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juliasilge's review against another edition
2.0
If I wasn't reading this on a plane, I don't know if I would have stuck with it, to be honest. It's like it wants to be [b:The Girl on the Train|22557272|The Girl on the Train|Paula Hawkins|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1490903702s/22557272.jpg|41107568] or [b:Gone Girl|19288043|Gone Girl|Gillian Flynn|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1397056917s/19288043.jpg|13306276] but isn't quite up to the task. The writing and pacing did improve dramatically in the second half, and by the end, this is a book with some soul and tenderness. Not super well crafted, though.
babygina's review against another edition
2.0
Mixed feelings
I was enjoying the build-up of this book, but I was disappointed in the resolution. It started off like a thriller a la Gone Girl, but in the middle it melted down into a heart-warming tale of a woman finding her way in the world. Then it swung back to the thriller angle, desperately trying to wring out a shocking ending. This wasn't some sort of expert-level choice to swing the pendulum back and forth, teasing the reader. It came off like the author couldn't decide what genre or type of hero she wanted to write. The ending fell a little flat, with an "oh are you kidding me?" set of circumstances (that a more experienced author may have actually been able to pull off) and the characters reacting to them in unrealistic ways. I could have forgiven the sort of weak reveal if the novel had maintained the dark and tense tone the whole way through. A little surprised that the author doubled down on this storyline and turned it into a series.
I was enjoying the build-up of this book, but I was disappointed in the resolution. It started off like a thriller a la Gone Girl, but in the middle it melted down into a heart-warming tale of a woman finding her way in the world. Then it swung back to the thriller angle, desperately trying to wring out a shocking ending. This wasn't some sort of expert-level choice to swing the pendulum back and forth, teasing the reader. It came off like the author couldn't decide what genre or type of hero she wanted to write. The ending fell a little flat, with an "oh are you kidding me?" set of circumstances (that a more experienced author may have actually been able to pull off) and the characters reacting to them in unrealistic ways. I could have forgiven the sort of weak reveal if the novel had maintained the dark and tense tone the whole way through. A little surprised that the author doubled down on this storyline and turned it into a series.
judithdcollins's review against another edition
4.0
A very special thank you to the author, Lake Union, and NetGalley for an ARC (paperback) in exchange for an honest review. Also my July "Kindle First" Pick (e-book).
Kerry Lonsdale delivers a riveting debut EVERYTHING WE KEEP, a woman who attends her fiancé’s funeral instead of her wedding. From intrigue, mystery, secrets, and betrayal; being true to oneself. 4.5 Stars
Aspiring Dreams. Second Chances. From letting go, to healing, forgiveness, and love.
Sous chef Aimee Tierney has been planning a perfect wedding and perfect life with her childhood sweetheart James Donato (Donato Enterprises -import/export business). James had made promises- they would grow old together. They had been together since they were eight years old as best friends; inseparable.
They each had their own dreams. Aimee’s to open her own restaurant. James' passion was art. However, his family would not hear of this career from an early age. Aimee helped him hide in her own house as a child, to find solace, offering a place for painting without his parent’s approval.
Claire the mother had wanted James and Thomas working at the dad’s company, when they grew up, and James painting pictures was not part of her plan.
However, James disappears while on a trip to Mexico, right before the big wedding day. A tragic boating accident. She never saw the actual body. When he returned they had decided he would quit Donato Enterprises and pursue art. Painting was his passion. If she had insisted he stay home, they would be married and on their honeymoon in Saint Bart’s.
Aimee is devastated and many answers still unsettled. In addition, she receives more bad news when her parents sell their restaurant (The Goat) due to financial reasons, and she had planned on buying it. She had worked with them for years, and had envisioned buying it when they retired. They owed too much money on the business.
Over the years, while she helped her mom craft new recipes for the restaurant, James painted, and his talent and their friendship flourished turning into much more. Sous chef and restaurant manager, Aimee is at odds with her life and cannot figure out why her husband was taking off at the last minute; and the events leading to the death. She had so many memories connected to both.
Things become even more complex , when a psychic named Lucy (Lacy) shows up at the funeral and says James is alive. An enigma, she remains a mystery to the very end. Readers cannot imagine how she is connected.
Thomas, James brother (his beneficiary) shows up with money saying she was entitled. The check was dated the same date as James’ funeral. With no job and no restaurant, she is tempted to take the money. Are these two connected?
