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mbkarapcik's review against another edition
3.0
Recently, I began whipping through Sarah Pekkanen's catalog after reading some of her short stories on my Kindle for a very reasonable price. I've enjoyed the plots, characters and the way she ends her novels and stories which I find fairly unusual because of the always distinct yet subtle possibility of a sequel. I just finished this book which takes place at a Vermont bed-and-breakfast. It involves two very different brothers who had been estranged, their wives and a mysterious woman who takes refuge with them at the new B-and-B they now run. Two of the stories were satisfying, and the third one was good, but I felt the husband in one of the couples was a little flat and his character could have been expanded.
Taking on a B-and-B with no experience with some characters who showed themselves to be unreliable in the past I found to be pretty unbelievable. How could they not have more significant problems in running it than they did? How did they come through unscathed and land on their feet so easily? And how could the sum of their personalities and skills ensure their success? Some of the characters suddenly appeared to have a multitude of talents when they needed to have them, so skepticism bubbled up in me.
However, with her writing style, descriptions and characters and their fates, I liked the book and could suspend my disbelief. It's supposed to offer you escape, so it definitely delivers on a perfect beach novel or one to tote along for a ski trip in the mountains at a B-and-B much like the one depicted in this book.
Taking on a B-and-B with no experience with some characters who showed themselves to be unreliable in the past I found to be pretty unbelievable. How could they not have more significant problems in running it than they did? How did they come through unscathed and land on their feet so easily? And how could the sum of their personalities and skills ensure their success? Some of the characters suddenly appeared to have a multitude of talents when they needed to have them, so skepticism bubbled up in me.
However, with her writing style, descriptions and characters and their fates, I liked the book and could suspend my disbelief. It's supposed to offer you escape, so it definitely delivers on a perfect beach novel or one to tote along for a ski trip in the mountains at a B-and-B much like the one depicted in this book.
beastreader's review against another edition
4.0
I have to say that this book is far better then The Best of Us, the last book from Sarah. Not that I did not like that book. I just felt more of a greater connection with Kira, Alyssa, and Dawn. Which I was a little surprised about. After the last book and the fact that I had my doubts about this book. I thought that the women were going to be needy and whiny. Luckily this was not the case. In fact, I liked the women more because I felt they had formed a good friendship bond and were strong each in their own way. The men were more of an after thought for me. All there women had issues to deal with but they did it in a good way. I wanted to be their friends.
There was a reader question that I liked and it was " Would you ever want to move to a vacation destination and open your own business? If yes, where in the world would you pick? What would the business be? Who would you want to run it with?"
My answer is: I would move to a vacation destination and open my own business. I have two that come to mind. The first is a B&B in Ireland. I have never been to Ireland (Yet). However I love the lush green fields and countryside depicted in the pictures that I have seen. The reason I would open a B&B is because I remember looking at catalogs of all of the different bedding and falling in love with it and thought how cool would it be to pick out all the bedding I wanted and decorate different themes for different rooms. I would run it with my husband.
My second business would be a horse ranch where people could come and stay in Montana. I love horses and cowboys (the real ones) and of course Montana. I would run it with my husband and family.
There was a reader question that I liked and it was " Would you ever want to move to a vacation destination and open your own business? If yes, where in the world would you pick? What would the business be? Who would you want to run it with?"
My answer is: I would move to a vacation destination and open my own business. I have two that come to mind. The first is a B&B in Ireland. I have never been to Ireland (Yet). However I love the lush green fields and countryside depicted in the pictures that I have seen. The reason I would open a B&B is because I remember looking at catalogs of all of the different bedding and falling in love with it and thought how cool would it be to pick out all the bedding I wanted and decorate different themes for different rooms. I would run it with my husband.
My second business would be a horse ranch where people could come and stay in Montana. I love horses and cowboys (the real ones) and of course Montana. I would run it with my husband and family.
judithdcollins's review
5.0
A special thank you to the publisher, Atria Books, Washington Square Press and NetGalley for an ARC, in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
First and foremost, Sarah Pekkanen is one of my favorite authors, having read all her books (she has a clear understanding of the topics of women, especially the thirty-something crowd); whether single, married, or mothers. Her humor, in-depth research of subject matter, and insightfulness is reflective throughout her books, making her a fan of women, of all ages.
There are so many aspects to this book: The idyllic setting, a B&B, from Florida sunshine to Vermont snow, high powered attorney to running a B&B, two married couples (totally different), and a single gal running from her troubled past. What a journey!
