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A Place to Land
"A delightful Southern story extolling the deep bond of sisters, Lauren Denton’s?A Place to?Land?has a heartwarming tone as it unravels a 40-year-old mystery coming back to haunt a cast of small-town characters whose lives are entwined in Sugar Bend, Alabama." --New York Journal of Books
Violet Figg and her sister Trudy have lived a quiet life in Sugar Bend, Alabama, since a night forty years ago that stole Trudy's voice and cemented Violet's role as her sister's fierce and loyal protector. Now Trudy spends her days making sculptures from found objects and speaking through notes written on scraps of paper, while Violet runs their art shop, monitors bird activity up and down the water, and tries not to think of the one great love she gave up to keep her sister safe.
Eighteen-year-old Maya knows where everyone else belongs, but she's been searching for her own place since her grandmother died seven years ago. Moving in and out of strangers' houses has left her exhausted. After seeing a flyer on a gas station window for a place called Sugar Bend, Maya chooses to follow the strange pull she feels and finds herself on the doorstep of an art shop called Two Sisters.
When a boat rises to the surface of Little River in the middle of the night, the present and no-longer-buried past collide, and the future becomes uncertain for Maya, Violet, and Trudy. As history creeps continuously closer to the present and old secrets come to light, the sisters must decide to face the truth of what happened that night forty years ago, or risk losing each other and those they've come to love.
"A touching tribute to sisterhood, first loves, and promises kept." --Susan Meissner, USA TODAY bestselling author of The Nature of Fragile Things
Violet Figg and her sister Trudy have lived a quiet life in Sugar Bend, Alabama, since a night forty years ago that stole Trudy's voice and cemented Violet's role as her sister's fierce and loyal protector. Now Trudy spends her days making sculptures from found objects and speaking through notes written on scraps of paper, while Violet runs their art shop, monitors bird activity up and down the water, and tries not to think of the one great love she gave up to keep her sister safe.
Eighteen-year-old Maya knows where everyone else belongs, but she's been searching for her own place since her grandmother died seven years ago. Moving in and out of strangers' houses has left her exhausted. After seeing a flyer on a gas station window for a place called Sugar Bend, Maya chooses to follow the strange pull she feels and finds herself on the doorstep of an art shop called Two Sisters.
When a boat rises to the surface of Little River in the middle of the night, the present and no-longer-buried past collide, and the future becomes uncertain for Maya, Violet, and Trudy. As history creeps continuously closer to the present and old secrets come to light, the sisters must decide to face the truth of what happened that night forty years ago, or risk losing each other and those they've come to love.
"A touching tribute to sisterhood, first loves, and promises kept." --Susan Meissner, USA TODAY bestselling author of The Nature of Fragile Things
Audible Audio
First published October 4, 2022
306 people are currently reading
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About the author
Lauren K. Denton
7 books2,167 followersLauren K. Denton is the USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Amazon Charts bestselling author of THE HIDEAWAY and HURRICANE SEASON, along with GLORY ROAD, THE SUMMER HOUSE, THE ONE YOU'RE WITH, and A PLACE TO LAND.
Her books have received widespread accolades, including...
*Women.com's Most Anticipated Summer Beach Reads
*Travel + Leisure's 20 Most Anticipated Books for Summer
*Southern Living's 25 Beach Reads Perfect for Summer and Best Spring Break Reads
*Starred reviews from Publisher's Weekly
*PopSugar's Best 20 Destination Romance Novels
*Deep South Magazine's Spring/Summer Reading Lists
*Woman's World Book Club's Week's Best Fiction
*BuzzBooks Spring/Summer Great Reads
*Travel + Leisure 10 Spring Reads That Will Make Winter a Distant Memory
Combining a love of Deep South settings, a generous dose of small-town flavor and humor, and heartwarming romance, Lauren pens stories that chronicle women’s journeys towards truth and love, hope and healing.
Born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, Lauren now lives with her husband and two daughters in Homewood, just outside Birmingham. In addition to her fiction, she writes a monthly newspaper column about life, relationships, and how funny (and hard) it is to be a parent. Though her husband tries valiantly to turn her into a mountain girl, she'd still rather be at the beach with her family and a stack of books.
Visit Lauren at www.laurenkdenton.com,
instagram.com/laurenkdentonbooks/
facebook.com/LaurenKDentonAuthor
Her books have received widespread accolades, including...
*Women.com's Most Anticipated Summer Beach Reads
*Travel + Leisure's 20 Most Anticipated Books for Summer
*Southern Living's 25 Beach Reads Perfect for Summer and Best Spring Break Reads
*Starred reviews from Publisher's Weekly
*PopSugar's Best 20 Destination Romance Novels
*Deep South Magazine's Spring/Summer Reading Lists
*Woman's World Book Club's Week's Best Fiction
*BuzzBooks Spring/Summer Great Reads
*Travel + Leisure 10 Spring Reads That Will Make Winter a Distant Memory
Combining a love of Deep South settings, a generous dose of small-town flavor and humor, and heartwarming romance, Lauren pens stories that chronicle women’s journeys towards truth and love, hope and healing.
Born and raised in Mobile, Alabama, Lauren now lives with her husband and two daughters in Homewood, just outside Birmingham. In addition to her fiction, she writes a monthly newspaper column about life, relationships, and how funny (and hard) it is to be a parent. Though her husband tries valiantly to turn her into a mountain girl, she'd still rather be at the beach with her family and a stack of books.
