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Reviews by Marybeth T. (Bellingham, WA)

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The Children
by Ann Leary

Another winner (5/17/2016)

I am a sucker for a good dysfunctional family story, and this didn't disappoint. The pace was good and my interest was held. I enjoyed this one as much as her first one.

Tuesday Nights in 1980
by Molly Prentiss

Good Debut (1/5/2016)

I liked this book even though it was definitely not my genre. I found it a little mystical, with the colors associated with certain people, but it fit. The writing was what really kept me going. I found it to be a well written book. I also liked the time period. 1980 in New York, what's not to like!

Hunters in the Dark
by Lawrence Osborne

I tried! (11/18/2015)

I really wanted to like this book. I initially thought that if I just get past the first 50-60 pages, then things will pick up. I was wrong. This book, for me anyway slogged all the way to the end. The pace was so slow. I didn't even care for the writing. I didn't like any of the characters either. I did like the setting. I really tried to like this book, but in the end I just didn't.

The Shore: A Novel
by Sara Taylor

Good Family Saga (6/1/2015)

I will start of by saying I liked this book. The writing was great and I love a family saga. It was hard to follow the different family stories. I see that there will be a family tree in the final edition. That will be a big help. I got lost trying to keep the families straight. Even with a family tree I would recommend reading it slowly and paying attention to the characters. This book will appeal to people who like in depth family stories.

Everybody Rise
by Stephanie Clifford

Hoping for something better (3/20/2015)

I liked this book, but I was hoping for something a little bit better. It was a book I could pick up and put down. Not really a page turner for me. It was fun reading about the different social groups and how people get sucked in. All in all it was okay. Would be a good beach read for the summer.

Three Many Cooks: One Mom, Two Daughters: Their Shared Stories of Food, Faith & Family
by Pam Anderson, Maggy Keet & Sharon Damelio

I loved this book! (1/30/2015)

This book was great. I loved the different stories from three different people and they are all great writers. The recipes look great and there are many I can't wait to try. After reading this book I started reading their blog and I love it. If you like family memoirs and cooking this book is for you.

The Quick
by Lauren Owen

I wanted to like it! (4/15/2014)

I really wanted to like it. It started out really grabbing my attention. Half way through I became bored and I never recovered. It really could have been 10 chapters less. It has a few good twists but not enough to keep me interested.

Precious Thing
by Colette McBeth

Kept me guessing. (1/6/2014)

I liked this book. At first I thought I had it all figured out but I was wrong.It had a lot of twists, which I like. My only complaint is that it wrapped up a little to neatly. I will look forward to more books by this author.

How to Be a Good Wife
by Emma Chapman

Not what I was hoping for (8/4/2013)

I was hoping for a bit more than what I got. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great either. The first half was very slow. It started to pick up speed in the second half and then I knew what was going to happen about 50 pages before the end. There also wasn't one character that I liked. I guess maybe I am a little tired of this subject. I was hoping for more of a thriller.

Lookaway, Lookaway
by Wilton Barnhardt

Loved it!!!! (6/12/2013)

I do love a book about the south and this is a great one. I have never read a book by Wilton Barnhardt before. I will be sure to read more of his work. This was a sad, funny and hard to put down book. Not all the characters were likable, but they were a pleasure to read about. This will be certain to be a great summer read.

A Thousand Pardons
by Jonathan Dee

Enjoyed (10/16/2012)

I really liked this book. It grabbed me from the beginning and kept me interested until the end. This is the first book I have read by this author and I love the way he captured the moods and essence of a fourteen year old girl. I think this would be a good book group book. Lot's of think to discuss. I was a little disappointed in the end. A little to tidy for me, but over all a good read.

And When She Was Good: A Novel
by Laura Lippman

and when she was good (7/10/2012)

I did like this book after I finished it. During the reading of it I just wasn't sure. I really didn't care for Heloise. I felt she was flat, emotionless and she really was, but I liked her at the end. It did have a few twists that I enjoy in books. I am glad I stuck it out and finished. Laura Lippman does not disappoint!

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