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A heartwarming Shakespeare Sisters romance from the bestselling author of Fix You.

The fourth, and final, book in the Shakespeare Sisters series.

With a broken marriage behind her, Juliet is just about ready to give up on love. Living in a ramshackle bungalow in Shaw Haven and working as a florist, she is desperately trying to build a new life with her daughter, Poppy. But try as she might, the one thing she can't ignore is the man next door . . .

400 pages

First published October 11, 2018

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About the author

Carrie Elks

58 books1,790 followers
Carrie Elks is an international bestselling author of traditionally-published and self-published novels. Her books are sweet yet sexy contemporary small town romance stories. You can find her in all these places:


Website:https://www.carrieelks.com
Amazon: http://author.to/CarrieElksAuthor
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5 stars
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105 (17%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
Profile Image for DJ Sakata.
3,130 reviews1,765 followers
October 20, 2018
Favorite Quotes:

Miss Mason had been a Kindergarten teacher for more than twenty years. Everything in her classroom was ruled by bathroom breaks.

The denim clung to him like it couldn’t bear to let go.

Funny how she’d bristled at that nickname when he’d first used it. Now she loved it. It was like a little secret only the two of them knew. She wanted to cover it in bubble wrap and keep it safe, protect it from the harsh winds of the outside world. Because right then everything felt fragile. Like a wisp of smoke blowing on the wind.

…there’s nothing worse than running away, only to find your troubles bought a ticket and decided to travel right along with you.

My Review:

This was my first exposure to Carrie Elks and I am greatly disappointed in myself, how have I not noticed this deftly gifted wordsmith before now? Snap! Reading her entertaining arrangements of words was a total pleasure. Her storylines were relatable, insightful, amusing, vibrantly detailed, and populated with lovable and clever characters. By Virtue Fall was book four of a series featuring a family known as the Shakespeare Sisters, yet it was quite capable of standing on its own as it possessed strong tango dancing legs. However, there is nothing else in this world I would rather read right now than the previous three installments as well as every other book, novella, and short story on her backlist. Carrie Elks has a new fangirl.
Profile Image for Whispering Stories.
2,912 reviews2,608 followers
November 2, 2018
Book Reviewed by Stacey on www.whisperingstories.com

In the fourth instalment of ‘The Shakespeare Sisters’ series by Carrie Elks, Juliet is having a hard time. She has left her husband, Thomas, after finding him in bed with another woman and moved out of the family home and into a smaller house with their young daughter Poppy. Once living the high life, Juliet now needs to work, so opens her own flower shop business.

She is still technically married to Thomas as the state they live in, Maryland has a law which means that they have to be living apart for a year before a divorce can be granted. He’s also being an obnoxious arse not being able to see that he was the reason for their split. Thomas has a new woman but doesn’t want Juliet to move on with her life.

When a new neighbour, photographer Ryan Sutherland moves in next door to Juliet with his young son Charlie both he and Juliet hit it off. However, Ryan is only in Maryland for a year and doesn’t want to get tied down and Juliet doesn’t want to anger her ex by getting involved with anyone else until the divorce is finalised. But can the two remain just friends?

If you haven’t read any of the books in the series, then get reading them, they are all amazing. The four Shakespeare sisters have all been a pleasure to spend time with.

In this book, Juliet is a woman who doesn’t realise she is as tough and strong as she is. She feels weak, constantly put down by her rich and powerful ex who has everything but doesn’t want the mother of his child to even be happy. He likes seeing her miserable.

Ryan is the most amazing man ever. He loves his son, who he has full custody of and puts him before everything else, hence the move back to his hometown, a town he left many years ago and swore never to return to. He has family issues of his own that he would rather stay out of, but sometimes there is no option but to get involved for something you believe passionately in, even if it causes more problems.

I read the book in just two sittings as I was that taken with the plot, the characters, and even the glorious scenery. Maryland sounds such a delightful place.

I feel that this is the end of the series but I do hope to meet the sisters again. I have loved reading their stories. Carrie Elks writing is superb and each of the books reads so effortlessly. They have all been an absolute joy and I now look forward to whatever the future holds from Ms. Elks.
Profile Image for Nicola.
1,395 reviews276 followers
October 17, 2018
The final book in the Shakespeare Sisters series brings us Juliet, single mum in the midst of a messy divorce and, and who—with friendship and encouragement from her new neighbour and single dad, Ryan—begins to find her inner strength and blossom, as do the feelings between them.

description She was like a flower slowly unfurling from a closed-up bud, and it was going to be beautiful when she finally bloomed.”

This series has been a bit of a rollercoaster of enjoyment for me but the single dad trope is my catnip and with a chemistry which builds at a natural pace along with a good dose of cute courtesy of their kids, I did enjoy Juliet and Ryan together. However, there were a couple of sticking points for me, one being the exasperating drama kindly provided by Juliet’s manipulative bully of an ex-husband which at rimes overshadowed the romance, and the second being the fact that the passion was kept behind closed doors which was inconsistent with the rest of the series. But for what areas this story lacked in, there were those I appreciated, particularly Poppy and Charlie who lifted the story by injecting humour with their squabbling, and imparting their innocent but matter-of-fact takes on life.

description We’re not Romeo and Juliet. The stars aren’t crossed against us.”
“That’s good, because I’d defy them anyway.”

Not my favourite of the series but By Virtue Fall did wrap things up nicely enough for the sisters and the men in their lives.

Copy received courtesy of the author for an honest and unbiased opinion.

description
Profile Image for Claire.
2,316 reviews725 followers
October 8, 2018
4.5 "Where have you been all my life..?" Stars!

Carrie Elks brings the Shakespeare Sisters series to a close with By Virtue Fall. This Is Juliet’s story, and if you have read the previous books in the series, you know it’s going to be a bit of a rollercoaster from the offset.

She was beginning to see a lot of things differently since she’d left Thomas… it was beginning to look breathtakingly beautiful…

There is a lot going on in this book, two single parents coming together trying to negotiate a new relationship around their children’s wants and needs, their responsibilities as adults, and in Juliet’s case her (almost) ex-husbands unreasonable demands.

If her marriage to Thomas had taught her anything, it was that she threw herself into love too quickly, and paid the price later… This Time she needed to guard her heart…

Full of ups, downs, sweet moments, frustrating expectations, a lot of cute kids and a really likeable couple at the fore, the author ended the series in enjoyable fashion. Can’t say I am ever going to be a huge fan of ex-drama but everything else playing out around it just about kept it on the side of bearable.

"You can’t keep a Shakespeare girl down forever… Not matter how hard you try."

Great epilogue, it wrapped up the series perfectly, while giving us updates on the rest of the family at the same time.

