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natashagill's review against another edition
4.0
Definitely not what I expected but a really great read. I thought this would be about a woman's recovery from grief, which in a way it was, but there was another story altogether, a mystery, another family broken apart, another story of grief and healing that the main character also becomes involved in. I was happy with the resolution of both stories and they intertwined and wove around each other. I'm glad I didn't read this after I'd suffered a big loss though, the theme of grief is prevalent and heavy. Not unbearable but very palpable. All in all though a good read. I enjoyed these characters.
skynet666's review against another edition
4.0
Short, easy read. I liked the characters and the story, but the mystery part was just a side for me.
nypeapod's review
5.0
Great read
The book gradually draws you into the mystery. It is well written and moves along at a steady pace. It is all about characters, no romance and no violence. The characters are believable people, you can picture them in your mind as you read.
The book gradually draws you into the mystery. It is well written and moves along at a steady pace. It is all about characters, no romance and no violence. The characters are believable people, you can picture them in your mind as you read.
lnoronha's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
duchessofreadin's review against another edition
5.0
She was suffering from a loss. So was he. She was ready to end it all, but he refused to let her.....
Jenna Shaw is suffering guilt and grief from losing her entire family in an accident. She was supposed to be there, but the chance to have some quiet time was something she could not pass up. Sending her family to Alaska, she gets ready to settle down to some much-needed rest and recuperation after a busy summer. But then tragedy strikes, and she is left alone - forever. She has coped the best she can, but she is ready to let everything go, and join her family in death. She hears her daughter Cassie's voice in her mind - but nothing from the remainder of her family - just her teenage daughter giving her advice, and questioning the choices that she is making.
Lars is suffering from a loss of his own. He has covered the grief over the many decades that have gone by, but the memories are still there. He does the best he can to cope, but at any moment, the memories can rear their head. Two children missing, one son who was left behind, and the one person who knows where they might be is not talking. Lars has done the best he can to move on, but both he and his son have buried the memories of the day his mother walked out of their lives, taking her two youngest children with her. While no sign of Francine or Will is ever discovered, Audrey is discovered - incoherent and mentally broken.
Jenna shows up next to his house, thinking that she will walk out into the lake and just end everything, but Lars catches her and refuses to let her kill herself. Saving her life, he drags her back towards his house. Instead of bringing her inside, he leaves her on his porch, in a frigid Minnesota winter. When the tow truck driver finally shows up, she is in for an even bigger surprise. Owen forces his dad to take Jenna in until he can get her van fixed, and neither of them is happy with the situation. As the days go by, a truce is formed, and little by little a friendship begins to form.
As their stories unfold, they both find that they are burying painful memories, and perhaps the other can help them get through the grief.
Eventually, Lars asks Jenna to use her skills as a journalist to see what she can uncover about his family and the mysterious disappearance of his children. He is desperate for any information that can be uncovered, holding onto the slimmest shred of hope. Jenna is hesitant to do so, but she does not want to let Lars down. She begins to dig into the families past, but she discovers that there is more than one secret lurking, and the truth just might destroy the fragile older gentleman's heart once and for all...
I sat and read the entire book in just under three hours - it was that good! I am going to warn you though - this book will run you through the gambit of emotions, and run you through an emotional wringer. I wanted to set it aside and finish another time, but there was no way I could set the book down and move on. I had to know what was going to happen next! Add this to your summer reading pile! It is one that is definitely worth the read.
*Some adult language used in the book*
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishers for the ARC for an unbiased and honest review
Jenna Shaw is suffering guilt and grief from losing her entire family in an accident. She was supposed to be there, but the chance to have some quiet time was something she could not pass up. Sending her family to Alaska, she gets ready to settle down to some much-needed rest and recuperation after a busy summer. But then tragedy strikes, and she is left alone - forever. She has coped the best she can, but she is ready to let everything go, and join her family in death. She hears her daughter Cassie's voice in her mind - but nothing from the remainder of her family - just her teenage daughter giving her advice, and questioning the choices that she is making.
