Looking Back... In an effort to transfer my book journal entries over to this blog, I'm going to attempt to post (in chronological order) an entry every Friday. I may or may not add extra commentary to what I jotted down in these journals.
Fiction
1996 Viking
Finished on July 19, 2001
Rating: 4/5 (Good)
Publisher's Blurb:
Ten years of family secrets, misunderstandings, and recriminations have kept the Tatternalls apart - until Josie, a military widow suddenly alerted to mortality when one of her best friends keels over during a bridge game, impulsively invites her three grown daughters home for the holidays at her gracious South Carolina bed-and-breakfast. Cam, Josie's eldest, is her father's daughter - headstrong, smart, fearless, and utterly hopeless when it comes to making peace with either her family or herself. Years ago, she acquired the cynical veneer born of living too long in New York City and watching her writerly dreams fade. Still reeling from a breakup with the man she loves, she heads south heartily skeptical of the comforts of home and hearth. For Cam, this will be a season of shocks and surprises. Lila, the poised and perfect stay-at-home mother of two, lives near Josie in Hilton Head and is experiencing the slow disintegration of her own essentially loveless marriage. She dreads the prospect of this family reunion - especially the return of her black sheep, brilliant older sister, Cam. Yet, astonishing even herself, this is the Christmas when Lila finally will rebel. Evie, the all-too-candid baby of the family, routinely shares her family's secrets in her advice column for a Savannah newspaper. But even Evie has never created a scene like the tableau she stages at this Christmas dinner - when she arrives on the arm of her latest love, a rich man old enough to be her father....
My Original Thoughts (2001):
Entertaining story about a family living in the South. Reminded me a little bit of the dysfunctional family in The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood. Somewhat predictable, yet still enjoyable. I will definitely read more by this author. Gentle fiction/fluff. Not very deep.
My Current Thoughts:
Well, I never did read anything more by this author. I don't remember anything about the book, which isn't surprising given it was pretty fluffy.
I missed this one, and I'm not sure how I did, since I seemed to focus on the fluffiest books I could find back then. It's interesting that you said, "I will definitely read more by this author," but you never did! lol
ReplyDeleteDeb, I certainly read a lot more fluff when I was in my forties than I do now. Yes, it is funny that I never do go on to read more by this author. I think I tried one other book, but gave up early on.
DeleteLooking back on past reads is so interesting. Books that I LOVE at the time seem to fade and some that I underestimate stick with me.
ReplyDeleteHelen, I enjoy these weekly posts. It's fun to see how my interests have changed over the years, but it's also a nice reminder to read more from the authors that I've forgotten about.
DeleteIsn't it funny when we look back on books read and just think did I read this? Because I can't remember a thing! I admit this is one of those books that I'd want to pick up based on the cover and the setting! I love B&Bs when traveling.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, Iliana. The cover and setting are very appealing. It's been a long time since we've stayed in a B&B, but they're fun, aren't they?
Delete