Unique take on father/daughter love
341782
I enjoyed this simple but uniquely constructed novel of relationships between father and daughters. It is almost, to look at it one way, the deconstructionist view of one of those relationships, very sweet, very base, and earnest. A lovely read.
228625
Placed in a culture that has indian features and combines the specific aspects of indigenous culture, the result is a good "coming of age story" where love doesn't conquer all but does survive it.  Different and interesting in its unique specifics.  The characters are good and you won't waste your time if you get past the first few pages and into the story.
2177475
"Father and Daughter Time" is a narrative of candid conversations between the author and her father.  The layout of the story takes a different twist from the usual format for a book.  The author selects a question and answer session format to convey the story as if the reader is listening to the actual conversation between father and daughter.

The candid conversations reveal a transparent relationship on how father and daughter have interacted with each other throughout the years.  The questions posed to the participants seek to explore deep into the relationship of a father and daughter bond.  The book examines issues ranging from forgiveness to love to trust that each has had to embrace.  The author candidly reveals how the bond, or lack thereof, between father and daughter influences future relationships - family, friendships and intimate.

The dialogue between father and daughter also encourages the reader to pause and reflect on what their responses may be to the questions.  The reader is also provided the opportunity for self-exploration, which ultimately leads to self-actualization.

The diaglogue reveals some fundamentals that need to be present in every successful relationship.  These fundamentals include communication, trust, openness, and love of family.  Another key component to succesful relationships that is discussed is the willingness to serve others by sharing our time and talent.

The dialogue is a heartwarming factual story that engages the reader and encourages them to seek a stronger bond in all of their relationships.
1962127
Unique and imaginative. Puts one in touch with their feelings and gives hope perhaps to couples struggling with trying to have a family.
4573292
Second Hand Heart isn't just a love story, it addresses the subject of organ donation and transplantation as well as the theory of cellular memory (where the donor recipient takes on memories, habits, interests and tastes of the donor, that may have somehow been stored in the cells of the transplanted organ). While I don't usually go for a love story type of book, I'm all for organ donation (as I've let my family know) and I've heard of cellular memory, so I thought this might be interesting.

This book is written in journal format and each journal entry is a chapter. The first few chapters of the book are Vida's journal, then we get a few journal entries from Richard, before going back to Vida and it carries on like that. There's also a few emails, mainly between Richard and his mother-in-law, thrown into the mix. It may sound like it could get confusing, but it isn't and the story flows seamlessly between the two journals.

Much like Richard did, I found the character of Vida to come across as a bit childish for her age. However, after a while of thinking that, I came to remember that Vida had a different upbringing to most children. She was weak and spent most of her childhood at home with her mother, rather than out making friends etc. While I understood that, I did find her character to be a bit on the stalker-ish side too, in the way that she pursues Richard. Still, I found her to be a unique character (how many young girls have an elderly best friend?)

Despite having never lost a loved-one as close as Richard has, I can understand his need to hang on to the life-force of his wife. His mixed emotions and on-going grief are understandable for somebody in his situation.

I've never read any of Catherine Ryan Hyde's books before, though I recognised the name. Catherine is a best-selling author (and deservedly so) and I think most people will have heard of Pay It Forward. I've not read the book, but I have seen the movie (though apparently the two are very different). Having read Second Hand Heart, I'm certainly interested in reading more of her work.

