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Nakon pogibije roditelja jedanaestogodišnja Cathy Benson doživljava emocionalni šok. Njezino raskošno djetinjstvo u Kaliforniji zamijenit će skromno odrastanje uz baku Emmu u provincijskom gradiću Kerseyu u kojem je američki nogomet najvažnija stvar na svijetu. Odmah je pod zaštitu uzimaju najveće školske zvijezde John Caldwell i Trey Don Hall. Ubrzo se između njih razvijaju prijateljstvo i ljubav koji će im odrediti budućnost. Priča prati njihove životne putove sve do trenutka kada se ponovno susreću u Kerseyu kao četrdesetogodišnjaci. Meacham piše čarobnim stilom koji će u potpunosti osvojiti naklonost čitatelja. Dirljiva priča, nezaboravni likovi i neočekivani obrati čine ovaj roman pravom književnom poslasticom.
438 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2012
387 people are currently reading
5800 people want to read
About the author
Leila Meacham
18 books1,369 followersLeila Meacham was a writer and former teacher who lived in San Antonio, Texas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,043 reviews
December 3, 2012
I loved Roses - loved. I mean, it wasn't amazing literature or mind blowing prose, but it was a good story, it was interesting, I felt invested in the characters, I loved the descriptions and the characters and I really "felt" that book, if that makes sense. It was "soapy" and "sudsy" to quote other reviewers - but it was juicy and good. I do enjoy a good epic saga. So I was super crazy looking forward to this book. My sister in law also loved Roses and we've both been anticipating Tumbleweeds with excitement - I bought it and we planned that I'd read it first and then she'd borrow it.
At this point, I am SLOGGING through this book and I'm not sure why I don't just give up. I'm on page 195 and I just. Can't. Get. Into. It. I mean, for starters, the story is completely ridiculous. I won't get into the plot points that are currently frustrating me, but aren't we past the "boy breaks up with girl without explaining it, because it's for her own good and then he disappears with no explanation, leaving them both broken hearted and pining" storyline? Come on, this isn't Twilight, people.
Further, the dialogue in this book is ATROCIOUS. The writing style is really weird, almost childish. Example: two women are having a conversation about how things seem off with their kids, and one of them comments on the weather, to which the other responds, "no, it's more than the unprecedented heat that is making me feel this way." And don't even get me started on the overly mature conversations 11 year old children are having in this book. The dialogue is just completely horrible.
I think as I'm writing this I'm realizing that I will not be finishing this book. What a disappointment!
At this point, I am SLOGGING through this book and I'm not sure why I don't just give up. I'm on page 195 and I just. Can't. Get. Into. It. I mean, for starters, the story is completely ridiculous. I won't get into the plot points that are currently frustrating me, but aren't we past the "boy breaks up with girl without explaining it, because it's for her own good and then he disappears with no explanation, leaving them both broken hearted and pining" storyline? Come on, this isn't Twilight, people.
Further, the dialogue in this book is ATROCIOUS. The writing style is really weird, almost childish. Example: two women are having a conversation about how things seem off with their kids, and one of them comments on the weather, to which the other responds, "no, it's more than the unprecedented heat that is making me feel this way." And don't even get me started on the overly mature conversations 11 year old children are having in this book. The dialogue is just completely horrible.
I think as I'm writing this I'm realizing that I will not be finishing this book. What a disappointment!
August 8, 2012
*SPOILERS*
This was an interesting read. On one hand, I really liked tracing the three characters throughout their life, on the other hand, it made me depressed that their life could be summed up in a book..Also, I had to majorly suspend my disbelief when Ms. Meacham made John the father of the child..yahh no. Lastly, the whole twist at the end, it was interesting, but it just left the book with an unfulfilling ending. Plus, there's really no explanation for TD to yell "Catherine Anne" at the end..it was just the author trying to throw the readers off.
Lastly, it bothered me that the ending wasn't happy, though I don't think this is a reflection on writing, as more my preference. It's in the shallow books that I don't care if people get their happy endings..but when characters are developed over 30+ years, come on, give them a break and let them get a happy ending- that's why people read, because there aren't always happy endings in real life.
