A review by booksoneveryshelf
Seagrass Pier by Colleen Coble
3.0
It fell short of my expectations - 3.5 stars
Seagrass Pier is the third book in Colleen Coble’s Hope Beach series. I had really enjoyed the previous books and was anxiously awaiting this one. I’m sorry to say that it fell a bit short of my expectations.
Ms. Coble deals with a controversial subject in this novel - cell memory. Do those who receive donor organs actually know or remember things about their donor? Even going so far as having flashbacks that are not their own? I have to admit that I was a little put off by this plot, though I did manage to put that unease aside through most of the book and just enjoy the story.
Ms. Coble once again does an excellent job of writing a story that keeps you intrigued and wanting to know what will happen next. The descriptions were wonderful, the writing very well done, and the mystery fascinating. This is one of the few mysteries I’ve read where I seriously considered skipping to the end and finding out who the villain was, and then finishing the book.
Elin Summerall is one of the protagonists in this story. She is a very compelling character and I easily related to her. She is strong and determined, but also kind and caring. She really struggles with the cell memory and the flashbacks that come with it. She also contends with her fear of changing and becoming someone she doesn’t recognize.
Marc Everton is the “hero” in the book. He is the typical romance hero - strong, determined, stubborn, but with a soft spot for Elin and her daughter. I actually liked him a good deal, though I found a couple of his reactions a little unrealistic for the current events. As we learn early in the book, he has been wronged by Elin in the past, but seems to rather easily forgive her, though his anger at the situation does pop up once in a while. I suppose I was hoping for a bit more resolution between them, but the issue is rarely discussed. I enjoyed the story coming from his view point and getting to see everything through his eyes. He is also a strong Christian and endeavors to help Elin find who she is beyond all of the surface things that may change.
Marc and Elin’s relationship is interesting. They’ve been friends for years, though they haven’t seen each other for two of them. While they have the aforementioned issue between them, the chemistry is definitely there. I enjoyed how honest they both were and how they managed to move beyond the past and get to know each other anew.
As I already commented, the mystery had me very intrigued. It is rather intricate, with a couple things going on at once, that seem to have no connection to each other. I found it a little confusing at times and wasn’t always sure what was going on. I had to keep going over it in my head, trying to keep up, and I still have a couple questions. I may have to read the ending again in an attempt to figure them out. I do appreciate how Ms. Coble somehow kept it all together without getting something mixed up.
My only other complaint is that the book comes from several different view points. That usually doesn’t bother me, but with two mysteries, along with several characters to keep up with, it became quite confusing. A few times it would be afternoon, then skip to morning for another point of view and somehow still be the same day. I kept trying to figure out how they went back in time.
I’m disappointed that I didn’t enjoy it more, but overall, I would say this is a good, if somewhat complex book. I have enjoyed Ms. Coble’s previous books, so I will definitely be looking forward to the next.
I recommend this book if you enjoy complex mysteries with compelling characters.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through The Christian Manifesto for my honest review, which I have given. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.
Seagrass Pier is the third book in Colleen Coble’s Hope Beach series. I had really enjoyed the previous books and was anxiously awaiting this one. I’m sorry to say that it fell a bit short of my expectations.
Ms. Coble deals with a controversial subject in this novel - cell memory. Do those who receive donor organs actually know or remember things about their donor? Even going so far as having flashbacks that are not their own? I have to admit that I was a little put off by this plot, though I did manage to put that unease aside through most of the book and just enjoy the story.
Ms. Coble once again does an excellent job of writing a story that keeps you intrigued and wanting to know what will happen next. The descriptions were wonderful, the writing very well done, and the mystery fascinating. This is one of the few mysteries I’ve read where I seriously considered skipping to the end and finding out who the villain was, and then finishing the book.
Elin Summerall is one of the protagonists in this story. She is a very compelling character and I easily related to her. She is strong and determined, but also kind and caring. She really struggles with the cell memory and the flashbacks that come with it. She also contends with her fear of changing and becoming someone she doesn’t recognize.
Marc Everton is the “hero” in the book. He is the typical romance hero - strong, determined, stubborn, but with a soft spot for Elin and her daughter. I actually liked him a good deal, though I found a couple of his reactions a little unrealistic for the current events. As we learn early in the book, he has been wronged by Elin in the past, but seems to rather easily forgive her, though his anger at the situation does pop up once in a while. I suppose I was hoping for a bit more resolution between them, but the issue is rarely discussed. I enjoyed the story coming from his view point and getting to see everything through his eyes. He is also a strong Christian and endeavors to help Elin find who she is beyond all of the surface things that may change.
Marc and Elin’s relationship is interesting. They’ve been friends for years, though they haven’t seen each other for two of them. While they have the aforementioned issue between them, the chemistry is definitely there. I enjoyed how honest they both were and how they managed to move beyond the past and get to know each other anew.
As I already commented, the mystery had me very intrigued. It is rather intricate, with a couple things going on at once, that seem to have no connection to each other. I found it a little confusing at times and wasn’t always sure what was going on. I had to keep going over it in my head, trying to keep up, and I still have a couple questions. I may have to read the ending again in an attempt to figure them out. I do appreciate how Ms. Coble somehow kept it all together without getting something mixed up.
My only other complaint is that the book comes from several different view points. That usually doesn’t bother me, but with two mysteries, along with several characters to keep up with, it became quite confusing. A few times it would be afternoon, then skip to morning for another point of view and somehow still be the same day. I kept trying to figure out how they went back in time.
I’m disappointed that I didn’t enjoy it more, but overall, I would say this is a good, if somewhat complex book. I have enjoyed Ms. Coble’s previous books, so I will definitely be looking forward to the next.
I recommend this book if you enjoy complex mysteries with compelling characters.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through The Christian Manifesto for my honest review, which I have given. I was not required to write a positive review and all opinions expressed are my own.