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Split Rock: A Martha's Vineyard Novel
After losing her favorite aunt, inheriting a house on Martha's Vineyard, and finding herself alone there with three young children, Annie Tucker must confront her past when an unresolved love tests whether she has the courage to resist the pull of seduction and reclaim her true self. Both poignant and funny, this novel is about forgiveness, acceptance, and the power of love and family.
370 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2016
7 people are currently reading
1462 people want to read
About the author
Holly Hodder Eger
1 book19 followersAward-winning author Holly Hodder Eger is a New Englander from Belmont, Massachusetts, who has been transplanted around the world. Her travel articles and personal commentaries have been featured in several national as well as local newspapers. She graduated with honors from Harvard College, received an M.A. in English from the University of Virginia, and worked as an editor and writer for public relations firms, advertising agencies, and magazines, including Sunset, before starting her own freelance business. Holly and her husband, having moved their three children and dogs internationally seven times, now live on Martha's Vineyard and in Northern California, where she leads writing workshops and is at work on a new book. Split Rock is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
August 21, 2020
Over the summer, I read the novel Split Rock by Holly Hodder Eger. Annie Tucker is a wife and a mom of three kids and she just inherited a house on Martha’s Vineyard from her favorite aunt who just passed. Annie carries a lot on her shoulders, but progressing through the novel, she realizes that there is so much more than being perfect. The book takes us on a snippet of Annie Tucker’s life, through loss, romance, family, and a little bit of salty air. Split Rock captured my eye when I first discovered it in a bookstore. I loved the cover; I am deeply in love with Martha’s Vineyard, a place where I hope to visit, and after reading the short description on the back I was drawn in.
I fell in love with this book right away because it was so realistic. Everyone has troubles in their lives and everyone has to face them a certain way. My understanding of the complexity of human relationships has increased after reading this novel: relationships from parents to children, spouse to spouse, and even a relationship with a relative who has passed. A big part of this story is that Annie is still connected with her Aunt Faye, even after she passed. At the end of the novel, Annie’s daughter tells her father that “‘this bird is Aunt Faye’...The cardinal flew beside them for the remainder of their walk, occasionally soaring up for a minute but mostly darting about their shoulders, keeping them company” (Eger 361). Throughout the novel, Annie continually sees this red cardinal wherever she goes. From their hometown in Maryland, all the way to Martha’s Vineyard, she believes it is her Aunt Faye watching over her. Aunt Faye is there in Annie’s weakest moments and Annie’s highest moments. As much as Annie loved Aunt Faye during her lifetime, she feels her presence after her death just as much and will always know that she is right by her side, every step of the way. Annie Tucker has helped me better understand the complexity of human relationships because she shows how much you can love someone in life and in death.
I fell in love with this book right away because it was so realistic. Everyone has troubles in their lives and everyone has to face them a certain way. My understanding of the complexity of human relationships has increased after reading this novel: relationships from parents to children, spouse to spouse, and even a relationship with a relative who has passed. A big part of this story is that Annie is still connected with her Aunt Faye, even after she passed. At the end of the novel, Annie’s daughter tells her father that “‘this bird is Aunt Faye’...The cardinal flew beside them for the remainder of their walk, occasionally soaring up for a minute but mostly darting about their shoulders, keeping them company” (Eger 361). Throughout the novel, Annie continually sees this red cardinal wherever she goes. From their hometown in Maryland, all the way to Martha’s Vineyard, she believes it is her Aunt Faye watching over her. Aunt Faye is there in Annie’s weakest moments and Annie’s highest moments. As much as Annie loved Aunt Faye during her lifetime, she feels her presence after her death just as much and will always know that she is right by her side, every step of the way. Annie Tucker has helped me better understand the complexity of human relationships because she shows how much you can love someone in life and in death.
September 1, 2023
I read Split Rock right before a trip to the Vineyard, and I was amazed at how much the book gave me a sense of place on the island. The characters are memorable and entertaining, and I loved how the different landmarks within the vineyard are memorialized in this story. Highly recommend, very enjoyable read!
January 8, 2025
Book Review: Split Rock: A Martha’s Vineyard Novel
Split Rock is a beautifully crafted tale set against the picturesque backdrop of Martha’s Vineyard, offering readers an immersive journey into love, resilience, and self-discovery. The novel masterfully captures the island’s essence, making it feel like an integral character in the story.
