What do you think?
Rate this book
The Things We Do for Love
The youngest of three daughters, Angela DeSaria Malone was always “the princess” of the family, a girl who thought she knew how her life would unfold. High School. College. Marriage. Motherhood. That was how it had gone for her sisters, her cousins, her friends. But it didn’t work out that way for Angie. She and her husband tried desperately to have a child; year after year, their perfectly decorated nursery remained empty. Finally, their marriage collapsed under the weight of lost dreams.
After the divorce, Angie moved back to her hometown and rejoined her loud, loving, slightly crazy family. In West End, a place where life rises and falls in time with the tides, she will find the man who once again will open her heart to love . . . and meet the girl who will change Angie’s life.
Lauren Ribido lives in a rundown apartment in a bad part of town with a mother who cares more about her next drink than about her daughter. At seventeen, Lauren knows that her aspirations in life may never come to pass.
From the moment they meet, Angie sees something special in Lauren. They form a quick connection, this woman who is desperate for a daughter and the girl who has never known a mother’s love. When Lauren is abandoned by her mother, Angie doesn’t hesitate to offer the girl a place to stay. But nothing could have prepared Angie for the far-reaching repercussions of this act of kindness. In a dramatic turn of events, she and Lauren will be tested in a way that mothers and daughters seldom are. Together they will embark on an intensely moving, deeply emotional journey to the very heart of what it means to be a family.
After the divorce, Angie moved back to her hometown and rejoined her loud, loving, slightly crazy family. In West End, a place where life rises and falls in time with the tides, she will find the man who once again will open her heart to love . . . and meet the girl who will change Angie’s life.
Lauren Ribido lives in a rundown apartment in a bad part of town with a mother who cares more about her next drink than about her daughter. At seventeen, Lauren knows that her aspirations in life may never come to pass.
From the moment they meet, Angie sees something special in Lauren. They form a quick connection, this woman who is desperate for a daughter and the girl who has never known a mother’s love. When Lauren is abandoned by her mother, Angie doesn’t hesitate to offer the girl a place to stay. But nothing could have prepared Angie for the far-reaching repercussions of this act of kindness. In a dramatic turn of events, she and Lauren will be tested in a way that mothers and daughters seldom are. Together they will embark on an intensely moving, deeply emotional journey to the very heart of what it means to be a family.
464 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
10505 people are currently reading
89115 people want to read
About the author
Kristin Hannah
141 books294k followersKristin Hannah is the award-winning and bestselling author of more than 20 novels including the international blockbuster, The Nightingale, which was named Goodreads Best Historical fiction novel for 2015 and won the coveted People's Choice award for best fiction in the same year. It was named a Best Book of the Year by Amazon, iTunes, Buzzfeed, the Wall Street Journal, Paste, and The Week. In 2018,
The Great Alone became an instant New York Times #1 bestseller and was named the Best Historical Novel of the Year by Goodreads.
The Four Winds was published in February of 2021 and immediately hit #1 on the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Indie bookstore's bestseller lists. Additionally, it was selected as a book club pick by the both Today Show and The Book Of the Month club, which named it the best book of 2021.
Firefly Lane, her beloved novel about two best friends, was the #1 Netflix series around the world, in the week it came out. The popular tv show stars Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke and Season Two is currently set to conclude the series on April 27, 2023.
Her new novel, The Women, about a young woman coming of age during the turbulent 1960's in America, who joins the Army Nurse Corps and serves in Vietnam will be published February 6th, 2024.
A former attorney, Kristin lives in the Pacific Northwest.
The Great Alone became an instant New York Times #1 bestseller and was named the Best Historical Novel of the Year by Goodreads.
The Four Winds was published in February of 2021 and immediately hit #1 on the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Indie bookstore's bestseller lists. Additionally, it was selected as a book club pick by the both Today Show and The Book Of the Month club, which named it the best book of 2021.
Firefly Lane, her beloved novel about two best friends, was the #1 Netflix series around the world, in the week it came out. The popular tv show stars Katherine Heigl and Sarah Chalke and Season Two is currently set to conclude the series on April 27, 2023.
Her new novel, The Women, about a young woman coming of age during the turbulent 1960's in America, who joins the Army Nurse Corps and serves in Vietnam will be published February 6th, 2024.
A former attorney, Kristin lives in the Pacific Northwest.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 6,407 reviews
January 9, 2025
ᯓ★ pre-read: I haven't read a Kristin Hannah book since early November... simply unacceptable and fixing that immediately. I believe this is also published as 'The Things We Do for Love' for my US friends.
My KH rankings -
╰┈➤ the great alone - 5 stars ✨
╰┈➤ the women - 5 stars ✨
╰┈➤ firefly lane - 5 stars ✨
╰┈➤ the nightingale - 4.5 stars ✨
╰┈➤ four winds - 4.25 stars ✨
╰┈➤ night road - 4 stars ✨
╰┈➤ home front - 4 stars ✨
My KH rankings -
╰┈➤ the great alone - 5 stars ✨
╰┈➤ the women - 5 stars ✨
╰┈➤ firefly lane - 5 stars ✨
╰┈➤ the nightingale - 4.5 stars ✨
╰┈➤ four winds - 4.25 stars ✨
╰┈➤ night road - 4 stars ✨
╰┈➤ home front - 4 stars ✨
July 17, 2015
This is the second book of Kristin Hannah's I've read and I absolutely loved it. It was the most beautiful touching story that I've read in a long time. This author has a unique insight into the human soul and she is able to gently guide her characters into a full and rich life in a way that is believable and heartfelt.
