Helpful Score: 6
Phew! WHat a book! Sure it looks long and bland looking. But don't let that stop you. It is much more than a romance novel. It's about family, forgivness, fighting for what you believe in and also persistance. Halfway in the book , I was getting frustrated and hopeless, like the character of Lily. Lily and Artemas grew up loving each other. But litterally everything kept them apart. Everytime, they wanted to be together , someone or something drove a wedge between them. He had to choose between his family and Lily. The first time he chose his family, but the second time he was at a standstill.
All in all, the characters were well developed and believeable. The plot had many twists and turns and the family drama was aplenty.
All in all, the characters were well developed and believeable. The plot had many twists and turns and the family drama was aplenty.
Helpful Score: 4
If you like Deborah Smith's stories, you'll surely like this one. She takes Lily and Artemas from childhood to adulthood with enough twists and turns in the action to make you not want to put the book down until you're finished.
Helpful Score: 3
A powerful, poignant novel of a man and a woman from different worlds whose passion binds them together even as it tears them apart. A story of the MacKenzies and Colebrooks whose past binds them together with china making and landscaping.
Helpful Score: 2
good story line, just a little long--533 pages.
Helpful Score: 2
Good romance- lot's of twists in plot
Helpful Score: 2
This was a terrific read. Sincere, believable characters and an involved, suspenseful plot. Loved it!
Helpful Score: 2
This is one of my favorite books! I love characters with issues, plausible, well written secondary characters, and and altruistic love that conquers all. This one had it all. Great read!
Helpful Score: 1
One of the better romance novel, did not want to put it down.
Artemas Colebrook is the stuff of myth: a proud, intelligent boy who vows to salvage his Southern family's name, which has been tarnished by his father's philandering and squandering of the Colebrook fortune. Though Artemas's quest is vaguely medieval, the story is planted squarely in the 20th century. At age seven, Artemas is precocious enough to assist at the birth of Lily Mackenzie, linking them forever. A series of family squabbles and misunderstandings keeps these two star-crossed lovers from each other, although as the book progresses the reasons for their separation become more and more ridiculous. All is exaggerated and melodramatic: after Artemas loses his virginity in the forest in a tender (and anatomically unbelievable) scene, his father rides by on a horse, snatches up his son's beloved and rapes her. An architectural collaboration between Lily's husband and Artemas's sister collapses, killing the celebrants at the building's opening gala. The battle over who is at fault for this tragic accident drags on, and even when Lily and Artemas can finally be together, Smith ( Miracle ) fails to resolve definitely the question of blame.
Definitely a romance, but not as funny as Charming Grace. Still worth the read, and pretty good characterization and plot. I was simply looking for something less serious and steamy.
Pretty good . But not nearly as good as " Sleeping at the Magnolia" By Lisa G. Brown. The only reason I mention that is because they've been compared.
