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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
i enjoyed this overall, and i like hilderbrand’s writing style and how descriptive she is. but i didn’t really connect with any of the characters, and the story being told in flashbacks was kinda weird and not that engaging. also, the main character was just annoying sooo there’s that.
I listened to this book on CD. I was intrigued by this story of a woman whose husband is convicted of a Ponzi scheme. I've read other books by Hilderbrand, and they have all been nice, light summer reads. I thought this one had a little more substance. It was fun to listen to it!
Meredith retreats to Nantucket to stay with a friend, Connie, to lay low after her husband is arrested for cheating investors out of billions of doctors. While Meredith is dealing with the hate and aftermath of her husband’s crimes, Connie has her own struggles too. This novel explores their stories and how they lean on each other, with the lovely addition of a gorgeous backdrop. This is a pretty typical Elin Hilderbrand novel, and makes for a nice light beach read!
I was so close to giving this one five starts--it's one my favorite Hilderbrand books yet, but I am giving four for the following reasons:
1) The character of Ashlyn is selfish to a point of unbelievability. Adding more depth to her story earlier in the novel, or just making her less of an a**hole, would go a long way.
2) Toby is not charming and not a catch. I hope he falls off one of his students' boats and never makes it back to Nantucket.
3) There is an act of violence right before Part Two that is, in my mind, completely unnecessary and horrendous. It does not advance the plot in any meaningful way and could have been changed to something less atrocious and abhorrent. It feels like it is just there for shock value and nothing is gained or learned from this event. I was so disappointed in this one part that it unfortunately affected how I saw what is, in other ways, an outstanding novel inspired by the Madoff scandal. While it might not seem like a natural pairing, the "ripped from the headlines" financial scandal and Hilderbrand's gift for composing visual and gustatory imagery are a good fit. I'm glad I read it, but really wish that one incident had been cut out or changed to something less horrific.
1) The character of Ashlyn is selfish to a point of unbelievability. Adding more depth to her story earlier in the novel, or just making her less of an a**hole, would go a long way.
2) Toby is not charming and not a catch. I hope he falls off one of his students' boats and never makes it back to Nantucket.
3) There is an act of violence right before Part Two that is, in my mind, completely unnecessary and horrendous. It does not advance the plot in any meaningful way and could have been changed to something less atrocious and abhorrent. It feels like it is just there for shock value and nothing is gained or learned from this event. I was so disappointed in this one part that it unfortunately affected how I saw what is, in other ways, an outstanding novel inspired by the Madoff scandal. While it might not seem like a natural pairing, the "ripped from the headlines" financial scandal and Hilderbrand's gift for composing visual and gustatory imagery are a good fit. I'm glad I read it, but really wish that one incident had been cut out or changed to something less horrific.
I am not sure how to rate books, but I thoroughly enjoyed this one. It was a rainy day and I had my period. I just curled up on my bed and read and read and read!
It is not a masterpiece -- it is a true good read. I just couldn't give it a whole five stars because it was not the best book I've ever read!
It is not a masterpiece -- it is a true good read. I just couldn't give it a whole five stars because it was not the best book I've ever read!
A fabulous book of great depth. Two friends that have grown up together but grown apart. But they are there for each other when the unthinkable happens. Through the tears, the heartbreak, the unknown, the confusion, and an unknown future, they support one another. One of my favorite books of all time.
Found the first half refreshing and the second half written poorly.
A story based on Ruth Madoff, the wife of the infamous and greatest Ponzi scheme that ever occurred. In typical Elin Hildebrand fashion, the wife in this case Meredith Delinn ends up in a very large house in Nantucket, belonging to her estranged best friend Connie. Connie is also going through a mid life crisis of sorts as she navigates life as a widow.
A story based on Ruth Madoff, the wife of the infamous and greatest Ponzi scheme that ever occurred. In typical Elin Hildebrand fashion, the wife in this case Meredith Delinn ends up in a very large house in Nantucket, belonging to her estranged best friend Connie. Connie is also going through a mid life crisis of sorts as she navigates life as a widow.
An easy, silly read that doesn't require much thinking. A good story, but not my favorite of Hilderbrand.