Skip to main content
Swap Used Books - Buy New Books at Great Prices!
PBS logo
 
 

Book Review of Your Oasis on Flame Lake

Your Oasis on Flame Lake
reviewed on + 53 more book reviews


This is the third book I have read by this author. I did not like it as much as Patty Jane's House of Curl or Once In a Blue Moon Lodge, but still a good book. 

The story is told by six different characters: Darcy, Devera (her mother), Dick (her father), BiDi (Devera's best friend from high school), Sergio (BiDi's second husband), and Franny (BiDi's teenage daughter).

Dick Lindstrom is an appliance and car salesman who has a secret dream to open a night club which he eventually does, naming it "Your Oasis On Flame Lake".  He has a close relationship with Darcy, his youngest daughter. 

Devera is nearing forty and struggling with displeasure in her life and marriage. Therefore, she starts having an affair with her night school history professor, Gerharg Ludwig. Unfortunately, Dick finds out about the affair on Halloween night. 

Sergio is affectionately referred to as the "Ricky Ricardo of Minnesota".  In addition, he owns a chain of successful gourmet cake shops and is an adoring stepfather to Francine (Franny). His dream of having a son with BiDi finally comes true near the end of the book. 

BiDi (Beverly Diane), is quite self absorbed and her priorities for maintaining a perfect body and household causes her to neglect both her husband and daughter. As a result, Sergio has an ongoing affair with Noreen, who just happens to work at the cake shop. 

Darcy, best friends with Frannie (even though Frannie is two years older).  She is the only one (besides Dick) who appreciates the nightclub and loves to do celebrity imitations.

Franny, the only girl on the high school ice hockey team.  Regrettably, two boys on the losing hockey team beat her up after she scores the winning goal. She decides to stay quiet regarding their identity, probably due to being afraid of retaliation from her attackers, embarrassment from her peers, and not feeling comfortable telling her mom due to their difficult and strained relationship. 

Overall, I thought this was an enjoyable read. Darcy and Dick have such a cute and funny father-daughter relationship. I am definitely looking forward to reading more books by this author.Â