ARC generously provided, in exchange for the above honest review.
Profile Image for Jennifer.
Author 12 books983 followers
October 21, 2018
I have to admit something upfront. Although, I’ve been purchasing the books of the Shakespeare Sisters series, I hadn’t settled down long enough to read the first two installments. But when Absent in the Spring was released earlier this year, there was just something about the third book that begged me to pause and give it my full attention. I love it so much that when By Virtue Fall was set for release, I didn’t hesitate to seek this novel out immediately.

This book focuses on the story of Juliet Shakespeare, the second eldest of the 4 Shakespeare sisters. Having married an American after a whirlwind university romance, Juliet has been living in Maryland for the past seven years. When the book begins, Juliet is running her own florist shop, raising her five-year old daughter, Poppy, and carefully extricating herself from a broken marriage.

When Juliet is called to Poppy’s prestigious school to discuss an altercation with another student, she meets Ryan Sutherland, the father of the other child involved in the incident. Ryan has recently returned to Maryland to enroll his son, Charlie, in school. Having roamed the world as a freelance photographer, Ryan is looking to establish a small bit of stability for his young child, although his hometown of Shaw Haven is intended as a temporary residence.

Despite their rocky introduction, Poppy and Charlie become fast friends, and their friendship strengthens when they realize they live next door to one another. As single parents, Juliet and Ryan often find their paths crossing, and the more time they spend together a mutual attraction grows. They are both artistic, they both understand the high society pressures of life in Shaw Haven, and they both have an appreciation of the world beyond the small harbor town’s boundaries. Juliet and Ryan are a perfect match in so many ways, but Juliet’s soon-to-be-ex-husband does his best to thwart her evolving independence and blossoming romance with Ryan.

Although this is the final book in the series, it can be easily read as a stand alone and Carrie Elks fills in other essential details of the bigger picture effortlessly. I never felt confused or left scrambling to piece together information I may have missed in the earlier books.

I am a true and solid fan of this series. Since finishing By Virtue Fall, I’ve also read the second book, A Winter’s Tale, and am eager to read the very first novel, Summer’s Lease. These books are heavy with romance and the unconditional love of sisterhood, and there is no doubt that The Shakespeare Sisters will be one of my favorite reads of 2018.
Profile Image for Cyndi Becker.
1,365 reviews10 followers
October 11, 2018
Say it ain't so! I can hardly believe this series is complete. With By Virtue Fall all four of the Shakespeare sisters have had their story told and I for one have loved meeting this dynamic family. In By Virtue Fall we finally get middle sister Juliet's story. I am sad to see the series end, but getting to know the sisters has been a wonderful journey. Each have travelled their own unique paths and as one of four daughters myself I could highly relate to the intricacies of sisterly relationships.

In the previous three books we've learned a little bit about Juliet Marshall and her daughter Poppy. Although it appears Juliet is the more domestic of the sisters it's long been hinted that Juliet's marriage is in trouble and she is terribly unhappy. Domestic Bliss is not something she can relate to. In fact, in this chapter of the sisters stories, Juliet is separated and trying to co-parent with a soon to be ex who is rather entitled, annoyingly so, and who likes to try to control Juliet, despite their imminent divorce. But Juliet's about to discover her voice and an undeniable attraction to her new neighbor Ryan Sutherland.

To me, this is a second chance romance because in Ryan Juliet gets her second chance at happiness and a family. I love how the story unfolds and how Juliet blossoms under Ryan's watchful eye. The path is rocky as the small town of Shaw Haven includes family members that complicate life for both of them, but Juliet inspires as she learns to stand on her own while finding the ability to trust her heart.

This is such and enjoyable series and I urge readers of contemporary romance, lovers of Shakespeare, and proponents of second chances to get to know the Shakespeare sisters! 5 Stars!

*I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
Profile Image for Rachel Gilbey.
2,960 reviews540 followers
March 30, 2019
This was the last book in the Shakespeare Sisters series, this time finally featuring Juliet

She had been my least favourite sister going into this book, which may account for why it took me a while to get into the swing of things.

In fact the rest of the sisters barely feature at all which was a shame, and they were sorely missed by me.

It was though a new friendship turning into something deeper and more meaningful, at the same as Juliet is trying to get a divorce settlement from her ex-husband.

It was good to finally read about the last sister, and its another good book in the series, just not my favourite.

Thank you to Netgalley and Piatkus for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Profile Image for Ester Cordeiro.
38 reviews
September 2, 2020
Quando comecei a ler "Uma Luz no Outono" estava super animada, mas ao mesmo tempo com receio, pois o 3° livro me decepcionou bastante. Mas com certeza isso não aconteceu no 4° livro das irmãs Shakespeares, esse livro é super leve e com uma leitura muita fácil. Os personagens são maravilhosos, principalmente o Ryan com o seu jeito maduro de ver o mundo. Com certeza esse livro foi um ótimo desfecho para as irmãs Shakespeares.
Profile Image for Lectrice-lambda.
434 reviews8 followers
April 23, 2019
Après avoir passé un agréable moment de lecture avec le premier tome, « Les promesses de l’été » dont vous pouvez retrouver ma chronique en cliquant ici, j’étais plus qu’enchantée de plonger dans ce second opus, surtout parce que Juliet est la soeur que je souhaitais le plus découvrir.

Même si les tomes peuvent se lire indépendamment les uns des autres, je vous conseille quand même de suivre l’ordre de parution car les différentes soeurs apparaissent quand même dans chaque tome.

« A la grâce de l’automne » va nous faire découvrir Juliet et son quotidien qui n’est pas de tout repos.
Mère célibataire, elle se bat pour obtenir le divorce et la garde de sa fille. Ajouté à cela qu’elle a ouvert sa boutique de fleurs pour subvenir à ses besoins. Sans compter Thomas, son presque ex-mari qui ne lui facilite absolument pas la tâche, ni les critiques des nombreuses mères de famille de l’école huppée où est inscrite Poppy, sa fille.
Juliet n’a pas de temps pour elle. Elle veut concentrer toute son énergie pour sa fille, pour qu’elle vive au mieux cette séparation. Jusqu’au jour où elle a un nouveau voisin : Ryan.
Il est père célibataire d’un petit garçon qui va intégrer la classe de Poppy. Il est photographe et après avoir parcouru le monde, il a décidé de revenir s’installer dans sa ville natale pendant quelques mois.
Entre eux, l’attirance est immédiate. Mais Juliet est préoccupée par son divorce et Ryan va repartir dans peu de temps. Succomberont-ils à la tentation ?

Je peux déjà vous dire que j’ai passé un très bon moment de lecture, encore plus qu’avec le premier tome.

