Fantastic, many-layered love story
356950
I really love long books and this one was so good, it played out like a movie in my head as I was reading. It's the kind of book you can just sink into and feel like you are there. I thought it was going to be an angsty read, and it is, but the book also had so many twists and turns. I was expecting a quiet story about a guitar girl and grief, but instead it was a layered love story, with lots of great characters, and drama.
3418847
This is by far one of the best books I have ever read, and I've read too many to count!  There were many surprises and twists. This book definitely delivers a fantastic love story along with plenty of the conflicts of blending families and surprises. I felt the story was real and I was a friend sharing their story.
1182153
I loved this book! It is difficult for me to pinpoint the reason, but it captivated me from the first page until the last. The characters were wonderfully developed and so likable. My emotions ran the full gamut from laughing out loud to becoming misty-eyed because I felt so connected to Fin, Lady, Mabel, the suitors, and even the dog. And the unknown narrator had me guessing almost until the identity was revealed.

I lived in Manhattan during the sixties, and Ms. Schine perfectly portrayed the era. Like many of my friends, I became wrapped up in the anti-war marches, anti-segregation protests and hardcore rock 'n' roll at the Fillmore East. Parts of Lady's character reminded me of myself - children of the well-off playing the role of faux hippies.

In the final analysis, though, this is a love story, albeit somewhat unconventional. Two orphaned half-siblings, one much older than the other, taking care of each other, despite the age difference. I was sorry when I reached the epilogue, but the story could not have ended any other way.
2269821
Roxane Gay captures the trauma, tragedy, and intimacy of close relationships in this story.

While people may say this is a difficult book to read it's really a fantastic story about love, loss, and empowerment. The book is certainly dark, and the story captures the darkness and lostness that Miri is feeling. There are passive chapters between the flashbacks and narration but it tells a story that shows how complicated relationships are, and how finicky people can be, and what it can take to be a family. The relationship between Miri and Michael is fascinating and fragile and the story articulates so many things about recovery and friends that aren't often talked about.

Also the parallels, between Miri and Michael, between Florida and Haiti, between Miri and her mother, and so many other comparisons really carried through the narrative. We see how much these people change in just a few pages and how different life is for them all by the end. The parallels that Miri draws as well to a 'before' and 'after' mimic the 'before' and 'after' setup of the book that somehow manages to condense so many thoughts on sexual assault, identity, and safety.

By not wrapping up everything nicely at the end it's a harrowing, enlightening story that everyone should read.
1586445
Once I started, I couldn't put this down. The Weight of Rain is full of creative, passionate characters I couldn't help but fall in love with. More than just a romance, it is a unique story about relationships. There is an artist and BMX riders, fashion design students, a photographer and a preteen. It involves several interesting plot twists and some emotional baggage that needs to be resolved. (Don't we all have some?) I found it to be a wonderful story of not only love, but also friendship, overcoming emotional obstacles and creating family when the one we are born into has failed us. I can't wait to dive into the second book The Effects of Falling.
2943430
This is an extremely intense, beautiful, and believable book about the complicated textures of relationships.  Not only about the "typical" man-woman union, Baldwin's richly woven story also contains homosexual and bisexual relationships; inter-racial relationships; intricate and deeply explored male friendships; and, to a lesser degree (though with no less accuracy), the careful dance of women's friendships.  The relationship between blacks and whites.  The relationship between racists and non-racists.  The relationship between the rich and the poor, between sell-outs and non sell-outs.  So much is touched upon and examined in this novel that the 436 pages seem more like 600, and by the end I found myself taking notes.  But the complexity was not at all daunting.  Because of Baldwin's deep (but never boring) detailing and because of the fact that all of these topics are limited to the lives of six main characters, I was completely enthralled and moved, and often had to pause to consider my own feelings and viewpoints.
To me, this book is amazing simply because James Baldwin is able to make a thirty year old midwestern girl feel as though she thoroughly knows and understands a fictional group of struggling and eclectic writers and musicians from 1960's New York City.  With _Another Country_, so aptly titled because Rufus, Vivaldo, Cass, Richard, Eric and Ida each seem to have their own, Baldwin was also able to further open a mind I thought was pretty wide already.
1048299
I would definitely recommend others to read this book. The character depth is rich and it is very "intelligent novel." There is so much "twisting and weaving" amongst the characters and the events. The author is poet of great depth and beauty. She is a poet that knows how to play the strings of one's heart. I loved all the detail that she went into when she described the characters' thoughts, feelings, and actions. I loved learning about the artistic side of Claire, one of the main characters. This novel is very "times" appropriate and it the reader on wonderful adventure through time and through love. I often felt like a "fly on the wall" while reading about the intimacy shared between Henry and Claire. It was very realistic. It was so easy to believe that no amount of space nor time could seperate these two from their love and respect for one another. They were woven together physically, emotionally, and spiritually. What a fantastic love story. It bothered me to read other reviews that tried to emphasize every "flaw" of the book. My thoughts were, "this is fiction, c'mon people." This book has many unique and special qualities that many readers will appreciate. If you love deeply developed characters, read this book. I can't wait for the movie to come out.
792620
Just Juliet is a fantastic love story. Though it feels very, very similar to many of the other YA, coming of age, lesbian romance novels out there at times, it also stands out on it's own with a unique voice and a cast of well developed, three dimensional characters and a protagonist who's easy to love and root for. The story follows Lena Newman, a high school senior who thinks she's straight, but soon discovers she isn't after meeting the beautiful new girl in school, Juliet James. The two become fast friends and then fall hard for one another. Charlotte Reagan masterfully deals with the complexities of coming to terms with your sexuality, coming out, and finding love and true friendship. While this book has its flaws, I still love it so much that I've read it 3 times in two months. If you're a fan of the YA genre, or even great love stories in general, this isn't a book to be missed.
3937990
I absolutely loved this book! As a self-confessed bookworm, I was hoping that this book would give me a bit of a light read, inbetween the thrillers and police procedurals which I typically devour in any given week. I was right, but it gave me much more than that.

