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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
There were a few little writing quirks that bothered me ever so slightly (like certain phrases being repeated more often than they needed to be, and things like that) but they did not in any way detract from my love of this book.
I spent almost 15 hours listening to this book on audible, and I think I got much more out of it than if I had read it, especially the character of Loralee. She had me laughing out loud at times.
There was much anticipation and mystery throughout that kept me pondering, and very interested in the story and the characters. Now that I have finished the book, I find I am missing them. A sign of a well-told story. Loved it!
I originally chose this book because of its setting in Beaufort, SC, where I visited when my brother and SIL got married a few years ago. I enjoyed the mentions of Hunting Island and other places I had been during that visit and could picture things in my head while listening, since I had memories already in place that gave me the visuals. :-)
I spent almost 15 hours listening to this book on audible, and I think I got much more out of it than if I had read it, especially the character of Loralee. She had me laughing out loud at times.
There was much anticipation and mystery throughout that kept me pondering, and very interested in the story and the characters. Now that I have finished the book, I find I am missing them. A sign of a well-told story. Loved it!
I originally chose this book because of its setting in Beaufort, SC, where I visited when my brother and SIL got married a few years ago. I enjoyed the mentions of Hunting Island and other places I had been during that visit and could picture things in my head while listening, since I had memories already in place that gave me the visuals. :-)
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Domestic abuse, Death of parent
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
I tried very hard to like this book. I really did, but it just didn't happen. The storyline had good potential, but it was like listening to an instrument that is just a little off tune. You keep thinking that it will smooth out, but all you can hear is the poor tuning. I found the characters to be very wooden and the big mystery in the story just didn't hold water. It was unrealistic given the situation and personalities of the characters. Karen White is a NY Times bestselling author, which in my experience doesn't necessarily translate to quality writing, but hopefully some of her other novels are better written.
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Well I will start by saying that my favorite character in the book was Loralee, larger than life, full of "truths" that she writes down in a pink journal. Okay now my least favorite character was Merritt, now I did eventually grow to like her but she was very sour on life at first. I guess compared to Loralee's big-hearted ways (and not to mention hair) it was hard for me to relate to Merritt's closed off judgmental ways in the beginning of the book. Now I know a sign of a very good book for me is when I take the character's actions personally! I loved the setting of the book, Beaufort S.C. and the way the author describes the house and the surrounding marsh land.The fact that there was a bit of a mystery to the story appealed to me as well. The story brings to light the legacy of domestic violence and how it can affect each generation for many years, this can be a hard topic to write and read about but very necessary to bring it out in the open more.
The end part of the book has one or two surprises. Well to wrap it up, I enjoyed this book and had a hard time letting the place and the characters go when I finished the book.This review was originally posted on
The end part of the book has one or two surprises. Well to wrap it up, I enjoyed this book and had a hard time letting the place and the characters go when I finished the book.This review was originally posted on
I liked it while I was reading it, but now a few weeks later, I have little memory of it. Interpret how you will.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters are very endearing. I so wish I had a Laura Lee and Owen in my life.
A mystery and a romance and a whole lot of great quotes from Loralee like, "Life doesn't get easier. We get stronger."