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Owen's Daughter
It’s been years since Skye Elliot has seen her biological father. He left when she was twelve, breaking her heart, and her life has not exactly been going uphill since. A drug user and alcoholic, Skye is given a choice after a car accident: jail or rehab. It takes eight months to get clean, but the day Skye is released, she has one plan: to be a good mother to her four-year-old daughter, Gracie. But first she has to find her. As she sets out on her unsettling, life-changing quest, she is joined by the last person in the world she ever expected to help her.
See more at: http://www.bloomsbury.com/au/owens-da...
See more at: http://www.bloomsbury.com/au/owens-da...
- GenresFictionContemporary
352 pages, Paperback
First published July 14, 2014
22 people are currently reading
773 people want to read
About the author
Jo-Ann Mapson
32 books180 followersJo-Ann Mapson, a third generation Californian, grew up in Fullerton as a middle child with four siblings. She dropped out of college to marry, but later finished a creative writing degree at California State University, Long Beach. Following her son's birth in 1978, Mapson worked an assortment of odd jobs teaching horseback riding, cleaning houses, typing resumes, and working retail. After earning a graduate degree from Vermont College's low residency program, she taught at Orange Coast College for six years before turning to full-time writing in 1996. Mapson is the author of the acclaimed novels Shadow Ranch, Blue Rodeo, Hank Chloe, and Loving Chloe."The land is as much a character as the people," Mapson has said. Whether writing about the stark beauty of a California canyon or the poverty of an Arizona reservation, Mapson's landscapes are imbued with life. Setting her fiction in the Southwest, Mapson writes about a region that she knows well; after growing up in California and living for a time in Arizona and NewMexico, Mapson lives today in Costa Mesa, California. She attributes her focus on setting to the influence of Wallace Stegner.Like many of her characters, Mapson has ridden horses since she was a child. She owns a 35-year-old Appaloosa and has said that she learned about writing from learning to jump her horse, Tonto. "I realized," she said, "that the same thing that had been wrong with my riding was the same thing that had been wrong with my writing. In riding there is a term called `the moment of suspension,' when you're over the fence, just hanging in the air. I had to give myself up to it, let go, trust the motion. Once I got that right, everything fell into place."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
May 15, 2014
I have never met a Jo-Ann Mapson book I haven't liked and "Owen's Daughter" is no exception. What a joy to revisit some old friends from "Blue Rodeo" and to see where they are in their lives and what life has in store for them. Plus, meet the next generation with plans and problems of their own. And it is all set in my favorite place, Santa Fe, New Mexico. What more could a reader ask for?
Ms. Mapson's writing flows leaping from one character to another with such finesse that you feel like you are next door neighbors, or want to be. Before you know it the story is over and you sadly wonder why it went by so fast and eagerly await another entry.
Please Jo-Ann, I need another one!
Ms. Mapson's writing flows leaping from one character to another with such finesse that you feel like you are next door neighbors, or want to be. Before you know it the story is over and you sadly wonder why it went by so fast and eagerly await another entry.
Please Jo-Ann, I need another one!
July 1, 2014
I have enjoyed all of Jo-Ann Mapson's books, and this one was no exception. While this book has characters from past books, new characters come along to bring new experiences and stories of their own. Skye is a 22 year old, just out of substance abuse rehab, hoping to find the 4 year old daughter she left with her husband when entering treatment. Margaret is a 50 something woman who is facing a life-threatening illness. Their lives, and several others, interconnect as the story is developed. Mapson is an excellent story teller, and creates engaging characters.
June 23, 2015
Reading fiction written by women has, I figure, given me a lot of insight into how women think. After two chapters of this book, I'm finding this acutely true, but there is simply TMI being shared. Courtesy of a shift in point of view for the second chapter, I've now heard the life stories of two women AND their daddies and their exes and their kids and their friends and their illnesses and their decor and their dogs and some dozens of other things on their minds. At the moment, that's all I can take. I would just as soon NOT find out what happens next.
December 27, 2014
I am surprised at all the other Joanne Mapson fans who loved this book. I too, have read most, if not all of her other books. I especially loved "Blue Rodeo" and was really looking forward to this book which is a sequel. I was so disappointed!