I feel that this book was multi-layered - it was about village life, it was about love, in a romantic and in a familial sense, it was about the past and the present. Emilia was a wonderful character and I took to her straight away. I also enjoyed the secondary characters in this book, they were so well written, and I found myself completely immersed in the story. At no point did I think it was getting too mushy or unbelievable or that the romantic moments were thrown into the storyline to give it a bit of extra spice. This book really had the balance just right and if there was a follow-up book to this one, I would absolutely love to read it :)

A highly recommended read from me.
1185582
I really enjoyed this story. It hit so many emotional levels for me. I loved hearing about the renovation of the Chateauand the wonderful tie into the story of all of the poor wounds from the English soldiers. It made the romance between Ellen and Patrick more realistic and deeper than just too people falling in love. The miscommunications between the two were so easy to understand (not contrived for sake of story) when one realizes the profound and psychologically sensitive issue of burn wounds and loosing limbs from the ugliness of war.

On another level I felt all warm and fuzzy with a strong desire to get back to the book every time I put it down. That surprised me, I am not a huge fan of romance novels. Maybe because I get so stuck on my favorite genres. I'm so happy I found this author because in this nasty world we live it, ANYTHING that makes me feel hope and warmth toward people is a win!

Final note: The author did a BEAUTIFUL job with the sex scenes. Just the right touch with no smutty sex. It takes talent to do that and do it well. Again, I highly recommend for any and all ages.
2341593
Gemma Brocato nailed it on so many levels in this book. She addresses some serious issues, ranging from alcoholism to abandonment, with a grace and lightness of spirit that deepens the love story without ever weighing it down. I fell in love with Malin and Gunnar, and enjoyed the fact that they are both business owners. These are three-dimensional characters who are witty and smart and face challenges that readers will sympathize with, whether its a problem at work or a difficult family member. The love scenes are hot and her writing is so evocative, I could smell the flower arrangements from the pages! Lovely and smart.
4790808
The story begins with a Thanks Giving celebration at the luxurious Churchill family home in Manhattan. Jack Churchill, sees the family housekeeper, Nicole, a kind-hearted, Italian woman, tending a young homeless woman, Evie, on their porch. His father, Kent, also witnesses this and, in a surge of anger, demands that Evie is removed from his property. In the same breath he fires Nicole, who has been the family housekeeper for the thirteen years since Jack's mother died.

The story moves on three years and we find Evie settled in her own Manhattan apartment and working as an assistant to a wedding dress designer. It's a job she loves, and one that she's good at, going the extra mile for the brides-to-be. Her life has turned around and, even though she's found herself in a happy place, she's still always looking over her shoulder, expecting things to come crashing down around her. She's still in touch with Nicole, who works at the homeless centre, where she met Evie. And, over time, the pair have developed a caring mother-daughter relationship, meeting up regularly.

Jack is still working for the family firm: The Diamond Touch, an exclusive jewellery chain started by his mother. He's feeling increasingly dissatisfied with his role, but is reluctant to tell his father for fear of repercussions within the family.

The distinguished, yet remote, Kent Churchill has never re-married and has never managed to fill the void left by his wife, or has he...? Both he and Jack are highly suspicious of Evie's motives for her friendship with Nicole, fearing that she's using and manipulating her.

