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Half Past
At forty-five, Hannah Smith is at a crossroads. That’s her spin on it. The reality is she’s divorced, jobless, and moving back to her family home in Iowa to keep an eye on her mother, who’s slipping into dementia. Her return stirs up the same unnerving sense of disconnect Hannah has felt since childhood—always the odd girl out, the loner outshone by her two older sisters. Hannah knew the feelings of hurt would come back. But she never expected fear. Because when her mother looks into her eyes and whispers, “You’re not my daughter,” Hannah is beginning to believe it’s not just the rambling of a confused woman.
It’s the truth.
Now Hannah’s following the trail of a family mystery to the dark coast of Big Sur, where years ago a lie was born—and buried. As frightened as she is to unearth it, Hannah knows this is the last chance she has before her past—and all its terrible secrets—are lost forever.
It’s the truth.
Now Hannah’s following the trail of a family mystery to the dark coast of Big Sur, where years ago a lie was born—and buried. As frightened as she is to unearth it, Hannah knows this is the last chance she has before her past—and all its terrible secrets—are lost forever.
254 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 19, 2017
1960 people are currently reading
3704 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Helen Stone
13 books1,573 followersWall Street Journal bestselling writer Victoria Helen Stone, author of the runaway hit Jane Doe, pens critically acclaimed novels of dark intrigue and emotional suspense. Her work includes Follow Her Down, At the Quiet Edge, Problem Child, Half Past, and the chart-toppers False Step, and Evelyn, After. Bald-Faced Liar is her tenth suspense.
Victoria writes in her home office in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah, far from her origins in the flattest plains of Minnesota, Texas, and Oklahoma. She enjoys gorgeous summer trail hikes in the mountains almost as much as she enjoys staying inside by the fire during winter. Victoria is passionate about dessert, true crime, and her terror of mosquitoes, which have targeted her in a diabolical conspiracy to hunt her down no matter the season.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victoriahel...
Victoria writes in her home office in the Wasatch Mountains of Utah, far from her origins in the flattest plains of Minnesota, Texas, and Oklahoma. She enjoys gorgeous summer trail hikes in the mountains almost as much as she enjoys staying inside by the fire during winter. Victoria is passionate about dessert, true crime, and her terror of mosquitoes, which have targeted her in a diabolical conspiracy to hunt her down no matter the season.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/victoriahel...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 311 reviews
September 20, 2017
EXTRACT: 'She wanted to be back in Chicago. Back in her apartment. In her bed. In her marriage. She wanted to wake up, dry and warm, and realize the past six months had been a bad dream. A nightmare that didn't make any sense in the morning. Why had she come back to Iowa? And how could Jeff possibly hate her so much? It was nonsense. Jeff didn't hate anyone. And what utter foolishness to think her sweet steady mother wasn't her mother at all.
THE BLURB: At forty-five, Hannah Smith is at a crossroads. That’s her spin on it. The reality is she’s divorced, jobless, and moving back to her family home in Iowa to keep an eye on her mother, who’s slipping into dementia. Her return stirs up the same unnerving sense of disconnect Hannah has felt since childhood—always the odd girl out, the loner outshone by her two older sisters. Hannah knew the feelings of hurt would come back. But she never expected fear. Because when her mother looks into her eyes and whispers, “You’re not my daughter,” Hannah is beginning to believe it’s not just the rambling of a confused woman.
It’s the truth.
Now Hannah’s following the trail of a family mystery to the dark coast of Big Sur, where years ago a lie was born—and buried. As frightened as she is to unearth it, Hannah knows this is the last chance she has before her past—and all its terrible secrets—are lost forever
MY VIEWS: Half Past by Victoria Helen Stone took me by surprise. It is good. It is damned good. Very damned good. I was expecting something a little Schmaltzy, with a fair bit of romance thrown in. Don't ask me where I got this idea. I just had it, okay? Instead I got this emotionally raw, absorbing story of family relationships that kept me glued to my Kindle from start to finish.
Stone is actually romance novelist Victoria Dahl, which I did not know until I read 'about the author' at the end of the book. Not that I have ever read anything by either of her names. But after publishing more than 25 romance novels, her work has taken a darker turn under a nom-de-plume. Go Victoria!
Stone has given us a wonderfully complex but very real character in Hannah Smith. Growing up she had pushed boundaries and always wanted more. More answers. More freedom. She had fought hard against the restrictions her parents placed on her. She'd run off, walked away, skipped out on her obligations. And now at 45, she’s still doing it. Still walking away from things, running away. Turning her back and moving on. Still wanting more. .....Half Past is a good reminder that we should be careful what we wish for. A glowing 4.5 ☆
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing via Netgalley for providing a digital copy of Half Past by Victoria Helen Stone for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page for an explanation of my ratings. This and other of my reviews can also be viewed at sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
THE BLURB: At forty-five, Hannah Smith is at a crossroads. That’s her spin on it. The reality is she’s divorced, jobless, and moving back to her family home in Iowa to keep an eye on her mother, who’s slipping into dementia. Her return stirs up the same unnerving sense of disconnect Hannah has felt since childhood—always the odd girl out, the loner outshone by her two older sisters. Hannah knew the feelings of hurt would come back. But she never expected fear. Because when her mother looks into her eyes and whispers, “You’re not my daughter,” Hannah is beginning to believe it’s not just the rambling of a confused woman.