The protagonist’s emotional depth is skillfully explored, drawing readers into their personal challenges and triumphs. The relationships between characters are heartfelt and authentic, showcasing the complexities of family, friendships, and romance. The writing style is evocative, painting vivid scenes that make the reader feel as though they’re walking along the rocky shores or feeling the salty breeze.
The plot is perfectly paced, with moments of tension balanced by reflective interludes that delve into the protagonist’s inner world. The themes of healing and new beginnings resonate deeply, making this story both relatable and inspiring.
For fans of contemporary fiction with a strong sense of place and emotional depth, Split Rock is a gem. Whether you’ve visited Martha’s Vineyard or simply dream of it, this novel will transport you there with its rich imagery and moving narrative. Highly recommended!
Split Rock is a beautifully crafted tale set against the picturesque backdrop of Martha’s Vineyard, offering readers an immersive journey into love, resilience, and self-discovery. The novel masterfully captures the island’s essence, making it feel like an integral character in the story.
The protagonist’s emotional depth is skillfully explored, drawing readers into their personal challenges and triumphs. The relationships between characters are heartfelt and authentic, showcasing the complexities of family, friendships, and romance. The writing style is evocative, painting vivid scenes that make the reader feel as though they’re walking along the rocky shores or feeling the salty breeze.
The plot is perfectly paced, with moments of tension balanced by reflective interludes that delve into the protagonist’s inner world. The themes of healing and new beginnings resonate deeply, making this story both relatable and inspiring.
For fans of contemporary fiction with a strong sense of place and emotional depth, Split Rock is a gem. Whether you’ve visited Martha’s Vineyard or simply dream of it, this novel will transport you there with its rich imagery and moving narrative. Highly recommended!
May 26, 2017
Any of you remember picking a thick brick of a volume, and hunkering down for the duration, for an interesting and long read—a few decades ago?
As the T.V. medium gained momentum with color, size, and picture clarity, gradually readers clamored for books to provide the same type of rhythm and speed hosted in their favorite movies.
Today, action and conflict need to start on page one, or page two if you’re a daring author. So when I began reading the Split Rock, I was delighted to find one of my old friends, and I planned a steady and long read.
However, I had a difficult time with chapter one, not because of being projected in the midst of a conflict without having an iota of who, what, where, why or how as it is often the case. (I hate when an author dumps me in the middle of a high wire act without a parachute or some glider to grasp. I have found myself on a mountain about to fall off; in the mix of a strained argument when I don’t know who is who, unable to take sides or even care; and worse, in the midst of hungry sex when you feel like a peeping Tom. (Click the book to purchase)
Here was an excellent book from the past, one I could cherish and read in peace. I guess the incongruities of the first few chapters threw me for a loop. It appeared as though the author hurried to get to the good stuff. Perhaps a harried editor thought they could make some of the beginning of the book go faster. One minute Annie is sleeping with her daughter, Meg when she hears the big yellow bus stop in front of her house. She hears the front door slam. Annie makes time to take a whiff of her daughter’s vanilla scent, and slowly removes her arm from underneath her not to wake her. And all at once she is in front of her house. Standing by the curve, she waves to Robbie, whoever he is, and to all the other children on the bus while in her robe and I presume slippers. Being a mother myself, I thought Annie had balls. I would never have done this to either of my sons. Later I found out this boy is in grade three and is nine years old, and has quite a mouth on him. No wonder.
A lot of beautiful terrain descriptions done in refreshing metaphors are delightful which made the book more than palatable, and I loved the children. I found Gordon too fast and too perky, thinking something wasn’t right with this situation, so I read on. However, my biggest challenge was trying to figure out Annie. I never grasped her, not once. She would be in character for a while, and I would settle down. Then she would do something totally out of character, and even though she thought about her former boyfriend a lot and about her deceased Aunt Fay, and I can certainly understand these sentiments, that could not excuse some of the antics she pulled.
Some endearing moments kept me reading and to tell you the truth, the last one hundred pages of this book are worth reading. They are superbly done and have picked up the pace compared to the rest of the book. So, the reason I am bringing this up is to encourage readers to continue reading through the strangeness of Annie’s thoughts to get to the tender moments. There are some in here that are spectacular and will even have you shedding a tear or two. I finished the book on a high and remembered most of the characters, Chase, Fred, little Tommy. I even recall Élize and Emmie as they are noteworthy. I loved, loved her comparison of the cardinal and what Annie explains to Lily about her Aunt Fay and the bird. I loved the dog Tashmoo and thought he showed a lot of courage. Perhaps this is a book one needs to tackle more than once. I still say it’s a good read on the whole and I would read another book by this author.
