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On Little Wings
Jennifer's mother is not an only child.
Jennifer's aunt has thirty seven freckles.
And life just stopped making sense for this sixteen-year-old girl from Nebraska.
It will take one forbidden journey, an octogenarian movie star, three old pirates, and one scarred genius to put all the pieces back together.
If that is even possible.
When Jennifer finds a dog-eared photograph of a freckled girl, she never dreams the innocent picture will tear open a gaping wound to her mother's concealed past.
Jennifer must leave her home, parents, and best friend in the wheat fields of Nebraska and travel to the rocky shores of Maine to find the aunt she's never met. Her search for the truth is distracted by the strange and hilarious characters she finds in the tight-knit town of Smithport. From the 88 year old movie star who likes to show off her tattoo, to the fishermen who have a passion for rockets, to the aunt who recites poetry in the long, Maine nights, Jennifer is intrigued by the lives swirling around her.
In the midst of madness she meets Nathan, the tight-lipped, reluctant prodigy who is surrounded by women who need him to be brother, father, protector, provider, and now, first love.
With a restrained, mature, and uncertain voice, Jennifer shares her tale of family, love, loss, truth and beauty.
As Jennifer seeks to piece together her mother's shattered story, she inadvertently writes one for herself.
Jennifer's aunt has thirty seven freckles.
And life just stopped making sense for this sixteen-year-old girl from Nebraska.
It will take one forbidden journey, an octogenarian movie star, three old pirates, and one scarred genius to put all the pieces back together.
If that is even possible.
When Jennifer finds a dog-eared photograph of a freckled girl, she never dreams the innocent picture will tear open a gaping wound to her mother's concealed past.
Jennifer must leave her home, parents, and best friend in the wheat fields of Nebraska and travel to the rocky shores of Maine to find the aunt she's never met. Her search for the truth is distracted by the strange and hilarious characters she finds in the tight-knit town of Smithport. From the 88 year old movie star who likes to show off her tattoo, to the fishermen who have a passion for rockets, to the aunt who recites poetry in the long, Maine nights, Jennifer is intrigued by the lives swirling around her.
In the midst of madness she meets Nathan, the tight-lipped, reluctant prodigy who is surrounded by women who need him to be brother, father, protector, provider, and now, first love.
With a restrained, mature, and uncertain voice, Jennifer shares her tale of family, love, loss, truth and beauty.
As Jennifer seeks to piece together her mother's shattered story, she inadvertently writes one for herself.
418 pages, Paperback
First published December 13, 2011
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1975 people want to read
About the author
Regina Sirois
7 books101 followersWinner of the 2012 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award for my debut novel, On Little Wings, available 5/30/13 from Penguin/Viking.
I am a housewife, mother, writer, interior decorator and avid reader.
I am a housewife, mother, writer, interior decorator and avid reader.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 264 reviews
March 13, 2012
Sometimes you find a book that thrills you on the first few pages and then peters out after a while, leaving you disappointed, yawning, and reaching for a different book. However, once in a great while you encounter a novel that entices you on the first page and beguiles until the last word. “On Little Wings” by Regina Sirois is such a book. Published in 2011 by CreateSpace, it’s the debut novel of a writer who creates unforgettable characters and dresses their story in exceptionally well-crafted prose that sometimes borders on poetry.
For example: “The moon had come out of her dressing room arrayed in a streaming, white gown. A dark circle surrounded her in the sky where no stars dared to stand too close… The haughty moon glared through her round crater eyes and I felt the chilly breeze as she brushed her brilliant skirt aside to avoid me as she stepped across the night.”
Who writes like that anymore?!? Not enough authors! This book is virtually devoid of clichés. Readers sometimes skip narrative passages to get to the dialogue and find out what happens next. That would be a mistake with this book because the narrative passages and descriptions deserve to be savored and pondered. Sirois has woven a complex, believable plot skillfully with threads of exceptionally delicious prose.
“On Little Wings” is a first-love coming-of-age story that has interesting teenage characters just as complex as the complicated adults who populate the pages of this book. Sixteen-year-old Jennifer, an only child, finds an old photograph in the back of a book while researching in the family library for a school assignment. It is the beginning of her discovery of family secrets. When her family was torn apart by death twenty years before, Jennifer’s mother Claire left home, and never spoke to, or about, her sister Sarah again. Now the picture of a young woman who looks a lot like Jennifer opens the door to the unknown world of her mother’s childhood.
Abandoning her comfortable life with her parents and best friend in the wheat fields of Nebraska, Jennifer seeks her Aunt Sarah in the fishing village of Smithport on the untamed coast of Maine where she struggles to understand why her mother lied to her for sixteen years. Across the grey, rocky cove Jennifer meets Nathan Moore, a young reluctant genius surrounded by women who need him to be their brother, father, friend, provider and protector. In this dramatic setting, with this fascinating, sometimes brooding young man, Jennifer also finds her first love.
Assorted hilarious as well as heartbreaking stories of the people she meets in Smithport—people who knew her mother as a child—combine to teach Jennifer more about herself as she pieces together her mother’s history. But the real reason why her mother left is still a mystery until Jennifer manages to do what has always seemed impossible—bring her mother home.
As the teenage and adult worlds collide, both are turned upside down, but both eventually find a satisfying grownup resolution. I'm giving this book as many stars as possible.
For example: “The moon had come out of her dressing room arrayed in a streaming, white gown. A dark circle surrounded her in the sky where no stars dared to stand too close… The haughty moon glared through her round crater eyes and I felt the chilly breeze as she brushed her brilliant skirt aside to avoid me as she stepped across the night.”
Who writes like that anymore?!? Not enough authors! This book is virtually devoid of clichés. Readers sometimes skip narrative passages to get to the dialogue and find out what happens next. That would be a mistake with this book because the narrative passages and descriptions deserve to be savored and pondered. Sirois has woven a complex, believable plot skillfully with threads of exceptionally delicious prose.
