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The Vineyard Remains
Two women, brought together by tragedy, strive to find themselves on Martha’s Vineyard. But it’s not easy to heal old wounds in a powerful novel about family, secrets, motherhood, and the cold grip of the past.
A desperate murder committed by Angela Miller’s mother tore Angela’s life apart and brought her to Martha’s Vineyard to live with her wealthy grandparents. It’s where her cousin, Kiki King, was born and raised, and Kiki now wants nothing more than to see the world beyond its sandy perimeter. Kiki’s mother escaped it. She took a late-night swim off Tashmoo Beach and was never seen again.
Once bound by broken childhoods, Angela and Kiki have grown up divided—by their obsessions, their love for the same man, and their own conflicted journeys of motherhood. But when a small box of bones is unearthed in the woods, Angela and Kiki discover there’s so much more to learn about each other, their families, and the dark side of the picturesque island they call home.
It’s time for Angela and Kiki to expose their secrets, to finally end a cycle of family drama and anguish, and to forgive and make peace with the past on their own terms.
A desperate murder committed by Angela Miller’s mother tore Angela’s life apart and brought her to Martha’s Vineyard to live with her wealthy grandparents. It’s where her cousin, Kiki King, was born and raised, and Kiki now wants nothing more than to see the world beyond its sandy perimeter. Kiki’s mother escaped it. She took a late-night swim off Tashmoo Beach and was never seen again.
Once bound by broken childhoods, Angela and Kiki have grown up divided—by their obsessions, their love for the same man, and their own conflicted journeys of motherhood. But when a small box of bones is unearthed in the woods, Angela and Kiki discover there’s so much more to learn about each other, their families, and the dark side of the picturesque island they call home.
It’s time for Angela and Kiki to expose their secrets, to finally end a cycle of family drama and anguish, and to forgive and make peace with the past on their own terms.
357 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 12, 2024
265 people are currently reading
5135 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 105 reviews
April 4, 2024
I won this book on Goodreads. This was my first book from this author and really enjoyed it. It's so good. I read it in 2 1/2 days.
September 30, 2023
I got an advanced copy and by the first page I was transported to vacation mode on Martha's vineyard.The characters were flawed but I loved how I was routing for one and then swapped, keeping me turning the pages.The plot was masterfully crafted with twists and turns until the end which was a surprising ending. I thought the book would make a great tv series. I am going to check out their other book and look forward to more.
March 16, 2024
This book was SO good and really fun to read. I loved the style of alternating chapters between 2 main characters!! There were chapters where I hated each character and then others where I totally sympathized with and loved them. In my opinion that makes for a really good book!!
It was full of suspense and twists so when I thought I knew what was going to happen…. I didn’t…
Basically go get this book, trust me!
It was full of suspense and twists so when I thought I knew what was going to happen…. I didn’t…
Basically go get this book, trust me!
March 9, 2024
The Vineyard Remains by Addison McKnight. Thanks to the authors for the gifted copy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Cousins Angela and Kiki grew up together but after a murder in the family, their sides of the family have nothing to do with each other.
This was a great story that will make a thrilling beach read. It has a lot of drama and so much to it. It’s soap opera ish, but in the best way. There’s always some new action and drama. It has a bit of romance, suspense, and even thrills.
“There was not one beautiful thing that this island had offered her. And she had every intention of leaving it all behind and never looking back.”
The Vineyard Remains comes out 3/12.
Cousins Angela and Kiki grew up together but after a murder in the family, their sides of the family have nothing to do with each other.
This was a great story that will make a thrilling beach read. It has a lot of drama and so much to it. It’s soap opera ish, but in the best way. There’s always some new action and drama. It has a bit of romance, suspense, and even thrills.
“There was not one beautiful thing that this island had offered her. And she had every intention of leaving it all behind and never looking back.”
The Vineyard Remains comes out 3/12.
November 23, 2023
This book…. It’s going to stay with me for a long time.
The sophomore slump did not hit Addison McKnight with this heart breaking, twisted, page turning novel
I couldn’t stop reading I wanted so much for these characters to find peace
Absolutely brillantly written one of the best books I’ve read this year!
