A warm and riveting story from the start
585976
At first, I thought this would be the story of Ella and her son, so I was pulled in as it became the story of Felix, his son, and his love for Ella. It is beautifully written, captivating, and heart-warming. The characters and story unfold in a way that brings you along on their journey and you can't stop reading. I definitely recommend it!
4359672
Wonderful story; couldn't stop reading the book!
1584691
I really liked this story. Winifred is a likeable, strong minded character and Dr. Dougherty a masculine and caring hero.  I loved the descriptions in the book, that gave you a sense of being there.  The dark cherry wood piano that belonged to her dead sister came alive for me when Winfred sat down to play.  Winfred and her sister were concert pianists until her sister ran off to get married and pregnant. Winfred has to overcome her resentment of Dr. Dougherty for taking Cissy away, but while doing do falls in love with her sister's one month old baby.  It's a warm, loving and exciting read that anyone who loves historicals will enjoy.
4633906
This is a warm, wonderful coming of age story about a middle aged man, his 10-year-old son and his on-again-off-again wife. Quinn has been a struggling musician all his adult life, able to give his music the kind of attention and commitment he can give no human being. This naturally takes a toll on his wife, Belle, and son.

Quinn's son has been working hard on Saturdays to complete some Boy Scout requirements and winds up volunteering to do odd jobs for 104 year old Ona Vitkus, a Lithuanian immigrant in desperate need of companionship. Her impact on this boy, his on her, and together, the impact their relationship has on Quinn and Belle are at the heart of this story.

It's a lovely story about self-discovery, about a son's hidden gifts, about grief, and the way an absent father can finally come to love his son fully and without reservation. It's also about the legacy we can all leave behind when we die. Be sure you stick with this one. It's gets much more absorbing about half way through.
3087560
a great read with character movement right from the start
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.
400157
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The author skillfully draws the reader into the tale of Sophie, the main character, as she tells the story of Sophie's time in Greece and Norfolk and her gradual realisation of who she is and what's important to her in life. Sophie as a character is sympathetic and appealing. Her story is a roller coaster of emotions and as a reader I found myself siding with her all the way because she's an interesting personality who captured my attention. She and most of the characters are likeable, even if flawed. The character of Sophie's mother, Leila, for example, is larger than life, memorable and very human. The story unfolds gradually and is an easy read, but at the same time gripping. Beautifully precise in its descriptions, yet never dull, this is one book you will not be able to put down and will remember long after you've read the last words.
3928943
Yesterday's Love is a delightful first novel written by Karilea Rilling Jungel.  Ms. Jungel, in her elegant and poetic language, has penned a story that will warm hearts and lift spirits with her recurring theme of enduring love and friendship that fills the pages with such beauty that it is impossible to put the book down.  I kept turning the pages, all the while, hoping that the story would never end.  Now that I have reached the last page, I simply want to read it again.

The story is rich with believable dialogue, well-developed characters and scenes that come to life under Ms. Jungel's masterful pen.  There is love, devoted friendship, anger, jealousy, betrayal and deep sadness all interwoven in this tale of a century old cold case that is carefully resolved and put to rest in the present day.  It is a mystery written with parallel love stories occurring in the past and the present.