Should she use the money to start her own restaurant? Something was drawing her to Joe’s, a special place she and James frequented, to find it for lease. Joe’s Coffee house was closed. The café was empty. Gone forever. Just like everything else in her life.
Five months later, Aimee’s designer friend, Nadie wants her to attend a gallery opening for Wendy V Yee Gallery (international photography). The photographer was Ian Collins. Nadie had created a beautiful space for the artistic talent. They soon become friends.
She also starts thinking about turning Joe’s into "Aimee’s Café." James had even suggested the name. A place where they spent their Sunday mornings. Her friend, Nadie had told her she needed to move forward. Now at age twenty-seven could she be the proud owner of a business with no plan, no employees, or no product? A boutique coffee shop and gourmet eatery.
Aimee receives many clues through paintings that leaves her wondering if James may still be alive. She does not want to tell anyone-they would think she was crazy. She has to find out. She had buried her fiancé and mourned him. She missed him something fierce, and that longing only fueled the seeds of doubt Lacy had planted. Until those went away, it wouldn’t be fair to let Ian assume she wanted anything more than friendship.
After fourteen months since James left for Mexico and one year since she buried him, Aimee’s search leads her to Mexico, with clues from the mysterious psychic, and the art gallery post card from Mexico.
Ian Collins whose wife died five years earlier, comes along- he too has suffered a painful past. Aimee’s heart reached out to him, as she knew exactly how he felt. Hollow and incomplete. Loss left an empty cavity in the chest.
If James were alive, it meant something bigger and more sinister had been going on around her and she had been too naïve to see it. However, when Ian’s sister opens up to Aimee, she learns he too has suffered a great loss and this journey with Aimee may be what he needs, and at the same time capturing his photography.
Lonsdale takes readers on a suspenseful and emotional journey, to an intense mystery of the past about James’ childhood, his accident, and how each character is a connecting puzzle piece.
Part Two takes us to The Emerald Coast to Puerto Escondido, Mexico, to a boutique beachfront resort, and a gallery to meet the artist, Carlos at this mysterious gallery. Did the postcard and painting prove James was alive, or was she wasting her time, looking for answers for the last nineteen months.
As the Belize Sunrise, true artists elicit an emotional response through their work, whether art or cooking –could Ian be the man for her, to catch her, or can she give up James’ ghost? Aimee’s heart was divided from James to Ian.
“The worst feeling in the world is never to be remembered by the one person I can’t forget.”
Does Aimee know whom she can trust? Was she losing her grip on sanity? From James, Imelda, Thomas, Lacy, James missing paintings, a death, and now Ian; opening her heart to him. It was all to to much. Who were the victims? Can perfection be an illusion?
A splendid debut, complex, multi-layered mystery and suspense, keeping readers glued to the pages to learn the dark family secrets, and the whereabouts of James’ missing paintings.
“The pain of rejection, the pain of betrayal, and the pain of everything that had been lost to us.”
When you reach the halfway mark, there are many unexpected twists, 75% intense, and the best part is the Epilogue- Twisty and surprising (Loved it)! Contemporary fiction, mixed with suspense, romance, and intrigue. Not only a physical journey traveling thousands of miles, also an internal journey.
From mental illness, DID dissociative identity disorder, fugue, emotional trauma, assault, and forgotten memories—being true to oneself. When life cannot be forced upon someone, against their will. Discovering the truth about the ones we hold dear, and the lengths they will go to protect. Would make for an entertaining movie.
Can’t wait for the next two books: All the Breaking Waves, Dec, 2016 and What We Leave Behind June, 2017! An author to follow!
Amazon Kindle First (Prime) readers, you can read this title early, before, August 1 release date. BTW, it is 3:06 am just finishing. After reading, dying for a delectable scone and an espresso! When reading, you will relate.
For all you fans of (2015) James Hankins The Prettiest One, you are going to love this smashing new name in contemporary domestic suspense!
JDCMustReadBooks
Kerry Lonsdale delivers a riveting debut EVERYTHING WE KEEP, a woman who attends her fiancé’s funeral instead of her wedding. From intrigue, mystery, secrets, and betrayal; being true to oneself. 4.5 Stars
Aspiring Dreams. Second Chances. From letting go, to healing, forgiveness, and love.