The sophomore slump did not hit Addison McKnight with this heart breaking, twisted, page turning novel
I couldn’t stop reading I wanted so much for these characters to find peace
Absolutely brillantly written one of the best books I’ve read this year!
February 4, 2024
With dynamic characters, tightly-woven storylines, and a mystery that spans decades, The Vineyard Remains is an insightful look into the complexities of motherhood, relationships, and societal pressures that will keep you turning pages well into the night. McKnight’s writing is crisp and powerful, highlighting relevant issues without losing any of the intrigue. An absolute must-read.
March 29, 2024
Disjointed
So elements of this story were great, and although I didn't realise until the end it was two writers, that explained the lack of flow. If you can put up with this, the story is good.
So elements of this story were great, and although I didn't realise until the end it was two writers, that explained the lack of flow. If you can put up with this, the story is good.
May 4, 2024
Great read
I enjoyed this book. What some folks endure in shaping their futures and making decisions selfless and considering other. Life is not always fair, but making it the best you can and those surrounding you
I enjoyed this book. What some folks endure in shaping their futures and making decisions selfless and considering other. Life is not always fair, but making it the best you can and those surrounding you
October 30, 2023
I'm so lost on how I feel about this book. It's... difficult.
When Angel and her brother TJ are brought to live with her grandparents on Martha's Vineyard, their world has been turned upside down. Their father has just been murdered by their mother. Their grandmother changes their names to Angela and Thomas, to give them a new life.
Angela had always been fond of the island; they would spend summers there with their grandparents, and she was close to her cousin Kiki, who was only a year younger. Upon moving, Kiki's father (their father's brother) warns Kiki away from Angela, and it's almost easier to Kiki to hate Angela, who she'd been jealous of. Angela had gotten away from the island, and now that she's back, she gets to live with her rich grandparents, while Kiki is stuck alone with her abusive alcoholic father.
Both girls fall in love with Bo Brooks, the island's baseball star who's sure to make it to the major leagues. Angela dated him first, but when she moves away for college, Kiki move in. Bo loves Kiki and can't imagine leaving her, but he can't resist carrying on an affair with Angela when she's in town. Both girls end up pregnant with his child, and as luck would have it, both go into labor the same stormy night. Kiki well before her due date, due to her father's abuse when he found out she was pregnant. Angela's grandmother Kathleen is the only doctor available, and she opens the closed hospital, hoping help with arrive in time. None does, and when Kiki arrives later, Kathleen is forced to deliver both babies, leaving the girls alone and struggling more than she'd wished to. One girl goes home with a baby, one girl is sent to the psych ward convinced she'd heard her stillborn baby's cry.
The years that follow, Kiki struggles as a single mother. She's finally free of her father, but life is not good. She's still stuck on the island, left with Bo's indifference and his parents' cold disapproval. She spends years in a shed with the daughter she can't seem to feel close to. Angela struggles with her memories of the night, with the fear she'd done something awful to her child that she can't remember. Just like she can't remember clearly the night her father died.
I'll be honest - I struggled through the middle of this book. While the trauma they were raised with, and their continued experiences trying to survive, were dealt with expertly... I just didn't like them. Was I sympathetic to the trauma they faced? Did I wish for them to find better lives, absolutely! Instead, they were caught up on both wanting to keep Bo - who was in no way an ideal boyfriend. How either of them were attracted to him was beyond me, and the years they wasted in that pursuit, the pain caused by it... it made all three of them toxic.
One of the books I was close to not finishing, it might come as a surprise to why it's getting a 4 star rating from me. I think, in the end, it came down to the fact that while their problems didn't all magically go away, things did take a turn for the better. We did get answers - not ones that made everything ok. I severely disliked actions that were taken, to the point that I gave up on characters and thought them beyond redemption. Why should I care, when they instigated so much of their own suffering? However... I did find it very realistic. What both girls experienced, the trauma that shaped them, and their struggles to survive. To just be ok. Real life doesn't always have happy endings. You can't just wish things better. Instead, you have to work at it daily - and you're going to need help along the way.
If you enjoy realistic stories, stories of people who live with trauma and struggle to find their way. Of people who don't make the right choices, who some how seem to make that wrong step at every turn, this one is for you. If you like stories of the women who survive, who find themselves wanting to give every opportunity to those who come after them, this one is for you.