I enjoyed Second Hand Heart and the journey taken through the Story. I found that you think it's going to go one way and then it goes in another direction. This is definitely a worth-while read and one I did in 3 sittings.
3592948
If you are sick of the ordinary story line where all the characters are down and out and then find the love they so been waiting for, then this is the right book for you.  This story focuses on a young single father who runs from love as he tends to his sick daughter.  Although the story is centered around the father and his "baby momma drama" you find yourself drawn to the daughter in this book while she longs for the love a "real momma".  This book shows how choices, relationships (or lack there of) and blended families are so impactful on children.  It takes a look at the importance of parenthood and all the sacrifices a caring parent makes, regardless of their gender.  You will cringe, laugh and cry during this book....I have eagerly moved on to it's sequel.  Be sure to read them in order.
1825940
Tayari Jones' will have me thinking about Silver Sparrow and its tale of the complexities of marriage and generational patterns of love for years to come. I loved the way she made you vested in the lives of the "secret" family's life first. I wanted Dana to find the love and acceptance she longed for. I was surprised at how much I also cared for James' "legitimate" family. The writing was unique and full of cutting honesty. There is only one reason I did not give it a perfect score...I was not crazy about the ending. I think I understand where the author was going but I still did not like it. Hopefully my opinion will make readers pick up the book to draw there own opinion an conclusions about the story.
1895908
As always, Nicholas Sparks did a  lovely job with "Two by Two."  The special love  between a  father  and  his  daughter is a favorite  topic  of mine.  Although clearly a story of a family going  through a hard time, there were many touching  moments.
2047355
I have chosen this book attracted from the cover and was not disappointed, although it is not as I expected. It was an interesting and pleasant reading but it is not light, is very realistic, sometimes sad.
Louisa's tired of her marriage to Luke. Her husband became a boring man, no social life, his only interest is his job, their son and movies, only those reviewed well by his trusted reviewers. When she meets again Jarvis falls in love madly. She's convinced that he is her soul mate and realizes she must finish her marriage to live her new love freely. But she does not want to be the one that ruins their family. She really wants to find a replacement for her husband, so the fault will be only of Luke. Finally found the right woman but her idea will turn against her
Louisa is a complicated character, it's hard to get in sympathy with her. Sometimes she is superficial, childish, irresponsible, often she performs actions really silly. It 's sad to think that both partners become again active and full of life only when they meet another person.
It 's a story well plotted and very original, beautifully written, with a style simple but brilliant.

Highly recommended.
I received an advanced reader copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
2878009
Every daughter born on the face of this earth needs a father or father-figure of some type. Grown women are no exception. I have no daughters (yet!), but am very much looking forward to it. My personal research into the father-daughter relationship has led to my growing collection of books on this subject, as it is one that I am intensely fascinated by (actually, I could probably listen to females talk about their fathers for hours on end). This and other books like it are highly recommendable.
2424983
Going Home

OUR DADDY THEIR FATHER is a poignant tale about shedding family secrets.  The story opens on Christmas Day, the day the father of Janice Michelson and her brothers dies, and follows them through the next week as they mourn his loss, come to terms with the past, and heal old wounds.  The death of Janice's father is significant because she, her siblings, and his relationship with her mother have been one of his biggest secrets.  He was in fact, married to another woman with whom he had another, more legitimate, family life.  When the siblings learn of his death, and go to the nursing home to view his body one last time, they are shocked to run into their half-brother and sister, who seem to already have a sense of who they are.  Over the next week, we follow the Michelson family as they prepare for the funeral.  Each of the children and their mother seem to experience a myriad of varying emotions as they revisit the past, try to make sense of their lives and the relationship that did (and did not) exist with their father, and figure out what role their new found family will play in their lives.

Bonita Young has penned an impressive debut novel about complicated family relationships.  Although much of the story is about the death and impending funeral of the main character's father, it also delves deeply into inherently human issues such as our need for love and acceptance, or the fear we face when we make ourselves vulnerable by relinquishing total control.  OUR DADDY THEIR FATHER highlights the impact of domestic violence, not only on the direct victim, but on the children and families who share that environment, and even the impact of substance abuse and AIDS on families.  The pacing of the story kept me engaged as I got to know Janice intimately and grew to understand her mother and brothers better.  OUR DADDY THEIR FATHER is a touching story about love, loss, and forgiveness.

Reviewed by Stacey Seay
of The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers
623809
Honestly, when I chose this book to read, I was prepared to read a book with a lot of content about a fathers love. It turned out to be I was drawn much attention to a rather complicated the relationship the love the two main protagonists were. The plot of the story could be said rhythmical and I could not deny myself in being enthralled by the many descriptions Carlie the author has elaborately and boldly depicted in terms of love and sex over the two adorable protagonists  Riley and Caralie.