Once I started this story I must admit that I just couldn't stop, it drew me in very quickly and I was delighted with the way it turned out. It's a story of human compassion and kindness and it tells the story of a family who truly love each other. Ange, the main character, finds out that what she has been looking for can come to her in a way she never imagined and as you go through the journey of Ange's self discovery you are forever changed. This is a beautiful love story, but it is not a romance. The love that Ange finds is that of a mother's love and she finds that it completes her and allows her to heal old hurts and fix past mistakes.
Once I started this story I must admit that I just couldn't stop, it drew me in very quickly and I was delighted with the way it turned out. It's a story of human compassion and kindness and it tells the story of a family who truly love each other. Ange, the main character, finds out that what she has been looking for can come to her in a way she never imagined and as you go through the journey of Ange's self discovery you are forever changed. This is a beautiful love story, but it is not a romance. The love that Ange finds is that of a mother's love and she finds that it completes her and allows her to heal old hurts and fix past mistakes.
August 29, 2023
Baby we were born to run.
Bruce Springsteen, 1975
I was pleasantly surprised with another 4 star read. A very smooth and satisfying familial drama centred around childless couple Angie and Conlan who cross paths with young Lauren. Lauren is young and really down on her luck. Her mother is a dud, she's always provided for herself while still maintining things at school.
A proud scholarship girl, she works hard, pays her own way and happens to be in love with the top boy at school. This was probably the part that let the story down a little for me. Lauren was very obviously doing without and she'd been in a steady relationship with David for four years - his family was wealthy, never doing a thing for Lauren. She had a worn winter coat and holes in her shoes. They live where it is always rainy and cold. This was sad, but she never asked for anything.
Angie's family is Italian, they run an amazing restaurant and are as tightly knit as you could imagine. I love descriptions of food and the love families show in this way.
Not everything is shiny though as Angie has always strived too much in life; she's always been the spoilt sibling and has failed in the most important thing she sees in life - motherhood.
This is a heartstrings book, a simple one full of neat opportunities with some obvious moments, but this is good for me as I often read heavy non fiction, even more so lately.
I listened to this on the BorrowBox platform via my local library at 1.5 speed, very well narrated which provided an enjoyable reading experience. Light and easy, and there is nothing wrong with that.
Bruce Springsteen, 1975
I was pleasantly surprised with another 4 star read. A very smooth and satisfying familial drama centred around childless couple Angie and Conlan who cross paths with young Lauren. Lauren is young and really down on her luck. Her mother is a dud, she's always provided for herself while still maintining things at school.
A proud scholarship girl, she works hard, pays her own way and happens to be in love with the top boy at school. This was probably the part that let the story down a little for me. Lauren was very obviously doing without and she'd been in a steady relationship with David for four years - his family was wealthy, never doing a thing for Lauren. She had a worn winter coat and holes in her shoes. They live where it is always rainy and cold. This was sad, but she never asked for anything.
Angie's family is Italian, they run an amazing restaurant and are as tightly knit as you could imagine. I love descriptions of food and the love families show in this way.
Not everything is shiny though as Angie has always strived too much in life; she's always been the spoilt sibling and has failed in the most important thing she sees in life - motherhood.
This is a heartstrings book, a simple one full of neat opportunities with some obvious moments, but this is good for me as I often read heavy non fiction, even more so lately.
I listened to this on the BorrowBox platform via my local library at 1.5 speed, very well narrated which provided an enjoyable reading experience. Light and easy, and there is nothing wrong with that.
October 10, 2023
Not reading the Kindle version but a paperback large print with this cover.
Angie De Saria grew up as her fathers princess, always given far more allowances than her older sisters, who were all involved with the Italian family restaurant. She went off to college and then the plan was marriage and motherhood. But life had other plans. It seems a baby is not part of those plans. The nursery she and Conan decorated remains empty. Her marriage suffers and they divorce and she moves back to her hometown and family and the family restaurant.
The other main character is seventeen year old Lauren Ribido. Lauren lives in a bad part of town but is working hard to better her prospects. She has a boyfriend she loves who is from the rich part of town. They both have college in the sights. But unlike David whose parents will pay for his college Lauren has to depend on getting a scholarship.
Angie offers Hera job. Lauren starts working as a waitress. But then complications arise and neither Angie or Lauren are prepared for the way their lives intertwine.
I had a fair idea where this story was heading from early on. It didn’t make a scrap of difference though to my reading enjoyment as I was fully invested in this story and the characters. At times.I had to put it aside briefly to give the emotions a chance to recover. But I couldn’t leave it alone for long. And yes, there were definitely tears at times with this one. I loved not just the main characters but the other members of the DeSaria family. A heat tugging story of grief and loss, family, friendship and costly choices.
Angie De Saria grew up as her fathers princess, always given far more allowances than her older sisters, who were all involved with the Italian family restaurant. She went off to college and then the plan was marriage and motherhood. But life had other plans. It seems a baby is not part of those plans. The nursery she and Conan decorated remains empty. Her marriage suffers and they divorce and she moves back to her hometown and family and the family restaurant.
The other main character is seventeen year old Lauren Ribido. Lauren lives in a bad part of town but is working hard to better her prospects. She has a boyfriend she loves who is from the rich part of town. They both have college in the sights. But unlike David whose parents will pay for his college Lauren has to depend on getting a scholarship.
Angie offers Hera job. Lauren starts working as a waitress. But then complications arise and neither Angie or Lauren are prepared for the way their lives intertwine.
I had a fair idea where this story was heading from early on. It didn’t make a scrap of difference though to my reading enjoyment as I was fully invested in this story and the characters. At times.I had to put it aside briefly to give the emotions a chance to recover. But I couldn’t leave it alone for long. And yes, there were definitely tears at times with this one. I loved not just the main characters but the other members of the DeSaria family. A heat tugging story of grief and loss, family, friendship and costly choices.
April 10, 2020
The Things We Do For Love by Kristin Hannah is a lovely ,sad, heartbreaking story.
