Belonging

by Nancy Thayer

A successful career woman suddenly finds her life shattered by a car accident and a lover who abandons her, so she settles in an old house in Nantucket to await the arrival of her twin babies. 35,000 first printing. $35,000 ad/promo.

Genres: Fiction, Chick Lit, Romance, Summer Reads, Womens Fiction, Beach Reads, Contemporary

341 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 1995

About the author

Nancy Thayer has published 35 novels, including Family Reunion and Secrets in Summer. She has lived on Nantucket Island year-round for 38 years with her husband Charley Walters. They have two children and five grandchildren.

Reviews

[Jenn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can't do it. I can't get through it. The repeating of phrases within one to two paragraphs. The ridiculousness of the plot. Just not good.

[Melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had an opportunity to purchase this ebook through a Facebook promotion and boy am I glad I did. Another nonstop Thayer story, replete with characters who resonated deeply in my own spirit. I know it predates some of my other, more current favorites, but even back in 1995, Nancy Thayer could craft a story and create characters you felt you knew. I'm not sure I have cried so many tears, though, as I did in this one. So many challenging things happen to the main character, Joanna.
And unlike some of the more recent books, the romantic scenes were deeply touching and real. Thayer has moved away from some of that in more recent books, but what was so special to me was that her scenes could have been taken from some of my own life journals! Very intimate and wonderful.
I will keep buying and reading Nancy Thayer books til forever!!!

[mavie · Rating 2 out of 5]

war anfangs ganz okay & dann wurde die Handlung völlig willenlos & super random lol

[Carole at From My Carolina Home · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story started out a little irritating with overwrought images in the narrative, some just reaching to ridiculous - "the tantalizing glitter of his arctic blue eyes. The iceberg planes of his cheekbones...the cutting white sail of his smile". Oh, please, just a bit much for one paragraph. Then there is the powerful and strong woman, who gets pregnant and retreats from the world in Nantucket because she is afraid her lover will want her to get an abortion. If she was that strong, she could have told him no and meant it. The novel moves to the renovation of an old house which became somewhat interesting, then the reader is slapped in the face by not one, but multiple tragedies in a row. I was too far in by that point to wall-bang it, so finished it. Of course, as predicted, the storylines were all tied up with neat little bows, happy endings all around. Overall disappointing.

[Sara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have really liked this author in the past but this book was just a big no. Apparently it was written several years ago so it had some dated references but that was not the problem. It was just a poor story.

[Barb · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure why I wasted my time reading this book.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joanna Jones seems to have it all. As the successful host of a New York based television show - Fabulous Homes - Joanna is blessed with great looks. She has a wonderful lover and a job that gives her money and fame, while allowing her to indulge in her passion for beautiful homes. Today, Joanna has the life she's always dreamed of, tomorrow she just might lose it all...

Suddenly and shockingly, Joanna will discover what she doesn't have: a committed relationship she can depend on. Now she faces a stunning discovery alone and makes the tough decision to leave her glittering life in New York behind for a quaint Nantucket home with an ocean view. Joanna will soon discover new friends, and unexpected enemies.

The choices ahead will test her courage; the surprising twists of fate will challenge her faith as she faces a day of ashes, a time of sorrow, and an extraordinary new chance for love, happiness, and...Belonging.

This book was a good read for me; although, I must say that it was not as good as I was expecting. I found that the central character of the story just wasn't as sympathetic as she probably should have been - at least in my opinion. Anyway, I give Belonging: A Novel by Nancy Thayer a B+! I will certainly be reading more books by this author in the future; although perhaps not right away.

[Shelley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good basic story but just so many other irritating things

I generally love every book and have few I struggle getting through. I always make myself finish a book. Finishing this book was a struggle and finally just skimmed through most of the long narratives trying to get to the actual character interactions. Positives - loved the relationship with Madakat, basic storyline was good and could have been a great story
Negatives- way too much narrative with no purpose other then just filling space, Joanna supposedly a strong successful professional lusts after every male she sees regardless of marital status or age -again with really no point or relevance to the storyline, and for a supposedly strong woman her so called best friend was a total unsupportive snob. Not sure why there was even a friendship and then at the end of the story the BF character’s life falls apart - again with really no relevance to the story line.

Fortunately I have read and thoroughly enjoyed many other Nancy Thayer books so I am just chalking this up as an early career book. And luckily I found this on BookBub so got the ebook for cheap.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

For the first six chapters when Joanna was living in New York, I really didn't like the story, even considering not reading the rest. I am glad I persevered. Once she moved to Nantucket the story got very interesting. I liked the interaction between the characters. There was a contrast between the rich and poor. There was a contrast between the Nantucket residents and the Nantucket summer residents. I admired Joanna's independence and her caring attitude for people, especially the girl she hired as her housekeeper/cook. This is the first book I have read by Nancy Thayer. I look forward to reading some more of her works.

[Ratunda Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book by Nancy!

Although this book started with Joanna in an adulterous relationship, you can't help but wish for her happiness. There were dark moments of her lover being brutally and unnecessarily cruel to her. Also, the death of one of her twins. Then finally, the burning down of her dream home. But, though all of the adversity, she found profound happiness with Madeket, Christopher and Jake. This was a great book that highlights through trails and tribulations of life, joy does come in the morning!

