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4.39 AVERAGE
4.39 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Kristin Hannah is becoming a favorite author of mine. Her ability to put you into the setting of a story is amazing. This book takes place in Alaska when the Allbright family moves to gain some peace of mind for the patriarch, Ernt.
Cora and Leni (wife and daughter) are used to moving every so often and accommodating to the dad’s PTSD and episodes, but this is extreme. Only the strongest survive Alaska, and they’re not sure if they’re prepared. It’s also a lonely place to live with not many kids for Leni to grow up with. However, despite the odds, she meets Matthew, a boy her age who immediately intrigues her. While fighting for her life in Alaska and dealing with her father’s temper, Matthew is her bright spot.
There was so many touching parts to this book. I loved watching Matthew and Leni’s love grow stronger through the years, but what happened to him crushed my soul. When she saw him in the hospital for the first time, I was hurt to my core. I didn’t necessarily see it coming that Cora and Leni would handle Ernt the way they did and flee Alaska so hastily. It does make perfect sense, but was still not what I expected!! I’m glad it went that way instead of him taking Cora out. I love that in the end, Leni and Matthew found their way back to each other, despite all odds.
Cora and Leni (wife and daughter) are used to moving every so often and accommodating to the dad’s PTSD and episodes, but this is extreme. Only the strongest survive Alaska, and they’re not sure if they’re prepared. It’s also a lonely place to live with not many kids for Leni to grow up with. However, despite the odds, she meets Matthew, a boy her age who immediately intrigues her. While fighting for her life in Alaska and dealing with her father’s temper, Matthew is her bright spot.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Tbh annoyed I spent time on this instead of the many Alaskan memoirs on my list. The writing strung me along and moved quickly, and I too love Alaskan summers but man, this is very much like a bad soap opera.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship
Wow. This one made me feel so many things. Definitely an emotional read. The audio was phenomenal. It's been a while since I read a historical fiction. SO glad my friend chose this as her traveling book choice for our little group. I didn't want to put it down. Leni's story was broken but beautiful. I felt like I was right there with her in Alaska much of the time. I felt such strong emotions for her & her mama. My heart broke when her heart broke. Kristin Hannah has a way of just completely captivating her readers & fully submerging them in her stories. Highly recommend this one - especially the audio.
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes