I really loved this book. I loved the history and the mystery of the story. I also love books that have journals or diaries as part of the story line because I love reading about someones life from their perspective. I will definitely be sharing and recommending this book. ( )

From the Goodreads synopsis:

"From the author of "If Wishes Were Horses" comes a novel of long-buried secrets and self-discovery, showing us that sometimes what goes unsaid is more powerful than words. . . .

Chelsea Enright never expected to inherit her grandmother's lakeside cottage deep in the Adirondacks--a serene getaway that had been mysteriously closed up decades ago. This is no simple bequest, however, because when Chelsea finds her grandmother's WWII diaries, she's stunned to discover that they hold secrets she never suspected . . . and they have the power to turn her own life upside down.

Even more surprising is the compelling presence of local doctor Brandon Yale, and Chelsea soon finds her "short stay" has stretched into the entire summer. She cannot put this cottage and her family's past behind her easily--and the more she learns about the woman her grandmother truly was, the more Chelsea's own life begins to change . . . and nothing will ever be the same again."

I was fortunate to receive both of Mr. Barclay's novels through the LibraryThing Early Reviewer program over the past two years. I have to admit that I actually enjoyed this book a little bit more than the first.

I took this book for what it was, an enjoyable light read. Nothing more, nothing less. I thought that the author's writing style was a lot like Nicholas Sparks'. A typical romance.

I enjoyed reading the diary entries of Chelsea's grandmother,Brooke, from her time spent up at the cabin during World War II along with Chelsea and Brandon. I also found myself getting lost in the budding romance between Chelsea and Brandon. I liked how the circumstances seemed to run parallel between Brooke and Chelsea's lives while at the cabin.

I would recommend this book to those that love a good romance. ( )

"More Than Words Can Say", by Robert Barclay, was a wonderful discovery for me as a reader. This is a perfect book for someone who loves romance, emotionally rich family drama, and has a sentimental attachment to WWII era fiction, which alternates with the modern-day story line of the book. I am also a foodie, and I was thrilled with this aspect of the book, and I love the recipes which are named for famous people of the WWII time setting. I must try "Clark Gable's Grapefruit Cake"--sounds most delicious! I am a long-time romance reader, having consumed an immeasurable number of lovely romantic stories written mostly by female authors. Mr. Barclay has created a bittersweet, sentimental tale with well-written women characters and an involving parallel story line. He moves the story between a summer at the beginning of the Second World War and a summer in the present, and blends romance with an element of mystery. When Chelsea Enright inherits a lakeside cottage from her beloved grandmother, Brooke, she also receives her grandmother's journal and recipe book. Suffering the loss of her grandmother, Chelsea has no idea how much her life will be changed when steps forward to claim her inheritance. Meeting her attractive and empathetic neighbor, Brandon Yale, is an unexpected relationship that offers long-yearned-for fulfillment. The past must be embraced, and what cannot be changed must be accepted. Some long-held secrets and deeply buried truths should remain in silent slumber. Only today and tomorrow can be begun with a new wisdom and appreciation. I very much enjoyed this work by Robert Barclay, and I also have added his first book, "If Wishes Were Horses" to my own wish list.

Review Copy Gratis Library Thing ( )

I always feel bad when I have to give a bad review, but here goes....

This book description sounded good: A young woman (Chelsea) inherits her grandmother's lake cottage -- a cottage that has been boarded up for over 50 years -- as well as all its secrets. So off goes Chelsea to rediscover the cottage in an attempt to learn more about her grandmother. The plot was okay. However, it was pretty predictable & not overly original.

The thing that bothered me the most was the writing style. It was way too flowery, too cliche'd, & just overwhelmingly hokey. I found myself wanting to gag over and over again. There were unnecessary details, cliches, outdated prose, & phrases repeated to excess. Chelsea's thoughts to herself were especially annoying. I often felt like I was reading a bad soap opera -- it was so overly dramatic. I don't consider myself a professional writer (not even close), but this book made me want to sit down & rewrite the whole story. I'm convinced I could've done it better. ( )

This one took me a while to read. It contained a wonderful storyline, but at times it seemed to not go anywhere or as quickly as I would have liked it to. Some of the descriptions were a bit overdone and I found myself growing bored at times. For me, the novel was good, but it took too long to finalize. ( )