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Pearl
Pearl Water's childhood was shattered the night she stood at her bedroom window and watched her mother run away without a glance back. Only ten years old, Pearl was left to care for the family and take over her mother's responsibilities.
Eight years later as the approach of midnight beckons, Pearl finds herself on the edge of eighteen and running, as her mother did, in search of freedom and the youth she'd been denied. But freedom has a price.
She ends up on foreign turf; a farm in Oregon with her volatile boyfriend, Roy and his family, who seem to hold even more secrets than her own. As time goes by, Pearl is drawn into beautiful but also tumultuous relationships with these strangers in Oregon, all the while losing a bit of herself with each drop of booze Roy drinks.
As secrets unfold, Pearl wonders how much of her own past is truth and what has been a lie. And would the answer come too late, as her world spirals down into a path of destruction?
Eight years later as the approach of midnight beckons, Pearl finds herself on the edge of eighteen and running, as her mother did, in search of freedom and the youth she'd been denied. But freedom has a price.
She ends up on foreign turf; a farm in Oregon with her volatile boyfriend, Roy and his family, who seem to hold even more secrets than her own. As time goes by, Pearl is drawn into beautiful but also tumultuous relationships with these strangers in Oregon, all the while losing a bit of herself with each drop of booze Roy drinks.
As secrets unfold, Pearl wonders how much of her own past is truth and what has been a lie. And would the answer come too late, as her world spirals down into a path of destruction?
209 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2012
69 people are currently reading
920 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
December 31, 2012
I highly recommend Pearl. It is a wonderful book that you won't be able to put down.
February 12, 2013
So confused by this book.....At the beginning I was intrigued. Good premise. Then it drug a bit. Then it got down right trailer trash depressing. But...ah ha. Pearl grows a pair and it gets good again. Then by the end it is really good. So for the stars I would say 3 then 2 then 4 again. Average those if you want.
As for the characters...Pearl is a girl running away from home but does not know what kind of deep shit she is getting into. Roy aka asshole is the guy she is running with. Roy's family aka The Enablers are really crappy people. There are some bright spots, Ben, Sammie, Vergie 75% in. Before that she is just another Enabler. So you can see I am all over the place on this one. Wanted to love it, but just could not muster up the emotion.
As for the characters...Pearl is a girl running away from home but does not know what kind of deep shit she is getting into. Roy aka asshole is the guy she is running with. Roy's family aka The Enablers are really crappy people. There are some bright spots, Ben, Sammie, Vergie 75% in. Before that she is just another Enabler. So you can see I am all over the place on this one. Wanted to love it, but just could not muster up the emotion.
February 18, 2013
From the opening pages as ten-year-old Pearl watches her mother run off in the Arizona night to escape the life she no longer wanted, I was mildly drawn in. Fast forward eight years and Pearl makes her great escape to Oregon with her wild, rough-edged boyfriend, Roy, I'm still mildly drawn in, seeing a train wreck just waiting to happen.
By the time Pearl settles in to life in Oregon, she has found friends and family that stand by her, support her when she lets them. She also finds real love, the kind that isn't abusive and almost forsakes her wedding vows, like her mother. That stops her in her tracks.
I was right, Pearl's life with Roy was a train wreck and it came to a crashing halt one night AFTER they had married. Fortunately, Pearl ran for her life before was too late, going full circle back to her home in Arizona, back to find the answers she needed. Back to become the person she was meant to be.
Pearl saw and experienced more in her young life than many of us ever will. It didn't break her, it made her stronger, more sure of herself, more forgiving of others. There is much to appreciate about the lessons she learned and the way the author brought this story to life with sights, sounds, smells, and emotions! It is a gritty, unpolished look at maturing through tough life lessons! 4.5 stars!
By the time Pearl settles in to life in Oregon, she has found friends and family that stand by her, support her when she lets them. She also finds real love, the kind that isn't abusive and almost forsakes her wedding vows, like her mother. That stops her in her tracks.
