That Camden Summer

That Camden Summer contains a vicious rape scene. I will never buy another book by this author. I do not read romance novels for violence. And to think she writes Harlequin romances!

I happened to love most of LaVyrle Spencer's books, but this is my favorite. So rarely do romances tackle the issues that Spencer illuminates in this novel. Finally, a women with spirit who is not a shrew or countlessly doing stupid things.
Roberta Jewitt returns to her home town after divorcing her husband. She brings her three daughters in order for them to become closer to the family she left in Maine when she went away to college in Boston. However, she encounters many things when she returns, not all of them good or pretty to read about.
I felt this book was ultimately about choices. The choices you make, the motives behind those choices, and the rewards and consequences of those choices.
I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a grown-up romance and not the junior high school stuff that a lot of authors are putting out.

Being a LaVyrle Spencer fan, I have to say this is my favorite book out of all her books. I have never loved and hated so many characters, all in one book. Roberta was a strong(sometimes too strong) woman, and Gabe was a man that any woman would be lucky to have. I totally loved his character...such a great guy. I found this book to be totally romantic, and this book made me realize just how lucky, we as women are today. I had a hard time putting this book down, and whenever I got one free moment, I would run for this book.

Wonderful, wonderful! I agree! LaVyrle Spencer is one of my favorite authors. Her books are about everyday people- lives that touch you. There are times you cry for the characters and times you laugh at them. I enjoy that they are in different settings and times. This particular book is during the early 1900's when automobiles have just come out. Through this story the reader really gets a glimpse of what women went through in the earlier years before women's rights. Roberta Jewitt has had enough of her "playboy husband" who came around when he needed money or a place to stay. After several years of marriage she has filed for divorce and brought her 3 girls back home to renew her relationship with her family. Divorce was not an accepted thing back then especially when instigated by the woman. The townspeople look at her like she is diseased, her mother and sister are furious at the disgrace she has caused them, men think she is "fair game" for their pre-marital affairs (especially her brother-in-law who won't take no for an answere), etc. But she always had her daughters' love and respect.
Gabe Farley is a handy-man around town who is a widow of several years with a teenage daughter. He has made a good life for the 2 of them but he is lonely, still hanging onto the love of his dear deceased wife. Recognizing that fact that Roberta needs his help to get the house she has purchased presentable for her and the girls to live in to- makes a deal to get it in shape. While he is there everyday, he is given a chance to get to know Roberta for who she really is instead of listening to gossip. He comes to appreciate the time they spend together- realizing the void he has had in his life up to now. But what will people say he's seeing a "divorced woman"? It is a story of strong family ties and values, and the sweetest of love stories.

I have to say Roberta is probably the bravest heroine I have ever read about. She's suffered a lot in her life ever since childhood. Her mother, sister, ex-husband were all terrible to her, yet she preserved her optimistic and independent spirit and somehow made life wonderful for her children in Camden. Although I admire her greatly, it really is hard to believe that such a person is possible. Gabe, on the other hand, is so real. He is not the dazzling alpha male often seen in some romance novels, yet he is everything a woman would want for a husband.

I agree with some reviewers that the violent scene was a bit too much, I almost stopped reading there, but I kept wanting to know how she would pull herself and her family through this. In the end she did, but I felt unsatisfied - the evil of the town's people including her mother, sister, brother-in-law was too much and justice was not served. The ending might be the reality in 1916, but it left a lot to be wanted.

I had back surgery Oct 1998 and needed something to read while laying around afterwards. I went to the local Safeway and found this book, not reading the preview on the back I liked it from the start just because of the cover. What I had no idea was I would not put it down except to eat and use the facilies. Thanks L. Spencer for the wonderful heroin, Roberta Jewett, you brought to life in That Camden Summer. :) You really know how to make your readers feel part of the story. I could almost smell the roses in Gabes backyard.

This was one of the most pleasurable books I think I have read in 26 years!! I feel the author draws you into her world and the character's world. You can imagine the scenery (especially when you've driven up Mt. Battie yourself, being a New Englander). A great vacation book!

I happened to get this book from a friend when I was on vacation, and I was so glad I did. Of the six books I read, this one was the best read. It went too fast and I didn't want it to end! (Which is a good thing to me!) I liked the descriptions of the East Coast, and the turn of the century times. There were great values of family and sticking together along with the not-so-normal love story. The strong character of Roberta and the obstacles that she overcame was very uplifting. I thoroughly enjoyed this book!