As the T.V. medium gained momentum with color, size, and picture clarity, gradually readers clamored for books to provide the same type of rhythm and speed hosted in their favorite movies.
Today, action and conflict need to start on page one, or page two if you’re a daring author. So when I began reading the Split Rock, I was delighted to find one of my old friends, and I planned a steady and long read.
However, I had a difficult time with chapter one, not because of being projected in the midst of a conflict without having an iota of who, what, where, why or how as it is often the case. (I hate when an author dumps me in the middle of a high wire act without a parachute or some glider to grasp. I have found myself on a mountain about to fall off; in the mix of a strained argument when I don’t know who is who, unable to take sides or even care; and worse, in the midst of hungry sex when you feel like a peeping Tom. (Click the book to purchase)
Here was an excellent book from the past, one I could cherish and read in peace. I guess the incongruities of the first few chapters threw me for a loop. It appeared as though the author hurried to get to the good stuff. Perhaps a harried editor thought they could make some of the beginning of the book go faster. One minute Annie is sleeping with her daughter, Meg when she hears the big yellow bus stop in front of her house. She hears the front door slam. Annie makes time to take a whiff of her daughter’s vanilla scent, and slowly removes her arm from underneath her not to wake her. And all at once she is in front of her house. Standing by the curve, she waves to Robbie, whoever he is, and to all the other children on the bus while in her robe and I presume slippers. Being a mother myself, I thought Annie had balls. I would never have done this to either of my sons. Later I found out this boy is in grade three and is nine years old, and has quite a mouth on him. No wonder.
A lot of beautiful terrain descriptions done in refreshing metaphors are delightful which made the book more than palatable, and I loved the children. I found Gordon too fast and too perky, thinking something wasn’t right with this situation, so I read on. However, my biggest challenge was trying to figure out Annie. I never grasped her, not once. She would be in character for a while, and I would settle down. Then she would do something totally out of character, and even though she thought about her former boyfriend a lot and about her deceased Aunt Fay, and I can certainly understand these sentiments, that could not excuse some of the antics she pulled.
Some endearing moments kept me reading and to tell you the truth, the last one hundred pages of this book are worth reading. They are superbly done and have picked up the pace compared to the rest of the book. So, the reason I am bringing this up is to encourage readers to continue reading through the strangeness of Annie’s thoughts to get to the tender moments. There are some in here that are spectacular and will even have you shedding a tear or two. I finished the book on a high and remembered most of the characters, Chase, Fred, little Tommy. I even recall Élize and Emmie as they are noteworthy. I loved, loved her comparison of the cardinal and what Annie explains to Lily about her Aunt Fay and the bird. I loved the dog Tashmoo and thought he showed a lot of courage. Perhaps this is a book one needs to tackle more than once. I still say it’s a good read on the whole and I would read another book by this author.
January 7, 2025
Holly has done it AGAIN! Such a lovely story that makes me yearn to live in Martha’s Vineyard
June 30, 2018
Is Split Rock a romance? Is it the story of one woman’s mid-life crisis? Well, it’s both of those things and more. It’s literature; and terrific literature. It is not woven amidst sweeping historical or social themes. But it is universal because it is a personal story most of us could write about our own lives.
The main character, Annie Tucker, gave up a career in publishing to follow her peripatetic husband to the far-flung places around the globe required by his job, and to raise their three children. She inherits a house on Martha’s Vineyard from her favorite aunt. She spends a summer there, as she used to do as a girl.
The author, Holly Eger, breaks a few modern rules of writing along the way. There is plenty of ‘showing’ but there is also a great deal of ‘telling’. However this should be expected, since we spend most of the novel inside of Annie’s head, which turns out to be a fascinating place. The novel could have been written in the first person, but I think it works better in the third, as a template for readers to overlay on their own journeys. And the story starts off with a dream sequence! Forbidden territory, I was instructed. My own first book, Sun Valley Moon Mountains, had originally begun with a dream sequence. I had to weave it into the fantasy I was writing and it actually worked better that way for me. But Holly’s dream works just fine and Annie returns to it several times in the story as she tests and remakes herself.