If you are thinking about a gift for the holidays, I highly recommend giving a copy of this book to a good friend for a delightful winter reading experience.
2503102
I so enjoyed every aspect of this story. It was a story line I never thought to see and the way it was written was beautiful. The characters were flawed and so endearing. I thought it was so beautiful the way they lifted each other. When they each realized that they were each other's strength it was a turning point. Can not wait to read the next one. Thank you for a warm and beautiful story about a horrid act.
1237686
Not knowing what to expect, I started reading the story, and I was rewarded with a wonderful story, describing the anxiety of two colleagues who somehow had to work together with a time constraint -- hence the title of the book.  The characters were nicely developed in a convincing manner.  The growth of the friendship was really sweet.  The son's coming out to the father was both sad and sweet.  I was in particular moved by the parents' accpetance and support oif the couple.  I wish there was even more interaction with the two female assistants Rachel and Simona.  They seemed such wonderful persons.  All in all a wonderful story.  Work my time!
2754809
With easily believable situations and characters, this story both warmed the heart and touched on the very basis of love conquering all.
No worries, however - this is not a sappy, silly brainless melodramatic love story, filled with impossible dream-like scenes through rose colored glasses.  In fact, the very beginning opens with a tragic death which tempers the hues of the entire emotional understanding of the book.
Historical data, orphaned children, a bitter and aching widower - a damned bear of a man, honestly - a young Amish woman ("Spinster" Sara) inexperienced in love beyond family, a township full of suspicion and moral prejudices forcing these two worlds different souls together for morality's sake - this story flows well and moves quickly from beginning to end.
The author made it very simple to identify with each character, throughout, as well as evoked the exact emotional responses from her reader audience that she set out to.  Another story which I was fully absorbed in, and found that I couldn't put down until I knew with certainty that everyone I'd grown fond of within the pages was going to be alright.  Especially the children, with their butterfly garden and their father's eyes of loving memory.
2989813
This is a very engaging story of family, love, happiness, the different ways these are experienced, and the choices, small and large, that ultimately define them in our lives.  Yes, there is the usual complement of too-good kids, too-competent adults, and too easily resolved dilemmas, but each of these really does bring something important to the story.  Author Catherine Ryan Hyde has a deft touch, and she avoids devolving into sappiness or requiring too much suspension of disbelief.  She also manages to present some very sensitive subjects in ways that make the book appropriate for anyone with the right level of reading ability; there is nothing here that will make you embarrassed to recommend it to anyone, from your middle schooler to your grandma.  I have to be at work at 6 a.m., and it was a rough one this morning, because "The Language of Hoofbeats" kept me happily reading until well past midnight.
151399
This is a wonderful story, with a bit of history, a bit of mystery, and some great storytelling. It is very well-written, with admirable and lovable characters. I liked the fact that, though the basic story was a familiar and oft-used one (young woman rescues and cares for wounded man - they fall in love), for an English historical novel, the setting was quite different from the norm. I also liked that though their faith was evident, it wasn't too preachy...it was very naturally woven into the story. Definitely want to read more by this author.
665427
The Namesake is a well written story by Jhumpa Lahiri and wonderfully narrated by Sarita Choudhury.

It is a story of an immigrant family, growing up in a culture clash. But there is a twist, a novel idea to this story. It is about the boy's name. The Ganguly family names their son by circumstances and how it evolves in the story is very well depicted. I especially love the ending of the story. Kudos to Lahiri who does a fine job of portraying every element of the story with finesse and warmth. Each character touches your heart and falls correctly in the story.

A Bengali couple immigrating from India to Boston. MA. How they adjust to the new life in the US and the upbringing of their son GOGOL. Coming from a similar background, I could relate to the story quite a bit. It a warm and touching story and sure to delight everyone who comes across this book.

This review is based on the audio book.

- uday K
193179
A beautiful story that pulls you in from the start. It's a perfect encompassment of all the glorious and vivid details needed to delve deep into the book, without weighing you down in the often repetitive back and forth feelings from the characters. An absolutely amazing story from start to finish and well worth your time!
4164518
This is a wonderful story--fascinating from the beginning!  The
descriptions of everything--the people, the customs, the land,
the weather--are vivid and exciting.  It is easy to find oneself in
the story, facing the same situations as a newcomer to a foreign
land, learning a new language, adjusting mentally to a different
culture, and physically to extreme weather conditions.

The Corbins would surely have been greatly appreciated by the
Eskimos with whom they worked, and the Corbins obviously
enjoyed and appreciated their unique experience as teachers
and friends.
1462025
Once I started to read this lovely story, I could not stop. The author offers the reader his innermost feelings in a way that every one will be able to identify. If you've ever had a companion that has been by your side and made a lasting impression, this story will touch your heart and you'll understand the emotion.
Author, J.E. Rogers
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