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A Place to Call Home: A Novel
“Rarely will a book touch your heart like A Place to Call Home. So sit back, put up your feet, and enjoy.”—The Atlanta Journal and ConstitutionTwenty years ago, Claire Maloney was the willful, pampered, tomboyish daughter of the town's most respected family, but that didn’t stop her from befriending Roan Sullivan, a fierce, motherless boy who lived in a rusted-out trailer amid junked cars. No one in Dunderry, Georgia—least of all Claire’s family--could understand the bond between these two mavericks. But Roan and Claire belonged together . . . until the dark afternoon when violence and terror overtook them, and Roan disappeared from Claire's life. Now, two decades later, Claire is adrift, and the Maloneys are still hoping the past can be buried under the rich Southern soil. But Roan Sullivan is about to walk back into their lives. . . . By turns tender and sexy and heartbreaking and exuberant, A Place to Call Home is an enthralling journey between two hearts—and a deliciously original novel from one of the most imaginative and appealing new voices in Southern fiction.Praise for A Place to Call Home“A beautiful, believable love story.”—Chicago Tribune“For sheer storytelling virtuosity, Ms. Smith has few equals.”—Richmond Times-Dispatch“Enchanting new novel . . . a beautiful love story of reunion.”—The News & Observer, Raleigh, NC“Stylishly written, filled with Southern ease and humor.”—Tampa Tribune
442 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1997
272 people are currently reading
2,603 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Smith
81books410followersaka Jackie Leigh
aka Della Stone
aka Leigh Bridger
Bestselling Author
Co-founder, co-publisher
Vice-president, Editor in Chief
BelleBooks, Memphis, TN
Deborah Smith is the New York Times bestselling author of A Place to Call Home, and the No. 1 Kindle Bestseller The Crossroads Cafe, A Gentle Rain and other acclaimed romantic novels portraying life and love in the modern Appalachian South. A native Georgian, Deborah is a former newspaper editor who turned to novel-writing with great success.
With more than 35 romance, women's fiction and fantasy novels to her credit, Deborah's books have sold over 3 million copies worldwide. Among her honors is a Lifetime Achievement Award from Romantic Times Magazine and a nomination for the prestigious Townsend Literary Award. In 2003 Disney optioned Sweet Hush for film. In 2008 A Gentle Rain was a finalist in Romance Writers of America's RITA awards.
For the past fifteen years Deborah has partnered with Debra Dixon to run BelleBooks, a small press originally known for southern fiction, including the Mossy Creek Hometown Series and the Sweet Tea story collections. As editor, she has worked on projects as diverse as the nonfiction Bra Talk book by three-time Oprah Winfrey guest Susan Nethero, and the In My Dreams novella by New York Times bestselling author Sarah Addison Allen.
In 2008 BelleBooks launched Bell Bridge Books, an imprint with a focus on fantasy novels and now expanded to include multi-genre fiction--mystery, suspense, thrillers, women's fiction, nonfiction and other. In 2013 BelleBooks acquired the late Linda Kichline's paranormal romance press, ImaJinn Books, and hired legendary editor Brenda Chin, formerly of Harlequin Books, as editorial director. Chin will expand the imprint to cover a diverse mix of all romance types.
Deborah's newest books are the Crossroads Cafe novellas: THE BISCUIT WITCH, THE PICKLE QUEEN, THE YARN SPINNER, and THE KITCHEN CHARMER (2014). She released a mini-short story, SAVING JONQUILS, in March 2014. A sexy romantic novella, A HARD MAN TO FIND, is scheduled for later in the month.
aka Della Stone
aka Leigh Bridger
Bestselling Author
Co-founder, co-publisher
Vice-president, Editor in Chief
BelleBooks, Memphis, TN
Deborah Smith is the New York Times bestselling author of A Place to Call Home, and the No. 1 Kindle Bestseller The Crossroads Cafe, A Gentle Rain and other acclaimed romantic novels portraying life and love in the modern Appalachian South. A native Georgian, Deborah is a former newspaper editor who turned to novel-writing with great success.
With more than 35 romance, women's fiction and fantasy novels to her credit, Deborah's books have sold over 3 million copies worldwide. Among her honors is a Lifetime Achievement Award from Romantic Times Magazine and a nomination for the prestigious Townsend Literary Award. In 2003 Disney optioned Sweet Hush for film. In 2008 A Gentle Rain was a finalist in Romance Writers of America's RITA awards.
For the past fifteen years Deborah has partnered with Debra Dixon to run BelleBooks, a small press originally known for southern fiction, including the Mossy Creek Hometown Series and the Sweet Tea story collections. As editor, she has worked on projects as diverse as the nonfiction Bra Talk book by three-time Oprah Winfrey guest Susan Nethero, and the In My Dreams novella by New York Times bestselling author Sarah Addison Allen.
In 2008 BelleBooks launched Bell Bridge Books, an imprint with a focus on fantasy novels and now expanded to include multi-genre fiction--mystery, suspense, thrillers, women's fiction, nonfiction and other. In 2013 BelleBooks acquired the late Linda Kichline's paranormal romance press, ImaJinn Books, and hired legendary editor Brenda Chin, formerly of Harlequin Books, as editorial director. Chin will expand the imprint to cover a diverse mix of all romance types.
Deborah's newest books are the Crossroads Cafe novellas: THE BISCUIT WITCH, THE PICKLE QUEEN, THE YARN SPINNER, and THE KITCHEN CHARMER (2014). She released a mini-short story, SAVING JONQUILS, in March 2014. A sexy romantic novella, A HARD MAN TO FIND, is scheduled for later in the month.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 323 reviews
April 3, 2014
QUIT COMPARING THIS TO _SWEET GUM TREE._
I swear. So many reviewers are holding this book in disdainful comparison to Allred's novel, yet no one seems to note that Smith's version came out almost a decade before _Sweet Gum Tree_. I won't say that Allred ripped Smith off, but I'll say that I'm pretty miffed at everyone acting like Smith's book is the carbon copy of Allred's. I think she's an amazing storyteller (no, I don't know her personally) but I have yet to meet any novelist who is able to plaigerise a work written ten years AFTER hers.
Yes, I love this book. I love everything about it, including the fact that there is a huge cast of characters. In a book where "family" is the central theme it's nice to have there be, you know, a big family.
I swear. So many reviewers are holding this book in disdainful comparison to Allred's novel, yet no one seems to note that Smith's version came out almost a decade before _Sweet Gum Tree_. I won't say that Allred ripped Smith off, but I'll say that I'm pretty miffed at everyone acting like Smith's book is the carbon copy of Allred's. I think she's an amazing storyteller (no, I don't know her personally) but I have yet to meet any novelist who is able to plaigerise a work written ten years AFTER hers.
Yes, I love this book. I love everything about it, including the fact that there is a huge cast of characters. In a book where "family" is the central theme it's nice to have there be, you know, a big family.
October 20, 2012
Sem sombra de dúvida este livro arrebata-me até ao mais íntimo do meu ser. Devo ser uma romântica incurável (coisa que pensei nunca vir a admitir).
Deborah Smith escreve e cativa-me instantaneamente. Para mim, dentro deste género e com o que vou conhecendo, Deborah ganha aos pontos os restantes escritores. Escreve sobre a família duma maneira que nunca li, escreve sobre sentimentos da maneira mais sincera e profunda, escreve sobre determinação, objectivos alcançados e outros desfeitos, escreve sobre amor da forma mais pura. . .
