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A review by bunnyovani
The Orchard by Jeffrey Stepakoff
4.0
Won this book as part of a goodreads giveaway and loved every second of reading it. Picked the book up on Saturday morning and spent the entire rainy day curled up on the couch reading it until it was done.
WARNING THIS CONTAINS SPOILERS!!! And for the record, apologies, I don't usually write long reviews, but since I did win this book I feel like I should at least try to write something a bit longer than my usual few lines.
Obviously since I read the whole book in 1 day I really enjoyed it. And, If I'm being perfectly honest, I love a happy ending, so this book made me very, very happy.
It was an easy read, perfect for a day curled up on the couch (as I was) or on the beach. It was a light easy read, but please don't mistake that for crap it's really a great book. Each of the characters has their own issues to deal with, Dylan and the loss of his wife, Grace and running from her past, Carter and her desire to see her dad happy & have a mom. I liked each of the characters introduced. Not just the main characters, but the other local farmers and townspeople, Grace's friends & coworkers, they all fit the story and played their parts well. I HATE reading a book where it seems people are just tossed in as filler for no reason and don't have any impact on the story. All the supporting characters in the book were there for a reason and to me added to the story instead of confusing it with more people to remember.
I was fascinated to read about Grace's work, and the science that goes behind many of the "flavors" that we know today. Though now I'm a bit sketched out by the "natural flavors" line on many of my labels now.
The descriptions of the characters, the tastes, the smells were all beautifully done. So descriptive that I have been left with a serious hankering for ripe apples!!
I was rooting for Dylan and Grace I wanted to see them together, and I'm happy that they were both able to figure out what they needed. Whether it's getting over a dead wife, or realizing that there's more to life than work. Ultimately they both made the decision to be happy. Dylan accepted that he could be happy with someone else, that he was willing to move on and that decision was OK. Grace accepted that she needed to stop trying to prove her worth to the world and be happy within her skin, that she was more than her profession.
I really enjoyed how smart Carter was. Not just a bratty pre-teen but a smart caring kid who obviously loved her dad and genuinely wanted him to be happy. When the issue of her shaving her legs was introduced I thought for sure that Grace would show her, figured it was easy to introduce this new mother figure and have her jump into that role, and instead I was surprised by Dylan teaching her by using a peach. It was perfect!
Actually that scene reminds me of another point that surprised me, I was convinced that Grace's lie on her resume about college would blow up in her face. Figured that would be an easy way for Herb (the big client) and the big account to fall apart, and instead something totally different happened. She told the truth, came clean and left because she wanted to, not because some scandal forced her to go searching for a safe haven to lick her wounds. I appreciated that a lot.
I can't think of anything else to say besides that I liked the book, and already recommended it to my sister who I know will like it too.
WARNING THIS CONTAINS SPOILERS!!! And for the record, apologies, I don't usually write long reviews, but since I did win this book I feel like I should at least try to write something a bit longer than my usual few lines.
Obviously since I read the whole book in 1 day I really enjoyed it. And, If I'm being perfectly honest, I love a happy ending, so this book made me very, very happy.
It was an easy read, perfect for a day curled up on the couch (as I was) or on the beach. It was a light easy read, but please don't mistake that for crap it's really a great book. Each of the characters has their own issues to deal with, Dylan and the loss of his wife, Grace and running from her past, Carter and her desire to see her dad happy & have a mom. I liked each of the characters introduced. Not just the main characters, but the other local farmers and townspeople, Grace's friends & coworkers, they all fit the story and played their parts well. I HATE reading a book where it seems people are just tossed in as filler for no reason and don't have any impact on the story. All the supporting characters in the book were there for a reason and to me added to the story instead of confusing it with more people to remember.
I was fascinated to read about Grace's work, and the science that goes behind many of the "flavors" that we know today. Though now I'm a bit sketched out by the "natural flavors" line on many of my labels now.
The descriptions of the characters, the tastes, the smells were all beautifully done. So descriptive that I have been left with a serious hankering for ripe apples!!
I was rooting for Dylan and Grace I wanted to see them together, and I'm happy that they were both able to figure out what they needed. Whether it's getting over a dead wife, or realizing that there's more to life than work. Ultimately they both made the decision to be happy. Dylan accepted that he could be happy with someone else, that he was willing to move on and that decision was OK. Grace accepted that she needed to stop trying to prove her worth to the world and be happy within her skin, that she was more than her profession.
I really enjoyed how smart Carter was. Not just a bratty pre-teen but a smart caring kid who obviously loved her dad and genuinely wanted him to be happy. When the issue of her shaving her legs was introduced I thought for sure that Grace would show her, figured it was easy to introduce this new mother figure and have her jump into that role, and instead I was surprised by Dylan teaching her by using a peach. It was perfect!
Actually that scene reminds me of another point that surprised me, I was convinced that Grace's lie on her resume about college would blow up in her face. Figured that would be an easy way for Herb (the big client) and the big account to fall apart, and instead something totally different happened. She told the truth, came clean and left because she wanted to, not because some scandal forced her to go searching for a safe haven to lick her wounds. I appreciated that a lot.
I can't think of anything else to say besides that I liked the book, and already recommended it to my sister who I know will like it too.