Dès le début, Carrie ELKS nous plonge dans le vif du sujet avec la rencontre entre Juliet et Ryan. Autant dire que c’est une réunion plutôt atypique, drôle, même si l’on perçoit déjà une partie des problèmes de Juliet et du poids qu’elle a sur ses épaules.
Dès lors, les rencontres vont se succéder, le fait qu’ils soient voisins arrange bien la chose. Très vite, une amitié va naître entre eux deux, amitié qu’ils vont essayer à tout prix de conserver pour ne pas succomber à l’attirance qu’ils ont l’un pour l’autre. Car oui, dès le début, on ne peut nier l’incroyable alchimie qui existe entre eux.

La romance a donc une place bien présente.
D’abord une attirance physique, puis les sentiments qui arrivent petit-à-petit. J’ai adoré cette douceur, cette lenteur à prendre conscience qu’ils sont bien plus que des amis. L’évolution de la relation entre Ryan et Juliet est belle à suivre, notamment parce qu’elle est dirigée par les enfants des deux parents.
Poppy et Charlie sont tout pour Ryan et Juliet. Tous les deux ne veulent que le bonheur de leurs enfants. A travers l’amitié des deux petits, les parents vont se rapprocher et se voir de plus en plus. Ils essaient aussi de les préserver en ne se montrant pas, en se cachant pour ne pas les perturber, ni leur faire espérer une relation qui est vouée à se terminer.

On parle énormément du divorce de Juliet, un sujet qui prend autant de place que Thomas, son mari. Il est le personnage que l’on aime détester, encore plus lorsque l’on voit comment il se comporte avec Juliet et jusqu’où il ose aller. J’ai aimé que l’auteur aille jusqu’au bout des choses et montre qu’une séparation ne peut pas être aussi facile que cela. Surtout lorsque l’on était femme au foyer et que son mari venait d’une famille aisée. Retourner sur le marché du travail, vivre au jour le jour, mais surtout devoir supporter les ragots des familles bourgeoises. On peut dire que Juliet est vraiment une femme forte qui a besoin d’une épaule sur qui se reposer.
De l’autre côté, il y a Ryan qui revient affronter les démons qu’il avait fuit.
Il n’est pas en reste concernant les problèmes, car sa famille ne l’accepte plus depuis qu’il est parti. Certains passages sont plutôt difficiles à lire, surtout que Ryan est un homme bon et simple.

Dans ce tome, Carrie ELKS exploite complètement sa facilité à nous faire ressentir des émotions différentes. J’ai adoré cette lecture pour sa douceur malgré toutes les pointes de noire qui jalonnent les chemins des personnages principaux.

La fin est toute en émotions, à l’image du livre. Pour moi, elle m’a amplement convenue.
Par contre, j’aurais aimé en savoir plus sur ce que deviennent Juliet et Ryan, mais aussi le reste des soeurs Shakespeare… Oui, car ce deuxième tome en français et en réalité le dernier sorti de la série en version originale. Du coup, ce final est la fin originale. Je suis un peu triste, mais aussi un peu déçue de savoir que je n’aurai pas plus que ça.


En conclusion, « The Shakespeare Sisters, tome 2 : A la grâce de l’automne » m’a complètement transporté. Carrie ELKS nous présente Juliet et Ryan, un duo détonnant qui change de ce que l’on peut trouver dans les romances. Tous deux parents célibataires, ils chérissent leurs enfants avec un tel amour que l’on fond devant eux.
Ce tome tout en sentiments et douceur aborde également des thématiques difficiles, notamment le divorce, mais aussi les conflits familiaux.

En clair, j’ai adoré du début à la fin cette lecture qui m’a fait voyager dans un monde plein de sentiments et de belles ondes.

( https://lectrice-lambda.blogspot.com/... )
Profile Image for Vania Nunes.
2,192 reviews46 followers
December 11, 2021
Juliet Shakespeare Marshal era a irmã casada, mãe de uma linda menininha, Poppy, de 6 anos... mas que vinha enfrentando uma separação conturbada.
Morando em Maryland, ela teria de esperar 1 ano de separada para finalmente se divorciar de Thomas Marshal, que vinha de uma família abastada que nunca escondeu não gostar de Juliet. Para eles, ela havia atrapalhado o futuro do filho, quando engravidou dele na época da faculdade.

Thomas, o pulha, valia-se de sua pose de macho para controlar Juliet, não querendo que ela continuasse com a vida, apesar de ele próprio já estar vivendo com outra mulher (e fazer a filha deles conviver com essa nova mulher quando buscava Poppy para passar algumas datas com ele).
Juliet se via presa e infeliz. Não tinha nem como viajar para Londres para visitar o pai, ou ir às Terras Altas conhecer o castelo do noivo de Lucy. Cesca estava de casamento marcado, e Juliet sequer sabia se poderia ir, quanto mais levar a filha (não sem a autorização do pai da menina).

A essa altura, você, leitor, já percebeu que alguns gatilhos podem atingir determinados leitores, não? Porque homens 'valentões' na separação se valendo de leis próprias para continuar mandando nas ex-esposas têm aos montes por aí.

Mas eis que na casa ao lado de Juliet se muda um pai solteiro.

Ryan Shaw Sutherland era fotógrafo, e tinha um filho da mesma idade de Poppy, Charlie.
A mãe do garoto havia sido uma noite louca com Ryan, na Namíbia, mas desde o início decidiram que não tinham nada em comum para serem um casal, e Ryan mais do que feliz ficou com a guarda total da criança.
Shaw Haven, a cidade onde moravam, fazia parte da família e da história de Ryan, por isso, ele quis apresentá-la ao filho. Mas o relacionamento entre Ryan e o pai era para lá de difícil. Era impossível.
O velho Sutherland só se importava com o dinheiro e não concordava com o fato de Ryan ter direito a ações da empresa, ao recebê-las do avô em testamento.

Juliet esperava seu tempo trabalhando como dona de floricultura. E vivendo em cidade pequena, sempre tinha alguma mãe de criança da escola de Poppy que desdenhava a condição de Juliet como separada. Porém, o belo pai solteiro recém chegado discordava dessa opinião, e de cara ficou encantado por Juliet.
Mas com Thomas vigiando todos os passos dela - e ela perigando ter isso usado contra ela na questão da guarda da filha -, como ela poderia incentivar o interesse de Ryan?

Apesar do medo, a atração era inegável, e os dois se aventuram em alguns momentos.
O perigo agora era ela se apaixonar, já que soube desde o início que Ryan estava ali por pouco tempo, tendo recebido uma oferta de trabalho irrecusável em NY.
Quando o casal em separação tem uma briga séria, e Ryan se mete defendendo Juliet, e a polícia é acionada, a beleza do relacionamento perde força e eles se separam.

