Day: August 16, 2021

I sometimes try to stay away from books that are promoted as “emotional.” I like to read to escape, and with the world the way it is, I don’t need any additional “emotion” in my life.

I’m glad I made an exception for this one however because I enjoyed Charlotte and Jayne’s journey. It’s not exactly breaking new ground, but the author does an admirable job of making the characters likable and the story plausible.

As usual, you can get the gist of the plot through the blurb. I thought the premise was good and the introduction of the different aspects of the plot was revealed at the right times to keep the action moving. It never felt like it stalled.

I will say that I didn’t feel that there was a lot of depth to the characters, but I liked that in this story. It didn’t need to be totally heavy. We got enough of each of the characters to understand their motivations.

The author used a mixture of methods to relay different time periods. Most were flashbacks and memories of Jayne’s, as the story really belongs to her – it’s pretty much her point of view. Even descriptions of Charlotte’s actions or demeanor are seen through Jayne’s eyes.

There were some parts that seemed stilted. Descriptions of food felt forced and a few things that I thought would go places (such as Jayne’s job and her decision towards the end regarding the house) seemed to be rushed. A few subplots didn’t seem to serve much purpose and went nowhere.

Additionally, the “big reveals” were interesting but not the “aha” moments they could have been. They didn’t make me gasp or think “that was unexpected.” Not that it’s a thriller that needs that, but the few moments that could have been the most emotional ended up being more, “oh, yeah, okay, that happened. What next?”

I know that sounds like a criticism, but it really isn’t. As a result of the even tempo of the plot, it’s all a nice even story that just sort of lulls the reader along. Even the conflicts aren’t fraught, they just add some color to the story.

I did like the grandmother’s “tricks,” and I felt that her knowledge of the situation was revealed at just the right times. I know that sounds repetitive, but not rushing it all at once added to the laid-back pace of the story.

All in all, it was a pleasant read that is perfect for the summer to fall transition we are entering. I would recommend this book.

Author Bio:

Cynthia Ellingsen is an Amazon Charts bestselling author of contemporary women’s fiction. Her books feature heartwarming characters and strong family connections, often with a touch of mystery. The Starlight Cove series, her best-known work, is available on audio and has been translated into several languages.

Cynthia began her writing career as a screenwriter in Los Angeles and now lives in Kentucky with her family.