[Cheryl Dietr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful scenery and developing relationships give this book a thumbs up. Unfortunately, the author often repeats the same thing over and over. For instance, describing Madaket's body over and over again...I got it already!!! In addition, there were times when the main character, Joanna, was so self-absorbed that it was hard to like her. That said, if you are looking for a book where love and hope is washed up onto Nantucket as often as the steely waves that plague the shore then this is the book for you.

[Esther Bos · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title gives a view of what is to come in this book. The reader is introduced to a number of people, from different walks of life, who yearn to belong to someone but have no idea how to get that sense of their place in life. From wealthy career woman Joanna to poor people like her maid to a gentle local doctor to a widowed executive, they want to "belong" somewhere, with someone, but don't know how to make it happen.

It's an old book republished as an e-book, so it is antiquated in its lack of cell phones and easy internet access, but the story remains true as life.

[Dixie Petersen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fairy tale life, with real life mixed in!

I use to only select books based on one genre. I'm certainly happy I now find enjoyment in many different books, books like this one! A beautiful story of the changes in life that can quickly enrich us. This novel was very enjoyable, from unbridled happiness, to consuming grief (which brought tears to my eyes), with sudden disruption and sadness, and back to unbridled happiness, again. A book I won't soon forget!

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure why I got this title from the Library as a hold item, I don't remember putting it on hold. It was a little difficult at first for me to get into the story but I didn't want to give up. I'm so glad I didn't. This was a wonderful story of love and loss and recovering again, never giving up. I loved the characters, especially Joanna and Madaket. This was a new author to me, I will certainly look for other books that she has written.

[J R · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like the people in this book, and the relationships they all formed, but things were just moving way too slowly to keep my attention. It made me realize that for the past two days, I've been nearly forcing myself to keep reading. Sometimes, the books get better after it slows down, but this one didn't really do it for me.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable

This book was a little slow for me to get totally engrossed in. Could be me as I became familiar with the characters it was hard to put down. I gave it five stars because once I got into the plot, it felt like real life. Messy and complicated. It was interesting, course in real life moneys seems to br an issue.

[Candace Martinez · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very intriguing and complex characters. For me, there was too much going on—too many storylines compacted into one story. Affairs, car accident, buried treasure, native nantucketers vs summer vacationers, the help vs companionship, housefire, stillborn baby, lonliness, and more. I wanted to get deeper into each thread but it was a lot to delve into in one novel.

[Neva · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an earlier book by Nancy Thayer. Her writing has changed a lot. I started this once several months ago and just didn't get into it, but fortunately, I came back later and stuck it out. It doesn't take long to change and several people had pointed that out in reviews, that it was almost like a different book once the setting changed to Nantucket.

[Jackie Wolfe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mesmerizing Novel

My first read by this author, but certainly not my last. Almost from the first page, I was hooked. The characters were all so real and the settings were described so well you could easily picture them. The storyline was excellent, and really drew you in. I totally loved this novel and highly recommend it to other readers!

[Carmel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really enjoying the older books by this author. If you have only read her current books please read her older ones. I am sure you can find them at your local library. I enjoyed the story of Joanne and watching her find her Belonging. I am still thinking about the book "Everlasting" which I really liked.

[Pam Nichols]

I listened to this one. It's a nice summer read about series of events that transform a driven TV home design personality into a woman with a nontraditional family. It's a little unrealistic but I am willing to give up realism now and then for an interesting story. The setting of Nantucket also helps.

[Lisa Knapp · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel like this book was overall pretty good but it seemed to go on forever. I definitely think the plot line of Joanna and Jake was ridiculous. I really liked Madaket… she was cool and a go-getter for a young girl. Some parts of the story were very unbelievable but others were pretty good. I would actually give the 3.5 stars ⭐️

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tells the story of a woman who has it all to outward appearances as a show runner with her married boss, she’s a workaholic and has no desire to have a home and family. Until circumstances change when she becomes pregnant. Her lover has told her numerous times he will never leave his wife. She cannot believe he means it.

[Jana · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an interesting read of a woman whose life's trials and tribulations lead her through emotions of life's worst to best scenarios. The reader grieves and celebrates with her through each phase.

[Joan Sherizen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book!

Nancy Thayer is one of my favorite authors. She doesn't disappoint in this book. There is a real sense of time and place. Good character development and an accurate description of Nantucket island.

[Beverly A. Fodor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this story, but then I knew I would, because I love this author.

Great story. Very believable, you are pulled into Joanna's world and the author takes you for a heart warming ride.

[Sue Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding story with complex story line, amazingly captivating characters and so many plot changes, was always on my toes and enjoying every minute.
Can't wait to read more of Nancy Thayer's books!

[Judy Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Satisfying read

I have been a fan of Thayer since I read 3 Women at Waters Edge. Like Elizabeth Berg, you feel like you are actually living within the book’s setting. The characters become friends. Very enjoyable story.

[Holly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hated it! I normally like Nancy Thayer, and I didn't realize this book was written 25 years ago, so that explains a lot. Silly . Normally her books are great beach reads. I finished it because I was past my 25 page rule...sigh.

[Jeanne (love2cook) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joanna Jones is a successful host of Fabulous Homes, TV show. She seems to have it all, great looks, a successful lover and a job with fame and money, too. Tomorrow she may loose it all. This is that story. Please read how her choices effect her life. A very good read.