Visit Lauren at www.laurenkdenton.com,
instagram.com/laurenkdentonbooks/
facebook.com/LaurenKDentonAuthor
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 483 reviews
October 8, 2022
A Place To Land by Lauren K. Denton was an engrossing and moving Southern mystery. It took place in a little Southern town in Alabama called Sugar Bend where everyone knew everyone. In this picturesque little town, two sisters grew up during the 1970’s and 1980’s. The older sister’s name was Violet and her younger sister’s name was Trudy. The two sisters could have not been more different from each other. Violet Figg was studious, responsible and sensible. Trudy Figg was popular, beautiful and very social. The girls grew up in a very toxic environment. Their father was often drunk and physically abusive to their mother. When Violet was seventeen and Trudy was fourteen their mother left. The night before Violet’s and Trudy’s mother left, she made Violet promise that she would always look out for her younger sister and protect her. Violet found a note on her pillow the next day from her mother that apologized for her leaving but also reminded Violet of the promise she had made to her the night before. That promise that Violet had made to her mother was one that she always honored and took extremely seriously.
Forty years later, Violet and Trudy shared a home and owned a shop together. The shop was called Two Sisters. It was an artisan shop. Trudy was the artist. She created artisan pieces from locally found shells, drift wood, glass and other natural elements she found around Sugar Bend. Her creations were admired by both the tourists and locals alike. Trudy had suffered a trauma about forty years ago that left her unable to use her voice. She wrote notes to communicate and Violet was always able to understand Trudy, even with the absence of her voice and spoken words. The sisters were content with the life they lived but each was harboring their own secrets.
During this time, a young eighteen year old girl named Maya had just aged out of foster care and was in search of place to settle. Maya had not had a real home, a place where she felt she belonged, since her grandmother had died. She saw her fair share of foster homes but none were ever home for Maya. When Maya noticed a sign for an art festival in a place called Sugar Bend, she decided to head there. Maya found her way to Violet’s and Trudy’s shop, Two Sisters. There was something about this little town and Violet and Trudy that drew Maya in. The longer she stayed the more she felt that she had finally found a place where she belonged.
Secrets have a way of eventually getting revealed. When an old rusty boat with blue stripes materialized, the sisters’ past would finally catch up with their present. Secrets would finally be divulged and consciences would be unburdened. The sisters would have to tell the secret they had hidden all these years. Maya would feel comfortable enough to unburden her secrets about her past as well.
A Place To Land by Lauren Denton was a slow build but gained momentum as the clues about the mystery were revealed. It was told in alternating times of present day and the 1970’s through the 1980’s. The characters were likable and well developed. It was so easy to picture Sugar Bend through the descriptive prose of author Lauren K. Denton. The audiobook was very well narrated by Brittany Pressley. There were many themes throughout the book that included keeping promises, protection, sisters, family, acceptance, redemption, evil acts, abuse, forgiveness, compassion and love both old and new. This was the first book I had the pleasure of reading by Lauren K. Denton but I will look forward to reading more books by her in the future. I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to Harper Muse for allowing me to listen to this audiobook through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Forty years later, Violet and Trudy shared a home and owned a shop together. The shop was called Two Sisters. It was an artisan shop. Trudy was the artist. She created artisan pieces from locally found shells, drift wood, glass and other natural elements she found around Sugar Bend. Her creations were admired by both the tourists and locals alike. Trudy had suffered a trauma about forty years ago that left her unable to use her voice. She wrote notes to communicate and Violet was always able to understand Trudy, even with the absence of her voice and spoken words. The sisters were content with the life they lived but each was harboring their own secrets.
During this time, a young eighteen year old girl named Maya had just aged out of foster care and was in search of place to settle. Maya had not had a real home, a place where she felt she belonged, since her grandmother had died. She saw her fair share of foster homes but none were ever home for Maya. When Maya noticed a sign for an art festival in a place called Sugar Bend, she decided to head there. Maya found her way to Violet’s and Trudy’s shop, Two Sisters. There was something about this little town and Violet and Trudy that drew Maya in. The longer she stayed the more she felt that she had finally found a place where she belonged.
Secrets have a way of eventually getting revealed. When an old rusty boat with blue stripes materialized, the sisters’ past would finally catch up with their present. Secrets would finally be divulged and consciences would be unburdened. The sisters would have to tell the secret they had hidden all these years. Maya would feel comfortable enough to unburden her secrets about her past as well.
A Place To Land by Lauren Denton was a slow build but gained momentum as the clues about the mystery were revealed. It was told in alternating times of present day and the 1970’s through the 1980’s. The characters were likable and well developed. It was so easy to picture Sugar Bend through the descriptive prose of author Lauren K. Denton. The audiobook was very well narrated by Brittany Pressley. There were many themes throughout the book that included keeping promises, protection, sisters, family, acceptance, redemption, evil acts, abuse, forgiveness, compassion and love both old and new. This was the first book I had the pleasure of reading by Lauren K. Denton but I will look forward to reading more books by her in the future. I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to Harper Muse for allowing me to listen to this audiobook through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 6, 2022
A southern gem not to be missed!!! 🤩 A charming storyline that entails a forty year old secret 🤫 and a little touch of magic 🪄 . What a treat to read, this is LKD’s BEST yet!!! ❥
5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pub. 10/4/22
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pub. 10/4/22
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 9, 2022
Ever read a book that you felt like you’ve read, oh, 12 or more times before? A book that seems to be template, with only the names changed? all the elements that would make it a little bit more interesting seem to have been left out? And that winds up being the only real mystery.