On the whole, good book, not a light read, and don't read it if you're expecting happy tingly feelings by the end.
This was an interesting read. On one hand, I really liked tracing the three characters throughout their life, on the other hand, it made me depressed that their life could be summed up in a book..Also, I had to majorly suspend my disbelief when Ms. Meacham made John the father of the child..yahh no. Lastly, the whole twist at the end, it was interesting, but it just left the book with an unfulfilling ending. Plus, there's really no explanation for TD to yell "Catherine Anne" at the end..it was just the author trying to throw the readers off.
Lastly, it bothered me that the ending wasn't happy, though I don't think this is a reflection on writing, as more my preference. It's in the shallow books that I don't care if people get their happy endings..but when characters are developed over 30+ years, come on, give them a break and let them get a happy ending- that's why people read, because there aren't always happy endings in real life.
On the whole, good book, not a light read, and don't read it if you're expecting happy tingly feelings by the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 24, 2022
Dobra porodična drama. Neočekivani obrti u radnji i kraj koji me malo razočarao.
July 29, 2016
3.5
Saga koja prati Catehrine Ann, Treya i Johna, njihovo prijateljstvo, ljubav i sve ono kroz šta prolaze zajedno; od odrastanja, preko školavanja, pa sve do smrti. Lijepa priča o tome kako porijeklo ne određuje životni put i kako je jaka volja dovoljna da se ostvare životni ciljevi. Zamjerka, prije svega, ide na dužinu romana koji je mogao biti i kraći jer se mnogo stvari moglo izbaciti ili barem ne opisivati toliko. Sve u svemu roman je vrijedan čitanje zbog prvih dvjestotinjak stranica koje su divne i u kojima glavni likovi odrastaju i suočavaju se sa različitim životnim problemima.
Saga koja prati Catehrine Ann, Treya i Johna, njihovo prijateljstvo, ljubav i sve ono kroz šta prolaze zajedno; od odrastanja, preko školavanja, pa sve do smrti. Lijepa priča o tome kako porijeklo ne određuje životni put i kako je jaka volja dovoljna da se ostvare životni ciljevi. Zamjerka, prije svega, ide na dužinu romana koji je mogao biti i kraći jer se mnogo stvari moglo izbaciti ili barem ne opisivati toliko. Sve u svemu roman je vrijedan čitanje zbog prvih dvjestotinjak stranica koje su divne i u kojima glavni likovi odrastaju i suočavaju se sa različitim životnim problemima.
June 27, 2016
Nevjerovatno dobro ispričana priča o prijateljstvu, ljubavi, izdaji i oprostu. Neizvjesno do samog kraja, tek što bih pomislila da je to to, priča bi dobila novi preokret i držala mi pažnju do samog kraja.
July 29, 2017
Looking for a book full of twists and turns? This is it!
March 10, 2013
The Texas panhandle breeds a bunch of us long, tall drink-of-water look-alikes. We're as common as tumbleweeds.
~T.D. Hall from Tumbleweeds
This week I read devoured Tumbleweeds by Leila Meacham. I could not put it down, which was a bad thing because I've had TONS to do this week. Last week I posted about Meacham's other novel, Roses. As much as I loved Roses, I think I liked Tumbleweeds a wee bit better.
Tumbleweeds is like a cross between Friday Night Lights and The Thorn Birds. :D This is a very hard review for me to write because I don't want to give away any spoilers, so this one will be short and sweet. I truly want you to read this with as little information as possible. As a matter of fact, don't read the book flap either....just pick up a copy of the book and start reading!
Cathy Benson leaves her privileged life in San Francisco to go live with her grandmother in the Texas panhandle town of Kersey when she's eleven after her parents are tragically killed. She is instantly befriended by the sixth grade Big Men On Campus, Trey Don Hall and John Caldwell. Both boys are smiten with Cathy from the first time they lay eyes on her, and they grow up together the best of friends. One of the boys decides he wants to date her their junior year while the other is in love with her, too. A string of unfortunate events ensue during their senior year, and there are many heart-stopping moments in the narrative.