Esta história cativou-me a partir do momento em que abri o livro e li a primeira frase. Reconhece-se rapidamente o estilo de escrita da autora, por quem sou apaixonada. É uma história de sentimentos que não são fáceis de vir à tona. . . uma história que magoou gerações na família mas no fundo de tudo, uma história sobre: AMOR.
Viajamos pela vida em tenra idade de Claire e de Roanie. Deborah Smith conta-nos todas as travessuras que povoam o ambiente familiar de dois miúdos. Uma obstinada Claire e um orgulhoso Roanie. Um cliché - Ela rica, ele pobre. Desenvolvem uma amizade ternurenta contra tudo e todos até ele ser acolhido pela família dela. Acontecimentos desenrolam-se e. . . a vida não é um conto de fadas.
Ao longo do livro temos cartas que dão um ímpeto à história, que dão força a uma personagem que se pensa esquecida. . .
Há afastamentos dolorosos e remorsos de fazer correr lágrimas, mas há também união.
Continuamos a acompanhar o crescimento de Claire e de Roan e conhecemos-os em adultos. . . no entanto muito se passou e muito vai ter que ser esclarecido para regressar a normalidade na vida destes dois. . .
Não sei o que mais escrever sem relatar o que se passa no livro porque é a minha vontade. Exprimir o quanto gostei dele e querer assim, que mais pessoas o leiam porque é sem dúvida um livro imperdível DENTRO DO GÉNERO.
Deborah Smith escreve e cativa-me instantaneamente. Para mim, dentro deste género e com o que vou conhecendo, Deborah ganha aos pontos os restantes escritores. Escreve sobre a família duma maneira que nunca li, escreve sobre sentimentos da maneira mais sincera e profunda, escreve sobre determinação, objectivos alcançados e outros desfeitos, escreve sobre amor da forma mais pura. . .
Esta história cativou-me a partir do momento em que abri o livro e li a primeira frase. Reconhece-se rapidamente o estilo de escrita da autora, por quem sou apaixonada. É uma história de sentimentos que não são fáceis de vir à tona. . . uma história que magoou gerações na família mas no fundo de tudo, uma história sobre: AMOR.
Viajamos pela vida em tenra idade de Claire e de Roanie. Deborah Smith conta-nos todas as travessuras que povoam o ambiente familiar de dois miúdos. Uma obstinada Claire e um orgulhoso Roanie. Um cliché - Ela rica, ele pobre. Desenvolvem uma amizade ternurenta contra tudo e todos até ele ser acolhido pela família dela. Acontecimentos desenrolam-se e. . . a vida não é um conto de fadas.
Ao longo do livro temos cartas que dão um ímpeto à história, que dão força a uma personagem que se pensa esquecida. . .
Há afastamentos dolorosos e remorsos de fazer correr lágrimas, mas há também união.
Continuamos a acompanhar o crescimento de Claire e de Roan e conhecemos-os em adultos. . . no entanto muito se passou e muito vai ter que ser esclarecido para regressar a normalidade na vida destes dois. . .
Não sei o que mais escrever sem relatar o que se passa no livro porque é a minha vontade. Exprimir o quanto gostei dele e querer assim, que mais pessoas o leiam porque é sem dúvida um livro imperdível DENTRO DO GÉNERO.
March 3, 2017
É uma obra que agrada. Agrada a quem aprecia narrativas carregadas de laços familiares, de relações, de vidas unidas e separadas por sentimentos, afinidades, tradições, preconceitos e de uma vontade férrea de pertencer a algo ou a alguém. E obviamente agrada a quem anseia por uma bonita história de amor, com força suficiente para superar qualquer obstáculo com que se depare.
Recomendo.
NOTA – 08/10
Opinião completa em:
Recomendo.
NOTA – 08/10
Opinião completa em:
November 19, 2018
**3,5 estrelas**
Lidei com alguma impaciência as primeiras páginas; uma introdução genealógica da família algo confusa, com muitos nomes, muita informação.
Iniciada a história, propriamente dita, senti-me progressivamente cativada. Achei particularmente tocante e delicioso o primeiro grande amor da pequenita, ainda a frequentar a primária. Curiosamente, mais consistente que muitos adultos, que se revelam inconstantes. imaturos e irresponsáveis.
Adorei a inocência, os sentimentos genuínos, o calor das emoções, a rebeldia, a entrega de Claire.
Adorei a perseverança, a honestidade, a seriedade, a ambição, a entrega de Ronnie.
Com várias gerações presentes assistimos à exposição quer de conflitos quer de harmonias próprias das relações familiares e de quem coabita o mesmo espaço e/ou mesmo de aqueles que não estando no mesmo espaço estão sempre presentes para juízos de valor ou apoio incondicional. Ora generosas ora implacáveis.
Família = santuário e fortaleza!
Somos levados a reflectir sobre erros cometidos mas sobretudo na máxima do perdão.
Que para ser feliz há uma necessidade absoluta de se libertar da dor, da mágoa ou ódio para assim alcançar um estado de paz consigo próprio e com os outros, sustentado no amor e tolerância.
Ponto negativo: encontrei várias frases sem sentido e alguns erros. Odeio o trabalho editorial descuidado que não refina as suas traduções.
Lidei com alguma impaciência as primeiras páginas; uma introdução genealógica da família algo confusa, com muitos nomes, muita informação.
Iniciada a história, propriamente dita, senti-me progressivamente cativada. Achei particularmente tocante e delicioso o primeiro grande amor da pequenita, ainda a frequentar a primária. Curiosamente, mais consistente que muitos adultos, que se revelam inconstantes. imaturos e irresponsáveis.
Adorei a inocência, os sentimentos genuínos, o calor das emoções, a rebeldia, a entrega de Claire.
Adorei a perseverança, a honestidade, a seriedade, a ambição, a entrega de Ronnie.
Com várias gerações presentes assistimos à exposição quer de conflitos quer de harmonias próprias das relações familiares e de quem coabita o mesmo espaço e/ou mesmo de aqueles que não estando no mesmo espaço estão sempre presentes para juízos de valor ou apoio incondicional. Ora generosas ora implacáveis.
Família = santuário e fortaleza!
Somos levados a reflectir sobre erros cometidos mas sobretudo na máxima do perdão.
Que para ser feliz há uma necessidade absoluta de se libertar da dor, da mágoa ou ódio para assim alcançar um estado de paz consigo próprio e com os outros, sustentado no amor e tolerância.
Ponto negativo: encontrei várias frases sem sentido e alguns erros. Odeio o trabalho editorial descuidado que não refina as suas traduções.
October 2, 2013
Actual Rating 2.5
THIS IS A RANT
I read this book on a hunch really (I am not even sure if that's the right way to put it) and honestly it just didn't pan out. I just wanted a little light/fun romance to balance out the other 4 books I was reading at the moment.
So there are two parts to the book, the first part-the past and the second-the present. The past was perfect. I really thought I was on to something and that I had made a good choice when I decided to read the book. The portrayal of this young innocent child in love was beautiful. I wasn't skeptic at all (which is somewhat of a surprise). Deborah really pulled her character off. I mean even the part when she first finds out about sex (I had to mention it). Yes I really loved her reaction because it reminded me of mine so I connected with this young child. What amazes me even more is how the author portrayed Roanie's feelings for Claire. Because they had a 5 years age gap (this mattered because she was 9 and he 14... you get my point don't you?), had Roanie felt anything sexual towards Claire, that would have been completely wrong in my book. The author takes a different spin on his feelings, they aren't brotherly but they aren't sexual either they have a hint of romantic but really she was the one person who saw beyond everything else and to him instead of all the other B.S.. so she meant the world to him, he would have done anything for her.
