This was sort of a cute idea...making a modern retelling of Jane Eyre. But of course, by turning our heroine into a lost and confused modern day youngThis was sort of a cute idea...making a modern retelling of Jane Eyre. But of course, by turning our heroine into a lost and confused modern day young adult who becomes obsessed with an older mega-rock star, and then add today's culture of permissive physical intimacy....you really lose a the soul of the story, which is sort of what makes that book amazing in the first place. So, overall, I enjoyed reading it and felt it was well written....but I wouldn't really recommend it. ...more
This book really tugged at my heart. Somehow she manages to capture the complexities of dealing with grief. The way that we are on the surface, to othThis book really tugged at my heart. Somehow she manages to capture the complexities of dealing with grief. The way that we are on the surface, to others and maybe even to ourselves, the way we need to be in order to function day to day, the way we cover and hide the turbulence inside as we work through emotion. But then how it bubbles up and lets us address it a little at a time. And the messiness of life as we do that. She makes crazy decisions as she tries to adapt and become a new her. But all things flesh out the reality of life. They give her experience and outlook and strength. And eventually, resolution. Some of the language and content would make me uncomfortable with recommending it to a youth. But the raw beauty of the hurt and pain expressed through her words made the book worth a read to me....more
Nicholas Sparks often does a good job of sparking emotion. However, this one fell a little bit flat for me. It might be due to a little bit of currentNicholas Sparks often does a good job of sparking emotion. However, this one fell a little bit flat for me. It might be due to a little bit of current cynicism about the message that is so prevalent in our media that makes one believe that 'all you need is love'. The two characters in this book are from completely different worlds, and within a week, the successful New Yorker has decided that he is head over heels in love with a small town girl and ends up giving up on the budding new developments in his career, leave his entire family who he is very close with, and drop out of city life, to move to an itty bitty town and spend the rest of his life being happily ever after.
Good luck people! I'd love to read the '10 years later' story....more
This was such a sweet book. Very mormon-y and sentimental. I did find myself sniffling a few times throughout, but that might just be the mood I was iThis was such a sweet book. Very mormon-y and sentimental. I did find myself sniffling a few times throughout, but that might just be the mood I was in. A newly divorced gal sets out to find some peace and quiet to rediscover herself and instead, finds out what it means to love others and be a part of a community, and then, of course to really fall in love. It may be, perhaps, a bit of a dream world that she finds herself in, but not without it's problems. That's what I liked about it. No one was perfect. No one didn't have issues. But it's the way they decided to be with and for each other that seems like a goal for me. ...more
I really enjoyed this little story. And the characters were interesting, though a bit one dimensional. Our main gal, her back story was fascinating, bI really enjoyed this little story. And the characters were interesting, though a bit one dimensional. Our main gal, her back story was fascinating, but I just couldn't reconcile that, and her thoughts, with the things that came out of her mouth. I don't think the author is shy....more
So nothing in here, the action, the romances, the interactions, the scenario, felt at all plausible. But, it was a fun ride. The ending was weird thouSo nothing in here, the action, the romances, the interactions, the scenario, felt at all plausible. But, it was a fun ride. The ending was weird though. Sort of a let down and really cheezy.
This was a cute, super predictable, but quick and fun to read story about two people that find each other in hard circumstances and fall in love, afteThis was a cute, super predictable, but quick and fun to read story about two people that find each other in hard circumstances and fall in love, after they are married.
