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mmajer's review against another edition
3.0
I thought the novel was written very well, but overall it was just an ok book for me. I didn't find myself really caring for any of the characters.
jennyluwho's review against another edition
3.0
Such a slow start... I almost gave up on it, but I had nothing else to read so I stuck with it. I'm glad I did. Maybe the sheer number of lighthouses around me made it more fascinating than it would be for most. I'd never considered how the keepers or their families lived, and I enjoyed the depth of detail on that front. The tale here turns beautifully twisted and sad, but it would have been SO much better if the author would've resisted the urge to tie up the story with a bow at the end. She lost me with her vaguely happy ending.
llfoofaye's review against another edition
2.0
I just don’t get why people are so in love with this book. They kidnap a baby and then the rest of the book is trying to justify it? I know women who have miscarried, some more than once, and I hope that they still understand right from wrong.
I just can’t. I don’t get it.
I just can’t. I don’t get it.
emmilene's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book, such a beautiful and sad story. Had me crying at the ending. I love Tom so much and how much he did for his wife. Read this book, it's a great one!
lewiss18's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
rr_author's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars rounded up to 5.
This book made me angry and sad. There were some happy moments too, but mostly a lot of, "OH NO. This is bad." I stayed up late reading it, and it made me cry a little bit, which does not happen often.
I wanted to yell at some of the characters... Looking at you - Isabella.
I wanted to give others hugs and the happy ending they deserved... Yes, I do mean Tom and the baby. AND FRANK. Especially poor Frank.
Usually when characters make bad decisions, it makes me hate the book. But this one was just so interesting that I couldn't put it down even when I was mad at the characters.
The descriptions were beautiful! The historical setting and the scenery were very well written. The plot was intense and suspenseful.
I would have liked to read more about Hannah and Frank, before things went bad for them and he died at sea, but I understand why it wasn't included.
Overall I give it 4.5/5, taking a mark off for some content I'm not a fan of. A little too much kissing for my tastes, and if I remember correctly there was one or two swear words.
This book made me angry and sad. There were some happy moments too, but mostly a lot of, "OH NO. This is bad." I stayed up late reading it, and it made me cry a little bit, which does not happen often.
I wanted to yell at some of the characters... Looking at you - Isabella.
I wanted to give others hugs and the happy ending they deserved... Yes, I do mean Tom and the baby. AND FRANK. Especially poor Frank.
Usually when characters make bad decisions, it makes me hate the book. But this one was just so interesting that I couldn't put it down even when I was mad at the characters.
The descriptions were beautiful! The historical setting and the scenery were very well written. The plot was intense and suspenseful.
I would have liked to read more about Hannah and Frank, before things went bad for them and he died at sea, but I understand why it wasn't included.
Overall I give it 4.5/5, taking a mark off for some content I'm not a fan of. A little too much kissing for my tastes, and if I remember correctly there was one or two swear words.
trin's review against another edition
1.0
This was wildly popular at my bookstore in the early 2010s and I remember loathing it -- though I no longer remember why. (Probably it was melodrama disguised as litfic. Just be honest with your cheese!)
bethany__mary's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
hirvimaki's review against another edition
2.0
Not bad. Not great. A rather ominous and depressing tale set in a lovely - and beautifully described - landscape cluttered with an over abundance of pointless dialogue.