Lars is suffering from a loss of his own. He has covered the grief over the many decades that have gone by, but the memories are still there. He does the best he can to cope, but at any moment, the memories can rear their head. Two children missing, one son who was left behind, and the one person who knows where they might be is not talking. Lars has done the best he can to move on, but both he and his son have buried the memories of the day his mother walked out of their lives, taking her two youngest children with her. While no sign of Francine or Will is ever discovered, Audrey is discovered - incoherent and mentally broken.
Jenna shows up next to his house, thinking that she will walk out into the lake and just end everything, but Lars catches her and refuses to let her kill herself. Saving her life, he drags her back towards his house. Instead of bringing her inside, he leaves her on his porch, in a frigid Minnesota winter. When the tow truck driver finally shows up, she is in for an even bigger surprise. Owen forces his dad to take Jenna in until he can get her van fixed, and neither of them is happy with the situation. As the days go by, a truce is formed, and little by little a friendship begins to form.
As their stories unfold, they both find that they are burying painful memories, and perhaps the other can help them get through the grief.
Eventually, Lars asks Jenna to use her skills as a journalist to see what she can uncover about his family and the mysterious disappearance of his children. He is desperate for any information that can be uncovered, holding onto the slimmest shred of hope. Jenna is hesitant to do so, but she does not want to let Lars down. She begins to dig into the families past, but she discovers that there is more than one secret lurking, and the truth just might destroy the fragile older gentleman's heart once and for all...
I sat and read the entire book in just under three hours - it was that good! I am going to warn you though - this book will run you through the gambit of emotions, and run you through an emotional wringer. I wanted to set it aside and finish another time, but there was no way I could set the book down and move on. I had to know what was going to happen next! Add this to your summer reading pile! It is one that is definitely worth the read.
*Some adult language used in the book*
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishers for the ARC for an unbiased and honest review
rachelellyn's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 Very slow burn, yet the character development pulls you along. Kind of like the relationship between Lars and Jenna.
sheila713's review against another edition
5.0
Following a devastating tragedy, Jenna is seeking relief, but not in a good way. She leaves Texas and ends up in Minnesota, in the winter. Lars, husband and father who has had his own tragedy, interferes and seeks to change Jenna's mind. The two develop an unusual relationship, with Lars asking Jenna to help him solve the mystery behind what devastated his world.
This is a thought provoking story very relevant for today, with satisfying characters.
This is a thought provoking story very relevant for today, with satisfying characters.
beastreader's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely fell hard in love with this book. A true treasure of a read. You have to order a copy of The Widow's Watcher right away.
Jenna and Lars had me from the get go. They were quite the pair. What with their "insults" or really I should say Jenna's insults towards Lar's attitude. When Lar would crack a smile, I could not help but smile as well. They were both wounded souls who actually needed one another. Although, I liked Jenna's deceased daughter, Cassie's voice whispering in Jenna's ear along the way.
Eliza Maxwell pens a heartfelt, lovely story that reached deep into my soul with her endearing characters that will stick with you long after you have put down the last page in The Widow's Watcher!
Jenna and Lars had me from the get go. They were quite the pair. What with their "insults" or really I should say Jenna's insults towards Lar's attitude. When Lar would crack a smile, I could not help but smile as well. They were both wounded souls who actually needed one another. Although, I liked Jenna's deceased daughter, Cassie's voice whispering in Jenna's ear along the way.
Eliza Maxwell pens a heartfelt, lovely story that reached deep into my soul with her endearing characters that will stick with you long after you have put down the last page in The Widow's Watcher!
ellejax's review against another edition
5.0
A lot of things happening here
There are a lot of things woven together in this novel, but it is done well.
Grief? Got that. Suicidal ideation, depression, friendship, recovery, mystery, missing children, hypnosis, all here. But this is all woven together in a novel that makes sense and is emotionally moving.
Maxwell makes you feel for characters even when their actions are questionable. Her character development is unmatched.
There are a lot of things woven together in this novel, but it is done well.
Grief? Got that. Suicidal ideation, depression, friendship, recovery, mystery, missing children, hypnosis, all here. But this is all woven together in a novel that makes sense and is emotionally moving.
Maxwell makes you feel for characters even when their actions are questionable. Her character development is unmatched.