What do readers think of Pieces of Blue by Holly Goldberg Sloan? Write your own review.

I would describe this book as stuck in limbo between the YA market and beach reading adults. There are "pieces" of quality-the characters, while never fully developed, are interesting and for the most part likable. The Hawaii setting is rich in lush description and the restoration of an old hotel did engage my attention. I think YA readers would be bored with the ramblings of confused, troubled adults and serious adult readers will find the plot contrived and melodramatic (especially the hurricane and other events that would be spoilers). However, it did entertain and was a good book to have on a long plane ride. I think this could be popular with book clubs, but comparisons to Where'd You Go, Bernadette are a bit of a stretch.

Lindsey's husband has died in a surfing accident and she and her 3 children need a new start. Moving from Oregon to Hawaii and buying a run down beach motel is a new start. This started slow and picked up momentum and I am sure it will be widely read this summer on the beach, near the pool and by book groups. This story felt familiar to me; the teenage daughter is pouty and difficult, the son, the middle child embraces change and the younger 7 year old daughter is wise beyond her years. It dragged at some points as it was a lot of the same days with the kids going to school, Lindsey walking and working on the motel, and then school evenings, dinner and homework. A handsome stranger shows up and starts to help Lindsey with repairs and her loneliness. Ultimately, I felt Lindsey was a little too naive; if she had been a stronger character, it might have been a stronger story.

Pieces of Blue is an interesting take on an old story of disappearing people and fate of their survivors. But in this day and age where there is nowhere to hide, it is hard to suspend belief. The story could have been enhanced by giving more detailed descriptions and facts about the State of Hawaii where the story takes place.

I was expecting a “brilliant and bighearted page turner” as Maria Semple promised. Instead I found the book tedious and simplistic. It is a story about mother and her three children who move to Hawaii where they bought a run down motel hoping to heal from the death of the husband/father. I loved the spunky younger daughter, Sena, but the rest of the characters were too simplistic for my taste. As another reviewer said, this feels like a YA novel although I’m not sure there is much to be gained. I really wanted to like this story and just couldn’t. There’s so many better books to read!!!

I was excited to read this book based upon its premise and the support of Maria Semple who called it " brilliant".
Perhaps it is brilliant YA book. This is the author's first adult book and I would say that her editor did not do her any favors.
The plot was contrived, the prose stilted, character development weak, and I felt I was reading a script for the Disney channel. I finished the book because I loved the setting and the incredibly precocious character of Sena ( the youngest child ).
I would recommend this story of hope and resilience and the power of family, to a middle school audience.