You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I can't decide if this was a good book or a horrible book. It was so different from what I thought it would be. On one hand, it was such a drag and made no sense, but on the other I felt anger that I have never felt reading before. Christina Clancy created the absolute worst literary character ever when she wrote Anthony. Truly a scumbag with no redeeming qualities whatsoever. And she gave him such an unsatisfying ending!! That man deserved to rot in jail not escape accountability by killing himself. I hated him so much.
My main issue with this book is that the entire conflict revolved around the lack of communication between Ann and Michael. If the conflict wouldn't exist if the characters chatted for two minutes, then its not a real conflict!!!! And I will stand by that opinion until the end of time. I will only accept miscommunication in romance novels, and even then I don't enjoy it. It just felt lazy. Like the conflict between Ann and Poppy felt real because they had fundamental issues from lying and jealousy, but the one between Ann and Michael was so dependent on them just never saying anything to each other. And there was absolutely no character development for Ann or Michael, and I ended the book hating them. The only one that I liked the entire time and rooted for was Poppy because at least she could be honest about what she was feeling, why she was feeling it, and the reasons for her actions. She was the only one with decent character development and an ending that made sense.
Every time I try to read contemporary fiction, I'll think I'll enjoy it and it is always so boring.
My main issue with this book is that the entire conflict revolved around the lack of communication between Ann and Michael. If the conflict wouldn't exist if the characters chatted for two minutes, then its not a real conflict!!!! And I will stand by that opinion until the end of time. I will only accept miscommunication in romance novels, and even then I don't enjoy it. It just felt lazy. Like the conflict between Ann and Poppy felt real because they had fundamental issues from lying and jealousy, but the one between Ann and Michael was so dependent on them just never saying anything to each other. And there was absolutely no character development for Ann or Michael, and I ended the book hating them. The only one that I liked the entire time and rooted for was Poppy because at least she could be honest about what she was feeling, why she was feeling it, and the reasons for her actions. She was the only one with decent character development and an ending that made sense.
Every time I try to read contemporary fiction, I'll think I'll enjoy it and it is always so boring.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Death of parent
Plotted like a soap opera, this book met my expectations for an entertaining departure from the everyday doldrums of a Wisconsin pandemic winter. While the many local shout-outs were fun, they were also so numerous as to be a bit distracting. A few timelines were, I think, off, and a final round of edits might have done some good.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Was this a coming of age story? A mystery? An adoption? A romance? Found family? This book greatly lacked a plot and left me feeling confused as to what the point was.
Received an advance copy of this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I wanted to like this book more than I did...it wasn’t a bad read, but I found myself having to work to want to pick it back up again. I sort of cared about the characters, but not enough to be really excited to read. It was just okay. Family dramas are hit and miss for me, and this one was just neutral all the way. I did think the ending was nicely done...closure, happiness, but not in a contrite way.
I read this is one start to finish on the plane. Perfect summer beach read. Cannot wait to see more from this talented author.
Such a good book! This book centers around 3 siblings whose lives change dramatically one summer. It’s mostly based in Cape Cod - one of my favorite places - and is very well written. The start was a bit slow for me and I struggled a bit until I got to about the 30% mark then I couldn’t put it down. I just had to know how it ended! The author did a brilliant job with the characters with a few tearful moments toward the end. This is a good book if you’re looking for a lovely story about how a family is ripped apart then comes back together.
Overall I enjoyed this one. It is actually more like three stories in one.
A story about the highs and lows of family relationships...parents/children, siblings and a teenage adoption added to the mix. But there’s also a parallel story about how outside influences on those family members (prompting misunderstandings, lies, jealousy and estrangement) can take its toll on the family dynamic. And ultimately it explores how a home can feel and mean different things to individuals at different stages/phases of their lives.
It is well written and angsty enough to have kept my attention.
My only personal issue is that I ended up not particularly liking any of the characters, the exception being the adopted son, Michael. But that’s my take (and probably not a popular opinion).
Overall recommended.
