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Book Review: The Lumby Lines by Gail Fraser
March 31st, 2010
The Lumby Lines by Gail Fraser is one I would class as a comfort read. It’s been compared to Jan Karon’s Mitford series which I loved – but I really didn’t find it like the Mitford series at all but still I found it enjoyable. It started out slowly for me with the characters and story line being a bit confusing but once I got used to everyone I found myself not wanting to put the book down.
Mark and Pam Walker, a busy East Coast married couple, want something different from their lives and to spend more time together. While vacationing in Wheatley where they’ve been numerous times they run across Montis Abbey – an old monastery that now stands abandoned on the outskirts of the little town of Lumby. Lumby’s Main Street is described as…
‘Small storefronts and restaurants, with colorful awnings that flap in the summer breeze and warm stoves that burn within during long winter months, line sidewalks of raised flower beds, scattered fruit trees and brightly painted wooden benches’. (pg 37)
Sounds divine to me. The Walkers buy the property and set out to restore it to it’s former condition. Their intention is to open it as a historic landmark country Inn. As they go along costs tumble out of control but every time they look around and see what they have, their hopes of making it work keep them moving forward.
Along with the costs they also find that some of the citizens aren’t all that happy to have them there especially old William Beezer, the owner of the town newspaper. Then there are others though who offer them support and help like a few of the old monks and others from the town. Along the way old secrets are revealed and maybe some old angers are healed.
I found it hard at first to connect with any of the characters because I think too many were introduced. While I have to say that I really didn’t form any strong connection to anyone in the story I liked several characters like the Walkers, Brooke and Joshua and several others from the town. I like the way the author described the area and the things going on. For me this was one of those that I call a slow and easy read that leaves you feeling good and we can all use that. There are some cute little pictures throughout the book and a Sheriff’s Complaints section that came along quite often that was kind of funny as well as the newspaper articles from The Lumby Lines that were entertaining.
The Lumby Lines by Gail Fraser is the first in a series of five books. You can visit Gail Fraser’s website to learn more about her books. I do believe I will read more of this series. I enjoyed this book and was left curious enough to want to know what will come next for the Walkers and the residents of Lumby.
My thanks…to Caitlin with FSB Associates for my review copy of The Lumby Lines by Gail Fraser.
Filed under 2010 ARC Challenge, 2010 Book Reviews, 2010-100+ Challenge | Comments (14)
I think that this is such a common fantasy…to fix up an old structure and run a B&B, so I think this book would have a wide appeal. But it can be overwhelming when there are so many characters! So much work!
I can't wait to get to my copy, but I hope that I connect with someone….I hate it when there are so many characters that you can't keep track of them!!! I have the entire Mitford series and haven't read one of them!!!
Sounds like an enjoyable read to me. Thanks for your review, Darlene!
I've seen this book in BAM several times, but I never really had the urge to buy it. It just didn't sound like something I would like, but maybe I'll pick it up since you've given it a good review.
i would love to read this one,good review!
I don't like it when there are too many characters in a book. I wonder if that improves as the series goes on?
It sounds like it might be a bit of confusing read, what with all those characters! Otherwise, this would be a perfect quiet read for me. Great review, Dar!
A friend recommended this series to me and I have this book TBR. It can be confusing to me when there are a lot of characters as well.
This sounds like a really good read, though I tend to have difficulty with novels with too many characters to care about.
I often fantasize about owning and running a B&B. Sometimes incorporating many characters will work when executed effectively, but like Sandy has pointed out, it can be overwhelming as well.
I find that is the case when I read THE SMOKE JUMPER. I didn't feel connected to the characters but it's a shame because the premise of the story is good.
Fool # 2, I'm told.
Bill
billsmith2003 (at) gmail (dot) com
Hope you'll check out my book giveaway:
http://drbillsbookbazaar.blogspot.com/2010/03/book-giveaway-back-to-homeplace.html
http://thehomeplaceseries.blogspot.com/
I have this one as well, it does sound good. Great review
Glad you enjoyed it.
http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/
Sometimes a comfort read is just the perfect thing, isn't it?
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