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heabooknerd's review against another edition
3.0
This one is a little different for a romance novel because it begins when the main characters are children, Olivia is 4 and Noah is 10 and the story progresses through their lives and the small ways the two intersect. The majority of their romance occurs in the last 30% when they are both adults. Though their actual time together is much smaller than a traditional romance novel, Nora Roberts is a master of romance and there is no doubt that these two people belong together and love each other.
Another great part of this story is the family element. Olivia’s grandparents, her aunt and uncle, and Noah’s parents play a significant role in this book. I really enjoyed watching the families come together, grow together, and learn from each other. There was a great twist at the end, I won’t say much because I don’t want to spoil anything but they were great. I was thinking one thing starting out and then I started to wonder and change my mind. Half way through I was convinced it was one way and Roberts completely tricked my mind into believing exactly what she wanted. I loved it!
I wasn’t as crazy about Olivia, mostly because she has established very hard walls around herself. I couldn’t really relate to Olivia but that’s more personal than anything the author did. She was a very tough person as an adult; she’s isolated herself from forming real bonds with anyone outside her family and this means that she’s prickly and has a hard shell. Noah never gives up but sometimes I just wanted Olivia to jump in and not be afraid.
Another great part of this story is the family element. Olivia’s grandparents, her aunt and uncle, and Noah’s parents play a significant role in this book. I really enjoyed watching the families come together, grow together, and learn from each other. There was a great twist at the end, I won’t say much because I don’t want to spoil anything but they were great. I was thinking one thing starting out and then I started to wonder and change my mind. Half way through I was convinced it was one way and Roberts completely tricked my mind into believing exactly what she wanted. I loved it!
I wasn’t as crazy about Olivia, mostly because she has established very hard walls around herself. I couldn’t really relate to Olivia but that’s more personal than anything the author did. She was a very tough person as an adult; she’s isolated herself from forming real bonds with anyone outside her family and this means that she’s prickly and has a hard shell. Noah never gives up but sometimes I just wanted Olivia to jump in and not be afraid.
mystique_reads's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
caitiep92's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
4.5
heathernh1996's review against another edition
2.0
The writing was competent, but I knew who the killer was in the first 20 pages of the book or so, and the mystery plotting was not strong - the killer could have been any of them, and the psychological reasons behind the killing and subsequent characterization of the killer were weak weak weak.
d_hryniuk's review against another edition
3.0
I must admit, when it comes to Nora Roberts, her latest novels outshine the older ones by far. The earlier works felt somewhat predictable to me, as if I could anticipate every twist and turn along the way. It's possible that my familiarity with Nora Roberts plays a role, but I can't help but feel that she's following a similar pattern in her storytelling. Consequently, each subsequent read of hers becomes increasingly mundane.
While the novel's plot didn't heavily rely on character development, it did move at a plodding pace. The reader was treated to numerous descriptions of the picturesque landscapes of Washington State. Initially, these vivid portrayals enhanced the story's authenticity and drew me in, but as they continued to resurface, I found myself growing weary of them.
While the novel's plot didn't heavily rely on character development, it did move at a plodding pace. The reader was treated to numerous descriptions of the picturesque landscapes of Washington State. Initially, these vivid portrayals enhanced the story's authenticity and drew me in, but as they continued to resurface, I found myself growing weary of them.
jbarr5's review against another edition
5.0
another fav author, i get her books w/o knowing what they are about. she never disappoints
labraden's review against another edition
4.0
The first half of the book introduces us to the two main characters. Olivia survives the horror of her starlet mother's death and retreats to the Olympic rainforest in Washington State. Noah's father is the detective that puts Olivia's father in prison for the murder of Olivia's mother. Noah and Olivia come together when crime writer, Noah, decides to write a true crime book about the death of Olivia's mother. Olivia's story is heart wrenching to the point that we feel not only her fear but also her sorrow. The last half of the story focuses on the romance of Olivia and Noah who is trying to tell the true story surrounding the death of Olivia's mother. Suspense follows when someone begins to terrorize both Noah and Olivia. This is a wonderful story that has it all: suspense, mystery, and romance.
bookloverchelle's review against another edition
4.0
When Olivia was 4 years old she saw her father standing over the dead body of her mother. If that wasn't hard enough both of her parents were famous actors and the aftermath, facing reporters, makes growing up in the spotlight even harder. Olivia returns to her grandparents lodge growing up instead of the limelight of LA but in the woods of Washington state. That may have been one of the hardest times of her life but meeting the detective who helped put a monster behind bars gave Olivia a lifelong friend in Frank Brady. When Frank's son Noah grows up to become a journalist he's ready to write the real story that affected his family for so many years. When Noah meets Olivia again he's intrigued not just by her beauty but her strength and her kindness. Can he convince her to finally step out from hiding in taking a chance, not just on facing her past but maybe also finding love? I listened to the audio and this story started right from the beginning, from the night Olivia's mom died, and grew from there. I felt it read a lot like a podcast, uncovering the truth behind the killing. Great read!