The best thing about this book is if you are the type of person who always likes to be proven right, you will definitely be so upon completion. No surprises. But still, how an people live in a small town together for 40 years and not know a damned thing about each other?
October 9, 2022
A Place to Land by Lauren K. Denton kept me so engaged – I had to know what happened after every page! This is the first book I have read by this author and I will definitely continue to read more of her books. I had so much fun with this story and was connected to the characters. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4 stars on Goodreads.
This story is all about two sisters in their 60s, Violet Figg and Trudy, and everything from their secret past from 40 years ago coming to light. Violet and Trudy have been through so much together. Violet has always been Trudy’s protector, just as she promised their mother as a little girl. Things go to the extreme one night 40 years ago when a traumatic experience takes away Trudy’s voice, leaving her mute for the past 40 years. They each run an art shop in Sugar Bend, Alabama together when all of a sudden, things from their past start to resurface leaving many questions for everyone. Then we have 18 year old Maya, a foster kid who feels pulled to go to Sugar Bend for a new start, who meets Violet and Trudy and becomes part of their family really fast. Maya has been searching for her own place for so long – has she found it with these 2 sisters?
I had a great time with this story. The writing is addictive to read, I was turning pages so fast, especially at the end after 75% -- I had to know what happens next! I loved the characters, mystery aspect, southern setting, writing style and dual timeline back to the past where we got to see the early life of Violet and Trudy in the late 70s and early 80s.
We also had some romance with some of the characters that I enjoyed but was ultimately more invested in the mystery to figure out what happened to one of the characters.
I love the ending and our characters finally finding their “places to land” in life. Very heartwarming ending.
The only downside I had was this story was a little predictable and some items I didn’t necessarily agree with, but I overall enjoyed the story and am excited to read more of her books.
Trigger warning for anyone who is sensitive to domestic violence.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy to honestly read and review.
This story is all about two sisters in their 60s, Violet Figg and Trudy, and everything from their secret past from 40 years ago coming to light. Violet and Trudy have been through so much together. Violet has always been Trudy’s protector, just as she promised their mother as a little girl. Things go to the extreme one night 40 years ago when a traumatic experience takes away Trudy’s voice, leaving her mute for the past 40 years. They each run an art shop in Sugar Bend, Alabama together when all of a sudden, things from their past start to resurface leaving many questions for everyone. Then we have 18 year old Maya, a foster kid who feels pulled to go to Sugar Bend for a new start, who meets Violet and Trudy and becomes part of their family really fast. Maya has been searching for her own place for so long – has she found it with these 2 sisters?
I had a great time with this story. The writing is addictive to read, I was turning pages so fast, especially at the end after 75% -- I had to know what happens next! I loved the characters, mystery aspect, southern setting, writing style and dual timeline back to the past where we got to see the early life of Violet and Trudy in the late 70s and early 80s.
We also had some romance with some of the characters that I enjoyed but was ultimately more invested in the mystery to figure out what happened to one of the characters.
I love the ending and our characters finally finding their “places to land” in life. Very heartwarming ending.
The only downside I had was this story was a little predictable and some items I didn’t necessarily agree with, but I overall enjoyed the story and am excited to read more of her books.
Trigger warning for anyone who is sensitive to domestic violence.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy to honestly read and review.
August 31, 2022
A captivating Southern story from the strong writing voice of Lauren K. Denton. The author mesmerized me with her plot of a love that couldn’t be broken; domestic violence; murder, and redemption.
Sisters Violet and Trudy Figg own Two Sisters Art and Handmade Goods in Sugar Bend, Alabama. Trudy is an artist and makes handcrafted items from objects she collects on the beach. She hasn’t spoken in over forty years, but with handwritten notes she communicates just fine. Violet promised their mother she’d always protect Trudy and gives up her future dreams to do so. Violet loves to bird watch and volunteers to do daily bird surveys for the Audubon Society after retiring as a teacher.
The past comes forward to haunt the Figgs when Violet begins frequently seeing a large brown pelican and finding fish bone skeletons everywhere she goes. Eerily, they remind her of Trudy’s husband’s cuff links which disappeared with him in 1982. This story is told in flashbacks to the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, to current time. Sometimes, I had to stop reading and figure out if it was past or present time.
I really was immersed in the story and the characters lives while I read this book. Violet, Trudy, Maya—a young woman they took under their wings, Frank, Frank’s nephew, Justin, and all the other supporting characters who played important roles in fleshing out the beginnings of this compelling mystery through it’s gritty conclusion had my full attention. At the end, it seems everyone found their place to land. I highly recommend this story to anyone who enjoys a great read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Sisters Violet and Trudy Figg own Two Sisters Art and Handmade Goods in Sugar Bend, Alabama. Trudy is an artist and makes handcrafted items from objects she collects on the beach. She hasn’t spoken in over forty years, but with handwritten notes she communicates just fine. Violet promised their mother she’d always protect Trudy and gives up her future dreams to do so. Violet loves to bird watch and volunteers to do daily bird surveys for the Audubon Society after retiring as a teacher.
The past comes forward to haunt the Figgs when Violet begins frequently seeing a large brown pelican and finding fish bone skeletons everywhere she goes. Eerily, they remind her of Trudy’s husband’s cuff links which disappeared with him in 1982. This story is told in flashbacks to the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, to current time. Sometimes, I had to stop reading and figure out if it was past or present time.
