law22's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-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
5.0
melsshelves's review against another edition
5.0
It has been quite a while since I finished this book and I often find myself drifting back to think on it. It wasn't a huge mystery or plot that drew me in but just the daily ins and outs of life - similar to a book that's quite popular now by Delia Owens, Where the Crawdad Sings. Yes, there is a climax and a mystery to follow but it really just delves into the inner workings of a person's life and their makeup. I could not praise this book more for what it is!
renwar96's review against another edition
4.0
This story was full of so many different emotions for me. A mother's unconditional love and devotion, the need to fill a void, living with grief, and strong family ties. Hannah was a strong character with her own unknown background about her parents, being raised by her grandparents and their decision to keep certain things from her. And then she became a parent who had many secrets that she kept from her daughter. It was interesting to see how that continued through the generations in this family. A good read and it showed what a strong family bond can be and also what that family would go through to try to protect their children without worry of the repercussions for their lies or omissions of truth. children.
holliskirk's review against another edition
3.0
This book is a quick read. I kept reading because I wanted to know how it all ended, but I got incredibly frustrated with the decisions made by Hannah and Ellen. I also have a hard time reading stories about mother/daughter relationships where they are codependent (think Lorelei and Rory in Gilmore Girls). It’s unhealthy.
dmwhipp's review against another edition
2.0
Hannah Cooper grows up strangely sheltered way in a hollow in a small Virginia town. Raised by her grandparents due to her parents death Hannah is happy with her life, despite her lack of friends. She chooses to delay college to care for widowed grandmother, and Hannah soon faces an unplanned pregnancy. Deception follows, old secrets are revealed, and the problem those cause down the road create a reckoning.
Though Hannah had lead what on paper was an interesting life, I found her rather vanilla and never forged a connection with her or any of the characters. Despite this being a relatively short book, it felt long and the plot dragged, with often predictable elements. Moving on.
Though Hannah had lead what on paper was an interesting life, I found her rather vanilla and never forged a connection with her or any of the characters. Despite this being a relatively short book, it felt long and the plot dragged, with often predictable elements. Moving on.
leessa's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely wonderful book. Kept my attention the entire time. Bittersweet story. The love of a daughter. Twists and turns.
daisy32's review against another edition
2.0
Read it in one sitting. The "hook" was the secret the mother was keeping, and that was revealed early -- a good thing, but I felt there wasn't enough fleshing out of characters at all. Nothing about what such a solitary life would do to a person, any of them; little interaction with other characters meant very little development on those lines either.
ambooklvr's review against another edition
4.0
Touching story
This story follows Hannah from her late teens until her daughter Ellen is grown and heading off to college. It is a touching story about difficult decisions that Hannah made and must live with. Well written and a good conclusion to the story.
This story follows Hannah from her late teens until her daughter Ellen is grown and heading off to college. It is a touching story about difficult decisions that Hannah made and must live with. Well written and a good conclusion to the story.
bookgirlnadine's review against another edition
3.0
I listened to the audio version of this book. I thought the story and the secret were fantastic, but the ending just left me really unsatisfied. It seemed sooooo long for the reveal and then it all just got buttoned up and voila! It was done. And please don't get me started on Roger at all. I thought he was a poorly developed character. I couldn't quite figure what his motives were and he was inconsistent. He served no purpose in the story. Hannah did not need a love interest. All in all, I wasn't loving this book and I really wanted too.