When Angel and her brother TJ are brought to live with her grandparents on Martha's Vineyard, their world has been turned upside down. Their father has just been murdered by their mother. Their grandmother changes their names to Angela and Thomas, to give them a new life.
Angela had always been fond of the island; they would spend summers there with their grandparents, and she was close to her cousin Kiki, who was only a year younger. Upon moving, Kiki's father (their father's brother) warns Kiki away from Angela, and it's almost easier to Kiki to hate Angela, who she'd been jealous of. Angela had gotten away from the island, and now that she's back, she gets to live with her rich grandparents, while Kiki is stuck alone with her abusive alcoholic father.
Both girls fall in love with Bo Brooks, the island's baseball star who's sure to make it to the major leagues. Angela dated him first, but when she moves away for college, Kiki move in. Bo loves Kiki and can't imagine leaving her, but he can't resist carrying on an affair with Angela when she's in town. Both girls end up pregnant with his child, and as luck would have it, both go into labor the same stormy night. Kiki well before her due date, due to her father's abuse when he found out she was pregnant. Angela's grandmother Kathleen is the only doctor available, and she opens the closed hospital, hoping help with arrive in time. None does, and when Kiki arrives later, Kathleen is forced to deliver both babies, leaving the girls alone and struggling more than she'd wished to. One girl goes home with a baby, one girl is sent to the psych ward convinced she'd heard her stillborn baby's cry.
The years that follow, Kiki struggles as a single mother. She's finally free of her father, but life is not good. She's still stuck on the island, left with Bo's indifference and his parents' cold disapproval. She spends years in a shed with the daughter she can't seem to feel close to. Angela struggles with her memories of the night, with the fear she'd done something awful to her child that she can't remember. Just like she can't remember clearly the night her father died.
I'll be honest - I struggled through the middle of this book. While the trauma they were raised with, and their continued experiences trying to survive, were dealt with expertly... I just didn't like them. Was I sympathetic to the trauma they faced? Did I wish for them to find better lives, absolutely! Instead, they were caught up on both wanting to keep Bo - who was in no way an ideal boyfriend. How either of them were attracted to him was beyond me, and the years they wasted in that pursuit, the pain caused by it... it made all three of them toxic.
One of the books I was close to not finishing, it might come as a surprise to why it's getting a 4 star rating from me. I think, in the end, it came down to the fact that while their problems didn't all magically go away, things did take a turn for the better. We did get answers - not ones that made everything ok. I severely disliked actions that were taken, to the point that I gave up on characters and thought them beyond redemption. Why should I care, when they instigated so much of their own suffering? However... I did find it very realistic. What both girls experienced, the trauma that shaped them, and their struggles to survive. To just be ok. Real life doesn't always have happy endings. You can't just wish things better. Instead, you have to work at it daily - and you're going to need help along the way.
If you enjoy realistic stories, stories of people who live with trauma and struggle to find their way. Of people who don't make the right choices, who some how seem to make that wrong step at every turn, this one is for you. If you like stories of the women who survive, who find themselves wanting to give every opportunity to those who come after them, this one is for you.
November 13, 2023
For many years of childhood, cousins Angel and Kiki were inseparable when Angel and her brother TJ came from California to stay with their grandparents for 2 weeks every summer on Martha's Vineyard—two weeks of fun, joy, and love. Kiki lived on Martha's Vineyard year-round. That is their history on the island.
Angel King became Angela Miller, and TJ King became Thomas Miller—name changes orchestrated by their grandmother, who brought them to live year-round on the island with their grandparents for a fresh start. Kiki's life had changed too. The differences in the changes to Angela and Kiki's lives severed their friendship.
The majority of the story is told from 2 POVs, Angela and Kiki; the novel divided into 2 parts. Part 1 gives a glimpse of the backstory in 1998 and 1999, moving forward to May 2006-Labor Day 2008. Part 2 moves forward to September 2012-January 2018, a glimpse back to December 2006, followed by an Epilogue.