Annie encounters an old love on the Vineyard, Chad, who had abandoned her in Paris as a young woman, and ‘the road not taken’ haunts her. Aren’t we all haunted by the same notion at some point in our lives? ‘What if?’ is a powerful question. Annie struggles with her feelings toward Chad and toward her husband, Gordon. I think the story resonates because I believe we all eventually ask that damnable two-word question.
Annie demands order in her life and from others, and she can be critical and is a perfectionist; but she comes to wonder if she is indeed perfect herself. The story also deals with secrets and secret histories and what we ought to do about them. Ever been there? Yup. I thought so.
Since we spend a great deal of time inside Annie’s head, the prose is rich, but not too dense. Eger also gives us a good sense of place. The descriptions of the island are lovely, but the purple in the sunsets is never too ‘purple’. There are also a few thrills, which get the reader’s blood pumping. A mid-life crisis can be thrilling? Well, this one can and the action drives the story. The scenes are a metaphor of sorts for the turbulence Annie experiences.
On Amazon in Holly’s bio, we learn that she now teaches writing. Buy Split Rock, READ IT and you’ll understand why she teaches.
The main character, Annie Tucker, gave up a career in publishing to follow her peripatetic husband to the far-flung places around the globe required by his job, and to raise their three children. She inherits a house on Martha’s Vineyard from her favorite aunt. She spends a summer there, as she used to do as a girl.
The author, Holly Eger, breaks a few modern rules of writing along the way. There is plenty of ‘showing’ but there is also a great deal of ‘telling’. However this should be expected, since we spend most of the novel inside of Annie’s head, which turns out to be a fascinating place. The novel could have been written in the first person, but I think it works better in the third, as a template for readers to overlay on their own journeys. And the story starts off with a dream sequence! Forbidden territory, I was instructed. My own first book, Sun Valley Moon Mountains, had originally begun with a dream sequence. I had to weave it into the fantasy I was writing and it actually worked better that way for me. But Holly’s dream works just fine and Annie returns to it several times in the story as she tests and remakes herself.
Annie encounters an old love on the Vineyard, Chad, who had abandoned her in Paris as a young woman, and ‘the road not taken’ haunts her. Aren’t we all haunted by the same notion at some point in our lives? ‘What if?’ is a powerful question. Annie struggles with her feelings toward Chad and toward her husband, Gordon. I think the story resonates because I believe we all eventually ask that damnable two-word question.
Annie demands order in her life and from others, and she can be critical and is a perfectionist; but she comes to wonder if she is indeed perfect herself. The story also deals with secrets and secret histories and what we ought to do about them. Ever been there? Yup. I thought so.
Since we spend a great deal of time inside Annie’s head, the prose is rich, but not too dense. Eger also gives us a good sense of place. The descriptions of the island are lovely, but the purple in the sunsets is never too ‘purple’. There are also a few thrills, which get the reader’s blood pumping. A mid-life crisis can be thrilling? Well, this one can and the action drives the story. The scenes are a metaphor of sorts for the turbulence Annie experiences.
On Amazon in Holly’s bio, we learn that she now teaches writing. Buy Split Rock, READ IT and you’ll understand why she teaches.
June 14, 2025
I must admit that I don't read a lot of books in this genre. One might suspect it's the equivalent of a "chick-flick" as it is focussed entirely on the life of a woman, in all her aspects. Mother, wife, daughter, niece, girlfriend, homemaker, and more. However, it resonated with me on so many levels, that it could have been about me--father, husband, etc. It so wonderfully captures the feelings that are I believe universal as we age. Are we truly happy? With all the forks in all the roads in our past, did we choose the right ones? Everything seems great, but could it have been better? Also with relationships and parenting come all the pressures, that sometimes overwhelm. How do we find peace?
For me, Annie's experience as an expat hit home as I had those experiences and felt all those mixed feelings. Loving the cultural changes, but simultaneously missing home. Then when home, missing the foreign life. It's a metaphor for all things for Annie. She loves her husband dearly, but has thoughts, even erotic ones, of a past lover. Don't we all? Finally, being on that island is also perfect for the story. Does it represent that serenity she seeks, or the change she may want, or the separation from her married life that is good, but maybe not perfect?
