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rachelhelps's review
4.0
This novel centers around a older lady and a homeless young women in Salt Lake City during the holidays. Haws included lots of details in the setting, giving it a strong sense of place and time. Things like the smell of wool in a knitting shop, a couch with a rip in one cushion, and the care older people take when walking in icy conditions. I liked how many older women characters there were and how they were distinct from one another.
I felt a little confused about the book's point-of-view a few times, since it seemed to follow a limited perspective most of the time, but not all the time. Maybe I'm bad at reading?? There were some delightful turns of phrase in the descriptions and I enjoyed reading it. A few people told me that the ending was a little trite and I agree with them, but I can forgive that since the book dealt with some other issues without sugarcoating them, like fraud and suicide. I also felt like Maggie's relationship with her children was not fully explored. That said, this is the best holiday book set in Salt Lake City I've ever read :-).
I felt a little confused about the book's point-of-view a few times, since it seemed to follow a limited perspective most of the time, but not all the time. Maybe I'm bad at reading?? There were some delightful turns of phrase in the descriptions and I enjoyed reading it. A few people told me that the ending was a little trite and I agree with them, but I can forgive that since the book dealt with some other issues without sugarcoating them, like fraud and suicide. I also felt like Maggie's relationship with her children was not fully explored. That said, this is the best holiday book set in Salt Lake City I've ever read :-).
wannabe_bibliothecary's review
4.0
I had been hoping for a more positive ending, but I loved everything else about this book. Set in downtown Salt Lake City, this is a story of betrayal and healing, and I enjoyed the friendship between Maggie and Rose.
shaegeeksout's review
4.0
3.5 star rating
Copy of Maggie's Place provided by the author in exchange for a free and honest review.
The whole concept of following an apartment building with elderly people was very intriguing to me. I found this book somewhat depressing though. The parts about Salt Lake City, Utah with crime, schemes and homeless teens was very accurate, though native Utahns tend to turn a blind eye to it. . The characters and story line were believable, but the story just wasn’t for me.
Maggie as a character was a jem, and somewhat the saving grace for me as I read it. The way that Maggie looks at the world was very compelling to me as I read. Once Carly enters the picture, and things get turned up a level, I feel like her character truly shines.
Though this one isn't a new favorite for me, it was still fun and engaging. I read it over the course of about 24 hours, and just enjoyed it. If the plot sounds good, and you can handle a heavier story, than I would recommend checking this one out.
Thank you again to Annette Haws for sending this book my way.
Copy of Maggie's Place provided by the author in exchange for a free and honest review.
The whole concept of following an apartment building with elderly people was very intriguing to me. I found this book somewhat depressing though. The parts about Salt Lake City, Utah with crime, schemes and homeless teens was very accurate, though native Utahns tend to turn a blind eye to it. . The characters and story line were believable, but the story just wasn’t for me.
Maggie as a character was a jem, and somewhat the saving grace for me as I read it. The way that Maggie looks at the world was very compelling to me as I read. Once Carly enters the picture, and things get turned up a level, I feel like her character truly shines.
Though this one isn't a new favorite for me, it was still fun and engaging. I read it over the course of about 24 hours, and just enjoyed it. If the plot sounds good, and you can handle a heavier story, than I would recommend checking this one out.
Thank you again to Annette Haws for sending this book my way.
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