Visions of Martha's Vineyard retain idyllic summer visits from my memories. But this story doesn't focus on idyllic sights and sounds of summer delights and adventures tourists enjoy. This story unearths a darker side of reality. Children trying to navigate their way through family secrets, some in their awareness, some hidden. Even as they've grown older, they are still part of the drama and broken. It takes a long time for the cousins to realize that they have remained a part of each other's story, and through that time, the conflicts widen the gaps between them. To heal from the past, they must learn each other's secrets. But being in sync came to a halt a long time ago. It may be too late for understanding and forgiveness.
Family drama, family secrets, lies, silence, twist, turn, and detour, and there is a wonder if Angela and Kiki will ever evolve or if the only way they know how to live is to let the past control their present and future. Will they ever realize the truth or learn the truth? A story of survival. This is a story filled with decisions, some made with knee-jerk reactions. It is a story of women trying to find a way forward, but sometimes, they get in their own way. Forward doesn’t always mean Happily Ever After. Forward sometimes means acceptance, forgiveness, and inner peace.
I never would have guessed if I had not known the writing was by 2 individuals before reading the book. The book is well-written and flows smoothly. The book’s format with the years clearly indicated allows the story development to be realistic as navigating forward when the past clouds the women’s thoughts, actions, responses, and relationships take time.
Reviewer's Note: Addison McKnight is the pseudonym created by Nicole Moleti and Krista Wells.
Thank you to Addison McKnight, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an eARC of this book.
Angel King became Angela Miller, and TJ King became Thomas Miller—name changes orchestrated by their grandmother, who brought them to live year-round on the island with their grandparents for a fresh start. Kiki's life had changed too. The differences in the changes to Angela and Kiki's lives severed their friendship.
The majority of the story is told from 2 POVs, Angela and Kiki; the novel divided into 2 parts. Part 1 gives a glimpse of the backstory in 1998 and 1999, moving forward to May 2006-Labor Day 2008. Part 2 moves forward to September 2012-January 2018, a glimpse back to December 2006, followed by an Epilogue.
Visions of Martha's Vineyard retain idyllic summer visits from my memories. But this story doesn't focus on idyllic sights and sounds of summer delights and adventures tourists enjoy. This story unearths a darker side of reality. Children trying to navigate their way through family secrets, some in their awareness, some hidden. Even as they've grown older, they are still part of the drama and broken. It takes a long time for the cousins to realize that they have remained a part of each other's story, and through that time, the conflicts widen the gaps between them. To heal from the past, they must learn each other's secrets. But being in sync came to a halt a long time ago. It may be too late for understanding and forgiveness.
Family drama, family secrets, lies, silence, twist, turn, and detour, and there is a wonder if Angela and Kiki will ever evolve or if the only way they know how to live is to let the past control their present and future. Will they ever realize the truth or learn the truth? A story of survival. This is a story filled with decisions, some made with knee-jerk reactions. It is a story of women trying to find a way forward, but sometimes, they get in their own way. Forward doesn’t always mean Happily Ever After. Forward sometimes means acceptance, forgiveness, and inner peace.
I never would have guessed if I had not known the writing was by 2 individuals before reading the book. The book is well-written and flows smoothly. The book’s format with the years clearly indicated allows the story development to be realistic as navigating forward when the past clouds the women’s thoughts, actions, responses, and relationships take time.
Reviewer's Note: Addison McKnight is the pseudonym created by Nicole Moleti and Krista Wells.
Thank you to Addison McKnight, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an eARC of this book.
June 7, 2024
First: it looks like most of the reviews that made this a 4 star rating were ARC readers or otherwise given a free copy to review. Yes, they’re supposed to give an objective review but come on, ARCs are chosen based largely on data specs so it is very easy to manipulate ratings.
Is it worth a quick read? Probably.
Is it really a 4 star book? Definitely not.
This book could have been really good - the characters weren’t bad in the beginning (except Bo who was the blandest character in my recent memory), the concept was very solid, but the execution was just…blah. It was as if the authors wanted to tackle serious subjects without actually knowing anything about them - like they typed “domestic violence” and “trauma” into TikTok and watched 4 clips and called it good.
The story just got more unbelievable and cringe-inducing as it went on and by the end, I just didn’t care about any of it anymore. Also - if you’re going to have two authors write a novel to really contrast POV, you really need to hammer out at least a timeline together to keep ages and life experiences consistent.
