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carlyene's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.0
sunshower12's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.75
I'm unsure how I feel about this book. There were things about it I enjoyed, but once it got to a certain point it just felt like it dragged on and on and I wanted it to end. I liked the sweetness of the book, the relationships between the characters, and the relaxing setting. However, the two big issues I had were:
1. I did not like Sara. She honestly seemed like the biggest "Karen", controlling to a fault, wanting things her way or the highway, having an inflated sense of importance when it came to her life and her shop, and very critical. I just couldn't find a part of her I really liked, she felt like a busybody older woman. I liked Mags more, but I didn't feel like we got enough time in her storyline and I felt that was a missed opportunity.
2. The love stories between both Mags and William and Sara and Crawford were woefully underdeveloped and one- dimensional. For a book that so heavily focuses on romantic relationships, it was baffling that it dropped the ball in this way. I didn't really understand why either couple liked each other, other than initial physical attraction. We didn't get to see much of what bonded them, what their relationships looked like, what they were like together, and it made it seem like they were all just good friends more than anything. I expected more from the romance and was left sorely disappointed.
Overall it's a fine book if you're looking for a slow, simple, mildly comforting story, but don't expect much from it other than that.
1. I did not like Sara. She honestly seemed like the biggest "Karen", controlling to a fault, wanting things her way or the highway, having an inflated sense of importance when it came to her life and her shop, and very critical. I just couldn't find a part of her I really liked, she felt like a busybody older woman. I liked Mags more, but I didn't feel like we got enough time in her storyline and I felt that was a missed opportunity.
2. The love stories between both Mags and William and Sara and Crawford were woefully underdeveloped and one- dimensional. For a book that so heavily focuses on romantic relationships, it was baffling that it dropped the ball in this way. I didn't really understand why either couple liked each other, other than initial physical attraction. We didn't get to see much of what bonded them, what their relationships looked like, what they were like together, and it made it seem like they were all just good friends more than anything. I expected more from the romance and was left sorely disappointed.
Overall it's a fine book if you're looking for a slow, simple, mildly comforting story, but don't expect much from it other than that.
read2live1991's review against another edition
5.0
Love, love, love this book. This was the first book I’ve had the time to sit down and enjoy in a long time and I read it cover to cover in about 4 hours. I laughed and I cried, a lot of the latter, because it rings true to me in so many ways. Definitely a must-read on every shelf!
jan1234's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book. Different type to what I usually go for in that it is dual timeline. Themes of friendship, family, small town charm. Oh and a B&B. I do like books set around Inns, or B&B's. Will def look for more from this author.
coffeenbooks74's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
3.0
Sara returns to Sweet Bay, Alabama, and to her grandmother's Bed & Breakfast, The Hideaway. While she's there she learns more about her grandmother's life, and about the group of senior citizens who call The Hideaway home.
adreaminaqua's review against another edition
3.0
I give this book a 3.5 stars. It’s a very safe and superficial read, meaning the plot is fairly simple and you don’t get deep understandings of the characters. The latter was slightly frustrating because it was hard to connect and invest in Mags and Sara with their behaviors/decisions they make (trying not to spoil anything!). It was a quaint summer read that I recommend for a long flight, but The story didn’t grab me enough to see myself rereading it.
jkchelw95's review against another edition
3.0
A very sweet book, outside my normal reading genre. Reminded me of a book version of most Hallmark movies. City girl returns to small town home, meets boy, falls in love, stays in small town to be with boy and live happily ever after. It was good but I knew how it was going to end the second that Crawford was introduced. I don't watch hallmark movies and this book just kind of reminded me why I prefer different genres.
It's not my cup of tea but I can see how it would be for many others. Would recommend if you enjoy hallmark movies.
I enjoyed Mags story much more than I did Sara's. It wasn't a picture perfect typical love story. It had depth and self discovery, strength and perseverance. It was very interesting and kept me wanting to read more to figure out the end of her story.
It's not my cup of tea but I can see how it would be for many others. Would recommend if you enjoy hallmark movies.
I enjoyed Mags story much more than I did Sara's. It wasn't a picture perfect typical love story. It had depth and self discovery, strength and perseverance. It was very interesting and kept me wanting to read more to figure out the end of her story.
queenbethie's review against another edition
4.0
This probably is more of a three star book but it was the perfect escape from reality happy ending story that I needed.
jdevitis21's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0