First of all, I wonder if Ms. Mapson reads her own books. In "Blue Rodeo", we are specifically told how Peter became deaf. The details are completely different in this book. Does "Owen's Daughter" take place in an alternative universe? In "Finding Casey", she states that Maggie Yearwood has MS (the events in Finding Casey all take place prior to those in this book). In this book Maggie Yearwood finds out that she has MS (after the events in "Finding Casey").
More importantly however, Ms. Mapson is beginning to write books that don't concentrate on the characters and their concerns. Instead her books are beginning to read like articles out of travelogues: "If you want to live the good life in Santa Fe (but fit in like a native) you should shop here or get coffee there etc. It detracts from the story and is poor writing. For instance, in one scene the characters go to sit on a couch and Mapson has to tell us that the couch is one that was moved from a previous residence and reupholstered in between (and she tells us who did the reupholstering, just in case we move to New Mexico and want to get something reupholstered). This was not important to the story line in any way. Neither are most of the other detours into life in Santa Fe. More to the point, I know this is unnecessary because her early books don't do this (including Blue Rodeo). Sure a bit of information about Santa Fe is nice because her characters live there, but this goes far beyond building atmosphere.
I am also disappointed that Maggie Yearwood allows Peter to run all over her life. She didn't in "Blue Rodeo". She gave as good as she got there. Here she only thinks about giving him a comeback. Too bad.
I think that Jo-Ann Mapson needs to take a break, read her earlier books so that she gets the details right and then put out a revised edition of this book that agrees with her others. However, if she takes out the travelogue stuff it will probably only be a novella, if not a short story. But maybe at least it would be a good novella or short story.
And yes, the people whose reviews said that this book lumbers along and is written poorly were right. Only I think that if that were my opinion, I would give less than 3 stars.
First of all, I wonder if Ms. Mapson reads her own books. In "Blue Rodeo", we are specifically told how Peter became deaf. The details are completely different in this book. Does "Owen's Daughter" take place in an alternative universe? In "Finding Casey", she states that Maggie Yearwood has MS (the events in Finding Casey all take place prior to those in this book). In this book Maggie Yearwood finds out that she has MS (after the events in "Finding Casey").
More importantly however, Ms. Mapson is beginning to write books that don't concentrate on the characters and their concerns. Instead her books are beginning to read like articles out of travelogues: "If you want to live the good life in Santa Fe (but fit in like a native) you should shop here or get coffee there etc. It detracts from the story and is poor writing. For instance, in one scene the characters go to sit on a couch and Mapson has to tell us that the couch is one that was moved from a previous residence and reupholstered in between (and she tells us who did the reupholstering, just in case we move to New Mexico and want to get something reupholstered). This was not important to the story line in any way. Neither are most of the other detours into life in Santa Fe. More to the point, I know this is unnecessary because her early books don't do this (including Blue Rodeo). Sure a bit of information about Santa Fe is nice because her characters live there, but this goes far beyond building atmosphere.
I am also disappointed that Maggie Yearwood allows Peter to run all over her life. She didn't in "Blue Rodeo". She gave as good as she got there. Here she only thinks about giving him a comeback. Too bad.
I think that Jo-Ann Mapson needs to take a break, read her earlier books so that she gets the details right and then put out a revised edition of this book that agrees with her others. However, if she takes out the travelogue stuff it will probably only be a novella, if not a short story. But maybe at least it would be a good novella or short story.
And yes, the people whose reviews said that this book lumbers along and is written poorly were right. Only I think that if that were my opinion, I would give less than 3 stars.
August 11, 2014
Review also found at http://kristineandterri.blogspot.ca/2...
3.5 stars
I won a copy of this book in one of the Goodreads firstreads giveaways. In turn I will offer my honest review.
I will start by saying that I enjoyed this read. A book about family relationships and overcoming struggles and hardships. Add to that some interesting characters and good writing it made for an easy read. The storylines wove together nicely and the plot moved at a decent pace.
While I found the story glossed over in parts, particularly in all aspect relating to the reuniting of multiple characters, it still provided some decent entertainment. Skye's journey and her addiction struggles were central to the story however I did find I had a hard time liking her. While I understand that she was battling the demons of addiction I found that she was simply unpleasant.