Is it worth a quick read? Probably.
Is it really a 4 star book? Definitely not.
This book could have been really good - the characters weren’t bad in the beginning (except Bo who was the blandest character in my recent memory), the concept was very solid, but the execution was just…blah. It was as if the authors wanted to tackle serious subjects without actually knowing anything about them - like they typed “domestic violence” and “trauma” into TikTok and watched 4 clips and called it good.
The story just got more unbelievable and cringe-inducing as it went on and by the end, I just didn’t care about any of it anymore. Also - if you’re going to have two authors write a novel to really contrast POV, you really need to hammer out at least a timeline together to keep ages and life experiences consistent.
January 12, 2024
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This is by far the worst book I have ever read.
I mean honestly... there is no goodness in it. The plot is absolutely unbelievable, especially given it takes place on Martha's Vineyard, a small community. The alternating points of view are fine, but in reality, this book is just bad, bad, bad.
This is by far the worst book I have ever read.
I mean honestly... there is no goodness in it. The plot is absolutely unbelievable, especially given it takes place on Martha's Vineyard, a small community. The alternating points of view are fine, but in reality, this book is just bad, bad, bad.
March 9, 2024
Special thanks to NetGalley, Addison McKnight and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC of this incredible novel.
I absolutely enjoyed this book from start to finish. It was evident from the first few pages that this book would not disappoint. Definitely comparable to the infamous “Where the Crawdads Sing.” Highly, strongly recommend.
4.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 5.
I absolutely enjoyed this book from start to finish. It was evident from the first few pages that this book would not disappoint. Definitely comparable to the infamous “Where the Crawdads Sing.” Highly, strongly recommend.
4.5 ⭐️ rounded up to 5.
March 14, 2024
Can two young women overcome the trauma of their pasts?
Angela and Kiki are cousins who have been very close since they were young. Each summer, Angela and her little brother TJ come to stay with their grandparents on the island of Martha’s Vineyard, and during those weeks the girls are inseparable. All that changes when a tragic event sends Angela and TJ to live with their grandparents permanently, an event that also turns the two girls’ families and ultimately the girls themselves into bitter enemies ….and things only get worse in the following years. Year round life on an island known as a summer playground is not, as it turns out, as much fun as spending a summer holiday there. One parent is abusive, another disappears, yet another is in prison; alcoholism and poverty take their toll, While one girl is raised with a financially comfortable lifestyle, the other’s existence is hardscrabble. Both girls fall in love with the same boy, looking for love and stability at any cost. With the toxicity of their family histories and the many losses each has suffered, will either be able to claim the life she wants?
Told in alternating chapters from the points of view of Kiki and Angela, The Vineyard Remains was not exactly the book I was expecting….it was more a family drama with a mystery mixed in. As someone who knows and loves Martha’s Vineyard well, I felt that while the novel definitely did a good job of describing the island from the point of view of the year round residents who eke out an existence, I wish that more time had been taken to describe the island and the many locales mentioned. For someone who is not familiar with the island, it may be frustrating to have a place mentioned but without description be unable to envision it. What befalls both Kiki and Angela is heart-wrenching, and while I wished for each to survive and overcome the unfortunate hands they were dealt, I didn’t like them (or more specifically the choices each made), which also was an impediment to loving the story. If you like family dramas, then The Vineyard Remains may appeal to you….just don’t expect a Vineyard mystery à la Philip Craig or Cynthia Riggs. Many thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for allowing me access to an advanced readers copy.
Angela and Kiki are cousins who have been very close since they were young. Each summer, Angela and her little brother TJ come to stay with their grandparents on the island of Martha’s Vineyard, and during those weeks the girls are inseparable. All that changes when a tragic event sends Angela and TJ to live with their grandparents permanently, an event that also turns the two girls’ families and ultimately the girls themselves into bitter enemies ….and things only get worse in the following years. Year round life on an island known as a summer playground is not, as it turns out, as much fun as spending a summer holiday there. One parent is abusive, another disappears, yet another is in prison; alcoholism and poverty take their toll, While one girl is raised with a financially comfortable lifestyle, the other’s existence is hardscrabble. Both girls fall in love with the same boy, looking for love and stability at any cost. With the toxicity of their family histories and the many losses each has suffered, will either be able to claim the life she wants?