I really was immersed in the story and the characters lives while I read this book. Violet, Trudy, Maya—a young woman they took under their wings, Frank, Frank’s nephew, Justin, and all the other supporting characters who played important roles in fleshing out the beginnings of this compelling mystery through it’s gritty conclusion had my full attention. At the end, it seems everyone found their place to land. I highly recommend this story to anyone who enjoys a great read.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
December 14, 2022
A Place to Land is a Southern Mystery, a story of family and secrets as well as Women's Fiction. Sisters, Violet and Trudy Figg have lived together for the last 40 years. Something happened that caused Trudy to lose her voice, and Violet is now her protector. Trudy is an artist, making sculptues from found objects, while Violet runs the art shop and monitors bird activity up and down the water. Maya has been alone since her grandmother died. At only eighteen years old, she heads to Sugar Bend after seeing a flyer in a gas station window. She feels pulled towards Two Sisters Gallery. Meanwhile when a boat rises to the top of Little River, it seems that secrets, thought long buried are now coming to the surface. The sisters must come clean, in order to save themselves and keep their new found family with Maya, intact.
This was a beautifully written story with a wonderful southern atmosphere, family relationships and secrets. The story builds slowly, but as secrets and clues are revealed, it picks up its pace. I did figure out what happened before the reveal, but I didn't lose interest in the story. This is a dual timeline story told in alternating POVs of present day and the 1970’s through the 1980’s. I liked the main characters and found them well developed. There are several themes in this book that may be hard for some people to read. There is addiction, abuse, family relationships, keeping promises, forgiveness, found family, compassion, secrets and love. I really enjoy Lauren K. Denton's writing, it is so descriptive, you feel like you are there. This is a story that I recommend to anyone who enjoys a good Southern Mystery and stories of family. The audiobook was narrated by Brittany Pressley. She does a wonderful job with the story, giving voice to the characters and adding atmosphere to the story. I recommend this one in either format.
This was a beautifully written story with a wonderful southern atmosphere, family relationships and secrets. The story builds slowly, but as secrets and clues are revealed, it picks up its pace. I did figure out what happened before the reveal, but I didn't lose interest in the story. This is a dual timeline story told in alternating POVs of present day and the 1970’s through the 1980’s. I liked the main characters and found them well developed. There are several themes in this book that may be hard for some people to read. There is addiction, abuse, family relationships, keeping promises, forgiveness, found family, compassion, secrets and love. I really enjoy Lauren K. Denton's writing, it is so descriptive, you feel like you are there. This is a story that I recommend to anyone who enjoys a good Southern Mystery and stories of family. The audiobook was narrated by Brittany Pressley. She does a wonderful job with the story, giving voice to the characters and adding atmosphere to the story. I recommend this one in either format.
May 27, 2022
I love Laura K. Denton because her books contain substance, meaning, and depth, and this one was no exception!
I was immediately drawn to the main characters- sisters Violet and Trudy. There's a secret that both of them are keeping and that secret gets revealed slowly but surely over the course of the book. The supporting characters are also vividly written; I especially liked and felt heart-connected to Maya.
The theme of making something beautiful from broken bits of shells, driftwood and other bits of nature really resonated with me and carried through the themes of the book.
An added plus was the fact that the main characters are in their sixties (as am I) and that romantic love is still a possibility/option for senior women.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I was immediately drawn to the main characters- sisters Violet and Trudy. There's a secret that both of them are keeping and that secret gets revealed slowly but surely over the course of the book. The supporting characters are also vividly written; I especially liked and felt heart-connected to Maya.
The theme of making something beautiful from broken bits of shells, driftwood and other bits of nature really resonated with me and carried through the themes of the book.
An added plus was the fact that the main characters are in their sixties (as am I) and that romantic love is still a possibility/option for senior women.
Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
July 1, 2023
“A long time ago Jay Malone was known as the friendliest guy in town.” Violet swallowed a lump of disgust that crept up the back of her throat. “But he wasn’t who everyone thought he was.”
Before Violet’s mother left, years earlier, she left a note to her daughter telling her to protect her sister Trudy, and Violet took that one last piece of instruction to heart literally.
Violet and Trudy have an art shop called, Two Sisters in Sugar Bend, Alabama. Violet loves birds, and she monitors local bird activity as well. Both sisters live quiet lives.
Maya has just signed papers that say she is legally out of the foster system that she hated. She wants to find a place to land, to belong. She finds the Two Sisters store and even though she doesn’t get off the greatest foot in the beginning, the two Figg sisters take an immense liking to Maya, and her to the sisters.
It seems all of the characters are looking for a place to land, so to speak. But it is the Figg sisters who have been holding a secret that hasn’t seen the light of day in over forty years.
I listened to Doctor Who - The 13th Doctor Theme while I read A Place to Land and I think it added to the mystery that is threaded throughout and gently lay at the foundation of this story. It was sad but uplifting at the same time. Recommended.
My gratitude to Netgalley and Harper Muse. All opinions expressed are mine.
Before Violet’s mother left, years earlier, she left a note to her daughter telling her to protect her sister Trudy, and Violet took that one last piece of instruction to heart literally.
Violet and Trudy have an art shop called, Two Sisters in Sugar Bend, Alabama. Violet loves birds, and she monitors local bird activity as well. Both sisters live quiet lives.
Maya has just signed papers that say she is legally out of the foster system that she hated. She wants to find a place to land, to belong. She finds the Two Sisters store and even though she doesn’t get off the greatest foot in the beginning, the two Figg sisters take an immense liking to Maya, and her to the sisters.