There is a lot of football in this book. The Texas panhandle worships the sport, as does Central Alabama. Now y'all know from reading my blog that I love football, but I think that the sport should be kept in perspective. Meacham does a great job in balancing the community's football obsession with what's truly important.
Let me say that I did not find the ending satisfying, and I hope that there's a sequel. I really want Ms. Meacham to write one!!! *pretty please*
~T.D. Hall from Tumbleweeds
This week I read devoured Tumbleweeds by Leila Meacham. I could not put it down, which was a bad thing because I've had TONS to do this week. Last week I posted about Meacham's other novel, Roses. As much as I loved Roses, I think I liked Tumbleweeds a wee bit better.
Tumbleweeds is like a cross between Friday Night Lights and The Thorn Birds. :D This is a very hard review for me to write because I don't want to give away any spoilers, so this one will be short and sweet. I truly want you to read this with as little information as possible. As a matter of fact, don't read the book flap either....just pick up a copy of the book and start reading!
Cathy Benson leaves her privileged life in San Francisco to go live with her grandmother in the Texas panhandle town of Kersey when she's eleven after her parents are tragically killed. She is instantly befriended by the sixth grade Big Men On Campus, Trey Don Hall and John Caldwell. Both boys are smiten with Cathy from the first time they lay eyes on her, and they grow up together the best of friends. One of the boys decides he wants to date her their junior year while the other is in love with her, too. A string of unfortunate events ensue during their senior year, and there are many heart-stopping moments in the narrative.
There is a lot of football in this book. The Texas panhandle worships the sport, as does Central Alabama. Now y'all know from reading my blog that I love football, but I think that the sport should be kept in perspective. Meacham does a great job in balancing the community's football obsession with what's truly important.
Let me say that I did not find the ending satisfying, and I hope that there's a sequel. I really want Ms. Meacham to write one!!! *pretty please*
September 16, 2012
Tumbleweeds was a 4 star for me up until page 399, like another reviewer here I felt the story was ruined for me at that moment.
Cathy, John, and Trey, all orphans, find a wonderful kind of friendship in their early years and it blooms as they grow into young adulthood. Cathy is refined, cultured, and smart. John is kind, conscientious, and honest. Trey is devious, unfaithful, and charming. Is it any surprise Cathy chooses to date Trey? It should be but in fiction the good girls always choose the bad boy instead of the good boy; that's a whole 'nother can of worms I'm not going to open in this review.
As adults the trio find they are not who or what they thought they would be, the future they had planned since they were 11 years old did not happen, a boy is dead and their 'family', such as it was, is broken and irreparable due to Trey Don's selfish actions.
I'm trying to write this without giving away plot so it's pretty hard to discuss the disappointment I felt at the end of the book and how it played out. I didn't want a happily ever after because that wouldn't have fit the rest of the book but I really, really hated the ending.
All in all a good read, I felt the ending left the reader wondering where the saga went and why suddenly a mystery is being read. A four star read until the end that knocked it down to three.
Cathy, John, and Trey, all orphans, find a wonderful kind of friendship in their early years and it blooms as they grow into young adulthood. Cathy is refined, cultured, and smart. John is kind, conscientious, and honest. Trey is devious, unfaithful, and charming. Is it any surprise Cathy chooses to date Trey? It should be but in fiction the good girls always choose the bad boy instead of the good boy; that's a whole 'nother can of worms I'm not going to open in this review.
As adults the trio find they are not who or what they thought they would be, the future they had planned since they were 11 years old did not happen, a boy is dead and their 'family', such as it was, is broken and irreparable due to Trey Don's selfish actions.
I'm trying to write this without giving away plot so it's pretty hard to discuss the disappointment I felt at the end of the book and how it played out. I didn't want a happily ever after because that wouldn't have fit the rest of the book but I really, really hated the ending.
