sarahprandall's review
3.0
This was a quick, light read that was perfect for my vacation. I was interested in what happened to the characters, but it was light enough that I could read it in small chunks. The setting at a b-and-b in Vermont is picturesque, and the 3 female characters were fairly well drawn. The dialogue borders on cheesy at some points (as is the case with all the Sarah Pekkanen books I've read), but it was still enjoyable.
jennabuythebook's review
3.0
A solid 3 stars. Not bad but nothing spectacular. I’m interested if some of her other stories that have better ratings are significantly better.
taralpittman's review
5.0
Better than ever!
As a gal in my mid-30s, I have made many choices that have changed the trajectory of my life in one direction or another; there have certainly been times when I've wondered what might have been different given some small alteration to those decisions. In Sarah Pekkanen's May 6 release, Catching Air, I found myself connected to her characters in their struggle to reconcile their decisions with the trajectory ahead.
Kira Danner has been working her heart out, trying to make a name for herself as an attorney in a firm in Florida that does not seem to recognize her value; her husband, Peter, is contacted by his brother, Rand, who has recently purchased a bed-and-breakfast with his wife, Alyssa, in Vermont and offers the couple an opportunity to become business partners and leave the warmth of the South for snowy scenery and the freedom of their own venture.
As the story unfolds, the two couples discover that not only does this idyllic idea bring a lot of work and hardship, but also the fact that they do not know each other very well; imagine moving into a confined space with family members with whom you'd never been very connected. They also become very intrigued by a secretive visitor, Dawn, who offers to assist in their work in exchange for a safe place to lay her head.
Without giving too much away, I will simply say that Sarah does an excellent job of highlighting the theme of secrets that is woven throughout the narrative; all of the characters are hiding things from one another and each have their own motivations for their decision to come to this place. Unraveling the mystery kept the pages flying by and while I have read all of Sarah's other books, this one was especially difficult to put down. By the end of this novel I was dreaming up all sorts of alternate endings, what-ifs and wondering about the impact of all of the decisions we make and the motivations behind them. A great read that will leave you wishing it wouldn't end...hint, hint. :)
As a gal in my mid-30s, I have made many choices that have changed the trajectory of my life in one direction or another; there have certainly been times when I've wondered what might have been different given some small alteration to those decisions. In Sarah Pekkanen's May 6 release, Catching Air, I found myself connected to her characters in their struggle to reconcile their decisions with the trajectory ahead.
Kira Danner has been working her heart out, trying to make a name for herself as an attorney in a firm in Florida that does not seem to recognize her value; her husband, Peter, is contacted by his brother, Rand, who has recently purchased a bed-and-breakfast with his wife, Alyssa, in Vermont and offers the couple an opportunity to become business partners and leave the warmth of the South for snowy scenery and the freedom of their own venture.
As the story unfolds, the two couples discover that not only does this idyllic idea bring a lot of work and hardship, but also the fact that they do not know each other very well; imagine moving into a confined space with family members with whom you'd never been very connected. They also become very intrigued by a secretive visitor, Dawn, who offers to assist in their work in exchange for a safe place to lay her head.
Without giving too much away, I will simply say that Sarah does an excellent job of highlighting the theme of secrets that is woven throughout the narrative; all of the characters are hiding things from one another and each have their own motivations for their decision to come to this place. Unraveling the mystery kept the pages flying by and while I have read all of Sarah's other books, this one was especially difficult to put down. By the end of this novel I was dreaming up all sorts of alternate endings, what-ifs and wondering about the impact of all of the decisions we make and the motivations behind them. A great read that will leave you wishing it wouldn't end...hint, hint. :)
bethreadsandnaps's review
2.0
I really enjoyed the author's prior novels, but this one was quite a head scratcher.
The large plot points don't make sense given the characters, and don't even get me started on the small plot points. And I'm not even someone who analyzes plots--most of the time I don't even care if there is a plot! But when it's really far-fetched and trying to bill itself as contemporary fiction, it's hard to get past it.
You're an OCD budding lawyer who's honest (the author makes this point at least 10 times). You're married to a man who started his own technology company, but it's not doing well. You value security and doing well. Your husband's flaky brother who he doesn't like that much calls up and says his new venture is opening a B&B in Vermont (you live in Florida), and would you like to start a business with him?
Given what you know about this couple, what would be their answer? Hmmm...spend time with a brother I don't get along with in a completely new place and give up our careers to be innkeepers? This couple drops everything and moves to Vermont. Huh?
There are many other incidents that don't make plot sense or are explained away that makes you go, "Huh?"
The novel has very little in the way of resolution in any of the areas: Rand and Alyssa's marriage, Dawn's future/punishment, the future of the B&B, particularly since Rand & Alyssa will likely be giving it up. Will Dawn step in?
I'd pass on this one.
The large plot points don't make sense given the characters, and don't even get me started on the small plot points. And I'm not even someone who analyzes plots--most of the time I don't even care if there is a plot! But when it's really far-fetched and trying to bill itself as contemporary fiction, it's hard to get past it.
You're an OCD budding lawyer who's honest (the author makes this point at least 10 times). You're married to a man who started his own technology company, but it's not doing well. You value security and doing well. Your husband's flaky brother who he doesn't like that much calls up and says his new venture is opening a B&B in Vermont (you live in Florida), and would you like to start a business with him?
Given what you know about this couple, what would be their answer? Hmmm...spend time with a brother I don't get along with in a completely new place and give up our careers to be innkeepers? This couple drops everything and moves to Vermont. Huh?
There are many other incidents that don't make plot sense or are explained away that makes you go, "Huh?"
The novel has very little in the way of resolution in any of the areas: Rand and Alyssa's marriage, Dawn's future/punishment, the future of the B&B, particularly since Rand & Alyssa will likely be giving it up. Will Dawn step in?
I'd pass on this one.
suzannefine's review
5.0
Another winner by an amazing author. I'm really liking Sarah's writing, development of characters, plots, and story lines. I felt the end was a bit rushed with this, but I'm finding with all books I'd love to see the last chapter written six months down the line... I'd definitely suggest this and the other books I've read by Sarah Pekkanen (These Girls and The Best of Us). I'll be purchasing her earlier books soon!!!
shanameydala's review
3.0
I'm quickly becoming a loyal fan of Sarah Pekkanen. She writes books with compelling characters that I can connect. I can't imagine leaving a stable life to go own/run a B&B, but I can understand the motivation. If you are looking for a book that you can spend a handful of hours on a plane, on vacation or a weekend, I recommend a Sarah Pekkanen book.