It seems all of the characters are looking for a place to land, so to speak. But it is the Figg sisters who have been holding a secret that hasn’t seen the light of day in over forty years.
I listened to Doctor Who - The 13th Doctor Theme while I read A Place to Land and I think it added to the mystery that is threaded throughout and gently lay at the foundation of this story. It was sad but uplifting at the same time. Recommended.
My gratitude to Netgalley and Harper Muse. All opinions expressed are mine.
April 5, 2023
THE GOOD: The descriptions of the coastal south - the landscape, the many interesting birds - are lovely. The tale borders on a bit of magical realism, which adds a nice element. The devotion of the two sisters to each other, as well as Maya's burgeoning relationship with the boy next door, are both quite sweet.
THE BAD: This may seem like a silly critique, but there was a nauseating usage, and over usage, of the phrase "your truth" in the final few sections. Also, the title does not appear in the book, which is usually a deal-killer for me. It also refers to the secondary character, Maya, rather than our leading ladies Violet and Trudy.
CONCLUSION: A lovely little book where everyone gets their happy ending. A great beach read.
THE BAD: This may seem like a silly critique, but there was a nauseating usage, and over usage, of the phrase "your truth" in the final few sections. Also, the title does not appear in the book, which is usually a deal-killer for me. It also refers to the secondary character, Maya, rather than our leading ladies Violet and Trudy.
CONCLUSION: A lovely little book where everyone gets their happy ending. A great beach read.
July 26, 2022
(free review copy) I feel terrible saying this because I adore every other book by Denton but this one just didn’t work for me. I liked the setting but everything else just fell flat. If you haven’t read her work yet, try another one first so you can see her true range!
August 5, 2023
• BOOKSTAGRAM •
This story is about two sisters in a quiet coastal town called Sugar Bend. Violet a 66 year old retired school teacher turned bird watcher and Trudy, who after an incident that happened when they were younger, decided to stop talking and will only write out what she wants to say. They own a shop in town together.
The novel goes from past to present tense of how their lives became what they have and the new friends and old friends they meet and rekindle with along the way. There’s a deep secret the Figg sisters are keeping and they will do anything to make it stays a secret until one morning a boat washes up on the shore.
Thank you so much to @harpermusebooks @laurenkdentonbooks and @TLCBookTours for sending me this book to read and review!
This story is about two sisters in a quiet coastal town called Sugar Bend. Violet a 66 year old retired school teacher turned bird watcher and Trudy, who after an incident that happened when they were younger, decided to stop talking and will only write out what she wants to say. They own a shop in town together.
The novel goes from past to present tense of how their lives became what they have and the new friends and old friends they meet and rekindle with along the way. There’s a deep secret the Figg sisters are keeping and they will do anything to make it stays a secret until one morning a boat washes up on the shore.
Thank you so much to @harpermusebooks @laurenkdentonbooks and @TLCBookTours for sending me this book to read and review!
October 4, 2022
Southern storyteller Lauren K. Denton returns following The One You're With with A PLACE TO LAND —a forty-year-old mystery of two sisters, a hidden past, a secret, and a young girl looking for a home.
Set in Sugar Bend, Alabama, we meet sisters, Violet and Trudy Figg.
A tragedy occurred forty years ago, and Trudy has not been able to speak since this time. She spends time making sculptures from objects she has found and communicates by writing notes.
Violet is very protective of her sister, and she runs their art shop while monitoring bird activity. She also gave up her true love to save her sister.
We also meet eighteen-year-old Maya, , who is looking for a place to land after her grandmother died. She comes to Sugar Bend and shows up at the art shop called Two Sisters. An interesting character, moving from one foster home to another and looking for a place to call her own.
From two time periods, the present day and events back in the 1970s and 1980s.
Told in alternating POV, the past and present collide after a boat floats up on Little River during a storm, making the future uncertain for Maya, Violet, and Trudy. They must face the past to move on.
Will they try and keep the past buried, or will all be revealed?
An emotionally moving story of family, sisters, love, hope, and evil in a small town infused with mystery, intrigue, and redemption. Well-developed characters and vivid settings make this a must-read for fans of women's fiction, family drama, a touch of romance, and mystery.
A special thank you to #HarperMuse and #NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Blog Review posted @
www.JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Oct 4, 2022
My Rating: 4 Stars
Oct 2022 Must-Read-Books
Set in Sugar Bend, Alabama, we meet sisters, Violet and Trudy Figg.
A tragedy occurred forty years ago, and Trudy has not been able to speak since this time. She spends time making sculptures from objects she has found and communicates by writing notes.
Violet is very protective of her sister, and she runs their art shop while monitoring bird activity. She also gave up her true love to save her sister.
We also meet eighteen-year-old Maya, , who is looking for a place to land after her grandmother died. She comes to Sugar Bend and shows up at the art shop called Two Sisters. An interesting character, moving from one foster home to another and looking for a place to call her own.
From two time periods, the present day and events back in the 1970s and 1980s.
Told in alternating POV, the past and present collide after a boat floats up on Little River during a storm, making the future uncertain for Maya, Violet, and Trudy. They must face the past to move on.
Will they try and keep the past buried, or will all be revealed?
An emotionally moving story of family, sisters, love, hope, and evil in a small town infused with mystery, intrigue, and redemption. Well-developed characters and vivid settings make this a must-read for fans of women's fiction, family drama, a touch of romance, and mystery.