Sous chef Aimee Tierney has been planning a perfect wedding and perfect life with her childhood sweetheart James Donato (Donato Enterprises -import/export business). James had made promises- they would grow old together. They had been together since they were eight years old as best friends; inseparable.
They each had their own dreams. Aimee’s to open her own restaurant. James' passion was art. However, his family would not hear of this career from an early age. Aimee helped him hide in her own house as a child, to find solace, offering a place for painting without his parent’s approval.
Claire the mother had wanted James and Thomas working at the dad’s company, when they grew up, and James painting pictures was not part of her plan.
However, James disappears while on a trip to Mexico, right before the big wedding day. A tragic boating accident. She never saw the actual body. When he returned they had decided he would quit Donato Enterprises and pursue art. Painting was his passion. If she had insisted he stay home, they would be married and on their honeymoon in Saint Bart’s.
Aimee is devastated and many answers still unsettled. In addition, she receives more bad news when her parents sell their restaurant (The Goat) due to financial reasons, and she had planned on buying it. She had worked with them for years, and had envisioned buying it when they retired. They owed too much money on the business.
Over the years, while she helped her mom craft new recipes for the restaurant, James painted, and his talent and their friendship flourished turning into much more. Sous chef and restaurant manager, Aimee is at odds with her life and cannot figure out why her husband was taking off at the last minute; and the events leading to the death. She had so many memories connected to both.
Things become even more complex , when a psychic named Lucy (Lacy) shows up at the funeral and says James is alive. An enigma, she remains a mystery to the very end. Readers cannot imagine how she is connected.
Thomas, James brother (his beneficiary) shows up with money saying she was entitled. The check was dated the same date as James’ funeral. With no job and no restaurant, she is tempted to take the money. Are these two connected?
Should she use the money to start her own restaurant? Something was drawing her to Joe’s, a special place she and James frequented, to find it for lease. Joe’s Coffee house was closed. The café was empty. Gone forever. Just like everything else in her life.
Five months later, Aimee’s designer friend, Nadie wants her to attend a gallery opening for Wendy V Yee Gallery (international photography). The photographer was Ian Collins. Nadie had created a beautiful space for the artistic talent. They soon become friends.
She also starts thinking about turning Joe’s into "Aimee’s Café." James had even suggested the name. A place where they spent their Sunday mornings. Her friend, Nadie had told her she needed to move forward. Now at age twenty-seven could she be the proud owner of a business with no plan, no employees, or no product? A boutique coffee shop and gourmet eatery.
Aimee receives many clues through paintings that leaves her wondering if James may still be alive. She does not want to tell anyone-they would think she was crazy. She has to find out. She had buried her fiancé and mourned him. She missed him something fierce, and that longing only fueled the seeds of doubt Lacy had planted. Until those went away, it wouldn’t be fair to let Ian assume she wanted anything more than friendship.
After fourteen months since James left for Mexico and one year since she buried him, Aimee’s search leads her to Mexico, with clues from the mysterious psychic, and the art gallery post card from Mexico.
Ian Collins whose wife died five years earlier, comes along- he too has suffered a painful past. Aimee’s heart reached out to him, as she knew exactly how he felt. Hollow and incomplete. Loss left an empty cavity in the chest.
If James were alive, it meant something bigger and more sinister had been going on around her and she had been too naïve to see it. However, when Ian’s sister opens up to Aimee, she learns he too has suffered a great loss and this journey with Aimee may be what he needs, and at the same time capturing his photography.
Lonsdale takes readers on a suspenseful and emotional journey, to an intense mystery of the past about James’ childhood, his accident, and how each character is a connecting puzzle piece.
Part Two takes us to The Emerald Coast to Puerto Escondido, Mexico, to a boutique beachfront resort, and a gallery to meet the artist, Carlos at this mysterious gallery. Did the postcard and painting prove James was alive, or was she wasting her time, looking for answers for the last nineteen months.
As the Belize Sunrise, true artists elicit an emotional response through their work, whether art or cooking –could Ian be the man for her, to catch her, or can she give up James’ ghost? Aimee’s heart was divided from James to Ian.
“The worst feeling in the world is never to be remembered by the one person I can’t forget.”
Does Aimee know whom she can trust? Was she losing her grip on sanity? From James, Imelda, Thomas, Lacy, James missing paintings, a death, and now Ian; opening her heart to him. It was all to to much. Who were the victims? Can perfection be an illusion?
