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carobcbg's review
3.0
I received a complimentary copy of this book to review for Hearts On Fire Reviews. The opinions expressed are very much mine alone and I am not required to give a positive critique.
I've heard great things about Michele L. Montgomery, but this was my first read of her work. In all fairness, I understand that River of Tears is not her usual genre.
The plot itself is a riveting one of adult abduction and the struggles faced by those left behind. Abby's character has so much to deal with, trying to do right by her children, putting her loved ones through worry while she herself is putting her efforts into finding her husband. Her character was not only likeable, but admirable. As a reader, you are left wondering if you could go through what she has and still be as grounded as she is. Ms. Montgomery has written the secondary characters and the interactions of Abby's family very well. We get a real sense of the support and love that Abby has grown up with, and this is thrown even further into relief by the horridness of her husband's (Caiden) family life and upbringing.
While the plot and characters are the definite winners in this book, I must admit to having found the writing not completely to my liking. This was a story that could have been powerful, it could have been unforgettable and moving. What it ended up being, was good... but not great. In my opinion, the major cause for this was a convoluted writing style. The writing would have benefited from a "less is more" approach, and edited out a lot of the distracting details that ended up dragging the story out.
I am left wanting to give the author another try, and wishing my first read of her work had been more impressive.
I've heard great things about Michele L. Montgomery, but this was my first read of her work. In all fairness, I understand that River of Tears is not her usual genre.
The plot itself is a riveting one of adult abduction and the struggles faced by those left behind. Abby's character has so much to deal with, trying to do right by her children, putting her loved ones through worry while she herself is putting her efforts into finding her husband. Her character was not only likeable, but admirable. As a reader, you are left wondering if you could go through what she has and still be as grounded as she is. Ms. Montgomery has written the secondary characters and the interactions of Abby's family very well. We get a real sense of the support and love that Abby has grown up with, and this is thrown even further into relief by the horridness of her husband's (Caiden) family life and upbringing.
While the plot and characters are the definite winners in this book, I must admit to having found the writing not completely to my liking. This was a story that could have been powerful, it could have been unforgettable and moving. What it ended up being, was good... but not great. In my opinion, the major cause for this was a convoluted writing style. The writing would have benefited from a "less is more" approach, and edited out a lot of the distracting details that ended up dragging the story out.
I am left wanting to give the author another try, and wishing my first read of her work had been more impressive.
lekiare's review against another edition
3.0
I am completely perplexed by this book.
As I was reading it, I was consistently distracted by the grammatical errors. I'm no editing genius, but this book desperately needed an editor.
Also, the couple's love life was fantasy perfect, except for Caiden's horrific family story. It was a definite page turner, but at the same time I kept thinking I was just reading two different extremes- fairy-tale romance versus mind-numbing abuse. Maybe because I deal with real domestic violence situations this just seemed a bit too contrived.
It was an interesting read.
As I was reading it, I was consistently distracted by the grammatical errors. I'm no editing genius, but this book desperately needed an editor.
Also, the couple's love life was fantasy perfect, except for Caiden's horrific family story. It was a definite page turner, but at the same time I kept thinking I was just reading two different extremes- fairy-tale romance versus mind-numbing abuse. Maybe because I deal with real domestic violence situations this just seemed a bit too contrived.
It was an interesting read.
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