Scan barcode
alwaysbooking's review
4.0
Very cute story. Nice idea... feel it was rushed at times. But otherwise pretty good :)
spowers2627's review against another edition
5.0
River Song is a story about returning home. Lee returns to River Valley to hide from a problem her husband created before he died. I love how Tess writes Lee's views of the town as a child, and how being an adult changes Lee's perspective on her home town. Lee and Tommy's love story is told but what stood out to me more was how lee becomes a part of the River Valley community.
shannon_cocktailsandbooks's review
3.0
As a kid, I hated when an adult would always point out a morale to what every story I was engrossed in, whether it was TV or a book. When your nine, you really don't want your parents having the sex talk with your after watching an episode of Joanie Love Chachi. So now being the adult, I find myself doing the same damn things to my kids and asking them what they learned from that episode of Fresh Prince of Bel Air or Sponge Bob. I cringe each time I do it, but sometimes you can't let those little tidbit go by without pointing them out.
What does this have to do with Riversong? This is one of those books where I feel compelled to pass out to all those that complain how bad their life is yet do nothing to change it. Lee Tucker encompasses that life lesson of "Pull yourself up by your bootstraps". Sure she got everything tied up in a pretty bow for her in the end, just like those TV shows of my youth, but she went through some pretty hellish stuff to get that pretty bow and I think she earned it.
The plot points aren't perfect (the loan shark/mafia hit man was a little too over the top for me) but where certain plot points may bug you as a reader, the others more than make up for. The best one for me was Lee coming back home again and finding the place she thought was full of ugly memories was the one place that could make her happy.
Second chances and coming home is what Riversong is all about and I think Tess Hardwick did a good job in bringing those points across. I liked the book and think it's a thought provoking choice for book clubs to read in 2012.
What does this have to do with Riversong? This is one of those books where I feel compelled to pass out to all those that complain how bad their life is yet do nothing to change it. Lee Tucker encompasses that life lesson of "Pull yourself up by your bootstraps". Sure she got everything tied up in a pretty bow for her in the end, just like those TV shows of my youth, but she went through some pretty hellish stuff to get that pretty bow and I think she earned it.
The plot points aren't perfect (the loan shark/mafia hit man was a little too over the top for me) but where certain plot points may bug you as a reader, the others more than make up for. The best one for me was Lee coming back home again and finding the place she thought was full of ugly memories was the one place that could make her happy.
Second chances and coming home is what Riversong is all about and I think Tess Hardwick did a good job in bringing those points across. I liked the book and think it's a thought provoking choice for book clubs to read in 2012.
saycheeze37's review
2.0
Started off strong, good characters and a good story. However, the author lost me by the end. I felt she rushed the conclusion, as it wasn't as good as it could have been and was a bit to corny for me. Also the heroine's unwillingness to trust anyone or rely on anyone got a little old after awhile.
rosemaryandrue's review
2.0
I have mixed feelings about this book. On one hand, I liked the main character and the community that she grows to build around her when she goes home to start over. On the other hand, the plot of the million dollar debt is too far-fetched and the romance and hero alike were bland. But most damningly, though the writing was decent, I felt bored with the story and kept waiting to be done, which is not something you want out of a book!
alstrath's review
5.0
What a happy book. Easy reading and likeable characters. Can't wait to tackle Riverbend.
ctorretta's review
5.0
I love Tess Thompson’s writing. She has a way with words that just pulls you into the story and grips you until you are so involved that there is no way to close the book. Or in my case turn off my Kindle. Her writing is very eloquent.
She would gaze at the stars until the night’s vast sky enveloped her and she became a star herself and was at peace in that moment of connection to teh largeness of the universe. but today it did not comfort her. Today, it amplified her feelings of isolatino from the world, even from herself, as if mocking her with its beauty.
There’s so much that I love about this particular story. The writing, yes is fabulous, but the characters are great. Lee is the main character and goes through so much in this. But it is drama that is never so far out of reach. Sadly is stuff that you can actually see happening to someone. And the strength that she has, even not knowing it, is tremendous. But I think it really is the humble way that she has of speaking and acting that really made me fall in love with her. Her strength holds no bounds and she doesn’t even know it!
My two favorite characters are Ellie and Linus. Both help Lee in so many different ways! But I have to say Linus has a special place. He’s a bit crazy but everyone needs a crazy friend that is going to let you spill your guts on their shoulder and still love you afterward. No matter how ugly those guts may be. My favorite speech of Linus:
“And, on the cusp of my departure, I give you two last challenges for tonight and all the nights you work here. The first is to find joy in doing of something with excellence, whatever your task. Know there is meaning in that pursuit of perfection, whether it’s pouring a glass of water without splashing, or gracefully taking back a steak to the chef even though it’s cooked to their specifications, or making a martini with the perfect amount of vermouth, or my personal favorite, opening wine table side without the tacky pop of the cork.” He smiled at the servers. “The second is to notice the artistry in the ordinary, perhaps an image to paint later, a conversation overheard to use for fiction.” He gazed at John for a moment. “Choose something every night that inspires you, so that your time here is not just about money. Know this, my dears, beauty, inspiration, can be found in the most astonishing places.” He raised his water glass. “I toast you. As for your nerves, in teh words of a good whore, ‘fake it till you make it.’”