Eger does a masterful job of making us feel these emotions of Annie quite viscerally. As others have said, the beauty and charm of MV are also ever-present and evocative.
So, all you men out there, do not hesitate to pick this book up. It's a lovely and meaningful read for all who think and feel.
For me, Annie's experience as an expat hit home as I had those experiences and felt all those mixed feelings. Loving the cultural changes, but simultaneously missing home. Then when home, missing the foreign life. It's a metaphor for all things for Annie. She loves her husband dearly, but has thoughts, even erotic ones, of a past lover. Don't we all? Finally, being on that island is also perfect for the story. Does it represent that serenity she seeks, or the change she may want, or the separation from her married life that is good, but maybe not perfect?
Eger does a masterful job of making us feel these emotions of Annie quite viscerally. As others have said, the beauty and charm of MV are also ever-present and evocative.
So, all you men out there, do not hesitate to pick this book up. It's a lovely and meaningful read for all who think and feel.
February 20, 2017
MY THOUGHTS
I love books that give you characters you can relate to and this book has them. As you turn the pages, you get to know them and care about them. The book gets your emotions going. The facing of loss and all the garbage life deals you. The setting is Martha's Vineyard, summer of 1997. That is a lovely setting for a book. Makes the reader want to be there.
A young woman, Annie Tucker, with three children finds herself alone after inheriting a house on the island, Martha's Vineyard. She has so much on her shoulders and in her heart. Her husband seems to be gone a lot on business trips. Sound familiar? She must face things from her past, losses and the future, all while being a mother of three. Annie is far, far from perfect but you gotta love her. She's real, not fake.
There is the challenges of her love for her family and her husband. They all have things to face and it isn't easy. You become part of their lives and you want so much for things to work out for the best, but will they? You want Annie to sort of grow up and face things as a mature adult, but she seems to have trouble coping. For it being the author's first book, it is well written, charming, not your ordinary romance book and the characters are ones you can feel like you know. You're there, page by page, on Martha's Vineyard. SO! if you have always wanted to visit Martha's Vineyard along with getting to know some well developed characters, here's your chance. This is fiction but it could very well happen. Don't miss out. Hopefully there will be more from this author and SOON!
I received a copy of this book from the author and PUYB and voluntarily decided to review it.
I love books that give you characters you can relate to and this book has them. As you turn the pages, you get to know them and care about them. The book gets your emotions going. The facing of loss and all the garbage life deals you. The setting is Martha's Vineyard, summer of 1997. That is a lovely setting for a book. Makes the reader want to be there.
A young woman, Annie Tucker, with three children finds herself alone after inheriting a house on the island, Martha's Vineyard. She has so much on her shoulders and in her heart. Her husband seems to be gone a lot on business trips. Sound familiar? She must face things from her past, losses and the future, all while being a mother of three. Annie is far, far from perfect but you gotta love her. She's real, not fake.
There is the challenges of her love for her family and her husband. They all have things to face and it isn't easy. You become part of their lives and you want so much for things to work out for the best, but will they? You want Annie to sort of grow up and face things as a mature adult, but she seems to have trouble coping. For it being the author's first book, it is well written, charming, not your ordinary romance book and the characters are ones you can feel like you know. You're there, page by page, on Martha's Vineyard. SO! if you have always wanted to visit Martha's Vineyard along with getting to know some well developed characters, here's your chance. This is fiction but it could very well happen. Don't miss out. Hopefully there will be more from this author and SOON!
I received a copy of this book from the author and PUYB and voluntarily decided to review it.
January 7, 2018
Through Holly Eger's wonderfully developed Annie in her thoroughly enjoyable novel Split Rock, various aspects of what it means to love well and to be loved well--or not so well--are instigated by Annie as she lives into relationships with, her husband, Gordon, who is sort of caring and distant all at once; her first true love, Chase, a charming and sensitive as well as self-affected upper crust townie, if you will, of Martha's Vineyard; and then there is the delightfully crafted Freddy, the empathetic, good listener, if sort of lesser physically attractive than these other men. There is also a nicely developed thread in the novel of Annie testing out her bohemian tendencies, as she inherits a house from her Aunt Faye, whose persona and the friends she had enjoyed whom are brought into Annie's life give this story the flavor of compassionate, lazy confidence that provides a gentle all the same strong counter to Annie's high-functioning leanings, in a phrase, doer judgmentalism. All this rich stuff of challenge and transformation while Annie juggles parenting her three children one summer on the luscious seascape backdrop of Martha's Vineyard, with its unique sights, sounds, smells and that kind of softening effect it has on those who spend pretty much any length of time there. Simply put, do yourself a favor and read this very approachable and pertinent book!
