South Of Superior by Ellen Airgood

Published on by Sheila (Book Journey)

When Madeline Stone walks away from Chicago and moves five hundred miles north to the coast of Lake Superior, in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, she isn’t prepared for how much her life will change.

Charged with caring for an aging family friend, Madeline finds herself in the middle of beautiful nowhere with Gladys and Arbutus, two octogenarian sisters-one sharp and stubborn, the other sweeter than sunshine. As Madeline begins to experience the ways of the small, tight-knit town, she is drawn into the lives and dramas of its residents. It’s a place where times are tough and debts run deep, but friendship, community, and compassion run deeper. As the story hurdles along-featuring a lost child, a dashed love, a car accident, a wedding, a fire, and a romantic reunion-Gladys, Arbutus, and the rest of the town teach Madeline more about life, love, and goodwill than she’s learned in a lifetime.

Lake Superior is the largest of the five traditionally-demarcated Great Lakes of North America. It is bounded to the north by the Canadian province of Ontario and the U.S. state of Minnesota, and to the south by the U.S. states of Wisconsin and Michigan. It is the largest freshwater lake in the world by surface area if Lake Huron and Lake Michigan are considered to be two lakes. It is the world's third-largest freshwater lake by volume. ~ Wikepedia

Living in an area of Minnesota where Lake Superior is a regular sight when we travel north to our cabin, the title of this book caught my attention. 

I have always liked the story line of a person being uprooted from their “comfort zone” and placed into a new life.  This is the story of Madeline and her return to where she was born that leads to life lessons that she never could have anticipated.

Madeline’s new life is not without difficulties and I enjoyed her trying to find her niche while she still struggled with the lifestyle she came from and where she now was.  While it takes awhile for her to literally WARM UP to her surroundings, the town needs to warm up to her too.  (I was picking up a bit of a Renee Zellweger vibe from the movie “New In Town“. 

The book is pretty paced, not too slow but not a fast page turner either.   I enjoyed the book as a lite summer read that was enjoyed from my lawn chair on the back deck with a never-ending pitcher of iced tea.

This book was part of a TLC Book Tour

16 thoughts on “South Of Superior by Ellen Airgood”

  1. I have had my eye on this one…gorgeous cover and captivating title, and all. Thanks for sharing the map, as my long-ago geography lessons are a bit fuzzy.

    I, too, love stories about people moving and starting over. I’m adding this one to my wish list.

    Reply

  2. I have this in my tbr pile and am looking forward to it. IT seems like it might be a relaxing summer read. I liked the movie “New In Town” so knowing this book reminded you of that movie is a good thing!

    Reply

  3. I like the sound of this book! Gladys and Arbutys sound like fun characters. I am a fan of New In Town too so that makes me want to read it more. Thanks for your review!

    Reply

  4. Have you ever tried to swim in Superior??? Frigid!! 😀
    This one appeals to me because of the Michigan connection. Sounds like a great summer read.

    Reply

    1. We did – once Staci… it was an exceptionally hot day – even by Superior standards and all these teens were doing it so we waded in a bit – it was not impossible – but yeah – cooler than the average water 😛

      Reply

  6. I just read this and enjoyed it as well. The people and town make up such an interesting character too. I thought the book was moving a little slow to begin, but then I decided that was the pace of life up there, things just moving along at a very even pace.

    Reply

Hmmmm... what do you think?