A special thank you to #HarperMuse and #NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Blog Review posted @
www.JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Oct 4, 2022
My Rating: 4 Stars
Oct 2022 Must-Read-Books
October 15, 2022
The author seemed to be trying something different this time. I would read different versions of her previous books, specifically Hurricane Season, Glory Road, and The Summer House, as fast as she could write them. Unfortunately this one didn’t work for me and now that I think of it neither did the last one.
Things I couldn’t buy into:
-Trudy’s silence
-The pelican
-The fish bones
-The “magical” wind
-The mystery (it was obvious)
-Frank not knowing that Violet and Trudy were sisters (I don’t care if he was new, it’s a small town and I know small towns. Plus he was a police officer. Plus Trudy’s husband was so well known.)
-The dreams (Liza’s and Violet’s)
-Maya’s ease of suddenly living on her own after years in the foster system.
And the bird watching was excruciating.
I’m hopeful for a return to the sweet southern fiction that she does best.
Things I couldn’t buy into:
-Trudy’s silence
-The pelican
-The fish bones
-The “magical” wind
-The mystery (it was obvious)
-Frank not knowing that Violet and Trudy were sisters (I don’t care if he was new, it’s a small town and I know small towns. Plus he was a police officer. Plus Trudy’s husband was so well known.)
-The dreams (Liza’s and Violet’s)
-Maya’s ease of suddenly living on her own after years in the foster system.
And the bird watching was excruciating.
I’m hopeful for a return to the sweet southern fiction that she does best.
June 13, 2022
The story of two sisters, secrets and love, if what A Place to Land is about. I've read all of the other books by the author. And I really enjoyed them. But this story was slow, choppy, and had lost of things added that fit but didn't at the same time.
The story itself was good. I just felt off reading it. It never grabbed me. I had to make myself finish the book.
So while a good story, it wasn't the best book I've read by the author.
Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Muse for the opportunity to review this book.
The story itself was good. I just felt off reading it. It never grabbed me. I had to make myself finish the book.
So while a good story, it wasn't the best book I've read by the author.
Thanks to Netgalley and Harper Muse for the opportunity to review this book.
May 15, 2022
A Place to Land by Lauren K. Denton is a story that will remain long after the reader has closed the cover. The tightly woven plot braids individual threads of past, present and future into a climax the reader knows is coming, but the details still are a surprise. I voluntarily reviewed an advance copy of this book from NetGalley. Most highly recommend.
June 18, 2023
I enjoyed this tale of lost souls, second chances, strong women, and with a wisp of Fried Green Tomatoes to add to the Southern quirkiness and flavor.
September 25, 2022
The Sisters Secret
Violet and Trudy Figg live in a small town in Alabama. When their mother left she told Violet to take care of Trudy. Violet has always tried to do so. They run a small shop selling art items made from shells and driftwood. Violet teaches classes at the academy.
Their life goes on and they are contented in the life they live. One day a boat floats up during a storm and it changes their lives forever.
A long kept secret emerges and spells trouble for both of them . Can they keep the forty year old secret or will it be revealed?
Sometimes the past just can't stay in the past and sometimes secrets creep out in the open and are revealed for all to see. Life is not always as it seems.
This is a great story with wonderful characters. I listened to the audio book and the narrator had a very pleasant voice and was very easy to understand.
The story has mystery, family, love and compassion as well as evil in a small town where almost everyone knows everyone and everything but sometimes they don't know everything.
It was a good story with excellent characters and I enjoyed it very much. I would recommend this book.
Thanks to Lauren K. Denton for writing a great story, to Brittany Pressley for her wonderful narration, to Harper Muse audio books for publishing it and to NetGalley for providing me with a copy to listen to and review.
Violet and Trudy Figg live in a small town in Alabama. When their mother left she told Violet to take care of Trudy. Violet has always tried to do so. They run a small shop selling art items made from shells and driftwood. Violet teaches classes at the academy.
Their life goes on and they are contented in the life they live. One day a boat floats up during a storm and it changes their lives forever.
A long kept secret emerges and spells trouble for both of them . Can they keep the forty year old secret or will it be revealed?
Sometimes the past just can't stay in the past and sometimes secrets creep out in the open and are revealed for all to see. Life is not always as it seems.
This is a great story with wonderful characters. I listened to the audio book and the narrator had a very pleasant voice and was very easy to understand.
The story has mystery, family, love and compassion as well as evil in a small town where almost everyone knows everyone and everything but sometimes they don't know everything.
It was a good story with excellent characters and I enjoyed it very much. I would recommend this book.
Thanks to Lauren K. Denton for writing a great story, to Brittany Pressley for her wonderful narration, to Harper Muse audio books for publishing it and to NetGalley for providing me with a copy to listen to and review.
October 15, 2022
Sisters, Violet and Trudy Figg, are the best of friends. When their mom left, Violet promised her mother that she would always protect her younger sister and she has done just that. Violet runs an art shop and Trudy is the creator. Something happened 40 years ago to Truday and it left her silent, to this day she writes her words on paper. When a boat resurfaces late one night, it brings bad memories and fear back to Violet and Trudy because of what happened all those years ago.
A PLACE TO LAND is the second book I've read by Lauren K. Denton. I loved the bond between Violet and Trudy and the alternating timelines. I am always up for mystery and this one had it all. If you haven't read her books or are looking for an entertaining read for a day or two, I highly recommend this one to you. I am slowly making my way through her previous titles.