I was right, Pearl's life with Roy was a train wreck and it came to a crashing halt one night AFTER they had married. Fortunately, Pearl ran for her life before was too late, going full circle back to her home in Arizona, back to find the answers she needed. Back to become the person she was meant to be.
Pearl saw and experienced more in her young life than many of us ever will. It didn't break her, it made her stronger, more sure of herself, more forgiving of others. There is much to appreciate about the lessons she learned and the way the author brought this story to life with sights, sounds, smells, and emotions! It is a gritty, unpolished look at maturing through tough life lessons! 4.5 stars!
December 26, 2012
When I first heard of this book, I just knew I had to read it. The premise and characters sounded interesting, and the cover was eye-catching. I purchased Pearl right away. As soon as I had some free time, I jumped right in, devouring it in one long sitting, as the novel was simply fantastic. Full of intriguing and complex characters, star-crossed romance, and tension, this read had me flipping the pages as quickly as possible.
Out of everything in this book, I have to say that the characters were my favorite aspect; especially the character of Pearl. Her story caught me from the first page and held me until the very end. I also loved the bonds that developed between Pearl and other characters as the novel progressed. The plot and execution of this book were excellent as well. It was very detailed, but also full of twists and turns to keep nearly any reader enthralled. I truly never lost interest.
Pearl is a wonderful story that weaves so much love/pain/joy/disappointment that it nearly bursts with emotion. Read it, you won't be disappointed!
Out of everything in this book, I have to say that the characters were my favorite aspect; especially the character of Pearl. Her story caught me from the first page and held me until the very end. I also loved the bonds that developed between Pearl and other characters as the novel progressed. The plot and execution of this book were excellent as well. It was very detailed, but also full of twists and turns to keep nearly any reader enthralled. I truly never lost interest.
Pearl is a wonderful story that weaves so much love/pain/joy/disappointment that it nearly bursts with emotion. Read it, you won't be disappointed!
March 9, 2013
3.5 stars
Pearl watches her mother run away one night after hearing her parents fight. At 18 Pearl decides to Oregon with her wild, boyfriend Roy.
It takes Pearl while to find her feet in Oregon but slowly she makes friends and she bonds with some of Roy's family, Vernie makes her feel like herself. One friend Ben teaches her to ride and it becomes something she loves and finds peace with. Pearl walks on egg shells and her life is slowly falling apart, she does find something that scares her and she doesn't think she deserves, love with someone she shouldn't.
Pearl's life with Roy changed and came crashing down after they got married. Pearl's life goes from bad to worse in one night, its all to much and after discovering another lie she leaves Oregon and goes home to Arizona search for answers. She finds her answers and its not what she expected.
Pearl has experienced so much heartache for someone so young. After all the heartache Pearl has been through I'm glad she got a HEA
Pearl watches her mother run away one night after hearing her parents fight. At 18 Pearl decides to Oregon with her wild, boyfriend Roy.
It takes Pearl while to find her feet in Oregon but slowly she makes friends and she bonds with some of Roy's family, Vernie makes her feel like herself. One friend Ben teaches her to ride and it becomes something she loves and finds peace with. Pearl walks on egg shells and her life is slowly falling apart, she does find something that scares her and she doesn't think she deserves, love with someone she shouldn't.
Pearl's life with Roy changed and came crashing down after they got married. Pearl's life goes from bad to worse in one night, its all to much and after discovering another lie she leaves Oregon and goes home to Arizona search for answers. She finds her answers and its not what she expected.
Pearl has experienced so much heartache for someone so young. After all the heartache Pearl has been through I'm glad she got a HEA
March 21, 2014
Very good read
Very good read
this isn't a the type of book that would usually grab my attention I usually read urban novels . my auntie sent me the link to this book when I woke up this morning and I finished it before bed time I really enjoyed reading pearl and I love the happy ending I look forward to purchasing and reading more books from this author
Very good read
this isn't a the type of book that would usually grab my attention I usually read urban novels . my auntie sent me the link to this book when I woke up this morning and I finished it before bed time I really enjoyed reading pearl and I love the happy ending I look forward to purchasing and reading more books from this author
April 11, 2014
I loved it. I was hooked. A powerful story - heart wrenching.