June 18, 2017
Split Rock is a great summer read. Annie is a mom with three young children. She has lived all over the world and had an adventurous life. After losing her cherished Aunt she is given her Aunt's home on Martha's Vineyard. It is a favorite place for her filled with childhood memories and the Island reminds her of all things she loved about her carefree years. She is swept up with the sadness of loss of her favorite relative and her usual ability to do it all seems to not be working. Independent and strong she needs to decide who are the right people to lean on and who aren't. Her husband is away overseas wrapped up in business difficulties. Does she have the perfect life? Is she delightfully happy with her husband who adores her? What if she had married her first love? She has a chance to learn no one is perfect and to cherish family including the ones she hasn't been close to in the past. This is a delightful summer read with a few PG 13 moments that I skip because that isn't what I look for in a book. Overall it is good read and shows the power of forgiveness, family and friends.
April 28, 2020
Split Rock: A Martha's Vineyard Novel is that rare work of fiction where the setting provides more than a backdrop for the characters peopling the story. Martha's Vineyard, the island off the Massachusetts coast, is a significant character itself. Martha's Vineyard nurtures protagonist Annie Tucker's hard-won self-awareness, providing as much opportunity for growth as do her interactions with family and friends. Protagonist Annie Tucker's relationship with the island anchors the novel and gives it emotional resonance, but the plot revolves around the challenges and joys inherent in long-time relationships--friendships, inter-generational family ties and marriages--and the many ways we love and are loved. Split Rock is a book to be savored.
Read
January 1, 2017Moving and insightfully charming. The reader is carried along through daily profundities of plot by genuine characters and the author's technical aplomb to realize the preciousness of people and place in our lives. Makes you care about the people in the book, and appreciate our own personal Martha's Vineyards. Lovely.
Moving and insightfully charming. The reader is carried along through daily profundities of plot by genuine characters and the author's technical aplomb to realize the preciousness of people and place in our lives. Makes you care about the people in the book, and appreciate our own personal Martha's Vineyards. Lovely.
Moving and insightfully charming. The reader is carried along through daily profundities of plot by genuine characters and the author's technical aplomb to realize the preciousness of people and place in our lives. Makes you care about the people in the book, and appreciate our own personal Martha's Vineyards. Lovely.
August 30, 2019
For those of you who have a memory of a favorite location or those who don't and need one, this is your book.
As a fourth generation Summer Islander, all those wonderful scenes, scents, and feelings are vividly brought back to life. Nip n Tuck Farm, Lucy Vincent's, ice cream, lobster rolls, and memorable sunsets... ahhh. The innocence of children building sandcastles, getting books from the Library to read on rainy days, running endlessly in the fields or parks, making summer friends and of course, the Flying Horses! Thank you, Holly. Thank you.
As a fourth generation Summer Islander, all those wonderful scenes, scents, and feelings are vividly brought back to life. Nip n Tuck Farm, Lucy Vincent's, ice cream, lobster rolls, and memorable sunsets... ahhh. The innocence of children building sandcastles, getting books from the Library to read on rainy days, running endlessly in the fields or parks, making summer friends and of course, the Flying Horses! Thank you, Holly. Thank you.
March 13, 2017
Enjoyed this book
The nephew of the author of this book is a friend of mine. He mentioned that his aunt had written a book. I told him I would love to read it and asked him for the title. Downloaded it and started to read it right away. I enjoyed it a lot. Loved watching Annie's growth as an individual and as a partner in her own marriage as she became more aware of the complexities that exist in such relationships. Recommended!
The nephew of the author of this book is a friend of mine. He mentioned that his aunt had written a book. I told him I would love to read it and asked him for the title. Downloaded it and started to read it right away. I enjoyed it a lot. Loved watching Annie's growth as an individual and as a partner in her own marriage as she became more aware of the complexities that exist in such relationships. Recommended!
August 14, 2016
A great read about a woman confronted with loss, temptation and the messiness of life when she brings her brood of three to Martha's Vineyard in the summer of 1997. The setting is so palpable, it left me wanting to hop on a ferry to visit the island!