“On Little Wings” is a first-love coming-of-age story that has interesting teenage characters just as complex as the complicated adults who populate the pages of this book. Sixteen-year-old Jennifer, an only child, finds an old photograph in the back of a book while researching in the family library for a school assignment. It is the beginning of her discovery of family secrets. When her family was torn apart by death twenty years before, Jennifer’s mother Claire left home, and never spoke to, or about, her sister Sarah again. Now the picture of a young woman who looks a lot like Jennifer opens the door to the unknown world of her mother’s childhood.
Abandoning her comfortable life with her parents and best friend in the wheat fields of Nebraska, Jennifer seeks her Aunt Sarah in the fishing village of Smithport on the untamed coast of Maine where she struggles to understand why her mother lied to her for sixteen years. Across the grey, rocky cove Jennifer meets Nathan Moore, a young reluctant genius surrounded by women who need him to be their brother, father, friend, provider and protector. In this dramatic setting, with this fascinating, sometimes brooding young man, Jennifer also finds her first love.
Assorted hilarious as well as heartbreaking stories of the people she meets in Smithport—people who knew her mother as a child—combine to teach Jennifer more about herself as she pieces together her mother’s history. But the real reason why her mother left is still a mystery until Jennifer manages to do what has always seemed impossible—bring her mother home.
As the teenage and adult worlds collide, both are turned upside down, but both eventually find a satisfying grownup resolution. I'm giving this book as many stars as possible.
April 18, 2012
You guys, I love this book so hard core! It knocked me right off my feet with its unique voice, real emotions, genuine relationships between characters, and a ton more! In many ways it reminded me of a Sarah Dessen novel combined with the raw emotions seen in Other Words for Love by Lorraine Zago Rosenthal, and then finally mixed with all the family drama that is included in Squalor, New Mexico by Lisette Brody. So yes this book reminded me of all three of these BUT it also stuck out in its own way. Regina managed to take every single thing I loved about Sarah, Lorraine, and Lisette’s books and then added more to it.
Jennifer’s life changes drastically when she finds a photo of a girl (taken several years earlier) that looks just like her. Digging further and further into the mystery surrounding the photo, Jennifer soon finds herself at her estranged Aunt Sarah’s house, in a small beach town, states away (despite the many attempts from her mom to keep her home). The journey that Jennifer embarks on means major changes for not only her, but her mom, her Aunt Sarah, and few others as well. I love that this book is primarily about how Jennifer grows as a person, but we are also able to see a HUGE change in many of the secondary characters.
Jennifer’s character was so easy for me to relate to! She may be an only child and a whole lot quieter and more timid than I can ever imagine being but she was an old soul much like myself. She seemed like a real teenager with real teenager-ish thoughts running through her head yet she made relatively level-headed decisions like someone so wise beyond her years. She was just such a great mix of shy, vulnerable, determined, and sweet. All the experiences that Jennifer goes through do not take away from these already great characteristics; instead they make her stronger, braver, and even wiser.
The story was going beautifully from the beginning, but it was really when Jennifer went to visit her aunt that it truly started for me. Meeting Aunt Sarah and her neighbor Nathan as well as some of the town’s people just added so much to the story. Aunt Sarah is exactly the type of person you would want for an aunt. She is a great friend when you need it and a motherly figure when you may not think you need it but actually do. She so clearly loves Jennifer and her mom, Claire, regardless of how painful the years of distance have been. The connection between Jennifer and her aunt proved to be a strong one, even if it was their first time meeting. Also, the relationship between Sarah and Claire is complicated at best. We get to learn all about their falling out and let me just say, it had me rooting for the both of them. You were able to see how much hurt they caused each other but also how much they missed one another, I just couldn’t wait for them to reconcile.
Nathan, Sarah’s neighbor, student, and Jennifer’s primary love interest in the story was so complex yet so great. He is really freaking smart, like genius status, so that kind of makes him socially awkward. He is cute, quiet, and so observant of everyone and everything around him. He may not say a whole lot but when he does, it makes it that much more important. Through their (Nathan, Sarah, and Jennifer) nightly reading sessions, we were able to see more of who Nathan really was. Even though things may seem relatively easy for him, he actually has way more responsibility than any teen should. Taking care of his younger sisters takes a lot of his time and energy and as much as he would like to dedicate some of that time towards Jennifer, it is just hard. Their relationship did not form into much more than a very close friendship but there was definitely something simmering beneath the surface. Throughout a lot of the story, they are both going through so much, and have yet to learn quite a few things that I really found their situation believable. Sometimes you can meet a super fabulous person, it just may not be the perfect timing. I love that the story was not all rainbows and unicorns, yet it left room to believe in a happy future for the two.
The town of which Jennifer is visiting could be a character in and of itself. I could so vividly picture whatever it was that Jennifer was seeing. From the houses to the smell of salt water in the air and even the boaters heading out to fish, it seemed so real and tangible. The quirky towns people like Little and The Jacks caused for some great laughs through this story as well. Regina’s writing was so wonderfully descriptive even when it came to the smaller details.
This story is full of all things beautiful. The characters shined so bright in this story, the relationships between them all seemed so genuine, I LOVED Regina’s attention to detail throughout the whole story, and more than anything, I love the paths the characters go down through this book. There are so many positive things I can say about this book but instead I’ll leave you with, On Little Wings surprised the heck out of me and I just know you guys will love it too!
Jennifer’s life changes drastically when she finds a photo of a girl (taken several years earlier) that looks just like her. Digging further and further into the mystery surrounding the photo, Jennifer soon finds herself at her estranged Aunt Sarah’s house, in a small beach town, states away (despite the many attempts from her mom to keep her home). The journey that Jennifer embarks on means major changes for not only her, but her mom, her Aunt Sarah, and few others as well. I love that this book is primarily about how Jennifer grows as a person, but we are also able to see a HUGE change in many of the secondary characters.
Jennifer’s character was so easy for me to relate to! She may be an only child and a whole lot quieter and more timid than I can ever imagine being but she was an old soul much like myself. She seemed like a real teenager with real teenager-ish thoughts running through her head yet she made relatively level-headed decisions like someone so wise beyond her years. She was just such a great mix of shy, vulnerable, determined, and sweet. All the experiences that Jennifer goes through do not take away from these already great characteristics; instead they make her stronger, braver, and even wiser.
