Helpful Score: 6
I wasn't expecting to like this book, but it was quite good. The plot is very well written and keeps you guessing at what will happen. I love the description of island and its wave. Feels like you are there. I love the way Jio writes the relationship between the characters especially Emily and her Aunt Bee. You feel like really know these people by the end of the book. Highly recommend.
Helpful Score: 6
This was an excellent book. I'm still thinking about it... even days later.
The story pulled me in immediately. I was drawn to the characters, and I had a hard time setting the book down to do anything else. I just wanted to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next.
The diary from the past and the parallels that the author draws from it to the main character's present life were very well done. The emotional connections the author made between the characters were very believable. I enjoyed watching the transformation of the main character, and how she grew stronger throughout the book.
My one complaint would be that I wanted more. I didn't want the book to stop where it did. I would definitely recommend reading this one.
The story pulled me in immediately. I was drawn to the characters, and I had a hard time setting the book down to do anything else. I just wanted to keep reading to find out what was going to happen next.
The diary from the past and the parallels that the author draws from it to the main character's present life were very well done. The emotional connections the author made between the characters were very believable. I enjoyed watching the transformation of the main character, and how she grew stronger throughout the book.
My one complaint would be that I wanted more. I didn't want the book to stop where it did. I would definitely recommend reading this one.
Helpful Score: 5
Excellent book. The person I swapped it from sent me a note hoping that I enjoyed the book! "Boy Howdy"!! I was so enthralled. The whole time I was reading I kept trying to piece it together. Esther was..... well I am no spoiler but I loved how the author tied the past and the present together in a cathartic resolution. Definitely on my recommended read list!
Helpful Score: 3
Wonderful setting - relate-able characters - simple but interesting story line. The type of book that cleans my palate. An easy read that doesn't tax the brain. Pleasurable book with a feel good ending.
A personal diary found, and read generations later, unravels the secrets of two families on a small island just outside Seattle. Loves found and lost, family found and lost, and the finding of oneself.
A personal diary found, and read generations later, unravels the secrets of two families on a small island just outside Seattle. Loves found and lost, family found and lost, and the finding of oneself.
Helpful Score: 2
This book held me absolutely enthralled...read it in two sittings because I could hardly bear to put it down. I would have liked a stronger ending but overall it was a solid, absorbing read and I can't wait to get my hands on other books by this author after such a strong debut novel.
Helpful Score: 2
Was this meant to be a tragedy? I was heartbroken at the end. Knowing Jio's simple and limited writing style, I went into this book with low expectations. It's amazing I was still disappointed! I was all right with the story until the big reveal at the end.
*** Spoiler Alert ***
*** Seriously, stop reading now ***
This story is unbelievable but in a really bad way, literally it can't be believed! To find out Ester lived a full life and never contacted her daughter, Emily's mother, this story is more of a tragedy. How is that at all believable? Her husband just threw her out on the curb and FOR THE REST OF HER LIFE she just figured, so much for that kid; and later, so much for that adult child of mine I could at least try to make a relationship with. What? That's ridiculous.
Also, how could the love story with Elliot be anything but superficial knowing even years later, when Ester was more mature, she never made amends or tried to reconnect with her "one true love." She just went off to travel the world, with a newborn, and as far as we can tell, no money. Piece of cake. No further explanation needed, which is good because Jio doesn't offer any. End storyline here.
The best I can say about it is at least this one is better than Last Camellia also by Jio, but they are both one star books. I'm happy to report this is the last Jio book on my TBR, so I won't be reading any more.
*** Spoiler Alert ***
*** Seriously, stop reading now ***
This story is unbelievable but in a really bad way, literally it can't be believed! To find out Ester lived a full life and never contacted her daughter, Emily's mother, this story is more of a tragedy. How is that at all believable? Her husband just threw her out on the curb and FOR THE REST OF HER LIFE she just figured, so much for that kid; and later, so much for that adult child of mine I could at least try to make a relationship with. What? That's ridiculous.
Also, how could the love story with Elliot be anything but superficial knowing even years later, when Ester was more mature, she never made amends or tried to reconnect with her "one true love." She just went off to travel the world, with a newborn, and as far as we can tell, no money. Piece of cake. No further explanation needed, which is good because Jio doesn't offer any. End storyline here.
The best I can say about it is at least this one is better than Last Camellia also by Jio, but they are both one star books. I'm happy to report this is the last Jio book on my TBR, so I won't be reading any more.
Helpful Score: 1
Since I had already read the last 2 books by this author I figured I'd read the 1st one. A family secret that comes out when Emily goes to visit her great-aunt Bee. I didn't think it was going to be as good since it was the first book for the author but the story brought a tear to my eye at the end. Look forward to reading her new book out this year:)
Helpful Score: 1
I liked this story much more than I thought I would. Emily is an interesting character whose life is turned upside down when her husband leaves her for another woman. Yet as she visits "Aunt" Bee she discovers a past that helps her heal. During her visit to the island where she spent so many happy days as a child she discovers an intriguing diary. When she asks questions of those she knows they say she must read the diary to its end and discover its secrets for herself. So she does but what she discovers is beyond her imagination.
This was an enjoyable tale and I have read other Jio books. They all have the same pattern which becomes a bit jaded after awhile. However, when I leave enough time between them the stories seem fresh and new. My advice is to pick up a book by this talented writer once a year or so and enjoy the story for what it is.
This was an enjoyable tale and I have read other Jio books. They all have the same pattern which becomes a bit jaded after awhile. However, when I leave enough time between them the stories seem fresh and new. My advice is to pick up a book by this talented writer once a year or so and enjoy the story for what it is.
This was such a touching story and it really tugged at my heart. I usually don't like to read romance type stories but this one was not the typical romance about superficial love. It starts with a young woman finding out her husband is leaving her for another woman. Emily, who is a writer, ends up going to stay with her great aunt for a month. She planned to spend some time there to heal and maybe write. Instead of writing she ends of reading. In the guest room at her aunts room she finds a red velvet diary and she can't resist reading it. On excursions with her aunt she meets people from the past and her memory of them begins to awaken. She learns some details about the story she is reading and begins to wonder if the story is actually true and if the people in it are closer to her than she thinks. She also meets an old boyfriend and also another man that she feels drawn too. She begins to think about her own story and who she was meant to be with but at the same time she doesn't want to risk getting hurt again.
Totally enjoyable, quick read. Light. Like this new author!
This was really a story within a story. I really enjoyed it. The reading is fast, the characters easy to remember. This is the first book by the author, but I will look forward to more.
Enthralling, quick read that is not literary fiction but more than chick-lit. Sarah Jio does a great job of establishing a sense of place--I felt like I was on Bainbridge Island. The characters of Emily and Bee are likable. There is a long ago story that Emily stumbles upon and gets involved with. Stories about family secrets always interest me. There are some unbelievable parts, like the newly divorced Emily being asked out by two different men minutes after getting to the island. But overall this was a pleasant read that held my attention.
This book should have been better. The story idea is good, but I didn't like any of the characters. I thought they were all self-centered, simply trying to find what made them feel good, without thought of commitment or promises.
A family story from the past helps a woman deal with her present and future. Some of the resolution of the past was predictable. Some came as a surprise. I enjoyed the characters, the setting, and the story itself. Perfect for an enjoyable summertime beach read.