On the flip side I adored Margaret and wish more of the story was centralized around her. I wanted to know more about her back-story. I will say that I could not stand her son and she should have kicked him to the curb regardless of the struggles he was facing. He was so ungrateful and had a sense of entitlement that enraged me. Then there is how her story line ended. Seriously? I was left hanging...it is killing me to know how that would have evolved! Could there be a sequel???
It is my understanding that there are characters in this story from some of Mapson's other works. I think that if I had read them that may have had a clearer understanding of how they fit in to story as some of the characters felt random i.e. Delores, Peter's father.... That being said I could still enjoy this story on its own.
Overall a solid read. I will be keeping an eye out for other work by Mapson and hopefully there is or will be a story that addresses the loose ends of Margarets story!
3.5 stars
I won a copy of this book in one of the Goodreads firstreads giveaways. In turn I will offer my honest review.
I will start by saying that I enjoyed this read. A book about family relationships and overcoming struggles and hardships. Add to that some interesting characters and good writing it made for an easy read. The storylines wove together nicely and the plot moved at a decent pace.
While I found the story glossed over in parts, particularly in all aspect relating to the reuniting of multiple characters, it still provided some decent entertainment. Skye's journey and her addiction struggles were central to the story however I did find I had a hard time liking her. While I understand that she was battling the demons of addiction I found that she was simply unpleasant.
On the flip side I adored Margaret and wish more of the story was centralized around her. I wanted to know more about her back-story. I will say that I could not stand her son and she should have kicked him to the curb regardless of the struggles he was facing. He was so ungrateful and had a sense of entitlement that enraged me. Then there is how her story line ended. Seriously? I was left hanging...it is killing me to know how that would have evolved! Could there be a sequel???
It is my understanding that there are characters in this story from some of Mapson's other works. I think that if I had read them that may have had a clearer understanding of how they fit in to story as some of the characters felt random i.e. Delores, Peter's father.... That being said I could still enjoy this story on its own.
Overall a solid read. I will be keeping an eye out for other work by Mapson and hopefully there is or will be a story that addresses the loose ends of Margarets story!
March 4, 2015
Did I enjoy this book: I always enjoy reading redemption stories. When characters I loved from other books weave into the redemption, I’m blissed.
Jo-Ann Mapson gives us Skye Elliott, a smart, sad, tough, and persevering hero in Owen’s Daughter. Skye is really, really smart, and she almost makes it out of her teenaged years intact . . . and then, at the eleventh hour, she meets Rocky. Just in time to make her a mama, shut down her dream of veterinary school, put her on a spiraling-downward path.
But Skye is a tough and persevering soul, driven by mother love, and fueled by her own intelligence and severe sense of right and wrong.
Which one of us doesn’t know a smart, tough, sassy woman who’s made abominable choices early on? We know some who never rebounded, but we also know some who measured the distance from the bottom of the pit to the sky outside and started climbing. Sometimes it took them more than one attempt. Lordie, sometimes they were climbing for years, but they stayed with it. And they got out.
Would I recommend it: This is just the kind of book to fall into on a blustery fall night. Pull an afghan snug in the cozy chair and enjoy the company of Mapson’s quirky characters. They’re all flawed, but they’re all loveable . . . and they surprise us with their ability to rise to the occasions. Owen’s Daughter is like a Friday night chat with warm, good friends.
As reviewed by Pam at Every Free Chance Books.
http://everyfreechance.com/2014/10/gu...
Jo-Ann Mapson gives us Skye Elliott, a smart, sad, tough, and persevering hero in Owen’s Daughter. Skye is really, really smart, and she almost makes it out of her teenaged years intact . . . and then, at the eleventh hour, she meets Rocky. Just in time to make her a mama, shut down her dream of veterinary school, put her on a spiraling-downward path.
But Skye is a tough and persevering soul, driven by mother love, and fueled by her own intelligence and severe sense of right and wrong.
Which one of us doesn’t know a smart, tough, sassy woman who’s made abominable choices early on? We know some who never rebounded, but we also know some who measured the distance from the bottom of the pit to the sky outside and started climbing. Sometimes it took them more than one attempt. Lordie, sometimes they were climbing for years, but they stayed with it. And they got out.