It's Kristin Hannah at her best (not that I've read a bad book yet 🤞)
It's old love becoming new love again, lost pregnancies, new friends becoming family and with a good old fashioned interfering family (in a good way 😉)
It's a quick read because you can't wait to see the HEA after all the hardness.
I'm definitely recommending this 📖
It's Kristin Hannah at her best (not that I've read a bad book yet 🤞)
It's old love becoming new love again, lost pregnancies, new friends becoming family and with a good old fashioned interfering family (in a good way 😉)
It's a quick read because you can't wait to see the HEA after all the hardness.
I'm definitely recommending this 📖
July 1, 2020
This book was pretty good - kept me interested the entire time - a bit predictable, but with just a little different outcome than I expected I guess. It was like watching one of those 90 minutes Hallmark or Lifetime movies, emotional story about love and friendship. To be honest I didn't read the short description on the back side of the cover and I didn't know what's going to be the story although everything's clear from the first 30 pages. Anyway, a quick, comfortable read - you won't be sorry, but you may not remember this one as your favorite book.
June 22, 2010
I had no expectations for this book. I simply picked it up at the grocery store, becuase I had nothing else to read and it sort of looked promising. I've tried to read Kristin Hannah before, so that should have been my clue not to try. The synopsis on the back sounded good, but it's pretty much the whole book. I don't like Hannah's style of writing. I find it very simple and lifeless, just like her characters. There were no surprises with this book. You can predict the plot from the first page. My advice is to simply read the back of the book and consider yourself finished with it.
June 3, 2023
The Things We Do for Love by Kristin Hannah is a contemporary fiction book that will bring on the tears (sad and happy).
Angela DeSaria Malone's life is falling apart. She thought her life was going to be perfect - college, marriage, motherhood, you know - the "dream." Well, it didn't go that way. Her marriage collapses and her life is in ruins. She moves back to her hometown to be with her family - her Mom and two sisters. After her Father passed away, the family restaurant is in shambles and might close down. So, it seems like the perfect time for the marketing guru sister who fled to the big city to come help! She meets a young girl who is going through a difficult situation, and it opens up Angela's heart like a Mother's would. Since her Motherhood dreams have been squashed in a variety of ways, could this fill her heart?
Man. This one HURT in so many ways but also filled my heart up with joy too. It's an emotional roller coaster that made me have all of the feels. Kindness, family, and loss are all big topics in this book. It was so beautiful! Kristin Hannah writes these characters to feel real and it's just so touching. I was glued to this book because I needed to know that Angela had the happily ever after she deserved.
If you like women's literature and feeling all of the emotions, this book is for you. It's like a sweeping romance that doesn't focus on love, but rather friendship and family.
Four out of five stars.
Angela DeSaria Malone's life is falling apart. She thought her life was going to be perfect - college, marriage, motherhood, you know - the "dream." Well, it didn't go that way. Her marriage collapses and her life is in ruins. She moves back to her hometown to be with her family - her Mom and two sisters. After her Father passed away, the family restaurant is in shambles and might close down. So, it seems like the perfect time for the marketing guru sister who fled to the big city to come help! She meets a young girl who is going through a difficult situation, and it opens up Angela's heart like a Mother's would. Since her Motherhood dreams have been squashed in a variety of ways, could this fill her heart?
Man. This one HURT in so many ways but also filled my heart up with joy too. It's an emotional roller coaster that made me have all of the feels. Kindness, family, and loss are all big topics in this book. It was so beautiful! Kristin Hannah writes these characters to feel real and it's just so touching. I was glued to this book because I needed to know that Angela had the happily ever after she deserved.
If you like women's literature and feeling all of the emotions, this book is for you. It's like a sweeping romance that doesn't focus on love, but rather friendship and family.
Four out of five stars.
April 21, 2021
I’m a big Kristin Hannah fan and she has so many books in her backlist that I’m slowly making my way through them all. Although this was not my favorite Kristin Hannah book (I think she’s really grown as an author since writing this one), it was a good read and a solid story about the strong bonds of mother-daughter relationships. I don’t want to give anything away so I will just say it was a good, 4-star story. If you are a Kristin Hannah fan you will want to get to this one eventually. But I’d read The Great Alone, The Nightingale, and The Four Winds first if you haven’t!
dnf
March 14, 2025DNF at 40%. Just too slow for my liking. I’m not invested in the characters at all.
May 25, 2021
This book was slow from the very beginning and overly simple. The characters projected were so one-dimensional that I found myself wanting for more from each of them. The book was predictable and boring as it stretched without any genuine drama. I was left needing for more realism, depth and drama. Basically, Hannah's writing style did not go well with me and I will not recommend this book to anyone.
2.5/5🌟.
2.5/5🌟.
March 11, 2022
I was absolutely here for it for almost all of the book.
Spoilers.
..
..
..
..
Ok!!! Spoilers below.
Whole book was fine until this teen very suddenly threw away her DREAM that she literally worked her whole damn life for and wanted so badly. And then she literally got her dream that made her happy and she turned down a FULL RIDE SCHOLARSHIP to take care of a baby.
Her adult friend/mom figure wants a child and this pregnant teen didn’t want a baby. So does she give the baby to her adult friend, or at least have her as a sharing caregiver or family member? No. After promising the baby to her friend she takes it back. After getting a full scholarship to the school of her dreams she turns it down. All the build up to go to college and share this child with her friend but staying in her child’s life while still making a future and career for herself goes DOWN THE DRAIN in the last pet of the book. I couldn’t believe it.
I’m glad she dumped that loser boyfriend. But omg. And I know her mom was a trashy mean woman but COME ON her mom warned her to use protection because a baby can change your life. And now she’ll end up just like her mom—no job or education or anything to fall back on. No support, not even financial, whatsoever from the baby’s daddy.
