I loved this book - the slow burn, the way secrets were gradually revealed, and the way each character was well thought-out, complex, and presented in a very realistic way. I was intrigued by the family drama and the mystery that was seamlessly integrated with the rest of the story. Marley was such a great main character, and her endless strength, resilience, and love was so inspiring! I loved seeing her relationship with Waylon evolve through different seasons in life, from young love to marriage and parenthood.
There are so many lessons in this story, and even though it speaks about family, love, and sacrifice, it also shows that sometimes the best thing to do is to let go, as there are times when one’s love and effort can’t be seen, understood, or reciprocated.
It shows that to understand and love another person, one must first do so for themselves, that people can suffer alone for a long time, even when they are surrounded by others, and that person’s strength can manifest itself in many different ways.
The ending wraps up the story nicely and provides a deeper understanding of each family member's life, but I wish their innermost feelings and motivations were more evenly incorporated throughout the rest of the novel.
Overall, this was a well-written and heartfelt story that explores themes of family, secrets, longing, and self-discovery. It’s a wonderful book, and I highly recommend it! I think this would be a great book club pick. I’ll definitely be reading more books by this author!
Thank you, NetGalley, the publisher Celadon Books, and author Amy Jo Burns for the ARC copy! I received a free copy of this book, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
There are so many lessons in this story, and even though it speaks about family, love, and sacrifice, it also shows that sometimes the best thing to do is to let go, as there are times when one’s love and effort can’t be seen, understood, or reciprocated.
It shows that to understand and love another person, one must first do so for themselves, that people can suffer alone for a long time, even when they are surrounded by others, and that person’s strength can manifest itself in many different ways.
The ending wraps up the story nicely and provides a deeper understanding of each family member's life, but I wish their innermost feelings and motivations were more evenly incorporated throughout the rest of the novel.
Overall, this was a well-written and heartfelt story that explores themes of family, secrets, longing, and self-discovery. It’s a wonderful book, and I highly recommend it! I think this would be a great book club pick. I’ll definitely be reading more books by this author!
Thank you, NetGalley, the publisher Celadon Books, and author Amy Jo Burns for the ARC copy! I received a free copy of this book, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.