This book was very different from books that I usually read. I choose it for that reason. I also chose to read it because it is about a place and its people that I am completely unfamiliar. The author did an amazing job of portraying the people and the country of China. I …more could feel how hot and humid it was as I read. After reading this book, I am not planning a visit to China any time soon. I enjoyed the fact that the main character was an American and I loved the contrast between Paul and Elizabeth. Both Americans, with completely different views of the country that they found themselves living/visiting. The contrast between China of the past and China of the present was very well interwoven throughout the story. I was surprised at how much the past effected the present choices of the characters. The author made it so I was truly caught up in the lives of the people in the story. I'm rooting for them all to have a happy ending! (less)

I found this book delightful. It is full of strong, yet very real female characters. I enjoyed the paragraphs at the beginning of each chapter describing different animal mating habits. Those, to me, were a great tie back to the title of the book. I was fully drawn into the …more lives of the characters and was rooting for their problems to be resolved. The author was able to portray many different personalities smoothly and clearly. This book was a fun, engrossing story. I look forward to reading more by this author! (less)

I was drawn in to this book immediately. The author caught the emotions of Hannah and was able to convey them to me, the reader, in such a way that I felt that I was on the street with Hannah. The author was able to speak in all the characters voices with ease and I had no …more trouble switching from voice to voice. The subject matter was a little tough to read in parts; but it was realistic and I wanted to find out how the characters moved through their conflicts. I was relieved at the end, when everyone came to the end they deserved. All in all I enjoyed this book and look forward to others from Amy Hatvany. I will be recommending this one to my book group as well! (less)