February 18, 2017
Lovely story about finding one's way to honesty in marriage. The main character is sharply drawn and the setting, Martha's Vineyard, is beautifully evoked. Vineyard-lovers as well as readers looking for an insightful story about the growing pains that come in mid-life will greatly enjoy Split Rock.
May 25, 2019
This is an amazing book- one of the best I have read in a very long time.
I returned to Martha's Vineyard this weekend to relax and visit some of the places in the book. I was lucky enough to meet the author at dinner! She is just as amazing as the book!
I returned to Martha's Vineyard this weekend to relax and visit some of the places in the book. I was lucky enough to meet the author at dinner! She is just as amazing as the book!
Read
November 30, 2016An enjoyable read about lost loves and family responsibilities.
Here is a link to my review: http://perfectretort.blogspot.com/201...
Here is a link to my review: http://perfectretort.blogspot.com/201...
May 29, 2020
Really enjoyed this novel. Perfect book to take your mind off of things. Great writing that makes you feel like you’re on Martha’s Vineyard with the characters!
December 19, 2025
This is a well-crafted novel that I enjoyed very much. Ms Eger has written a deep, fast moving book about an upper middle class family with all the joys and stresses of internation residences and business. The main characters are very compelling and the story moves along quickly, but you soon realize the depth of the story. The wife wants to be with her children as the husband travels and as they spend the summer in a familiar place - Martha's Vineyard. She is surrounded by many with broken marriages and affairs. The wife's friends wonder how she can bear not having a nanny! Ms Eger deftly weaves the characters together. She maintains a constant suspense of what will happen while describing many very touching experiences. Her symbolism is always good. I love a book with chapter titles., as this one has. One of the themes is freedom from the past. Being born and raised in New England I could identify with so much. Martha's Vineyard is so well portrayed you feel like you're there. The Island is another character. There are lessons to be learned from this book such as can't we all just relax a bit and enjoy life?The real gem of the book is to take an honest look at ourselves and others and to appreciate those who have gone before.
December 18, 2023
I just finished this book (it was my thanksgiving comfort reading) and omg I loved it! I especially love the message about embracing imperfections and the beauty of “split rock” as a metaphor for that. I read this book in a period of life where people in my life who I thought were friends turned out to not support me when I was at my most vulnerable and really needed them to. It taught me how true friends would always be there for me not only when I'm happy/perfect, but when I'm distressed and vulnerable. I looked deeper and felt that it was also up for me to be that good friend to myself even in my most imperfect moments. Thought a different scenario, Annie's struggle and journey finding herself as a mom, wife, and person struck me as being parallel to what I was going through- relatable character for sure. Her learning to not always chase perfection in her relationships and within her own self-image really resonated with me. I'm in my twenties and loved this book, I really think the message can resonate with a lot of different age groups. Well done to the author! I can't wait to see what else she writes :)
December 29, 2016
Annie Tucker has been moving to various places in Asia because of her husband’s job. Now she hopes to stay in Maryland and get their three children settled in school. Coinciding with this move, her beloved aunt dies and leaves Annie a house on Martha’s Vineyard. Annie had spent summers there while growing up and was anxious to show the area to her family. Although her husband is called back to Asia, she takes the children and goes to open her Aunt’s house for the summer. Being back on the island she faces new challenges with the house (and her Aunt’s dog) and with the past. Chase, her first major love, the man who broke her heart, is also back on the island. Basically it was a nice easy read with a few twists but not too many. There was a lot of foreshadowing in the beginning.... and at least one red herring that may not have been intentional because it doesn't match the rest of the story. It is a good for a time when you want to relax and read about likeable people .. and feel good at the end.
June 28, 2017
This is truly what I would call a vacation read. You can not hurry through it. You will read a few chapters, set it down, and when you come back to it you will become involved again for several chapters more. I don't want to say the pace plods, as that sounds negative. It moves along at a comfortable pace, allowing you to ride the waves and float. This is a story that needs to unfold.
It is a tale of discovery, a story of lost love and wondering about possibilities. How one small detail, or one lost letter, might have made all the difference in many lives. It has a dreamy quality to it.
It is a story about a family and figuring out how they fit together. Also about how one person can find herself and decide what she wants in her future. And what she is willing to sacrifice or change to create that future.
