Joanna's husband has received yet another promotion. That means they will have to move their life once more. And before they can discuss it her husband, Paul is off on another business trip. Both of their children are out of the house now so Joanne spends most of her time alone. Joanna decides she just can't handle it anymore and leaves while Paul is still out of town. Joanna finds herself in Pawleys Island, South Carolina, she finds work as a part-time live-in care taken for an older woman named Grace. Grace has a secret, she's dying and doesn't want her family to know, she hires Joanna to help me make it to the end of her life. Joanna commits to six months and doesn't know Grace's secret. Paul shows up to try and take Joanna hope and she refuses. Is this the end of their family?
I really liked this book. I think alternating viewpoints can do wonders for a story. This story would not have worked from one person's perspective, we get to see the story through Joanna, Grace, and Paul's eyes. I think the only character I had trouble identifying with was Grace, because I am so far removed from her life and what she is going through. I really liked seeing the transformation of both Joanna and Paul after this separation, not knowing if they could get back together or if they had to move on.
Pawleys Island sounds beautiful. It made me want to go to the beach immediately, I don't think there is a better place to read this than at the beach, to bad I'm nowhere near one. I also really liked the turtle watch group that Joanna joins, sitting in the middle of the night waiting to see if the baby turtles will hatch and make a run for the ocean.
I though this was a well rounded story, I really had no idea how it was going to end or where it was going to go. I really liked the ending, I think I got a little teary eyed! I loved how this story weaved together and all the wonderful characters.
4.5/5 Stars
ARC provided by publisher
4.5/5 Stars
ARC provided by publisher
What's your favorite book that takes place near the beach?
Hmm... off the top of my head I would have to say A Ring of Endless Light by Madeleine L'Engle.
ReplyDeleteWhen read the question, I thought of A SUMMER AFFAIR. Remember the cover? But that really didn't happen on the beach like the cover implies. God, that was a really BAD cover. Who was the publisher of that book? That was a stupid move on their part.
ReplyDeleteladytink_534- I'll have to look into that one!
ReplyDeletej. kaye- Oh gosh yes! I don't like misleading covers!!! I do want to read that book though! hehe!
I agree that the two viewpoints totally made the story. It just wouldn't have worked any other way. And I loved the ending. And yeah...the ARC cover is way different than the pink cover.
ReplyDeleteAmanda- I'm a sucker for alternating viewpoints! It was the ending I hoped for but for awhile I was uncertain if I would get it! The ARC cover illustration style is kind of ick but I think the image itself of a lady walking on the beach suits the story better. It would have been nice if they could have taken a picture similar to that for the cover. I much prefer photography to illustration for book covers!
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