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h_beemster's review
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
rosecityreader's review
5.0
A Small Earnest Question by J. F. Riordan. This is the fourth book in Riordan's North of the Tension Line series set on Washington Island, a remote island in the Great Lakes. Fiona Campbell is the main character at the center or an eclectic mix of locals, visitors, pets, and even goats for the goat yoga classes. This fourth book involves the grand opening of a remodeled hotel and the island's first literary festival, but the point of the series is to wallow in the charm.
This one is perfect for all the pumpkin spice latte lovers on your list. Riordan brings readers up to speed enough to enjoy this as a stand alone, or splurge on the set of four.
This one is perfect for all the pumpkin spice latte lovers on your list. Riordan brings readers up to speed enough to enjoy this as a stand alone, or splurge on the set of four.
katebelt's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
unclepaulie's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I received this book in the mail from a dear friend. I had been anticipating its release for nearly a year and here, unannounced, it arrived. The book is a wonderful catch-me-up of life in the author's fictitious characters centered on Wisconsin's Washington Island.
It's folksy, delving and moralistic. Where a less skilled writer might slap you with a desired conclusion, Ms. Riordan presents the reader with multiple dilemma and allows her seemingly self-cognizant characters the right to choose their paths and decisions. There is significant growth from the first novel in this series, as there ought be as the author and personalities mature.
Each novel in the series can stand on its own. There is no "demand" for another. The individual novels are, if you will, snapshots in the album North of the Tension Line. I am perfectly content to look and partially live in each, but I am invested and desire more. I wait for the next letter to arrive with news from home.
It's folksy, delving and moralistic. Where a less skilled writer might slap you with a desired conclusion, Ms. Riordan presents the reader with multiple dilemma and allows her seemingly self-cognizant characters the right to choose their paths and decisions. There is significant growth from the first novel in this series, as there ought be as the author and personalities mature.
Each novel in the series can stand on its own. There is no "demand" for another. The individual novels are, if you will, snapshots in the album North of the Tension Line. I am perfectly content to look and partially live in each, but I am invested and desire more. I wait for the next letter to arrive with news from home.
beaufortbooks's review
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
erosewall's review
5.0
A small, lovely book
This is the fourth in a series, and although Ms. Riordan does a wonderful job of exposition to bring readers up to speed, it is much more enjoyable if you’ve read the other three. All are set on Washington Island in Door County, Wisconsin, a place just far enough to be removed from the bustle of the city and to have a number of quirky, but very lovable, residents. Short chapter segments bounce between characters and subplots in a way that, surprisingly, doesn’t feel choppy but advances the character driven story beautifully. I raise a Bloody Roger to this lovely book!
This is the fourth in a series, and although Ms. Riordan does a wonderful job of exposition to bring readers up to speed, it is much more enjoyable if you’ve read the other three. All are set on Washington Island in Door County, Wisconsin, a place just far enough to be removed from the bustle of the city and to have a number of quirky, but very lovable, residents. Short chapter segments bounce between characters and subplots in a way that, surprisingly, doesn’t feel choppy but advances the character driven story beautifully. I raise a Bloody Roger to this lovely book!
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