Cynthia

I was only reading this because the FB group I joined said I was supposed to, and even though it was honor system I couldn't lie. Luckily it was a very interesting read & Graeme's story was very inspirational. I learned a few helpful things, too. Don't let the grammar mistakes bother you, his enthusiasm to get healthy and break his food addiction were worth the read. Though my story is very different than his, gaining 30 pounds after Jared died, and not being able to shed a pound no matter what I tried, this IF is working. I'm down 10 pounds!!

This story was not quite what I expected, but I still liked it. The bouncing around in chapters and with characters was a bit confusing at times, but I eventually figured it all out. The topic of banning books is currently a hot topic and I liked the way the author approached this issue within this small town.

“Being pretty's overrated.”
“Is that right?” The way Mrs. Wright said it made Nahla wonder if she'd passed some kind of test. “Then what would you rather be?”
“A force to be reckoned with.” I liked Nahla, wish there was more of her in the story.

Good mystery, though I figured out who the murderer was, didn't like that it was him.

Donna Ashworth is an incredibly gifted poet. I came across her poems after Jared passed and finally got one of her books. She is able to express such raw emotions in a beautiful and comforting way.

What do I think?? I think this was a disturbing story and I hope things like this do not really exist. I continued reading it, though started skimming lots, just to find out how it all started...and how it would end.

Good basic info

Such a powerful story, about life being messy and hard, yet so beautiful when people come together to help one another. My kind of story-full of forgiveness, love, and redemption.

Such a long story, though was beautifully written. However, Eleanor, the wife and mother, was just to kind, and took the blame for everything, though she was not to blame! Her irresponsible husband and kids took advantage of her, but she let them and it was so frustrating!

Good story showing how one book can have different meanings for different people. I liked “meeting” all the characters, but wanted to know more about each person & their own story.

Lots going on with the characters and little town in this VERY long story. For me it's really between 2-3 stars.

Oye, where do I start?! The only reason I finished it was because I have really enjoyed some of Bohjalian's books, Midwives, Trans-Sister Radio, and Before you know Kindness-just to name a few. But this one was just a jumbled mess. Things didn't start happening until chapter 20, but I wanted to see how it all wrapped up, and it all ended too hunky dory for me. Sorry, Bohjalian, it must be difficult to live up to your other incredible stories.

LOVED this story!! Another whimsical town filled with delightful characters who love one another, make mistakes, forgive, with a little magic thrown in. I would love to be a part of a small town like this and I wish the Blackbird Cafe was real.

This was a good page turner!

A decent read, but if you know Gudenkauf's old stuff, this story is nothing compared to those first scary, suspenseful stories of hers.

After reading 25 chapters I decided I just cannot finish this book. A wife to Mitch, and a mother to 2 college aged kids disappears and the story becomes about the husband & her best friend developing an intimate relationship after just 5 months & the kids return to college like nothing has happened. I will skip to the end to see if she is ever found, but that's it.

Such a delightful, whimsical story. I enjoyed the magical mixed in with the reality, reminded me of Sarah Addison Allen's books. Sweet town with sweet characters, and I loved the ending!!

One of the best stories I've ever read! A family created with broken hearts, became a family full of grace and love for one another. I fell in love with Harvey. Oh, but Pearl was such a loving, strong woman, too! And all because of a baby named Ivy Rose!

Put your imagination on full throttle for this one! Baker's Man is a silly, magical, sweet story-but it's crazy how fast Anne bakes and how many sweets everyone in this town eats.

If you can get over the immature, high-schoolish, behavior of grown women, then this is a book worth reading. The story had a good pace, and lots of drama. I wanted to find out what the heck was going on with Cleo almongst these ladies. I liked the ending, didn't see it turning out the way it did.

The Road to Bittersweet was beautifully written just like the other books I have read of Everhart's, but boy were there A LOT of hardships that this family had to endure. 14 year old Wallis Ann who had to be resposbile for so much at her age was the best part of the story and I kept rooting for her. It was hard to read at times because it is so sad, and because it is such a long story. Yes, there was a “happy ending” but I wish it came sooner.

A fast-paced roller coaster of a story! Had me literally gasping out loud, didn't see it coming parts!

The Memory or Lavender and Sage is a charming, quaint story. It's not a page turner, to me this is a story to be read leisurely, to just soak in the atmosphere and delight in all the different characters. I just loved it!

Wow, what a page turner!

I was reading the second book in this series and then decided to put that on hold to read the first book. I wanted to know more about the main character, Katie Scott. She is an Army Veteran with PTSD after her time in Afghanistan, and is now a rookie, yet quite the gifted detective. There are mixed reviews about this book, but I felt it was a solid mystery with a good pace and it kept my interest. Now on to finishing book 2.

As I was reading, I kept thinking I had maybe read this already. But then I realized I hadn't and that it reminded me of Verity-stories are very similar in some ways. It was a page turner though, as I needed to find out what the heck was going on! It was a lot like watching a scary movie with stupid people making stupid mistakes. When you think you're seeing red flags, trust yourself-you are!