After a while though the past just seemed too long to me, I wanted to get to the present and see their reunion and how things worked out. Well umm Ugh? Yeah that was my reaction to the present part of the book. It was extremely disappointing. After everything she had built up in the past, how she played the whole thing was just a big fat disappointment.
For starters I didn't even like Roanie until near the end. He gave me the willies. Now I don't care what anyone else says but what he was doing was stalking. He knew everything about her, he had his people and inside contacts find things out. He once even went as far as to be parked outside her dorm and watch her. If that isn't stalking I don't know what the hell is. It was just extremely disturbing. Don't try to justify what he did with his feelings. A lot of creepy stalkers will think they love the person they are stalking so you cannot really make it sound any better, at least not to me. It is just not romantic. Hell if he loved her so much he might have contacted her at least once in the past 20 years. Aside from his stalker tendencies (for which he really should get checked) I hated how immature Roanie was acting. He was flaunting his money around and went as far as to try to buy Claire (at least that's what it seemed like to me). He never even tried to understand why Claire was so vary of the whole thing and fighting him! Where did the Roanie I grew to love from the past go??
(spoilers start here)
Let is move on to the ungrateful bastard, Matthew. WOW. I cannot believe how easily he turned on the man who had raised him. I really cannot. So Josh tells him that he has been looking for him for the past 20 years and he just falls for that? What about the time when the same guy denied his existence and was ashamed of him? Huh? I just. I just. UGH!
And now the biggest bastard of all, Josh. I absolutely hated how Deborah played Josh. First the surprise that he was actually the father and then the fact that the author tried to tell us that he wasn't all that bad and had been looking for his lost son and was worried about him? Someone shoot him in the head for me pretty please? Never mind that he denied the existence of his child and let him stay in those horrible conditions for the first few years of his life. He also ignored his legitimate child because of this. The poor girl thought her father hated her for the first 10 years of her fucking life. Oh lets not forget he took advantage of an underage girl. Someone who treats a woman like that isn't worthy of any respect and don't you dare give me the Vietnam excuse. Look at Grandpa Joe if you need any reason as to why I won't accept that bullshit.
I am just disappointed. At least I have Castle and The Dream Thieves to cheer me up.
THIS IS A RANT
I read this book on a hunch really (I am not even sure if that's the right way to put it) and honestly it just didn't pan out. I just wanted a little light/fun romance to balance out the other 4 books I was reading at the moment.
So there are two parts to the book, the first part-the past and the second-the present. The past was perfect. I really thought I was on to something and that I had made a good choice when I decided to read the book. The portrayal of this young innocent child in love was beautiful. I wasn't skeptic at all (which is somewhat of a surprise). Deborah really pulled her character off. I mean even the part when she first finds out about sex (I had to mention it). Yes I really loved her reaction because it reminded me of mine so I connected with this young child. What amazes me even more is how the author portrayed Roanie's feelings for Claire. Because they had a 5 years age gap (this mattered because she was 9 and he 14... you get my point don't you?), had Roanie felt anything sexual towards Claire, that would have been completely wrong in my book. The author takes a different spin on his feelings, they aren't brotherly but they aren't sexual either they have a hint of romantic but really she was the one person who saw beyond everything else and to him instead of all the other B.S.. so she meant the world to him, he would have done anything for her.
After a while though the past just seemed too long to me, I wanted to get to the present and see their reunion and how things worked out. Well umm Ugh? Yeah that was my reaction to the present part of the book. It was extremely disappointing. After everything she had built up in the past, how she played the whole thing was just a big fat disappointment.
For starters I didn't even like Roanie until near the end. He gave me the willies. Now I don't care what anyone else says but what he was doing was stalking. He knew everything about her, he had his people and inside contacts find things out. He once even went as far as to be parked outside her dorm and watch her. If that isn't stalking I don't know what the hell is. It was just extremely disturbing. Don't try to justify what he did with his feelings. A lot of creepy stalkers will think they love the person they are stalking so you cannot really make it sound any better, at least not to me. It is just not romantic. Hell if he loved her so much he might have contacted her at least once in the past 20 years. Aside from his stalker tendencies (for which he really should get checked) I hated how immature Roanie was acting. He was flaunting his money around and went as far as to try to buy Claire (at least that's what it seemed like to me). He never even tried to understand why Claire was so vary of the whole thing and fighting him! Where did the Roanie I grew to love from the past go??
(spoilers start here)
Let is move on to the ungrateful bastard, Matthew. WOW. I cannot believe how easily he turned on the man who had raised him. I really cannot. So Josh tells him that he has been looking for him for the past 20 years and he just falls for that? What about the time when the same guy denied his existence and was ashamed of him? Huh? I just. I just. UGH!
And now the biggest bastard of all, Josh. I absolutely hated how Deborah played Josh. First the surprise that he was actually the father and then the fact that the author tried to tell us that he wasn't all that bad and had been looking for his lost son and was worried about him? Someone shoot him in the head for me pretty please? Never mind that he denied the existence of his child and let him stay in those horrible conditions for the first few years of his life. He also ignored his legitimate child because of this. The poor girl thought her father hated her for the first 10 years of her fucking life. Oh lets not forget he took advantage of an underage girl. Someone who treats a woman like that isn't worthy of any respect and don't you dare give me the Vietnam excuse. Look at Grandpa Joe if you need any reason as to why I won't accept that bullshit.
I am just disappointed. At least I have Castle and The Dream Thieves to cheer me up.
January 3, 2014
3.75 stars for the book; 3 stars for the audio. In many scenes comparable to , this is angsty women's fiction or chick-lit focused on family drama in an Irish community in Georgia. Fierce childhood devotion becomes adult passion, but the developing romance often takes a back seat to the family drama.
The story is told in two equally divided parts, spanning 25 years, from about 1970 to 1995. It's told in 1st person by the heroine, first as a little girl, then as an adult, with some wonderful letters portraying the POV of the hero, first as an adolescent, later as a man.
Contents: A few fade-to-black sex scenes, some swearing, some violence, sexual violence, a few typos.
Audio narration by Kymberly Dakin. Her voice is easy on the ears and most of the characters sounded tolerably Southern and distinct enough. However, I could hear it whenever she drew a deep breath. Also, the adult Roan sounded too much like his younger self. His voice lacked firmness, texture, depth. Also, Dakin mispronounced "malevolent" every time, and also said "stifled" wrong. In general, the narration is fine.
Book, in two parts:
PART ONE, 4.5 stars, childhood. The author portrays young Roanie Sullivan and little Claire Maloney, a Georgia peach, unspoiled and honest, even though she is the town princess. Roanie is dirt poor, the neglected "trailer trash" son of an abusive, drunken snake. He lives in Sullivan's Hollow, bordering her family's prosperous chicken farm. He is honorable, and fiercely protective of Claire. I liked part one, portraying the utter loyalty and devotion between the two kids. Only Claire believes in Roanie, but that's a start, and her friendship and faith changes how others view him. Roanie and his little Peep (Claire) are obviously destined for a soul-deep love. Part one ends with a tragic occurrence, when Roan is 15 and Claire is 10. The two are separated and do not meet again for 20 years.
PART TWO, 2.5 stars, adulthood. After several chapters about a secondary character, and several letters from Roan to Claire, the author eventually gets around to Claire and Roan meeting as adults. Their romance gets short shrift, with a rather hasty coming together, and it didn't hit the sweet spot -- and I'm not talking about sex. I wasn't looking for an explicitly sexy read, so didn't miss it. Problem is, their relationship -- which was thoroughly set in cement in childhood -- was partly pushed aside to focus on a few secondary characters. This annoyed me. And worse, I felt that Josh and even Matthew got off too easily. Josh especially. Not enough plot for the adult Roan and Claire, and not enough character development for them. The adult H/h didn't quite have the same deep bond the kids had. Also, too much Maloney family history, and too many descriptions of people that don't matter. For example, why spend so many paragraphs describing the construction crew, and the foreman who liked Motzart? He never appeared in the book again.
Bottom line, this is a good story -- and even a feel-good story -- but just a little disappointing. As chick-lit, it did the job. I was bawling like a baby towards the end, during the poignant scenes after the tornado -- the relinquishing of old demons and long-dead ghosts, and the improv sermonette. This book had me in tears, and had me chuckling (but only once or twice), and had me reflecting on some profound themes, like social stigma, forgiveness, justice, and family socialization. It had me outraged for the sake of poor young Roan -- and sometimes for adult Roan. However, the author included far too many secondary characters -- all those damn Maloneys and Delaneys in Dunderry, Georgia. I enjoyed it, but grew impatient with the side stories about other people.
I will try another by this author, someday.
The story is told in two equally divided parts, spanning 25 years, from about 1970 to 1995. It's told in 1st person by the heroine, first as a little girl, then as an adult, with some wonderful letters portraying the POV of the hero, first as an adolescent, later as a man.
Contents: A few fade-to-black sex scenes, some swearing, some violence, sexual violence, a few typos.
Audio narration by Kymberly Dakin. Her voice is easy on the ears and most of the characters sounded tolerably Southern and distinct enough. However, I could hear it whenever she drew a deep breath. Also, the adult Roan sounded too much like his younger self. His voice lacked firmness, texture, depth. Also, Dakin mispronounced "malevolent" every time, and also said "stifled" wrong. In general, the narration is fine.
Book, in two parts:
PART ONE, 4.5 stars, childhood. The author portrays young Roanie Sullivan and little Claire Maloney, a Georgia peach, unspoiled and honest, even though she is the town princess. Roanie is dirt poor, the neglected "trailer trash" son of an abusive, drunken snake. He lives in Sullivan's Hollow, bordering her family's prosperous chicken farm. He is honorable, and fiercely protective of Claire. I liked part one, portraying the utter loyalty and devotion between the two kids. Only Claire believes in Roanie, but that's a start, and her friendship and faith changes how others view him. Roanie and his little Peep (Claire) are obviously destined for a soul-deep love. Part one ends with a tragic occurrence, when Roan is 15 and Claire is 10. The two are separated and do not meet again for 20 years.
PART TWO, 2.5 stars, adulthood. After several chapters about a secondary character, and several letters from Roan to Claire, the author eventually gets around to Claire and Roan meeting as adults. Their romance gets short shrift, with a rather hasty coming together, and it didn't hit the sweet spot -- and I'm not talking about sex. I wasn't looking for an explicitly sexy read, so didn't miss it. Problem is, their relationship -- which was thoroughly set in cement in childhood -- was partly pushed aside to focus on a few secondary characters. This annoyed me. And worse, I felt that Josh and even Matthew got off too easily. Josh especially. Not enough plot for the adult Roan and Claire, and not enough character development for them. The adult H/h didn't quite have the same deep bond the kids had. Also, too much Maloney family history, and too many descriptions of people that don't matter. For example, why spend so many paragraphs describing the construction crew, and the foreman who liked Motzart? He never appeared in the book again.
Bottom line, this is a good story -- and even a feel-good story -- but just a little disappointing. As chick-lit, it did the job. I was bawling like a baby towards the end, during the poignant scenes after the tornado -- the relinquishing of old demons and long-dead ghosts, and the improv sermonette. This book had me in tears, and had me chuckling (but only once or twice), and had me reflecting on some profound themes, like social stigma, forgiveness, justice, and family socialization. It had me outraged for the sake of poor young Roan -- and sometimes for adult Roan. However, the author included far too many secondary characters -- all those damn Maloneys and Delaneys in Dunderry, Georgia. I enjoyed it, but grew impatient with the side stories about other people.
I will try another by this author, someday.
April 10, 2017
Um dos melhores livros que li este ano! Simplesmente maravilhoso!
January 26, 2013
Quem é que não gosta de uma história de amor reencontrado? Daquele tipo de amor que é para toda a vida? Eu não gosto… eu adoro! Especialmente se for bem trabalhado, de forma a que seja uma história sólida e consistente.
Claire e Roan conheceram-se em crianças. Pertenciam famílias de classes sociais diametralmente opostas. Mas isso não os impede de se tornarem amigos e gostarem verdadeiramente um do outro. Por mais que tente colocar por palavras a relação deles, mesmo em crianças, acabo sempre por achar que fica muito aquém da realidade. Acho que só lendo mesmo é que se consegue ter uma noção da sua profundidade.
Quando Roan tem 15 anos e Claire 10, ambos são separados e os seus caminhos só se voltarão a cruzar 20 anos depois. No dia em que são separados, aprendem uma dura lição: até as boas intenções/acções têm limites.
A família da Claire irritou-me um pouco nesse sentido. Apesar de haverem familiares que eram verdadeiramente espectaculares e outros que tinham assumidamente uma índole duvidosa, havia um punhado que eram o que chamo de católicos de Igreja. Ou seja, consideravam-se boas pessoas e pregavam a mensagem de Deus, mas eram uns snobes do piorio. Arrogantes, más-línguas e venenosos irritaram-me solenemente com as suas atitudes. Roan e Claire por outro lado conquistaram-me desde o inicio. Claire é uma força da natureza, que se rebela contra as injustiças e tenta sempre proteger o seu Roanie e Roanie protege a sua pirralha, para além de ter um coração do tamanho do mundo. E ambos sofrem horrores com a separação [embora seja mais visível o sofrimento de Claire].
Já em adultos, ambos têm de se re-descobrir, lidar com os seus segredos mais obscuros e sarar as feridas do passado. Dizem que o tempo cura tudo, mas nalguns caso só “infecta” a ferida fazendo com que doa mais. Chegou a hora de regressar a casa, enfrentar o passado…e esperar não ser esmagado por ele.
Uma história de perdão e absolvição, amor, esperança, bondade e coragem que não deixará ninguém indiferente.
Claire e Roan conheceram-se em crianças. Pertenciam famílias de classes sociais diametralmente opostas. Mas isso não os impede de se tornarem amigos e gostarem verdadeiramente um do outro. Por mais que tente colocar por palavras a relação deles, mesmo em crianças, acabo sempre por achar que fica muito aquém da realidade. Acho que só lendo mesmo é que se consegue ter uma noção da sua profundidade.
Quando Roan tem 15 anos e Claire 10, ambos são separados e os seus caminhos só se voltarão a cruzar 20 anos depois. No dia em que são separados, aprendem uma dura lição: até as boas intenções/acções têm limites.
A família da Claire irritou-me um pouco nesse sentido. Apesar de haverem familiares que eram verdadeiramente espectaculares e outros que tinham assumidamente uma índole duvidosa, havia um punhado que eram o que chamo de católicos de Igreja. Ou seja, consideravam-se boas pessoas e pregavam a mensagem de Deus, mas eram uns snobes do piorio. Arrogantes, más-línguas e venenosos irritaram-me solenemente com as suas atitudes. Roan e Claire por outro lado conquistaram-me desde o inicio. Claire é uma força da natureza, que se rebela contra as injustiças e tenta sempre proteger o seu Roanie e Roanie protege a sua pirralha, para além de ter um coração do tamanho do mundo. E ambos sofrem horrores com a separação [embora seja mais visível o sofrimento de Claire].
Já em adultos, ambos têm de se re-descobrir, lidar com os seus segredos mais obscuros e sarar as feridas do passado. Dizem que o tempo cura tudo, mas nalguns caso só “infecta” a ferida fazendo com que doa mais. Chegou a hora de regressar a casa, enfrentar o passado…e esperar não ser esmagado por ele.
Uma história de perdão e absolvição, amor, esperança, bondade e coragem que não deixará ninguém indiferente.
February 17, 2017
Sou super fã da Deborah Smith, pelo que este é o quarto livro que leio da autora. Comecei a lê-la numa idade bem tenra, em que “A Doçura da Chuva” me surpreendeu pela profundidade e complexidade das personagens. Depois avancei para “O Café do Amor”, em que uma mulher muito bonita e muito ferida regressava a casa para se reconciliar com a vida. De seguida, e de longe o meu favorito, li “Milagre”, onde a autora criou um amor devastador entre o casal protagonista, das vinhas da Califórnia para uma mansão em França.
E, por fim, li “Segredos do Passado”. Se não tivesse lido os outros, talvez não me tivesse aborrecido tanto com este livro. No topo da pilha, torna-se só “mais do mesmo”, apesar de ter sido escrito antes de alguns deles.
A primeira parte do livro valeu-lhe cinco estrelas. O tecido do passado está imaculado: os traumas a adensarem-se, o desejo de redenção, o jogo de sentimentos entre o orgulho e a vergonha, a necessidade e a resistência, foram-me preciosos. A relação entre a Claire e o Roan nasce numa pequena localidade da Georgia, quase totalmente povoada de imigrantes irlandeses. O modo como a família da personagem principal transpôs as tradições do Éire para este estado americano é muito agradável de ler, através de baptismos de montanhas, festividades e cantorias. A Claire é a menina da vila, filha da família mais influente da região – os que a povoaram e encheram de serviços. O Roan é o filho de um antigo veterano do Vietname, um homem violento e torturado que só sabe azedar-lhe a existência. O modo como duas crianças tão improváveis se unem contra o mundo é enternecedor. O meu coração estive sempre numa montanha russa nessa primeira parte do livro, oscilando entre o horror perante a crueldade e o deleite quando por fim é demonstrado algum carinho para com a criança indigente da cidade.
Na minha opinião, a escritora não soube resumir nem trazer um toque de especial à segunda parte do livro. Não era fácil, uma vez que a primeira foi tão soberba. Ainda assim, a segunda parte é como que um eco da primeira. Não há momentos muito marcantes, não há a picardia das avós da Claire, não há o oscilar de emoções da primeira. Há um reencontro e depois há muita reminiscência. Recordam-se do que passou, do que os afastou, do que gostariam de ter feito no passado. E há uns quantos segredos, mas pulsam mais ou menos à superfície, e depois de os conhecermos andamos várias dezenas de páginas a acompanhar as personagens torturadas, à espera de vê-los revelados a quem de direito.
Achei que o livro peca por cento e cinquenta páginas. Bastavam cerca de trezentas páginas para se cortarem todas as repetições, todas as personagens que nada vêm acrescentar, todas as historietas paralelas que nos afastam do foco principal e nos vão cansando. Demorei imenso tempo a ler o livro – ainda que me importasse de modo genuíno com a Claire e o Roan, porque quando esperava algo simples vinha mais uma recordação de algo que havia lido há cem páginas atrás. Foi doce e desolador, no início, e depois doce e chato, no fim. No entanto, voltarei sempre a ler Deborah Smith, quem sabe pulando as partes que me cheirarem a palha.
E, por fim, li “Segredos do Passado”. Se não tivesse lido os outros, talvez não me tivesse aborrecido tanto com este livro. No topo da pilha, torna-se só “mais do mesmo”, apesar de ter sido escrito antes de alguns deles.
A primeira parte do livro valeu-lhe cinco estrelas. O tecido do passado está imaculado: os traumas a adensarem-se, o desejo de redenção, o jogo de sentimentos entre o orgulho e a vergonha, a necessidade e a resistência, foram-me preciosos. A relação entre a Claire e o Roan nasce numa pequena localidade da Georgia, quase totalmente povoada de imigrantes irlandeses. O modo como a família da personagem principal transpôs as tradições do Éire para este estado americano é muito agradável de ler, através de baptismos de montanhas, festividades e cantorias. A Claire é a menina da vila, filha da família mais influente da região – os que a povoaram e encheram de serviços. O Roan é o filho de um antigo veterano do Vietname, um homem violento e torturado que só sabe azedar-lhe a existência. O modo como duas crianças tão improváveis se unem contra o mundo é enternecedor. O meu coração estive sempre numa montanha russa nessa primeira parte do livro, oscilando entre o horror perante a crueldade e o deleite quando por fim é demonstrado algum carinho para com a criança indigente da cidade.
Na minha opinião, a escritora não soube resumir nem trazer um toque de especial à segunda parte do livro. Não era fácil, uma vez que a primeira foi tão soberba. Ainda assim, a segunda parte é como que um eco da primeira. Não há momentos muito marcantes, não há a picardia das avós da Claire, não há o oscilar de emoções da primeira. Há um reencontro e depois há muita reminiscência. Recordam-se do que passou, do que os afastou, do que gostariam de ter feito no passado. E há uns quantos segredos, mas pulsam mais ou menos à superfície, e depois de os conhecermos andamos várias dezenas de páginas a acompanhar as personagens torturadas, à espera de vê-los revelados a quem de direito.
Achei que o livro peca por cento e cinquenta páginas. Bastavam cerca de trezentas páginas para se cortarem todas as repetições, todas as personagens que nada vêm acrescentar, todas as historietas paralelas que nos afastam do foco principal e nos vão cansando. Demorei imenso tempo a ler o livro – ainda que me importasse de modo genuíno com a Claire e o Roan, porque quando esperava algo simples vinha mais uma recordação de algo que havia lido há cem páginas atrás. Foi doce e desolador, no início, e depois doce e chato, no fim. No entanto, voltarei sempre a ler Deborah Smith, quem sabe pulando as partes que me cheirarem a palha.
October 8, 2011
I found it difficult to rate this book and I'm not even sure why. Maybe it has to do with the fact that I can't even describe how I feel about this book, or maybe, it's because it left me hallow in some ways. I don't know, the only thing I can say is that this book was just... it just was.
Overall, I have to give it a two star rating because of two things. Was this worth a read? And, would I recommend this book to someone else? The answer is no on both counts. There was nothing magical and spell binding about this book, this book was really nothing more than just words on printed page.
While, well written, the book was more back-story (family history) than actual story and it got to an exhausting point. It was also heavily-ladened with a little too much description and thus, again, not enough story. I found myself questioning what the plot of the story was and even more, what the heck, the point was of this story.
This book had me in tears in certain parts, had me laughing in others, but overall, it just lacked. Lacked. Not enough romance, not enough story, not enough true character depth, just deep-rooted family history and pain. It was okay.
Overall, I have to give it a two star rating because of two things. Was this worth a read? And, would I recommend this book to someone else? The answer is no on both counts. There was nothing magical and spell binding about this book, this book was really nothing more than just words on printed page.
While, well written, the book was more back-story (family history) than actual story and it got to an exhausting point. It was also heavily-ladened with a little too much description and thus, again, not enough story. I found myself questioning what the plot of the story was and even more, what the heck, the point was of this story.
This book had me in tears in certain parts, had me laughing in others, but overall, it just lacked. Lacked. Not enough romance, not enough story, not enough true character depth, just deep-rooted family history and pain. It was okay.
February 5, 2012
I tend to gravitate toward romantic comedy which often requires a bit more suspension of disbelief. This book is more "real world" but it's a romance nonetheless.
I loved the first half of the book, most of which takes place when Claire is nine. Her viewpoint is so consistent with a child her age that it's awesome, but part of what makes it so good, I think, is knowing that the story will finish with the characters as adults. I love the message of the book as well that one person can change the life path of another. That all it takes is one person believing in you to change how you see yourself and what you expect from yourself. This is well worth reading.
I loved the first half of the book, most of which takes place when Claire is nine. Her viewpoint is so consistent with a child her age that it's awesome, but part of what makes it so good, I think, is knowing that the story will finish with the characters as adults. I love the message of the book as well that one person can change the life path of another. That all it takes is one person believing in you to change how you see yourself and what you expect from yourself. This is well worth reading.
February 13, 2023
*4.5 stars. This was absolutely lovely. I adored every second of this story. This is marketed as a romance, but it is much more about found family and finding a place to belong than anything else. I absolutely loved both Claire & Roan’s character arch, and the way they came back together was EPIC. This is Southern small-town charm to a tee, Deborah Smith is obviously at home writing this setting. I will definitely read more from her.
July 30, 2012
I read this because I heard about the similarities to and wanted to compare the two stories for myself. Even though the premise was extremely similar, the characters were distinct and the direction the stories took after the childhood-sweethearts-stage was different.
Unfortunately, while I enjoyed the first section of this story (I love the Southern small town setting!), the book dragged for me when Roan and Claire reunited as adults. I wasn't especially interested in the hundreds of pages of family drama (the romance was essentially resolved in the middle of the book). I also found it strange that Roan stalked Claire for years but never even contacted her once - she'd never rejected him, and I was irritated that he used Matthew as an excuse to stay away from the Maloneys. The second half of the book was only 2 stars for me but the first part was so outstanding that I couldn't rate this less than 4 stars.
Unfortunately, while I enjoyed the first section of this story (I love the Southern small town setting!), the book dragged for me when Roan and Claire reunited as adults. I wasn't especially interested in the hundreds of pages of family drama (the romance was essentially resolved in the middle of the book). I also found it strange that Roan stalked Claire for years but never even contacted her once - she'd never rejected him, and I was irritated that he used Matthew as an excuse to stay away from the Maloneys. The second half of the book was only 2 stars for me but the first part was so outstanding that I couldn't rate this less than 4 stars.
October 27, 2014
Estive mesmo para desistir desta leitura, muito por culpa da primeira parte do livro. A meu ver, é algo morosa e confusa (as personagens também são imensas, logo não ajuda muito), o que me retirou algum interesse. Serve de preâmbulo para a segunda parte, mas creio que poderia ser melhor conseguida.
Chego à segunda parte e a leitura tornou-se quase compulsiva, tal é o desfilar de emoções que a mesma nos transmite. De repente, tudo se encaixa com uma beleza, com um altruísmo fora do comum.
Uma excelente mensagem ficcionada sobre amores reencontrados, superação, amor e dádiva ao próximo.
Quem como eu estiver enfastiada na primeira, por favor, não desista. O que vai encontrar vale bem a pena.
Chego à segunda parte e a leitura tornou-se quase compulsiva, tal é o desfilar de emoções que a mesma nos transmite. De repente, tudo se encaixa com uma beleza, com um altruísmo fora do comum.
Uma excelente mensagem ficcionada sobre amores reencontrados, superação, amor e dádiva ao próximo.
Quem como eu estiver enfastiada na primeira, por favor, não desista. O que vai encontrar vale bem a pena.
November 26, 2016
What a beautiful and moving story. It reminded me of sweet gum tree, I would definitely recommend.
:)
:)
July 3, 2013
I love the mature writing in this story. We get hues of a rich history and culture back-lighted by a youthful loyalty come romance between the H/h. This book is more about that history and culture than the romance, per se, but I'm only interested in that history and culture as it relates to the romance. I doubt I would have bought into the harshness of the H's character had I not had the background laid out so thoroughly. This is damn fine writing.
I read Sweet Gum Tree first and this book was among those recommended for readers of SGT. I really enjoyed SGT, but I admit that I loved APtoCH much more. I really appreciate mature characterizations, and APtoCH does that more successfully (whereas SGT played to a younger audience, imho). SGT had more of an arrested development in its heroine that was not enjoyable at certain points during my reading--read more like an old fashioned Harlequin Romance at times.
Anyway both books were incredible reads, but APtoCH feeds something in me. It takes the innocent, the jaded, the harsh, the abusive, the redeemable, the celebratory, and makes something that's home-made and real for me (being as I'm from the south, and all). It felt like so much more than just a story. It renewed me. I can't ask more from a book.
I read Sweet Gum Tree first and this book was among those recommended for readers of SGT. I really enjoyed SGT, but I admit that I loved APtoCH much more. I really appreciate mature characterizations, and APtoCH does that more successfully (whereas SGT played to a younger audience, imho). SGT had more of an arrested development in its heroine that was not enjoyable at certain points during my reading--read more like an old fashioned Harlequin Romance at times.
Anyway both books were incredible reads, but APtoCH feeds something in me. It takes the innocent, the jaded, the harsh, the abusive, the redeemable, the celebratory, and makes something that's home-made and real for me (being as I'm from the south, and all). It felt like so much more than just a story. It renewed me. I can't ask more from a book.
March 15, 2023
My own spirit just went through a cleanse right along with two made-up characters.
summary:
The story showcases the variety of flavors that charity can come in. Whether it's small, big, self serving, or actually harmful. The two star-crossed lovers are caught in the middle of multiple good intentions, and pay the price by being estranged for 20 years.
Part 1 is an adorable look at growing up in the south with a gigantic family. Part 2 has a couple of established adults in need of healing. A lot of healing. I wasn't prepared for the heaviness. They are completely different people by the time they see each other again, but parts of their core has remained unchanged. What a fascinating look at humanity. Well done
summary:
The road to hell is paved with good intentions
The story showcases the variety of flavors that charity can come in. Whether it's small, big, self serving, or actually harmful. The two star-crossed lovers are caught in the middle of multiple good intentions, and pay the price by being estranged for 20 years.
Part 1 is an adorable look at growing up in the south with a gigantic family. Part 2 has a couple of established adults in need of healing. A lot of healing. I wasn't prepared for the heaviness. They are completely different people by the time they see each other again, but parts of their core has remained unchanged. What a fascinating look at humanity. Well done
March 11, 2011
Mais um livro maravilhoso desta autora! Fiquei extasiada com a história da Claire e do Roan e mais ainda com o facto de podermos acompanhar todo o percurso deles enquanto crianças e mais tarde o desenrolar de tudo...
Uma história com ângulos diferentes e com várias personagens com nuances estranhas! Fartei-me de rir com as Avozinhas e fartei-me de chorar com a tragédia do Roan!
Um livro soberbo uma vez mais vez! Estou fã!
Uma história com ângulos diferentes e com várias personagens com nuances estranhas! Fartei-me de rir com as Avozinhas e fartei-me de chorar com a tragédia do Roan!
Um livro soberbo uma vez mais vez! Estou fã!
February 11, 2016
Adoro este livro!! Já faz parte de um dos meus favoritos de sempre!
Gostei muito da escrita de Deborah Smith: fluída, concisa e muito rica em detalhes. A história é arrebatadora, envolvente e comovente. O livro apodera-se de nós (é muito difícil largá-lo), sofremos com os personagens, choramos e rimos, é impossível ficar indiferente.
Numa palavra: MARAVILHOSO!
Gostei muito da escrita de Deborah Smith: fluída, concisa e muito rica em detalhes. A história é arrebatadora, envolvente e comovente. O livro apodera-se de nós (é muito difícil largá-lo), sofremos com os personagens, choramos e rimos, é impossível ficar indiferente.
Numa palavra: MARAVILHOSO!
February 26, 2022
He was happy. He'd come back to where we both belonged. He'd foud his place.
November 25, 2014
Depois de este ano já ter lido "A Doçura da Chuva" resolvi pegar no livro com algumas expectativas pois é um dos livros preferidos da Cata do Páginas Encadernadas.
Contada do ponto de vista de Claire Maloney vamos ficar a conhecer sua história bem como a de Roanie Sullivan, num primeiro momento enquanto são crianças, e numa segunda fase 20 anos depois.
Enquanto Claire vem de uma grande e rica família, Roanie é pobre e vive à margem com um pai negligente e mau; mas Claire consegue ver para lá de preconceitos, mas acaba por ser uma relação mal vista pela sua família. Vamos depois reencontrar as personagens, 20 anos depois de se ter afastado mas a verdade é que Claire e Roanie nunca ultrapassaram bem a separação.
O livro arranca com um ritmo um pouco lento e com muitos aspectos da vida familiar e social das personagens mas que serve como uma introdução à história e aos problemas que virão mas, passadas poucas páginas, estava já agarrada à história de Claire e Roanie.
A escrita é simples e fluída mas que nos cativa pela forma como nos apresenta as personagens e as suas relações, quer entre eles, quer com a envolvente. A segunda parte do livro ainda me atraiu mais pelas cartas que nos vão sendo apresentadas e que nos permitem conhecer um pouco melhor Roanie, que foi a minha personagem preferida. Um miúdo, que apesar da dureza da vida, consegue provar que é um bom ser humano e singrar na vida.
Foi também interessante ver como a autora retratou alguns familiares que são pessoas muito religiosas mas que depois acabam por "fechar os olhos", tornando-as tão reais pois quem é que não conhece pessoas que "andam na igreja a bater com a mão no peito" mas assim que saiem cá para fora conseguem ser tão más? Eu conheço!
Uma história que para além de ser uma história de amor, é uma história de redenção e de sermos amados.
Gostei mesmo muito!
Contada do ponto de vista de Claire Maloney vamos ficar a conhecer sua história bem como a de Roanie Sullivan, num primeiro momento enquanto são crianças, e numa segunda fase 20 anos depois.
Enquanto Claire vem de uma grande e rica família, Roanie é pobre e vive à margem com um pai negligente e mau; mas Claire consegue ver para lá de preconceitos, mas acaba por ser uma relação mal vista pela sua família. Vamos depois reencontrar as personagens, 20 anos depois de se ter afastado mas a verdade é que Claire e Roanie nunca ultrapassaram bem a separação.
O livro arranca com um ritmo um pouco lento e com muitos aspectos da vida familiar e social das personagens mas que serve como uma introdução à história e aos problemas que virão mas, passadas poucas páginas, estava já agarrada à história de Claire e Roanie.
A escrita é simples e fluída mas que nos cativa pela forma como nos apresenta as personagens e as suas relações, quer entre eles, quer com a envolvente. A segunda parte do livro ainda me atraiu mais pelas cartas que nos vão sendo apresentadas e que nos permitem conhecer um pouco melhor Roanie, que foi a minha personagem preferida. Um miúdo, que apesar da dureza da vida, consegue provar que é um bom ser humano e singrar na vida.
Foi também interessante ver como a autora retratou alguns familiares que são pessoas muito religiosas mas que depois acabam por "fechar os olhos", tornando-as tão reais pois quem é que não conhece pessoas que "andam na igreja a bater com a mão no peito" mas assim que saiem cá para fora conseguem ser tão más? Eu conheço!
Uma história que para além de ser uma história de amor, é uma história de redenção e de sermos amados.
Gostei mesmo muito!
April 18, 2018
Foi um livro que li muito depressa e com muito gosto, uma leitura muito fluida.
É, no entanto, uma história que parecia não ter muito interesse e um pouco dramatizada demais. Mas a autora, acho, teve bons motivos para dar tanta atenção a detalhes e pormenores, a demorar-se a contar a infância da Claire, durante aqueles 5 anos que conheceu Roan e antes de ele desaparecer.
Só mais ou menos pela página 350 é que as surpresas se começam a revelar e se percebe o motivo dessa minuciosidade anterior. E se foi surpresa atrás de surpresa!
Foi muito emocionante ver o Roan ultrapssar os fantasmas do passado; fartei-me de chorar de emoções diversas ao longo do livro.
É, no entanto, uma história que parecia não ter muito interesse e um pouco dramatizada demais. Mas a autora, acho, teve bons motivos para dar tanta atenção a detalhes e pormenores, a demorar-se a contar a infância da Claire, durante aqueles 5 anos que conheceu Roan e antes de ele desaparecer.
Só mais ou menos pela página 350 é que as surpresas se começam a revelar e se percebe o motivo dessa minuciosidade anterior. E se foi surpresa atrás de surpresa!
Foi muito emocionante ver o Roan ultrapssar os fantasmas do passado; fartei-me de chorar de emoções diversas ao longo do livro.
May 18, 2010
I randomly picked up this book at the library and I loved it. I was so drawn to both Claire and Roan's character from the very beginning as I saw their relationship throughout their childhood to adulthood.
The first part of the book was so captivating and emotional. I couldn't put it down. Claire is so determined to help save Roanie Sullivan, despite his unfortunate luck of being born into the wrong family. The two of them are young children and share the kind of love that is unique between the two of them. It's not sexual, after all they are only children. I just loved Roan. He was always so sweet to Claire from the first day they met. Claire was so young and naive but I loved her will and determination when it came to Roanie Sullivan.
The second part of the book takes place years later when both Claire and Roan are adults. The love they shared as children is stronger than ever and nothing, not even a family secret, will keep them apart. You see Roanie go full circle and finally find a place where he belongs. This was the first booked read by Smith and it surely will not be my last.