The story was going beautifully from the beginning, but it was really when Jennifer went to visit her aunt that it truly started for me. Meeting Aunt Sarah and her neighbor Nathan as well as some of the town’s people just added so much to the story. Aunt Sarah is exactly the type of person you would want for an aunt. She is a great friend when you need it and a motherly figure when you may not think you need it but actually do. She so clearly loves Jennifer and her mom, Claire, regardless of how painful the years of distance have been. The connection between Jennifer and her aunt proved to be a strong one, even if it was their first time meeting. Also, the relationship between Sarah and Claire is complicated at best. We get to learn all about their falling out and let me just say, it had me rooting for the both of them. You were able to see how much hurt they caused each other but also how much they missed one another, I just couldn’t wait for them to reconcile.
Nathan, Sarah’s neighbor, student, and Jennifer’s primary love interest in the story was so complex yet so great. He is really freaking smart, like genius status, so that kind of makes him socially awkward. He is cute, quiet, and so observant of everyone and everything around him. He may not say a whole lot but when he does, it makes it that much more important. Through their (Nathan, Sarah, and Jennifer) nightly reading sessions, we were able to see more of who Nathan really was. Even though things may seem relatively easy for him, he actually has way more responsibility than any teen should. Taking care of his younger sisters takes a lot of his time and energy and as much as he would like to dedicate some of that time towards Jennifer, it is just hard. Their relationship did not form into much more than a very close friendship but there was definitely something simmering beneath the surface. Throughout a lot of the story, they are both going through so much, and have yet to learn quite a few things that I really found their situation believable. Sometimes you can meet a super fabulous person, it just may not be the perfect timing. I love that the story was not all rainbows and unicorns, yet it left room to believe in a happy future for the two.
The town of which Jennifer is visiting could be a character in and of itself. I could so vividly picture whatever it was that Jennifer was seeing. From the houses to the smell of salt water in the air and even the boaters heading out to fish, it seemed so real and tangible. The quirky towns people like Little and The Jacks caused for some great laughs through this story as well. Regina’s writing was so wonderfully descriptive even when it came to the smaller details.
This story is full of all things beautiful. The characters shined so bright in this story, the relationships between them all seemed so genuine, I LOVED Regina’s attention to detail throughout the whole story, and more than anything, I love the paths the characters go down through this book. There are so many positive things I can say about this book but instead I’ll leave you with, On Little Wings surprised the heck out of me and I just know you guys will love it too!
August 16, 2013
The Gist of It
Described as a young adult novel, I felt as if On Little Wings was far deeper than the genre describes. This is a story about multiple generations of women leaving, and returning, to small town Maine. In the middle of a school project one afternoon, sixteen-year-old Jennifer finds a photograph of a young woman she does not know and this leads her to discover her mother is estranged from her sister, Jennifer's aunt, in Smithport, Maine. Jennifer embarks on a Maine adventure for the summer to learn about her family history and to heal old wounds.
At the story's outset we meet Jennifer, and her parents, in Nebraska, but the vast majority of the novel is set in coastal Maine. As someone who has never been, I found it beautiful and well-described, if a bit foreign. I imagine someone more familiar with the area would be even more drawn to the scenery.
Jennifer, as a character, is a mature sixteen-year-old and she is a believable and strong narrator. Jennifer's aunt, Sarah, is a teacher in Smithport and lovable, if a bit sad. She lives alone in her old family home, Shelter Cove, kept company by her mutt, Charlie, and cat, Chester. Sarah mentors a local prodigy, Nathan, who struggles to fit in socially and bears the responsibility of caring for his single mother and three young sisters. The women in Nathan's family (Judith, Claude, Hester, and Darcy) provide small bouts of comedic relief throughout the story's development. We also meet Little, an elderly former movie star, living alone near Sarah in Smithport. At age 78, Little brings cranky old lady humor to the story, but also helps move the characters along as she lacks patience and speaks her mind. Finally, we get to know Claire, Jennifer's mother, largely through Jennifer and Sarah's storytelling. Claire is presented as hardened from her experience in Smithport and has not been back to her hometown since age seventeen.
This novel is food for a language lover's soul. Nathan and Sarah participate in a nightly ritual they call "lines" where they each select a small reading to share with the other. Jennifer joins in this nightly activity during her time in Smithport and it becomes one of her favorite times of the day. There are love stories to be found in the story lines, but this is not a love story. This is about women and family and hometowns.
The characters and their journey will make you feel as if you are sharing stories, after a long time apart, in a coffee shop with good friends.
My Favorite Quotes
"When something stands up to the sea’s temper for that long, it garners a certain respect. Our homes deserve names because they fight the elements with us, beside us.”
"I realized that I could not include myself in the ranks of the heartbroken. Life had left my heart solidly intact. It made no sense, not even to me, but I shivered as the loneliness passed over me. I felt inferior. Untested. Ignored by God himself."
"All I had to do was walk ten feet to the truck. And keep breathing. Sometimes life asks too much of us. "
Final Thoughts
Read it! With all you would expect from a great summer read - beaches, late night rendezvous, Fourth of July fireworks, and young love - it is a comfortable story and beautifully written.
Described as a young adult novel, I felt as if On Little Wings was far deeper than the genre describes. This is a story about multiple generations of women leaving, and returning, to small town Maine. In the middle of a school project one afternoon, sixteen-year-old Jennifer finds a photograph of a young woman she does not know and this leads her to discover her mother is estranged from her sister, Jennifer's aunt, in Smithport, Maine. Jennifer embarks on a Maine adventure for the summer to learn about her family history and to heal old wounds.
At the story's outset we meet Jennifer, and her parents, in Nebraska, but the vast majority of the novel is set in coastal Maine. As someone who has never been, I found it beautiful and well-described, if a bit foreign. I imagine someone more familiar with the area would be even more drawn to the scenery.