Wtf. This is so unrealistic. And this was painted as a happy ending but it made me sick and sad and mad. Babies and pregnancies are not these magical vessels of love that make our life better—but the moral of this story was that apparently babies are magical and all women and girls are naturally maternal and need babies. If you are not maternal, like the trashy mean mom, then you’re evil and something is wrong with you, and you are only mean and trashy.
Seriously. The only WOMAN in the book who didn’t want a kid was a crappy mean trashy single mom. Every other woman either had a child or desperately wanted a child and had to heal that feeling of wanting a child.
Crap book. the rest of the book was fine until the very end.
Spoilers.
..
..
..
..
Ok!!! Spoilers below.
Whole book was fine until this teen very suddenly threw away her DREAM that she literally worked her whole damn life for and wanted so badly. And then she literally got her dream that made her happy and she turned down a FULL RIDE SCHOLARSHIP to take care of a baby.
Her adult friend/mom figure wants a child and this pregnant teen didn’t want a baby. So does she give the baby to her adult friend, or at least have her as a sharing caregiver or family member? No. After promising the baby to her friend she takes it back. After getting a full scholarship to the school of her dreams she turns it down. All the build up to go to college and share this child with her friend but staying in her child’s life while still making a future and career for herself goes DOWN THE DRAIN in the last pet of the book. I couldn’t believe it.
I’m glad she dumped that loser boyfriend. But omg. And I know her mom was a trashy mean woman but COME ON her mom warned her to use protection because a baby can change your life. And now she’ll end up just like her mom—no job or education or anything to fall back on. No support, not even financial, whatsoever from the baby’s daddy.
Wtf. This is so unrealistic. And this was painted as a happy ending but it made me sick and sad and mad. Babies and pregnancies are not these magical vessels of love that make our life better—but the moral of this story was that apparently babies are magical and all women and girls are naturally maternal and need babies. If you are not maternal, like the trashy mean mom, then you’re evil and something is wrong with you, and you are only mean and trashy.
Seriously. The only WOMAN in the book who didn’t want a kid was a crappy mean trashy single mom. Every other woman either had a child or desperately wanted a child and had to heal that feeling of wanting a child.
Crap book. the rest of the book was fine until the very end.
August 1, 2020
Such a wonderful story about love and loss, and more love and more loss. It's heavy.
Struggling with infertility, I in many ways, identify with Angie. It's not such a black and white situation, there is a lot of sacrifices made.
Relationships were broken, and then mended, but a family was built in a beautiful non-traditional way.
Definitely check this book out!
Struggling with infertility, I in many ways, identify with Angie. It's not such a black and white situation, there is a lot of sacrifices made.
Relationships were broken, and then mended, but a family was built in a beautiful non-traditional way.
Definitely check this book out!
December 17, 2022
Dar viena be galo nuostabi autorės knyga ❤️
September 13, 2023
⭐️4 Stars⭐️
Another Life is a beautifully written story featuring a loving family and the longing for a child, it’s full of soul, I loved reading this story! Kristin Hannah is one of my favourite storytellers.
Angie Malone is from a loving Italian family that run a small restaurant. When Angie’s marriage fails she returns home to her family with a mission to help save the family business.
Lauren Ribido is a senior in high school, she also works part time and lives with her deadbeat mother who spends more time in bars than going out to work. Lauren is an exceptional student with high grades and wants to get a scholarship to college, her boyfriend David is from a rich family but Lauren doesn’t take any handouts.
Angie and Lauren meet and from this encounter evolves a beautiful and caring relationship.
This was a strong and touching family drama incorporating kindness, loss and joy from a master storyteller! I just loved the setting of the family’s Italian restaurant, the food and the family banter. The characters were absolutely charming.
This book has also been published previously under the title The Things We Do For Love.
Publication Date 27 June 2023
Publisher Macmillan
Thank you so much Macmillan Australia for a copy of the book 🙏
Another Life is a beautifully written story featuring a loving family and the longing for a child, it’s full of soul, I loved reading this story! Kristin Hannah is one of my favourite storytellers.
Angie Malone is from a loving Italian family that run a small restaurant. When Angie’s marriage fails she returns home to her family with a mission to help save the family business.
Lauren Ribido is a senior in high school, she also works part time and lives with her deadbeat mother who spends more time in bars than going out to work. Lauren is an exceptional student with high grades and wants to get a scholarship to college, her boyfriend David is from a rich family but Lauren doesn’t take any handouts.
Angie and Lauren meet and from this encounter evolves a beautiful and caring relationship.
This was a strong and touching family drama incorporating kindness, loss and joy from a master storyteller! I just loved the setting of the family’s Italian restaurant, the food and the family banter. The characters were absolutely charming.
This book has also been published previously under the title The Things We Do For Love.
Publication Date 27 June 2023
Publisher Macmillan
Thank you so much Macmillan Australia for a copy of the book 🙏
June 14, 2023
All Angie ever wanted to be was a mother. But now she is returning to her large family divorced and disappointed. Coming home to family she goes to work in the struggling family restaurant. A young girl joins in to help, gets pregnant, and well...
Predictable?
Heartfelt. But...
Been here before.
Predictable?
Heartfelt. But...
Been here before.
March 8, 2025
Kristin Hannah ALWAYS makes me cry. Her writing& her stories are just so real. I will be honest this was probably my least favorite of hers, but I’m still giving it 3.5 stars so that’s gotta say something. It took me a really long time to actually get into and be pulled into the plot, but the last 200 or so pages were when it finally got to me, and then I couldn’t put it down. I love her endings how they’re happy but also realistic, so more like bitter sweet. I love each and every character she writes. The romance subplot in this pulled at my emotions in every which way and I really didn’t know where it was going to, but I liked that. The main plot was just stunning and heartbreaking and lovely. I’m not really sure how I feel about this particularly ending though and how it all wrapped up in the end. Idk if it wasn’t what I was expecting or it wasn’t what I wanted. But I will forever & always be a Kristin Hannah stan!!
