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ccunliffe's review
4.0
An interesting mystery. The movement between time periods worked well. The plot twist was somewhat expected, although the root cause was not. Good for anyone looking for a fast-paced whodunnit.
lastpaige111's review
4.0
I totally loved this book and read it in 24 hours.
June, the MC, was so incredibly likable, and I admired her spunk and persistence. Almost all the characters were so well developed, and although I saw the main twist (I love to congratulate myself when I do) it was close to the reveal; the secondary twist, I totally missed.
At first I thought the premise of a young woman who only sees her daughter a couple of days a year was very strange, but as I read, I realized there was an underlying thread I didn't pick up on right away. The daughter, Willa, is growing up in a town where MC and Mom Juniper would rather not live, for multiple reasons; however, nothing would have prevented Juniper from raising her elsewhere once she was out of college ... unless ... there actually is a big, unsaid thing. Eventually the reader learns almost off-hand that Juniper's family (and friends) are church-goers, and although it's never specified WHAT church, I'm assuming it's the kind that ostracizes women for behaving the way Juniper confesses she did at age 19 (not that it should be anyone else's business, which is another unexplained detail). I guess the publishers didn't want to limit the audience to Christian readers -- that's all I can think. But it feels like a lame choice. Also, the irony of Christians treating one another the way these people do ... a missed opportunity.
The absence of a sex scene also screams conservative Christian, which, honestly? Doesn't bother me one bit. Sex between teens can happen off-stage, thank you very much. Sex between adults, too, for that matter, or any combination thereof. Call me prim, but I'm a fan of what's left up to the imagination ...
Only reasons I gave 4 instead of 5 stars --
There were so many subplots that none of them were well developed, and a couple required a deus ex machina to resolve. PLUS, the story's told in two timeframes, so there are even more challenges developing characters who are truly different people at one age than at another. In a few of the threads, inevitably the important characters are short-changed. There isn't room enough in a normal-length novel for that many characters to be fully developed. Nonetheless, I admired the complexity. I love multiple threads.
I'm far from a conservative Christian, but I'll definitely pick up this author again. The emotional complexity makes up for the missteps.
June, the MC, was so incredibly likable, and I admired her spunk and persistence. Almost all the characters were so well developed, and although I saw the main twist (I love to congratulate myself when I do) it was close to the reveal; the secondary twist, I totally missed.
At first I thought the premise of a young woman who only sees her daughter a couple of days a year was very strange, but as I read, I realized there was an underlying thread I didn't pick up on right away. The daughter, Willa, is growing up in a town where MC and Mom Juniper would rather not live, for multiple reasons; however, nothing would have prevented Juniper from raising her elsewhere once she was out of college ... unless ... there actually is a big, unsaid thing. Eventually the reader learns almost off-hand that Juniper's family (and friends) are church-goers, and although it's never specified WHAT church, I'm assuming it's the kind that ostracizes women for behaving the way Juniper confesses she did at age 19 (not that it should be anyone else's business, which is another unexplained detail). I guess the publishers didn't want to limit the audience to Christian readers -- that's all I can think. But it feels like a lame choice. Also, the irony of Christians treating one another the way these people do ... a missed opportunity.
The absence of a sex scene also screams conservative Christian, which, honestly? Doesn't bother me one bit. Sex between teens can happen off-stage, thank you very much. Sex between adults, too, for that matter, or any combination thereof. Call me prim, but I'm a fan of what's left up to the imagination ...
Only reasons I gave 4 instead of 5 stars --
There were so many subplots that none of them were well developed, and a couple required a deus ex machina to resolve. PLUS, the story's told in two timeframes, so there are even more challenges developing characters who are truly different people at one age than at another. In a few of the threads, inevitably the important characters are short-changed. There isn't room enough in a normal-length novel for that many characters to be fully developed. Nonetheless, I admired the complexity. I love multiple threads.
I'm far from a conservative Christian, but I'll definitely pick up this author again. The emotional complexity makes up for the missteps.
johnlway's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
madisongdavis's review
5.0
SO WONDERFUL. I was blown away by how much I was involved in the romance. But the mystery and thriller side was also just great!! I loved it!
devansbooklife's review
4.0
This was addictive. I have seen several reviews complaining of the back and forth time line but it works for this story. It actually made the story more compelling in my opinion.
June is moving back to her home town. She has been gone 13 years. She left following a double homicide. The night of the murders changed the course of June's life. When she returns she is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery that altered her life forever.
I didn't see the twist until about halfway or three thirds in and I usually catch on quickly. My heart hurts for all the loss in the book. June is a written and developed primary character, that I bonded with and rooted for. I need an answer to why Sullivan married who he did though. Convenience? Frustrated as hell about it though.
Triggers: animal cruelty/death, environmental toxins, bullies/on a town level, murder
June is moving back to her home town. She has been gone 13 years. She left following a double homicide. The night of the murders changed the course of June's life. When she returns she is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery that altered her life forever.
I didn't see the twist until about halfway or three thirds in and I usually catch on quickly. My heart hurts for all the loss in the book. June is a written and developed primary character, that I bonded with and rooted for. I need an answer to why Sullivan married who he did though. Convenience? Frustrated as hell about it though.
Triggers: animal cruelty/death, environmental toxins, bullies/on a town level, murder
bethe1306's review
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
2.0
This just wasn't for me
apryl_turner's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0