Helpful Score: 8
Loved this book and way the author thinks. This one had me literally from page one, which rarely happens for me. Basically, broken people from different walks of life come under one roof to find they can still put the pieces back together, especially when they have a shoulder to cry on. Great book!
Helpful Score: 7
A decent read, but not that great of a book. It starts out well, then goes kind of weird for me. I get that an incident of that type would change your world- but I am not sure it works in a book like this. And it all gets put together just way too neat in the end. It felt like the author had a great idea for a story, but didn't know how to tell it right.
Helpful Score: 5
This was a wonderful novel with complicated characters and an unusal story. It also had a lovely ending that didn't feel contrived or hokey. Loved it.
Helpful Score: 4
Awesome book. Great diverse characters and a testament to "It's never too late to do the right thing!"
Helpful Score: 4
Wonderful story although a little frustrating at the end. You think here comes the happy ending and then there's another twist to the story. All straightens out in the end though for a very satisfying read.
Helpful Score: 4
Beautifully written and moves at a pretty good pace. It's characters are wonderfully different yet they all mesh together and the story is one to remember.
Helpful Score: 4
Amazing, unusual and thoughtful story.
Helpful Score: 4
I stumbled across this one in one of my sister's giveaway piles. What a find! A story of heartbreak transformed, devastation and loss that leads to rebirth and immeasurable gifts.I found the characters believable and utterly lovable. I didn't want it to end!
Helpful Score: 3
A story about an older woman and a young woman whose lives have been damaged...meeting and forming a special bond. Learning how to open up their hearts. A tender story.
Helpful Score: 3
this is a truly fantastic book!! i couldn't put it down..really thought provoking too!
Helpful Score: 3
A very unusual story about how we attract the people we need in our lives and what we can learn from them, a definate page turner.
Helpful Score: 3
This was an AMAZING book. It was conveniently how all the people came together in the end but the journey they took to get there was beautifully written.
One would think that a book with such a diverse cast of characters would be nothing but a train wreck but the book was so well done that it had me in tears during certain parts.
Give it a read. It is a bit slow at first but stick with it. You will not be disappointed
One would think that a book with such a diverse cast of characters would be nothing but a train wreck but the book was so well done that it had me in tears during certain parts.
Give it a read. It is a bit slow at first but stick with it. You will not be disappointed
Helpful Score: 3
I really liked this book, it was an accidental read given to me by a friend. It's about two women who each need healing in their own way, and how fate brings them together to heal each other. It's given a modern setting with some historical flashbacks, which I loved---one of the women is quite young and the other quite old. I finished it thinking how much I liked it and wondering why it hadn't appeared on any bestseller or recommended read lists I follow.
Helpful Score: 2
I really enjoyed this book...I liked how the seemingly separate stories came together in the end. I liked the characters and thought the plot was well-developed. Good writing. Recommend it.
Helpful Score: 2
This new author has written a great novel about a bounty of unusual people who come together and help each other find their own truths. The characters remind me of Ann Tyler's...kooky and loveable. I hope Kallos writes many more books!
Helpful Score: 2
This book started out so well and then went in all different directions.
an older woman(Margaret) living alone in her mansion filled with many valuable antiques meets up with a young woman (Wanda) who becomes a border in her home.
both women have endured self imposed exile; after they meet and become unlikely friends.
this is an eccentric book. funny and sad;heartbreaking family situations. but the enduring theme, the saving grace of surrogate families,surmounts even the diffucult subjects brought up.
an older woman(Margaret) living alone in her mansion filled with many valuable antiques meets up with a young woman (Wanda) who becomes a border in her home.
both women have endured self imposed exile; after they meet and become unlikely friends.
this is an eccentric book. funny and sad;heartbreaking family situations. but the enduring theme, the saving grace of surrogate families,surmounts even the diffucult subjects brought up.
Helpful Score: 1
Great book with in-depth character development. Story of a 70-something woman who lives alone and decides to bring in a roommate who arrives with a broken heart and a past. It is an amazing book of relationships, families, and what is right in the world.
Helpful Score: 1
I read this book shortly after moving from Seattle to San Diego so that may have influenced my love for it. I thought it was a poignant and sweet story, with multiple levels and interesting characters. All set in my favorite (and much missed) city.
Helpful Score: 1
I loved this book. It was haunting, unique, a nicely told interesting story.
Helpful Score: 1
I loved this book!
Helpful Score: 1
Started reading, didn't know what to think - - but the more I read, the more drawn in I became - - this story is magical and made me feel good (even though there are very sad elements)!
Helpful Score: 1
Kept my attention throughout but seemed a bit childish overall. Characters were a bit shallow and it seemed as if Kallos strained to bring it altogether. Realistically, breaking priceless antiques to make art? Didnt work for me.
Helpful Score: 1
Best novel I've read since the Time Traveler's Wife. Could not put it down - wonderful!
Helpful Score: 1
An elderly woman finds out she doens't have llong to live and in an effort to change her life she takes borders into her large home. These strangers become family as their lives grow together. Interesting book.
Helpful Score: 1
There are few books I have liked better than this one. It speaks to the struggles of women and their need for empowerment while trying to maintain relationships with ment hey care for.
Helpful Score: 1
When I began reading this book for my book club, I felt it was totally crazy, but as I kept reading, I became more interested. When this story of broken china and fascinating characters turned out to be a winner!
Helpful Score: 1
A wonderful, wonderful first novel. Impressive in scope and beautifully painted characters. I can't recommend it enough. If you like Anne Tyler or Nick Hornby, you will love this book.
Highly recommended. Interesting characters and storyline.
Very good. Lots of interesting characters.
This book begins so sweetly and then layer after layer of of emotions commence. There is humor, sadness, joy, grief, loss, and catharsis. I loved it, and it was much deeper and more satisfying than I expected it to be. If you want a good meaty read that makes you feel all of these things, please read this book.
I really tried to get threw this book. I simply could not. I have this thing about once I start reading a book I have to finish, but this book was that bad. I just could not. Maybe I can't relate to the story, what ever the reason, it was painful to read
This was one of the best books I've read in a while. The characters were all so quirky and I just loved them all. My only exception was that it was a bit predictable. Still I highly recommend this book
The book is extremely sad...everyone that I liked, dies. However, it was well-written and the happy ending for Wanda does make it worth the read.
Beautifully written book; very interesting plot - well worth reading.
Excellent read! I love the way it all tied in at the end.
Wonderful story! I loved this book!
Really loved this book, great characters.
I really enjoyed this book and all the characters.
I would read again.
I would read again.
great story, very suprised at how much I actually enjoyed the book.
Truly enjoyed the beginning of the book and it held my interest until somewhere in the middle I felt there were too many characters and too much going on. Finally the story smoothed out and story became interesting again. I'm glad I didn't give up on it! Great story about a mix of characters who all have a little piece broken in them, and how they all end of fixing themselves, and each other. A little predictable at the end, but I accepted that.
Very good story. Will read this author again.
Older woman takes in younger women to live with her in her mansion. Interesting characters,good book