May 5, 2023
Kristin Hannah tikra atgaiva mano širdžiai. Nors atrodo jos knygos yra skaudžios, jautrios, paliečiančios įvairius skaudulius, bet dažniausiai emocinga kelionė baigiasi laimingai ir tai yra didžiausias jos knygų pliusas.
"Iš meilės" dar viena jaudinanti knyga, apimanti keblius šeimos santykius, motinystės stebuklus ir nuopuolius.
Endžė - jauna moteris per metus netekusi ilgai lauktos dukrelės, branginamo tėvo ir mylimo vyro. Desperacija bandant susilaukti vaikelio, neišsipildžiusios svajonės, žlugusi santuoka, moteris sužeistą širdį bando gydyti grįždama į gimtąjį miestą, į mylinčią, triukšmingą itališką šeimą.
Lorena - moksleivė, gyvenanti apleistame bute su mama, kuriai taurelė svarbesnė už dukrą. Nelaiminga, nepajutusi mamos meilės, per anksti subrendusi ir tapusi atsakinga už save, mergaitė anksti supratusi, kad ne visoms svajonėms lemta išsipildyti.
Nuo tada, kai Endžė su Lorena susitinka, jos labai greitai atranda ryšį. Moteris ilgą laiką troškusi dukters ir mergaitė, niekad nepajutusi mamos meilės. Atrodo tobula ar ne? Bet Jūs net neįsivaizduojat, kiek netikėtų išbandymų joms dar lemta patirti. Ką iš tiesų reiškia būti šeima?
Jautri, gyvenimiška, šilta knyga, vietomis galinti ir sugraudinti. Man tikrai patiko ir net labai.
"Iš meilės" dar viena jaudinanti knyga, apimanti keblius šeimos santykius, motinystės stebuklus ir nuopuolius.
Endžė - jauna moteris per metus netekusi ilgai lauktos dukrelės, branginamo tėvo ir mylimo vyro. Desperacija bandant susilaukti vaikelio, neišsipildžiusios svajonės, žlugusi santuoka, moteris sužeistą širdį bando gydyti grįždama į gimtąjį miestą, į mylinčią, triukšmingą itališką šeimą.
Lorena - moksleivė, gyvenanti apleistame bute su mama, kuriai taurelė svarbesnė už dukrą. Nelaiminga, nepajutusi mamos meilės, per anksti subrendusi ir tapusi atsakinga už save, mergaitė anksti supratusi, kad ne visoms svajonėms lemta išsipildyti.
Nuo tada, kai Endžė su Lorena susitinka, jos labai greitai atranda ryšį. Moteris ilgą laiką troškusi dukters ir mergaitė, niekad nepajutusi mamos meilės. Atrodo tobula ar ne? Bet Jūs net neįsivaizduojat, kiek netikėtų išbandymų joms dar lemta patirti. Ką iš tiesų reiškia būti šeima?
Jautri, gyvenimiška, šilta knyga, vietomis galinti ir sugraudinti. Man tikrai patiko ir net labai.
March 4, 2023
Nežinau, ar labai gera idėja yra perskaityti kas mėnesį po vieną Kristina Hannah knygą. Na, bet buvo labai smalsu, kas slepiasi už tokio jausmingo viršelio.
Siužetas toks Haniškas - Endžė išsiskyrusi su vyru grįžta gyventi į gimtąjį miestelį. ČIa jos italų kilmės šeima turi restoraną, kuriame dirba mama ir dvi vyresnėlės seserys. Endžė nesėkmingai bandė susilaukti vaiko, patyrė naujagimio žūtį, o ir tėtis mirė visai neseniai. Ji laižosi žaizdas bandydama prikelti šeimos verslą iš bankroto. Endžė sutinka Loreną, jauną merginą, kurios gyvenimas nelepina. Užsimezga trapus ryšys - ar tikrai šie santykiai yra gera mintis?
Ir tai ne tik pasakojimas apie Endžę su Lorena. Tai visa šeimos santykių studija. Rašytoja priešina dvi stovyklas: Endžės familiją ir Lorenos santykį su motina, kuri dar pati nelabai tvirta stovi ant kojų. Gražiai pavaizduota Endžės brandos istorija - nuo savanaudės princesės iki rūpestingos, atsidavusios moters. O kur dar poros byrantys ir lipdomi santykai. Na, ir bandymas pagroti jausmų stygomis.
Man istorija patiko. Tik jau jautėsi lengvas persisotinimas... Nejaudino taip, kaip tuėjo, pabaigoje jautėsi dirbtinė intriga. Jaučiu, kad gal reikia stabdyt šiek tiek ir vėl po kurio bus įdomu.
Siužetas toks Haniškas - Endžė išsiskyrusi su vyru grįžta gyventi į gimtąjį miestelį. ČIa jos italų kilmės šeima turi restoraną, kuriame dirba mama ir dvi vyresnėlės seserys. Endžė nesėkmingai bandė susilaukti vaiko, patyrė naujagimio žūtį, o ir tėtis mirė visai neseniai. Ji laižosi žaizdas bandydama prikelti šeimos verslą iš bankroto. Endžė sutinka Loreną, jauną merginą, kurios gyvenimas nelepina. Užsimezga trapus ryšys - ar tikrai šie santykiai yra gera mintis?
Ir tai ne tik pasakojimas apie Endžę su Lorena. Tai visa šeimos santykių studija. Rašytoja priešina dvi stovyklas: Endžės familiją ir Lorenos santykį su motina, kuri dar pati nelabai tvirta stovi ant kojų. Gražiai pavaizduota Endžės brandos istorija - nuo savanaudės princesės iki rūpestingos, atsidavusios moters. O kur dar poros byrantys ir lipdomi santykai. Na, ir bandymas pagroti jausmų stygomis.