All in all a good read, I felt the ending left the reader wondering where the saga went and why suddenly a mystery is being read. A four star read until the end that knocked it down to three.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2013
This was a delicious story - full of love and hate in a small Texas town. The author made the characters come alive - so much that I could barely put it down. I liked it much better than her previous book, Roses. The characters of the three children who grow up together were well defined. I could visualize them in my head. The plot, while slightly soap opera"ish", kept me on the edge of my seat most of the time. Highly recommended.
July 30, 2015
Knjiga je tako dobro počela.. Veoma me je privukla da čitam i da me zanima sve oko toga šta će se desiti, međutim s vremenom mi je postala previše opširna i previše komplikacija koje su zaista bile nepotrebne. Moglo je da se završi mnogo prije i na mnogo bolji način.
Za one koji su pročitali znaće: Posebno me nervira način na koji je ona ostala trudna? Jedva da ju je pipnuo i trudna? Zaista??????? To me je toliko iznerviralo!
Sve u svemu, knjiga nije loša. :)
Za one koji su pročitali znaće: Posebno me nervira način na koji je ona ostala trudna? Jedva da ju je pipnuo i trudna? Zaista??????? To me je toliko iznerviralo!
Sve u svemu, knjiga nije loša. :)
January 20, 2018
Ruže i Somerset su mi bile bolje od ove, iako i ovdje ima nešto jedinstveno, posebno početak. Kasnije se malo radnja odužila i sam kraj je malo bio nategnut. U biti, nisam razočarana, ali joj nisam mogla dati više od ove ocjene. :)
August 19, 2012
TUMBLEWEEDS
Leila Meacham
Having long been a huge fan of epic sagas Ms. Meacham led me to believe she was going to single handedly revive the genre. That may have been too much to ask of any author. Her first book, ROSES led me down that primrose path as I loved the book.
That is not the case with TUMBLEWEEDS. The book becomes overly melodramatic, terribly detail oriented with predictable, wooden characters and plot.
Recently orphaned eleven year old, Cathy Benson who had lived a life of plenty is sent to her grandmother who lives in Kersey, Texas, which is a cultural and intellectual wasteland in Cathy’s eyes. She is befriended by football star classmates John Caldwell and Tray Don Hall both orphans themselves. Their immediate attraction determines the love triangle that will influence the course of their lives. During high school several tragic events occur that will test and break their close bond. Forty years later the trio is reunited by extenuating circumstances that will explain the broken friendship and the mysteries surrounding the tragic events.
The novel spans three lifetimes full of heavy drama, star crossed lovers, friendship and misunderstandings.
Leila Meacham
Having long been a huge fan of epic sagas Ms. Meacham led me to believe she was going to single handedly revive the genre. That may have been too much to ask of any author. Her first book, ROSES led me down that primrose path as I loved the book.
That is not the case with TUMBLEWEEDS. The book becomes overly melodramatic, terribly detail oriented with predictable, wooden characters and plot.
Recently orphaned eleven year old, Cathy Benson who had lived a life of plenty is sent to her grandmother who lives in Kersey, Texas, which is a cultural and intellectual wasteland in Cathy’s eyes. She is befriended by football star classmates John Caldwell and Tray Don Hall both orphans themselves. Their immediate attraction determines the love triangle that will influence the course of their lives. During high school several tragic events occur that will test and break their close bond. Forty years later the trio is reunited by extenuating circumstances that will explain the broken friendship and the mysteries surrounding the tragic events.
The novel spans three lifetimes full of heavy drama, star crossed lovers, friendship and misunderstandings.
May 12, 2016
An over-sized soapish melodrama of friendship, love and betrayal all rolled into a mystery of sorts by the author of Roses, recommended to me by my daughter and a book I would not have otherwise read. Moving onto Tumbleweeds was most likely prompted by the tease of a football player -- if you know me, you know how much I enjoy my sports-related romances. However, there wasn't much of the actual sport involved here.
