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ejlouws's review against another edition
2.0
I struggle with the rating system on GoodReads, because 2 stars seems so negative, but this book was really okay! I did roll my eyes plenty of times (like when super profound Alex recites the same Mark Twain quote that every college girl has on her Facebook profile, or when Ada made her millionth snap decision causing an issue that would have been solved in .5 seconds if she had *just talked about it*), but I know what I'mg getting with Sarah Jio and this was the perfect book to read during a fairly stressful week.
libraryladykati's review against another edition
3.0
I do love Sarah Jio. This was a nice escapist story because I adore her characters, but this one I just didn't quite click with it like I did with The Last Camellia. Still worth reading if you want a simpler but still weighty summer read.
efirer's review against another edition
5.0
After experiencing tragedy, Ada leaves New York to distance herself from her former life. Renting a houseboat in Seattle, she becomes embroiled in the lives of the neighbors on "Boat Street" and a woman who previously lived in the houseboat. I loved the back and forth between Ada's story and Penny's. A good read.
heaether's review against another edition
3.0
Per usual Jio writes a great light mystery. Always a sad story, always a nice ending = a great uplifting read.
faboolicious's review against another edition
4.0
Two years ago, Ada's world shattered into a million pieces. She lost two people that meant everything to her, and she just can't get past it. She's decided to quit her job and leave New York, for a houseboat in Seattle. In doing so, she is introduced to a whole new way of living. She's also introduced to a mystery that she can't resist. Penny, a woman who lived in the houseboat Ada is renting, disappeared back in the fifties under suspicious circumstances. Ada wants to find out what happened to her, especially after discovering a chest full of Penny's things inside the houseboat. This is a perfect distraction from the pain in her heart, and the handsome Alex, who lives across the way, isn't too bad either. Mystery, romance, and hope are what these pages divulge. I was drawn in right away, and could barely put the book down.
morganameridius's review against another edition
3.0
I read a lot of books like Morning Glory- present day heroine with some guilty or tragic backstory who stumbles upon a parallel woman's story from years past. It's a great formula and I'm always sucked in. I've never read about houseboats or Seattle so that was charming! The story itself is formulaic, especially if you read a lot of these like I do. I could pinpoint most of the storylines and twists ahead of time, save for one or two. I also thought the dialogue between Ada and Alex, even Joanie sometimes, was stilted. It felt amatuerish and lacking in emotion even though her whole being was built on emotion. I also thought she grinned too much. That being said, it was an enjoyable book with an exciting past story... until the Epilogue. The epilogue made me want to scream I hated it so much. It ruined a lot of the charm of the book for me. I thought it was unnecessary and hokey. Really disappointing. Still, if you're looking for a rainy day read this is short and enjoyable enough.
ldc65's review against another edition
5.0
This book was excellent!!!!! I couldn't put it down! The ending was unexpected and unbelievable. I highly recommended this book.
gadrake's review against another edition
4.0
Sarah Jio blends a bit of mystery and romance as she creates parallel stories between 1959 and the present. Women's relationships are at the heart of both stories. Set in Seattle, two women occupy the same houseboat though many years separate them. How will their stories converge? Readers will keep turning the pages just to find out. While there is one part of the story line that seems a bit too neat, this is still a satisfying, gentle read that examines women's choices, grief, and new love.
tony21's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
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