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3.25 AVERAGE
3.25 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-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
This was such a good book! I love Kristin Hannah, but I haven’t read many of her early books so I thought I’d give this one a try as it’s a Christmastime read. But this isn’t a normal Christmas romance novel and you could really read it anytime of year.
The main character, Joy, decides to escape her recently turned-upside-down-life in CA and ends up at an inn in a remote part of WA. There she meets a young boy, Bobby, and his dad, Daniel, who are also struggling through some changes. The dynamic between these characters was great and the storytelling was perfectly descriptive as to picture it unfolding. There is also a big twist that took me completely by surprise.
Suspend your disbelief for a minute and give this book a try- it will really make you believe in magic.
The main character, Joy, decides to escape her recently turned-upside-down-life in CA and ends up at an inn in a remote part of WA. There she meets a young boy, Bobby, and his dad, Daniel, who are also struggling through some changes. The dynamic between these characters was great and the storytelling was perfectly descriptive as to picture it unfolding. There is also a big twist that took me completely by surprise.
Suspend your disbelief for a minute and give this book a try- it will really make you believe in magic.
Started out okay but slows in the middle and drags to the end. I know it’s a Christmas story so you should expect a little festive season magic in the tale but overall this one just fell pretty flat for me. Grateful that it was a short read at least!
During the winter season, I try to squeeze in at least one Christmas read. Christmas is the time for miracles and this book had it. Though there were a couple of things that did not settle well for me, I did find myself enjoying it. I even shed a small tear for the main character.
The story captured my attention and had me going through a roller coaster ride with my feelings. The idea of catching your sister having sex with your husband in your bed had my blood boiling, but had me hooked right into the story. The main character, Joy, had to find peace within herself and try to forgive what her sister had done to her. By trying to move on, Joy ran away which changed her life with a tragic twist. As the story was being told, I found myself growing furious, irritated, happy, hopeful, and worried. The story even had me remembering of my past that had me feeling nostalgic.
As much as I enjoyed listening to this story and how Joy grew to be a stronger person, I couldn't help disliking two things. First, the idea of how Joy quickly forgave her sister. Okay, I understand that we cannot hold grudges and that we must learn to forgive those who have wrong us, but I did not like how it was done here. The topic of how wrong adultery is was never discussed between the two sisters. It was more of how Joy's sister and ex-husband fell in love, got together, but Joy just happened to be in the middle of it. This had me steaming! The other thing I did not like was what happened at the end. I was hoping and praying that Joy didn't hallucinate her time away from her life. I even cheered when she was able to go back to the place and try to see if it were all true. But I did not like the kiss. It felt forced and unbelievable. I would have been content with Joy finding the truth and having clues the would help the reader predict what would happen to Joy. Did this make sense? Even though I was angered with the two previous things, I still found myself liking this book a great deal.
Next, the reader, Sandra Burr, was excellent. She read the story smoothly, emphasized the emotions, and knew how to role play the characters and situations. I loved listening to Burr as she told Joy's story. It was also very fun listening to her as she was on the phone or on television. Sandra Burr made listening to this audio a very enjoyable experience.
In all, this was not a perfect book but I liked it tremendously. I was captured by the story and by Joy.
The story captured my attention and had me going through a roller coaster ride with my feelings. The idea of catching your sister having sex with your husband in your bed had my blood boiling, but had me hooked right into the story. The main character, Joy, had to find peace within herself and try to forgive what her sister had done to her. By trying to move on, Joy ran away which changed her life with a tragic twist. As the story was being told, I found myself growing furious, irritated, happy, hopeful, and worried. The story even had me remembering of my past that had me feeling nostalgic.
As much as I enjoyed listening to this story and how Joy grew to be a stronger person, I couldn't help disliking two things. First, the idea of how Joy quickly forgave her sister. Okay, I understand that we cannot hold grudges and that we must learn to forgive those who have wrong us, but I did not like how it was done here. The topic of how wrong adultery is was never discussed between the two sisters. It was more of how Joy's sister and ex-husband fell in love, got together, but Joy just happened to be in the middle of it. This had me steaming! The other thing I did not like was what happened at the end. I was hoping and praying that Joy didn't hallucinate her time away from her life. I even cheered when she was able to go back to the place and try to see if it were all true. But I did not like the kiss. It felt forced and unbelievable. I would have been content with Joy finding the truth and having clues the would help the reader predict what would happen to Joy. Did this make sense? Even though I was angered with the two previous things, I still found myself liking this book a great deal.
Next, the reader, Sandra Burr, was excellent. She read the story smoothly, emphasized the emotions, and knew how to role play the characters and situations. I loved listening to Burr as she told Joy's story. It was also very fun listening to her as she was on the phone or on television. Sandra Burr made listening to this audio a very enjoyable experience.
In all, this was not a perfect book but I liked it tremendously. I was captured by the story and by Joy.
Simple, predictable, standard Kristin Hannah. Even the plot twist was lackluster and slightly fantastical.
I know a lot of Kristin Hannah fans had a hard time with this one. It’s definitely different, but I enjoyed it. Sometimes we all need a little magic in our lives.
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Gets WAY more interesting about half way through. Don't give up on this one!
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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:
No