Here readers will be confronted with the tale of three orphans who were best of friends in a small Texas town. As they grow older, the triangle becomes jaded and soured. The storyline kept my interest for the most part and entertained. The writing is good and the author moves the story along at a good pace. However, it derailed in parts where there are less developed areas that needed a bit more detail in making me a believer. There are some twists that lead to a bit of a disappointment in the ending. I was left thinking that this one really could have been one of those great ones -- but wasn't for me.
Here readers will be confronted with the tale of three orphans who were best of friends in a small Texas town. As they grow older, the triangle becomes jaded and soured. The storyline kept my interest for the most part and entertained. The writing is good and the author moves the story along at a good pace. However, it derailed in parts where there are less developed areas that needed a bit more detail in making me a believer. There are some twists that lead to a bit of a disappointment in the ending. I was left thinking that this one really could have been one of those great ones -- but wasn't for me.
September 28, 2012
SPOILER ALERT: This previous review says exactly how I feel after reading this book: "I really enjoyed reading the beginning and middle...but when it got to the point where the close-knit threesome started to unravel...I felt as though the author tried to incorporate almost too much drama into the story. It wasn't a bad story, but I didnt feel fulfilled when I finished it. The murder of Trey was completely unnecessary....it made things feel unresolved between Trey and Catherine Ann. I wished they could have had one more meeting to resolve things and bring closure to them. Also, the fact that Catherine Ann's new fiancee died on 09/11/ was random and unnecessary as well. Overall, this book was so promising in the beginning...I really loved the development of the characters...but the ending was a disappointment that left me feeling depressed and hollow."
March 22, 2015
Other than being a page turner this book was a disaster and let me tell you why:
1. The priestly man John rapes Cathy.
2. There is no way that two abandoned boys would be so kind, so devastatingly handsome, so smart and so talented, let alone best friends.
3. Why was Cathy's friend Laura always randomly brought up?
4. I feel like the author could have made this book 100 pages less by dropping unnecessary story lines/writing stupid segways. Just say 5 years later.
5. I would have loved to see Cathy legitimately fall in love and not have her fiancé die on September 11th. Like really? REALLY?
6. So you're saying TD never grows up, ever?
7. TD was already dying, no need to kill him off.
8. TD finds out his best friend raped his girlfriend and that's how she got pregnant and instead of punching him you lecture him on how she got pregnant.
9. Cathy finds out her best friend raped her and is the father or her son and instead of telling him off for raping her, she's relieved. WTF is wrong with these people?
10. Why am I the only one who has noticed that what went down between John and Cathy was rape? I feel like the author did not do justice to what happened to Cathy. Had she not said TD's name, John would have had sex with her with out her consent while she was practically passed out. Um, anyone else see the issue here?! After that happened the rest of the book just epically pissed me off.
1. The priestly man John rapes Cathy.
2. There is no way that two abandoned boys would be so kind, so devastatingly handsome, so smart and so talented, let alone best friends.
3. Why was Cathy's friend Laura always randomly brought up?
4. I feel like the author could have made this book 100 pages less by dropping unnecessary story lines/writing stupid segways. Just say 5 years later.
5. I would have loved to see Cathy legitimately fall in love and not have her fiancé die on September 11th. Like really? REALLY?
6. So you're saying TD never grows up, ever?
7. TD was already dying, no need to kill him off.
8. TD finds out his best friend raped his girlfriend and that's how she got pregnant and instead of punching him you lecture him on how she got pregnant.
9. Cathy finds out her best friend raped her and is the father or her son and instead of telling him off for raping her, she's relieved. WTF is wrong with these people?
10. Why am I the only one who has noticed that what went down between John and Cathy was rape? I feel like the author did not do justice to what happened to Cathy. Had she not said TD's name, John would have had sex with her with out her consent while she was practically passed out. Um, anyone else see the issue here?! After that happened the rest of the book just epically pissed me off.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 21, 2013
3.75 Stars
I loved Roses, the author's first book, so I was excited to dive into this story. This had the same get lost in the characters feel about it. Cathy, who was orphaned at age 12 had to leave California to live with her grandmother in a small town in Texas. She quickly takes up with Trey and John and a lifelong love triangle saga begins.
I thoroughly enjoyed this saga until page 399. What was the author thinking? A last minute thrown in...totally out of place...mystery? I don't want to spoil it for anyone, so I won't go into details, but after 389 pages of being sucked into a great story, a "what the eff just happened" moment, killed the ending.
I loved Roses, the author's first book, so I was excited to dive into this story. This had the same get lost in the characters feel about it. Cathy, who was orphaned at age 12 had to leave California to live with her grandmother in a small town in Texas. She quickly takes up with Trey and John and a lifelong love triangle saga begins.
I thoroughly enjoyed this saga until page 399. What was the author thinking? A last minute thrown in...totally out of place...mystery? I don't want to spoil it for anyone, so I won't go into details, but after 389 pages of being sucked into a great story, a "what the eff just happened" moment, killed the ending.
April 6, 2013
Yuck. I was in the mood for an epic melodrama. The melodrama was there and the plot had potential, but the characters were too unbelievable and the dialogue so awful. The writing seemed very juvenile. Worst book I've read in a while!
July 31, 2015
The last forth of the book dragged a bit and it could have ended sooner but I just can't give it less then 5 stars.
I'm loving Leila Meacham's writing and the characters are so well developed that you can easily imagine them as real people.
I'm loving Leila Meacham's writing and the characters are so well developed that you can easily imagine them as real people.
October 7, 2018
I really enjoy this author and her ability to make you care for her characters. Would have been a 5 star for me but I felt the ending was rushed and somewhat out of place for the rest of the book.
September 3, 2024
Another great book by this author. Tons of twists in this book that were hard to follow toward the end. The story was based in the panhandle of Texas in the 80's.
December 6, 2022
Wauw , prachtig , heftig , mega boeiend, en sommige dingen voel je aankomen , andere overvallen je …
Ik moet hier wel even van bijkomen ….absolute aanrader wat mij betreft
Ik moet hier wel even van bijkomen ….absolute aanrader wat mij betreft
March 17, 2025
I picked this book up with a stack of others for free and never had any expectations of reading this one. My daughter kept pulling it off the shelf because it has flowers on the cover so eventually I just started reading it and it was not at all what I expected it to be. I haven’t cried so much reading a book since reading “A Little Life” by Hany Yanagihata (even though that one was way more brutal) and I love a good emotional read. It was filled with complex feelings and twists but it didn’t seem forced and although I wanted to shake some of the characters at times I didn’t think any of their reactions or decisions were far fetched or unbelievable. I also really enjoyed the end. I was worried, based on reading other reviews, that it wouldn’t be satisfying and if you’re looking for a happy ending, this definitely isn’t it but it felt complete which I think was hard to accomplish with everything this book tackled.
July 8, 2022
Verassing op verassing.
Af en toe 'wtf' geroepen.
Vaag boek maar wel mooi?
2 jongens verliefd op dezelfde meid. Kan nooit goed gaan.
Af en toe 'wtf' geroepen.
Vaag boek maar wel mooi?
2 jongens verliefd op dezelfde meid. Kan nooit goed gaan.
August 10, 2012
Author: Leila Meacham
Published By: Hachette Book Group
Age Recommended: Adult
Reviewer: Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Blog For: GMTA
Review:
"Tumbleweeds" by Leila Meacham was some interesting read. In Kersey, this story takes place in the Panhandle...with the story being told in third person. These three orphans (Catherine Ann Benson and Trey Don Hall)and a abandoned child (John Caldwell),lead a very interesting life. I found this novel rather long but still fast enough to stay interesting for me. Be ready for a lots of twist and turns that will keep up turning the pages to see what was coming up next. You have three friends... two boys and one girl that become fast friends... however, both boys are in love with the girl. Now who would win her? After a series of happenings this completely comes apart. There will be a lots of secrets being revealed in the next twenty years...eventually gripping the reunion of the trio when they are all forty years old. The story will leave no part unturned and the plot thickens until the very end. Now, this is where I say you must pick up "Tumbleweeds" to see how this all comes together.