September 24, 2017
I couldn't put it down, and Pearl is a character you can't stop cheering for. The twist at the end is gut wrenching, so be prepared to be speechless! A good read when you need to cheer on the underdog, and need some hope that love wins in the end!
December 2, 2019
This book started out very good and interesting, then it drug in a oh no here we go again sort of way, then Pearl woke up to what was happening around her and I ended the book loving the story!
March 24, 2013
The struggles of a young woman caught up in the cycle of low esteem, isolation and domestic violence are played out in "Pearl" by C.E. Weisman.
Pearl barely stays afloat after her mother walked out on the family. The lack of
self-worth follows her as she tries to find a place as an 18-year-old newlywed without friends or family. Her drunken, lying and cheating husband takes out his failures on his young bride, leaving her battered and bruised physically and emotionally.
Weisman, however, provides a sense of hope amidst violence by giving Pearl a chance to build a few friendships, develop a shaky form of family and just a touch of independence. While the narrative is predictable, Weisman's writing style pulls in readers who want a happy ending and new beginning for the young heroine. The build-up is expected, but the conclusion will take you by surprise.
Pearl barely stays afloat after her mother walked out on the family. The lack of
self-worth follows her as she tries to find a place as an 18-year-old newlywed without friends or family. Her drunken, lying and cheating husband takes out his failures on his young bride, leaving her battered and bruised physically and emotionally.
Weisman, however, provides a sense of hope amidst violence by giving Pearl a chance to build a few friendships, develop a shaky form of family and just a touch of independence. While the narrative is predictable, Weisman's writing style pulls in readers who want a happy ending and new beginning for the young heroine. The build-up is expected, but the conclusion will take you by surprise.
September 18, 2013
4.5 stars. I did love how this story turned out. 75 percent of the book, I wanted to Punch Roy in the face and was yelling at my kindle for Pearl to stick up for herself! It was a little depressing watching the way Roy and Cindy treated Pearl, but then Vernie, Sammie, and Ben gave her hope, and I just knew somehow she was giong to get herself out of that hell hole! I just wish we would have had a little back story on Roy (why was he in arizona?) and I wish that we could have read a little more happiness at the end. I am very happy with the epilogue. All of the great characters were a true family and I really hope we get to read more about them some day. Maybe Darrens story?
March 11, 2015
If you wanted to read something generic this is the book for you.
This book is ridiculously predictable and not worth your time unless you love reading a book that has been done over and over again. Honestly it was like reading a Lifetime movie. Terrible. I basically was bored to death and knew what was going to happen after about 30 pages. I ended up skimming to the end hoping for a plot twist. Shocker there isn't one. Of course everything works out perfectly in the end because that's so like real life.
This book is ridiculously predictable and not worth your time unless you love reading a book that has been done over and over again. Honestly it was like reading a Lifetime movie. Terrible. I basically was bored to death and knew what was going to happen after about 30 pages. I ended up skimming to the end hoping for a plot twist. Shocker there isn't one. Of course everything works out perfectly in the end because that's so like real life.
June 20, 2013
Just an ok read. It was a little slow for me. The book only had 209 pages, but seemed so much longer due to the pace. Also, there was a strange twist at the end that had me thinking, "was that really necessary?" I didn't understand the point of the twist. It had no relevance to the story. The epilogue was a little long winded also. Fortunately, this one was a freebie on the Kindle website. My review wouldn't have been quite so kind if I had to pay for this one.
July 2, 2013
Book was good.
So many memories, flashbacks, and reminders of boots coming at you, or fists. The well know pacing and anxiety and panic as you look up to see the time on the clock hanging on the wall knowing that soon he will be home.
Do happy ending such as in the book really exists ( as happened in the book ) or do they just go down a different path just to continue.
I guess books have to have a happy ending or it just becomes to realistic to the world you live in.
