A gorgeous, haunting, exquisite story... I was pulled in from the first installment. There was 'something' about the story that pulled me in and wouldn't let go :).
We're dropped into the lives of Ada and Penny, two different women living different lives yet they more in common than they think.
Ada has suffered a big tragedy and is just existing, working alot to keep herself busy. One day she can't take it anymore and flees New York for Seattle to live on a houseboat for the summer (with the reluctant approval from her therapist) in the hopes of healing from her pain.
Penny is a young bride who is living on the houseboat with her husband Dexter, a talented artist who has his own demons. She feels isolated and lonely since Dexter is off working alot and doesn't feel accepted in her husband's world/by her Boat Street neighbors. She's captivated by their neighbor Collin, who's building a houseboat along the way. She adores her neighbor's son Jimmy, who feels unloved by his parents.
Ada lives in the houseboat that was once occupied by Penny and her husband, abandoned by him after her disappearance. She finds a chest of Penny's belongings and is compelled to find out what happened to her.
What happened to Penny? Was she murdered? Did she run away?
There was so many twists and turns in this... I did not expect who it turned out to be that caused Penny's disappearance or the what happened after. I don't want to give anything away but it's all more closely tied together than you think.
I thought it would be jarring to flip between Penny and Ada but it was done well... we learn and unlearn more each time little bits of the story came from each side. I had certain perceptions one way and then they would be flipped around some pages later when new information came or was re-examined in light of another view.
People I had no sympathy for I changed my mind about some (even though I didn't condone their actions, I understood their motivations) and others I thought I had figured out gave me new angles.
I admired Ada for getting up the courage to open up to Alex, and growing to love him... when the circumstances of her past were revealed, I wanted to give her a big hug and not let her go. My opinion of Alex grew as he was so patient and encouraging with Ada.
Misunderstandings abound for the two of them but I liked how they felt real and not contrived... and that Ada/Alex didn't let things fester but talked them out.
Penny lived in difficult times back then. In spite of it all, she stayed kind and loving. I found myself hating Dexter for not appreciating her but my opinion changed shape as I got further into the story. Despite his faults, he did love Penny and was devastated when everything happened.
I can see why things happened the way that they did... it felt 'finished' in a way... It's hard to describe without giving too much away but a final twist at the end put alot of things into perspective. It's bittersweet in one way and happy with another.
The houseboat life, the sense of community and family... loved it. I would love to try to live on one but doubt I could afford it these days.
Highly recommend this book, one of the best ones I've read this year :) Happy reading!
"Every person, every thing, has a purpose in this life. You, me, this little morning glory. We're all inter-connected." Jimmy pauses to look at the flower in my hand. "It's our job to remember that and to realize how it all works together, even when it feels like the puzzle pieces don't fit."
We're dropped into the lives of Ada and Penny, two different women living different lives yet they more in common than they think.
Ada has suffered a big tragedy and is just existing, working alot to keep herself busy. One day she can't take it anymore and flees New York for Seattle to live on a houseboat for the summer (with the reluctant approval from her therapist) in the hopes of healing from her pain.
Penny is a young bride who is living on the houseboat with her husband Dexter, a talented artist who has his own demons. She feels isolated and lonely since Dexter is off working alot and doesn't feel accepted in her husband's world/by her Boat Street neighbors. She's captivated by their neighbor Collin, who's building a houseboat along the way. She adores her neighbor's son Jimmy, who feels unloved by his parents.
Ada lives in the houseboat that was once occupied by Penny and her husband, abandoned by him after her disappearance. She finds a chest of Penny's belongings and is compelled to find out what happened to her.
What happened to Penny? Was she murdered? Did she run away?
There was so many twists and turns in this... I did not expect who it turned out to be that caused Penny's disappearance or the what happened after. I don't want to give anything away but it's all more closely tied together than you think.
I thought it would be jarring to flip between Penny and Ada but it was done well... we learn and unlearn more each time little bits of the story came from each side. I had certain perceptions one way and then they would be flipped around some pages later when new information came or was re-examined in light of another view.
People I had no sympathy for I changed my mind about some (even though I didn't condone their actions, I understood their motivations) and others I thought I had figured out gave me new angles.
I admired Ada for getting up the courage to open up to Alex, and growing to love him... when the circumstances of her past were revealed, I wanted to give her a big hug and not let her go. My opinion of Alex grew as he was so patient and encouraging with Ada.
Misunderstandings abound for the two of them but I liked how they felt real and not contrived... and that Ada/Alex didn't let things fester but talked them out.
Penny lived in difficult times back then. In spite of it all, she stayed kind and loving. I found myself hating Dexter for not appreciating her but my opinion changed shape as I got further into the story. Despite his faults, he did love Penny and was devastated when everything happened.
I can see why things happened the way that they did... it felt 'finished' in a way... It's hard to describe without giving too much away but a final twist at the end put alot of things into perspective. It's bittersweet in one way and happy with another.
The houseboat life, the sense of community and family... loved it. I would love to try to live on one but doubt I could afford it these days.
Highly recommend this book, one of the best ones I've read this year :) Happy reading!
"Every person, every thing, has a purpose in this life. You, me, this little morning glory. We're all inter-connected." Jimmy pauses to look at the flower in my hand. "It's our job to remember that and to realize how it all works together, even when it feels like the puzzle pieces don't fit."
Back to all reviews by this member
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details