A splendid debut, complex, multi-layered mystery and suspense, keeping readers glued to the pages to learn the dark family secrets, and the whereabouts of James’ missing paintings.
“The pain of rejection, the pain of betrayal, and the pain of everything that had been lost to us.”
When you reach the halfway mark, there are many unexpected twists, 75% intense, and the best part is the Epilogue- Twisty and surprising (Loved it)! Contemporary fiction, mixed with suspense, romance, and intrigue. Not only a physical journey traveling thousands of miles, also an internal journey.
From mental illness, DID dissociative identity disorder, fugue, emotional trauma, assault, and forgotten memories—being true to oneself. When life cannot be forced upon someone, against their will. Discovering the truth about the ones we hold dear, and the lengths they will go to protect. Would make for an entertaining movie.
Can’t wait for the next two books: All the Breaking Waves, Dec, 2016 and What We Leave Behind June, 2017! An author to follow!
Amazon Kindle First (Prime) readers, you can read this title early, before, August 1 release date. BTW, it is 3:06 am just finishing. After reading, dying for a delectable scone and an espresso! When reading, you will relate.
For all you fans of (2015) James Hankins The Prettiest One, you are going to love this smashing new name in contemporary domestic suspense!
JDCMustReadBooks
krisloveskihei's review against another edition
3.0
Tough to put down but disappoints in the end
This was a very intriguing and suspenseful story but I felt it fell apart a bit at the end. and I really hated the epilogue - thought it was totally unnecessary and unsatisfying.
This was a very intriguing and suspenseful story but I felt it fell apart a bit at the end. and I really hated the epilogue - thought it was totally unnecessary and unsatisfying.
kayx08's review against another edition
5.0
I loved that this book had a bit of everything; tragedy, mystery, love. Such a satisfying read - I couldn't put it down!
treparker73's review against another edition
4.0
Wow
Appreciate each moment. This was the first time reading this author. I enjoyed the story and wow what an ending.
Appreciate each moment. This was the first time reading this author. I enjoyed the story and wow what an ending.
kdurham2's review against another edition
4.0
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
Aimee was headed down a path that she had been building since her childhood - a great guy, a plan to own a restaurant, the house and everything. Right before she is about to walk down the aisle her fiancee heads out on a work trip and never returns. Aimee must bury her husband instead of marry him. BUT she internally feels like he is still alive and keeps getting hints that he could be, so she must go and find the truth and make decisions with that truth in hand.
Usually I like my books to be really realistic, not a fantasy reader here! But for some reason when I read this book, I easily suspended my need for reality and just got swept up in Aimee's story and need to find the truth. I didn't fall on the fence of wanting him alive or not, but I did want Aimee to be able to accept the truth and live with whatever that truth was. I loved her as a character and I think that helped me go on this journey with her with reckless abandonment!
Aimee was headed down a path that she had been building since her childhood - a great guy, a plan to own a restaurant, the house and everything. Right before she is about to walk down the aisle her fiancee heads out on a work trip and never returns. Aimee must bury her husband instead of marry him. BUT she internally feels like he is still alive and keeps getting hints that he could be, so she must go and find the truth and make decisions with that truth in hand.
Usually I like my books to be really realistic, not a fantasy reader here! But for some reason when I read this book, I easily suspended my need for reality and just got swept up in Aimee's story and need to find the truth. I didn't fall on the fence of wanting him alive or not, but I did want Aimee to be able to accept the truth and live with whatever that truth was. I loved her as a character and I think that helped me go on this journey with her with reckless abandonment!
bookish_blonde's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book much more than I was expecting to. It was a nice surprise. One negative for me was the fact that there were elements to this story that were a little far fetched and coincidental. However, if you let it go and just enjoy the story, you can move past that. I Liked the characters and writing, also loved the love story portion of this book. Explores grief, loss, love, and family dynamics.
loloreader8's review against another edition
5.0
Speechless
Why did I wait so long to read this book?! It is the perfect blend of a tragic love story, mystery, with some family drama. An awesome summer read that I should have read long ago. Do yourself a favor and read this book!
Why did I wait so long to read this book?! It is the perfect blend of a tragic love story, mystery, with some family drama. An awesome summer read that I should have read long ago. Do yourself a favor and read this book!