Contudo, como se pode imputar culpa em alguém quando terceiros atrapalham?
Apenas depois que a poeira baixa que eles são capazes de ver que há possibilidade de uma segunda chance numa primeira vez.
4 estrelas

Profile Image for Peggy M.
748 reviews8 followers
September 26, 2018
I received an ARC of this book and this is my voluntarily, honest review of it.

‘By virtue fall’ is the fourth and last book of the ‘Shakespeare sisters’ series.
(I think you can read this book without reading the other books first but I also think that you will miss little details without reading them first.) After reading and liking the other three stories of this series, I was looking forward to reading Juliet’s story. One of the thing that make this story different than the other three stories is the fact that Juliet was in the middle of a divorce and that she has a child. So it’s not only a story about finding new love, it’s also one about saying goodbye to ‘old’ love. It’s about finding a balance between the past and the future. Something that isn’t always easy to do.

Juliet and Ryan didn’t meet in the perfect circumstances but luckily their second encounter was better. And then they discover that they are neighbours. That’s a big surprise for both. Both aren’t looking for love, Ryan because he will only be in Shaw Haven for a few months and Juliet because she’s in the middle of a difficult divorce but they will soon learn that love never wait for the perfect time. No! Love just want two hearts to meet and fall in love with each other. But both Ryan and Juliet have emotional scars and uncertainties, things that can destroy their romance even before it started. Can love really make everything all right in life?

The story is told from both POV’s.
Both Juliet and Ryan have known emotional pain and sadness in their childhood, something that they have in common and they will both do everything for their child. All these things make that they find comfort and understanding with each other.
I was very pleased by the man character, Ryan is an easygoing, confident, strong and caring man. He is also a single father who has the custody of his son. I can totally understand why Juliet would fall for him so soon after the failing of her marriage. Ryan is just a great guy, friend and neighbour.
I was very happy to see that Juliet didn’t became bitter after what happened in her marriage. She found the courage to follow a new pad. I liked that!
The fact that there were children involved gave the story that something more, I think. I certainly enjoy the interaction between them.

‘By virtue fall’ is a sweet and lovely story and I especially loved the fact that at the end, we saw all the Shakespeare sisters together. I really loved that. It is always a little bit sad when a series comes to an end but it’s also really joyful to know that all the sisters have found their soulmate and are happy.

(A little warning though, if you're a lover of steamy love scenes, then I wouldn’t recommend this book to you. Because you will not find them here. I didn’t mind that there weren’t any hot sex scenes in the book but I know that some people love them and want them in their books.)
Profile Image for Jeannie Zelos.
2,823 reviews55 followers
October 14, 2018
By Virtue Fall, Carrie Elks

Review from Jeannie Zelos book reviews

Genre: General Fiction (Adult)

I love Carrie Elks stories, have read almost all of them now, and she writes in a way that's perfect for me.
In fact looking through the ones I've read I've just decided of a reread of Love in London 2, Broken Chords. Fix you is another favourite that's been reread a few times...so I was eager to get into this.

I loved (five star loved) the first two in this series, somehow missed book three, and expected this to be another five star read. And yet...it wasn't. Its got Carrie's perfect pacing and story line, some great characters and some you love to hate. All things that make a book perfect for me and yet somehow it just didn't pull me in, keep me gripped.

I'm not sure why, I loved Juliet (London!) and Ryan, the kids were perfect and brought some wonderful levity, the school mothers, oh haven't we all met those types? There's one scene with Ryan and Juliet and The Mothers that I just loved!
The way they both are attracted right from the start yet hold off, Juliet because she's still dealing with divorce issues, the betrayal from her husbands affair, and doesn't feel ready, and Ryan because he knows he's only here a few months, that he'll be off again soon, and he too isn't looking for love. Yet it has a way of sneaking up on us slowly, catching us out.
Love never waits for the perfect time – life just isn't that neat, rarely do Life events and Perfect Time meet up!

Its really well written, finishes off the series neatly, (Cesca, she's still my favourite and I had a little lump in my throat picturing her in That Dress). For many readers I'm sure it will be exactly what they want, but for me it just didn't have that magic of the first two, of almost all Carrie's other stories I've loved. That happens, you can't please all of the people all of the time and all that..

Stars: Three, a well written story that fits the series but didn't quite hook me in as Carrie's stories usually do.

ARC supplied by Netgalley and Publishers
1,524 reviews7 followers
February 19, 2019
Juliet has left her controlling husband and is starting again with her daughter and the last thing on her mind is romance but her neighbour Ryan is rather irresistable! Ryan is a single dad and is only going to be around for a few months and so the last thing he wants is to start something that he can't finish but Juliet could be everything he wants in a woman. Can these two overcome their difficulties and find love?

Great to be back with the Shakespeare sisters I have loved the series and am sad that this is the last one but it finished on a good note....I particularly loved the character of Ryan and although it can be read as a standalone it is worth going back and reading the others first
Profile Image for Hailey (abookafterbook).
140 reviews19 followers
April 8, 2019



🇫🇷 J'ai trouvé ce tome moins intéréssant que le premier. Malheureusement je n'ai pas réussi à m'attacher au personnage, et j'ai trouvé l'histoire banale. La romance est mignonne mais j'ai trouvé ça un peu long.

🇬🇧 I found this volume less interesting than the first. Unfortunately I did not manage to attach myself to the character, and I found the story banal. The romance is cute but I found it a bit long.

•Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/abookafterb...
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Profile Image for Melanie Moreland.
Author 63 books4,939 followers
September 18, 2018
A story of discovering your strength, finding yourself, and learning love is a beautiful bouquet, not a hidden thorn that wounds. A beautifully written story of love. Carrie Elks has a way with her words that takes me into another world and leaves me breathless.

An amazing series I want to read over again!
Profile Image for T. Rosado.
1,786 reviews59 followers
October 11, 2018
5 Stars!

I love it when a book has all the right elements for an addictive and compelling experience. -

1. Great hero and heroine
2. Realistic backstories, conflict, and overall storyline
3. Angst w/o dramatics
4. Enjoyable secondary characters, whether vindictive or loving
5. Above all, excellent writing and wonderfully detailed.

By Virtue Fall is a standout among many in Women's Fic/Family Saga Romance. I'll miss the Shakespeare family, but whole-heartedly look forward to what this author is planning next.
Profile Image for Teresa Lara.
3,133 reviews47 followers
September 21, 2018
Love the Shakespeare sisters♡London and Ryans story is amazing beautiful intense sweet loving.So need more of this series.
Profile Image for Erika.
112 reviews20 followers
September 24, 2018
This is a first for me by this author.
I didn't realise this was part of a series but will be looking for the first 3 books in the series.

