All That is Beautiful

Arrington #2

by Roxane Tepfer Sanford

Readers of The Girl in the Lighthouse continue Lillian Arrington's turbulent lifelong journey of lies, lust, and doomed love...

It is the year 1878, and at last, Lillian, now a young woman, is free from the prison called Sutton Hall and the evil grandmother who ruled. After years locked away far from her beloved lighthouse on Jasper Island, she finds her only escape through sheer luck and the generosity of one man, Richard Parker, an aspiring commercial illustrator. Though Lillian is shamed by the sins of her parents and the unspeakable act committed by Warren Stone, she entrusts her life to the charismatic, though married, Richard, until it is safe to return home.

However life, as unpredictable as the sea, has other plans for Lillian.

Not long after leaving, she is caught up in an adult world of money, greed, drugs, and sinful pleasures, turning her life upside down once again.

It is only when Lillian discovers the shocking truth to Richard's cruel years of deception that she finally returns to her lighthouse, desperate to recapture her lost years, and most of all, lost love.

But fate has one more devastating surprise in store, leaving Lillian with incomprehensible choices, and ultimately, tearing her beautiful new world apart.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Romance, Historical

320 pages, Nook

First published June 28, 2010

About the author

Roxane Tepfer Sanford is the author of the best selling family saga, The Girl in the Lighthouse, All That is Beautiful and Sacred Intentions (the Arrington series). Her writing style has been compared to that of well known gothic fiction author, V.C. Andrews.

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Praise for Roxane Tepfer Sanford:

Writer's Digest 2010
"The writing is lean and literate in style, painting a fascinating word portrait that is given a humanist depth in the way the author portrays Lillian’s turbulent journey through life as set against the historical environment and situation that inform the shaping of those characters’ lives and destines. The authors choice of incident is well honored in the way the individual scenes reveal character through action and dialogue; an entertaining and informative read."

Kam Aures for RebeccasReads.com (07/10)
"I truly enjoy Sanford’s writing and can’t wait to read future books from this talented author. If you enjoy V.C. Andrews' books, Sanford’s style and thought process is very similar and I think that you will enjoy her work!"

"Roxane Tepfer Sanford’s novel of betrayals, lost love, and shattered lives is intense, vivid, and unpredictable. The web which holds the plot together is reminiscent of V.C.Andrews’s Gothic style. I couldn’t put The Girl in the Lighthouse down once I started reading. I had to know more." http://www.hereandthere.us

"This book was wonderful could'nt put it down. It's very reminiscent of VC Andrews classics like Dawn, Melody and Flowers in The Attic."-Reader review-amazon.com

Melanie Tighe, owner of Dog-Eared Pages Used Books 2010
"Shadows of V.C. Andrews’ Flowers in the Attic hang over The Girl in the Lighthouse but Sanford adds a surprising twist that keeps the reader guessing about Lillian’s mysterious and horrifying family secret until the very end."

Reviews

[Sheri · Rating 5 out of 5]

All That Is Beautiful (Roxane Tepfer Sanford)

Picks up perfectly where "The Girl in the Lighthouse" left off.
Lillian is 16 years old and out of the hands of her evil, cruel grandmother Euginia. Out of money and no where to go she trusts in Richard Parker. He wants to make her a star, she just wants enough money to return home, to her beloved Lighthouse on Jasper Island. Memories of her youth and her childhood friends Ayden and Heath, and the happy times she had on the island consume her thoughts.

Twisted into the world of greed, lust and drugs Lillian seems to have reached her lowest, not knowing who to trust. Love is not easy for Lillian it seems to be the root of all evil. After the lies and deceit come to surface about Richards intents, she is able to return to Jasper Island.

Once back home, life is not as peaceful and easy as she remembered, and soon she is faced with life altering decisions. Secrets, betrayals, love and lust abound in this thrilling tale of one woman just trying to find true love and eventual happiness. A page turning dramatic read, with a lot of twists, turns and secrets, I could not put it down. I look forward to more work from Roxane Tepfer Sanford.

[Yvette · Rating 2 out of 5]

Writing a book must be an enormous undertaking. Creativity comes with a price - lots of activity going on in the brain at once. I can imagine that it takes a lot of effort to sort through the many stories and characters that form in an author’s head at one time. With this in mind, I will keep my criticism respectful. However, I also want to be honest, in the hopes that my humble opinion will help this very talented author to develop a more solid book in the future.


One of my greatest issues with this series is the lack of integrity of the characters. The characters were built with certain traits and then did not stay completely true to them. This was seen more in The Girl in the Lighthouse, (especially with Garret’s character), but carried over into All that is Beautiful. For example, Richard Parker, was an egotistical man who lived off of his wife’s money. He was eager to gain riches, fame, and fortune, at the expense of a young girl’s innocence. Never do we see hints of genuine love for Lillian throughout his usage of her. Out of the blue, towards the end of the book he is remorseful, sorry, and madly in love(?). Okay, remorsefulness is believable. People change. However, head over heels in love with Lillian? Richard goes on to ask her to never leave him, to stay. Where the heck does that come from? If he was such an ego maniac when in the world did he have the opportunity to look outside of himself to fall in love with the person he was using? Yes, this is a possible outcome, but the story wasn’t written in a way were it was believable. It didn’t naturally flow, it was not true to Richard’s traits.

Another character flaw or lack of explanation was the fact that Richard’s wife stood on his (the defense) side of the courtroom during the trial. This signifies support and we are told earlier in the book that she allowed Richard to use Lillian as a ploy to get him to cheat, so that she can have proof to divorce him and leave him penniless. We are never given an explanation of reconciliation. So, if they didn’t reconcile the author should have wrote Judith’s place in the courtroom elsewhere - to have her stand behind Richard shows a sign of support and this is not true to the story nor to Judith’s character. And if they did reconcile because Judith needed a good looking man by her side, or for some other reason, then it should have been stated, OR how about just leave Judith out of the scene? It really wasn’t important to the outcome.

How about Heath not really showing a lot of remorse for his brother’s supposed demise? Heath is a character of integrity, gentleness, with love of family. Yet, when Ayden supposedly drowned he doesn’t go into a deep depression over the loss of his only brother? Instead he quickly proposes to his brother’s wife and gets on with his life, as if nothing monumental happened. The author needed to write a time of mourning for it to have been credible to Heath’s character. This was a stand up guy, he wouldn’t have acted so quickly after the death of his brother and if he did, then he would’ve felt a tremendous pain for doing what needed to be done and neither one of these feelings were conveyed, to us, the readers.

I can go on and on about the lack of validity in the characters, but I want to also touch on other issues.

I have a problem with some of the historical aspects of the book. Yes, they were subtle, but they irked me. A good book stays true to the era. One thing that bothered me was the normal usage of baby bottles. Yes, by this time in history baby bottles were starting to be more prevalent than they had been in the past, but this was reserved more for the elite society who viewed breastfeeding as non-chic because it prevented them from socializing and wearing the fancy fashion of the time. Working class mothers still breastfed their babies. Someone like Hazel would not have been sticking a bottle in a baby’s mouth. Bottles were expensive and the nipples that were being sold had a horrendous odor and only the rich could afford the better “teats.” A working class mother would have either nurse her baby or hire a poor woman as a wet nurse. However, this was becoming less popular since cases of syphilis being passed from wet nurses to babies were occurring. In any case, it would’ve been more believable for both Hazel and later on, Lillian to breastfeed their babies. I doubt the little store in town had a readily available stash of expensive baby bottles!

And don’t get me started on cocaine usage during this time in history! Yes, it was being used, but as an ingredient in drinks and foods or in the medical community as an anesthetic and energy booster. Opium would’ve been a truer addictive street drug during this time. I will not go into a historical explanation of cocaine, but the author and her publisher should’ve done better research.

Okay, now let’s talk about Lillian. I have never read a book with a more vain protagonist! Holy cow, how many times was she going to tell us how beautiful and voluptuous she is. It was annoying. And how many times is she going to be raped or almost raped? Exploitation of her body was so overly used that it became ridiculous. Also, her decisions were annoying and sometimes stupid. Yes, at times her decision could be explained by her youth and innocence, but sometimes that was not the case because she would discuss things very rationally and then go completely against them! A lot of the times, her decisions were not believable, and it became almost laughable. There came a point when I could no longer feel sorry for her because her choices were ridiculous.

Lillian is able to sleep with every freaking man in the book, but when it comes to sleeping with her husband, a man she truly trusts, a man who loves her, she withholds. Her excuse is to be wholesome again. Whatever! Also, there is no transitional period from her exclusively-under-no-circumstance-do-I-want-to-have-children to I-am-so-happy-to-be-carrying-Ayden’s-child. Gosh, at least give us a few sentences of doubt, of getting use to the idea - a smidgen of a transition, so that the story flows at a more believable pace. Again, the author was not true to the trait that she created in that character. We are suppose to believe that she goes from one extreme to another without any doubt. And then the baby is born and there is very little about how in love she is with him, maybe just a few words about her love for this baby. There were paragraphs upon paragraphs of her lusting and loving Heath, but only a few words about the love of her child. Yes, this is very believable (insert sarcasm). And let’s not forget how easily she is able to leave her precious newborn with some elderly dude that she JUST met , so that she can go on a long date with Heath off of the island that they live on. Let me guess, the baby slept that entire time. Oh no wait, Oliver prepared the bottles. He sterilized them, milked the cow, put the milk in, and snapped that teat over the bottle just right, fed the baby and changed his diapers too!

There were so many things that were wrong or that needed further explanation and/or development in this book. Why were we introduced to Hazel’s little sickly daughter? What was the purpose of this character? I thought she was going to die, or teach us a lesson. I thought her illness was going to have importance to the story, but it didn’t. She was a cameo character that made no sense. And why did Oliver give the baby the cross, when we no longer heard anything about a ghost after that, except for the ghost who ends up being Ayden? I thought something cool and significant was going to come out of Oliver's character and from his cross, but again useless cameos.

The ending was rushed and pure nonsense. The Titanic, really? We waited all that time for that? Okay, the ending could’ve worked had it been further developed, but we got this rushed ending. My kid grew up, I was going to leave my husband, he was dying, asked me to stay. I stood. He died. I was going to meet the love of my life in NYC. He went on the Titanic and died. My family grew. I have great grandkids. Go back to the lighthouse. A bunch of letters are thrown at me that make little to no sense and I read them. I die and meet Heath. Ugh!

Before I end this, let me ask, how does the letter of her father make sense? We were told earlier on that he died in the arms of a prostitute when she was at the mansion and that is why he didn’t go back for her. He became less of a man without her mom, basically drunk himself to death, but then he was able to see her picture in the magazine, which came months (maybe even years) later and he was going to make up to Lillian his abandonment and her bad life, by being the father she deserved? So how did he really die and WHEN did he die? This again fits awkwardly into the story.

Pretty much this series with more patience, better editing, and more time could’ve been a five star. Why a five star? Because despite all the flaws the author has a beautiful way with words. She is talented, that is not in debate here. Her talent though needs to be further developed, just like this series.

[Roxane Sanford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Kam Aures for RebeccasReads.com (07/10)

Having previously read Roxane Tepfer Sanford’s first novel, “The Girl in the Lighthouse,” I have been eagerly awaiting this follow-up work, “All That is Beautiful,” and I must say that it did not disappoint. Like the first novel, the style is very similar to that of one of my favorite authors V.C. Andrews, very fast-paced and filled with drama, drama, and more drama.

In this second installment, it is 1878, and Lillian has escaped the walls of Sutton Hall and has fallen into the arms of Richard Parker, a married illustrator. She wants to return to her lighthouse on Jasper Island, but is told that the law is looking for her and that she cannot leave. She drops into a world of drugs, deception, money, and betrayal which once again causes her life to fall to pieces. Will she ever get back to Jasper Island? Will she see her childhood friends Ayden and Heath again? Will she be able to escape the past or will it continue to haunt her?

I enjoyed “All That Is Beautiful” as much as the first book in the Arrington series. It was well-written and held my attention from start to finish. There are many, many plot twists and turns making it a very difficult book to put down as you always want to read a little
bit further to see what is going to happen next. So many secrets are revealed that it is so easy to keep going and read the book in one sitting, which is exactly what I did! I love unpredictable books and there were tons of surprises in this one. I truly enjoy Sanford’s
writing and can’t wait to read future books from this talented author. If you enjoy V.C. Andrews' books, Sanford’s style and thought process is very similar and I think that you
will enjoy her work!

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Roxane Sanford is a gifted storyteller who knows how to keep you turning the pages. Her books are compelling, shocking,and original. I can guarantee that once you start to read the tragic saga of Lilian Arrington, (The Girl in the Lighthouse is the first, followed by the sequel, All That is Beautiful) you will not stop until you have reached the last page. I won't spoil the story, but these books are full of twists and turns and surprises that will shock you, entertain you, and keep you coming back for more.

[Marnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book as much as the first! A continuation of Lillian's life and journey back to the island where it all began for her. Includes a compelling true love story. I find that while I am an avid reader and fan of VC Andrews books, there is definite similarities in style of writing. So Roxane keep writing!! And I will definitely keep reading.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very haunting.. Loved it. Best book I have read in years!!!!

[Diane Yeingst · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full of Surprises

A novel that is full of surprises and twists. The ending was unexpected and left me speechless. Enjoyed the book and recommend it.

[Wisteria Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

ALL THAT IS BEAUTIFUL[return]Roxane Tepfer Sanford, Lumina Press, JUNE 2010, $16.96,pb,$34.95,hc 310pp,978-1-60594-460-9,978-1-60594-461-6[return][return]Synopsis from the publisher:[return][return]It is the year 1878, and at last, Lillian, now a young woman, is free from the prison called Sutton Hall and the evil grandmother who ruled. After years locked away and far from her beloved lighthouse on Jasper Island, she finds her only escape through sheer luck and the generosity of one man, Richard Parker, an aspiring commercial illustrator. Though Lillian is shamed by the sins of her parents, and the unspeakable act committed by Warren Stone, she entrusts her life to the charismatic, though married, Richard Parker, until it is safe to return home.[return]However life, as unpredictable as the sea, has other plans for Lillian.[return]Not long after leaving, she is caught up in an adult world of money, greed, drugs, and sinful pleasures, turning her life upside down once again.[return]It is only when Lillian discovers the shocking truth to Richard s cruel years of deception that she finally returns to her lighthouse, desperate to recapture her lost years, and most of all, lost love.[return]But fate has one more devastating surprise in store, leaving Lillian with incomprehensible choices, and ultimately, tearing her beautiful new world apart.[return][return]Evaluation:[return]I first read about Lillian Arrington when she was introduced in the first book, The Girl in the Lighthouse. One would think that Lillian had lived through enough and had endured enough. In All That is Beautiful, Lillian begins what she expects to be a new life, full of promise. One that she hopes will allow her to forget the scars of her past. It seems her destiny is a tragic one, will she ever recover?[return]There are times when I think Lillian is a selfish little brat, childlike and unrealistic. So much so, I didn t like her and felt her weak. Even though at times she appears confused, disillusioned and living in a fantasy, her character survives. You may come to embrace or at least understand her actions when you reflect upon her past. She is desperate for love, desperate for a happy and safe life. After returning to Jasper Island she believes she has found solace. [return]All That Is Beautiful is a delicate journey, a story of Lillian s precipitous life. Soulfully memorable with the potential for unimaginable tears, this is a story that will paralyze your heart. [return][return][return]

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow I couldn’t have imagined Lillian could get into so much trouble is a short period of time. Although it starts off slowly it does pick up and becomes a real saga through the years.

After escaping from her psycho grandmother and then getting away from her equally psycho father she meets up with Richard Parker and his strange wife Judith. Richard promises to help her get back to her beloved Jasper Island but first she must hide out from the law with him in New York City. Seriously that girl is so naïve it is almost frustrating.

Whilst living with Richard, he introduces Lillian first to alcohol and then later to hard core drugs. Maybe I am as naïve as Lillian, but I didn’t realise cocaine was around in the 1870’s. Poor Lillian, she really didn’t stand a chance. As she is so trusting she believes him when he tells her that he loves her, wants to draw her picture and thinks she should star in a Burlesque show. All the time Judith is staying at her family’s estate and leaving Richard to shower Lillian with gifts, dinners and clothes. He is the ultimate manipulator.

After a couple of years with Richard, and having fallen in love with him she finds herself again alone and looking for a way to get back to her beloved Jasper Island. Enter Ned the man that Richard hates the most in the whole world. Yet again a man bestows what Lillian believes to be love on her and again she gets hurt.

Finally making it back to Jasper Island she appears to be happy with Ayden, until Heath returns, followed by the Assistant Keeper and his family. More dramas and problems arise for Lillian and then when she and Heath have to return to New York City where she has her heart broken yet again. Some good and bad news greets her upon her return and again everything seems to be working out until her life is again thrown into turmoil.

Honestly this poor girl goes through so much in her life that I couldn’t possibly imagine how she survived it all. I was bawling like a baby by the end of this book and I generally don’t cry when reading books but this one just got to me.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SOME HINTS AS TO SPOILERS.


As I said in my review of the first book, this series is pretty much pure V.C. Andrews although not as well written, in my opinion. And you will either love it or hate it for that reason. I, personally, quite enjoy this sort of guilty pleasure reading and I flowed right into this book full of improbable coincidences, repeatedly astounding just-missed accidents of timing, bewilderingly baffling absurd actions (letting go of the journal before you read it? LEAVING LETTERS LYING AROUND?! REALLY?!?) and drama, drama, DRAMA. As far as I am concerned, all that goes with the territory that this sort of book covers. Along with the twists and twists and twists that occur during the course of this story, culminating in an ending 'twist of fate' so conveniently absurd that it made me literally laugh out loud.

I don't mean to imply a negative with my title of trash fiction -- that's what I've always called books of the V.C. Andrews vein -- because there is skill required to make a story wind around itself so improbably and still keep the reader reading. And I kept reading. And I would've started immediately on the next one, if it were available.

If you are not familiar with V.C. Andrews, then I'm not sure how to review this/these books for your sake. They aren't high art, I can tell you that. These are incestuous compelling dramati soap operas condensed between two covers. These are read-in-one-sitting books.

I'd recommend to any V.C. Andrews fans, as long as you don't expect them to be as good as the originals.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Deception. Lies. Booze. Sex. Drugs. Blackmail. Risqué acting. Guile. Adultery. Exploitation. Plans for revenge.

The Girl in the Lighthouse continues in this second book about Lillian and in her naiveté, she travels with Richard and his wife Judith to their home in New York. Lillian doesn't understand neither the looks she gets from other women nor the looks she garners from men. Richard has gained her trust by promising her a ticket back to the island where she is from in exchange for allowing him to sketch a portrait of her. The days turn into weeks yet she remains in New York with more promises but no deliveries. He hasn't delivered on those promises and so she remains at his mercy.

Richard uses guile, deceit, blackmail, sex, and lies to get what he wants while Lillian continues to be incredibly naive and gullible. Only now she is under the influence of drugs, alcohol, and what she thinks is love and continues to fall for the lies. Will someone just slap the silly out of her!

There are many people in Lillian's life. People who use her and people who love her. Her life has become such a mess, some of it her fault and some through the fault of others. When she finally begins to find some happiness, someone comes along to throw her life in disarray once again.

Heath behaves ignominiously though I won't get into how.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

**Contains spoilers**
This book picked up perfectly where the first ended. However, I was incredibly disappointed in the lack of integrity of the characters, especially Lillian!
She blames all of her foolish mistakes, and unfortunate turn of events all on everyone else and takes little to no responsibility for her own actions. Yes, it is understandable that she was young and naive and I will agree that she did have some horrible things happen to her that was out of her control. But her credibility is very questionable in my opinion.
The author seems to give credit to Lillian for staying with Ayden and her son Thomas and letting her beloved Heath go on his way...but I find it quite despicable that she is all the while pinning for Heath and not loving her husband to the extent that he deserves. A man that loves and accepts her unconditionally. The fact that Heath and Lillian writing letters to one another about how they are still in love and will one day be together again is very disturbing.
I understand that she feels that he is her one true love, but if that is the case she should have went with him and been honest with Ayden that she could not love him the way that she does Heath.
By the end of this book I was very disappointed, to say the least!

[Nanci de Suffren · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I didn't like this book because Lillian kept making what seemed to be the same mistakes and I thought, "Wise up!" But then I realized how young she was and what kind of life she came from. She never had a chance to make little mistakes. She was thrown into a world that she had no way of knowing how to cope with. That she survived at all, in spite of this, creates an amazing, heart wrenching story that, if many of us were honest, could reflect our own life journey. Roxane writes a story without the naiveté I might expect from someone so young. I'm there. I'm 61 and I can look back at a life of mistakes and walls that I have run into and imagine that if someone read my story, they might yell the same thing, "Wise up!"
Although Lillian's life is far more dramatic and challenging than mine ever was, the impact of individuals in her life is the stuff of life's learning experiences. Bravo Roxane for capturing the tough, defining moments of lives and creating such a compelling story.

[Fred James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book mainly takes place on Jasper island were Lillian grew up child and is now returning as an adult to live the remainder of her life in peace in a place she found tranquillity. She marries a childhood sweetheart and are caretakers the same light house with her husband that her momma and daddy did many years earlier. She would need to overcome many obstacles such as mental, physical, having a baby and being torn between the two people that love her the most. Returning to the city for a trial she rather forget,this too has its own twist with the reintroduction of Sarah.though the ending had a twist no one would ever see coming it kept me on pins and needles throughout.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to be entertained for several hours. I don't recommend putting this book down once you start unless absolutely necessary.This book will blow you away with all its high points and low points and a dramatic ending like no other. Can't wait for the third!!

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book carries on smoothly from the first in the series and we are immediately back into the action. I hated to put this book down and wanted to keep on going back to it. There are a few editing bug bears but this in no way takes you away from the plot. I found myself saying "Noooo!" out loud at parts at poor Lillian's tale. She really does go through it but still manages to keep on going. I was rooting for her to get back to Jasper Island and to be reunited with Heath. When I was coming close to the end I kept looking at the percentage line at the bottom of my kindle and thinking - oh no I am nearly finished and I want much more. The ending was completely unexpected and I must admit I had to brush a tear or two of my cheek. I really enjoyed reading this story and once again want to thank Roxane for sharing it with us. I look forward to more :)

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

The trials and tribulations that Lillian faces seem to be unending. Every time she seemingly meets someone who can help some unknown force comes in and ruins it for her (Richard, Ned, Ayden, Heath) but her perseverance is consistent.
Having not read the first book in the series, I didn't fully know what I was stepping into. I enjoyed reading the book, which kind of reminded me of a V.C. Andrews novel. Sanford's writing style is detailed but you aren't dragged down by the details. The story is continually moving forward. I look forward to reading the first book in the series, The Girl in the Lighthouse, and will be looking out for new books published by Sanford. I received my copy as a firstreads free copy.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

All That is Beautiful picks up right where the first book, The Girl in the Lighthouse, left off. After being tortured and abused, Lillian Arrington, beautiful and naive, clings to the only hope she can of getting back to her beloved Jasper Island, where she met and grew up with two brothers Ayden and Heath, who she still cares for. With the help of Richard Parker, an artist who promises Lillian she can earn enough money if she allows him to draw her, she would be able to get back home. But instead, Richard only leads her down a dangerous path that takes her further from home, and deeper into his clutches. Great second novel by Sanford that is full of heartbreaking twists and turns. No matter what her mistakes, I root for Lillian all the way.

[Corey · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had some hesitations with the first novel in this series but I liked Lillian enough to want to know the rest of her story so I purchased this sequel in hopes of finding out the rest of the story.

Sigh.