Would I recommend it: This is just the kind of book to fall into on a blustery fall night. Pull an afghan snug in the cozy chair and enjoy the company of Mapson’s quirky characters. They’re all flawed, but they’re all loveable . . . and they surprise us with their ability to rise to the occasions. Owen’s Daughter is like a Friday night chat with warm, good friends.
As reviewed by Pam at Every Free Chance Books.
http://everyfreechance.com/2014/10/gu...
July 26, 2014
I must admit to being prejudiced in favor of Jo-Ann Mapson. I'm always excited when a new book of hers comes out because I know in advance that I will enjoy it so much I won't want it to end. And again such was the case with Owen's Daughter. Some characters from previous books resurface, but even if this is your first Mapson book, it won't matter. I must also admit that I am a sucker for horses and dogs with personality and you'll find those in most of her novels.
Don't let Dolores the ghost disturb you, she's really not a major character. Skye, formerly Sara Kay, is getting out of rehab after nine months and anxious to reclaim custody of her 4 year old daughter who was left with her drug and alcohol addicted rodeo rider husband and his mother. Mapson can really make you understand the lure of pills and liquor when you are a user.
Other characters include Skye's returned father Owen, (formerly Billy), his three-legged dog and his true love, the artist Margaret, her formerly deaf son Peter (what a loser!) and Margaret's neighbors, the Vigils.
The ways their lives intersect and the difficulty of putting broken lives in order is written in interesting and gripping prose. Even if this doesn't sound like it's up your alley, give Jo-Ann Mapson a try. You may become addicted.
Don't let Dolores the ghost disturb you, she's really not a major character. Skye, formerly Sara Kay, is getting out of rehab after nine months and anxious to reclaim custody of her 4 year old daughter who was left with her drug and alcohol addicted rodeo rider husband and his mother. Mapson can really make you understand the lure of pills and liquor when you are a user.
Other characters include Skye's returned father Owen, (formerly Billy), his three-legged dog and his true love, the artist Margaret, her formerly deaf son Peter (what a loser!) and Margaret's neighbors, the Vigils.
The ways their lives intersect and the difficulty of putting broken lives in order is written in interesting and gripping prose. Even if this doesn't sound like it's up your alley, give Jo-Ann Mapson a try. You may become addicted.
June 20, 2014
I received this from RHC through the Goodreads first reads giveaway. Thank you for this copy.
Owen's Daughter follows the story of two women, Margaret and Skye who have plenty of issues in their lives that need fixing, but are both still determined to strive ahead. Skye has just gotten out of rehab to find her daughter, while Margaret has just been diagnosed with MS. These two women are also connected through Skye's father and Margret's lover, Owen, as well as other various people. You'd be surprised at how small the world is.
This is the first Mapson book I've read, and after the sludge of YA coming my way, her story was a breath of fresh air. Her characters are admirable despite their numerous flaws, because their decisions are understandable and real. Both women admit their wrongs and take responsibility for their actions, apologize to the people around them for their mistakes, and try their hardest to overcome the obstacles standing in their way. This resolve is honest and has my utmost respect, even if I am discouraged when the characters fail to make the right choice.
It is very much a character driven book with a predictable plot, but it is just as gripping and charged.
I adore the setting and the occasional Spanish thrown in. It is a nice flair to the book.
Mapson does a wonderful job of mapping out the human heart, and how sometimes the worst choices are backed up by the strongest of emotions. I'm looking forward to her other novels in the future.
Owen's Daughter follows the story of two women, Margaret and Skye who have plenty of issues in their lives that need fixing, but are both still determined to strive ahead. Skye has just gotten out of rehab to find her daughter, while Margaret has just been diagnosed with MS. These two women are also connected through Skye's father and Margret's lover, Owen, as well as other various people. You'd be surprised at how small the world is.
This is the first Mapson book I've read, and after the sludge of YA coming my way, her story was a breath of fresh air. Her characters are admirable despite their numerous flaws, because their decisions are understandable and real. Both women admit their wrongs and take responsibility for their actions, apologize to the people around them for their mistakes, and try their hardest to overcome the obstacles standing in their way. This resolve is honest and has my utmost respect, even if I am discouraged when the characters fail to make the right choice.