As the new owner of a flower shop in a small coastal town, Juliet’s trying her best to balance work & being a good mom to her young daughter Poppy.
She’s recently had the ideal life as a stay-at-home mom, but that is all turned upside down by her husband’s infidelity.
With a broken marriage behind her, Juliet is just about ready to give up on love.
She's living in a ramshackle bungalow in Shaw Haven and is desperately trying to build a new life with her daughter. But try as she might, the one thing she can't ignore is the man next door...

Ryan is a single dad who has returned to the hometown he fled as a teenager, to start his son Charlie in school.
As their kids become friends and favourite playmates, Juliet & Ryan discover they are pretty good together, too.
With lots of ups and downs, the unhappy soon-to-be-ex husband & Ryan’s dysfunctional family there are definitely bumps in the road.
As often the case is, their spark-filled path to happy isn’t smooth.
Will she end up with the handsome, charming, nomadic photographer?

I liked how the story is told from both Juliet and Ryan's point of view.

A thoroughly enjoyable read!!

Thank-You Netgalley for my ARC.
Profile Image for Simona.
613 reviews119 followers
January 2, 2019

*Book provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

I was very excited the start the forth book of the Shakespeare Sisters series, because I absolutely adored all the book and of course wanted to know what happens to Juliet.

Juliet has basically given up on love. Her marriage has no chance of surviving and her ex is being really difficult, especially when it comes to their daughter Poppy. He somehow also can’t let go and wants to control everything Juliet does.

Her neighbour Ryan is a single dad too and the two of them have instant chemistry. Their banter is fun and sweet. It’s not the best time for them to be together, but one thing leads to another. Drama and misunderstandings add some excitement to the storyline as well. I feel like they both got a second chance to find happiness, they just had to be true to themselves and deal with their past.

The children add a lot of charm as well, as does the detailed, vivid and passionate writing. Carrie Elks really understands how to create a unique atmosphere and exciting plot.

I loved catching up with the other Shakespeare sisters. It’s great to see what changed in their lives. I’m sad the series is over, especially after reading the adorable and wonderful epilogue.

A fabulous romance book, which offers so much more as well!
Profile Image for Mariana Alvares.
134 reviews5 followers
October 17, 2021
Último livro da tetralogia, vamos falar sério agora.

Os romancinhos são bons. Os marmanjos todos iguais, todos são padrão, saradíssimos, irresistíveis, gatos, ricos, e com passados de muita tristeza (afinal, tem que se esforçar pra sentir pena de homem, né?).

Todos os caras são iguais, mas as 4 irmãs são cheias de personalidade e dão o brilho pro rolê funcionar.

Esse último livro foi o romance que eu mais gostei, foi mais maduro, mas as cenas hot não foram descritas como nos livros anteriores. Acho que a atração principal é o jogo de não querer se render pro outro.

Acho também que nos quatro livros (e na maioria dos romances) todos os problemas que tentam separar os casais poderiam facilmente serem resolvidos com uma conversa. Em nenhum livro as pessoas CONVERSAM, desabafam, contam o que estão sentindo... Eu hein.

Eu gostei da tetralogia, uma boa distração... prometi só ler o primeiro e acabei voltando para ler tudo, com o rabo entre as pernas. Continuo dando três estrelas para tudo, mas sou eu não querendo dar o braço a torcer. Se você gosta desses livros, pode ler, valem mais que as três estrelas.

Acho que, comparado a alguns outros que li, esses 4 livros são muito bons até. Quero continuar fingindo não gostar de romance, mesmo procurando outros pra ler agorinha mesmo.
Profile Image for Reshu.
48 reviews
May 5, 2020
The fourth, and final, book in the Shakespeare Sisters series. Just could not leave this after reading all the three sisters .. This one is about Juliet and her daughter Poppy ... They found love at the most unexpected place and how they acknowledged it ... Wonderfully written and how it weaves the life of 4 sisters together ... loved it as a series..
380 reviews19 followers
September 16, 2018
What a way to end the series... with a great big cheesy grin on my face!! Juliet, the sister we've watched struggle in what appeared to be a loveless marriage through the series, has her own chance at happiness.. but will her controlling ex have the last say?!
Juliet is brave but needs to be shown she is and that's just where Ryan fits in.. seeing not only her beauty but also her strength he soon realises he wants to be more than just friends and neighbours. It takes Juliet a while to realise the same and she fights with herself and her desire along the way.
Can Ryan curb his wanderlust and put down roots though ?
They certainly have their fair share of ups and downs... no pun intended lol (Ok maybe a little bit intentional)... and they have a battle on their hands from more than one direction.. will Romeo win over his Juliet??
You'll need to read it and find out !!
This has been an amazing series and I'm sad to say goodbye to the Shakespeare sisters.. but can't wait to see what Carrie will bring us next as I have loved everything she has written !!
Profile Image for Marie-Eve Barbeau.
357 reviews11 followers
March 24, 2020
5 étoiles !

https://sevaderparlalecture.blogspot....

Bon lundi à tous !

Tout d'abord et même si nous sommes bombardés de publications sur le sujet, je tenais à vous dire que je vous envoie toutes mes pensées positives en ces temps difficiles et j'espère que vous faites attention à vous. Surtout, restez chez vous et profitez-en pour vider vos PAL. Dans mon cas, je fais partie des services essentiels, transport oblige, donc je dois encore sortir pour aller travailler, mais parfois, je donnerais tout pour rester chez moi loin de tout risques. De mon côté, j'ai choisi le meilleur moment pour avoir un rhume et je dois vous avouer que j'ai eu peur pendant quelques temps d'avoir été infectée par le COVID-19. Malgré tout, je prends du mieux rapidement et un appel au 811 a fini de me rassurer. J'espère donc être guérie rapidement pour pouvoir reprendre mon travail puisqu'à la demande de notre gouvernement, j'ai décidé de rester chez moi le temps que mes symptômes disparaissent pour ne pas prendre de chance. Alors, faites de même et protégez-vous ainsi que vos familles. Je vous en supplie.

Pour en revenir à la raison principale de cette chronique, je vous présente ce soir mon avis sur le roman À la grâce de l'automne de Carrie Elks, le deuxième tome de la série The Shakespeare Sisters. Par contre, quelqu'un m'a dit que ce tome-ci aurait peut-être été en fait le quatrième. Il n'y a que ma lecture des deux autres tomes qui pourront me le confirmer. Malgré tout, je n'ai pas eu de la difficulté à me plonger dans l'histoire parce que ce deuxième tome concerne une autre soeur Shakespeare. Dans ce tome-ci, nous suivons donc Juliet Shakespeare et son épopée entre son divorce et l'arrivée de son nouveau voisin. Encore une fois, j'ai adoré me plonger dans la vie de cette jeune femme et de la voir évoluer au fil des pages. Je me suis vraiment attachée à celle-ci et j'ai eu de la peine lorsque j'ai tourné la dernière page du roman tellement j'aurais voulu que celui-ci ne se termine pas. Carrie Elks a un don pour faire en sorte de nous faire oublier le monde extérieur lorsque nous plongeons dans ses écrits. Et pour tout dire, c'est tout simplement parfait en ce moment. Je me suis retrouvée menotter aux pages du roman et la seule chose que je voulais savoir c'était la suite. Cette auteure a su jouer avec mes émotions comme un marionnettiste joue avec les fils de ses marionnettes. Elle m'a amené de la joie à la tristesse et même à la colère. Ce roman m'a apporté à croire que les belles histoires d'amour existe toujours et que, parfois, elles se trouvent là où on s'y attend le moins. En somme, ce fut une super belle lecture.

