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4.1 AVERAGE
4.1 AVERAGE
The twists and turns were really fun, loved reading this one.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book actually surprised me. It was given to me, and at the beginning of the year, I made a goal to read all the unread books in my house before buying any new ones, so I felt a bit obligated to pick it up. Judging by the cover, I expected something cheesy and unremarkable. It started off really slow, and I struggled to get into it at first, but by the end, I was pleasantly surprised by it.
One of the main characters isn’t particularly likable, which made her chapters harder to get through at times—but in hindsight, that may have been intentional.
I also didn’t see the twist coming, which added a nice layer of intrigue and kept me engaged through the final chapters especially.
I also didn’t see the twist coming, which added a nice layer of intrigue and kept me engaged through the final chapters especially.
I always like stories that shift between different perspectives and timelines, and the author did a good job with this one, connecting it all in a way that felt complete without being too tidy.
Exquisite. My second book by Kate Morton, the first which took my imagination to places far and delightful, The Lake House, and now this one. I loved The Secret Keeper SO much! I listened to the gorgeous measured master story-telling voice of Caroline Lee tell this tale from start to finish. The anticipation of hearing her voice pick up where she had left off filled my life with anticipation. I simply couldn't wait to get in my car at 5:45am and make that not-so-long trip to yoga across town.
The Lake House is a beautiful story and it captivates from the very start. Summer party for a lovely family at an English countryside in 1961, a 16-year old sitting in a tree house daydreaming about boys and such when she witnesses a crime by her own mother. Then we are transported to the early 2000s when she and her sisters and brother are now in their 50s and 60s, and their mother is living out her final days, and the disquiet of the past haunts Laurel Nicholson. She has to know the truth, about the crime, her mother's past and why she did what she did. Then we flashback to the days of early WWII in London where Kate Morton captures the London blitz in exquisite detail, and we meet Dolly and Jimmy and Vivian - the three characters whose lives are intertwined in a way that if you are able to guess it, I'll think you a genius! I could have never imagined the ending. It was brilliant and very right.
The mysteries in Kate Morton's novels unfold at the right pace - slow, steady, and with care and attention to detail but not too much. You are never rushed, and yet, never dragged along. She unfolds the onion with expert hands and she satisfies you just enough to keep you going. I remember thinking I had to connect the dots and I couldn't - and I love how she fills every gap, she goes back and closes every loop. I trust her to come through on every story line but also to surprise me in a believable way. You can tell she's done incredible research, used a deep level of imagination and planning and that she thoroughly loves and cares for her characters.
The story of Dolly and Jimmy and Vivian was so believable, and yet so creative. I'm surprised at how much I thought about them afterwards, how I went back through the book in my mind, figuring out why this and that happened, and how happy and satisfied I felt at the end when the pieces all fell together to complete the puzzle.
Morton is a romance and historical fiction writer that can describe anything and everything in such a way that demands your rapt attention, and I gladly gave her all of mine.
I've now picked up The Forgotten Garden and The House at Riverton and I have a feeling they shan't disappoint. I hope this helps you decide about this book!
The Lake House is a beautiful story and it captivates from the very start. Summer party for a lovely family at an English countryside in 1961, a 16-year old sitting in a tree house daydreaming about boys and such when she witnesses a crime by her own mother. Then we are transported to the early 2000s when she and her sisters and brother are now in their 50s and 60s, and their mother is living out her final days, and the disquiet of the past haunts Laurel Nicholson. She has to know the truth, about the crime, her mother's past and why she did what she did. Then we flashback to the days of early WWII in London where Kate Morton captures the London blitz in exquisite detail, and we meet Dolly and Jimmy and Vivian - the three characters whose lives are intertwined in a way that if you are able to guess it, I'll think you a genius! I could have never imagined the ending. It was brilliant and very right.
The mysteries in Kate Morton's novels unfold at the right pace - slow, steady, and with care and attention to detail but not too much. You are never rushed, and yet, never dragged along. She unfolds the onion with expert hands and she satisfies you just enough to keep you going. I remember thinking I had to connect the dots and I couldn't - and I love how she fills every gap, she goes back and closes every loop. I trust her to come through on every story line but also to surprise me in a believable way. You can tell she's done incredible research, used a deep level of imagination and planning and that she thoroughly loves and cares for her characters.
The story of Dolly and Jimmy and Vivian was so believable, and yet so creative. I'm surprised at how much I thought about them afterwards, how I went back through the book in my mind, figuring out why this and that happened, and how happy and satisfied I felt at the end when the pieces all fell together to complete the puzzle.
Morton is a romance and historical fiction writer that can describe anything and everything in such a way that demands your rapt attention, and I gladly gave her all of mine.
I've now picked up The Forgotten Garden and The House at Riverton and I have a feeling they shan't disappoint. I hope this helps you decide about this book!
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was considering shelving this book at about the 20% mark but I'm so glad I stayed with it. Definitely echo the other reviewers who dislike Dorothy and she was the main reason I thought about putting this down. The other characters are lovely and once they are more present on the page the book gets better. One thing, with such a long book there is usually a clear picture in my head of what each character and home interior etc look like and I didn't get that with this one.
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book could have been significantly shorter, such a slow read until the last 150 pages
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book was amazing! If you liked Kate Morton's other books,you won't be disappointed. Lots of twists and turns that will keep you hooked from beginning to end!
I couldn't stand young Dorothy. Very hard to like a book when you don't like one of the main characters.