It is very much a character driven book with a predictable plot, but it is just as gripping and charged.
I adore the setting and the occasional Spanish thrown in. It is a nice flair to the book.
Mapson does a wonderful job of mapping out the human heart, and how sometimes the worst choices are backed up by the strongest of emotions. I'm looking forward to her other novels in the future.
May 13, 2014
I received "Owen's Daughter" by Jo-Ann Mapson, from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. In "Owen's Daughter", Skye, just released from rehab, is trying to locate and reunite with her young daughter, Gracie. Her father, Owen, is just out of jail. They have not seen each other for ten years, but begin a journey together looking for Gracie and repairing their relationship along the way. They also encounter Margaret, Owen's lost love. A ghost even helps out a bit along the way.
I have previously read Mapson's "Blue Rodeo" and "Hank and Chloe". I was so happy to rediscover this author and can't wait to go back and catch up on the books I missed. Mapson's characters are honest and real. Her characters with all their flaws are still likable. I love the unique southwest setting. The ending of this book left me wanting to know what happens next in the characters' lives. I definitely hope for a sequel.
I have previously read Mapson's "Blue Rodeo" and "Hank and Chloe". I was so happy to rediscover this author and can't wait to go back and catch up on the books I missed. Mapson's characters are honest and real. Her characters with all their flaws are still likable. I love the unique southwest setting. The ending of this book left me wanting to know what happens next in the characters' lives. I definitely hope for a sequel.
June 30, 2014
I was fortunate to win a copy of Owen’s Daughter by Jo-Ann Mapson from Goodreads.
This is the first novel I have read by this author, but it won’t be my last.
I really enjoyed the characters in this book and how the author brought them together. All the characters have their own flaws just like in real life
I was happy that Skye finally tracked her little girl down, but the book left me hanging.
What happens between Margaret and Owen and what about Margaret’s son, will he ultimately get through what appears to be an ugly divorce and rebuild his life. I definitely hope there will be a sequel in the near future.
This is the first novel I have read by this author, but it won’t be my last.
I really enjoyed the characters in this book and how the author brought them together. All the characters have their own flaws just like in real life
I was happy that Skye finally tracked her little girl down, but the book left me hanging.
What happens between Margaret and Owen and what about Margaret’s son, will he ultimately get through what appears to be an ugly divorce and rebuild his life. I definitely hope there will be a sequel in the near future.
December 7, 2014
Thank you Good reads for a free copy of this excellent book. If you like Jodi Picoult, and I do, then. Mapson is the author for you. This book can be read as a standalone but it does have characters that have a life in other works. I look forward to collecting her other books. Mapson tells the story of a mother looking for her child, the struggle to remain sober and drug free and negotiate past hurts and mend fences in her relationships with family. The book spins out to other characters and stories which are engaging and thought provoking.
July 3, 2014
This is a wonderful book. I love the characters in this sequel to Blue Rodeo. I enjoyed it so much that I felt lonely at the end. I wanted to know more about the future of my new friends.
September 26, 2017
After reading this novel, I discovered on Goodreads that it is a sequel to the novel Blue Rodeo. However, I don't think I missed much by not having read the other novel. I have read 3 other novels by Mapson and did not enjoy this one quite as much as Hank and Chloie.
The novel started off slow for me and I found myself disliking the main character, Skye Elliott, who is Owen Garrett's daughter. I have discovered that Owen is a primary character in Blue Rodeo. I never did grow to like her but I began to enjoy the book much more once her father, Owen, enters the story.
At the beginning of the novel, Skye has just been released from a rehab center after spending 9 months there getting sober. Just before entering rehab, she had been in a vehicle accident while drunk and lost custody of her little girl. Her husband, Rocky, a rodeo performer, is supposed to be picking her up and taking her to their daughter, Gracie. Skye (whose former first name was Sara) has not seen her father, Owen, since he left her and her mother 10 years before. However, during rehab as part of working the 12 steps, she had written a letter to him which she never expected him to receive.