This story has layers and layers and lessons to ponder.
It is a tale of discovery, a story of lost love and wondering about possibilities. How one small detail, or one lost letter, might have made all the difference in many lives. It has a dreamy quality to it.
It is a story about a family and figuring out how they fit together. Also about how one person can find herself and decide what she wants in her future. And what she is willing to sacrifice or change to create that future.
This story has layers and layers and lessons to ponder.
March 24, 2024
The extra star is because I really enjoyed all the special Vineyard references. That was one of our all-time favorite vacations, and it was fun knowing exactly where the characters were and what those places are like.
Aside from that, I just couldn’t get into this book. It took me almost 9 months to read because I kept finding other more enjoyable books to pick up. There was way too much going on and it all played out more like a soap opera than a quality novel. There were several more characters introduced than necessary, and they were pretty much all unrelatable and unlikeable, especially Annie. She was so judgmental, conceited, and yet, somehow, exceedingly insecure. It’s hard to feel very invested in a character’s happiness when that character is someone you wouldn’t ever want to be around.
Aside from that, I just couldn’t get into this book. It took me almost 9 months to read because I kept finding other more enjoyable books to pick up. There was way too much going on and it all played out more like a soap opera than a quality novel. There were several more characters introduced than necessary, and they were pretty much all unrelatable and unlikeable, especially Annie. She was so judgmental, conceited, and yet, somehow, exceedingly insecure. It’s hard to feel very invested in a character’s happiness when that character is someone you wouldn’t ever want to be around.
January 18, 2025
I have not yet visited Martha's Vineyard, but after hearing Holly's beautiful descriptions and vivid details, I feel like I have. "Split Rock" touches on so many themes: death and grieving, the challenges of middle age, marriage, fidelity, first loves, human imperfection (and canine perfection), the unsung, never-ending, crucial work of mothers, and much more.
I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed hearing Holly's voice taking me on this journey. I got really invested in her characters and found the novel to be a page-turner that kept me wondering what would happen next.
People who plan on visiting Martha's Vineyard for the first time would learn a lot about the island's culture, history, and landmarks by reading "Split Rock."
I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed hearing Holly's voice taking me on this journey. I got really invested in her characters and found the novel to be a page-turner that kept me wondering what would happen next.
People who plan on visiting Martha's Vineyard for the first time would learn a lot about the island's culture, history, and landmarks by reading "Split Rock."
May 30, 2025
This terrific novel will take you to Martha’s Vineyard, where you will spend the summer in the company of a cast of memorable characters. As soon as we arrived on the island, I found the book hard to put down. Though I have not been there, I still got a good sense of the place through this book—the island’s nature and landscapes and the neighborly atmosphere, as well as some local haunts and the best beaches—thanks to the author’s talent for crafting a good story and dialogue among the characters. A book like Split Rock takes us to places that we don’t want to leave, and I missed the place and its characters when the book ended.
January 7, 2025
This is the best of all the books about Martha's Vineyard. I learned a lot about the island and also about life, and I loved the characters. Holly Hodder Eger has a gift for bringing characters and places to life in a way that feels both deeply personal and universally relatable. This book is a must-read if you love stories about family, second chances, and self-discovery. I didn’t want it to end!
April 18, 2024
I LOVED THIS BOOK. Even as a year round resident of 24 years I learned some new insights about the island. Holly, Eger’s descriptions of both her characters as well as many Island locations kept her storyline compelling.
When I go to these locations now, I can’t help but think of her characters there also!
When I go to these locations now, I can’t help but think of her characters there also!
September 7, 2019
Magical
Well simply said as I fellow that spent time in New England and Martha's Vineyard, this wonderfully written novel brought the Island alive and Holly's wonderful characters became so real that I actually felt like I was part of the adventure. Thanks for this terrific book.
Well simply said as I fellow that spent time in New England and Martha's Vineyard, this wonderfully written novel brought the Island alive and Holly's wonderful characters became so real that I actually felt like I was part of the adventure. Thanks for this terrific book.
August 17, 2023
insightful and moving
How does an author dig into your own history through a story? The challenges and growth through loss and beauty that are both specific to the characters yet universal. One feels the pulse of humanity.
How does an author dig into your own history through a story? The challenges and growth through loss and beauty that are both specific to the characters yet universal. One feels the pulse of humanity.
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