Jennifer, as a character, is a mature sixteen-year-old and she is a believable and strong narrator. Jennifer's aunt, Sarah, is a teacher in Smithport and lovable, if a bit sad. She lives alone in her old family home, Shelter Cove, kept company by her mutt, Charlie, and cat, Chester. Sarah mentors a local prodigy, Nathan, who struggles to fit in socially and bears the responsibility of caring for his single mother and three young sisters. The women in Nathan's family (Judith, Claude, Hester, and Darcy) provide small bouts of comedic relief throughout the story's development. We also meet Little, an elderly former movie star, living alone near Sarah in Smithport. At age 78, Little brings cranky old lady humor to the story, but also helps move the characters along as she lacks patience and speaks her mind. Finally, we get to know Claire, Jennifer's mother, largely through Jennifer and Sarah's storytelling. Claire is presented as hardened from her experience in Smithport and has not been back to her hometown since age seventeen.
This novel is food for a language lover's soul. Nathan and Sarah participate in a nightly ritual they call "lines" where they each select a small reading to share with the other. Jennifer joins in this nightly activity during her time in Smithport and it becomes one of her favorite times of the day. There are love stories to be found in the story lines, but this is not a love story. This is about women and family and hometowns.
The characters and their journey will make you feel as if you are sharing stories, after a long time apart, in a coffee shop with good friends.
My Favorite Quotes
"When something stands up to the sea’s temper for that long, it garners a certain respect. Our homes deserve names because they fight the elements with us, beside us.”
"I realized that I could not include myself in the ranks of the heartbroken. Life had left my heart solidly intact. It made no sense, not even to me, but I shivered as the loneliness passed over me. I felt inferior. Untested. Ignored by God himself."
"All I had to do was walk ten feet to the truck. And keep breathing. Sometimes life asks too much of us. "
Final Thoughts
Read it! With all you would expect from a great summer read - beaches, late night rendezvous, Fourth of July fireworks, and young love - it is a comfortable story and beautifully written.
April 14, 2012
First line:
"The DNA of mice and humans is 98% identical."
Loved this story. Loved the descriptions. I felt like I was in small town Maine with Jennifer. I want to visit there. Can I remake my home to resemble a beach cottage? Because now I really, really want to. Thanks a lot Regina! *smiley face*
There were many times I wanted to bookmark a certain sentence or passage but I couldn't take the time to stop reading to do it. I'm glad I own a copy of the book on my phone so I can reread it. I would love to own a physical copy as well.
Regina has done a superb job of characterizations, descriptions, plot and setting.
Each character is unique with a strong voice. I loved all of them. Especially Little and the Jacks.
The author also has a way with words that made me want to reread and reread and then copy the passages. I even read quite a few out loud to my husband as he drove.
The plot was about family, lost relationships, healing, forgiveness and summer love.
And the setting! I could taste the salt air and hear the sea gulls play.
This is a book I would reread again and again.
Rating: PG
V: No
L: No
S: No
Liked:
Nathan
Jennifer
Sarah
Little
Hester
Everything!
Disliked:
Having to read it on my iPhone
"The DNA of mice and humans is 98% identical."
Loved this story. Loved the descriptions. I felt like I was in small town Maine with Jennifer. I want to visit there. Can I remake my home to resemble a beach cottage? Because now I really, really want to. Thanks a lot Regina! *smiley face*
There were many times I wanted to bookmark a certain sentence or passage but I couldn't take the time to stop reading to do it. I'm glad I own a copy of the book on my phone so I can reread it. I would love to own a physical copy as well.
Regina has done a superb job of characterizations, descriptions, plot and setting.
Each character is unique with a strong voice. I loved all of them. Especially Little and the Jacks.
The author also has a way with words that made me want to reread and reread and then copy the passages. I even read quite a few out loud to my husband as he drove.
The plot was about family, lost relationships, healing, forgiveness and summer love.
And the setting! I could taste the salt air and hear the sea gulls play.
This is a book I would reread again and again.
Rating: PG
V: No
L: No
S: No
Liked:
Nathan
Jennifer
Sarah
Little
Hester
Everything!
Disliked:
Having to read it on my iPhone
June 23, 2013
The author.
I picked up this book because Regina Sirois was a friend of a friend. We went together to her new author event at our local bookstore. She was beautiful and sweet and just really wonderful to meet.
The book.
The book is breathtaking. I read all types but usually prefer fantasy. The more inconceivable the better. I've enjoyed a lot of more realistic books but I've never LOVED one. The characters are so real. They are individual people that you just love with all of their imperfections and bad choices. The setting was interesting. I've never been to the northeast, and I'm a mid-west girl. Something that was new to me and intriguing and something that I was familiar with and loved. I knew just what Jennifer was describing when she told Nathan about Nebraska. The pains of first love were so well articulated that my chest hurt. And the reunion between sisters moved me. Nothing happened in that family that couldn't happen in any family. Which is part of what makes it so special to read.
I picked up this book because Regina Sirois was a friend of a friend. We went together to her new author event at our local bookstore. She was beautiful and sweet and just really wonderful to meet.
The book.
The book is breathtaking. I read all types but usually prefer fantasy. The more inconceivable the better. I've enjoyed a lot of more realistic books but I've never LOVED one. The characters are so real. They are individual people that you just love with all of their imperfections and bad choices. The setting was interesting. I've never been to the northeast, and I'm a mid-west girl. Something that was new to me and intriguing and something that I was familiar with and loved. I knew just what Jennifer was describing when she told Nathan about Nebraska. The pains of first love were so well articulated that my chest hurt. And the reunion between sisters moved me. Nothing happened in that family that couldn't happen in any family. Which is part of what makes it so special to read.
April 9, 2012
It was not the most original plot, but it was beautifully written. That made it a joy to read and hard to put down. I loved so many little things about it that I kept sharing bits and pieces with anyone that would listen.
Anyone wanna do lines with me now?
Anyone wanna do lines with me now?
