Customer Reviews: Read 146 more reviews...
 It was OK November 20, 2008
The book was definitely not one of her best. I found the characters too 1-dimensional and the plot was somewhat predictable.
 Fun, beachy read November 18, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I loved this book. I wasn't surprised, as I am a huge Jane Green fan, and this book did not disappoint. The book was so richly detailed that you feel like you're right there on Nantucket! Bottom line, if you're looking for a deep, philosophical read, this ain't it, but if you want something fun and engrossing, pick up this book!
 I was hoping for more... November 16, 2008
I have loved Jane Green for a long time. The books are always very hit or miss for me. I have really loved most of the older books, but the new ones are starting to lose their spark. It started out well, and I liked reading about all of the different characters that would end up at this beach house, but...somehow, it seemed to fall apart in the middle, then tied up in this perfect bow at the end.
Nan is not your usual older woman. She takes skinny dips in others pools, she wears colorful clothing, and she likes to have a great time. She lives in a huge house in Nantucket, with a husband who died long ago and a grown son far away. She hopes to fill her house with life again, and with impending debts that won't go away, she decides to rent the rooms in her house.
Daniel is an unhappily married man with a secret. He does love his two little girls, but he's not in love with his wife. Bee knows something is wrong, but she doesn't know what it is...yet.
Michael (Nan's son) is satisfied with making jewelry for his life's work, but he can't seem to stick with a relationship. When he gets tangled up in a web of deceit, he decides that now is a good time to escape to his mom's house again.
Daff found out that her husband cheated on her, but she doesn't want him back anyway. They are having trying to raise their daughter Jess, but Jess is having a tough time and she turns into a little girl when her father is around.
There seems to be a lot going on in this novel, and I was reminded of Marian Keyes, who is able to juggle so many characters, yet spin a great story. Unfortunately, this book is not quite up to that level.
I was also a little bit frustrated that even though this book takes place in America, there was a lot of "English slang" in it that an American wouldn't say, such as, "Do you fancy him?" At first, I let it slide, but it happened at least 5 or more times.
It seemed like there was a lot of conflict and drama right up until the middle of the story, and then...it ended so perfectly for almost everyone, it just didn't seem realistic.
I really wanted to like it, but it was just average for me.
 Is editing dead? November 8, 2008
I picked this book because the description made it sound a little like a Rosamund Pilcher book. I was put off right away by the first couple of pages. I am not a total stickler, but bad grammar and usage distract me from the story. The very first sentence of the book incorrectly uses "their" instead of "her." Of course, that wouldn't be enough to completely put me off. But then I got to page four, and Green's description of the yuppified general store. Within just six lines of text, she refers twice to "delicious sweetmeats" and "designer candles." If the writer and editor don't care enough to fix something like that, then why should I care enough to read the book? I didn't make it many more pages after that.
Did Not Keep My Interest November 4, 2008
Towards the end of the book I skimmed through because I lost my interest in the characters. I liked the way the characters were brought together but there was something missing. There was no warmth or coldness or any specific characteristic that defined any of the characters. I would not recommend it.
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