Scan barcode
vikkiph's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
mn22's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
mbkarapcik's review
4.0
When Kate's mother, a world-famous but mysterious ballerina, tragically dies, and then her grandmother dies in a separate instance, Kate finds a painting of a woman resembling her mother. She does not know its provenance but intends to find out. This search takes her to Corsica, Paris, and New York and upends what she knew about her family ties.
The story begins, however, describing the friendship between free spirit Alice Eversley and her good friend Tom Stafford in the 1920s. Both Alice and Tom tell their own stories in alternating chapters while Kate learns more about who the woman in the portrait is and how it relates to her tenuous family history. The story takes unexpected turns and reveals secrets not meant to be unveiled. Through it all, you get an armchair seat in witnessing indulgent and glamorous parties as well as discovering gorgeous locales juxtaposed with wartime drama and great loves.
The language used to describe the scenery and even how the characters interacted with each other is poetic and reflective of the artists it mentions. At times, the story may move along slowly, and I found myself frustrated with some of the characters from keeping their secrets so long, but it adds to the novel and shows the resilience of the characters.
While I liked the book, I felt that the epilogue did not go into enough detail and felt too much like an add-on. Plus I didn't feel like we learned that much about Kate's future. A romance starts brewing for her and then? I wanted more about what happens to her in the future.
The story begins, however, describing the friendship between free spirit Alice Eversley and her good friend Tom Stafford in the 1920s. Both Alice and Tom tell their own stories in alternating chapters while Kate learns more about who the woman in the portrait is and how it relates to her tenuous family history. The story takes unexpected turns and reveals secrets not meant to be unveiled. Through it all, you get an armchair seat in witnessing indulgent and glamorous parties as well as discovering gorgeous locales juxtaposed with wartime drama and great loves.
The language used to describe the scenery and even how the characters interacted with each other is poetic and reflective of the artists it mentions. At times, the story may move along slowly, and I found myself frustrated with some of the characters from keeping their secrets so long, but it adds to the novel and shows the resilience of the characters.
While I liked the book, I felt that the epilogue did not go into enough detail and felt too much like an add-on. Plus I didn't feel like we learned that much about Kate's future. A romance starts brewing for her and then? I wanted more about what happens to her in the future.
makaylabrown's review
3.0
kinda meh kinda not took ages to get interesting for me safe to say mystery and thrillers are my more preferred for her
geegee_74's review
2.0
I enjoyed the section in Corsica the most. The characters felt a little flimsy.
prototim's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I’m always on the lookout for compelling stories about artists. This was a compelling, well plotted love story that does not follow a predictable path of romance.
morgancarp's review
adventurous
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
meldav23's review
4.75
This is just a really fun story. I like the idea that it talks about all the things that we lose in our life, while also finding others. And I like that it was realistic in many ways instead of just like a fairy tale story.
magenmosley's review
2.0
I wanted to love this book more, but it dragged on and on too much for me to have been totally obsessed. The story of Alice and Tom was beautiful and heartbreaking, I wish it could’ve been told in a more fascinating way as to keep the reader’s attention a little better.