This review will be shared on my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
A PLACE TO LAND is the second book I've read by Lauren K. Denton. I loved the bond between Violet and Trudy and the alternating timelines. I am always up for mystery and this one had it all. If you haven't read her books or are looking for an entertaining read for a day or two, I highly recommend this one to you. I am slowly making my way through her previous titles.
This review will be shared on my Instagram (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.
December 29, 2022
What a beautiful story of sisters love, protecting each other unconditionally and forever no matter what the costs. Absolutely loved this magical novel ❤️.
October 28, 2022
The book was a slow burn and it took me a while to get in to it. In fact it many me sleepy and a little bored at first. But I’m glad I stuck with it because the gotcha moment was worth it. I can see why Denton is so well loved, being that this was my first book of hers. The characters were so deeply relatable. And ugh, Frank. Trust and Violet. Mia and Tyler. Those moments with Jay. It was very well done.
November 5, 2022
After reading two previous novels by this same author I knew I had to read this one. Hurricane Season and The Summer House were both so good. Both five star reads. Both set in the southern part of Alabama. Books set in my home state tend to call my name. This book is the same. Set in Sugar Bend, AL and close to Mobile among other places it's realistic and a very touching story.
Two sisters, Violet and Trudy, are all each other have. Their mother left when they were in high school and their alcoholic dad died in a car accident not long after. The mother made Violet, who was the oldest, promise to take care of and protect her younger sister Trudy. Of course Violet promised. Little did she know that her life was about to make such a huge chance. Violet would do almost anything for her sister. It was her job after all to protect her and keep her safe. She had promised.
Trudy was the youngest of the two sisters and was beautiful. The boys loved her and she caught the eye of the most adored man in town, Jay Malone, who owned a chain of Ice Cream stores. He had girls working for him and had his pick of any of them but he chose Trudy. Jay was a charmer. He was who everyone wanted to be like. He was the nicest man you'd ever meet. Trudy felt honored to become his wife. Violet could finally go on with her life and build a life with the man she loved also.
Forty years go by and it's only the Figg sisters, Violet and Trudy. They live alone in a small cottage and run a shop where Trudy makes beautiful things she finds. Everyone loves the things she makes. Violet runs the shop while Trudy makes things. They work good together. Trudy hasn't spoken in forty years. Not since something awful happened and devastated her.
This is the story of the lengths sisters will go to for each other. The things they will give up for each other. Even giving up their freedom. Being there for each other above all others. Even true love. These two sisters have a big secret that they won't share. All is good until the boat comes to the surface. Then their lives change forever.
This book is great. It's heartwarming and sad. It's one that makes you hold your breath wondering what will come next. Not a thriller but it will give you thrills. Skin tingling thrills. I truly disliked these girls mother. She was selfish in the worst way. To put such a big thing on her oldest daughter was not only unfair, it made life impossible for her to live. She spent all her time worrying and that is just wrong. Of course if the mother had not of left there would be no book so there's that. I still could not stand the mother. She was selfish.
There are several great characters in this book. I loved them all except the mother and Jay. Those two were foolish. The descriptions are great. The sandy beaches. The shells. The shops. You feel at home in Sugar Bend, Alabama. Like you belong.
Thank you #NetGalley, #LaruenKDenton, #HarperMuse for this ARC. This is my own true thoughts about this book.
5 stars and a very high recommendation. It's a beautiful story of love and hope.
Two sisters, Violet and Trudy, are all each other have. Their mother left when they were in high school and their alcoholic dad died in a car accident not long after. The mother made Violet, who was the oldest, promise to take care of and protect her younger sister Trudy. Of course Violet promised. Little did she know that her life was about to make such a huge chance. Violet would do almost anything for her sister. It was her job after all to protect her and keep her safe. She had promised.
Trudy was the youngest of the two sisters and was beautiful. The boys loved her and she caught the eye of the most adored man in town, Jay Malone, who owned a chain of Ice Cream stores. He had girls working for him and had his pick of any of them but he chose Trudy. Jay was a charmer. He was who everyone wanted to be like. He was the nicest man you'd ever meet. Trudy felt honored to become his wife. Violet could finally go on with her life and build a life with the man she loved also.
Forty years go by and it's only the Figg sisters, Violet and Trudy. They live alone in a small cottage and run a shop where Trudy makes beautiful things she finds. Everyone loves the things she makes. Violet runs the shop while Trudy makes things. They work good together. Trudy hasn't spoken in forty years. Not since something awful happened and devastated her.
This is the story of the lengths sisters will go to for each other. The things they will give up for each other. Even giving up their freedom. Being there for each other above all others. Even true love. These two sisters have a big secret that they won't share. All is good until the boat comes to the surface. Then their lives change forever.
This book is great. It's heartwarming and sad. It's one that makes you hold your breath wondering what will come next. Not a thriller but it will give you thrills. Skin tingling thrills. I truly disliked these girls mother. She was selfish in the worst way. To put such a big thing on her oldest daughter was not only unfair, it made life impossible for her to live. She spent all her time worrying and that is just wrong. Of course if the mother had not of left there would be no book so there's that. I still could not stand the mother. She was selfish.
There are several great characters in this book. I loved them all except the mother and Jay. Those two were foolish. The descriptions are great. The sandy beaches. The shells. The shops. You feel at home in Sugar Bend, Alabama. Like you belong.
Thank you #NetGalley, #LaruenKDenton, #HarperMuse for this ARC. This is my own true thoughts about this book.
