Barbara M. reviewed on + 148 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
As many other one- and two-star Amazon reviewers have noted, the cover and the beginning of the book lead the reader to believe that the story will be about the children who apparently were sold. However, it's not too far into the book before it becomes a rather ridiculous story about replacing a photo (and negative) that were accidentally destroyed. Ellis, the lead character, is an aspiring reporter who wants to do more than the society column. He has a gift for photography. Unbeknownst to him, the photo of the two kids for sale is shown to the publisher (or it might be editor) of the paper. Ellis is given the opportunity to write a column to go with the picture but then the picture is destroyed. Ellis then decides to go back to the farm where the kids lived but when he does so, they are no longer there so he takes a staged photo using neighbor children. Ellis then becomes extremely guilty (I never quite understood the lengths of his guilt), "acts out," and then finally seems to get his life back on track.
SPOILER ALERT: Lily is the other main character and is secretary to the publisher (or some other management person--don't recall the title). She has a secret of her own--she has a four-year old illegitimate son who lives in another town with her parents. Lily goes home every weekend to see her son. Interestingly, this is during the Depression so times were pretty conservative when it comes to children out of wedlock. Lily's son apparently has the run of the grandparents' deli while living with them. Yet, there's no indication that there was ever any backlash or gossip by the customers or citizens. Ellis falls for Lily and when he eventually finds out about her son, it doesn't bother him in the least. Lily starts a relationship with a Clayton, a reporter from the paper and a genuinely nice guy. His feelings run stronger for her than hers are for him. He doesn't blink an eye when he learns about Lily's son. END OF SPOILERS
I quickly developed a dislike for Lily. Ellis, even though he has taken a position with another paper, often puts off assignments and is frequently absent from work because he's made the kids' case his priority. Yet, he still manages to hang on to his job. The mob involvement was weakly developed and really added nothing to the story.
It was a quick read--that's about the best thing I can say about the book.
SPOILER ALERT: Lily is the other main character and is secretary to the publisher (or some other management person--don't recall the title). She has a secret of her own--she has a four-year old illegitimate son who lives in another town with her parents. Lily goes home every weekend to see her son. Interestingly, this is during the Depression so times were pretty conservative when it comes to children out of wedlock. Lily's son apparently has the run of the grandparents' deli while living with them. Yet, there's no indication that there was ever any backlash or gossip by the customers or citizens. Ellis falls for Lily and when he eventually finds out about her son, it doesn't bother him in the least. Lily starts a relationship with a Clayton, a reporter from the paper and a genuinely nice guy. His feelings run stronger for her than hers are for him. He doesn't blink an eye when he learns about Lily's son. END OF SPOILERS
I quickly developed a dislike for Lily. Ellis, even though he has taken a position with another paper, often puts off assignments and is frequently absent from work because he's made the kids' case his priority. Yet, he still manages to hang on to his job. The mob involvement was weakly developed and really added nothing to the story.
It was a quick read--that's about the best thing I can say about the book.
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