Man istorija patiko. Tik jau jautėsi lengvas persisotinimas... Nejaudino taip, kaip tuėjo, pabaigoje jautėsi dirbtinė intriga. Jaučiu, kad gal reikia stabdyt šiek tiek ir vėl po kurio bus įdomu.
June 20, 2019
Kristin Hannah is a master at portraying women's emotional journeys, and The Things We Do For Love is another exceptional example of how she reaches into our souls with her writing.
Angie Malone comes from a close, loving Italian family. At a young age, she turned away from her family's small-town restaurant to explore a life and career in the big city of Seattle. Now, after her ten-year marriage falls apart, she returns home to the comfort of her mother and sisters. The restaurant has seen better days, and Angie makes it her mission to save the business and resurrect its image in the eyes of the town. What Angie can't seem to get past (and was the death blow to her marriage to Conlan) is her inability to have children. For so long, trying to get pregnant was Conlan's and Angie's sole focus, and their marriage suffered in the process.
Lauren Ribido is the responsible one in her family. A senior in high school, most of the time she is the one who must come up with the rent because her mother can't be bothered to stay out of the bars and go to work. Lauren is bound and determined to do something special with her life. She studies hard and gets high grades in anticipation of attending a good college. When not working, Lauren spends time with her boyfriend David, who is from one of the richest families in town. Everything is progressing smoothly until she loses her job. Fate brings Lauren and Angie together, and their growing relationship is exactly what each is looking for at this rough time in their lives.
The novel contains richly detailed characters who will reach out and grab your heart. Readers will feel deeply for Angie and her struggles with infertility, and empathize with Lauren's various heartaches. At first I thought I could predict what was going to happen, and the plot seemed a bit too contrived and planned. But the ending turns out like real life, and not a neatly tied up package at all. That's what sets this story above other contemporary women's fiction; it might be messy, but readers can truly relate to the reality of what happens.
The setting of the family's Italian restaurant and all of the cooking and eating made me hungry, but it added to the coziness of the novel. The author's portrayal of the Northwest always draws me into her stories. She sets books in areas she knows and draws beautiful pictures of the regions. Characters' emotional transformations are well described and flow at a natural pace. Even though the subject matter might appear depressing, I found this to be a wonderfully uplifting book. The Things We Do For Love is hopeful and loving, and not to be missed.
Angie Malone comes from a close, loving Italian family. At a young age, she turned away from her family's small-town restaurant to explore a life and career in the big city of Seattle. Now, after her ten-year marriage falls apart, she returns home to the comfort of her mother and sisters. The restaurant has seen better days, and Angie makes it her mission to save the business and resurrect its image in the eyes of the town. What Angie can't seem to get past (and was the death blow to her marriage to Conlan) is her inability to have children. For so long, trying to get pregnant was Conlan's and Angie's sole focus, and their marriage suffered in the process.
Lauren Ribido is the responsible one in her family. A senior in high school, most of the time she is the one who must come up with the rent because her mother can't be bothered to stay out of the bars and go to work. Lauren is bound and determined to do something special with her life. She studies hard and gets high grades in anticipation of attending a good college. When not working, Lauren spends time with her boyfriend David, who is from one of the richest families in town. Everything is progressing smoothly until she loses her job. Fate brings Lauren and Angie together, and their growing relationship is exactly what each is looking for at this rough time in their lives.
The novel contains richly detailed characters who will reach out and grab your heart. Readers will feel deeply for Angie and her struggles with infertility, and empathize with Lauren's various heartaches. At first I thought I could predict what was going to happen, and the plot seemed a bit too contrived and planned. But the ending turns out like real life, and not a neatly tied up package at all. That's what sets this story above other contemporary women's fiction; it might be messy, but readers can truly relate to the reality of what happens.
The setting of the family's Italian restaurant and all of the cooking and eating made me hungry, but it added to the coziness of the novel. The author's portrayal of the Northwest always draws me into her stories. She sets books in areas she knows and draws beautiful pictures of the regions. Characters' emotional transformations are well described and flow at a natural pace. Even though the subject matter might appear depressing, I found this to be a wonderfully uplifting book. The Things We Do For Love is hopeful and loving, and not to be missed.
July 27, 2012
I loved,loved,loved this book. It is a story of a couple who has tried for years to have a child and when they finally have one she doesn't live very long. They get a divorce and Angie moves back to the coast to be around her family and of course they are a big Italian family with a restaurant the is having money troubles so Angie steps in to help. She hires a young girl named Lauren who has practically raised herself as her mother is an alcoholic. Lauren gets pregnant and her Mother leaves and Angie steps in to help. It is a story of loss and family and life lessons. The ending was sad and happy and I sat and bawled like a baby when I was done.
Kristin Hannah has always wrote books that bring out all kinds of feelings to make you laugh and cry. I recommend this anyone that hasn't read it yet.
Kristin Hannah has always wrote books that bring out all kinds of feelings to make you laugh and cry. I recommend this anyone that hasn't read it yet.
January 27, 2022
This novel has such compelling characters and they were endearing and interesting. The plot developed nicely as you would expect from the amazing Kristen Hannah.
I enjoyed the story so much in the beginning and it kept me completely interested in it. However, it began to feel semi predictable after that or slightly less compelling.
I also couldn’t stand the fact that the teen bf was so selfish and self centered in his poor little rich boy scenario. Typical? Could he have been less so? Did it add or distract from the story?
I also wanted more from David’s mom and had hoped for something mysterious or just forthcoming from her. I know she had a hidden story.
