( 47 reviews )
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Posted: Jul 15 2009
A friend of mine loaned this book to me and when I picked it up I assumed it was going to be fluffy reading and a good selection for a warm summer's day. The beginning was slow-moving for me and after the first 50 or 60 pages I was really struggling with it. I was not particularly enjoying it but I trusted my friend (she rarely steers me wrong) so I kept going. Around page 80 or so, I found myself finally caught up in the story and read the rest of the book in one day. The three women who are the focus of the story are fleshed out well and as the novel unfolds, the reader coms to appreicate how they have arrived in the situations in which they find themselves. At the beginning, I was irritated and impatient with two of them but as I learned more about their history and the events preceding the book's start, I could understand and appreciate their behaviors and it put everything in context. I actually came to care about all three of them by the conclusion of the book. The reader is able to see how each character views herself as well as the other women she is close to -- much more three-dimensional than many novels of this genre. While this book is perfect for a warm day spent at the pool or on the porch, it rises above the typical beach book and is a worthwhile read. I would recommend this for readers who like Mary Alice Monroe, Anne Rivers Siddons and Dorothea Benton Frank.
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Posted: Jul 13 2009
I loved this book and can't wait to see it played out on screen. I really think this is one book that would translate well to film. Especially if written the same way with past and present interwoven. I loved how Hilderbrand wove the plots with minimal information in the now and then when you wanted to hear the full details; there they were, perfectly rich in detail. There's no doubt in my mind that Hildebrand has a rare gift with dialogue and storytelling creativity. I loved how we got to see each main character's point of view and how they each was interwoven so perfectly. I felt that I was going through the cancer along with Vicki. When she labored a breath, I felt that I couldn't breath either. I just finished it last night and although I was disappointed in one woman's choice (we know who), I thought that was the most realistic ending and the way most women would react (especially pregnant ones). I was very happy and satisfied with the ending and I will pass this book along with a enthusiastic thumbs up!! One thing that came to mind was that the title made it sound like a simple summer story; which it wasn't in the last. I felt a better and more significant title would have been "Sand In My Shoes". Does anyone agree?
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Posted: Jun 26 2009
This is a great story about friendship and life. It's about the things we keep to ourselves and the things we share with our friends. The characters are well developed and real. The description of Nantucket is so detailed, I feel like I was there.