Told in alternating chapters from the points of view of Kiki and Angela, The Vineyard Remains was not exactly the book I was expecting….it was more a family drama with a mystery mixed in. As someone who knows and loves Martha’s Vineyard well, I felt that while the novel definitely did a good job of describing the island from the point of view of the year round residents who eke out an existence, I wish that more time had been taken to describe the island and the many locales mentioned. For someone who is not familiar with the island, it may be frustrating to have a place mentioned but without description be unable to envision it. What befalls both Kiki and Angela is heart-wrenching, and while I wished for each to survive and overcome the unfortunate hands they were dealt, I didn’t like them (or more specifically the choices each made), which also was an impediment to loving the story. If you like family dramas, then The Vineyard Remains may appeal to you….just don’t expect a Vineyard mystery à la Philip Craig or Cynthia Riggs. Many thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for allowing me access to an advanced readers copy.
March 16, 2024
Can two young women overcome the trauma of their pasts?
Angela and Kiki are cousins who have been very close since they were young. Each summer, Angela and her little brother TJ come to stay with their grandparents on the island of Martha’s Vineyard, and during those weeks the girls are inseparable. All that changes when a tragic event sends Angela and TJ to live with their grandparents permanently, an event that also turns the two girls’ families and ultimately the girls themselves into bitter enemies ….and things only get worse in the following years. Year round life on an island known as a summer playground is not, as it turns out, as much fun as spending a summer holiday there. One parent is abusive, another disappears, yet another is in prison; alcoholism and poverty take their toll, While one girl is raised with a financially comfortable lifestyle, the other’s existence is hardscrabble. Both girls fall in love with the same boy, looking for love and stability at any cost. With the toxicity of their family histories and the many losses each has suffered, will either be able to claim the life she wants?
Told in alternating chapters from the points of view of Kiki and Angela, The Vineyard Remains was not exactly the book I was expecting….it was more a family drama with a mystery mixed in. As someone who knows and loves Martha’s Vineyard well, I felt that while the novel definitely did a good job of describing the island from the point of view of the year round residents who eke out an existence, I wish that more time had been taken to describe the island and the many locales mentioned. For someone who is not familiar with the island, it may be frustrating to have a place mentioned but without description be unable to envision it. What befalls both Kiki and Angela is heart-wrenching, and while I wished for each to survive and overcome the unfortunate hands they were dealt, I didn’t like them (or more specifically the choices each made), which also was an impediment to loving the story. If you like family dramas, then The Vineyard Remains may appeal to you….just don’t expect a Vineyard mystery à la Philip Craig or Cynthia Riggs. Many thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for allowing me access to an advanced readers copy.
Angela and Kiki are cousins who have been very close since they were young. Each summer, Angela and her little brother TJ come to stay with their grandparents on the island of Martha’s Vineyard, and during those weeks the girls are inseparable. All that changes when a tragic event sends Angela and TJ to live with their grandparents permanently, an event that also turns the two girls’ families and ultimately the girls themselves into bitter enemies ….and things only get worse in the following years. Year round life on an island known as a summer playground is not, as it turns out, as much fun as spending a summer holiday there. One parent is abusive, another disappears, yet another is in prison; alcoholism and poverty take their toll, While one girl is raised with a financially comfortable lifestyle, the other’s existence is hardscrabble. Both girls fall in love with the same boy, looking for love and stability at any cost. With the toxicity of their family histories and the many losses each has suffered, will either be able to claim the life she wants?
Told in alternating chapters from the points of view of Kiki and Angela, The Vineyard Remains was not exactly the book I was expecting….it was more a family drama with a mystery mixed in. As someone who knows and loves Martha’s Vineyard well, I felt that while the novel definitely did a good job of describing the island from the point of view of the year round residents who eke out an existence, I wish that more time had been taken to describe the island and the many locales mentioned. For someone who is not familiar with the island, it may be frustrating to have a place mentioned but without description be unable to envision it. What befalls both Kiki and Angela is heart-wrenching, and while I wished for each to survive and overcome the unfortunate hands they were dealt, I didn’t like them (or more specifically the choices each made), which also was an impediment to loving the story. If you like family dramas, then The Vineyard Remains may appeal to you….just don’t expect a Vineyard mystery à la Philip Craig or Cynthia Riggs. Many thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for allowing me access to an advanced readers copy.