Next, the B&B storyline most definitely drew me in. Having worked in the hotel business and a B&B consultant for years, with my share of innkeeping and event planning--- there is always high drama, especially when weddings or high stress special events are taking place. You pretty much live on high adrenaline around the clock, especially with Trip Advisor, social and mobile media integration, trying to please every guest--their wants, desires, and expectations are always high. Sarah did a great job highlighting some of the realistic day- to -day details (sometimes much worse; however, rewarding at times, as well), involved in the business of running and operating a B&B.
Could definitely relate to the characteristics of dyslexia, as well- (my ex-husband had three sons all with dyslexia)--they fit the profile perfectly with Rand. Good looking, charming, life of the party, and personality—compensating and always looking for adventure and running from responsibility and problems – so ADD. You have to love them; however, very frustrating at times.
However, the real magic and meat of “Catching Air” is the rich character development; their past, present—a solid background of each, in order to provide the reader with a deeper understanding of how they fit into the overall storyline – how their insecurities, sense of adventure, responsibility, faults, strengths/weaknesses, past parent-child relationship, and loyalty played into their overall character and how their personalities changed and matured, throughout the novel as they intertwine, based on circumstances and new relationships.
I found the dynamics between Alyssa/Rand quite interesting. Here you have a free-spirited nice looking couple, both loving adventure, spontaneous, love of travel, non-career minded, and never committing to staying in one place very long (wow, wished I had the money to be them). Life is always on a high; not an ideal couple to buy a B&B. To see Rand/Alyssa relationship develop and change, as they embark upon parenthood and real responsibility. Alyssa has no problem changing; however, can Rand?
Ironically, Rand’s brother Peter and his wife Kira, a more career-minded lawyer leaving Florida (my other connection), after her failed attempts and frustrations with becoming partner at her law firm – chooses to go with her husband, and live with a brother and sister in law they hardly know, to help run a B&B in Vermont. They on the other hand, are ideal for running an inn, as Kira possesses organizational and culinary skills, and Peter is very level headed, patient, nurturing, and more of a caregiver.
Then there is the relationship between the two brothers Peter/Rand and their past, as they dealt with their mom’s cancer in two different ways which still has not been resolved. The relationship between Alyssa/Kira, the sister-in-law, which turned out ideal. They each are experiencing struggles and desires of becoming a mother and how their past and future dictates their choices. Also the dynamics of their childhood, being poor and financially secure has affected their choices in life. The two couples actually complement one another in different ways.
And, the icing on the cake, is the other main character, Dawn and how her life connects and their paths cross with the two married couples. Of course, she is running from the fiasco with her former company, an ex-boyfriend, a setup, and the insecurities of her past. It was exciting to see her character unfold, as she becomes part of these two families living under one roof, her strengths, and her part in operation of the inn. Also her solid relationship with Peter, and how she looks to him for guidance and strength.
Very interesting, to see how Alyssa goes from the free-spirited to the worrier. Kira goes from being the steady one, the rock, and glue to hold it all together to being spontaneous, and running away from the pressure.
Each character brings so much to the novel, and Sarah does a magnificent job of bringing these complex yet engaging characters together for a take away about importance of family, love, and communication. I could see a sequel here, as would like to see a continuation of these dynamic characters for at least a few more books!
“Catching Air would be a very interesting book for book clubs, and reading groups, to discuss further, the complex relationships of these two couples and Dawn; how they changed and matured from the beginning of the book to the end. Well done!
http://judithdcollins.booklikes.com/post/826551/-catchingair
First and foremost, Sarah Pekkanen is one of my favorite authors, having read all her books (she has a clear understanding of the topics of women, especially the thirty-something crowd); whether single, married, or mothers. Her humor, in-depth research of subject matter, and insightfulness is reflective throughout her books, making her a fan of women, of all ages.
There are so many aspects to this book: The idyllic setting, a B&B, from Florida sunshine to Vermont snow, high powered attorney to running a B&B, two married couples (totally different), and a single gal running from her troubled past. What a journey!
Next, the B&B storyline most definitely drew me in. Having worked in the hotel business and a B&B consultant for years, with my share of innkeeping and event planning--- there is always high drama, especially when weddings or high stress special events are taking place. You pretty much live on high adrenaline around the clock, especially with Trip Advisor, social and mobile media integration, trying to please every guest--their wants, desires, and expectations are always high. Sarah did a great job highlighting some of the realistic day- to -day details (sometimes much worse; however, rewarding at times, as well), involved in the business of running and operating a B&B.
Could definitely relate to the characteristics of dyslexia, as well- (my ex-husband had three sons all with dyslexia)--they fit the profile perfectly with Rand. Good looking, charming, life of the party, and personality—compensating and always looking for adventure and running from responsibility and problems – so ADD. You have to love them; however, very frustrating at times.
