Helpful Score: 12
Magic! I am a long time fan of Kristan Hannah's novels but was disappointed with "Firefly Lane", her last effort. I was, however, not prepared for the effect this book would have on me. The story of three sisters who band together after their mother's death is nothing new nor original. But in Ms. Hannah's very capable hands, it becomes a powerful story of love, friendship, betrayal, bigotry, healing and so much more. Vivi Ann and Dallas' love story just reached in and twisted my heart. This book delivered everything that I hope for when I read - wonderful characters, a beautiful setting and a story that completely grabs my attention and emotions and never lets go. I very highly recommend.
Helpful Score: 5
This is the first Kristin Hannah book I've read, and while I thought it was a decent read, it wasn't great by any means.
Yes, it's full of emotion and drama, and plot twists and turns that keep you turning the pages to the end. But...I never really felt connected to the characters, and honestly didn't care much about what happened to them.
The primary focus of the story is on the relationship of the three sisters, Winona, Vivi Ann, and Aurora, whose mother died when they were teens, and whose father is emotionally unavailable.
Winona was just a whiner - poor me, I'm fat; poor me, no one loves me. Yawn. The constant pity-party got old. Aurora got short shrift - her character wasn't as fully developed as it could have been, and she was really just a supporting player. And Vivi Ann was just annoying - I really wanted to slap some sense into her.
Repetitive in places (how many descriptions of the mountains or the water do we need?), and spanning a long period of time, I kept reading only to find out what happened, and not out of a desire to become a part of these characters' lives.
Worth checking out of the library (like I did), but I wouldn't buy this one at the bookstore.
Yes, it's full of emotion and drama, and plot twists and turns that keep you turning the pages to the end. But...I never really felt connected to the characters, and honestly didn't care much about what happened to them.
The primary focus of the story is on the relationship of the three sisters, Winona, Vivi Ann, and Aurora, whose mother died when they were teens, and whose father is emotionally unavailable.
Winona was just a whiner - poor me, I'm fat; poor me, no one loves me. Yawn. The constant pity-party got old. Aurora got short shrift - her character wasn't as fully developed as it could have been, and she was really just a supporting player. And Vivi Ann was just annoying - I really wanted to slap some sense into her.
Repetitive in places (how many descriptions of the mountains or the water do we need?), and spanning a long period of time, I kept reading only to find out what happened, and not out of a desire to become a part of these characters' lives.
Worth checking out of the library (like I did), but I wouldn't buy this one at the bookstore.
Helpful Score: 4
After the Prologue, the story begins in 1992 when 3 sisters were in their early/mid 20's and progresses through their lives up to 2007 when they are in their early 40's.
During the early chapters I didn't think that this was my kind of book, as I found the story a bit shallow. The women were young (and carrying on like young adults do), and the writing was light and easy. I did enjoy references to 90's movies titles, banana hair clips, Gorgio perfume.
Yet, as I kept reading what I thought was mindless chick lit, more and more depth was added to the characters, their lives, and the issues with which they were dealing. So much so that I found that I did like the book quite a bit.
During the early chapters I didn't think that this was my kind of book, as I found the story a bit shallow. The women were young (and carrying on like young adults do), and the writing was light and easy. I did enjoy references to 90's movies titles, banana hair clips, Gorgio perfume.
Yet, as I kept reading what I thought was mindless chick lit, more and more depth was added to the characters, their lives, and the issues with which they were dealing. So much so that I found that I did like the book quite a bit.
I won an unedited copy of this book. It is scheduled to come out February 2009. Kristin Hannahs new book True Colors takes us on a journey of sisterhood and love- perhaps the title should have been The Things we do or dont do or do later for love. I thought it would be hard for KH to outdo herself after writing Firefly Lane, but this book delivers such a exquisite story of family, love, choices, jealousy, hope, passion, prejudice, faith and no faith, I was breathless at times reading about this to the bone love.
The family ranch, Waters Edge, is in the beautiful and cold state of Washington. In her description of where the story takes place, I felt like I was sitting on the fence at Waters Edge. It is incredible how original and fresh Kristin Hannah writes about the kind of love that makes a person whole- and some never experience this kind. You think you know exactly where the story is going and then, BOOM, turn and then another turn, and then another. The secondary characters come off the page, giving them so much life, you start to care for all of the people entwined in the story.
I dont want to give too much of the story away, but this book was like a Christmas Present to me. As every piece of paper was torn away from the package, there was a gift of a story that I will not soon forget. I was sad when I turned the last page, and the story ended.
You CANT miss reading this story. The intensity and dynamics that Kristin Hannah brings to the table with her books is ever present, and the romance in the story, is of the same caliber.
The family ranch, Waters Edge, is in the beautiful and cold state of Washington. In her description of where the story takes place, I felt like I was sitting on the fence at Waters Edge. It is incredible how original and fresh Kristin Hannah writes about the kind of love that makes a person whole- and some never experience this kind. You think you know exactly where the story is going and then, BOOM, turn and then another turn, and then another. The secondary characters come off the page, giving them so much life, you start to care for all of the people entwined in the story.
I dont want to give too much of the story away, but this book was like a Christmas Present to me. As every piece of paper was torn away from the package, there was a gift of a story that I will not soon forget. I was sad when I turned the last page, and the story ended.
You CANT miss reading this story. The intensity and dynamics that Kristin Hannah brings to the table with her books is ever present, and the romance in the story, is of the same caliber.
Helpful Score: 3
This book was amazing! I haven't read one I liked as much in several months! I read FIREFLY LANE and I liked it a lot, but this one beat it for me.
This is a great story of family, love, forgiveness and joy. It was a story of three sisters and their love and conflicts over many years. It was the story of true love for one sister, lost love for another and the longing for love by another.
I absolutely could not put this one down!
This is a great story of family, love, forgiveness and joy. It was a story of three sisters and their love and conflicts over many years. It was the story of true love for one sister, lost love for another and the longing for love by another.
I absolutely could not put this one down!
