Wow! I love this series! In this third installment of the Series of Love books the budding relationship between Sam and Lydia is truly put to the test. The emotions that are displayed in all the books but specifically this one are raw and powerful. The characters are amazing and the fact that each of these book is another leg in the couples journey truly makes them feel real and lets us get to know them. I finished this book with equal parts of tears and joy. This is one (the entire series) that should be on everyone's must read list. I highly recommend it! ( )

This is the 3rd book in Jennifer Gracen's saga of Sam and Lydia. Lydia is recently divorced, and has a child who has been the most important thing in her life. In fact, she thinks Andy is the only good thing that came out of her first marriage. However, Lydia has met Sam and is very attracted to him, but for Andy's sake, she will only consider moving into a new relationship slowly and cautiously. Sam lost his wife to cancer, and Lydia is the first woman that he has felt an interest in since his wife's death. All doesn't go smoothly for the two as their relationship develops and the book centers around these 'real life' examples of events that actual couples face today. I found this an enjoyable read, even though I had not read the first two books in the series. It was not a typical romance with a happily ever after ending, but more a window into today's culture of dating the second time around. ( )

Lydia was not looking for love. After a nasty divorce, she has been devoting herself to her son Andy and her own life. However, Sam comes on the scene shortly after her divorce is final and both are smitten. However, each must deal with their respective pasts before they can settle into a slid relationship. This book covers their coming together as a couple. There are many ups and downs, turns and twists to their relationship, which made for interesting reading. However, sometimes the book went a bit too slow for me. Sometimes I hated the two main characters for their ties to their pasts and their inability to break free and for the callous ways they reacted and treated each other However, the path to love never runs smoothly, as we all know, and this book definitely proves that. I also found that the romance, though at times moving along quickly and smoothly did not go fast enough for me, and it seemed as if, at times, the author was deliberately slowing things down. I guess the next book will bring them closer and perhaps even cement the deal. The book is well written. The characters are well developed. This book will appeal to anyone who enjoys a good romance, with all the ups and downs one can bring. If you have not read the others in the series, this one is a stand-alone, though it does help to know some of the characters’ back stories to fully understand what is going on. I received this from Library Thing read and to honestly review. ( )

Title: Spring Shadows
Author: Jennifer Gracen
Publisher: Booktrope Edition
Series: Series of Love # 3
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Review:

"Spring Shadows" by Jennifer Gracen

Book Description....

"Lydia wasn’t looking for love. Having just finalized a difficult divorce, she attended her best friend’s destination wedding with a simple plan: to reconnect with old friends and take a much needed break from the stresses of single parenthood. But life had more in store for her. In AUTUMN GETAWAY, Book One of the Seasons of Love series, Lydia connected with charming, sensitive Sam over that weekend, and took a chance on someone new. Then, in WINTER HOPES, Sam and Lydia explored the excitement of blossoming romance. Even though a long distance relationship isn’t easy, in each other they found renewed hope, both overcoming past losses to learn to trust and love again.

Now, in SPRING SHADOWS, Book Three of the series, author Jennifer Gracen brings Lydia and Sam one step closer to lasting happiness. But it isn’t all romance and roses. The realities of a long distance relationship held between Chicago and New York start to take a toll. Add in the complications posed by Sam’s overprotective brother, Lydia’s difficult ex-husband, and an unexpected tragedy, and it all threatens to tear them apart before they’ve even begun to truly be together.

Lydia and Sam must face their pasts and come to terms with old fears and insecurities. They need to focus on the things that really matter: true love, forgiveness, compassion, and fearless commitment--another leap of faith. Full of the sweetness and heartfelt emotion you’ve come to expect from the Seasons of Love series, SPRING SHADOWS shows us the power of purposeful communication, understanding, and unrelenting self-awareness, proving that true, lasting love is possible when nurtured by healing and hope."

What I liked about this novel....

This author did a wonderful job with this third series making the characters seem to come alive on the pages. I would highly suggest you read the first two series so you will be caught up with what is going on between the main characters Sam and Lydia as their relationship evolves. These two people really go through a lots of drama with Lydia, son, her ex(a real piece of work) and with Sam's death of his wife and lets not leave out his brother. How will Lydia work out her problems and come out of the shell that she seems to run to as things are opened up and revealed? I will say sometimes Lydia really had me shaking my head but thank God for her friends who were there and able to help her get on the right road. Now, if only she will stay on it. It was quite interesting reading about Lydia, her friends and what a family that Sam had. I will say that all of the secondary characters were all well developed, well portrayed and believable group. Be prepared for a good read that will bring it all out to the reader...drama, frustrations, intense interactions, grief, tears, raw emotions, great sex, and love as you will get caught up in this well written amazing story. After reading "Springs Shadows" we will be left waiting for the next series 'Sumer Champagne' to see how this author will bring it all to a end. Would I recommend this series? YES! ( )