Overall I’d rate this novel 3.5 🌟
I enjoyed the story so much in the beginning and it kept me completely interested in it. However, it began to feel semi predictable after that or slightly less compelling.
I also couldn’t stand the fact that the teen bf was so selfish and self centered in his poor little rich boy scenario. Typical? Could he have been less so? Did it add or distract from the story?
I also wanted more from David’s mom and had hoped for something mysterious or just forthcoming from her. I know she had a hidden story.
Overall I’d rate this novel 3.5 🌟
February 8, 2023
Naujo leidimo knyga tikrai per daug ištempta. Neteko skaityt seno varianto, bet skirtumas psl skaičiuje pasako daug .. tikrai šią istoriją buvo galima sutalpinti į per pus mažesnį turinį.
Istorija įdomi, bet nuspėjama. Prasidėjo įdomumas tik nuo vidurio. . Pradžia sunkiai skaitėsi. Pabaiga nuspėjama, bet šilta.
Tikrai ne pati stipriausia Hannah knyga.
Istorija įdomi, bet nuspėjama. Prasidėjo įdomumas tik nuo vidurio. . Pradžia sunkiai skaitėsi. Pabaiga nuspėjama, bet šilta.
Tikrai ne pati stipriausia Hannah knyga.
September 27, 2025
4.5
absolutely beautiful, once again. there were times where it slowed down a bit for me and wasn't hitting as much as her historical novels, but still a wonderful reading experience
absolutely beautiful, once again. there were times where it slowed down a bit for me and wasn't hitting as much as her historical novels, but still a wonderful reading experience
March 8, 2023
Dar viena jaudinanti istorija. Andžela su vyru svajojo susilaukti vaikų, tačiau jiems likimas nepadovanojo savų vaikų. Vieną dieną Andžela susipažino su vieniša paaugle Lorena jos viena kitai atstoja šeimą jos lyg mama ir dukra.
September 16, 2023
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
3.5 stars
In 2004 master storyteller Kristin Hannah published The Things We Do For Love. Almost two decades after its first publication, The Things We Do For Love has received a fresh cover and title makeover. Released this year by Pan Macmillan in Australia as Another Life, this classic Kristin Hannah piece delves into themes of family, high school love, belonging, sacrifice, self-belief, abandonment, motherhood, parenting and difficult life choices. It is a tender-hearted read from much loved author Kristin Hannah.
Another Life follows keynote character Angie DeSaria. Despite achieving success in many areas of her life, Angie has never been able to be a mother. This longing has taken its toll on Angie and as a result Angie’s marriage eventually shatters under the pressure of trying for a child. Following the demise of her marriage, Angie moves back to her childhood home, where she takes up a position with her sisters at their family’s restaurant. As Angie settles back into life in her hometown and repairs her broken heart, two people will enter her life, changing it for the better. A teenager named Lauren is a new face in Angie’s life and her impact will be significant for years to come. This struggling teenager finds solace and comfort in Angie’s gentle ways. The bond Lauren and Angie share helps them through one of the toughest times in both of their lives, teaching them both about the importance of belonging.
Kristin Hannah has an impressive backlist that now sits at over twenty published books. I have read quite a few of Hannah’s novels, mostly the recent titles. I made grand plans some years ago to get through Hannah’s back catalogue, but it hasn’t happened yet. I still aim to do this at some stage in the future. In the meantime I was excited to explore this older release that has received some new cover and title treatment. Another Life was a gentle and easy read that helped me get through a hard-working week when all I needed was the comfort of an undemanding story.
Another Life introduces two definitive characters. Angie is a woman who seems to have it all thanks to her easy upbringing, education, marriage and home life. But we soon see how the toll of trying for a baby unsuccessfully robs Angie of her marriage. Angie is in rebuilding mode when the narrative really kicks in. We watch on as she deals with a return to her old home and how as she slots back in to life with her sisters at their restaurant. I enjoyed the scenes with Angie and her family, they were sweet and heartwarming. I also felt sorry for Angie as she dealt with a number of blows to her marriage and her motherhood dreams. I really did back Angie all the way and I hoped that she would find peace with her new life, even if that meant remaining childless. In Lauren, the teen character in this tale, we meet a young woman on the cusp of adulthood who has had a raw deal in life. I despised Lauren’s mother and I felt awful that someone could be brought up in such a sad home environment and still succeed. Another Life follows Lauren’s personal battle to overcome her tough upbringing and another fateful life decision. I appreciated the unlikely connection that developed between Angie and Lauren, it was genuine. The secondary characters support Hannah’s tale well and each add value worth to this compassionate story. Hannah crosses into themes of divorce, second chance love, infertility, poverty and alcoholism in Another Life.
I think I mostly connected to Another Life and the cast, but I did feel as though it was a little out of touch with the direction of society today. I easily picked up that this was a book published almost two decades ago, as a few of the situations and responses presented seemed a little backward and not forward thinking. It was interesting to see where Kristin Hannah sat as a writer some twenty years ago as I feel her craft has definitely evolved into something much grander of late than this particular title. However, Another Life offered me some essential down time in an otherwise hectic week.
3.5 stars
In 2004 master storyteller Kristin Hannah published The Things We Do For Love. Almost two decades after its first publication, The Things We Do For Love has received a fresh cover and title makeover. Released this year by Pan Macmillan in Australia as Another Life, this classic Kristin Hannah piece delves into themes of family, high school love, belonging, sacrifice, self-belief, abandonment, motherhood, parenting and difficult life choices. It is a tender-hearted read from much loved author Kristin Hannah.