The characters are all simply good and memorable....really adding passion, friendship and love to the dialogue and the importance of football in the small town of Kersey. This story will have one characters' life that leads to football, another to become a priest and the other to work in a diner. Even the dog importance was displayed...Rufus. In "Tumbleweeds" many decades of life's will be revealed in this good read.
If you are in for a good read full of mystery and suspense... you have come to the right place. I recommend you pick up "Tumbleweeds" for a good read where you will find love, friendship, football, betrayal, secrets, murder, religion, sorrow, compassion misunderstandings and even forgiveness.
Published By: Hachette Book Group
Age Recommended: Adult
Reviewer: Arlena Dean
Rating: 5
Blog For: GMTA
Review:
"Tumbleweeds" by Leila Meacham was some interesting read. In Kersey, this story takes place in the Panhandle...with the story being told in third person. These three orphans (Catherine Ann Benson and Trey Don Hall)and a abandoned child (John Caldwell),lead a very interesting life. I found this novel rather long but still fast enough to stay interesting for me. Be ready for a lots of twist and turns that will keep up turning the pages to see what was coming up next. You have three friends... two boys and one girl that become fast friends... however, both boys are in love with the girl. Now who would win her? After a series of happenings this completely comes apart. There will be a lots of secrets being revealed in the next twenty years...eventually gripping the reunion of the trio when they are all forty years old. The story will leave no part unturned and the plot thickens until the very end. Now, this is where I say you must pick up "Tumbleweeds" to see how this all comes together.
The characters are all simply good and memorable....really adding passion, friendship and love to the dialogue and the importance of football in the small town of Kersey. This story will have one characters' life that leads to football, another to become a priest and the other to work in a diner. Even the dog importance was displayed...Rufus. In "Tumbleweeds" many decades of life's will be revealed in this good read.
If you are in for a good read full of mystery and suspense... you have come to the right place. I recommend you pick up "Tumbleweeds" for a good read where you will find love, friendship, football, betrayal, secrets, murder, religion, sorrow, compassion misunderstandings and even forgiveness.
March 5, 2013
I loved Roses - the authors first book. This was great too but very different in some ways. This is another Texas "epic" story but about a family in a different way...We meet the three main characters when they are in middle school. Three orphans who find each other and are friends for several years. Smart Cathy, jock Trey, kind-hearted John. I didn't feel that the author wrote the characters as children very believable - but i kept reading. Through a series of tragedies and events, the trio falls apart. The characters of Cathy and John are interesting and well-written. Trey turns out to be a surprisingly horrible man - at times it was hard to read about him. Thankfully, the author kept the character realistic. I was worried he would come back to Cathy in the end and all would be forgiven - she would fall in love with him again and all would be well. I liked the ending but it felt somewhat unsettled. I really didn't buy the John-being-the-father story, that was way too implausible for me. Almost as if the author wasn't sure how to end the book. But i did enjoy the story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2012
It's a good summer read, but that's about all it has going for it. The novel involves three people: TD, the high school golden boy quaterback; John, his WR and best friend; and Cathy, the woman they both love. Over time they separate but their lives continue to be intertwined.
My biggest problem with the book stemmed from the John becoming a priest plotline. The author says that she's not Catholic so she had to do research here, but it seemed to me like she was into the "Hollywood" Catholic stuff--like confession, and a priest being accused of murdering and fathering a child (before he was a priest). Also, people, "MASS" is capitalized! I'm so sick of reading "they attended mass." Mass is a proper noun. Give it a capital M!
The dialogue was stiled, with people using words they wouldn't use, and lots of "darlings" thrown about. It starts in the 80s, but the dialogue and characters are more like the 1940s or 50s.
My biggest problem with the book stemmed from the John becoming a priest plotline. The author says that she's not Catholic so she had to do research here, but it seemed to me like she was into the "Hollywood" Catholic stuff--like confession, and a priest being accused of murdering and fathering a child (before he was a priest). Also, people, "MASS" is capitalized! I'm so sick of reading "they attended mass." Mass is a proper noun. Give it a capital M!
