I know that I stand alone int his review, but I just really didn't see the interest in this book. The subject material (a wedding and an incident of homicide through domestic violence) is something unfortunately happens regularly. Every 9 second in America a woman is physically assualted, so what would make an author think that a Sat. in a snow storm in the middle of winter would be any different. That being said, it is still an interesting premise that I could enjoy reading from a fictional standpoint if the material held my interest, had intrigue in it or at least captured my attention long enough to care what happened next. although this book is filled with details, it is a simple story that I did not think captured my interest to care what happened next, it seemed predictable to me. I have read Vinegar Hill and enjoyed it so I was captured by the writing of Ansay, but not this time. I don't know if I am interested in trying another one again until my TBR is minimal. Take this review for what it is worth, many other loved this book so I could have just read it at the wrong time to embrace it.

Share/Like this Review?

Less grim than some of the author's work, it nonetheless retains a gritty feel. The story is of a wedding, beginning as the bride dresses and ending at the midnight toast at the reception. Along the way we explore the families and closest acquaintances of the couple as well as the hearts and histories of the bride and groom, as the night with accompanying heavy snows goes on. Ansay is a master of imagery - I'll retain the image of the bride in her mother's too-hastily altereed gown with the pearls dropping off at every move for a long time.

Share/Like this Review?

Maybe it's a mystery. Maybe it's a love story. Whatever type of book it is, I couldn't put it down until I found out what happened in the end.

Share/Like this Review?

Deeply absorbing and well written -- love, marriage, passion, wonder, tragedy weave together seamlessly. Ansay is an amazing writer.

Share/Like this Review?

Very smooth autopsy of a wedding, held together by the lovely images and the slow swelling train wreck....

Share/Like this Review?

The author A Manette Ansay writes beautiful prose, there is no question. Most of her stories take place in small towns in Wisconsin. This particular story takes happens entirely during the course of one day. The wedding of April and Caleb on Valentine's Day at the "Hideaway Lodge" during a furious winter storm takes place simutaniously as a violent.domestic arguement in room 33 ends in tragedy. How are these two events tied together? Are they? The young couple has only known each other for three months and both families, from Wisconsin and Tennesee, are prone to speculate privately on why they are in such hurry. Eveyone from Wisconsin knows that April had been in love with Barney since high school. Both of their families were anticipating their wedding with great anticipation, when April suddenly broke it off with no explaination. Even Barney claims not to know, but decides to attend the wedding himself as an extension of his parents invitation. Also, a mystery guest attends that many observe, but none recognize. The storm has them all captive as the snow deepens, and when the power goes out, many secrets are revealed. Love in all it's many forms interwoven in a story that is hard to put down!

Share/Like this Review?

Absolutely stunning book. Mansay is a wonderful author.

Share/Like this Review?

Had a hard time getting through this book. There was nothing inherently wrong with it except for the fact that I didn't really get the point. It had the makings for an interesting story - quirky lodge, wedding, disapproving family members, murder. But nothing really happened and I was kind of bored with it. Bummer.

Share/Like this Review?