It's almost summer and I know you need to some summer reading. Publishers have been gearing up just for this moment--God forbid we be without delightful, enthralling drama to soak up as we soak up sun.

THE COTTAGE AT GLASS BEACH is the classic women's fiction: its arc follows the story of a middle-aged married woman who takes her two girls to a family beach cottage for the summer when she finds out her husband has been cheating on her (he's a politician) and the scandal has been splashed in all the newspapers. While there, she reconnects with her aunt and slowly unravels the mystery of her mother's disappearance when she was a child.

What saves this from being like about fifty other women's fiction novels with similar premises is that this has a lovely layer of Irish folklore, which weaves a sort of compelling charm among the passages. Nora, the heroine, is clearly in need of something a little otherworldly to buffer her realities of a husband who is just too imperfect (and still doesn't know what he wants) and children who blame her for not being able to fix what was broken.

My favorite character was Aunt Maire, and the other island inhabitants who were quirky and generous to strangers. They seriously make you want to find the nearest island and take roost for a summer. And I have a real soft spot for Annie, the youngest daughter (7), who is optimistic and wise beyond her years, especially in comparison to her older, cynical, and angry sister, Ella (12).

Least favorite? Ella. Not only is this book an engrossing bit of women's fiction, but it's practically a how-to book in regards to wayward, obnoxious, hateful daughters. I must have spent half the book going, "Slap her!" or "Send her to boarding school!" In fact, I still hope Nora does. Brat. Of course, the father runs a close second, but he's not in the story enough to get a real read on him. He doesn't actually want to change his ways or give up his girlfriend to salvage his marriage (assuming Nora wanted to, and it's clear Nora doesn't); and he doesn't actually have honesty to just call it final. If anything, his behavior is a reflection of the reasons their marriage fell apart.

In the end though, you realize this isn't a book that is supposed to delve into the relationship of husband and wife, the long and short of marriage, or any of those normal topics you find in books about women's fiction with cheating husbands. No. This is a story about sisters; and this is a story about mothers--and the complicated relationships that accompany each. Those are the stories within that offer real drama and interest for your summer reading and was as compelling as the Irish folklore.(Seriously the folklore stuff had me going, "I want to go to Ireland!" repeatedly. And isn't that what summer reading is about? Make us long for far off enchantments?)

It was good. And for those of you who read the ending first, nothing to fear. (Though I was extremely tempted a half-dozen times and made myself not do it, so you can say the suspense was really good in this book. *LOL* But no worries. No bad endings to ruin your summer.)

If you have room on your summer reading list for some women's lit with a taste of Irish creme at the edges, do give this one a try. I believe you'll enjoy it.

I'm giving away my review copy of THE COTTAGE AT GLASS BEACH to one random commenter. Where would you like to spend  your summer and who would you like to spend it with? What is your favorite Irish folklore? And what are you reading this summer?