Interestingly, the four characters have a secret and Evie appears to be the catalyst to these secrets being revealed. To find out what they're all hiding - I'm afraid I really don't like giving away any spoilers - you'll have to pop over to Amazon and download this rather fabulous book!

What I will say, though, is that Helen's writing is wonderful! She constructs believable, multi-layered characters who are so vivid you can construct a clear mental image of them. And the same can be said for the rich description of vibrant Manhattan - I especially loved the Christmas settings; I felt as though I'd been transported there! This story is totally absorbing and warmhearted, illustrating why people may act in a way that's confusing to those around them until they are in possession of all of the facts. In typical Helen Rolfe style, the novel is woven with thorough attention to detail, and draws the reader in from the very first paragraph.

To conclude, I'd say that In a Manhattan Minute could be described as a contemporary Pride and Prejudice, making it a compelling read, with plenty of intriguing twists and turns along the way. It is, without doubt, my favourite book of the year, and it gets a juicy FIVE STARS from me!
3207489
This is a great book.  At first I found it disjointed and the characters were not very like able.  But as I got into the book, things began to come together and this fantastic, multi layered story started to unfold.  The writing is sooo beautiful.  The sentence structure is long and complicated but the pictures painted are terrific.  This book has everything, spies, black ops, sex, patriotism, and many kinds of love stories.
1169832
This a remarkable and beautiful love story.  I finally got around to reading it at the urging of one of my friends who suggested many times that I read it.  I'm not a romantic/ sci-fi/ time traveler, but I was deeply moved and touched by this book.  I found myself, along with the characters, confused and bewildered at times, but I suppose that is to be expected given the complexity.  It is a deeply sweet and transcendent story.  Essentially about what it means to be human, whatever the circumstance, that love transcends.  It is a perfect end of the week for reading in solitude or even on a quiet park bench.  Through their ups and downs, Henry and Clare are undeniable, their love transcends, endures, and they are meant to be beyond the words.  Get this book.  It is many times worth it.
1828928
I'm a huge fan of Ms. Highsmith and her psychological thrillers, in fact I worship her, envy her, look to her as a writing god. But it was only just now that I got to this, THE PRICE OF SALT (the movie version is called CAROL--it's a more accessible title perhaps but not nearly as meaningful). THE PRICE OF SALT is, quite simply, one of the most complex and beautiful love stories I've ever read. It's a trip back in time (the 1950s), but also a rumination on the power--and the cost--of love. Gorgeous and heart-wrenching, I highly recommend this to anyone, gay, straight or otherwise, who wants to read a searing and unforgettable love story.
1759184
I truly loved and appreciated this book. Every bit of it -- story, plot, writing, setting and characters! I'll be honest, sometimes I get tired of reading another romance with a formulaic feel. (Boy meets girl, they hate each other for some reason, but they can't stop thinking about each other. They get together and everything is great for awhile, but either boy or girl has some dark secret that threatens to tear them apart. It does, but then they work it out and everybody lives happily ever after.)

Okay, it's not that there's anything wrong with that. There are plenty of entertaining stories that are molded around that setup. But since I do read so many, when I come across a well written book, where the story is molded around characters and events on several different levels, I'm hooked. I'm not just hooked, I'm enamored.

And I'm enamored with Meander Scar.

Everything about it was unique. And I don't mean weird. The story had its own individual mold and that's because the pacing and drama was completely controlled by the characters. This gave it a true to life feel with plenty of depth, complexity, and total believability. And it took me on an emotional journey -- which was heart-wrenching in places --  but also moved me on a deep level.

From the very beginning Lisa Lickel gives the reader something  to think about by introducing Ann's situation, where her life is in a state of limbo. From there, we get to chew on the controversy of romance and age difference. There are lessons in grief, lessons in letting go, lessons in closure and forgiveness - lessons in faith. I just loved this book!

One of the most touching parts in the story is near the end, when Mark discovers a diary of Ann's. It's a journey of her feelings and insecurities from the moment he came back into her life, and when he read it, I wanted to cry.

If any of you have read Nicholas Sparks, A walk to Remember, you may recall that it ends with a single, powerful line. There's some speculation as to what actually happens, but that line offers the reader tremendous hope. The ending to Meander Scar has a similar feel. I thought it was perfect.
864787
This isn't your typical girl leaves the farm-becomes successful professional in the city-reluctantly goes back to the farm story. It's much deeper than that. I love how the main character tackles her past with misguided gusto and how she tries to deny her weaknesses, and her heart. This story has so many layers. It addresses grief, long lost friendships, regrets, impatience, loathing, thwarted plans for the future, and new life. In the end, loose ends are tied, hearts are mended, and the future is bright. This is a well-written story. Katy Ganshert is a master of words and description, and knows how to create characters readers will fall in love with.