March 24, 2024
I can’t say enough about this book, I thought it was a fantastic read! I was first attracted to the cover which is absolutely stunning, and the stories location being on Martha’s Vineyard, my dream destination spot, perfect! The Vineyard Remains by Addison McKnight, which is actually 2 authors writing together under that name, is a thriller that reads more like women’s fiction. It’s the story of 2 cousins, Angela and Kiki, who start off as childhood friends but end up becoming rivals. They both experienced similar losses, are both victims of domestic abuse and both fall in love with the same guy. This story had so many twists and turns to it that it kept me glued to my kindle. Not many books have that effect on me. I felt a love-hate relationship with both of the main characters throughout the whole book. I really had an issue with Angela’s grandmother for doing what she did until I learned the truth about what actually happened towards the end of the story. You’ll just have to read the book to understand and you’ll be so glad you did. I’ve already been recommending it to other readers, it’s that good! I’d like to thank Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for the arc that I obtained off the Read Now section. This is one of my favorite books that I’ve read so far this year and I’m giving it a 5 star rating. It was my first time reading a book by Addison McKnight, which is a pen name for Nicole Moleti and Krista Wells, and I now look forward to reading both their backlist and any future books that they decide to write. Great job ladies!
March 13, 2024
The Vineyard Remains is chock full of family drama, told over the span of the formative years of these two cousins' lives. Angela and Kiki used to play together every summer when Angela's family visited the Vineyard, but when Angela is forced to move there to live with her grandmother after her abusive father's murder, the two cousins no longer have any relationship.
These characters are flawed with a capital F! Both just kept making terrible choice after terrible choice. There is reason behind it, and I think the authors did a great job diving into some of these really difficult topics. Despite both girls being quite unlikable at times, I still found myself hoping that they would figure out their issues.
As a New Englander myself, I loved the small New England beach town setting. I could easily picture the locations throughout the book. I saw this described as 'soapy' somewhere, and it's definitely like a small town soap opera.
Overall, if you enjoy suspenseful family dramas, you'll definitely want to check this out!
These characters are flawed with a capital F! Both just kept making terrible choice after terrible choice. There is reason behind it, and I think the authors did a great job diving into some of these really difficult topics. Despite both girls being quite unlikable at times, I still found myself hoping that they would figure out their issues.
As a New Englander myself, I loved the small New England beach town setting. I could easily picture the locations throughout the book. I saw this described as 'soapy' somewhere, and it's definitely like a small town soap opera.
Overall, if you enjoy suspenseful family dramas, you'll definitely want to check this out!
July 31, 2024
The Vineyard Remains by writing duo Addison McKnight is good. I related to one cousin and despised the other. While both cousins had trauma and growing to do, one was too immature and so self-centered she literally admits she never thought of anything beyond her situation. I hated hearing from her and felt very little sympathy for her, even less when compared to the other cousin. I liked the journey from childhood to becoming an adult and that it more closely reflected real life, although not completely realistic.
I was triggered by the descriptions of domestic violence and could have done without them as they were quite lengthy. However, other scenes were so swift and over in the blink of an eye that it was jarring. The twist was easy to figure out much too early on.
Carlotta Brentan, Maria McCann, and Angelina Rocca were okay narrators.
I was triggered by the descriptions of domestic violence and could have done without them as they were quite lengthy. However, other scenes were so swift and over in the blink of an eye that it was jarring. The twist was easy to figure out much too early on.
Carlotta Brentan, Maria McCann, and Angelina Rocca were okay narrators.
September 18, 2024
This book is packed with drama of all sorts: love, hate, insecurities, fear, competitions, sacrificial parenting, forgiveness, and everything else being a family entitles.
