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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
This was very good. I applaud the author for donating a percentage of her royalties to local chapters of domestic violence organizations/housing in her area.
hopeful
relaxing
fast-paced
I picked up this book having recently been to Oysterville. Unfortunately, it glossed over very intense issues and was repetitive in its telling, stating the same facts over and over. Issues attempted to be discussed:
Addiction
Death
Child abandonment
Grief
Domestic Violence
Divorce
Foster children
Parental rights
Dreams destroyed
I know it is a story, but it had a huge fairy tale element to it that did not respect the issues the author attempted to write about. Pick a lane and stay in it was all I could think by the end of this book.
Addiction
Death
Child abandonment
Grief
Domestic Violence
Divorce
Foster children
Parental rights
Dreams destroyed
I know it is a story, but it had a huge fairy tale element to it that did not respect the issues the author attempted to write about. Pick a lane and stay in it was all I could think by the end of this book.
fast-paced
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Argh. I really wanted to like this one. It had all the components I like; sewing, the beach, strong female characters, social issues. Unfortunately it had too many of those things chasing in too many directions.
After a series of fiasco's in New York, Caroline has come back to Oysterville, Washington to get back on her feet. With two children in tow (the result of her guardianship for a friend), her life is not what she thought it was going to be. But with them as inspiration, she's going to figure it out. Now just to deal with the pesky crush who's married to her best friend.
I'm not going to get into the characters really, as there are a bunch and it mostly centers on Carolina anyway. Who was kind of just an "insert" for me as she does a lot of things, and talks to a lot of people, but her own personality doesn't ever really come out for me. Although I do have to say her whole love triangle thing going on in this book is just kind of icky for me; even if feelings are feelings, just ugh.
The main thing for me was the tackling of all the issues in this book. Wiggs decides to tackle a lot; race, domestic violence (the primary), and even the care of black hair at some point. Which is fine, those are all important things to talk about. The problem comes in that it just comes across more as fact-sharing and not authentic conversations a character might have. It's told to us more than shown. There are also just a lot of different things, and I think eliminating a few of them (design theft, drugs, whatever), would have tied the book tighter and allowed for more development. As it is, there are so many questions that just seem kind of unanswered at the end (like poor Sierra).
I'm not going to shy away from Wiggs books in the future based on this one, but I just can say that this one wasn't a good fit for me.
Review by M. Reynard 2022
After a series of fiasco's in New York, Caroline has come back to Oysterville, Washington to get back on her feet. With two children in tow (the result of her guardianship for a friend), her life is not what she thought it was going to be. But with them as inspiration, she's going to figure it out. Now just to deal with the pesky crush who's married to her best friend.
I'm not going to get into the characters really, as there are a bunch and it mostly centers on Carolina anyway. Who was kind of just an "insert" for me as she does a lot of things, and talks to a lot of people, but her own personality doesn't ever really come out for me. Although I do have to say her whole love triangle thing going on in this book is just kind of icky for me; even if feelings are feelings, just ugh.
The main thing for me was the tackling of all the issues in this book. Wiggs decides to tackle a lot; race, domestic violence (the primary), and even the care of black hair at some point. Which is fine, those are all important things to talk about. The problem comes in that it just comes across more as fact-sharing and not authentic conversations a character might have. It's told to us more than shown. There are also just a lot of different things, and I think eliminating a few of them (design theft, drugs, whatever), would have tied the book tighter and allowed for more development. As it is, there are so many questions that just seem kind of unanswered at the end (like poor Sierra).
I'm not going to shy away from Wiggs books in the future based on this one, but I just can say that this one wasn't a good fit for me.
Review by M. Reynard 2022
Some chick lit...but with sewing. I grabbed this AWHILE ago and really need to just read!! I had problems with this book, as I often do with chick lit....I feel like standards are lowered and this one was no different.
My issues: the relationship between the children's mother and the main character was never developed and I don't get how she was "SO important" she became their guardian....I also don't see a woman who is best friends with Carolina acting so rude anytime they talk--- it just didn't jam.
-the author brings domestic abuse into the story, but it wasn't really something that happened to the Carolina--- nor any of the main characters. It just felt like she wanted her book to be a part of the #metoo movement--- without developing that part. Domestic abuse is not a fad and should not be treated as one. There was so much more that could have been done is she wanted this to be center stage. I felt uncomfortable having a random woman create a group for abused women. I think she could have changed the focus of the group and then included the main character without changing much of the story.
-Carolina is SHOCKED to find her mentor was an abused woman....so why then in flashbacks, all of the 'signs of abuse' are pointed out by her character-- either she saw that her mentor was being abused OR she was shocked. One or the other.
The story was a nice fluff piece. A happily ever after that was difficult to build since the best friends have to no longer be best friends for the characters to share the love interest. I don't think that had to be--- it was also weird that if they were so in love that the love interest would forget Carolina the moment the new girl appeared....I think this story was trying too hard without working out the story.
Read: nah....there is better chick lit.
My issues: the relationship between the children's mother and the main character was never developed and I don't get how she was "SO important" she became their guardian....I also don't see a woman who is best friends with Carolina acting so rude anytime they talk--- it just didn't jam.
-the author brings domestic abuse into the story, but it wasn't really something that happened to the Carolina--- nor any of the main characters. It just felt like she wanted her book to be a part of the #metoo movement--- without developing that part. Domestic abuse is not a fad and should not be treated as one. There was so much more that could have been done is she wanted this to be center stage. I felt uncomfortable having a random woman create a group for abused women. I think she could have changed the focus of the group and then included the main character without changing much of the story.
-Carolina is SHOCKED to find her mentor was an abused woman....so why then in flashbacks, all of the 'signs of abuse' are pointed out by her character-- either she saw that her mentor was being abused OR she was shocked. One or the other.
The story was a nice fluff piece. A happily ever after that was difficult to build since the best friends have to no longer be best friends for the characters to share the love interest. I don't think that had to be--- it was also weird that if they were so in love that the love interest would forget Carolina the moment the new girl appeared....I think this story was trying too hard without working out the story.
Read: nah....there is better chick lit.
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The topic of domestic abuse was seamlessly woven into a love story. The main character struggles with growing up, reaching for her dreams, changing her direction as adulthood becomes reality, and ultimate finding her "place." Easy to love the characters and hope for positive outcomes as the story unfolds.
Really enjoyed listening to this story…..interesting characters and even though I’ve read a bunch of “move home to the seaside town” books lately, this one had some unique aspects.