When Rocky doesn't show to pick her up, she calls her mother out of desperation. Much to her shock, her father is the one who eventually arrives to pick her up. It turns out neither Rocky or his mother are where they are supposed to be and Skye has no way to contact them because their cell phone numbers are no longer working. Skye and her father set out to find Rocky because Skye is desperate to get her daughter back---her whole reason for sticking out the treatment program and her only goal in life at this time.
Interwoven in the novel is the story of Owen and a former love, Margaret Yearwood. Margaret has just discovered she has a chronic illness and her deaf son, Peter, ends up back at her doorstep the next day after losing his job and his wife.
As you can see, there is a lot of drama in this book. It seemed that I either really disliked the main characters--Skye and Peter---or loved them, in the case of Owen and Margaret. There is also a back story bringing back characters from another novel, Glory and Joe Vigil. Joe is setting up a facility with horses for treatment of both physically and handicapped children and adults.
This book would definitely appeal to people who love horses but it has much more to offer with its array of hurt people in various stages of recovery. There is a touch of romance but I would not call this a romance novel. Several reviewers have labeled it as chick-lit but I think it goes much deeper than most chick-lit novels. There is definitely a lot about addiction and recovery but it is not the primary purpose of the novel.
As I continued in the novel, I was really drawn into it and it had a satisfying end. I will go on to read more novels by Jo-Ann Mapson.
The novel started off slow for me and I found myself disliking the main character, Skye Elliott, who is Owen Garrett's daughter. I have discovered that Owen is a primary character in Blue Rodeo. I never did grow to like her but I began to enjoy the book much more once her father, Owen, enters the story.
At the beginning of the novel, Skye has just been released from a rehab center after spending 9 months there getting sober. Just before entering rehab, she had been in a vehicle accident while drunk and lost custody of her little girl. Her husband, Rocky, a rodeo performer, is supposed to be picking her up and taking her to their daughter, Gracie. Skye (whose former first name was Sara) has not seen her father, Owen, since he left her and her mother 10 years before. However, during rehab as part of working the 12 steps, she had written a letter to him which she never expected him to receive.
When Rocky doesn't show to pick her up, she calls her mother out of desperation. Much to her shock, her father is the one who eventually arrives to pick her up. It turns out neither Rocky or his mother are where they are supposed to be and Skye has no way to contact them because their cell phone numbers are no longer working. Skye and her father set out to find Rocky because Skye is desperate to get her daughter back---her whole reason for sticking out the treatment program and her only goal in life at this time.
Interwoven in the novel is the story of Owen and a former love, Margaret Yearwood. Margaret has just discovered she has a chronic illness and her deaf son, Peter, ends up back at her doorstep the next day after losing his job and his wife.
As you can see, there is a lot of drama in this book. It seemed that I either really disliked the main characters--Skye and Peter---or loved them, in the case of Owen and Margaret. There is also a back story bringing back characters from another novel, Glory and Joe Vigil. Joe is setting up a facility with horses for treatment of both physically and handicapped children and adults.
This book would definitely appeal to people who love horses but it has much more to offer with its array of hurt people in various stages of recovery. There is a touch of romance but I would not call this a romance novel. Several reviewers have labeled it as chick-lit but I think it goes much deeper than most chick-lit novels. There is definitely a lot about addiction and recovery but it is not the primary purpose of the novel.
As I continued in the novel, I was really drawn into it and it had a satisfying end. I will go on to read more novels by Jo-Ann Mapson.
November 19, 2020
Skye is an alcoholic drug abuser who gets out of rehab determined to find her 4 yo daughter who was in the custody of the ex-husband. Although this worthy goal propels Skye, there are so many side roads in this story it's almost as if she gets distracted. Out of nowhere, Skye's dad picks her up from rehab - on horseback. Which could have been a really rich couple of scenes but mostly it's just Skye being mouthy and mean. They go to the house of an old man friend of the dad, hang there, why, I don't know. Then they find jobs...it's just almost impossible to review this.
Although his is Skye's story, it's also about Dolores (a ghost), Margaret (a middle-aged artist), her son Peter, her ex, Owen (who is Skye's dad), Skye's mother, Margaret's friend Glory and her husband and adopted daughter, several horses and dogs. Plus various friends.