However, the real magic and meat of “Catching Air” is the rich character development; their past, present—a solid background of each, in order to provide the reader with a deeper understanding of how they fit into the overall storyline – how their insecurities, sense of adventure, responsibility, faults, strengths/weaknesses, past parent-child relationship, and loyalty played into their overall character and how their personalities changed and matured, throughout the novel as they intertwine, based on circumstances and new relationships.
I found the dynamics between Alyssa/Rand quite interesting. Here you have a free-spirited nice looking couple, both loving adventure, spontaneous, love of travel, non-career minded, and never committing to staying in one place very long (wow, wished I had the money to be them). Life is always on a high; not an ideal couple to buy a B&B. To see Rand/Alyssa relationship develop and change, as they embark upon parenthood and real responsibility. Alyssa has no problem changing; however, can Rand?
Ironically, Rand’s brother Peter and his wife Kira, a more career-minded lawyer leaving Florida (my other connection), after her failed attempts and frustrations with becoming partner at her law firm – chooses to go with her husband, and live with a brother and sister in law they hardly know, to help run a B&B in Vermont. They on the other hand, are ideal for running an inn, as Kira possesses organizational and culinary skills, and Peter is very level headed, patient, nurturing, and more of a caregiver.
Then there is the relationship between the two brothers Peter/Rand and their past, as they dealt with their mom’s cancer in two different ways which still has not been resolved. The relationship between Alyssa/Kira, the sister-in-law, which turned out ideal. They each are experiencing struggles and desires of becoming a mother and how their past and future dictates their choices. Also the dynamics of their childhood, being poor and financially secure has affected their choices in life. The two couples actually complement one another in different ways.
And, the icing on the cake, is the other main character, Dawn and how her life connects and their paths cross with the two married couples. Of course, she is running from the fiasco with her former company, an ex-boyfriend, a setup, and the insecurities of her past. It was exciting to see her character unfold, as she becomes part of these two families living under one roof, her strengths, and her part in operation of the inn. Also her solid relationship with Peter, and how she looks to him for guidance and strength.
Very interesting, to see how Alyssa goes from the free-spirited to the worrier. Kira goes from being the steady one, the rock, and glue to hold it all together to being spontaneous, and running away from the pressure.
Each character brings so much to the novel, and Sarah does a magnificent job of bringing these complex yet engaging characters together for a take away about importance of family, love, and communication. I could see a sequel here, as would like to see a continuation of these dynamic characters for at least a few more books!
“Catching Air would be a very interesting book for book clubs, and reading groups, to discuss further, the complex relationships of these two couples and Dawn; how they changed and matured from the beginning of the book to the end. Well done!
http://judithdcollins.booklikes.com/post/826551/-catchingair
kdurham2's review against another edition
3.0
Three women who at the beginning of the book aren't completely connected, but the end of this book have intertwined their lives in the most interesting of ways. Alyssa is married, but as a couple they love to live spontaneously and float from one place to the next. Her sister in law Kira has been looking for stability for the longest time and with a dependable husband would like to always be in control of her future. Dawn is the interesting character who leaned unexpectedly on a stranger and it may have bit her in the bum.
Dawn was the character that I didn't feel connected to and had a hard time really getting into her part of the story. As soon as she found her way into Kira and Alyssa's stories I began to like her more, but I never truly cared for her. On the other hand, I loved both Kira and Alyssa's stories and the difference between them, their marriages and how they dealt with what life handed them.
I am a Sarah Pekkanen fan and although this may not be my favorite read, I still loved how she mingled the three stories.
Dawn was the character that I didn't feel connected to and had a hard time really getting into her part of the story. As soon as she found her way into Kira and Alyssa's stories I began to like her more, but I never truly cared for her. On the other hand, I loved both Kira and Alyssa's stories and the difference between them, their marriages and how they dealt with what life handed them.
I am a Sarah Pekkanen fan and although this may not be my favorite read, I still loved how she mingled the three stories.
k_cavacini's review against another edition
5.0
I just devoured this book! I really enjoyed how the writing jumped between the women so that the reader was able to see the story unfold from different perspectives. The women are all dealing with different hurdles in their lives and it was interesting to see how they dealt with their own issues, and the issues of those around them. A great read that I highly recommend.
annetjeberg's review against another edition
1.0
Don't care for brands, don't care for the story nor the characters. Blegh.
jennabuythebook's review against another edition
3.0
A solid 3 stars. Not bad but nothing spectacular. I’m interested if some of her other stories that have better ratings are significantly better.
crysrowe's review against another edition
4.0
This is the perfect light summer reading. I thoroughly enjoyed it.