February 20, 2015
I felt very conflicted about this book. On the surface, it's constructed well, and it does paint a very nice word-picture, but I just couldn't connect with it deeply like I have with other books. Maybe it's due to being from Maine, and knowing what Mainers are really like, and all that jazz. It was a pretty valiant attempt on the part of the author. Smithport is actually fictional, unfortunately for a lot of you talking about wanting to go. It sounded like a lot of coastal towns along route 1, though, so there's that. I honestly liked her characterizations of coastal Maine town, but I think it romanticized the life on the coast. That's okay though, it's a romance.
My biggest problem was Nathan. I thought he was an entirely problematic character. I found myself yelling to Jennifer that she could do so much better. He just seemed to have such a myopic view of his sisters and his mother, as well as infantilizing Jennifer. She was ~18 months younger than he was. I don't know, his oddly taciturn hot-and-cold, manic-depressiveness would be a turn off to me. Was she channeling Edward Cullen? (Both Mrs. Sirois and Stephenie Meyer are LDS members.) Huh. I found Will to be a more sympathetic romantic lead, and I found myself hoping Michael would end up being more than just a cardboard cutout.
At any rate, this was a nice read that is a strong debut. The storylines about women, familial relationships, homecoming and going, are all really pertinent and I enjoyed that. The depiction of Maine was overly idyllic (sorry guys!) and Nathan was just...awful. I did not like him at all. I think this writer has a lot of potential.
My biggest problem was Nathan. I thought he was an entirely problematic character. I found myself yelling to Jennifer that she could do so much better. He just seemed to have such a myopic view of his sisters and his mother, as well as infantilizing Jennifer. She was ~18 months younger than he was. I don't know, his oddly taciturn hot-and-cold, manic-depressiveness would be a turn off to me. Was she channeling Edward Cullen? (Both Mrs. Sirois and Stephenie Meyer are LDS members.) Huh. I found Will to be a more sympathetic romantic lead, and I found myself hoping Michael would end up being more than just a cardboard cutout.
At any rate, this was a nice read that is a strong debut. The storylines about women, familial relationships, homecoming and going, are all really pertinent and I enjoyed that. The depiction of Maine was overly idyllic (sorry guys!) and Nathan was just...awful. I did not like him at all. I think this writer has a lot of potential.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 11, 2015
Sometimes there are books that make you fall in love with reading all over again. This was one of them for me. I found this at the $1 store last week in hardback and am surprised it was there (although there were more). There were so many things I loved about this book—the Maine setting and the ocean, the poetry every night, the imperfect love story, a tender and complete ending. I just wanted to get back to reading it every free moment I had. I'm not saying the book didn't have its weakness—sometimes it felt a little forced and the writing (although at times beautiful) could have been a little more polished. But the good definitely outweighed the bad. I'm so glad I took a chance on a book at the dollar store with the sorta corny cover.
June 4, 2012
Did I read the same book as everyone else? This was a free book on my kindle, and the reviews made it seem amazing. However, I was extremely disappointed in the book and found myself predicting everything.
At one point it got so lame/predictable/dramatic/busy that I couldn't wait to finish.
At one point it got so lame/predictable/dramatic/busy that I couldn't wait to finish.
June 19, 2017
A good book. A little slow at times, but I liked it anyway. The characters were well written and I had tears several times near the end...happy tears. :) Overall an enjoyable read.
May 7, 2018
a fun beautiful read. couldn't stop thinking about it last night. woke up early just to finish it. review to come.
December 23, 2015
Sixteen-year old Nebraska girl Jennifer has discovered that her mother has had a secret from her; she has an older sister to whom she has not spoken in twenty years, though she won't really explain why--it's something to do with their mother's death. Jennifer, furious at having been lied to, contacts her Aunt Sarah, who is thrilled and invites her to Smithport, Maine--her mother's hometown. Against her mother's passionate wishes, Jennifer goes and finds she loves both her aunt and Smithport, including the intriguing boy next door. Everyone seems to have secrets, though, and Jennifer must find out what really happened twenty years ago, and try to heal the rift between the sisters.
I really wanted to love this, and there were lots of lovely, lyrical descriptions and astute observations, as well as a strong sense of place for both Nebraska and Maine. There's also nothing intrinsically wrong with the plot. The problem is, this is a first person narrative from a sixteen-year-old girl who goes on a long trip without a single book and never talks about books she's read/reading/loved/written/etc. The narrative is just way too sophisticated to come out of her mouth, both in terms of articulation and content. So I couldn't really believe her as a character. You can get away with that sort of thing in a third person narrative, because then the more sophisticated language can be attributed to a narrator, but when you're in first person the narrative has to be believable as coming from that character.
I also didn't buy Jennifer falling madly in love with the high-maintenance, supposedly brilliant, blow-hot-and-cold, controlling jerk next door. There's just no reason for it, and I couldn't like him, so that "romance" didn't work for me. Find a nice guy and be done with it. Then all the big "secrets" turned out to be totally mundane--all love gone wrong, and the author even gave two different characters the same type of secret and result. I thought there was a lot of promise here, and I did like some of the secondary, more colorful characters (like the retired movie star), but overall, I just found it not believable except for the setting.
I really wanted to love this, and there were lots of lovely, lyrical descriptions and astute observations, as well as a strong sense of place for both Nebraska and Maine. There's also nothing intrinsically wrong with the plot. The problem is, this is a first person narrative from a sixteen-year-old girl who goes on a long trip without a single book and never talks about books she's read/reading/loved/written/etc. The narrative is just way too sophisticated to come out of her mouth, both in terms of articulation and content. So I couldn't really believe her as a character. You can get away with that sort of thing in a third person narrative, because then the more sophisticated language can be attributed to a narrator, but when you're in first person the narrative has to be believable as coming from that character.
I also didn't buy Jennifer falling madly in love with the high-maintenance, supposedly brilliant, blow-hot-and-cold, controlling jerk next door. There's just no reason for it, and I couldn't like him, so that "romance" didn't work for me. Find a nice guy and be done with it. Then all the big "secrets" turned out to be totally mundane--all love gone wrong, and the author even gave two different characters the same type of secret and result. I thought there was a lot of promise here, and I did like some of the secondary, more colorful characters (like the retired movie star), but overall, I just found it not believable except for the setting.
