Great book, cheated on the ending
589042
I just got done reading this again and like most here, I think this book really captures the time period with an engaging story. However, the reason for only 4 stars is that the book jacket lied about the ending. It said  something like a 'climactic ending' with 'answers to why Sam went back'. I  disagree, the ending was anti-climactic with Sam only guessing as to why he  went back (didn't know if he was Colm or not). Therefore, the reader is  left not knowing why as well.
1287728
Great book, a little disappointed with the quick wrap up of all the lose ends in the ending but entertaining non the less.
1255981
The book itself was a page turner, I couldn't put it down. Just when the story got really interesting, I stopped reading for the night and was so excited to pick up the next day to find out where the suspenseful chapter I had left off on would go. And then the book was done. What a horrible way to end a book! I had to go back and see if I missed a few chapters somewhere. The book is worth reading but just be warned, it ends very abruptly when you still think you have more to read.
618948
I really really liked this book, until I got to the conclusion.  My hubby and I read it on our Kindles at the same time and we enjoyed talking about it as we read it, so well-written and interesting.  Then we got to the end.  We both agreed that the ending was lame and a total cop out.  I'd rate the book a five for being well written and interesting, but the ending a two, so somewhere in there.  It felt like she got to the end and just gave up on the story.  I guess if you can just enjoy it for what it is and just forget that the end is going to be totally disappointing, at least it was for us.
2430130
I don't typically take additional reviews to heart when choosing books, however, some of the reviews I've read hit the nail on the head. The book is extremely captivating from the beginning and it keeps you wanting more. Wanting to learn more about the kidnapping and wanting to learn more about the girls life ahead. However, the second half of the book does indeed drag on. Once you're getting to q conclusion and you're captivated again, the book ends quite abruptly.  The ending leaves too much to the imagination than I prefer. If you like the idea of having your own ending to put to the book, this will be a good read for you. I would have much rather the author finished it to conclude the story. Captivating and wonderful first half, disappointing second half.
4220886
I loved this book and was hooked from the beginning. I was disappointed with the ending!! But still a great read
2375158
This was a  captivating book. I really enjoyed the story until the last part of the book. I  think the author must be a teacher, because she certainly understood about speech impediments, and she handled that amazingly. In my opinion, the book was really good until the last part, I felt the ending detracted from the book.
4957400
I loved the story and couldn't put the book down until I was done. As I was reading I keep thinking of all these different things that would happen and even different ways it would end. So with all these ideas running through my head you can imagine how disappointed I was at the ending. It was weird because the rest of the story was great, its almost like she just hurried up and finished it. The ending ruined the whole book for me. Just because the ending was bad I would not suggest it for someone to read. Which is sad because overall its a good story.
2911238
I loved this book until the ending.  Actually the end of the book was fine, it was the part leading up to it that was questionable.

The characters were interesting and engaging.  Their conversations were fun, but the transformation Chase made toward the ending was strange enough to drop off from 5 to 4 stars.  No spoilers here, don't worry.

Both Chase and Reese have plenty of baggage between them, and nothing is insta-solved by a few kind words, so for that I am grateful.  Their relationship is fun to a point, and heartbreaking when it hits a terribly rough spot.  I do like that there were no quick fixes for anyone.  It's just that he steps so low and does odd things that could be justified if they weren't SO outlandish.

I'd recommend the book to my friends.  I wonder if we'll ever hear Owen's story...
213446
I really enjoyed this book and would have rated it 5 stars but, as with other reviewers, I was disappointed in the ending. There were several things that just did not work at the ending. And without making a spoiler, I must say that the last vote did not make sense and seemed to come from nowhere. One could easily suspect of a particular candidate what apparently the author wanted to use as a surprise. It would have been very unobservant an conveniently ignorant of most of the other Cardinals that they had no clue. I would have been more satisfied with a straight forward ending. That being said, I am glad I read this book and thoroughly enjoyed reading about the fascinating process of electing a pope. I also appreciated the research involved in writing this novel and the great writing.
307963
This book was great all the way to the end - it is well-written, exciting, and unusual. I, personally, was disappointed by the finish which is why I did not give it five stars.
1771027
I really enjoyed the book, but they did overlook a fact that would have changed the ending slightly. The fact presented in the story would have made a more satisfactory ending.
3540997
Overall a great book, but a terrible ending. SPOILER (sort-of, but not really):
Don't read it if you like only happy endings in your romance novels. This is not a happy ending, and I was completely let down about it. I don't even want to read any of Megan Smith's other books because the ending was completely unexpected and ruined the book for me. That being said, I enjoyed the book up until that point.
1966852
I really enjoyed this book.  I read a lot and I was loving this book until the last part.  I felt the ending spoiled what was such an enchanting storyline.  I have still recommended it to friends.
1277710
I was enjoying the book so much and would have given it 4 stars, but then the ending!! OMG !! So frustrated
3890618
I loved the book and read it in less than 24 hours! It really held my interest and I suffered with him as he crawled to find the two who had deserted him and left him with nothing. I was really disappointed in the ending. After all he went through it was very anticlimactic and I was left feeling let down at the end.
1953936
I had a hard time putting this book down. I loved this book, until the last page, becauss the ending was super disappointing.