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book_concierge 's review for:
16 Lighthouse Road
by Debbie Macomber
Book on CD read by Sandra Burr
Olivia Lockhart is at the center of this ensemble piece, the first in the Cedar Cove series. Olivia is a family court judge. Her own marriage ended in divorce some years back and she has a tenuous relationship with her daughter, Justine (who is dating an older and very unsuitable man). Olivia’s mother, Charlotte, likes to visit the judge’s courtroom and when she weighs in on a divorce case Olivia decides to deny the divorce petition. Her court decision captures the attention of a new editor of the local paper, Jack Griffin. The story line also includes the drama in Olivia’s best friend’s marriage and the difficulties being faced by the young couple whose divorce she denies.
I’d heard about Debbie Macomber many times over the years, but had read only one of her books before. A new TV miniseries is about to start based on this book and the rest of the series, so this one captured my attention. Also, it satisfied a couple of challenges both in Shelfari and Good Reads groups for beach reads, contemporary reads, and reading outside my comfort zone (romance).
I certainly understand why her works are popular: we have likeable characters with serious flaws (and/or blind spots), some very real situations that readers can easily relate to, and a few mildly steamy scenes to grab our interest. However, I found this simply too melodramatic for my reading tastes. I was listening to the CDs and kept commenting, “oh, please!” and/or rolling my eyes. Several plot lines are left hanging, a device that reminds one of the “Perils of Pauline” serials used to keep movie audiences coming back week after week to find out what happens next.
Sandra Burr’s reading on the audio wasn’t to my liking either. Her “deep” man’s voice was just plain irritating (or maybe that was the point because several of these men WERE irritating). Also, her pacing was somewhat slow.
Olivia Lockhart is at the center of this ensemble piece, the first in the Cedar Cove series. Olivia is a family court judge. Her own marriage ended in divorce some years back and she has a tenuous relationship with her daughter, Justine (who is dating an older and very unsuitable man). Olivia’s mother, Charlotte, likes to visit the judge’s courtroom and when she weighs in on a divorce case Olivia decides to deny the divorce petition. Her court decision captures the attention of a new editor of the local paper, Jack Griffin. The story line also includes the drama in Olivia’s best friend’s marriage and the difficulties being faced by the young couple whose divorce she denies.
I’d heard about Debbie Macomber many times over the years, but had read only one of her books before. A new TV miniseries is about to start based on this book and the rest of the series, so this one captured my attention. Also, it satisfied a couple of challenges both in Shelfari and Good Reads groups for beach reads, contemporary reads, and reading outside my comfort zone (romance).
I certainly understand why her works are popular: we have likeable characters with serious flaws (and/or blind spots), some very real situations that readers can easily relate to, and a few mildly steamy scenes to grab our interest. However, I found this simply too melodramatic for my reading tastes. I was listening to the CDs and kept commenting, “oh, please!” and/or rolling my eyes. Several plot lines are left hanging, a device that reminds one of the “Perils of Pauline” serials used to keep movie audiences coming back week after week to find out what happens next.
Sandra Burr’s reading on the audio wasn’t to my liking either. Her “deep” man’s voice was just plain irritating (or maybe that was the point because several of these men WERE irritating). Also, her pacing was somewhat slow.