September 24, 2013
Jennifer grew up believing that her small immediate family was all she had, until one day she discovers a photo of a woman who looks remarkably like her. This is her aunt Sarah, her mother's sister. When her mother won't tell her why they are estranged, Jennifer calls Sarah and then insists on visiting her in Maine for the summer. Family secrets, lost heritage, all that good stuff.
I enjoyed the family secrets aspect of the story. Family secrets, in fact, are probably my number one appeal factor as a reader (which is why I love Melina Marchetta so SO much and the book The China Garden and Sarah Ockler and a million other things). The story even has some sweet parts, like the description of the coast and the nightly ritual of reading lines that reminded me of a Madeleine L'Engle story, which is a very high compliment. I also really enjoyed the theme of both leaving and returning to home.
However. On Little Wings has probably the most overt sexism I have read in a contemporary YA novel, like, ever. There is a big blow-out scene involving the romantic interest and his sixteen year old sister and her boyfriend that totally, 100%, no going back, turned me off to the romance in the book. Usually when we see such crazy possessive, objectifying of a girl(s) in a YA novel, it's the story of an abusive relationship. And man, if the novel hadn't ended I could totally see it going there. But to all the characters, it was normal. IN FACT, Jennifer's mother saw ONLY THIS PART of the romantic interest, Nathan, and said, "he seems nice." Uh, no mom, he doesn't. I didn't really buy in to Jennifer being that interested in him either though she says it a lot; I didn't feel it. I wonder if she pursued it all in an attempt to have just any kind of love story to tell, an idea that the novel supports quite a bit, actually.
I look forward to discussing this with book club.
P.S. I wondered, as Nathan's treatment of women emerged, if the author was LDS. I just looked it up, and she is.
I enjoyed the family secrets aspect of the story. Family secrets, in fact, are probably my number one appeal factor as a reader (which is why I love Melina Marchetta so SO much and the book The China Garden and Sarah Ockler and a million other things). The story even has some sweet parts, like the description of the coast and the nightly ritual of reading lines that reminded me of a Madeleine L'Engle story, which is a very high compliment. I also really enjoyed the theme of both leaving and returning to home.
However. On Little Wings has probably the most overt sexism I have read in a contemporary YA novel, like, ever. There is a big blow-out scene involving the romantic interest and his sixteen year old sister and her boyfriend that totally, 100%, no going back, turned me off to the romance in the book. Usually when we see such crazy possessive, objectifying of a girl(s) in a YA novel, it's the story of an abusive relationship. And man, if the novel hadn't ended I could totally see it going there. But to all the characters, it was normal. IN FACT, Jennifer's mother saw ONLY THIS PART of the romantic interest, Nathan, and said, "he seems nice." Uh, no mom, he doesn't. I didn't really buy in to Jennifer being that interested in him either though she says it a lot; I didn't feel it. I wonder if she pursued it all in an attempt to have just any kind of love story to tell, an idea that the novel supports quite a bit, actually.
I look forward to discussing this with book club.
P.S. I wondered, as Nathan's treatment of women emerged, if the author was LDS. I just looked it up, and she is.
March 14, 2021
This books opens:
"Not every ocean is wet. The first time I stared at a wheat field and saw the golden stalks roll like a tide pushed by the wind, I knew I’d learned a secret; there is an ocean in Nebraska."
I’m going to give you a second. Read that again. Read it out loud. Now imagine 400 pages that are just as beautiful.
This is an extraordinary book. The story is well-told. The narrator is sympathetic. The supporting characters are charming. The ending is hopeful.
But that’s not why it’s extraordinary. It’s extraordinary because it’s the kind of book that changes you, the kind you can’t leave behind. It’s the best kind of evocative–the kind where you are so transported somewhere that you know how it smells, the kind where you know what the spray of the ocean feels like, the kind where you know that if this town existed in your universe, you wouldn’t need a map to find the docks. You could get there with your eyes closed, although you’d open them to talk to the craggy fishermen sitting on the bench in town as you walked by.
For four magical days, *I* lived in Smithport. I shopped in the fish market. I rowed a boat out to the small island to watch the fireworks. I wrapped myself in my grandmother’s quilt and dreamt. This book is a love letter to Maine, and it is beautifully rendered. I want to go to Maine now. I want to see Jennifer’s ocean. I want to walk on Jennifer’s rocky beach, see the fireworks shot off the fishing boats.
I just looked, and Smithport does not, in fact exist. I’m devastated. You will be, too.
I don’t know what I’m going to read now. This will be a tough act to follow.
"Not every ocean is wet. The first time I stared at a wheat field and saw the golden stalks roll like a tide pushed by the wind, I knew I’d learned a secret; there is an ocean in Nebraska."
I’m going to give you a second. Read that again. Read it out loud. Now imagine 400 pages that are just as beautiful.
This is an extraordinary book. The story is well-told. The narrator is sympathetic. The supporting characters are charming. The ending is hopeful.
But that’s not why it’s extraordinary. It’s extraordinary because it’s the kind of book that changes you, the kind you can’t leave behind. It’s the best kind of evocative–the kind where you are so transported somewhere that you know how it smells, the kind where you know what the spray of the ocean feels like, the kind where you know that if this town existed in your universe, you wouldn’t need a map to find the docks. You could get there with your eyes closed, although you’d open them to talk to the craggy fishermen sitting on the bench in town as you walked by.
For four magical days, *I* lived in Smithport. I shopped in the fish market. I rowed a boat out to the small island to watch the fireworks. I wrapped myself in my grandmother’s quilt and dreamt. This book is a love letter to Maine, and it is beautifully rendered. I want to go to Maine now. I want to see Jennifer’s ocean. I want to walk on Jennifer’s rocky beach, see the fireworks shot off the fishing boats.
I just looked, and Smithport does not, in fact exist. I’m devastated. You will be, too.
I don’t know what I’m going to read now. This will be a tough act to follow.
August 15, 2017
So for my last hurrah of summer vacation, I read this book instead of a Sarah Dessen book for my last late night book reading of summer. I didn't read another Dessen book simply because I only had 2 books left, one I didn't feel like reading last night and the new book which I want to wait to read until a time where I'm slightly more awake. I still wanted to read a good summer romance so I picked up On Little Wings instead.
This book is really special to me, mainly because I met the author and got to listen to her talk about this book and her journey as a writer before I ever read it. I loved listening to her story of becoming a writer and she was honestly such a sweet woman. This is another book that I've read over and over and over again. My copy is a little battered from usage, the edges a little dented, and there is a small water stain on the corner of the back cover (it's a hardback) from when my water bottle spilled in my bag, but it just shows that I've loved this book. I will never get rid of this copy because it's a personally signed copy, one of the things that I got when I met the author.
Anyway, this is an amazing book and I loved every part of it. And even though I've read it 4-5 times now, I still fall in love with the story and with the character each and every time. My only complaint is that it ended. I could have kept reading about Nathan and Jennifer for another whole book. As always, thanks for reading.
This book is really special to me, mainly because I met the author and got to listen to her talk about this book and her journey as a writer before I ever read it. I loved listening to her story of becoming a writer and she was honestly such a sweet woman. This is another book that I've read over and over and over again. My copy is a little battered from usage, the edges a little dented, and there is a small water stain on the corner of the back cover (it's a hardback) from when my water bottle spilled in my bag, but it just shows that I've loved this book. I will never get rid of this copy because it's a personally signed copy, one of the things that I got when I met the author.
Anyway, this is an amazing book and I loved every part of it. And even though I've read it 4-5 times now, I still fall in love with the story and with the character each and every time. My only complaint is that it ended. I could have kept reading about Nathan and Jennifer for another whole book. As always, thanks for reading.
May 15, 2012
It has been a long time since such words wove through my hair, my clothing, and my mind--like sea spray in a stiff breeze. On Little Wings spoke to my soul and reminded me of my own lost, bittersweet loves, my summer magic, my little death as I said good-bye. He waits in my memories, laughing, teasing me. I was once seventeen too.
More than that, the book speaks to me of another--of my own wounds left unbound, years still slowly bleeding as we watch our separate lives slide away in silence. How I wish I had the courage, like Jennifer, to reach out and draw him close, knowing that he finally understood. How I wish I could understand him before it's too late and dark regret seals me away from him.
Thank you, Regina, for your luscious imagery, for your journey to the sea, and back into hours left standing in dusty jars. Thank you for reminding me that words are to taste, not to bludgeon. I'm keeping this book.
More than that, the book speaks to me of another--of my own wounds left unbound, years still slowly bleeding as we watch our separate lives slide away in silence. How I wish I had the courage, like Jennifer, to reach out and draw him close, knowing that he finally understood. How I wish I could understand him before it's too late and dark regret seals me away from him.
Thank you, Regina, for your luscious imagery, for your journey to the sea, and back into hours left standing in dusty jars. Thank you for reminding me that words are to taste, not to bludgeon. I'm keeping this book.
June 18, 2017
"With a jolt the plane wheels grabbed the asphalt and the engines shrieked in protest as we hurtled toward our terminal." (the plane landed)
"The trees grew recklessly close to the shoulder-less road, almost stroking the car as it careened by. Meandering in an organic path, the small highway followed the lay of the land until it seemed as natural as the thin rivers that snaked in and out of view along the way." (twisty road)
"By my sixth day in Smithport, the tropical storm hit the cold water streaming down from the frozen lands of Canada and the growling, African winds shrieked and disbanded as the wet rain began its descent." (the storm hit)
And my favorite: "Before Nathan said his good-byes, my cell phone detonated with a keening ring." (dad called)
The description throughout the book was really over the top, but if you can get past that, it was a sweet story. I liked that it was real and personal but the story never got overly dramatic (even if the descriptive language did).
"The trees grew recklessly close to the shoulder-less road, almost stroking the car as it careened by. Meandering in an organic path, the small highway followed the lay of the land until it seemed as natural as the thin rivers that snaked in and out of view along the way." (twisty road)
"By my sixth day in Smithport, the tropical storm hit the cold water streaming down from the frozen lands of Canada and the growling, African winds shrieked and disbanded as the wet rain began its descent." (the storm hit)
And my favorite: "Before Nathan said his good-byes, my cell phone detonated with a keening ring." (dad called)
The description throughout the book was really over the top, but if you can get past that, it was a sweet story. I liked that it was real and personal but the story never got overly dramatic (even if the descriptive language did).
May 12, 2012
I'd give this a 3.5 if I could. To be honest, I was skeptical about this one--skepticism that was only confirmed when I started reading and just couldn't get into it. But I had heard and read good things so I continued to plow through. I'm glad I did! Though it takes a little while to get going, I love the characters in this one. They're so complex and real--they're just really well-developed. Same with the story line. It's romantic ("as in the beauty of something") without being "mythology." Sirois doesn't try to cure all the characters problems and tie everything up in nice little bows at the end. Really well done and really good writing--beautiful imagery.
March 5, 2012
This book was lovely. My mother loaned it to me on her kindle. It had a similar coming of age tone as some classic Madeline L'Engle books. I could tell the author cared about all of her characters. I wanted a friend such as her best friend Cleo: brilliant and loyal. I loved the Jacks on the pier: three old men who pestered each other and passersby and caused trouble each 4th of July by setting off illegal fireworks. The plot of reconnecting two sisters with long-ago hurts is true and deep. Now I want to buy this. :)
May 29, 2012
Wow! It's been a long time since I picked up a book that ripped at my insides like this one did. It is beautifully written and breath-taking in its ability to evoke feelings and emotions. I couldn't wait to see how it ended but I couldn't stand the thought of it ending. I read it over a few days only because I wanted to enjoy the beautiful writing. Please write more, Regina. And thank you for writing something that I can happily have my daughters read.
