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Carrie Elks
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Absent in the Spring (Shakespeare Sisters Book 3) Kindle Edition

by Carrie Elks (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 out of 5 stars 294
See all formats and editions
A breathtaking story of an unexpected inheritance, a Scottish castle and the family secrets that surround it.

A successful lawyer, and the eldest of four sisters, Lucy Shakespeare is used to being in control of everything and everyone around her, most particularly herself. Until she meets the gorgeous businessman Lachlan MacLeish.

Lachlan's used to having the best, so when he needs a lawyer, Lucy is the one he hires. His inheritance is suddenly in doubt, thanks to his furious half-brother, and there's no way he's going down without a fight. The last thing he needs is a distraction, but as soon as he sets eyes on Lucy, he knows he's in trouble.

Despite their efforts to resist, it isn't long before Lachlan has Lucy longing to break all her careful rules. And when they're forced to spend time together in Lachlan's secluded Scottish castle, she can't help but wonder: is it sometimes worth risking it all for one night of passion?

**

Absent in the Spring is a standalone contemporary romance in the Shakespeare Sisters series. If you love strong, empowered women and the sexy alpha heroes who meet their match then this book is for you.


Fall in love with the SHAKESPEARE SISTERS - Read the Complete Series!
Summer's Lease
A Winter's Tale
Absent in the Spring
By Virtue Fall
Previous page
  1. Book 2 of 3
    Shakespeare Sisters
  2. Print length
    368 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    April 26, 2018
  6. File size
    2057 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

★★★★★ 'The settings take you to the heart of the stunning scenery in Scotland and transatlantic to New York and Miami, and everywhere they go Carrie manages to put you right in the heart of the story with her perfect descriptions.' - Karen, Goodreads Reviewer

★★★★★ 'The story is so well written that it will have you glued to the pages from the beginning. A definite must-read' - A Book Lover's Emporium

★★★★★ '5 huge stars!' - Red's Midnight Readers

★★★★★ 'I love Carrie's series. I am always anxious for the next book, and this one did not disappoint.--in fact it is my favorite.' - Melanie Moreland, New York Times Bestselling Author

★★★★★ 'If you're interested in a story that slowly grows into an undeniable love, this story is for you.' - Sherry Neal, Goodreads Reviewer

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07B5SMYPY
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Enchanted Publications (April 26, 2018)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 26, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2057 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 368 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 294

About the author

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Carrie Elks

Carrie Elks

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Carrie Elks writes contemporary romance with a sizzling edge. Her first book, Fix You, has been translated into eight languages and made a surprise appearance on Big Brother in Brazil. Luckily for her, it wasn’t voted out. Carrie lives with her husband, two lovely children and a larger-than-life black pug called Plato. When she isn’t writing or reading, she can be found baking, drinking an occasional (!) glass of wine, or chatting on social media.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
294 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Maureen's Books
5.0 out of 5 stars Another great book in an amazing series
Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2018
Verified Purchase
I read the first book in the Shakespeare Sisters series ‘Summer’s Lease’ in July of 2017. And I loved that so much. I read it as fast as I could and I was immediately a new Carrie Elks fan. The second book ‘A Winter’s Tale’ I read in November of 2017 and I loved it just as much as the first book. Since I haven’t been reading and reviewing as much due to my pregnancy, I hadn’t been able to read the newest book in the series ‘Absent in the Spring’. But since my maternity leave started, and I have more time to read I decided to get my hands on this new book and started reading as soon as possible.

In ‘Absent in the Spring’ we follow the oldest Shakespeare Sister Lucy. Lucy has always been the one in control, taking care of her younger sisters, and working hard to be the best lawyer she can possible be. And with success. Lucy works long days and hours and is very successful. So when Lucy gets asked to take on a new client, the rich Lachlan MacLeish she is determined to make this new case in a success. But when Lucy flies to Miami to meet Lachlan she isn’t prepared for the things she feels when she sees the handsome American.
Lachlan is a workaholic and great in what he does. His life consists of working hard, every day and flying from his one investment to the next. But when he meets Lucy, he starts seeing how empty his life really is.

Just as with the first two books in this series I devoured every page of this book. I really loved every single page and the romance was just so good. What I loved most about ‘Absent in the Spring’ was the main characters Lucy and Lachlan. I could really relate to Lucy in the wanting to keep everything in control, and making list way. Obviously not the workaholic, and flying all around the world way. LOL!! And this made reading this book even more fun. And I loved getting to know Lucy and Lachlan. There characters were so much more than you would first expect.

The romance between Lucy and Lachlan was just so sweet and addictive. I loved reading about these two. The way they met, and the way they got to know each other. It was just so good and romantic and I couldn’t get enough. And what also was a great part about this book was the traveling. Through this book I visited Paris, New York, Edinburgh and Miami. Definitely really fun to read.

If you haven’t read the Shakespeare Sisters series I’d definitely recommend you start as soon as possible. It’s one of my favorite series and I can’t wait to read the fourth and final book at the end of the year.
One person found this helpful
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AvidReader
4.0 out of 5 stars Fun Read
Reviewed in the United States on July 7, 2019
Verified Purchase
This was my first exposure to the Shakespeare Sisters - and I will definitely check out the others in the series. While Lachlan is every woman’s dream, it was Lucy Shakespeare that really drew me into this story ... a smart, talented, opinionated attorney... she keeps her sense of wit throughout holding her own with the rich and powerful Lachlan. Nothing too deep, just a good beach read.
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Jennifer L.
5.0 out of 5 stars Lachlan is that perfect type of man for me
Reviewed in the United States on May 27, 2018
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I have to admit something upfront. Although, I’ve been purchasing the books of the Shakespeare Sisters series, I hadn’t settled down long enough to read the first two installments. But when Absent in the Spring was released, there was just something about the book that begged me to pause and give it my full attention.