Another Life follows keynote character Angie DeSaria. Despite achieving success in many areas of her life, Angie has never been able to be a mother. This longing has taken its toll on Angie and as a result Angie’s marriage eventually shatters under the pressure of trying for a child. Following the demise of her marriage, Angie moves back to her childhood home, where she takes up a position with her sisters at their family’s restaurant. As Angie settles back into life in her hometown and repairs her broken heart, two people will enter her life, changing it for the better. A teenager named Lauren is a new face in Angie’s life and her impact will be significant for years to come. This struggling teenager finds solace and comfort in Angie’s gentle ways. The bond Lauren and Angie share helps them through one of the toughest times in both of their lives, teaching them both about the importance of belonging.
Kristin Hannah has an impressive backlist that now sits at over twenty published books. I have read quite a few of Hannah’s novels, mostly the recent titles. I made grand plans some years ago to get through Hannah’s back catalogue, but it hasn’t happened yet. I still aim to do this at some stage in the future. In the meantime I was excited to explore this older release that has received some new cover and title treatment. Another Life was a gentle and easy read that helped me get through a hard-working week when all I needed was the comfort of an undemanding story.
Another Life introduces two definitive characters. Angie is a woman who seems to have it all thanks to her easy upbringing, education, marriage and home life. But we soon see how the toll of trying for a baby unsuccessfully robs Angie of her marriage. Angie is in rebuilding mode when the narrative really kicks in. We watch on as she deals with a return to her old home and how as she slots back in to life with her sisters at their restaurant. I enjoyed the scenes with Angie and her family, they were sweet and heartwarming. I also felt sorry for Angie as she dealt with a number of blows to her marriage and her motherhood dreams. I really did back Angie all the way and I hoped that she would find peace with her new life, even if that meant remaining childless. In Lauren, the teen character in this tale, we meet a young woman on the cusp of adulthood who has had a raw deal in life. I despised Lauren’s mother and I felt awful that someone could be brought up in such a sad home environment and still succeed. Another Life follows Lauren’s personal battle to overcome her tough upbringing and another fateful life decision. I appreciated the unlikely connection that developed between Angie and Lauren, it was genuine. The secondary characters support Hannah’s tale well and each add value worth to this compassionate story. Hannah crosses into themes of divorce, second chance love, infertility, poverty and alcoholism in Another Life.
I think I mostly connected to Another Life and the cast, but I did feel as though it was a little out of touch with the direction of society today. I easily picked up that this was a book published almost two decades ago, as a few of the situations and responses presented seemed a little backward and not forward thinking. It was interesting to see where Kristin Hannah sat as a writer some twenty years ago as I feel her craft has definitely evolved into something much grander of late than this particular title. However, Another Life offered me some essential down time in an otherwise hectic week.
February 6, 2020
Îmi place cum scrie femeia asta. Cărțile ei ating sufletul. Nici aceasta nu face exceptie, pentru că tratează un subiect foarte sensibil. Am citit cartea în cateva ore, fără pauze, dar n-am niciun regret.
Recunosc, tema poveștii m-a lovit puternic pt că într-o vreme am fost Angie... și e tare greu să pierzi sarcini și să nu poți avea copii. Mai ales în cazul în care ți-i dorești foarte tare.
Mi-a plăcut Laurie. Mi s-a părut genul de copil năpăstuit, dar care nu și-a schimbat felul de a fi, ba din contră a devenit mai bun.
Mi-a plăcut povestea de iubire dintre Con si Angie.
Mi-a plăcut legatura pe care au dezvoltat-o Angie si Laurie. Ca și când ar fi fost menite să fie una lângă cealaltă. Cred cu tărie că s-au salvat una pe cealaltă.
Mi-a plăcut modul în care relația de familie a fost scoasă în evidență.
Mi-aș fi dorit ca la final lucrurile să nu fie atât de grăbite, dar bănuiesc că nu mai era nimic de spus.
Una peste alta, mi-a plăcut. E o carte drăguță, nu cea mai bună a autoarei, dar plăcută. Se citeste usor și te prinde repede in mreje.
Îi dau 4 stele.
Recunosc, tema poveștii m-a lovit puternic pt că într-o vreme am fost Angie... și e tare greu să pierzi sarcini și să nu poți avea copii. Mai ales în cazul în care ți-i dorești foarte tare.
Mi-a plăcut Laurie. Mi s-a părut genul de copil năpăstuit, dar care nu și-a schimbat felul de a fi, ba din contră a devenit mai bun.
Mi-a plăcut povestea de iubire dintre Con si Angie.
Mi-a plăcut legatura pe care au dezvoltat-o Angie si Laurie. Ca și când ar fi fost menite să fie una lângă cealaltă. Cred cu tărie că s-au salvat una pe cealaltă.
Mi-a plăcut modul în care relația de familie a fost scoasă în evidență.
Mi-aș fi dorit ca la final lucrurile să nu fie atât de grăbite, dar bănuiesc că nu mai era nimic de spus.
Una peste alta, mi-a plăcut. E o carte drăguță, nu cea mai bună a autoarei, dar plăcută. Se citeste usor și te prinde repede in mreje.
Îi dau 4 stele.
February 17, 2025
I was on the verge of tears practically from the first page. At times, I wanted to let it all go and hold Lauren and Angie to me. In the end, I knew everyone was going to be ok, but I still had this ache. Maybe it was the ache for my own lost loves. This was a beautiful story. Cheesy as probably Maria’s lasagna, and probably just as yummy. 😜😍💕
January 17, 2025
Kristan Hannah has done it again she writes such beautiful stories that really touches you. so beautifully amazing!
December 27, 2020
4,5 Sterne
Hier und da hätte ich mir etwas mehr gewünscht, aber sonst kann ich eigentlich nichts Negatives zu diesem Buch sagen. Sehr emotional! Empfehlenswert!
Hier und da hätte ich mir etwas mehr gewünscht, aber sonst kann ich eigentlich nichts Negatives zu diesem Buch sagen. Sehr emotional! Empfehlenswert!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 6,407 reviews