Pam

Not sure when I picked up the book or why. Probably because it was a NASCAR romance novel and I've enjoyed them a lot. This one is a Christian based romance, which I don't mind but it's not really my thing. And when I bought this book I didn't realize it was a Christian book.

Of the 4 stories the one I disliked the most was the second story because the “hero” of the story kept pushing religion on the “heroine” and at times it felt to be too much.

Easy and enjoyable read. Perfect for a summer read.

This is an amazing story! I can say that I never really thought about the people living in Berlin when the wall went up as it had been there since before I was born.

Greta is a strong-willed girl who just wants her family together and to be able to think any thoughts she wants without fear. I am not sure if I would have had the courage to seek a way through the wall.

Let's point out that it took me almost 3 weeks to read a book that's only 242 pages. I tried to enjoy it more but I wasn't able to really get into it. In many ways you can tell it was written to be turned into a screenplay as the author mentions in his notes at the end. I have not watched the movie, though I had wanted to but now I'm not sure if I will.

I throughly enjoyed the story of Felicity Juniper Pickle. in many ways it reminded me of some of the small, quirky towns I've been too (not just in the south) I'm sure some will find fault with the story, the little details and such, but if the reader enjoys it what's wrong with that? I would like to see a series of books based in Midnight Gulch. That way the author could expand the stories of the other magical families in town.

I throughly enjoyed the novel. I probably would have given it the full 5 stars if there was a little more of a conclusion to Handful's story. If I want to know more about Sarah or Nina all I need to do is Google them as they were real people.

I was surprised to learn this was an Oprah book as I have had no success with them.

I found the story rather drawn out as it was more narrative than I generally read. It may not be fair to judge a book that way, but I am. I found myself not drawn to keep readin, even when I reached the “exciting” parts. In many ways I was more relieved when the end was reached.

I really did not enjoy this book. It was obvious from the beginning what Amy needed/wanted in her life. She had a less than perfect upbringing, and of course that influences the person she becomes. I understand that, but her whining about not having a family who loves her and won't be there for her in her time of need is a load of bull. Many people go out and make a family out of friends. No one has a biological family they love 100%. But we do get to chose who our friends are, and generally they are loved and cared about 100%.

As someone who loves sports, I enjoyed this read a lot. Gordie Howe was a name I heard often growing up, so I figured I should learn a bit more about him.

My favorite parts of the book were when he was talking about playing in Galt, Ontario as I know the places he was talking about (the train station, the high school, the arena), and when I learned the history behind the team name & logo and of course why Detroit fans toss octopus on the ice.

There were times I did find the stories not making much sense and going in circles. But I realized there may be a reason for that in the afterward by his children.

Easy & enjoyable read!

I throughly enjoyed this novel. It isn't my usually genre, but I've been expanding my reading horizons. There was lots of action and drama. I was saddened by the needless deaths of 2 minor characters. But I loved the journey around the world from New York City to Houston, TX to a small coastal African nation to Switzerland to London to Australia back to Europe and Africa.

The only draw back I found was the constant detailed descriptions of the weaponry used throughout the book.

I read this book, and processed it as an adult. Therefore I really did not think that Harriet's behavior was appropriate for children to see. In many ways she is a spoiled, obnoxious brat. And in many ways deserved what she for when her classmates read her notebook.

Honestly, I almost gave up on this book. I did not like the way it flipped between past and present without any real warning or idea it was happening other than the fact the chapters changed. The book was redeemed near the end when all of the questions were answered.

The characters all seemed a little too needy or whiny save for one, Cal. He was quite possibly the only solid figure in the while story.

I have to say I really enjoyed this story. I did not know it was part of a series when I borrowed it from the library, as no where on it does it mention that. And honestly, I don't feel I missed anything by not having read the previous books.

I really enjoyed the book, and it was nice to have Mike Bowditch join me on my daily commute. While I enjoyed the in depth descriptions of the scenery, wild life, and characters at times the story seemed to get bogged down by the tiny details.

I found the story rather boring, and confusing as it kept switching from character to character and present to past and back to present.

I found myself finally starting to enjoyed the story and then it ended.

My 13 year old son chose this book for me at my request. It should not have surprised me that he chose one set during one of the World Wars as that his his favorite time period in history.

I had to remind myself throughout the book this was a young adult book as at times I found Alfie to be rather whiny at times. Then again if I was going through what he was I would probably be a bit whiny too. I did learn something that I did not know about that period, namely the internment of those of German and Austria-Hungarian descent. Nor did I know about the jailing of those who refused to fight.

I found this a nice change from my usual variety of books. I enjoyed it so much I chose one by the author for my son to read.

I enjoyed this story, Dempsey was a wonderful companion on my daily commute to and from work. At first she was a weak female, but as the story progressed she became stronger.

As someone who grew up in the South, I found many of the residents of Guthrie to be very realistic.

The characters I disliked the most were Dempsey's parents. Her father was a strict, domineering man. Her mother was a selfish, flighty woman.

I would have enjoyed an epilogue to the story to help tie up the few loose ends. Namely, did she stay in Guthrie? Did she marry that Berryhill boy? What about Birdsong? And Ella Kate, what is her issues with the Killebrew family?

I enjoyed the story. I wish I could go to Fontinari's and meet Sal and the rest of the characters.

I'm not sure I liked the ending. It felt rather anti-climatic Billie meeting Lulu so quickly and easily. And Lulu not wanting to share her side with Billie.

The book follows a basic formula. It was enjoyable to read. Mrs. Merkle was a great character.

Oh how I missed Charley on my commute to work. After this ended yesterday I now have to wait again. But I will welcome her like an old friend.

I will admit I was surprised that so much.time had passed between book 7 and book 8. I was really surprised there was a wedding between Cookie and Uncle Bob. When did that relationship take off?

Without a spoiler, I will say I never liked Denise, but never knew she was like that!

My biggest issue with the story is the timing. It seems as though everything happened in a short 2-3 days when in reality it would probably be more like a week.

Honestly, I would rather rate the book as a 2.5, but decided to round up instead. The end of the story was quite interesting, the whodunit was a surprise. I'm just not sure I could make the same decision Jake did. Almost gave up on the book as Jake's actions actually made me mad.

This is a companion to The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Frye. If you've read that one, this one is almost bittersweet as you know how it ends. If you've not read it, the end will not be a surprise, but some of the back story may seem a bit off.

With the collection of characters introduced in this story, I have to say that Finty was my absolute favorite. She seemed like the person I would most want to spend time with, as she didn't give a darn about what people thought of her.

I'm not sure I liked the epilogue, or post script to the book. Though in many ways it made perfect sense.

I enjoyed the story of the Cavendon families. I was a but surprised by the unmarried intimacies in the story, but I guess that was more my naivete than anything.

I listened to the audio copy, and enjoyed the company on my commute to work.

I must say that Angela Lansbury always came to mind when Lady Gwendolyn was present in the story. And that is a good thing.

I found the story very interesting. The writing style reminded me of Charles Dickens. Which shouldn't surprise me as he is a co-star. My only negative about the book is wishing to know what happened to Mr. Bogel, aka Bogus Bogel.

I have to say this was the darkest of the 3 in the series. And that I personally would not share this with my daughter who is 7. My son, who is 13, would probably be ok with the darker tones but would not enjoy the book.

A delightfully engaging story. It time flips from 2009 back to 1839-1845. It was a refreshing change from some of the more recent books I've read recently. I enjoyed the journey as Julia unraveled a centuries old family secret.