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robinreading's review against another edition
3.0
Not my favorite, although I generally admire Bill Roorbach’s work. There’s a disconnect between what the narrative is describing and the (lack of) tension it creates. At times it’s endearingly New Englandy, but I never quite believed the relationship between the two main characters or the stakes of the situation they were in.
heatherbrae_bock's review against another edition
1.0
I'm not sure where I'd read a review of this book that made me want to add it to my "to read" list, but it ended up being a thorough disappointment. Neither of the two protagonists were terribly likeable... in fact, I ended up disliking both of them. And it's hard to care about a story and how it turns out when you don't like the characters. Why did I see it through to the end? I guess to some degree it was a bit like a car wreck: I felt like I needed to see just how bad it got. This book was billed as "suspenseful" and "romance"... it was the "suspenseful" that got me to read it (along with that good review) because I'm not a huge fan of romance novels. It's a bit laughable, though, because it was anything but romantic... at least from a female perspective. NOT recommended!
greta_samuelson's review against another edition
4.0
Great book - I was very connected to both characters and genuinely concerned for their psychological and physical safety.
the_resa_p's review against another edition
2.0
I’m not sure what novel was read by this book’s endorsers, but it wasn’t the story that ended up getting published. It’s not that this book was “bad” it’s just that I was expecting a lot of flavors and got rather dry toast. Roorbach writes well, but there’s no personality in these characters and for a plot that takes place in a confined space there really wasn't much emphasis placed on character development. The plot leaves room for a lot of possible development...it just remains buried.
Is this a love story? No. The chemistry between these characters is nonexistent. Eric is an uptight small town lawyer and Danielle is slightly crazy and out of money. These characters don’t change and any relationship that blossoms between the two of them is out of necessity, not love. They are surviving together.
The mystery twist ending, which is what really had me interested in this book (and was, at least on my copy of the novel heavily hyped), is really more something you should have inferred from the beginning, and it’s not a “mystery” in the traditional sense. There is no intrigue or action—just fizzle. I blame the endorsements and reviews for this let down though, if I hadn't expected this to be something it wasn't I wouldn't have been so disappointed.
I kept reading just to see when the story would start and while there were some bright spots I finished it feeling let down. Not one I’d recommend.
Is this a love story? No. The chemistry between these characters is nonexistent. Eric is an uptight small town lawyer and Danielle is slightly crazy and out of money. These characters don’t change and any relationship that blossoms between the two of them is out of necessity, not love. They are surviving together.
The mystery twist ending, which is what really had me interested in this book (and was, at least on my copy of the novel heavily hyped), is really more something you should have inferred from the beginning, and it’s not a “mystery” in the traditional sense. There is no intrigue or action—just fizzle. I blame the endorsements and reviews for this let down though, if I hadn't expected this to be something it wasn't I wouldn't have been so disappointed.
I kept reading just to see when the story would start and while there were some bright spots I finished it feeling let down. Not one I’d recommend.
fiercefully's review against another edition
It took me probably about half the book to really get into it, but once I did, I started to really like it — I was actually quite sad when it ended! But this is one of the few books I've read with an ending that left me totally satisfied (I just want everyone to be happy...).
amy_harboredinpages's review against another edition
4.0
As adult fiction goes, this story was really good. I was entertained with the conversations between these two characters as they shared this snowed in experience. How fitting that there is a point where the storm in the story really gets crazy and I was listening to the weather outside my own home shaking and rattling... yes, it was a severe thunder storm outside my own walls but it added to our characters fearful winter storm moments. Nothing like a New England snow... and this Maine girl would know. This is a great book read for anyone snowed in with no place to go... curled up with a warm blanket, fleece socks, and a glass... or 2, of that beverage of choice...
lutheranjulia's review
4.0
This book was never what I expected. There was one plot twist that I saw coming, but I think everyone but the main male figure sees it. Even the end of this book had me feeling stunned and off-kilter. It's like the experience of reading it is the same as the hermetic experience of the characters.
msmichaela's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. I like Bill Roorbach a lot, but I had a hard time believing the main female character as she's written. Still, this was a quick, fairly enjoyable read.