A big thanks to #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress for providing me the ARC. The opinions are strictly my own.
A story about the highs and lows of family relationships...parents/children, siblings and a teenage adoption added to the mix. But there’s also a parallel story about how outside influences on those family members (prompting misunderstandings, lies, jealousy and estrangement) can take its toll on the family dynamic. And ultimately it explores how a home can feel and mean different things to individuals at different stages/phases of their lives.
It is well written and angsty enough to have kept my attention.
My only personal issue is that I ended up not particularly liking any of the characters, the exception being the adopted son, Michael. But that’s my take (and probably not a popular opinion).
Overall recommended.
A big thanks to #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress for providing me the ARC. The opinions are strictly my own.
Thank you NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the opportunity to read this novel.
There's something magical about books set in Cape Cod and complicated family dramas are one of my favorite genres of books. The Second Home fits both of those categories.
The Gordon family is one everyone envies. During an annual summer trip to their family home in Cape Cod, the Gordon family experienced a series of events that changed everything. Forced to harbor secrets, the family bond was shattered and nothing was the same again.
Set over a time span of almost 20 years, readers journey through the heartache and joy of a family trying bit by bit to piece back together what they once had.
There's something magical about books set in Cape Cod and complicated family dramas are one of my favorite genres of books. The Second Home fits both of those categories.
The Gordon family is one everyone envies. During an annual summer trip to their family home in Cape Cod, the Gordon family experienced a series of events that changed everything. Forced to harbor secrets, the family bond was shattered and nothing was the same again.
Set over a time span of almost 20 years, readers journey through the heartache and joy of a family trying bit by bit to piece back together what they once had.
I loved this book! It carries you through so many emotions and leaves you wanting more.
I received an advanced copy of #TheSecondHome from @StMartinsPress and @Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. When I first received this book, I thought "I don't know about this" as I mostly read thrillers and thought this one might be boring. WELL, let me tell you this book is FAR from boring! I DEVOURED this story and its fantastic characters. So good!
Christina Clancy has created captivating characters some I loved, some I hated,. The Second Home centers around the Gordon Family and their summer home in Cape Cod. The story is told from several points of view over the course of many years. It centers on Ann, the oldest daughter and the summer when things didn't go quite as planned. The events of that summer have resulted miscommunications, misunderstandings, hard feelings and distance between family members and this house where it all began. It's just so good.
I highly recommend The Second Home. Once you pick it up you won't put it down. 5 Stars.
I received an advanced copy of #TheSecondHome from @StMartinsPress and @Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. When I first received this book, I thought "I don't know about this" as I mostly read thrillers and thought this one might be boring. WELL, let me tell you this book is FAR from boring! I DEVOURED this story and its fantastic characters. So good!
Christina Clancy has created captivating characters some I loved, some I hated,. The Second Home centers around the Gordon Family and their summer home in Cape Cod. The story is told from several points of view over the course of many years. It centers on Ann, the oldest daughter and the summer when things didn't go quite as planned. The events of that summer have resulted miscommunications, misunderstandings, hard feelings and distance between family members and this house where it all began. It's just so good.
I highly recommend The Second Home. Once you pick it up you won't put it down. 5 Stars.
This debut novel felt like it was written like a seasoned pro. I was surprised after I read the book to realize it was a debut novel. This book contains lots of layers and depth to the story of family, what it means to be family, the destruction of strong bonds, learning to love again, and the importance of family. Told in alternating perspectives from the three children, I became connected to each of their plights. They weren't all always lovable, but I understood why they were feeling and acting the way that they did. Their lives could have been so different if there had been more communication between each other, preventing the misunderstanding after the disastrous events one summer at their second home on Cape Cod. I don't know why I'm drawn to books with family drama because our family, fortunately, doesn't have a lot of drama. I think it's because I believe relationships are significant, and they fascinate me. There is a lot to discuss about this book. If you love women's' fiction and family drama, I'd recommend you try this one.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy for my honest review.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy for my honest review.