sam.
Sam, him I adored, he is likable, charming, caring, and sincere. I loved how his relationship with Bobby was developing, how they formed a team, the protective feelings he had towards him. His honesty with the overwhelming, huge responsibility with Bobby was touching. Also, how easily Carrie, Sam, and Bobby made a unit, a family, was admirable.
I enjoyed most of the secondary characters as well. There are a lot of them, and keeping them all in their place is a task. Even though this book can easily be read as a stand alone novel, it might make the task with the relatives easier, if you have read some of the previous stories.
I understand and sympathies with Susie's pain and loss. I felt for her, and wished her only good. I think she was painted to be a bit 'mean girl' in her sorrow, and that got old really fast for me. I'm happy how it all ended with her, I just wish it wouldn't have gotten so ugly at one point.
A lovely, well written, look at the O'Brien family on the Chesapeake Shores, their life with ups and downs, the daily struggles, and finding their life goals
~ Four Spoons