amyma's review against another edition
4.0
About a third through reading Leaving Haven, I was asked if I would recommend it. At the time, I said not really because, while I liked the book, it hadn't grabbed me and made me want to find out what would happen next. It seemed like part 1 was dragging a bit. On the other hand, I do appreciate the detailed backstory given during that part of the book. Once I hit part 2, the book picked up speed and I really didn't want to put it down in anticipation of what was coming. I also found the going back and forth with dates (as the chapter titles) to be confusing. I would recommend thinking of each chapter as either "before" or "present".
The story begins with Georgia nursing her second child, a baby she had just given birth to, desperately wanted, and tried to have for many years. Georgia then proceeds to abandon the baby. Why would she do this? To me, how could she do this, she was leaving behind an innocent baby. The rest of the book gives that backstory and then goes into Georgia's life after the birth. The author did a very good job of connecting the reader to the characters. I felt Georgia's pain, but also became annoyed with her a few times when I thought she was being ridiculously stubborn.
So, even though I was wishy-washy on whether to recommend the book toward the beginning, by the end I changed my mind.
The story begins with Georgia nursing her second child, a baby she had just given birth to, desperately wanted, and tried to have for many years. Georgia then proceeds to abandon the baby. Why would she do this? To me, how could she do this, she was leaving behind an innocent baby. The rest of the book gives that backstory and then goes into Georgia's life after the birth. The author did a very good job of connecting the reader to the characters. I felt Georgia's pain, but also became annoyed with her a few times when I thought she was being ridiculously stubborn.
So, even though I was wishy-washy on whether to recommend the book toward the beginning, by the end I changed my mind.
bethreadsandnaps's review against another edition
3.0
I just don't know about this one. Usually I can empathize with characters' choices even if I don't like what they did. However, I couldn't quite get my head around why Georgia leaves the child that she knows biologically is her husband's and friend's from egg donation and IVF just because they subsequently had an affair. I can see leaving the spouses due to the affair, but I can't get my head around how it was the child's "fault" and how she couldn't be around the child despite knowing the biological aspect all along.
Maybe I would need to have my friend donate her eggs, do IVF, and then find out my husband and friend were having an affair to really understand why I wanted to have nothing to do with the child I knowingly brought into the world.
Back to the book. The timeline was confusing. I suppose I have an easier time with actual dates instead of "6 months ago" when the novel took place in June 2012 and the whole thing skips around. Just write the date without referring to its temporal relation to a point in time.
I wasn't too fond of the character of Georgia. Like I said, I couldn't wrap my head around her choice. Also what annoys me is when a woman wants a child at all costs, goes to extreme measures, and doesn't think of the ramifications. It comes off short-sighted and selfish. Personally I think that's playing with fire when you're talking about bringing life to this world. That's just my perspective, but my caveat is that I just wanted one child and easily conceived that one child.
Other annoyances: rotating narrator, toying with how things unfolded for the first half of the book (we knew it was coming, felt strung along), the timeline jumping.
It did make me think, though, as evidenced by this review. The writing was decent too.
Maybe I would need to have my friend donate her eggs, do IVF, and then find out my husband and friend were having an affair to really understand why I wanted to have nothing to do with the child I knowingly brought into the world.
Back to the book. The timeline was confusing. I suppose I have an easier time with actual dates instead of "6 months ago" when the novel took place in June 2012 and the whole thing skips around. Just write the date without referring to its temporal relation to a point in time.
I wasn't too fond of the character of Georgia. Like I said, I couldn't wrap my head around her choice. Also what annoys me is when a woman wants a child at all costs, goes to extreme measures, and doesn't think of the ramifications. It comes off short-sighted and selfish. Personally I think that's playing with fire when you're talking about bringing life to this world. That's just my perspective, but my caveat is that I just wanted one child and easily conceived that one child.
Other annoyances: rotating narrator, toying with how things unfolded for the first half of the book (we knew it was coming, felt strung along), the timeline jumping.
It did make me think, though, as evidenced by this review. The writing was decent too.
jillhannaha's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the plot twists and this novel had a lot of situations that make you ask yourself what you would do in a similar situation.
laurcoh's review against another edition
3.0
The epitome of a 3-star read. Entertaining enough but generally forgettable. I found the god-awful name of "Haven" for a male baby to be very distracting.
rachelwelch330's review against another edition
4.0
the book was okay. none of the characters were likeable and the storyline wasn't too interesting. the end was left open, although you could assume how it turns out.
kristinrob's review against another edition
4.0
Intriguing character study involving two mid-life couples, their children, overwhelming wants, needs and misguided loyalties.
Georgia wants a baby. Alice wants her to have what she wants. But then, things go a little crazy...
Georgia wants a baby. Alice wants her to have what she wants. But then, things go a little crazy...
stephsabia's review against another edition
3.0
*SOME SPOILERS*
I have mixed feeling about this book. Leaving Haven is the story of two families, two married couples who each have a teenage daughter. Georgia and John have been desperately trying to have a second baby for a decade. Alice and Duncan are perfectly content with just one child so Alice decides to donate her eggs to her best friend so that she may have what she has always wanted,another baby to love and mother. Things are going well until Georgia discovers two for the most important people in her life have betrayed her.
I thought the story line was well put together and the characters were beautifully developed. I felt as if I knew each and every one of them personally by the time I was done with the book. The story line kept me engaged and quickly turning the pages but I did not get that satisfied feeling I get when I really understand the characters and their journeys, no matter how flawed they might have been. I just don't know about this story. I don't know if I buy it that Alice would have an affair with her best friends husband just months after doing a selfless act for that very friend. And I definitely don't buy it that John would cheat on his wife with her best friend. He loved Georgia and seemed to want nothing but the best for her. I could see him being in a position to cheat but I can't see him adding salt to the wound by doing it with someone Georgia loved so much. I was definitely entertained by this book but I don't think I would recommend it to any of my friends.
I have mixed feeling about this book. Leaving Haven is the story of two families, two married couples who each have a teenage daughter. Georgia and John have been desperately trying to have a second baby for a decade. Alice and Duncan are perfectly content with just one child so Alice decides to donate her eggs to her best friend so that she may have what she has always wanted,another baby to love and mother. Things are going well until Georgia discovers two for the most important people in her life have betrayed her.
I thought the story line was well put together and the characters were beautifully developed. I felt as if I knew each and every one of them personally by the time I was done with the book. The story line kept me engaged and quickly turning the pages but I did not get that satisfied feeling I get when I really understand the characters and their journeys, no matter how flawed they might have been. I just don't know about this story. I don't know if I buy it that Alice would have an affair with her best friends husband just months after doing a selfless act for that very friend. And I definitely don't buy it that John would cheat on his wife with her best friend. He loved Georgia and seemed to want nothing but the best for her. I could see him being in a position to cheat but I can't see him adding salt to the wound by doing it with someone Georgia loved so much. I was definitely entertained by this book but I don't think I would recommend it to any of my friends.
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