When two women (related to each other) compete for a same man, you automatically want to take a side of one or the other, but I loved that the author built characters so well, and opened up each one to be understood from their perspective, that you keep reading without taking sides and wanting their lies and love to turn out certain way, you root for both.
I gave 4 stars because I didn't have the sense of place where all this took place. I wish the author went into a little bit more details on Martha's Vineyards Island itself since the characters were shaped and grounded by it, but there is very little of the island is the story.
When two women (related to each other) compete for a same man, you automatically want to take a side of one or the other, but I loved that the author built characters so well, and opened up each one to be understood from their perspective, that you keep reading without taking sides and wanting their lies and love to turn out certain way, you root for both.
I gave 4 stars because I didn't have the sense of place where all this took place. I wish the author went into a little bit more details on Martha's Vineyards Island itself since the characters were shaped and grounded by it, but there is very little of the island is the story.
March 13, 2024
Thanks to #NetGalley and #LakeUnionPublishing for the book #TheVineyardRemains by #AddisonMcknight. This book is about cousins that love and get pregnant by the same man, one baby lives-one dies. The tragedy and struggles they all went through and the outcome of everything. I would recommend this book.
April 26, 2024
Once I downloaded this book onto Audible I couldn’t stop listening. This book delves deep into the ties that bind women together and the impact of men who break those ties. It didn’t take long to draw me in, hold my attention and route for both of the main characters. If you’re looking for a beach read— I’d say this is it!
July 20, 2024
4.5 stars - Not sure why I went into this thinking it was a thriller because it was not. It was very character driven - dual POV between two cousins. Everyone knows I love a good family drama and this was it. I both loved & hated and rooted for & against both of the POVs. That’s how it’s done. Highly recommended BUT check trigger warnings (a lot of DV).
October 8, 2023
Great read! Was captivated from the start. Lots of twists and turns. A love/hate relationship with the characters. Some too close to home feelings for me! I am very intrigued to visit the island now. Highly recommend!!
June 3, 2024
In general, I like this book and enjoyed seeing familiar places in it. I felt like it was rushed and more like a survey of what happened rather than what happened. The story could’ve easily been broken into two books. It felt like they threw everything in it. All the things happened to these two women.
July 20, 2024
I may have stayed up way too late to finds The Vineyard Remains, but I couldn’t put it down.
There is a lot going on, heavy emotions, dark secrets, loss, pain and finding your own way.
*trigger warning for severe domestic abuse
There is a lot going on, heavy emotions, dark secrets, loss, pain and finding your own way.
*trigger warning for severe domestic abuse
March 18, 2024
This was an amazing read !
It was gripping, and had me hanging onto to every word! It was written perfectly and was super easy to follow. The characters were extremely well developed and easy to love. The plot is also very unique! I highly recommend , this is a MUST READ!
It was gripping, and had me hanging onto to every word! It was written perfectly and was super easy to follow. The characters were extremely well developed and easy to love. The plot is also very unique! I highly recommend , this is a MUST READ!
March 19, 2024
I was captivated by this book - the two main characters, the plot bouncing back and forth between their lives, and the unexpected twists along the way. I really enjoyed this read!
March 19, 2024
interesting read!
I really couldn’t stop reading this once I started. I really wanted to know what happened to the characters and to understand/learn more of their back story. It is different than books I have read and I enjoyed the different story line!
I really couldn’t stop reading this once I started. I really wanted to know what happened to the characters and to understand/learn more of their back story. It is different than books I have read and I enjoyed the different story line!
June 15, 2024
sad
Not one to read or listen if you have trauma or depression just a bit too much darkness of situation all the way around. Good if you need a good dark to light story
Not one to read or listen if you have trauma or depression just a bit too much darkness of situation all the way around. Good if you need a good dark to light story
October 10, 2024
This story was fantastic, I absolutely enjoyed every moment of it. Cousins Angela and Kiki were once close as teenagers but fell apart once a traumatic event brought Angela from California to Martha's Vineyard where Kiki has grown up her entire life. Finding love for the same boy, these girls grow into women who can never really let go of their one true love, Beau. Both these women depend on the men in their lives to dictate their happiness and when babies enter the mix, things really get stirred up. This plot line had me eager to continue listening and the conclusion was fantastic. 5 stars! Highly recommend.
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