Summer Breeze

Like its title suggests, Thayer's newest (after Heat Wave) is a light bit of chick-lit that's nice while it lasts, but ultimately unmemorable. Set in the Berkshires, this is the story of one tumultuous summer spent on the shores of Dragonfly Lake, where three women come together to reckon with themselves and reassess their lives. Natalie is a young painter from NYC housesitting for her wealthy aunt; Bella is a lifelong resident returned home to care for her mother and help transform her gift shop into a success; and Morgan is a former career woman turned stay-at-home mom whose husband, Josh, spends all his time at work. The three ladies become fast friends, and during the course of the sweltering season, Natalie falls for Bella's absent-minded brother, Bella shirks the admiration of Aaron in favor of Natalie's charismatic brother, and Morgan conjures the courage to assert her own aspirations and push Josh to compromise. Readers will delight in these women's struggles to reconcile their desires and dreams with the cards they've been dealt in this delicately interwoven fluff story. (June)