Bitter Sweet

I've read this book at least once a year for 20 years. It's a sweet love story that takes place in Door County. I've not visited there yet, but will one day.

Book holds your attention and greatly written

I wasn't crying, but it was close. The way they felt for each other consumed me. I was so into this book. I was yearning for them to be together and they had all these obstacles. Finally they get their happy ending together. It's about a powerful love. The main characters are 40-ish.Caution, some readers will not like this because it's a sympathetic look at adultery. Maggie tried to avoid any connection. Eric tried to be faithful. He wanted to be faithful, but he married the wrong woman. There is also a brief scene of spousal rape.It's about forbidden love. It's also about people making changes in their lives to find happiness for different reasons. I love books about people make changes.Vera the bitter unloving mean mother hit home. I know people like that or who have damaged relationships due to her type of personality. Nancy the lying selfish amazingly beautiful model-type. She wouldn't give Eric a divorce. She did everything she could to keep him, even though he didn't love her. The story was good because of the depth of characters like these. It made the story rich. Not enough of that is done by many current day authors.Do I have complaints? Yes - in spoilers.CAUTION SPOILERS:My main complaint was that after Eric left his wife, he should have told Maggie that he was separated and that he was hurrying the divorce as quickly as possible. But he didn't call or contact her in any way for six months! The result was she thought she was alone forever and she put up her home for sale. She planned to move away. His reason was that he promised his mother he wouldn't talk to Maggie until he had his divorce. That was a stupid promise. I'm sure his mother would have allowed him to at least inform Maggie of his plans before Maggie arranged to move - or at least have his mother inform Maggie what he was doing. The book was full of well done conflict. It didn't need this contrived conflict at the end.A minor complaint. Having children was the most important thing in Eric's life. So the first time he sees and holds his baby, he takes the baby and Maggie for a ride in his truck. He had no car seat for the baby. A risk! Car seats for babies were mandatory when this was written. His action did not fit his motivations. He took time to decorate the truck with flowers for Maggie. He should have included a car seat. It's not like he was giving them a ride unexpectedly. I'm overdoing it, I know, but some things just get stuck in my craw.END SPOILERS.Occasionally I felt there was a bit too much time describing things. But that was minor.DATA:Narrative mode: 3rd person. Book length: 460 pages. Swearing language: moderate to strong, including religious swear words but rarely used. Sexual language: mild. Number of sex scenes: about 8. Setting: around 1988-1989 mostly Door county, Wisconsin with a little Seattle, Washington. Copyright: 1990. Genre: contemporary romance, divorce.

I bought this book when I belonged to a book club back in the day and I was afraid to read it again for fear it would fall apart in my hand!! I looked up the book on Amazon and bought it again for my Kindle Fire and loved just finished it and loved every page once again!!

I read this book over 20 years ago and enjoyed it so much. I bought and downloaded it on vacation and still enjoyed it; however, the digital version is filled with typos. It’s very distracting and I hope the publisher fixes it.

This is one of my favorite books. Wonderful story. And as a frequent visitor to Door County, it brings back wonderful memories. I have vivid pictures in my mind's eye as I know many of the places she describes. If you have been to Door County, you will love this story. And if you haven't been there, may it inspire you to visit the Door!

I've read Bitter Sweet many times over the years, it's one of those books that you can read over and over again. The way LaVyrle Spencer writes makes you feel like your right there with all the characters of the story. The way she describes Door County makes me feel lime I'm there. I've read all her books throughout the years and I was sad when she retired from writing, her books are greatly missed.

I purchased Bittersweet in 1990 when it first came out. Since then I’ve probably read it 10 times. Recently, I decided I wanted to purchase it for my iPad because it’s easier to read on an iPad – the print can be made large enough and it’s backlit. This is one of LyVerle Spencer’s best books, in my opinion — and I love everything she’s ever published. Her plot line and character development is superb. All of her characters are so genuine I can identify with each of them, even Nancy Macaffee.I was heartbroken when LyVerle decided to retire from writing; however, I respect her ability to recognize when enough is enough, set a boundary, and live without it. She models the right stuff for all of us.

Thoroughly enjoyed reading Bittersweet. Lived up to my expectations. Could not put it down.PaVyrle Spencer creates wonderful and believable characters whose lives become so real and so much a part of our own.Would recommend to anyone who loves real life drama and romance. A real treat

Predictable long but good. It wasnt her best book. Good read. Prob wont read it again tho. Morning Glory and The Gamble better.

Every book I read of LaVyre's I love, I want to see all her books online. Wonderful emotive writer, tears at your heart strings, can't wait for more of her work to be available.

Arrived in great condition and at a great price.

What a great book. I highly recommend it.