Seriously!? How can you NOT love that guy? And Tess for coming up with something SO elegant that I want to print it out and post it beside my computer. These are words of wisdom in a contemporary novel! Genius!
And to add a bit of sweetness to an already fabulous plot… there’s a bit of romance too! YAY!!
Now, on to my one slight negative. Which honestly isn’t even that negative. There is a lot about trusting God, seeking God’s help, etc in this. Well, not a LOT per say, but a bit. But it wasn’t so much to turn me off at all. It was just quite a few phrases and signals. I am on the fence about whether I enjoyed these particular parts but I completely understand why she put those parts in here. But don’t think this is a religious book. Nope… like I said, only phrases… here’s an example:
Only God understands and we have to wait until the end, where I imagine I’ll see my questions answered, spread out across the heavens in waves of clarity.
Not too bad right? And there aren’t many religious folks in this story either. Just thought I would mention since it is something that I noticed, but in no way did this turn me off from her wonderfully written story.
Recommended to: Anyone that enjoys a contemporary with some growing. Lee definitely had a lot of growth in the story.
She would gaze at the stars until the night’s vast sky enveloped her and she became a star herself and was at peace in that moment of connection to teh largeness of the universe. but today it did not comfort her. Today, it amplified her feelings of isolatino from the world, even from herself, as if mocking her with its beauty.
There’s so much that I love about this particular story. The writing, yes is fabulous, but the characters are great. Lee is the main character and goes through so much in this. But it is drama that is never so far out of reach. Sadly is stuff that you can actually see happening to someone. And the strength that she has, even not knowing it, is tremendous. But I think it really is the humble way that she has of speaking and acting that really made me fall in love with her. Her strength holds no bounds and she doesn’t even know it!
My two favorite characters are Ellie and Linus. Both help Lee in so many different ways! But I have to say Linus has a special place. He’s a bit crazy but everyone needs a crazy friend that is going to let you spill your guts on their shoulder and still love you afterward. No matter how ugly those guts may be. My favorite speech of Linus:
“And, on the cusp of my departure, I give you two last challenges for tonight and all the nights you work here. The first is to find joy in doing of something with excellence, whatever your task. Know there is meaning in that pursuit of perfection, whether it’s pouring a glass of water without splashing, or gracefully taking back a steak to the chef even though it’s cooked to their specifications, or making a martini with the perfect amount of vermouth, or my personal favorite, opening wine table side without the tacky pop of the cork.” He smiled at the servers. “The second is to notice the artistry in the ordinary, perhaps an image to paint later, a conversation overheard to use for fiction.” He gazed at John for a moment. “Choose something every night that inspires you, so that your time here is not just about money. Know this, my dears, beauty, inspiration, can be found in the most astonishing places.” He raised his water glass. “I toast you. As for your nerves, in teh words of a good whore, ‘fake it till you make it.’”
Seriously!? How can you NOT love that guy? And Tess for coming up with something SO elegant that I want to print it out and post it beside my computer. These are words of wisdom in a contemporary novel! Genius!
And to add a bit of sweetness to an already fabulous plot… there’s a bit of romance too! YAY!!
Now, on to my one slight negative. Which honestly isn’t even that negative. There is a lot about trusting God, seeking God’s help, etc in this. Well, not a LOT per say, but a bit. But it wasn’t so much to turn me off at all. It was just quite a few phrases and signals. I am on the fence about whether I enjoyed these particular parts but I completely understand why she put those parts in here. But don’t think this is a religious book. Nope… like I said, only phrases… here’s an example:
Only God understands and we have to wait until the end, where I imagine I’ll see my questions answered, spread out across the heavens in waves of clarity.
Not too bad right? And there aren’t many religious folks in this story either. Just thought I would mention since it is something that I noticed, but in no way did this turn me off from her wonderfully written story.
Recommended to: Anyone that enjoys a contemporary with some growing. Lee definitely had a lot of growth in the story.
erinbrenner's review
3.0
Overall, I enjoyed this book. It sometimes became schmaltzy, and other times I wonder if the copyeditor fell asleep. But the characters were well constructed and the story moved along. Worth the schmaltz and errors.
vhardman's review
5.0
What do you do when you have lost everything and have some very unsavory characters after you because of something someone else did? You return home and that’s exactly what Lee does. Heartbroken, scared and alone, Lee decides to refurbish her mother’s home and while she’s at it she better get a job too. Lee’s hometown is also looking to refurbish its image. With a wonderful cast of characters, can Lee finally find a place to be truly happy, never feel alone again and maybe find love?
Tess Thompson writes in such a way that you care about the characters and the Town. Vividly written you can imagine exactly what the town and the people look like. For a debut book, I believe she has a hit series on her hands.
I enjoyed this book tremendously! I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. I highly recommend this book. Tess made me care about the characters and had me smiling when things went the way I had hoped.
Tess Thompson writes in such a way that you care about the characters and the Town. Vividly written you can imagine exactly what the town and the people look like. For a debut book, I believe she has a hit series on her hands.
I enjoyed this book tremendously! I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. I highly recommend this book. Tess made me care about the characters and had me smiling when things went the way I had hoped.
More...