So many memories, flashbacks, and reminders of boots coming at you, or fists. The well know pacing and anxiety and panic as you look up to see the time on the clock hanging on the wall knowing that soon he will be home.
Do happy ending such as in the book really exists ( as happened in the book ) or do they just go down a different path just to continue.
I guess books have to have a happy ending or it just becomes to realistic to the world you live in.
October 5, 2013
While I think this could have been a good or even a great book, I just didn't like ANY of the characters--even the ones who were supposed to be likeable. Even the "good" guy character tries to convince Pearl to run away with him when she's already married to someone else. So I was disappointed. Plus, the story is like horrible, drama, etc. and then it just all wraps up a little too neatly to really fit the tone of the book.
March 27, 2014
A beautiful moving story.
A beautiful moving story.
This was a very fulfilling story. It has all tantalizing twist and turns of real life. I would recommend this book to sixteen to seventeen year olds that think life is a fairytale. I think it was well written.The storyline went all the way to the end.I did not fill like I had to figure out the rest of the story on my own. I enjoyed it very much.
A beautiful moving story.
This was a very fulfilling story. It has all tantalizing twist and turns of real life. I would recommend this book to sixteen to seventeen year olds that think life is a fairytale. I think it was well written.The storyline went all the way to the end.I did not fill like I had to figure out the rest of the story on my own. I enjoyed it very much.
March 15, 2015
For the most part, I enjoyed this book by C.E. Weisman in that I was drawn into the story and could imagine the lives of the characters quite well. However, as Pearl returned to her family to better understand what she had left behind, that's when I questioned the main character's reactions to the truth. I also felt like for some reason, the author believed every story has to have absolute resolution to all the loose ends ... it seemed to go on forever and ever.
March 25, 2013
I liked this book and was completely drawn into the story. At first I wasn't sure what time period it was in but after getting more into the book I realized it was more modern than I originally thought. It deals with tough issues and gives you some insight into why people might make the choices they do.
February 1, 2013
Really good. As usual with these kinds of books, I didn't understand why Pearl allowed herself to be such a victim, but I guess that's the point of reading... to experience perspectives other than your own.
February 23, 2013
What a GREAT story! Loved it! I got so involved in the story, I hardly ever looked at the % finished. Before I knew it, I was at the end -- too soon! I wanted it to go on. I usually love mysteries & action-type books, but I was just in the mood for a good story.
July 12, 2013
All too familiar theme , but we all love a story of hope , faith , survival and ultimate reclaiming of the essential dignity of life . The story is predictable but the conclusion will surprise even a seasoned reader !!!
December 8, 2013
I got this free on my kindle awhile back, started it, and then lost interest. I was looking for something to read last night and decided to finish it. The premise is decent, if predictable, but the "big reveal" of what happened to her mom, and how her dad covered it up, was disappointing.
May 15, 2014
This book made me curios about the author... maybe grew up in a small town where under-age drinking and wife-beating were rampant? I thought this was pretty "white trash" but perhaps a reality for some. Not my favorite for sure.
July 13, 2015
This was okay. The characters were a bit cardboard-cutout and I agree with other reviewers that it was a bit slow, as not much actually happened and you could see from early on where it was all going, but it's not terribly long either. It was a quick read and flowed well.
February 8, 2016
Pearl is a young woman who's mother left her family in the middle of the night. She runs away to Oregon with her boyfriend who promises her a great life on a farm. What she finds is a family with a history of abuse. She manages to grow and escape her abusive husband and restart.
February 4, 2013
3.5 it was predictable all the way through it was just ok for me
February 9, 2013
Pearl is a sympathetic and naive young heroine whose life path is led by what she believes to be true about her childhood. Pearl is a very readable book.
March 8, 2013
Loved this book. Easy read...great story...wonderful characters. Couldn't put it down.
June 19, 2013
Enjoyed this story very much
March 22, 2013
I am learning to not trust the Kindle Lending Library. This was not a terribly engaging book and had an inexplicable focus on the main characters lips.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews