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The Long Walk Home
When unhappily married Fiona Edwards answers the door of her farmhouse bed and breakfast, she discovers a tall man shouldering a hulking backpack. He is unshaven, sweat-soaked...but arrestingly handsome. American Alec Hudson has carried the ashes of his ex-wife from London's Heathrow Airport to the mountains of North Wales. Honoring her request to scatter them atop the towering mountain directly behind Fiona’s farm, he attempts to fulfill her wish, but the weather stops him. As Alec waits for safer conditions, he and Fiona are drawn together by loss and by a passion neither thought would ever reappear in their lives. When Alec stumbles upon something he never expected to see, he is faced with a series of choices he hoped never to make. An evocative story of honorable people struggling with the complexities of fidelity, and of the hope for a second chance at love.
329 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2007
791 people are currently reading
1319 people want to read
About the author
Will North
33 books87 followersWill North is the pen name of an international award-winning author and ghostwriter of more than a dozen nonfiction books as well as six recent novels. He has ghosted books for Bill Clinton, Al Gore, several famous Everest mountaineers, a team of dinosaur-hunters, a renowned physician, and others. Two of his books have been the subject of PBS and A&E documentaries. As a fiction author, Will has penned two romantic suspense novels, a family saga, and four titles in his Davies & West British murder mystery series. Will lives on an island in Washington's Puget Sound. You can find him at www.willnorthnovelist.com and on Facebook at Will North, Author.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 382 reviews
March 18, 2017
Alec came to a bed-and-breakfast in North Wales to fulfill his ex-wife's final wish. She wanted her ashes scattered at the top of Cadair Idris, a mountain near Dolgellau. Fionna managed the B&B while her ailing husband ran their family farm with lambs in the pasture. Alec and Fionna were both surprised at their instant connection, but obligations stood in their way. Both Alec and Fionna had been through recent painful experiences, and have nurturing, caring personalities. Love and passion war with duty and fidelity.
I loved the sense of place in this novel, especially as Alec helps a farmhand with the lambing, and gets caught in dangerous weather climbing Cadair Idris. The author is also a ghostwriter of non-fiction books under the name William Nothdurft, and I found that some of the most engaging parts of the book were about lambing, the mountains, medical emergencies, and cooking. The romantic elements were not quite as successful, and had a Nicholas Sparks feel to them. So this was a book that I liked, but did not love.
I loved the sense of place in this novel, especially as Alec helps a farmhand with the lambing, and gets caught in dangerous weather climbing Cadair Idris. The author is also a ghostwriter of non-fiction books under the name William Nothdurft, and I found that some of the most engaging parts of the book were about lambing, the mountains, medical emergencies, and cooking. The romantic elements were not quite as successful, and had a Nicholas Sparks feel to them. So this was a book that I liked, but did not love.
November 5, 2017
Buddy-read with Joan. Join us if you would like, it is a freebie.
DNF chapter 11
At every party, there are always people who try to look smarter than they really are by over-explaining things or expounding life lessons because they just read a meaningful book. I usually want to punch them in the face for sounding like inspirational posters. This book reminded me of those pretentious people.
First, let me start with what I liked. Both characters are older (Fiona is in her forties and Alec is 50). Fiona is strong; Alec is kind and caring. The relationship is complicated because Fiona is married to someone else. Think Bridges of Madison County (BoMC) but he comes back and they can be together at the end.
But it is BoMC where all the emotions are over-analyzed. For example, this passage would have been lovely without the last sentence:
Then she knelt down, put her arms around the dog's neck, and gave him a hug. Jack [the dog] ignored her, and it didn't matter; she knew the hug was for her, not him. She knew she was clinging to something certain, because uncertainty surrounded her.
The writing grated on my nerves since the beginning. There are a lot of long descriptions of the landscape, of birthing of lamb, of a freaking space blanket.
... about said space blanket:
He'd resisted buying it when he was outfitting himself for his long walk, but the salesman had persisted, and now he blessed the man.
How that added anything to the story, I have NO idea. This feels patronizing, actually. Is the author telling us that hikers usually carry them? I am well aware of that.
If you haven't caught on yet, the writing is overly descriptive. We learn that Alec is there to disperse the ash of his ex-wife Gwynne. As he does this:
before their trouble had begun, she'd taught him to love.
[...]
He was crying now, for the first time since her death. Crying at the stupidity of their separation and divorce. At the years they had both spent alone. At the waste of Gwynne's death. And perhaps at the enormity of the task before him: taking Gwynne's lessons to heart. Living them.
I can't stand it anymore.
DNF chapter 11
At every party, there are always people who try to look smarter than they really are by over-explaining things or expounding life lessons because they just read a meaningful book. I usually want to punch them in the face for sounding like inspirational posters. This book reminded me of those pretentious people.
First, let me start with what I liked. Both characters are older (Fiona is in her forties and Alec is 50). Fiona is strong; Alec is kind and caring. The relationship is complicated because Fiona is married to someone else. Think Bridges of Madison County (BoMC) but he comes back and they can be together at the end.
But it is BoMC where all the emotions are over-analyzed. For example, this passage would have been lovely without the last sentence:
Then she knelt down, put her arms around the dog's neck, and gave him a hug. Jack [the dog] ignored her, and it didn't matter; she knew the hug was for her, not him. She knew she was clinging to something certain, because uncertainty surrounded her.
The writing grated on my nerves since the beginning. There are a lot of long descriptions of the landscape, of birthing of lamb, of a freaking space blanket.
... about said space blanket:
He'd resisted buying it when he was outfitting himself for his long walk, but the salesman had persisted, and now he blessed the man.
How that added anything to the story, I have NO idea. This feels patronizing, actually. Is the author telling us that hikers usually carry them? I am well aware of that.
If you haven't caught on yet, the writing is overly descriptive. We learn that Alec is there to disperse the ash of his ex-wife Gwynne. As he does this:
before their trouble had begun, she'd taught him to love.
[...]
He was crying now, for the first time since her death. Crying at the stupidity of their separation and divorce. At the years they had both spent alone. At the waste of Gwynne's death. And perhaps at the enormity of the task before him: taking Gwynne's lessons to heart. Living them.
I can't stand it anymore.
November 7, 2008
Make sure you have some wine on hand when you read this book because it is super cheesy! A perfectly orchestrated romance where every scene has the perfect setting, food, wine, etc.. Not that it was a terrible book, I didn't mind it. A very light, easy read. I'd say my rating is a "JC2". That is to say that it was an OK read but lacking in depth.
Its kind of funny that right before this book I read the Curious incident of the dog in the night. And in that book the narrator says that he is including descriptions of things because his teacher told him that when you are writing a book you should include descriptions of things. Then I read The Long Walk Home and I felt like the author was also including descriptions of things because that is what you are supposed to do when you write a book. I think this book seemed like it includes all of the elements that should be in a book but they just don't really come together to make a great book.
Its kind of funny that right before this book I read the Curious incident of the dog in the night. And in that book the narrator says that he is including descriptions of things because his teacher told him that when you are writing a book you should include descriptions of things. Then I read The Long Walk Home and I felt like the author was also including descriptions of things because that is what you are supposed to do when you write a book. I think this book seemed like it includes all of the elements that should be in a book but they just don't really come together to make a great book.
October 30, 2023
This is included in my Audible membership, and, having now finished it, I am wondering why I chose it in the first place! To explain, this is a romance. I try to avoid this genre, as, like this book, the stories are usually formulaic and predictable. If that is your sort of book, you will love this one 😉
June 6, 2012
The certainty of love doesn’t always arrive to hearts eagerly waiting. Whether rising out of the dust cloud kicked up by an old pick-up truck on a back road in Iowa or flashing by a window in a brief glimpse of backpack, the heart knows when love has arrived—uninvited perhaps, a bit unexpected—but nevertheless its arrival cannot be denied. So we find Fiona Edwards, a woman used to welcoming the unknown into her bed and breakfast, on the morning that will change her life.
The Long Walk Home by Will North tells not only the story of Fiona and Alex Hudson but also the story of a Welsh landscape—calm and serene one moment, harsh and unforgiving the next.
This was, for me, a story to settle into and just travel along with. I didn’t ask The Long Walk Home to be more than it was—no quotes carefully copied, no Post-Its peeking out from multiple pages. Just good sit-down-with-a-cup-of-tea book…pleasant time spent with characters who asked you not to plumb their depths but to accept them for who they were.
The Long Walk Home by Will North tells not only the story of Fiona and Alex Hudson but also the story of a Welsh landscape—calm and serene one moment, harsh and unforgiving the next.
This was, for me, a story to settle into and just travel along with. I didn’t ask The Long Walk Home to be more than it was—no quotes carefully copied, no Post-Its peeking out from multiple pages. Just good sit-down-with-a-cup-of-tea book…pleasant time spent with characters who asked you not to plumb their depths but to accept them for who they were.
May 20, 2023
Look, the book is your bog-standard, predictably bland middle-aged romance. I can cope with that. I'm not looking for a huge challenge or surprise when I choose a palate cleanser between heavier fare.
What I can't stand, though, is what we have here: the perfect protagonist. With their ruggedly handsome looks, deep intellect, endless reservoir of empathy, effortless charm, impeccable wit and flawless judgement, I really wanted Alec Hudson to fall off a cliff.
Honestly, what are we to do with a man who possesses the answers to life's most elusive questions, can solve any problem with the grace of a gazelle and grant a bored housewife multiple orgasms of both a sexual AND gastronomic nature?
Investing in a character who never stumbles, doubts, or experiences real growth is hard. Alec's unwavering perfection only highlights the narrative's imperfections, leaving this reader yearning for something (anything) relatable and authentic.
"The Long Walk Home" takes readers on a tedious exercise in endurance that is frustrating in its perfectionism and implausibility.
⭐ ⭐
What I can't stand, though, is what we have here: the perfect protagonist. With their ruggedly handsome looks, deep intellect, endless reservoir of empathy, effortless charm, impeccable wit and flawless judgement, I really wanted Alec Hudson to fall off a cliff.
Honestly, what are we to do with a man who possesses the answers to life's most elusive questions, can solve any problem with the grace of a gazelle and grant a bored housewife multiple orgasms of both a sexual AND gastronomic nature?
Investing in a character who never stumbles, doubts, or experiences real growth is hard. Alec's unwavering perfection only highlights the narrative's imperfections, leaving this reader yearning for something (anything) relatable and authentic.
"The Long Walk Home" takes readers on a tedious exercise in endurance that is frustrating in its perfectionism and implausibility.
⭐ ⭐
April 19, 2008
I really wanted to like this book. I couldn't seem to get involved with the characters; I'm not entirely sure why, but they just felt very two-dimensional to me. I found myself irritated with Fiona and Alec instead of sympathizing with them. The writing style left me cold, too. An example of what felt sort of bland to me was this paragraph: 'They began to eat. The wine was velvety and dense with dark fruit. The lamb was perfect, pink and falling off the bone. The roast potatoes were golden and crusty on the outside and fluffy on the inside; the braised carrots and parsnips, earthy and sweet.' I mean, I love food and descriptions of food, but I found myself yawning too much as I read adjective-heavy stuff like this. Honestly, I stopped reading about halfway through and skimmed along just to see how it ended.
October 13, 2014
Foi um daqueles livros que não me apetecia que terminasse.
June 5, 2018
I ordinarily don't read romance novels because I am a jaded old cynic at heart. Yet, the premise of "The Long Walk Home" intrigued me, especially since the protagonists are near middle age (which promises a mature, experienced, approach to that thing called Love - at least in my mind). So, I set my jadedness aside and began reading.
"The Long Walk Home" is a beautiful story that kept me turning the pages. The characters were very well developed and, because of that, I cared deeply for them and what would happen to them.
And yes, the romantic duo did handle the awkward moral issue of their mutual attraction with as much maturity as one would expect from people their age, although there was an undercurrent of hormones gone wild as is the case with teenage hormones or, in this case, passion rediscovered. Some readers found their passion for each other silly, trite, or downright phony; I found it realistic - especially considering the passionless marriage endured by the woman (Fi) prior to meeting the new love of her life (Alec).
Was the story predictable? Yes. Unusual? No.
However, this novel suffers from over-descriptiveness. The author should have trimmed the narrative by about 1/3 or more; I found his blow-by-blow descriptions of the characters' actions and thoughts rather tedious, and largely unnecessary. The cooking segments alone were a test of my patience - after all, this is a novel, not a cookbook. Secondly, the author goes into long tangents describing rescue operations and emergency medical procedures - almost as if he is showing off his knowledge to the readers. Again, totally unnecessary. Third, is there anything Alec can't do? My only additional criticism is with the final chapter - it was simply too quickly wrapped-up, and I did not believe for a second that Fi's daughter would enthusiastically accept the fact that her mother had been in love with Alec while her father had been critically ill. There should have been some initial conflict about this.
Complaints aside, I mostly enjoyed this story of mid-life romance, devotion, and second chances.
"The Long Walk Home" is a beautiful story that kept me turning the pages. The characters were very well developed and, because of that, I cared deeply for them and what would happen to them.
And yes, the romantic duo did handle the awkward moral issue of their mutual attraction with as much maturity as one would expect from people their age, although there was an undercurrent of hormones gone wild as is the case with teenage hormones or, in this case, passion rediscovered. Some readers found their passion for each other silly, trite, or downright phony; I found it realistic - especially considering the passionless marriage endured by the woman (Fi) prior to meeting the new love of her life (Alec).
Was the story predictable? Yes. Unusual? No.
However, this novel suffers from over-descriptiveness. The author should have trimmed the narrative by about 1/3 or more; I found his blow-by-blow descriptions of the characters' actions and thoughts rather tedious, and largely unnecessary. The cooking segments alone were a test of my patience - after all, this is a novel, not a cookbook. Secondly, the author goes into long tangents describing rescue operations and emergency medical procedures - almost as if he is showing off his knowledge to the readers. Again, totally unnecessary. Third, is there anything Alec can't do? My only additional criticism is with the final chapter - it was simply too quickly wrapped-up, and I did not believe for a second that Fi's daughter would enthusiastically accept the fact that her mother had been in love with Alec while her father had been critically ill. There should have been some initial conflict about this.
Complaints aside, I mostly enjoyed this story of mid-life romance, devotion, and second chances.
September 21, 2013
Mr. North invites the reader to love found, love lost, and the commitment of relationships. As treacherous as his walk up the mountain he has created characters who struggle with emotions which unexpectedly have entered their lives. Detailed research into the geography of Wales, sheep farming, garden to table cooking keeps the reader turning the pages. The ending is predictable but perhaps it was only my prediction that wished for the book to end as beautifully as it did. He has placed his words so gently throughout the book it would be difficult for the reader's heart to not fill with empathy and compassion.
March 9, 2009
This book was just fantastic. I loved all of it... the setting, the characters, the way he set up the story... and the ending was absolutely perfect! I was so drawn into all of it that I wanted to keep reading and never stop, but then I was sad to be done with it. I would definitely read this book again, just to be reminded of how great it is!
August 17, 2023
A very descriptive storyline and I really liked the characters. Set in beautiful Wales, the author made me feel I was right there enjoying the countryside while staying at the bed and breakfast. A beautiful love story, wonderfully warm and sensitive. the ending was perfect. I recommend this quick and fun read.
September 17, 2016
Okay, here is a book that I bought for the cover...the lovely, utterly British cover, complete with wellies, flowers, and a red door. When I started this book, however, it seemed very much like one of those Good Housekeeping stories that I would occasionally read when there was nothing else lying around...a long time ago. But excellent characterizations, sympathetic characters, and good writing changed my mind before too long.
Without going into a lot of detail, the story revolves around Alec, who has come to a very specific spot in Wales to scatter his late ex-wife's ashes from a mountain where they had years ago passed one of the best times of their marriage, and Fiona, the owner of a bed and breakfast where Alec stays in Wales. It seems trite to simply say they fall in love, but that's what happens; unfortunately, Fiona is in a marriage that seems nightmarish and both she and Alec are decent people. This is a rich and lovely story of how their relationship develops, and I really loved these people and a couple of the minor characters. Although he would be a bit too old for the role if this were made into a film, Sam Elliott kept coming to mind when it came to Alec...just easy and comfortable, like a familiar sweater, but with infinite sex appeal. :-)
Extra points to Will North for the descriptions of food and cooking in this book; dishes that wouldn't normally appeal to me, dishes with pork and lamb, made me salivate.
The only reason that I hesitate to give this book all 5 stars is the occasional over-explanation of the sexual relationships in the book. I'm truly not a prude, but there were certain scenes in the book that cried out for British restraint...and I would give the book 4 1/2 stars if that were possible. It was a lovely read, with wonderful, decent main characters, and I'm grateful to have stumbled upon it at my long-gone, much beloved bookstore, Locust Books.
Without going into a lot of detail, the story revolves around Alec, who has come to a very specific spot in Wales to scatter his late ex-wife's ashes from a mountain where they had years ago passed one of the best times of their marriage, and Fiona, the owner of a bed and breakfast where Alec stays in Wales. It seems trite to simply say they fall in love, but that's what happens; unfortunately, Fiona is in a marriage that seems nightmarish and both she and Alec are decent people. This is a rich and lovely story of how their relationship develops, and I really loved these people and a couple of the minor characters. Although he would be a bit too old for the role if this were made into a film, Sam Elliott kept coming to mind when it came to Alec...just easy and comfortable, like a familiar sweater, but with infinite sex appeal. :-)
Extra points to Will North for the descriptions of food and cooking in this book; dishes that wouldn't normally appeal to me, dishes with pork and lamb, made me salivate.
The only reason that I hesitate to give this book all 5 stars is the occasional over-explanation of the sexual relationships in the book. I'm truly not a prude, but there were certain scenes in the book that cried out for British restraint...and I would give the book 4 1/2 stars if that were possible. It was a lovely read, with wonderful, decent main characters, and I'm grateful to have stumbled upon it at my long-gone, much beloved bookstore, Locust Books.
April 27, 2018
This is a thoughtful romance with an unusual premise: when a woman's husband is for all intents and purposes not in the marriage anymore, and the woman meets her soul mate, what will happen? I was drawn along by the loveliness of the setting (a remote valley in northwest Wales), the pluck of the woman character (Fiona), and the details (the fine meals "thrown together" in the kitchen of this B&B made me want to learn to cook!) Noteworthy: the romantic lead, Alec, is a beta male. He's thoughtful, sensitive, can get teary-eyed, etc. This is a welcome break from all those "alpha-holes" I've been reading lately who must turn sideways to get their massive shoulders through a door. Also noteworthy is that the romantic couple is older, in their late 40s, early 50s, resp. So they are more certain of who they are and the value of time, although there's no pontificating from Age Mountain, happily. Finally, but not the least important, is that the impediment to their romance is a husband who is nuanced. His illness is dealt with sensitively, although some may say adultery is adultery and put the book aside.
I have only two knocks on the book. Some of the descriptions really were too long. Two or three aspects to give us a sense of place is fine; beyond that, I skimmed. Second, the ending is wrapped up far too quickly. A mountain of information is skipped over with the turn of a page, and the resolution was less meaningful than it could have been. It was a bit like an epilogue without an ending. Still, a thoughtful and lovely book.
I have only two knocks on the book. Some of the descriptions really were too long. Two or three aspects to give us a sense of place is fine; beyond that, I skimmed. Second, the ending is wrapped up far too quickly. A mountain of information is skipped over with the turn of a page, and the resolution was less meaningful than it could have been. It was a bit like an epilogue without an ending. Still, a thoughtful and lovely book.
November 10, 2017
Failed to live up to its promise. The author seemed intent on writing a description of every tree, path and boulder on the walk to the summit of the mountain which made me wonder if he was reading a walking guide.
I liked the fact that both characters were older and acted like adults, but the cheating was a definite no-no for me, especially as the husband was not unlikeable and in fact I had a tremendous amount of sympathy for him. The back story with Alec's ex-wife was mawkish in places and I was distinctly uneasy about the way her ashes were strewn in a circle round the triangulation pillar. Really? What about other walkers? How would you like to have to walk on cremated remains to get to the summit? (not to mention the environmental aspect)
At one part, the story took on an 'Inspirational' religious overtone which did not fit with the previous adultery and made me more than a little uncomfortable. There were long, protracted scenes about cooking which served little purpose and the story itself ended at the 80% mark, leaving me feeling a little cheated.
I liked the fact that both characters were older and acted like adults, but the cheating was a definite no-no for me, especially as the husband was not unlikeable and in fact I had a tremendous amount of sympathy for him. The back story with Alec's ex-wife was mawkish in places and I was distinctly uneasy about the way her ashes were strewn in a circle round the triangulation pillar. Really? What about other walkers? How would you like to have to walk on cremated remains to get to the summit? (not to mention the environmental aspect)
At one part, the story took on an 'Inspirational' religious overtone which did not fit with the previous adultery and made me more than a little uncomfortable. There were long, protracted scenes about cooking which served little purpose and the story itself ended at the 80% mark, leaving me feeling a little cheated.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 2, 2015
This is the second book I've read by this author and I'm still impressed! He writes well. Some have said the book is simple....that's hard to pull off, especially with the overarching themes of love lost and found, the insight that we are not in control of life, and the obligations of commitment. What is the highest calling of life? Patience, feelings, and what is worth waiting for, are all intertwined in the themes. A lot to think about. His prose is a lot smoother than this review. He knows his grammar,too....what a relief.
December 10, 2014
Will North's The Long Walk Home is the kind of book you think about all day long and can't wait to get back to (even when you should be doing other things!). North's characters are complex and his descriptions of the Welsh countryside are breath-taking. He makes you want to pull on your hiking boots and head out on a quest of your own to find that sense of belonging that defines home. And in doing so, he invites you to cheer for the joy Alec and Fiona find together.
June 9, 2009
The Long Walk Home is a love-story novel, you kindda see what's all about comming, and if you are an avid reader probably it wont have anyyyyy suspense. But when i read it I did almost thought of the characters as if they were real. Will North is a talented writter who provides with a nice story that you can read in a rainy weekend.
January 20, 2011
This was one of the most predictable, sappy, cheesy books I've ever read. I would never dissuade anyone from reading it, but I would also never recommend it. Here’s an idea of how it goes:
Day 1: Man meets girl.
Day 2: Girl falls madly, head-over-heels, in love with man.
Day 3: Man confesses love to girl.
So stupid.
Day 1: Man meets girl.
Day 2: Girl falls madly, head-over-heels, in love with man.
Day 3: Man confesses love to girl.
So stupid.
July 29, 2012
This first novel by the Author is touching and a aosurce of inspiration.The country side and the atmosphere of a small village where people constitute a tight community is going to be the backgroung for romance between the two main characters.A lovely start for Will North who seems to take special delight in certain parts pf Engalnd and Wales.
Maria Carmo
Lisbon, 28 July 2012.
Maria Carmo
Lisbon, 28 July 2012.
Read
November 15, 2009I liked this book, some might think it sappy but it took place in Wales and the descriptions of the country were so real. I also like the loyalty Fi gave to her husband even when she loved another.
Good book for light reading
Good book for light reading
January 11, 2014
This book was recommended by a person whose taste I respect, but so far (20% in) I find it to be a lightweight romance. I might continue just for the description of Welsh landscape, but I doubt I'll finish.
August 24, 2014
Nice to read about Wales where I grew up. Other than that, nothing incredible –predictable and easy read. A bit similar to "Bridges of Madison County", although I really hated the latter and prefer this one.
September 14, 2008
I knew I wouldn't like this book when the opening pages described the main character as "43, but still had her looks" WHAT??? I've plowed through 70+ pages and it is just too sappy for me!
Want to read
October 28, 2017FREE on Amazon today (10/28/2017)!
May 24, 2019
Pessoalmente embora doloroso gostei mais da história dentro da história ( a relação Alec/ Gwynne).
North numa escrita simples conduz magistralmente a história e descreve de tal modo os lugares que dei por mim a sentir-me nas terras de Gales
North numa escrita simples conduz magistralmente a história e descreve de tal modo os lugares que dei por mim a sentir-me nas terras de Gales
February 23, 2018
Pretty good book. Will look to see if there us a second book.
July 22, 2023
Finishing books that have been on my bookshelf for years
A little boring , and unrealistic. Putting it in the free library at camp.
A little boring , and unrealistic. Putting it in the free library at camp.
March 21, 2019
On the second page of this novel, Fiona, the owner of a Welsh bed and breakfast, is changing the dirty sheets in her establishment and SETS THEM ON HER KITCHEN TABLE.
No one does this. At least I hope they don't. That's just gross.
Although I took an immediate dislike to this book, for some reason I decided to finish it, mainly to see what other annoyances it might hold. Why I started it in the first place was a bit of a mystery, except I'd not been too crazy over the last novel I'd read and the cover on this one was pretty. I'm a real sucker for a red door, a hanging basket of pink petunias, and a pair of green rain boots. Sometimes a little light romance and family drama can cleanse the palate after a disappointing read so I started it and then stuck with it.
Fiona and her stolid husband David have settled into their almost entirely separate lives on a Welsh sheep farm/B&B, when Alec shows up to scatter the ashes of his ex-wife on a nearby mountaintop. He and Fiona instantly fall into love. And bed - because they're just giddy that way and David, due to sheep dip syndrome (that's a thing, apparently), is living apart from his wife in a renovated barn.
Along with being a professional writer, an expert hiker, and a quick study on sheep obstetrics, Alec is a hell of a cook. Some readers complained about the constant descriptions of his stirring up tasty treats, but I didn't mind that. What bothered me was his almost constant mansplaining while doing so. Fiona is beset with passion and spends much of the book cornering him for kisses and more, as soon as family, friends, and other B & B guests are out of site. Towards the end, she goes to church and remembers that God is said to frown on such goings on. Oops.
Some readers compared it to Bridges of Madison County and not in a good way. I rolled my eyes a lot through BOMC so the comparison does hold, I guess. Overwrought mature characters find unexpected love and passion during a chance encounter. Bottom line, while I will happily suspend disbelief and admit that love at first sight is a possibility, with maturity most people realize that undying love doesn't arise in two days. Sexual attraction, yes. Love, no.
If you liked BOMC, you'll enjoy this one too. There's hiking and sherry and lambs and passion. It wasn't the book for me.
No one does this. At least I hope they don't. That's just gross.
Although I took an immediate dislike to this book, for some reason I decided to finish it, mainly to see what other annoyances it might hold. Why I started it in the first place was a bit of a mystery, except I'd not been too crazy over the last novel I'd read and the cover on this one was pretty. I'm a real sucker for a red door, a hanging basket of pink petunias, and a pair of green rain boots. Sometimes a little light romance and family drama can cleanse the palate after a disappointing read so I started it and then stuck with it.
Fiona and her stolid husband David have settled into their almost entirely separate lives on a Welsh sheep farm/B&B, when Alec shows up to scatter the ashes of his ex-wife on a nearby mountaintop. He and Fiona instantly fall into love. And bed - because they're just giddy that way and David, due to sheep dip syndrome (that's a thing, apparently), is living apart from his wife in a renovated barn.
Along with being a professional writer, an expert hiker, and a quick study on sheep obstetrics, Alec is a hell of a cook. Some readers complained about the constant descriptions of his stirring up tasty treats, but I didn't mind that. What bothered me was his almost constant mansplaining while doing so. Fiona is beset with passion and spends much of the book cornering him for kisses and more, as soon as family, friends, and other B & B guests are out of site. Towards the end, she goes to church and remembers that God is said to frown on such goings on. Oops.
Some readers compared it to Bridges of Madison County and not in a good way. I rolled my eyes a lot through BOMC so the comparison does hold, I guess. Overwrought mature characters find unexpected love and passion during a chance encounter. Bottom line, while I will happily suspend disbelief and admit that love at first sight is a possibility, with maturity most people realize that undying love doesn't arise in two days. Sexual attraction, yes. Love, no.
If you liked BOMC, you'll enjoy this one too. There's hiking and sherry and lambs and passion. It wasn't the book for me.
August 17, 2018
A little too Bridges of Madison County for me.
While listening to the story through Audible was pleasant enough I had a lot of problems with the story. The sappy story about the sad, love-starved, sex ignorant, hard working female has so been done, probably better and by a woman. Poor Fiona, trapped in a world she doesn't actually know she is unhappy in. Not until a rugged American walks through the door of her Inn anyway. When *that* happens all morality is out the door and within a *week* she is full on engaged in an affair. One that reveals to her innocent heart what true sexual pleasure feels like, it is implied for the first time. This is all happening while her husband deals with a debilitating disease so that is just precious. Fiona is *so* self-focused, dare I say, selfish that as she sat in the touch-and-go hours of her husband's near death she isn't thinking of him, she is bemoaning her situation. What?! I think by that point I might have been doing penance. I found her insufferable, not only because she was so weak, but because any strength that might have been demonstrated in the story only came because she met a guy. That is never the sort of message I want young women or middle-aged women to receive.
In addition to the fact that I essentially hated the entire plot I found the sentences that came out of Alec's mouth to be entirely unbelievable. I promised myself I would remember them to include them here, but they were so ridiculous I did not. Alec is, to say the least, extremely emotional and committed to a woman he has known for *one week*. I don't want diminish emotion in male characters, but it was so absurd.
As I said, it was a pleasant enough listen, but if I had paid for this book I would have been deeply disappointed. If you are an unhappily married woman or just like cheesy romance novels, go for it. My recommendation is to skip this one for something better written.
While listening to the story through Audible was pleasant enough I had a lot of problems with the story. The sappy story about the sad, love-starved, sex ignorant, hard working female has so been done, probably better and by a woman. Poor Fiona, trapped in a world she doesn't actually know she is unhappy in. Not until a rugged American walks through the door of her Inn anyway. When *that* happens all morality is out the door and within a *week* she is full on engaged in an affair. One that reveals to her innocent heart what true sexual pleasure feels like, it is implied for the first time. This is all happening while her husband deals with a debilitating disease so that is just precious. Fiona is *so* self-focused, dare I say, selfish that as she sat in the touch-and-go hours of her husband's near death she isn't thinking of him, she is bemoaning her situation. What?! I think by that point I might have been doing penance. I found her insufferable, not only because she was so weak, but because any strength that might have been demonstrated in the story only came because she met a guy. That is never the sort of message I want young women or middle-aged women to receive.
In addition to the fact that I essentially hated the entire plot I found the sentences that came out of Alec's mouth to be entirely unbelievable. I promised myself I would remember them to include them here, but they were so ridiculous I did not. Alec is, to say the least, extremely emotional and committed to a woman he has known for *one week*. I don't want diminish emotion in male characters, but it was so absurd.
As I said, it was a pleasant enough listen, but if I had paid for this book I would have been deeply disappointed. If you are an unhappily married woman or just like cheesy romance novels, go for it. My recommendation is to skip this one for something better written.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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