jlworley's review against another edition
4.0
Great beach read, no bad language or sex scenes so a clean read as well.
alexblackreads's review against another edition
2.0
I couldn't get over the main character's self absorption. Essentially, at age 12, Catherine is asked to watch a two (? I don't really remember) year old at a family gathering. She forgets for a few minutes and the kid winds up drowning. She is very traumatized and blames herself, which is totally understandable. What isn't totally understandable is how much she's focused on her own pain over the pain of the child's mother. It's constant throughout the book. It makes sense that a 12 year old isn't thinking of the mother's grief, but not so much as a thirty year old. At one point Catherine discovers a painting that the mother did titled The Last Day and literally believes it's inspired by Catherine's family moving away. Because that was the big event that summer. Not the death of her child, but the neighbors moving away. I expect her grief and trauma to be centered in a book where she's the main character, but it's possible to do that without having the main character completely disregard the feelings of others.
I didn't enjoy the melodrama in the writing style. There was too much of everything. I don't buy into people running after an ex who's driving away, or collapsing on a dock in hysterical sobs, or having a screaming match just to forgive someone sixty seconds later. And I definitely don't buy this happening every six pages.
I don't like the bad boyfriend trope. Especially in this book, the bad boyfriend had basically nothing to do with the story. If we want Catherine to be available to rekindle a relationship with an old flame, why not just make her single? Having a bad boyfriend to justify the emotional cheating when it's such a small and underdeveloped part of the story felt so unnecessary.
At one point her dog has a stroke and instead of going home to be with the dog, she stays away for another night. And then most of the next day. Not doing much, just kind of chilling around town. This is allegedly her beloved childhood dog. I couldn't decide if it was out of character or just another mark towards her self absorption.
It wasn't terrible, but despite having a somewhat interesting premise, none of the elements were well done.
I didn't enjoy the melodrama in the writing style. There was too much of everything. I don't buy into people running after an ex who's driving away, or collapsing on a dock in hysterical sobs, or having a screaming match just to forgive someone sixty seconds later. And I definitely don't buy this happening every six pages.
I don't like the bad boyfriend trope. Especially in this book, the bad boyfriend had basically nothing to do with the story. If we want Catherine to be available to rekindle a relationship with an old flame, why not just make her single? Having a bad boyfriend to justify the emotional cheating when it's such a small and underdeveloped part of the story felt so unnecessary.
At one point her dog has a stroke and instead of going home to be with the dog, she stays away for another night. And then most of the next day. Not doing much, just kind of chilling around town. This is allegedly her beloved childhood dog. I couldn't decide if it was out of character or just another mark towards her self absorption.
It wasn't terrible, but despite having a somewhat interesting premise, none of the elements were well done.
fudge's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
debs_shelves's review against another edition
4.0
Poor Cappy - what a way to live blaming herself for the death of a 2 year old, when she was only 12 herself. I liked the way this story evolved and how she comes to realize the blame does not all lie on her as she had suspected. I figured out about Sam before it was revealed. And I wish there would be a sequel so I could find out what comes to be with Forrest!!
taylakaye's review against another edition
4.0
A lovely book, one that really transports you to the setting through the rich descriptions provided by the author. It also provides insight into familial relationships and the burden of unresolved guilt.
idratherbereading's review against another edition
4.0
Good, fast read. The characters are a little flat but the descriptions of the South Carolina low country are vivid and wonderful. The book also has some really good themes n
jaggedrocks's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. I loved the story, and I love how stories are such a big part of the book.
atschakfoert's review against another edition
2.0
Nothing ever really happened - I kept waiting for the big reveal. I guess the affair was it - pretty generic and predictable. Very disappointing read.