Comme à mon habitude, voici venu le moment de vous faire un petit résumé du roman qui, je l'espère, vous donnera envie de plonger dans ce roman tout comme moi, j'ai pris plaisir à le faire. Le roman commence donc avec Juliet Shakespeare qui est une fois de plus en retard pour aller porter sa fille à l'école, mais cette fois, c'est à cause de son voisin qui est en train d'emménager et dont le camion bloque son entrée. Ce quelle ignore, c'est que sa vie qui a déjà vécu beaucoup de chamboulements dans les derniers mois est en veuille d'être chamboulée à nouveau. Il se trouve que sa petite fille et le petit garçon de Ryan, son nouveau voisin, se chamailleront et se retrouveront dans le bureau du principal. À partir de là, leurs vies se croiseront à plusieurs reprises et ils deviendront très proches. Ne voulant pas souffrir une nouvelle fois, Juliet se refusera à craquer pour Ryan qui n'est là que pour quelques mois. Ajoutez à ça un ex-mari possessif qui refuse que Juliet ait demandé le divorce et vous avez le cocktail parfait pour faire une très bonne histoire. Alors qu'arrivera-t-il à notre chère Juliet ? À vous de le découvrir en lisant ce roman !

En ce qui a trait aux personnages, je dois dire que j'ai bien aimé la panoplie que l'on peut retrouver dans cette histoire. En plus, chaque petit personnage a sa raison d'être et j'ai vraiment apprécié apprendre à les connaître les uns après les autres même ceux qui étaient détestables. Malgré tout, je ne peux pas vous parler de tous les personnages du roman sans prendre la chance de vous briser certains « punchs ». J'ai donc pris la décision de vous parler de Juliet Shakespeare. Cette jeune maman m'a beaucoup impressionné tout au long de ma lecture. Après avoir retrouvé son mari au lit avec une autre femme, elle a pris la décision de demander le divorce même si elle savait qu'elle devrait quand même vivre un an séparée de son mari avant que le divorce soit officiel. Voulant plus que tout épargner sa fille, elle s'était toujours écrasée devant Thomas, son ex-mari, mais petit à petit, elle prendra conscience de sa propre force intérieure, mais surtout de sa valeur en tant que femme et elle n'hésitera plus à prendre sa place et à faire valoir ses droits. On peut donc remercier Ryan qui l'aidera à prendre conscience de tout ça. J'ai adoré la voir évoluer tout au long du roman et redevenir enfin celle qu'elle avait toujours été avant son mariage. J'ai trouvé son parcours vraiment inspirant et je suis sûre que vous penserez comme moi après votre lecture.

En conclusion, ce deuxième tome de la série Shakespeare Sisters a été une très bonne lecture pour moi et je ne pense pas que je serais capable de choisir lequel j'ai préféré entre les deux tomes puisque je les ai chacun aimé pour des raisons différentes. Par contre, en ces temps difficiles, si vous cherchez un roman qui vous fera partir vers une autre destination et oublier votre quotidien, À la grâce de l'automne pourrait être parfait pour vous. Croyez-moi ! Vous ne vous ennuierez pas avec Juliet Shakespeare, c'est moi qui vous le dit !

Sur ce, je vous souhaite à tous de bonnes lectures et faites attention à vous !

Je tiens à remercier Hugo New Romance Québec pour la lecture de ce roman !
Profile Image for Poongothai.
539 reviews50 followers
May 29, 2020
Heartwarming romance of two single parents Ryan and Juliet coming together. Great end to the series.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the eARC
Profile Image for LecturesdeJenn ☾.
251 reviews58 followers
May 3, 2019
https://lecturesdejenn.wordpress.com/...

J’ai largement préféré ce second tome au premier « Les promesses de l’été« . L’histoire est plus creusée, profonde du fait de la relation houleuse de Juliet avec son futur ex-mari Thomas, son divorce qui occupe une part importante de l’intrigue, la relation de Ryan avec ses parents, les enfants des protagonistes qui apportent cette touche d’innocence et de légèreté au roman. Même s’il s’agit de tomes compagnons, je vous recommande de les lire dans l’ordre, car au fil des tomes, on retrouve les personnages précédents dans une relation plus avancée. Histoire d’éviter le spoil, lisez-les dans l’ordre.

Là où je me suis laissé porter par la relation de Cesca et Sam dans le premier tome, dans ce second tome j’étais complètement éprise par les personnages, j’étais happé dans leur quotient de parents, dans leur relation, leurs problèmes familiaux, les rivalités, les commérages des petites villes, etc.
Juliet est la sœur Shakespeare que je souhaitais découvrir avec le plus d’impatience. Elle est plus posée, calme, réfléchie et même mature comparée à sa sœur, qui va soumettre à la réflexion toutes ses actions dues à son rôle de mère. C’est une femme forte qui va consacrer tout son temps à sa fille et à sa boutique de fleurs. J’adore lire des romances où il y a des enfants, et retrouver dans cette romance deux parents célibataires, élevant seuls leurs enfants qui représentent tous peur eux, fut génial.

Je me suis rapidement attachée à Juliet. Sa vie et son passé font d’elle une femme forte, déterminée, prête à tout pour sa fille, Poppy, et en même temps insécure et parfois fragile. C’est un personnage qui m’a fait vibrer, m’a fait rire, m’a mis les larmes aux yeux, sans fanfreluches, simple, forte et fragile à la fois. Le genre de personnage auquel on s’attache sans difficulté, que j’ai tout simplement adoré suivre et qui va se révéler au contact de son voisin. Une relation agréable à suivre, contemporaine, comique et romantique.

Quant à Ryan, j’ai adoré ce personnage, que j’ai d’ailleurs préféré à Sam. Voisin de Juliet, père célibataire d’un adorable petit garçon, il revient dans sa petite ville natale pour lui offrir un peu de stabilité après avoir parcourut le monde, son appareil photo autour du cou. Par rapport à Sam, que j’avais tout de même bien aimé, Ryan est un personnage avec plus de caractère, plus intrigant, profond, sensible et homme. Je ne sais pas trop comment exprimer cet aspect-là du personnage mais j’ai trouvé que Sam manquait de ce truc que possède Ryan, qui le rend séduisant, charismatique, à l’écoute, touchant, attirant, et attentionné. En bref, j’ai adoré toutes les facettes de Ryan et de Juliet, de Charlie et Poppy qui m’ont fait craquer plus d’une fois et qui arrive à réunir leurs parents lors de situations aussi mignonnes que drôles.

