Hurricane Season

I think I have a new favorite writer. While not overtly Christian, this book is loving, realistic, and truthful without being sensational or sappy, and, thankfully, without the trend of foul language, which I am greatly disturbed by. I loved the characters, and the elements about how families interact and deal with each other. Betsy stole my heart, as I feel I am most like her, and yet always wished I was more like Jenna. I loved this story and wish Ms. Denton would write a sequel!

Ms. Denton has written another moving, beautiful book. This book was impossible to put down. For me, it was a wonderful break from the harsh realities of today. If you enjoy reading for pure pleasure, don’t pass this one up.

I really enjoyed Lauren Dentons first novel, The Hideaway, so I thought I would try this one. It surpassed The Hideaway in so many ways, always keeping me guessing, hoping and wondering what would happen for these two sisters and their families…which choices they would make. Both novels are good, clean, interesting and fun stories. They got me laughing and tearing up – occasionally both at one time. Unlike The Hideaway, which wrapped up fairly nicely, Hurricane Season left me wanting a sequel so I could find out what happens after this novel stops. I hope she will write one!

It is an even story about a relationship between two sisters who love each other but are not as close as they both would like to be. Through the course of one summer, they get to know each other better and find that the preconceived notions they each had about the other was not really the case. In some ways the story was predictable, however I enjoyed the different settings and the character developments.

Hurricane Season is Lauren K. Dentons second book. It is a Southern Romance novel. Like The Hideaway and Glory Road it is a standalone read.

The story is told from three POVs Jenna, Betsy, and Ty (Betsys husband).

Betsy and Ty Franklin are the owners of Franklin Dairy. Ty tends the cows and Betsy handles the day to day operations. Approaching 30, Betsy has given up having her own children due to repeated issues in conception.

Betsys younger sister Jenna; is a single mom to two daughters Addie (5) and Walsh (3). Jenna is working at a coffee shop to support herself and her children.

Jenna gets an opportunity to pursue her lifelong ambition (photography) at a retreat but she has to find someone to care for her daughters for two weeks. Thats where Betsy comes in. Reluctantly, Betsy says yes it is only two weeks.

Jenna is having her own crisis at the retreat. After being given a rare opportunity to stay longer than the original two (2) weeks and work on her photography, she wonders if she should stay or rush home. She wants to have something to show for her life and feels she wont get another chance to do something like this again. Jenna misses her children who seem to be adjusting well with Betsy and Ty. But, she isnt being told the entire story either. Betsy is having issues in dealing with two little reminders of what my body cant do. A very powerful line in this novel. And, that puts a strain on Betsy and Tys marriage.

As weeks drag out, and a hurricane makes its way towards the farm Ty, Betsy, and Jenna have to sort out what they want in life and what their choices will mean.

Hurricane Season not only refers to the storm season and the approaching storm, but the storms in our personal lives choices to make, lives affected, and the consequences of such.

Jenna undoubtedly wants to do more with her life than serve coffee, but she also has two small children who rely on her. She leaves her children with her sister without advance notice or discussing the impact it would have on her sister as well as Ty. True Jenna didnt have much notice but it shouldve been discussed more thoroughly with her sister. I also feel that Betsy shouldve been more honest with her sister throughout the story.

Betsy isnt quite 30 when the story begins and has been trying to have children since she was 25. Seeing and caring for Jennas children, brings out some resentment which is understandable to a point, considering Jenna didnt want kids. If I can be honest, 30 isnt that old. Some women have kids in their late 30s to mid 40s.

Tys frustration was understandable. He knew the infertility issues his wife was having. His primary goal was to protect Betsy. He wasnt good at communicating what he wanted either. He was wonderful in interacting with the kids though.

I felt sorry for Addie and Walsh. They adored their mother and didnt understand what was going on.

Max and Gregory

I felt that while Max was looking out for Jenna and her talent, he was failing to understand that she was the kids only caregiver. What did he expect her to do with her kids while she spent even two weeks at Halcyon? What if her sister decided to say no?

Gregory was another problem like Max, he was only focused on Jennas talent not her responsibilities. The two guys saw nothing wrong with pawning the kids off on Jennas sister, and by extension Jenna saw nothing wrong with it either.

Denton did a wonderful job with creating family strife as well as the impact of indecisions on our lives, and how it affects those around us. She definitely drove home the point about it appears selfish when we follow dreams/goals, but also about how we should think about more in life than just making ends meet.

Can we fit what we want into what we need? Is pursuing a dream job with the potential to earn more money worth sacrificing family, and a job that does pay the bills? At one point is it alright to make decisions with others in mind? Or should we only consider ourselves.

As a fan of Dentons Glory Road, I wanted to read her previous work. This is admittedly the weakest of the three books she has released. It wasnt a bad read, but it wasnt as enjoyable as the other two.

Galaxyaudiobook Member Benefit

- Able to comment

- List watched audiobooks

- List favorite audiobooks

- Bookmark will only available for Galaxyaudiobook member