The first part of the book was so captivating and emotional. I couldn't put it down. Claire is so determined to help save Roanie Sullivan, despite his unfortunate luck of being born into the wrong family. The two of them are young children and share the kind of love that is unique between the two of them. It's not sexual, after all they are only children. I just loved Roan. He was always so sweet to Claire from the first day they met. Claire was so young and naive but I loved her will and determination when it came to Roanie Sullivan.
The second part of the book takes place years later when both Claire and Roan are adults. The love they shared as children is stronger than ever and nothing, not even a family secret, will keep them apart. You see Roanie go full circle and finally find a place where he belongs. This was the first booked read by Smith and it surely will not be my last.
February 25, 2016
**3.5 stars**
May 4, 2017
"I planned to be the kind of old Southern lady who talked to her tomato plants and bought sweaters for her cats. I'd just turned thirty, but I was already sizing up where I'd been and where I was headed. So I knew that when I was old I would be deliberately peculiar"
Ms. Smith...you really did a number on me. 5 bright, sparkling stars!
Let's take a journey with Claire Maloney in her home town of Dunderry, Georgia where at the mere age of 10 years old, she dares to defy the elitist standards of her family and befriend the son of town's local outcast - Roanie Sullivan.
Claire is by far the world's most lovable child - displaying childhood innocence with enough edge to let the reader know that she not only believes in all things good in the world, but she's willing to fight to keep them that way. Her persistence in befriending Roanie Sullivan despite everything in her DNA that all but requires her to stay away from his type is what ultimately steals your heart and makes you fall in love with Claire and all she stands for. And we're not the only ones falling in love with her...
The odds were inevitably against Roanie from the start. And being the son of Big Roan Sullivan doesn't make Roanie's life any easier in the town of Dunderry. It's no wonder why he's hell bent on rejecting anything good that may come his way. In Roanie's life, anything good eventually comes to a disastrous end...that is, until he meets Claire...
Claire and Roan's story of friendship and love is the stuff that all romances should be made of. Their bond that carries the two of them from their childhood to adulthood is ultimately what will keep you turning the page.
Another thing I have to mention is how appreciative I am of the author for keeping some mystery in the love scenes. These days it just seems like romance authors are so determined to just over sexualize a love scene in a desperate attempt to fall in line with age old theory that "sex sells". Well maybe it's just me, but in the era of 50 Shades of Grey once you've read one sex scene, you've read them all. I usually just skip them anyway, so I appreciated Smith not letting the scenes drag on and on to the point where I'm rolling my eyes and skipping pages. Granted, I realize this book was published in the late 90's, but again - unrealistic and overdramatized sex is not a new trend. Thank you for keeping it real Deborah.
You will feel betrayed, you will feel angry, you will be shocked, and you will feel heartbreak as you continue to see just how many forces try to break Claire and Roan apart. But, like any great romance - in the end love prevails. Bravo Smith. Well done.
Ms. Smith...you really did a number on me. 5 bright, sparkling stars!
Let's take a journey with Claire Maloney in her home town of Dunderry, Georgia where at the mere age of 10 years old, she dares to defy the elitist standards of her family and befriend the son of town's local outcast - Roanie Sullivan.
Claire is by far the world's most lovable child - displaying childhood innocence with enough edge to let the reader know that she not only believes in all things good in the world, but she's willing to fight to keep them that way. Her persistence in befriending Roanie Sullivan despite everything in her DNA that all but requires her to stay away from his type is what ultimately steals your heart and makes you fall in love with Claire and all she stands for. And we're not the only ones falling in love with her...
The odds were inevitably against Roanie from the start. And being the son of Big Roan Sullivan doesn't make Roanie's life any easier in the town of Dunderry. It's no wonder why he's hell bent on rejecting anything good that may come his way. In Roanie's life, anything good eventually comes to a disastrous end...that is, until he meets Claire...
Claire and Roan's story of friendship and love is the stuff that all romances should be made of. Their bond that carries the two of them from their childhood to adulthood is ultimately what will keep you turning the page.
Another thing I have to mention is how appreciative I am of the author for keeping some mystery in the love scenes. These days it just seems like romance authors are so determined to just over sexualize a love scene in a desperate attempt to fall in line with age old theory that "sex sells". Well maybe it's just me, but in the era of 50 Shades of Grey once you've read one sex scene, you've read them all. I usually just skip them anyway, so I appreciated Smith not letting the scenes drag on and on to the point where I'm rolling my eyes and skipping pages. Granted, I realize this book was published in the late 90's, but again - unrealistic and overdramatized sex is not a new trend. Thank you for keeping it real Deborah.
You will feel betrayed, you will feel angry, you will be shocked, and you will feel heartbreak as you continue to see just how many forces try to break Claire and Roan apart. But, like any great romance - in the end love prevails. Bravo Smith. Well done.
April 22, 2015
O primeiro livro que li da autora foi a Doçura da Chuva cativou-me pela forma da sua escrita melodiosa, cuidada, fluida, simples, contagiante e criativa. Uma leitura doce, encantadora e memorável. Fiquei fã da autora, por isso ao pegar neste livro as minhas expectativas estavam altas demais.
Foi uma leitura compulsiva, envolvente, cativante, deliciosa, mágica, comovente e suave que nos conta a história de um amor inocente entre Claire e Roan dois amigos de infância que após um terrível acidente, se vão separar por vinte anos.
Após o reencontro dos personagens segredos se vão revelar, um romance emocionante capaz de sobreviver a vinte anos de distância e às infelicidades do passado.
Será que o tempo apaga todo o sofrimento e desgraças por que passaram?
Deborah Smith é uma autora que nos envolve dentro das suas histórias.
Uma narrativa carregada de amizade, amor, sofrimento, suspense, reencontros, perdão, segredos, mistérios e medos.
Uma mensagem de hábitos e transmissão de valores familiares.
Adorei e em nada me desiludiu a autora que recomendo pela forma de escrita própria, a estrutura, descrições e desenvolvimento dos personagens, cenários e locais.
Uma lição de fé e esperança.
Foi uma leitura compulsiva, envolvente, cativante, deliciosa, mágica, comovente e suave que nos conta a história de um amor inocente entre Claire e Roan dois amigos de infância que após um terrível acidente, se vão separar por vinte anos.
Após o reencontro dos personagens segredos se vão revelar, um romance emocionante capaz de sobreviver a vinte anos de distância e às infelicidades do passado.
Será que o tempo apaga todo o sofrimento e desgraças por que passaram?
Deborah Smith é uma autora que nos envolve dentro das suas histórias.
Uma narrativa carregada de amizade, amor, sofrimento, suspense, reencontros, perdão, segredos, mistérios e medos.
Uma mensagem de hábitos e transmissão de valores familiares.
Adorei e em nada me desiludiu a autora que recomendo pela forma de escrita própria, a estrutura, descrições e desenvolvimento dos personagens, cenários e locais.
Uma lição de fé e esperança.
June 15, 2013
Dei 4 estrelas, muito pela história ter ritmo e ler-se bem, mas...para primeira história desta autora, humm..não me agradou muito. Não sei se foi a escrita da mesma, se o pouco interesse que a história me despertou. Tenho que experimentar outro.
Mas obrigado Patrícia, pelo empréstimo. :D
Mas obrigado Patrícia, pelo empréstimo. :D
July 20, 2014
3,5 estrelas
"Já li muito melhor desta autora e espero que ainda o venha a fazer com futuros livros."
"Já li muito melhor desta autora e espero que ainda o venha a fazer com futuros livros."
February 23, 2012
Lindo!!!
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