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starness's review
3.0
3.5 It was a hard book to sit through once you figured the direction it was heading in. It was seriously icky and squirm worthy during some of the passages, this book takes you on an uncomfortable ride but Joyce Maynard still manages to write in a way that didn’t make it feel unsavoury. It’s a sad story with lots of layers of complexity so this wasn’t a happy tale by any means. I can’t say I loved it but I enjoy the writing even though the book took a turn to a place I was not expecting before heading in, maybe reading some reviews prior might have prepared me a little better.
alexandrafrisbie's review
3.0
Interesting book. I can't remember why I even purchased it. It did keep much attention and i found myself thinking of the characters while I wasn't reading, but certainly not one of my favorites.
taraottesen's review
3.0
It's pretty obvious to the reader what the twist is, but it was still an entertaining read.
lisaeirene's review
4.0
I won't give away the spoiler but it's pretty easy to guess early on in the book.
Usually I dislike books that go back and forth between characters at each chapter but this book did it well. I was equally interested in both Dana and Ruth's stories and each chapter left me wanting to read more. I liked the way the story unfolded, how the author told the story, and all the characters involved.
While I guessed what the big reveal was early on, I still had some doubts as to the HOW. I kind of felt like the reveal at the ending was anti-climactic after an entire book of hinting. Other than that, I really liked it.
Usually I dislike books that go back and forth between characters at each chapter but this book did it well. I was equally interested in both Dana and Ruth's stories and each chapter left me wanting to read more. I liked the way the story unfolded, how the author told the story, and all the characters involved.
While I guessed what the big reveal was early on, I still had some doubts as to the HOW. I kind of felt like the reveal at the ending was anti-climactic after an entire book of hinting. Other than that, I really liked it.
brynebo's review
3.0
The character development is fantastic - not a single character I didn't empathize with - but the plot was a little too predictable to make it really great.
lazygal's review
4.0
Usually I get annoyed when there's a plot twist that I can see coming a mile away (example? SPOILER ALERT: Darth Vader is Luke's father. oh, and Leia's his sister). For some reason, even though I figured out what the plot twist was in this book, it didn't bother me.
There are three daughters here: Ruth Plank, fifth daughter of Edwin and Connie; Dana Dickinson, daughter of Val and George; and a new strawberry hybrid (I'm not kidding). Ruth and Dana are "birthday sisters", born nine months after a massive hurricane hits their rural NH town. Ruth's family, the Planks, have owned their farm since the 1700s, and while Ruth doesn't really fit in, she adores her father and helps out around the farm to be with him. Dana's family is one of those unsettled families, moving ever few years; the only constants are the George will have yet another failed get-rich-quick scheme and that the Planks and the Dickinsons will see each other for two brief visits every year.
Their lives intertwine more than just these visits, as Ruth has a massive crush on Ray (Dana's older brother), while Dana eventually becomes a farmer and successfully patents Edwin's strawberry. To reveal more would give away the plot twist.
This isn't an action-packed book, but the raveling and unraveling of their lives is well worth the read.
ARC provided by publisher
There are three daughters here: Ruth Plank, fifth daughter of Edwin and Connie; Dana Dickinson, daughter of Val and George; and a new strawberry hybrid (I'm not kidding). Ruth and Dana are "birthday sisters", born nine months after a massive hurricane hits their rural NH town. Ruth's family, the Planks, have owned their farm since the 1700s, and while Ruth doesn't really fit in, she adores her father and helps out around the farm to be with him. Dana's family is one of those unsettled families, moving ever few years; the only constants are the George will have yet another failed get-rich-quick scheme and that the Planks and the Dickinsons will see each other for two brief visits every year.
Their lives intertwine more than just these visits, as Ruth has a massive crush on Ray (Dana's older brother), while Dana eventually becomes a farmer and successfully patents Edwin's strawberry. To reveal more would give away the plot twist.
This isn't an action-packed book, but the raveling and unraveling of their lives is well worth the read.
ARC provided by publisher
sbunyan's review
2.0
Another review called this a soap opera book and I have to agree. Though I finished the book, I felt manipulated by it, didn't find any redeeming truths in it and kept thinking how really implausible the entire plot was. The characters didn't ring true to me at all.
zoe1328's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you Netgalley and publisher for providing this ARC in return for an honest review.
This book is not normally my genre but I had the urge to try this one out and I'm glad I did. The writing was masterfully done and was immediately engulfed in the story and where it would lead. Would recommend this book to others, well done!
This book is not normally my genre but I had the urge to try this one out and I'm glad I did. The writing was masterfully done and was immediately engulfed in the story and where it would lead. Would recommend this book to others, well done!
bibliobabe94's review against another edition
4.0
story of two girls born on the same day at the same hospital, and how their lives intersect over the years. Great for book club.