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ebc726's review
4.0
Giving this one a solid 4.5 rating. If some of the plot twists hadn’t been a little predictable, I would’ve given it a 5 because I honestly LOVED it and would recommend it and read it again. Maybe I’ve been reading too many split time period/family web books like this lately that I’ve gotten good at predicting the twists?
jsultz3's review
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? No
4.25
erindoublee's review
2.0
This was a difficult book to finish. It was easy to figure out and the skipping back and forth was sometimes tedious to keep track of. Overall, I think this author tried hard to write a good book but may be better off writing adult novels.
shanhautman's review
3.0
Quick & engaging read. Nothing earth shattering, and a little heavy on the romance for me.
heybalestoo's review against another edition
3.0
While I liked this book fine, I feel like it was missing links in the character development that would have made the story more interesting related to the key events of the story.
msilkwolfe's review
3.0
The story sucked me in, and it would definitely be a good beach read or a book to pick up if you wanna speed through a book with a good story. I had some trouble with some of the characters at times, as well as believing certain plot points that seemed random/spontaneous, etc. But I’m glad I picked this one up! Not bad, by any means.
book_concierge's review
3.0
Book on CD narrated by Kristin Kelbly
Williams sets this historical novel on the fictional Winthrop Island, where the year-round residents are the families of Portuguese fishermen, but whose governing group consists of the upper-class families who summer here. In the summer of 1951 Miranda Schuyler is introduced to this society when her widowed mother marries the high-class Hugh Fisher. His daughter, Isobel, introduces Miranda to the country-club set, and to Joseph Vargas, the son of a lobsterman. Years later Miranda, now a famous actress, return to the island after the break-up of her marriage. The Fisher estate has fallen into disrepair, and Joseph has recently escaped from prison where he’s been incarcerated since that summer when Miranda met him.
I love how Williams weaves the stories and intrigues of these characters together. There are plenty of secrets to go around and enough twists and turn to keep things interesting. I did find Miranda a bit irritating and wanted to slap Isobel more than once. And the mothers! Every one of them – Isobel’s mother, Miranda’s mother, Joseph’s mother – My stars, but they were a piece of work! Still, the story kept me interested and I eagerly kept going to see how Williams would tie it all together. Not sure why she needed to have that interlude with Miranda’s European husband, but whatever ….
Final verdict: a delicious soap-opera of a summer beach read.
Kristin Kelbly does a fine job of narrating the audiobook. She has a number of characters to voice and she manages to give them sufficiently unique voices so that I was never confused.
Williams sets this historical novel on the fictional Winthrop Island, where the year-round residents are the families of Portuguese fishermen, but whose governing group consists of the upper-class families who summer here. In the summer of 1951 Miranda Schuyler is introduced to this society when her widowed mother marries the high-class Hugh Fisher. His daughter, Isobel, introduces Miranda to the country-club set, and to Joseph Vargas, the son of a lobsterman. Years later Miranda, now a famous actress, return to the island after the break-up of her marriage. The Fisher estate has fallen into disrepair, and Joseph has recently escaped from prison where he’s been incarcerated since that summer when Miranda met him.
I love how Williams weaves the stories and intrigues of these characters together. There are plenty of secrets to go around and enough twists and turn to keep things interesting. I did find Miranda a bit irritating and wanted to slap Isobel more than once. And the mothers! Every one of them – Isobel’s mother, Miranda’s mother, Joseph’s mother – My stars, but they were a piece of work! Still, the story kept me interested and I eagerly kept going to see how Williams would tie it all together. Not sure why she needed to have that interlude with Miranda’s European husband, but whatever ….
Final verdict: a delicious soap-opera of a summer beach read.
Kristin Kelbly does a fine job of narrating the audiobook. She has a number of characters to voice and she manages to give them sufficiently unique voices so that I was never confused.
devansbooklife's review
4.0
I have read some of the reviews and feel I must have read a different book altogether. I loved this book. I loved the alternating time lines that kept me guessing. I loved the sweet, palpable tenderness between Miranda and Joseph. The character I had the hardest time connecting to was Isobel. Her behavior seemed completely irrational and often infuriating. The final twist wasn't as shocking once all of the information had been gathered. Even though this book is set in the past, I found the basic principles very relevant to today. The Families as they are known, appear happy on the outside. Much like many people on social media. But no one really knows what is going on behind closed doors or what actual lives are like without the filter. I found this book engrossing and it left me wanting more.