De appelboomgaard

Pretty good story that was marred by a lot of little details that weren't quite right. What has happened to all the good editors in the world? Downsized maybe? Just need someone who has enough of a clue to realize the San Francisco earthquake and fire the author mentions happened in 1906 not 1907. Someone who thinks to double check when honey crisp apples were developed - they were developed in Minnesota as cold weather tolerant trees and were released in the 1990s - so they couldn't possibly in an orchard and producing large quantities of fruit in the 1950s. If an editor can't do that, then how about an author who can, like the rest of the world, use Google or some other search engine of their choice. Or how about as an author, at least keep notes about what you're writing. You know, so that characters don't suddenly, magically appear in scenes they weren't present in 2 paragraphs before or so that something that is said (in one case about Magnus never remembering the combination for the safe) is attributed to the correct character. Or even just the ages/ birth order of the token precocious children (I would have sworn Trini was the oldest if not for a single little thought comment from Dominic). On their own each of these things is forgivable, but when you string them all together they start to irritate.

Oh and don't get me started on how naive and ridiculous Tess was. Some weird, unknown guy shows up in her office, tells her she has this other family and she automatically believes him and drops everything to go to said family. Doesn't ask for proof. Just gets in a car with the guy. RME. Gotta keep building that suspension bridge of disbelief.

So what did I like enough to give 3 stars? The relationship (as contrived as it started out) between Tess and Isabel ended up being well written. Very sisterly - love ‘em one minute but want to punch ‘em the next. And I liked the peripheral characters - especially Ernestina - at Bella Vista. The writing style was easy to read and flowed well from present to past and back again. I also liked the mystery of the car accident and the missing treasure, but wished the author had given it more of a conclusive ending (was it an accident?).

Absolutely adored this heartwarming story. The narrator was a pleasure to listen to and made me want to keep listening. The story itself was just what I needed this week.

I was about to give up on Susan Wiggs after the last few Lakeshore novels, which were lackluster at best. But starting a new series with completely new characters seems to have revitalized her writing. Although the story is predictable, the writing is strong, and the historical details add a nice touch of depth. The romance is one her best in recent memory, even if the hero is a little too close to perfect. You can really feel the full range of Tess' emotions around Dominic, and the happy ending feels well earned.

I assume there will be a story for Isabel - hopefully Wiggs won't drag it out the way she did with Daisy Bellamy (only to deliver one of the weakest books in the series). Meanwhile I can breathe a sigh of relief and keep Wiggs on my auto-read list.