Scan barcode
lollipop38's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
tairaxo's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed this book. I read it in one day, I could not put it down. I loved how the stories of the characters both past and present intertwine. It’s also a beautiful story of overcoming tragedy and finding happiness. A very cute love story that I recommend for all ages.
sarahrice's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
maria161985's review against another edition
5.0
I quite enjoyed this book! It was intriguing to read about Penny in the past, then about Ada in the present. I felt sorry for both Penny and Ada considering the circumstances that they were both presented with. It was such a touching story, and I am quite satisfied with the ending! I actually just picked this book up randomly one day, and now want to read all of Sarah Jio's books! Her books seem to intrigue me, either by the descriptive details or the interesting characters. I look forward to reading more!
beckyb16's review against another edition
4.0
As usual, Jio does not disappoint! I love her cleverly crafted stories - they are a fast read but stories that warm you as you read. The twist at the end of this one makes it one of my favorites. Jio ties in history and a touching love story everytime - another great read!
purplesky02's review against another edition
3.0
Quick read. Characters could've been more developed.
meganpsick's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
callienicole's review against another edition
2.0
I really didn't know anything about this story going in, except that it was set in Seattle - and that was good enough for me, because I wanted to read a book set in the PNW before my husband and I took a trip to Seattle ourselves!
In this story, a woman who lost her husband and child decides to make a fresh start on a houseboat in Seattle. But she finds a trunk containing some treasures that belonged to a woman who used to live on the same boat. The book flashes back and forth between the past and present.
My major problem with this book is that one of the plot lines centers around an affair, which I wasn't aware of. This affair was justified throughout the book, and the man she had an affair with was presented as her "one true love". Nothing got explicit, but it's an affair story! I just can't enjoy a story about an affair.
Aside from that (major) problem, I also felt like the book was not written as well as it could have been. There were several times when the author seemed to tack on a story element as she went -for example, it's only AFTER the character has an affair that she says she suspected her husband of having an affair. Her husband's affair was used to justify her affair through the rest of the book, but it felt very much like the author realized too late that it's hard to like a character who is a cheater, and was trying to keep you from disliking her character. There were other small details that were written the same way - Penny remembers that she saw dog tags around her lover's neck only AFTER she later finds out he was in the military. Why didn't the author just mention that earlier in the book? I wouldn't have loved the book either way because of the plot, but it would have made it feel better crafted.
There was a subtle religious element to this book, but I think it was written from a Catholic perspective. Any religious message it might have been trying to present was very incomplete. The characters go to church and admit that they aren't perfect, and that's that. No mentions of the true gospel of Christ - His dying in our place as a sacrifice for our own sins, and salvation by grace through faith.
Despite not liking the actual story, I did love reading about different Seattle locations in this book while we were actually in Seattle! That saved me from totally disliking it. The atmosphere of the boathouse community was especially fun!
In this story, a woman who lost her husband and child decides to make a fresh start on a houseboat in Seattle. But she finds a trunk containing some treasures that belonged to a woman who used to live on the same boat. The book flashes back and forth between the past and present.
My major problem with this book is that one of the plot lines centers around an affair, which I wasn't aware of. This affair was justified throughout the book, and the man she had an affair with was presented as her "one true love". Nothing got explicit, but it's an affair story! I just can't enjoy a story about an affair.
Aside from that (major) problem, I also felt like the book was not written as well as it could have been. There were several times when the author seemed to tack on a story element as she went -for example, it's only AFTER the character has an affair that she says she suspected her husband of having an affair. Her husband's affair was used to justify her affair through the rest of the book, but it felt very much like the author realized too late that it's hard to like a character who is a cheater, and was trying to keep you from disliking her character. There were other small details that were written the same way - Penny remembers that she saw dog tags around her lover's neck only AFTER she later finds out he was in the military. Why didn't the author just mention that earlier in the book? I wouldn't have loved the book either way because of the plot, but it would have made it feel better crafted.
There was a subtle religious element to this book, but I think it was written from a Catholic perspective. Any religious message it might have been trying to present was very incomplete. The characters go to church and admit that they aren't perfect, and that's that. No mentions of the true gospel of Christ - His dying in our place as a sacrifice for our own sins, and salvation by grace through faith.
Despite not liking the actual story, I did love reading about different Seattle locations in this book while we were actually in Seattle! That saved me from totally disliking it. The atmosphere of the boathouse community was especially fun!
brittneyn125's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.25