It is amazing to learn from the book that a man who will seem to love all the women he preys on will, without struggle, settle down making good pledge of his love for one woman. And, it is no less amazing to find out such a kind of man will love a baby to such an extent that it may, somehow, cost his life. In the book, love is immensely respected and pursued. I would like to especially recommend the book to the people who don't believe in love on account of some reasons they experience or some agony they suffer a read to see if it will offer them something to regain their belief about love.
4207227
A unique love story. It captures you from the very beginning. It is dark and seedy and has some pretty serious subject matters. It also explores the world of fetishes that aren't in your typical erotica books. Two troubled souls. One looking to fix the broken, since he had failed in the past. And the other just looking for an escape from her past. Together they fix each other despite the circumstances that have brought them together.

It is well written, and you really feel for the characters, even before you really get to know and understand them. There's some roller coaster of emotions played out as the story unfolds. It alternates between the two POVs. Due to the heavy subject matters, this is meant for mature readers. There are a few situations that may be triggers for some readers.
212662
The Plot

The Love That Split the World is, at its core, a romance. Honestly though, this book is a lot more than that and it makes it almost impossible to categorize. With contemporary, paranormal, and time travel elements, The Love That Split the World is a unique and refreshing read.

Natalie Cleary is enjoying her last summer at home before heading off to college when she starts seeing things. It leaves you wondering what is or isn't real. Then she gets a visit from the mysterious Grandmother, and gets a vague message saying that she has three months to save him, but she has no idea who "him" is.

Im tentatively rounding up to 4 stars, but the reason I cant give it more than 3.5 stars is because of the insta-love. It was pretty intense and I cant really ignore it.

The Characters

All of the characters were so fleshed out, dynamic, and diverse. Yay diversity! It is so rare, especially in YA. Friendship and family play a huge roll, even with the strong romance present.

Natalie, our Native American MC, is incredibly likeable. She doesnt slut shame, theres no girl hate with her exs new girlfriend, and her hopes for the future and self-discovery are extremely relatable. Her relationship with her best friend Megan is so easy and genuine, I loved it! And being adopted she often struggles with finding ways to relate to her family, especially her siblings, and I found it to be awfully realistic.

Another interesting character was Grandmother. Is she God? A figment of Natalies imagination? A ghost? She has been showing up in Natalies life for years. She always brings Natalie stories from her culture and with them life-lessons.

The Writing

The writing was gorgeous! Each word was carefully placed and overall it painted an amazingly imaginative picture. I was hooked from the first chapter. The Love That Split the World is filled with stories of Native American culture and mythology from Natalies background and they bring in a magical tone and quality to the story.

If you're a fan of romances or can just tolerate the heavy romance Id really give this a try, it really is a unique and strange story.
4550339
Devlin's book is haunting.  A mother's terminal cancer diagnosis puts her three daughters on edge as they try to cope with the illness and their own feelings.  The story takes many unexpected twists and turns, drawing you deeper into the suffering of middle daughter Vanessa, her sisters, and her father too.  It is a very thought-provoking book about parental love and loss, and finding yourself.  The themes are serious and there are references to sex, although it is not key to the story.  I'd recommend for mature teens only.
352988
I come at this book from a very different perspective than most- I am not an adoptive parent, instead I am a birthmother. I am also a social worker with experience in the foster care system in this country. This is a unique and sometimes perilous point of view to have when starting single sotry point of view novels. I am not sure what I was expecting when I started this book but it was a lovely family story. I enjoyed getting to hear the perspective of an adoptive mother, especially one who is going through an international adoption, which is an area I know little to nothing about.

Now for the nitty gritty part. This story seems more like someone is telling you what happened, not that you are reading it. One paragraph does not always lead to the next and sometimes there are side stories I do not know why they are included. The writing was not difficult to understand but the story structure could be at times. I would have much preferred a chronological narrative not one that jumped from place to place. I believe this book was very cathartic for Jennifer Grant but I am not sure I got the point of sending it out to the general public.

Overall, it was a nice story but nothing I would recommend to the general populous. I am not sure it even really would open people's eyes to international adoption. It's cute but nothing superb.
1583098
Here is an example of a unique novel, its very hard to classify, and that is a good thing. This original tale juxtaposes stories a father tells his young daughter of his youthful, very incredible escapades, with the present day daughter and her search for answers about her family. Along the way we  are shown many wonders and strange happenings, but also some very believable family history. At times creepy, funny, heartfelt and warm, you can see why its so hard to classify, but its an uplifting tale, and well worth reading.