Was basically a great read - but at times I had a little ...
584799
Was basically a great read - but at times I had a little difficulty knowing which one was speaking.  Very glad you both were given the gift of time and mental clarity to do this.  Inspiring.  Thank you.
675610
There were times that this book made me laugh out loud and there were other times where I sort of scratched my head and said, "huh?"  While I'm guessing this was partly autobiographical, some of the character's actions and/or the plot sequence seemed a little haphazard and disjointed - a little off and an "ad nauseum" number of cliches.  The treadmill scene - haphazard, the polka Zumba - loved it.  The end felt very rushed and a little too "perfect" for my tastes.  I thought this was a really good novel, hence four stars, but it wasn't a great novel (the potential was there).
1176651
This book was great, and I don't regret reading (listening to) it.  But, I felt like there were some things that were just strange and/or annoying.  I've mentioned a couple of these in the spoilers section below.  I did enjoy the book, and looked forward to hopping in my car so I could listen!  The book begins with someone being murdered, and it then proceeds to describe the events leading up to that scene.  The characters are kind of all either dummies or batsh*t crazy.  I would have liked more detail on Amber's backstory - what kind of person she really is / was.  What kind of life she came from.  The author makes you want to hate her, but at a point I wondered if I was maybe supposed to feel bad for her.  I never did figure that out, because I didn't have enough information.  There were some twists, but you can kind of weave the pieces of the puzzle together as the story goes on.  None of it was too incredibly shocking.  It was a good read - I'd recommend it!

POSSIBLE SPOILERS (but nothing at all in the following statements that spoil the main plot of the story): The author made a big deal about this missing necklace.  The person who owns the necklace brought it up a few times, and we find out what happened to it maybe halfway through the book.  But then it's brought up AGAIN, and just shrugged off.  The person who owns / lost the necklace never does find out what happened to it and it's just a whole weird thing in the book.  Why include it if it's just something that will be left hanging out there with the characters?  I also would have liked more of a direct tie-in with the Fiona storyline.  I understand why she was in there and  what their interactions signified, but I thought they'd take it one step further (the baby was a love-child, perhaps?!  That would be juicy.)
4266253
some parts seemed to drag on, but over all was a great read.
3577677
I have mixed feelings about this book.  On the one hand it was a great read with very human characters who readers really got to know in a lot of ways.  They are characters who made mistakes in life but still managed to find their way.  It is a romance novel but there is more to the plot than there is to the average romance novel.

Spoiler:

 What I didn't like about the book was a divorce that happened not because two people hated each other, not because one had done something unforgeable, not because family was pulling them apart, not even because an old flame returned to her life; no a divorce happened to the parents of a young child because they just lacked that spark they thought they should feel.  Maybe I'm lucky, having such a wonderful husband and all that, but I think one thing wrong with our society today is that too many people are chasing the greater happiness they think they could have if they would only.....and not making themselves and their families happy where they are.

If such things are important to you, it is noted a couple of times that characters had sex, but it wasn't graphic.
Grade:  B-

Thanks to the publisher for providing a review copy via NetGalley.
4431343
This was a captivating read but there were a few things that didn't seem realistic to me... I would still recommend it.
3155440
In retrospect, some/many of the book's incidents & coincidences probably aren't plausible - and the ending a little bit of a let-down and ambiguously described.  While I was reading the book, however, I was very much "caught up" in the action & the fate of its central character, Jonah.  Knowing what I now know, I would definitely read the book again - and I look forward to reading other works by this author.
400547
This is a quick and engaging read. Burkenhalter writes about personal things openly and colorfully.. However, my reactions to the book were quite mixed.

First, after reading the book's description, I would have liked to read more about Burkenhalter's own direct experiences as a human rights worker in places like Rwanda, and how these experiences tied in with her growing faith.

Second, my overall impression was that there is more discussion of doubt than of faith. She does discuss her beliefs, but until the end, they are apt to get obscured in stories about the details of her daily life. I am sure that many readers will identify with her struggles; other readers may be expecting something more solid, judging from the book's title.

Still, Burkenhalter's writing is consistently friendly and inviting, with some very touching moments, especially toward the end of the book.
339282
I do wish there was a bit more to the ending, but other than that it was a great read
995551
Still, there are some small flaws at the level of the narrative composition. Namely: some important events are left aside, when this should not have been the case. Also, some parts (among which the ending, imho) are a bit abrupt. But, nonetheless, this book is a wonderful read and I would highly recommend it.
4588711
When I read this years ago, I loved it.  However, I have to admit that this time I wasn't quite as enthralled with it.  I like it better than Rebecca as the concept appeals to me more.  I guess one problem I had with it is that the heroine seems very capable, and while I understand her desire to honor her mother's wishes, I don't see a person like her staying in a bad situation.  For that matter, I have a hard time believing the mother would send her off to a sister she hasn't seen in years.  However, maybe my modern mentality is interfering with the comprehension.  Women did have less choices in those days, I suppose.
115373
I thought this book was great.  Engaging and interesting, and I enjoyed that each chapter concentrated on a different character (and a food pertaining to their life) but it all wove together.  The end was good but I just wished secretly it turned out a little bit different.  In some ways it left me hanging, and it left me thinking what if...  All in all, a solid book and definitely worth reading.
4069004
Interesting read. Some of the text was a little dense and there were times I had to force myself to keep reading, up until he decides to explore the underground world of the Morlocks. It definitely picked up after that. I was surprised by how 'political' some of it was. Almost like it was written as a warning for readers to change their ways or this could be the future.
3782327
The story is gripping and some elements of it are really fascinating, but I always felt like I was reading a highly constructed work with characters that didn't quite ring true. So I  enjoyed it but haven't thought about it much since...
2917939
Up until 75% in this book, I was thoroughly enjoying it.  The characters were interesting, the plot kept me intrigued.  But then something weird was introduced and for the life of me, cannot understand the purpose.  I guess when you read the books that follow, all will reveal itself.  It was a great read.  It's' just that one section that almost seemed out of place.
1409172
I'd give it 4.5 stars.  Great read but there was something I didn't love about it but honestly cannot remember what...I read it a few months ago.  I at least remember that I highly recommend!
1698749
I've been reading the Rizzoli & Isles series and figured I'd read some other Tess Gerritsen novels along the way. I enjoyed this read- some of it was a little over the top, but I do like the way she tied in a real person that had actually existed. Some of the descriptions of how the character Rose was living was unrealistic- especially when it came to her suddenly having a baby to care for when she hardly had a bag of belongings for herself. Aside from details like that, it was still worthwhile. I think it could've been shortened up a bit.the introduction of the abolitionists was kind of odd also since that story line got quashed. At one point I thought they might be an early version of the Mephisto club!