The House on the Dunes

by Nancy Sweetland

A picture-perfect coastline provides the backdrop for The House on the Dunes, a sweet yet mysterious and shocking tale. Surprised by inheriting spectacular emeralds and a lavish home on Lake Michigan, Olivia Hobart is compelled to uncover the secrets of her late mother's past. Ignoring the wishes of her controlling husband, Olivia temporarily separates herself from him and her disabled adult daughter to stay at the dunes house and search for the truth which has been concealed from her all her life. Her pursuit for answers is a challenge of its own, but Olivia's efforts are further complicated by dangerous incidents, proving that what she doesn't know can hurt her. Could someone else lay claim to the missing emeralds? Is her nearest neighbor-the attractive grandson of the house's original owner-romantically interested in her or only attempting to regain what he sees as his rightful estate? Is the house's seemingly innocent caretaker really a pawn in this baffling plot? With only the help of the clue her mother left for her to find, Olivia brings to light the small town affair that could cost her the only life she has ever known.

292 pages, Paperback

First published September 12, 2014

Reviews

[Wanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

What if, after your mother's death, you learned she had a secret life?

Well-written with believable characters and places, a story about love, loyalty and complicated choices that set the course of their lives.

This is the first Nancy Sweetland book I have read and look forward to reading some of her others. I like her philosophy of living life to the fullest.

[Nana · Rating 3 out of 5]

The premise is a good one, but I found the book to be somewhat simply written, and I couldn't become invested enough in the characters to finish the book.

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved every minute of this book! Such a beautiful and fulfilling ending. Couldn’t put it down!

[Melody May (What I'm Reading) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Posted on What I'm Reading

I guess I should start with the positives on The House on the Dunes by Nancy Sweetland. First off, the story is well written, and the transitions between Catherine's journal entries and Olivia present day (1984) are flawless. The story is beautiful, but I have a few hangups, and I guess it's time to share them. So, if you don't want spoilers you might want to stop right here, but if you are curious proceed with caution.

At the beginning of The House on the Dunes, we find Olivia finding out she has inherited a home and some emeralds from her mother who just passed away. However, she finds out that she never quite knew her mother and the story is reveal. At the same time, Olivia is rediscovering herself while on the journey to figure out her mother.

I have huge problem with Catherine. At first I didn't, I did like her and she made some poor decisions. However, my perspective of her changed when she decided to sleep with a married man Oliver Houle. She ended up getting pregnant, and decides to sleep with Levi Sommers and pass it off as his child. Yes, I do have a problem with this, and it might be the normal of the years in past, I still have issues with it. Levi was an incredible man to put up with the crap Catherine did. Cause twice a year she would meet up with her lover, while Levi stayed behind. He knew that she need to be with Oliver, but didn't say anything. What gets me is, she didn't feel remorse until Oliver's wife died and she started to feel that it wasn't right, because she had Levi waiting at home for her. Seriously, fucked up. They were carrying on this affair for almost 30 years.

So, we basically watch the love affair of Catherine and Oliver. Catherine didn't realize that she loved Levi until many years later, while he sat their in love with her. That was heartbreaking to watch him be faithful to wife that wasn't evening really trying in my eyes.

Then we have Olivia who is trying to find herself while discovery the stuff about her mother. I would been fine with her, but she also sleeps with another guy while at the dunes. What the fuck! Yes, her marriage sucked, but just cause a guy is kind doesn't mean you jump in bed with him while you're still married. It was the 80s, people got divorces. Granted Olivia and Bert has been rocky since the birth of their daughter. By the way, that was tragic on what happen to her. Pam was truly innocent through this story and it was heartbreaking to see what happens to her.

Ugh! Even the story was beautifully written I just struggle. It's probably a good thing that I calm down a bit and reflect before I wrote this review. Yes, there were some good parts and sad ones. However, I was angry about halfway through The House on the Dunes, because Catherine and Oliver "love". The end left me dissatisfy, because there was no clear happy ending. It was Olivia start her life over. So, this story wasn't for me, and others might find enjoyment in this read.

Copy provided.