I liked learning a little more about Wales. I didn't know coal mining was such a thing there. And I had heard about the singing (through Louis L'Amour books, haha) but it was fun to have that backed up. I guess I should read something historical instead of fictional :)
This is a prequal to the 3 book series. My summary: exciting enough to keep me reading until I finished, short enough to finish in under 5 hours, new This is a prequal to the 3 book series. My summary: exciting enough to keep me reading until I finished, short enough to finish in under 5 hours, new characters that reminded me a lot of the old ones, no new information from the 3rd book, but a lot of fun 'living through' the experience that led to the trilogy. ...more
Eva Ibbotson holds true to her pattern. I think most, if not every book I have read by her involves a romance between a young, wide eyed, innocent girEva Ibbotson holds true to her pattern. I think most, if not every book I have read by her involves a romance between a young, wide eyed, innocent girl who sees things through the lens of art, or poetry, or music or dance - who sees the world with new eyes and whose enthusiasm for life is simple and contagious. And an older, life experienced man with some sort of tragedy or bitterness in his past that has kept him from finding happiness in the form of a wife, though he is always highly pursued.
And you know what, it works for her. And she's good at it. So I'm not complaining. In fact, this was another one of those darn 'stay up til 4am to finish' books. I must stop doing this.
I liked the loose use of history, setting this in the time leading up to WWII. I liked her family and the plot.
The end sort of rushed to a conclusion. But I was ready to go to sleep, so I was just glad it all worked out :)
This one was less about the romance and more about the girl, Ruth. And I do, still, find inspiration in Ms. Ibbotson's characters. They do make me lift up my eyes and enjoy the world around me a little more....more
This was a fun book to read and it just makes me feel good inside to read 'classics'. I will admit to skimming a little during the historical politicaThis was a fun book to read and it just makes me feel good inside to read 'classics'. I will admit to skimming a little during the historical political explanations that didn't seem to be super important to the plot. I just don't know a lot about French history and it all sort of went over my head. But I did enjoy the intrigue and the love story, and the characters. ...more
The Sacketts seem to get a little less noble and 'good' as time goes on. Or maybe it's just because he comes from the wilder line :) But they all stilThe Sacketts seem to get a little less noble and 'good' as time goes on. Or maybe it's just because he comes from the wilder line :) But they all still have that sense of family pride.
I loved the feisty old lady. And it's pretty hard to believe Logan isn't dead after this one. But somehow, they always pull through....more
If I read them say "get married in the temple in America for eternity' one more time I think I might start pulling out my eyebrows. A little overdone.If I read them say "get married in the temple in America for eternity' one more time I think I might start pulling out my eyebrows. A little overdone. BUT, the story itself, the plot, the characters, their plight and the historical fiction-ness of it all was really quite good and kept me reading many hours, in a row, to finish.
I'm a little confused about who the people on the front cover are supposed to be....Lucya and her father? Or maybe that's Alex Reynolds? I don't know.I'm a little confused about who the people on the front cover are supposed to be....Lucya and her father? Or maybe that's Alex Reynolds? I don't know.
But as has held true through the series, some of dialogue was a little cheezy, but the storyline was quite gripping and interesting. And I did genuinely care about the characters. Of course it's hard to believe that anyone could live though any one of these adventures, much less ALL of them. But still, fun to read....more
Oooh. I liked where this went. The book managed to stay fresh and keep moving forward in plot and relationships. Our heroine was struggling, but stillOooh. I liked where this went. The book managed to stay fresh and keep moving forward in plot and relationships. Our heroine was struggling, but still stayed true to who she is. Her love interest stayed interesting. And the world around them continues to change. I am excited to read the 3rd one someday when it comes out. ...more
This book had a much more sentimental feel to it. Yes, they shot and got shot at, but they really did try to avoid the bad guys and just stick to theiThis book had a much more sentimental feel to it. Yes, they shot and got shot at, but they really did try to avoid the bad guys and just stick to their goal of finding out what happened to their pa. There was just a heavier feel of sentimentality and family bonds. It was the closest thing, perhaps, that a cowboy book comes to being called 'sweet'....more
Better than I was expecting! I have read a book about the silk key codes used during the war, so that was an interesting lead in for me. Good adventurBetter than I was expecting! I have read a book about the silk key codes used during the war, so that was an interesting lead in for me. Good adventure in a historical setting, with a little religion and romance thrown in for good measure....more