5 stars and a very high recommendation. It's a beautiful story of love and hope.
November 6, 2022
A Place to Land takes place in Alabama and involves two sisters and a 40 year old mystery. Add in a young girl looking for a home, a small town policeman and a major secret and you have a book that will keep you turning pages to find resolution to the story of a man missing for over 40 years.
Violet and Trudy are sisters and have lived in Sugar Bend, Alabama for their entire lives. They own a small art shop. Trudy is fiercely protective of her sister. She runs the shop and spends her free time monitoring bird activity at the beach. When she was younger, she'd hoped to go away and take an internship related to her love of birds but was unable to leave town because she was protecting her sister. Trudy gathers small objects from the beach and makes them into sculptures that are sold in the art shop. Trudy has been unable to speak for the last forty years and the sisters communicate with hand written notes. Their lives follow the same routine every day and the sisters seem to be content with their lives. One day, a young girl, Maya shows up at the art shop. As she continues to return daily, the sisters learn that she had been in foster care since her beloved grandmother died seven years earlier. Something had drawn her to Sugar Bend but she wasn't really sure why she was there. She begins to help Trudy with her sculptures and the sisters hire her to work at their shop. Life continues fairly uneventfully until an old boat rises to the surface at a nearby river. The boat is tied to a 40 year old secret and the sisters have to decide if they should risk their peace and tell the truth about what really happened.
The story is told in alternating points of view in the past and the present. The two sisters and Maya are all well written and some of the secondary characters add a lot to the story. My only problem with this book were some of the dreams and visions -- the fish bones, the way Maya was led to the town but you have to just overlook those things and follow along with the mystery in the story. This is a book about love and redemption, love of family - both family by blood and the family that is created by people who care deeply about each other. It's also about the damage that secrets can do to a person and a family and the relief that happens when that secret comes to light. This wasn't my favorite book by this author and the secret wasn't a big surprise but it was still a great southern fiction novel to read and enjoy.
September 26, 2022
Thanks to Harper Muse for the free book and ALC.
I love Denton and have been reading her southern fiction books for years. She captures the scenery and atmosphere perfectly. Each story is uniquely its own. She also does a great job at creating conundrums within her characters that slowly unfold over the course of the story. I liked the birding aspect of this one and found these parts of the book to be really strong. The characters were interesting, especially Trudy. But I thought the interactions between the characters were a bit too slow burn for me. I like how Denton slowly pulls her characters together, I just wanted the progression to be a bit quicker to have more time to soak in the ending with them. It was still engaging and beautiful and I read it in a day switching between the audio and print copy.
As always, Brittany Presley does a fantastic job performing this book. She captured the characters and their essence so well.
I love Denton and have been reading her southern fiction books for years. She captures the scenery and atmosphere perfectly. Each story is uniquely its own. She also does a great job at creating conundrums within her characters that slowly unfold over the course of the story. I liked the birding aspect of this one and found these parts of the book to be really strong. The characters were interesting, especially Trudy. But I thought the interactions between the characters were a bit too slow burn for me. I like how Denton slowly pulls her characters together, I just wanted the progression to be a bit quicker to have more time to soak in the ending with them. It was still engaging and beautiful and I read it in a day switching between the audio and print copy.
As always, Brittany Presley does a fantastic job performing this book. She captured the characters and their essence so well.
October 3, 2022
Having read this author before I expected more than this offering delivered for me. I have to admit, I was bored with it up until about the 70% mark. It's the story of two sisters, Violet and Trudy, now in their 60s, but it flashes back to when they were younger and about the men they were involved with. Violet is a bird-watcher and has always loved birds and knows a lot about them, which is detailed here and did not keep me interested. At this stage in her life Trudy is a crafter, but mute for many years due to a catastrophic event some 30 years prior involving both sisters.
This touches on spousal abuse, murder and relationships. We've seen it all before, albeit with a few variances. None of the characters are any I could really relate to, or any that I will remember a few weeks from now.
I do appreciate the opportunity to read this ARC provided through NetGalley and the publishers for my unbiased opinion. Release date 10/4/22
This touches on spousal abuse, murder and relationships. We've seen it all before, albeit with a few variances. None of the characters are any I could really relate to, or any that I will remember a few weeks from now.
I do appreciate the opportunity to read this ARC provided through NetGalley and the publishers for my unbiased opinion. Release date 10/4/22
October 6, 2022
Another great book by Lauren K. Denton.
February 19, 2023
Having read every single one of Lauren Denton’s novels, I’d say she’s really hitting her stride as an author. With this newest one, I found myself not being able to put this book down, which is something I’m sure so many authors work so hard for! This southern fiction novel with hints of mystery, real-life issues, and a great love story ticks all the boxes for me. I’m so excited for Lauren and where her career seems to be heading! I wouldn’t be surprised if this one ends up in the box office! Well worth the read (especially for my friends in Birmingham, AL)! She’s a local y’all!
August 21, 2022
3.25 stars
A good, but not great, southern fiction about 2 sisters living with a 40-year-old secret--with just a hint of magic thrown in...
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the ARC.
A good, but not great, southern fiction about 2 sisters living with a 40-year-old secret--with just a hint of magic thrown in...
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse for the ARC.
June 27, 2022
I totally enjoyed this Advanced Reader. I've enjoyed all the books I've read by Lauren Denton.
November 20, 2022
This author creates the most amazing female characters.... with alot of love and drama. Once again I couldn't put this one down. Listening to these beautiful words is so peaceful!
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