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lilly_reads98's review against another edition
I’m in a huge reading slump, and I just don’t think I’d like this. It’s about an old man, and I like the concept but please someone tell me why young women are writing old men, and why old men are writing young women. I’d rather read someone writing their own gender.
book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
Digital audiobook performed by James Langton.
3.5***
Benedict Stone is a middle-aged man with problems. His jewelry shop in the village of Noon Sun is barely operational, his wife has left him, he hardly cleans his house, and in his rather depressed state he’s resorted to baked goods which have added on pounds. He’s stuck. And then a teen-aged niece he’s never met – the daughter of his estranged brother who lives in America – arrives unannounced at his door on a rainy night. Gemma says she’s on a visit and that she’s lost her phone and passport, so they can’t call her Dad, but “it’s Okay, he knows I’m here.”
Thus, begins this delightful novel of one man’s awakening. Benedict is a good man, but consumed by his desire to have children, and by guilt for a long-past dispute that resulted in the break with his brother. Gemma, who wants details of her family lore, pushes him to recall and reconcile. She’s also the catalyst for Benedict’s change – improving his diet, insisting he exercise, suggesting new options for the shop, and providing some “romantic” advice on how to win back his wife.
There are some wonderfully endearing hilarious scenes that result from Gemma’s romantic advice. But there’s quite a bit of serious drama as well. It seems that Benedict isn’t the only Stone family member who is good at running away from problems rather than facing them. And sprinkled throughout is a bit of the mythology and meaning of gemstones.
Patrick has crafted a sort of modern-day fairy tale, with a cast of eccentric characters (and the village is practically a character in itself), and a happy ending. It was a charming, heart-warming read.
The audiobook is performed by James Langton, who did a marvelous job. I really like the way he interpreted Benedict and Gemma.
3.5***
Benedict Stone is a middle-aged man with problems. His jewelry shop in the village of Noon Sun is barely operational, his wife has left him, he hardly cleans his house, and in his rather depressed state he’s resorted to baked goods which have added on pounds. He’s stuck. And then a teen-aged niece he’s never met – the daughter of his estranged brother who lives in America – arrives unannounced at his door on a rainy night. Gemma says she’s on a visit and that she’s lost her phone and passport, so they can’t call her Dad, but “it’s Okay, he knows I’m here.”
Thus, begins this delightful novel of one man’s awakening. Benedict is a good man, but consumed by his desire to have children, and by guilt for a long-past dispute that resulted in the break with his brother. Gemma, who wants details of her family lore, pushes him to recall and reconcile. She’s also the catalyst for Benedict’s change – improving his diet, insisting he exercise, suggesting new options for the shop, and providing some “romantic” advice on how to win back his wife.
There are some wonderfully endearing hilarious scenes that result from Gemma’s romantic advice. But there’s quite a bit of serious drama as well. It seems that Benedict isn’t the only Stone family member who is good at running away from problems rather than facing them. And sprinkled throughout is a bit of the mythology and meaning of gemstones.
Patrick has crafted a sort of modern-day fairy tale, with a cast of eccentric characters (and the village is practically a character in itself), and a happy ending. It was a charming, heart-warming read.
The audiobook is performed by James Langton, who did a marvelous job. I really like the way he interpreted Benedict and Gemma.
shirleytupperfreeman's review against another edition
This is a nice story for those in the mood for a light beach read with no graphic anything. A troubled young teenager comes to small town England and she, and her uncle's gemstones, shake folks out of their complacency. Relationships of all sorts are healed. To be published in May 2017.
lin127's review
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
janefstevens's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Facile. Like watching a fish tank.
christinaerickson33's review against another edition
4.0
Benedict doesn’t quite understand where his life went wrong. His wife has left him, his jewelry store is just there and all of the sudden his niece from America has shown up on his doorstep one rainy night. Jemma is a headstrong girl of 16, and from everything that Benedict can get out of her, she seems to have run away from home. This is a wonderful feel good story of how friendship can grow and how you can learn more about yourself when you have someone looking you right in the face.
shannon_reidwheat's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. I cannot exactly pinpoint what it was, but I did not want the book to end. I liked this book so much that I ordered it for the library I work at. I totally could relate to Benedict's character, and really enjoyed his journey. In fact, I don't think there were any characters that I disliked. Written by Phaedra Patrick, who also wrote "The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper" this is a delightful, charming story about family and life.