This book focuses on the story of Lucy Shakespeare, the eldest of the 4 Shakespeare sisters. As the first born daughter in a family without a mother, Lucy has spent her much of her life assuming a maternal role and the responsibilities that accompany it. As a result, she maintains tight control over her life and has thrived in her career as a lawyer.

When her legal services are retained by an American to represent his interests in a contentious inheritance case, she finally meets her match in Lachlan MacLeish. He is a successful businessman, making his own mark on the corporate world even as he follows in the professional footsteps of his Scottish father, a man he’s been distanced from his entire life. When Lachlan inherits the Lairdship of Glencarraig from his father’s estate, he finds himself fighting for his birthright in court.

Lachlan is that perfect type of man for me. He’s intelligent, looks magnificent in a suit, has a fun-loving and romantic streak, and fights for the family and the woman he loves with determination and passion. As Lucy spends more time with her newest client, she finds her self-control slipping whenever they’re together. The two soon begin a passionate love affair that is nothing less than pure magic. The connection between Lucy and Lachlan is palpable and swept me away into one of those perfect reads that I didn’t want to end.

Although this is Book 3 in the series, it can be easily read as a stand alone and Carrie Elks fills in other essential details of the bigger picture effortlessly. I never felt confused or left scrambling to piece together information I may have missed in the earlier books.

I am a true and solid fan of this series and am eager to read the rest. There is no doubt that Absent in the Spring will be one of my favorite reads of 2018.
3 people found this helpful
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Karen Talley
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful characters
Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2019
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As much as I liked the romance between Lachlan and Lucy, I was very interested in the way that the author also presented the problems of caring for elderly parents. It added a deeper understanding of the characters and touched on something that affects so many of us. And, as an added bonus, the descriptions of the Scottish Highlands were wonderful. Traveling there is at the top of my bucket list. I was pulled into this book from the very beginning and read it in one sitting. I highly recommend it.

Language (some f-bombs) and sexual situations may offend some readers
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epilk
5.0 out of 5 stars Couldn’t put it down
Reviewed in the United States on May 2, 2018
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From the first pages I was hooked into Lucy & lachlan’s story. Carries descriptions of the Scottish highlands (& all the other locations) had me feeling like I was there in the middle of it while reading her pages. There was nothing I didn’t like about this book. Great pace of chapters, lovely storyline & really enjoyed the alternative point of views.
One person found this helpful
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Jean913
4.0 out of 5 stars A love story across continents
Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2019
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A good book. I got off to a slow start, but my interest in the characters and their relationships developed into a page turner for me.
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reader xxx
5.0 out of 5 stars Good book, really enjoyed
Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2019
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Couldn't put it down, read in 2 days. Well written, story well developed. This book was better than the first one of the series, although I enjoyed reading both.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it
Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2020
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Such an interesting story with great characters. When a book is this pleasant to read, it means this is by a good writer. And such a delightful love story.
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Top reviews from other countries

Rachel Brown
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 24, 2023
Verified Purchase
I accidentally read this one first, amazon wasn't helpful in showing me it was book 3. However Carrie's writing is so clever you don't know that it isn't a stand alone. I loved this book. The story line was gripping and I just wished for the happy every after Lucy deserved, I couldn't put the book down until I found out what it was!
If you love a romance with some suspense I'd recommend!
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Another great family story
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 30, 2024
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I loved this story just as much as the previous one they make you feel good even if it's fiction.great read .
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E Turner
5.0 out of 5 stars Romance without the cringe!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 26, 2018
Verified Purchase
This is the 3rd book in Carrie’s Shakespeare sisters series and follows the eldest Lucy. Lucy takes a while to warm to. She feels like she owes everyone a happy life by sacrificing her own until Lachlan McLeish enters the scene. Their story isn’t an easy one and at times I screamed at the pages ‘come on Lucy, just stop being such a martyr’ but you know it’ll happen ... eventually.

I adore everything Carrie writes. The characters are real. The places she writes are familiar. She doesn’t plonk in gratuitous sex scenes to beef up the story even though the sexual tension is off the chart. The romance in this book is lovely without being overly sentimental and gushy. All in all this book is another winner. Well done Carrie
2 people found this helpful
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MetLineReader
5.0 out of 5 stars Another great episode in the tale of the Shakespeare Sisters
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 3, 2018
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Oh I how love the Shakespeare sisters novels by Carrie Elks. I stumbled across By Virtue Fall last week, only to discover that I’d missed Book #3, Absent in the Spring.

I quickly clicked and jumped in feet first, despite knowing the outcome of the book as it had been revealed at the start of book 4! Oops!

But the skill of Carrie Elks meant that it didn’t matter one bit. I became totally absorbed in the tale surrounding Lucy, the eldest Shakespeare Sister (wasn’t there an 80s pop group by the same name?!).

Set in Edinburgh and the rest of Scotland, this book evokes beautiful landscapes and turns up the heat somewhat. Not sordid but a little too racy for me during the morning rush hour on the tube!!

Another great read by this author, and I have dived straight into book #4 By Virtue Fall. That means I’m going to be bereft when it’s finished...

Overall a great big 5* read - loved it!!!
2 people found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Love the Shakespeare Sisters
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 29, 2021
Verified Purchase
Loved this book love reading about each sister’s story. I always love reading Carrie Elk’s books she writes a great story
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