La rivalité entre Juliet et Thomas et Ryan apporte du caractère et de l’intensité au roman. J’ai plus d’une fois eu envie d’étriper l’ex-mari de Juliet, lui faire manger ses mauvaises manières et son arrogance, sa suffisance et son statut d’homme riche et fondateur de la ville. Le plus du roman est que l’auteure nous donne un personnage à détester en plus des deux personnages que l’on adore. La relation entre les deux parents célibataires évolue progressivement, toute en douceur sans que cela ne vienne nous déranger. Il y a d’abord cette phase de séduction et d’attirance physique indéniable qui va laisser place à la naissance des sentiments, s’affirmant au fil des pages.

Un second tome qui surpasse le premier étant plus fluide, addictif, creusé, poignant, et intense. J’aime toujours autant les diverses références aux oeuvres de W. Shakespeare qui se fondent parfaitement dans l’histoire. Un roman qui nous donne envie de connaître Kitty pour la suite des aventures des sœurs Shakespeare.
Profile Image for Carole.
1,484 reviews52 followers
May 15, 2019
3.5/5

http://www.my-bo0ks.com/2019/05/the-s...


Après avoir découvert Cesca Shakespeare dans le premier tome de The Shakespeare sisters, j'avais vraiment hâte d'en savoir plus sur Juliet. Il faut dire que sa vie sentimentale semble marquer un tournant pour cette maman seule et propriétaire d'une boutique de fleurs.

Comme pour le premier tome, l'auteure, Carrie Elks, nous plonge dans son histoire avec beaucoup de délicatesse et de sincérité. J'apprécie toujours autant sa plume, à la fois simple mais poétique. Une romance comme je les aime avec juste ce qu'il faut pour passer un bon moment de lecture.

Juliet et sa petite fille Poppy, vivent désormais seules dans une maison qu'elles ne se sont pas encore véritablement appropriée. Pourtant, Juliet ne baisse pas les bras et tente d'apporter le meilleur à sa fille. Alors quand un nouveau voisin s'installe dans la maison voisine, c'est un peu leur quotidien qui est chamboulé. Il faut dire que le voisin en question ne manque pas de charme, et son fils s'est déjà bien lié d'amitié avec Poppy. Difficile de résister quand tout vous pousse à aller à sa rencontre.

Comme avec Cesca, j'ai de suite apprécié l'héroine, Juliet. Sincère, douce, aimante et drôle à la fois, cette jeune femme a le coeur sur la main et ne veut que le bonheur de sa fille. Tout de suite un attachement s'est fait avec ces deux là. Il faut dire que Poppy, qui n'a pas sa langue dans sa poche m'a de suite séduite. De son côté, Ryan est bien plus mystérieux. Ce papa affectueux et solitaire ne manquera pas de se faire remarquer. Pourtant, il garde ses problèmes personnels pour lui et laisse planer un doute concernant sa vie personnelle. Au fil des pages on le découvre vraiment à l'écoute, patient et super réglo !

J'ai vraiment bien accroché avec les deux personnages. J'ai trouvé qu'ils s'équilibraient l'un et l'autre pour former un duo certes improbable mais tellement adorable que cela débordait de bons sentiments. Leur évolution est intéressante à suivre et met du baume au coeur.

Comme pour le premier tome de The Shakespeare sisters, j'ai passé un très bon moment de lecture. La romance est légère, sexy tout en restant très soft avec juste ce qu'il faut de drame pour pimenter le tout. J'ai d'ailleurs particulièrement apprécié le fait que l'auteure mette vraiment en avant le fait qu'il soit parent avant tout. Que la présence des deux petits ne soient pas juste là pour planter le déco. Car bien souvent dans les romances, les enfants sont présents sans vraiment avoir une importance dans l'histoire. Eh bien ici, avec The Shakespeare sisters, ils ont leur mot à dire. Ils font partis intégrante de l'histoire et de l'évolution du couple. D'ailleurs, l'auteure aborde avec sincérité la complexité d'un divorce et de la garde d'un enfant en commun.

Cela aurait pu être aussi bien que le premier mais il m'a manqué un petit truc pour le rendre aussi exceptionnel que le premier, qui, je l'avoue avec son décor paradisiaque, m'avait envoûtée. Enfin, mon ultime petit reproche serait sans doute de ne pas avoir sortit les livres dans le même ordre que la VO. Certes, il s'agit de tomes compagnons et nous n'avons pas de grosses apparitions des sœurs mais en revanche, ce tome nous dévoile l'identité (et plus) les personnages masculins des tomes sur les deux sœurs restantes... Moi qui ne lit pas les résumés des tomes suivants dans les séries pour avoir la surprise, j'avoue que c'est plutôt mal joué.

En conclusion, un bon (second) tome. Cette série continue de me plaire et j'apprécie toujours autant de suivre le couple précédent dans la suite de l'histoire. J'ai désormais plus que hâte de me plonger dans le tome 3, La magie de l'hiver !
Profile Image for Lucie.
1,013 reviews38 followers
April 18, 2019
The Shakespeare Sisters est décidément une chouette série, elle se différencie des autres titres de la collection New Romance, en étant moins érotique et ce second opus parvient à se démarquer complètement du précédent opus dans une ambiance plus cocooning. En toute honnêteté j’avais très peur de lire cette suite, ayant appris qu’il s’agit du quatrième opus dans la version originale j’avais peur que des éléments clés des deux autres sœurs soient dévoilés et heureusement seul d’infime évocation sont faites. Juliet est la sœur qui me faisait le plus envie, la faute à son statut de maman et on peut dire que je n’ai pas été déçue par cette histoire !

Juliet Shakespeare est à un tournant de sa vie, séparée de son mari depuis 6 mois, elle tente de s’épanouir d’une part dans l’éducation de sa fille et d’autre part dans le développement de sa boutique de fleurs. Il y a six ans, elle était loin d’imaginer que sa vie prendrait cette direction, mais aujourd’hui, elle tente de reprendre le cours de sa vie et de s’en sortir seule, hors de question pour elle d’écouter encore une fois son traître de cœur qui la conduit dans un mariage catastrophique. Seulement ce mantra c’était avant de faire la connaissance de son charmant nouveau voisin Ryan Sutherland, un enfant du pays revenu dans la région avec son fils. La maman est bien décidée à fuir son séduisant voisin, seulement difficile d’éviter la personne qui vit en face, surtout quand son fils sympathise avec l’adorable fille de Juliet. Son programme était simple, mais Ryan a réveillé Juliet.