Most of these characters were fairly appealing, but the pacing of the story is erratic (for ex., long, slow stretches of dialogue, sometimes about things not central to the story). Lots of coincidences, a lack of meaningful emotion. Not Mapson's best.
Although his is Skye's story, it's also about Dolores (a ghost), Margaret (a middle-aged artist), her son Peter, her ex, Owen (who is Skye's dad), Skye's mother, Margaret's friend Glory and her husband and adopted daughter, several horses and dogs. Plus various friends.
Most of these characters were fairly appealing, but the pacing of the story is erratic (for ex., long, slow stretches of dialogue, sometimes about things not central to the story). Lots of coincidences, a lack of meaningful emotion. Not Mapson's best.
April 5, 2023
Had great memories of reading Blue Rodeo when it came out, but was surprisingly disappointed in this sequel. Taking nearly 100 pages to revisit and retell the stories and characters of her past books seemed like a lot in a 330 page book. Then the ending seemed not only obvious but rushed. The new characters introduced just didn't engage me. I'll keep my copy of Blue Rodeo, but not sure I'd read another in this series.
April 29, 2024
I grabbed this book from my library as the story looked interesting. I haven't read any other books but this author. After reading reviews, I think maybe her book Blue Rodeo was better. I agreed with reviewers that too much info was provided on so many people. I'm an impatient reader and wanted her to get on with the initial story. I never did figure out why Delores mattered. Likely as I skipped ahead when I was bored. Just my opinion.
June 1, 2017
Fabulous writing, this book has it all!
I absolutely loved this book by Jo-Ann Mapson. I enjoy her writing style, story line, characters, setting, voice. This book is fabulous, it has it all! I look forward to reading additional books by this amazing woman!
I absolutely loved this book by Jo-Ann Mapson. I enjoy her writing style, story line, characters, setting, voice. This book is fabulous, it has it all! I look forward to reading additional books by this amazing woman!
June 4, 2017
So many years have passed since I read the
beginning of this story it's hard to remember.
I read everything Jo-Ann Mapson wrote and loved it all. I sure hope this story continues...but hope it's not another 20 years!
beginning of this story it's hard to remember.
I read everything Jo-Ann Mapson wrote and loved it all. I sure hope this story continues...but hope it's not another 20 years!
August 18, 2017
This book was a sequel to Blue Rodeo but I also remember other characters from another of her novels and it all tied in nicely. She writes that we haven't seen the last of these characters and I certainly hope not. I still want to know more, but this was quite an interesting journey.
June 23, 2019
It’s been 5 years since I read this book. I’m so glad I read it again. It’s even better than I remembered. Hopefully, the next book in this series will be published soon because the author, Jo-Ann Mapson, left the story in a cliff hanger. 😬
August 6, 2019
Oh I loved this warm, wise novel. I didn’t realise I’d started with a sequel but it didn’t seem to matter, I understood how the characters played out without knowing their back stories.
I loved the way people were imperfect but trying to be better, or even not quite ready.
I loved the way people were imperfect but trying to be better, or even not quite ready.
February 23, 2020
Well I live in New Mexico and my family has been impacted by addiction, imprisonment, and recovery so I could identify with the characters in several ways. It was a satisfying read with a hopeful ending.
September 6, 2022
I have always enjoyed books by Jo-Ann Mapson. This one was no exception. The characters always seem real to me, with real human flaws.
I wonder if she will ever write another book about these people, I would read it!
I wonder if she will ever write another book about these people, I would read it!
May 16, 2017
Wonderful book
One major problem---it ended. All of her books have such real, richly drawn characters that the reader feels cheated when the book ends. More, always more, please?
One major problem---it ended. All of her books have such real, richly drawn characters that the reader feels cheated when the book ends. More, always more, please?
July 16, 2017
Going to have to re-read her previous novels. I'd forgotten about her.
November 19, 2017
Some very powerful emotions to deal with but in the end it all works out. Tough subject matter but with family and friends you can make it through.
June 20, 2018
WHAT????????? are you kidding?????? who the hell is it? aww man!
October 5, 2018
entertaining read
November 30, 2018
3.5 It is a great read. I love her characters.
January 19, 2019
Jo-Ann Mapson is one of the very best!
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