I am not sure even where to begin. The overall picture of the story isn't too terrible but it gets so muddied and overwhelmed with just too much tragedy and sorrows and rehashed VC Andrews stories that it is almost too much. As in my review for A Girl in the Lighthouse, I feel that some of these stories could have been dropped and the book would be stronger.

The bones of this story were good and it wasn't a waste of my time but it was a definite let down from the previous novel.

[Rhonda · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading the first book in this series, I was very intrigued to know the rest of Lillian Arrington's story. While reading this book, I was entranced and saddened at how such a beautiful person (inside and out) could make such a mess of her life. It truly was heart wrenching to read this book. I kept wanting so badly for her life to work out the way it should and was thrilled when she finally ended up back on Jasper Island. But just when you think the heartache is all over for her, the author throws in a few more twists and turns.

I am now reading the 3rd book in this series - which is a prequel to the first two. I'm looking forward to finding out all of the Arrington family secrets and hoping it will make the first two books make even more sense.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't even know where to start. This story had me angry at times, happy at times, and down right sad. I had tears rolling down my cheeks at times. The story picks up where the first book leaves off. We follow Lillian on her journey through her relationship with Richard and her plight to get home to Jasper Island. It's rare for me to find a story let alone an entire series that leaves me filled with such emotion that I'm left speechless and lost for words.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book picks up where The Girl in the Lighthouse left off. We are tossed right back into Lillians life and all the twists and turns she was forced into making. I am torn in my feelings regarding this book. While I couldn't put it down, and in fact, stayed up most of last night to finish it, I was very disappointed in the outcome. While I continued to read, hoping for the resolution I wanted, it ended leaving me with sadness for all of the characters. There were at times character inconsistencies, though mostly minor, left me scratching my head a couple of times. While I would recommend reading this book, it wasn't my idea of a romantic ending...

[Ishanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! This book easily gets 5 stars from me. While it was still depressing, it reminded me so much of my beloved VC Andrews (original books). My breath was easily taken away. I read this book within around 6 hours!!! The end had me in a waterfall of tears. Excellent writing! On to the last book but I am sooooo hoping this author keeps writing gems like these! Wow!!!! The setting, the characters.... Thank you, Miss Roxanne for making me feel like I'm part of a story. (Hope we can work together in the future).

[Heather Angel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sequel to The Girl in the Lighthouse, this book had it's interesting parts however I felt it tended to jump all over the place. The final chapters became even more frustrating to read as it seemed the Author couldn't make up her mind which way she wanted it to end. I have not read books by this Author before and would venture a guess that this may be a newer Author as both books were not written very well. Overall it might be a good read for a young adult~

[Gayle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't give out 4 stars easily and the only reason I gave this one such high marks is that it was a real page turner. Looking back on the story as a whole, a lot happened in this short book and I felt that the ending was a bit rushed and too convenient but overall I really enjoyed this book. Be prepared for lots of twists and turns in the storyline. Lillian really gets around in this one!

[Flower · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good trilogy. I liked the story. Have not been much for the "Sparks" type sad, sad stories lately. Interesting historical stuff in these 3 books. Did not read these in the correct order, but in the order the trilogy came from the kindle book store. Read 3, 1, 2 and it worked out ok. Don't read unless you need a good cry.

[Jackie Ballard · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was so happy to find out about this book. As I thought "The Girl in the Lighthouse" didn't have a sequel. It started out slow and I was mad at Lillian a lot for being so young minded but loved the book through and through... A must read series!!

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book better then the first. Lillian didn't seem to be as much of a crier and it was longer. I think the other book had so much crammed into too little pages. I also like the twist with the titanic. It wasn't a favorite of mine though.

[Mari Amezcua · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book will not dissappoint! i read this within 2 hours because it kept you on the edge of your seat. now it did have like sort of the same story plot like in V.C ANDREWS " FLOWERS IN THE ATTIC" but i absolutely LOVED this series as well!

[Marianne Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am just loving this series. Author is wonderful at keeping the reader so involved with the characters. The only problem I am finding (and it may be just the Kindle version that has the problem) is that there are many, many typos. Other than that, love this series!

[Dgoll · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointing sequel.