The dialogue was stiled, with people using words they wouldn't use, and lots of "darlings" thrown about. It starts in the 80s, but the dialogue and characters are more like the 1940s or 50s.
October 19, 2012
This book was such a waste of time. Happily, I listened to it while driving to and from work, so I wasn't really wasting my time. It was just so melodramatic and stung out. I can only go by disc numbers; it was 13. It could easily have been about eight. Beautiful, popular, and rather bland people keeping secrets from each other and never forgiving one another, capped with a silly twist at the end that didn't do any of the characters a bit of justice.
But I will give it this: Cathy was no annoying Bella Swan in that she teased both boys back and forth. She loved Trey romantically and didn't string John along. That was at least a good aspect. Too bad she didn't have much of a personality. Trey and John weren't that much better. I did appreciate the respect the author gave the Catholic church, even if she got a couple of things wrong (Communion table?)
Oddly enough, I will give Roses a chance, because it, too, sounds like a good way to commute to work.
But I will give it this: Cathy was no annoying Bella Swan in that she teased both boys back and forth. She loved Trey romantically and didn't string John along. That was at least a good aspect. Too bad she didn't have much of a personality. Trey and John weren't that much better. I did appreciate the respect the author gave the Catholic church, even if she got a couple of things wrong (Communion table?)
Oddly enough, I will give Roses a chance, because it, too, sounds like a good way to commute to work.
January 23, 2013
I am a little perplexed with how to rate this book. There were parts I really enjoyed, parts that were drawn out and parts that I think could have played out differently.
This is the story of three kids, all orphaned in one way or the other. Trey Don Hall, John Caldwell and Cathrine Ann Benson who grow up in the town of Kersey, Texas. The story chronicles their lives and all the ups and downs they share. The three are inseperable until a problem arises and then the book just takes an unexpected turn. It is very detailed in many places and then the book skips 12 years and then goes back to the detail until the end when, for me, there were a few things that were not detailed enough. It is a story of a heart-warming story of love, friendship, trust,faith and ultimately betrayal.
I would rate this book 3.5 stars, but gave it 4 since, although detailed, it kept my attention.
This is the story of three kids, all orphaned in one way or the other. Trey Don Hall, John Caldwell and Cathrine Ann Benson who grow up in the town of Kersey, Texas. The story chronicles their lives and all the ups and downs they share. The three are inseperable until a problem arises and then the book just takes an unexpected turn. It is very detailed in many places and then the book skips 12 years and then goes back to the detail until the end when, for me, there were a few things that were not detailed enough. It is a story of a heart-warming story of love, friendship, trust,faith and ultimately betrayal.
I would rate this book 3.5 stars, but gave it 4 since, although detailed, it kept my attention.
July 9, 2012
SLIGHT SPOILER ALERT -- It was definitely hard to put down once I got to a certain point. There are some dragging parts and they keep jumping years. I love happy endings, but this book didn't satisfy the ending I wanted. It was still a good read, but I want the perfect happy ending of John and Cathy ending up together. It was lame to let him become a priest. I feel frustrated after reading it because you are left with the ultimate life question of "What if" and you just want to yell at them at some points to just speak their mind! Don't hold it in cause all the repercussions were just frustrating!! I just wish the couple could've had a happy ending together.
August 30, 2016
"Oh what a tangled web we weave, when we practice to deceive"
That phrase is the whole mantra to this compelling story of three teens in the pan-handle of Texas.
A football game is won without the antics of a captured mascot. A death could have been avoided.
When T.D. Hall doesn't explain what the mumps did to his body, it changed Kathy's life and John's also. All was not lost. After age 40 life was better.
I loved this story.
That phrase is the whole mantra to this compelling story of three teens in the pan-handle of Texas.
A football game is won without the antics of a captured mascot. A death could have been avoided.
When T.D. Hall doesn't explain what the mumps did to his body, it changed Kathy's life and John's also. All was not lost. After age 40 life was better.
I loved this story.
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