December 3, 2019
This is a very special story that I truly enjoyed. From the interesting characters to the beautiful setting, great literary insight, and the emotional storyline this book is a definite read and re-read!
February 10, 2012
I can not understand How this book has 4.5 Stars???????
February 19, 2012
After reading the glowing reviews, I was disappointed. The plot was really very simple, but the author's treatment of it was overly dramatic. It was very predictable and contrived.
June 3, 2012
This was far too teenage angsty for me. I also felt as if the whole "drama" was very contrived. Not really a romance either so much as a crush.
July 26, 2016
I really enjoyed this. It's a solid story with lively characters. They are flawed, yes, but in a believable, human way. It's about loving, forgiving, overcoming.
June 11, 2013
One of my new favorite books!
February 8, 2018
Jennifer is an only child with “no” other family. She later finds a photo of her aunt, Sarah; and is determined to find her. Claire (Jennifer’s mom) is not happy with the idea, and is hiding something from her. Jennifer wants to know the story of her mom’s broken friendship with her sister and ends up going to the beautiful Smithport, Maine. There she creates a strong bond with Sarah and along the way, she makes other friends. Jennifer has learned a lot through her journey, and also falls in love.
This book has lots of description in which it gives the reader a visual appearance to the book. This book gives the readers lots of emotions. Although the book has a brilliant plot, the ending isn’t the best. Of course, it’s emotional but there are parts I would like to know about more. Although you can imagine your own ending and make it happy, I really want to know how the author wanted the book to end like.
I recommend this book to those who like romance, adventure, heartwarming, and mystery books. The book is more of romance and heartwarming though. Anyone 11 and up should read this as there are some parts I think younger people won’t understand and get bored.
This book has lots of description in which it gives the reader a visual appearance to the book. This book gives the readers lots of emotions. Although the book has a brilliant plot, the ending isn’t the best. Of course, it’s emotional but there are parts I would like to know about more. Although you can imagine your own ending and make it happy, I really want to know how the author wanted the book to end like.
I recommend this book to those who like romance, adventure, heartwarming, and mystery books. The book is more of romance and heartwarming though. Anyone 11 and up should read this as there are some parts I think younger people won’t understand and get bored.
April 25, 2019
Jennifer is an only child, and so were her parents, at least that's what she thinks until she finds an old photo in the back of one of her mother's books. The woman in the photo looks just like Jennifer, down to the smattering of freckles across her nose. And her mother refuses to talk about it.
Compelled to find answers, Jennifer embarks on a quest that takes her from the wheat fields of Nebraska to the fishing town of Smithport, Maine, home to the one person who can help her solve this family secret, the woman in the photo. But Jennifer learns that it takes the entire village of Smithport to piece together the story of her mother's hidden past. She needs help from Nathan, the genius with the reluctant smile from across the cove; Little, the elderly town matriarch and former movie star; and the Jacks, three weathered fishermen who dabble in pyrotechnics. As Jennifer discovers the lost chapters of her mother's life, she unwittingly begins to write a few of her own.
Compelled to find answers, Jennifer embarks on a quest that takes her from the wheat fields of Nebraska to the fishing town of Smithport, Maine, home to the one person who can help her solve this family secret, the woman in the photo. But Jennifer learns that it takes the entire village of Smithport to piece together the story of her mother's hidden past. She needs help from Nathan, the genius with the reluctant smile from across the cove; Little, the elderly town matriarch and former movie star; and the Jacks, three weathered fishermen who dabble in pyrotechnics. As Jennifer discovers the lost chapters of her mother's life, she unwittingly begins to write a few of her own.
September 22, 2018
By Regina Sirois
Another of my “owned, to-read” list that I’ve had forever. I am so happy I got around to this one. On Little Wings presents us with a family with lots of secrets. While Jennifer is poking around the family bookcase one day, she comes across an old photo that is quite a resemblance to herself. With this she realizes that the truths she’s been told, are not quite truth at all.
Jennifer embarks on a quest to find out who this person is and capture her history that she never knew existed. Jennifer is fierce. She is a brave teenager. She meets other such brave characters along the way. Nathan, who is brilliant but also rather quirky. Nathan’s family of women, each unique and precious. Her aunt Sarah who fosters both her independence and her need to find herself on this journey. Little, once a movie star, now has her own secrets to share.
I never expected to be swept into this world so completely. I couldn’t wait to finish this book and share it. Jennifer is inspiring. I am not often brought to tears by a book, but this one managed to. This is a YA novel that will appeal to readers of all ages.
Another of my “owned, to-read” list that I’ve had forever. I am so happy I got around to this one. On Little Wings presents us with a family with lots of secrets. While Jennifer is poking around the family bookcase one day, she comes across an old photo that is quite a resemblance to herself. With this she realizes that the truths she’s been told, are not quite truth at all.
Jennifer embarks on a quest to find out who this person is and capture her history that she never knew existed. Jennifer is fierce. She is a brave teenager. She meets other such brave characters along the way. Nathan, who is brilliant but also rather quirky. Nathan’s family of women, each unique and precious. Her aunt Sarah who fosters both her independence and her need to find herself on this journey. Little, once a movie star, now has her own secrets to share.
I never expected to be swept into this world so completely. I couldn’t wait to finish this book and share it. Jennifer is inspiring. I am not often brought to tears by a book, but this one managed to. This is a YA novel that will appeal to readers of all ages.
August 23, 2017
This was part of my stack of birthday books; my husband bought me one thing from my Amazon Wishlist from each year of the past 5 years that I added on our around my birthday. This book was one of those, although I don't remember adding it or ever hearing about it. No bother, I dove in anyway and was thoroughly entertained. Family mystery/drama. Small Maine coastal town. Slight love interest. I would have loved this book as a 17-year-old and definitely enjoyed it as an adult as well.
Favorite character: Little. Second favorite: Cleo, wished she featured more.
Favorite character: Little. Second favorite: Cleo, wished she featured more.
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