J’apprécie déjà énormément lorsqu’il y a un enfant dans les histoires et bien que ça puisse déranger certain, c’est mon péché mignon, alors tomber sur deux parents célibataires qui élèvent leur enfant c’est un peu le combo gagnant. Immédiatement on s’attache au personnage de Juliet, son parcours fait d’elle une femme forte et même s’il elle ne le voit pas, elle s’en sort merveilleusement bien. Son caractère est plus effacé, mais depuis sa séparation et son divorce imminent, elle tente de s’affirmer et s’épanouit dans sa nouvelle vie. Depuis six mois, sa vie tourne autour de sa boutique et de sa fille, alors l’arrivée de Ryan va venir chambouler sa vie et bien qu’elle n’envisage pas de nouvelle relation, l’attraction est immédiate et personnellement j’aurais du mal à résister quand on le voit avec son fils. Pourtant malgré qu’elle lutte, cette rencontre, va lui offrir un nouveau souffle.

Ryan a eu la même éducation que le futur ex-mari de Juliet et pourtant il ne pourrait pas être plus opposé. Ryan revient à Shaw Haven après des années à parcourir le monde et ce retour c’est l’occasion pour lui d’offrir la stabilité à son fils, et immédiatement on voit les sacrifices qu’il est prêt à faire par amour, donc quand les premiers sentiments amoureux font leur apparition, notre héros va se montrer à l’écoute des besoins de Juliet et renoncer à cette attirance, si cela peut permettre à notre héroïne de ne pas en souffrir. Cette proximité va immédiatement créer une complicité et grâce à Charlie et Poppy, ils vont se côtoyer malgré eux et apprendre à se découvrir en toute amitié. Mention spéciale pour ces deux adorables bambins qui m’ont immédiatement fait craquer.

Un second opus tout en douceur qui remplit à merveille les cases d’une belle romance, certes l’intrigue n’a rien inventé, mais finalement ce n’est pas ce qu’on lui demande, l’histoire est cohérente, les personnages vont développer une complicité et les émotions sont belles. Sans compter que nos personnages vont tirer un enseignement l’un de l’autre et personnellement j’ai un excellent dimanche en leur compagnie, c’était un moment de détente comme je les aime, il y a des sourires, des moments touchants et surtout une belle romance.

Ma chronique : my link text
Profile Image for Adele.
831 reviews
December 17, 2018
By Virtue Fall is the fourth and final instalment in the Shakespeare Sisters series. Each story can be read as a standalone but I wholeheartedly recommend reading all the books in the series in order as characters from each novel do crop up in future stories and to be honest it’s an adorable, addictive series. Each Shakespeare sister; Lucy, Juliet, Cesca and Kitty have their own personality traits and also have their own story to tell. After reading each one I say to myself that I loved so and so’s story the most, or I thought that the author Carrie Elks couldn’t have written a better story than the first but then along comes another sister’s story and you fall in love all over again with each individual sister and their respective tale.
The books in the series in order are:
Summer’s Lease
A Winter’s Tale
Absent in the Spring
By Virtue Fall
Each book takes you to a gorgeous location and with Juliet, we travel to the states to Maryland. Juliet is in the middle of a messy divorce from her husband Thomas. The best thing to come out of their marriage is their six year old daughter Poppy. Now coping as a single mother Juliet is working hard with her floristry business. Juliet’s other love in her life is flowers and she especially loves the meaning surrounding flowers and matching them to certain situations.
When Juliet first encounters Ryan Sutherland it’s under rather strained circumstances but a mutual appreciation of the highs and lows of parenthood breaks the ice and a friendship soon blossoms.
Ryan Sutherland is also a single parent and originated from the area but left under a dark cloud. However, he decides to make a temporary home back in Maryland with his son Charlie till his new job starts in New York. There is a lot of tension still bubbling between Ryan and his father and it soon becomes evident that the saying ‘absence makes the heart grow fonder’ has not worked. Ryan holds a strong, charismatic bravado but there is a vulnerability behind his eyes. With Ryan just in the area on a short term basis he doesn’t expect to meet with a kindred spirit in Juliet. A beautiful young woman whose life is currently in turmoil and at times she appears a little fragile.
Is the timing wrong for romance to blossom between Juliet and Ryan? Will her ex Thomas, who precariously holds a string controlling Juliet’s life, put a thorn in any future happiness for Juliet?
With complications in life and love comes a beautiful blossoming romance that is intoxicating and gorgeous.
I’ve completely loved the Shakespeare Sisters series by Carrie Elks; I’ve felt like I’ve known Lucy, Juliet, Cesca and Kitty; I’ve cried with them, laughed with them and have cheered them all on. A set of beautiful, sexy and adorable stories.
Profile Image for Jolanda Gelissen.
397 reviews11 followers
October 11, 2018
This is actually the fourth and final book in the Shakespeare Sisters series, but it is the first one I read. There are some events referenced that probably took place in the previous three, but I found I could enjoy this book without having yet read the others.

We meet Juliet about six months into her divorce proceedings. She just wants to settle into her new home with her daughter Poppy, establish her business, and negotiate a favourable divorce settlement. She tries to steer clear of her soon-to-be ex-husband’s temper, so as to not upset her careful balance. She is definitely not looking for love.

Enter Ryan, moving back to his hometown after years of absence. Coincidentally, he moves in next-door to Juliet. Poppy quickly befriends Ryan’s son Charlie, and as a result Juliet is often exposed to him. Their attraction is mutual and immediate, but they both have their reasons to fight it. The scenes where they obviously struggle to contain themselves are full of sizzling UST, which raises anticipation for when they finally give into their feelings.

Juliet’s British heritage shines through in her language and mannerisms, which I really liked. It shows the reality of retaining bits of where you came from. I also highly enjoyed her interactions with her sisters, which made me want to pick up the other books in the series as well.

It is clear that Juliet is working to carve out a new life for herself and finding her own identity. She tries to follow her passions and strives to be responsible. I found her very likeable, although I’d have preferred for her to stand up for herself some more in regards to her ex-husband.

Ryan is the right guy at what at first looks like the wrong time. He’s a breath of fresh air in a town where everyone knows everyone’s business, and where Juliet finds herself left out since her separation. He’s clearly into her, but doesn’t want to rush or pressure her. Earning points there, Ryan. Not hiding his desire for her, though? That’s downright swoon-inducing.

I really disliked Thomas, which is a testament to the character description. I found him selfish and unreasonable, a master of double standards. At times I wanted to just pummel him. It was interesting to see how Juliet dealt with that.
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