It’s the truth.
Now Hannah’s following the trail of a family mystery to the dark coast of Big Sur, where years ago a lie was born—and buried. As frightened as she is to unearth it, Hannah knows this is the last chance she has before her past—and all its terrible secrets—are lost forever
MY VIEWS: Half Past by Victoria Helen Stone took me by surprise. It is good. It is damned good. Very damned good. I was expecting something a little Schmaltzy, with a fair bit of romance thrown in. Don't ask me where I got this idea. I just had it, okay? Instead I got this emotionally raw, absorbing story of family relationships that kept me glued to my Kindle from start to finish.
Stone is actually romance novelist Victoria Dahl, which I did not know until I read 'about the author' at the end of the book. Not that I have ever read anything by either of her names. But after publishing more than 25 romance novels, her work has taken a darker turn under a nom-de-plume. Go Victoria!
Stone has given us a wonderfully complex but very real character in Hannah Smith. Growing up she had pushed boundaries and always wanted more. More answers. More freedom. She had fought hard against the restrictions her parents placed on her. She'd run off, walked away, skipped out on her obligations. And now at 45, she’s still doing it. Still walking away from things, running away. Turning her back and moving on. Still wanting more. .....Half Past is a good reminder that we should be careful what we wish for. A glowing 4.5 ☆
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing via Netgalley for providing a digital copy of Half Past by Victoria Helen Stone for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own. Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page for an explanation of my ratings. This and other of my reviews can also be viewed at sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
March 23, 2023
The book was well-written, but the plot was at times boring and the story moved along so slowly. It didn’t leave an impression so I feel a bit disappointed of the time I’ve lost listening to it (luckily I had the chance to do some cleaning simultaneously so silver linings)
June 7, 2018
This book is many things. It is sad and heartbreaking. It is thought-provoking. And unexpectedly, it is fun. Hannah is a fun character to follow, and an unusual one. Going through a divorce and a turbulent time in her life, she is unpredictable and at a bit of a loose end. It's an original story with some surprising twists, and I really enjoyed it. A great exploration of family ties, loyalty, and plenty of secrets.
It is Hannah's turn. Her turn to sit with her mother, read to her, talk to her, desperately try to get her to have conversations like they used to. Leaving behind her life in Chicago for the slow Iowa life where everyone knows your whole family. It is not something she particularly enjoys, made worse by the fact that sometimes, her mother doesn't seem to want her there. Her mother tells her that she isn't her daughter. Though everyone assures Hannah it is only because her brain is affected by the dementia, it stings. But not nearly as much as when she finds out it's the truth, thanks to a simple and previously unknown disparity in their blood types.
Hannah never felt like she fit in with her family. At 45, she never had children or focused on family life... she basically let herself be talked into marriage. She's going through a divorce. Her sisters have happy families, and were always closer with each other than with Hannah. Hannah had only her father, who died years ago. When she learns there's actually a reason why she felt like a bit of an outsider in her family, she feels a pull to return to California, where they're from. By returning to where she was born and trying to find people who were around back then, perhaps she will be able to find her real mother... and who she is supposed to be, herself.
It is Hannah's turn. Her turn to sit with her mother, read to her, talk to her, desperately try to get her to have conversations like they used to. Leaving behind her life in Chicago for the slow Iowa life where everyone knows your whole family. It is not something she particularly enjoys, made worse by the fact that sometimes, her mother doesn't seem to want her there. Her mother tells her that she isn't her daughter. Though everyone assures Hannah it is only because her brain is affected by the dementia, it stings. But not nearly as much as when she finds out it's the truth, thanks to a simple and previously unknown disparity in their blood types.
Hannah never felt like she fit in with her family. At 45, she never had children or focused on family life... she basically let herself be talked into marriage. She's going through a divorce. Her sisters have happy families, and were always closer with each other than with Hannah. Hannah had only her father, who died years ago. When she learns there's actually a reason why she felt like a bit of an outsider in her family, she feels a pull to return to California, where they're from. By returning to where she was born and trying to find people who were around back then, perhaps she will be able to find her real mother... and who she is supposed to be, herself.
June 11, 2021
Wow! A totally absorbing five star novel!
This is my second book by Victoria I've devoured in the last few days and I want more please. This is one underrated and talented author and as a Book Publicist I'd love to represent her and tell the world to read her writing.
This one is hard to review without spoilers as there are oodles of secrets and reveals in the plot. A young woman who feels she never quite sat right in her family uncovers something life changing and it takes her on a deeply moving, intriguing and emotional journey.
The plot is fantastic and it got more interesting as the pages turned. Its a novel you can read in one sitting and lose yourself in. Again, the author shines with her character building. I love the human imperfections and raw emotion in this story. Its got so much to keep you wanting more. I honestly didn't want it to end.
As for reveals, oh yes! As for the end reveal? Despite me suspecting it, my breath still was held for seconds reading it to myself. Really clever writing. The pacing of the book is spot in, not bored for one word of it.
Despite some sad moments, it gave me a lot of warm feelings too and there is a realism about the characters that leave me now feeling I know them. This was a guilty pleasure, escape from reality book that I highly recommend.
My followers know I read 300+ books a year so if I really rave on a book it's with good reason. If you like character driven books, plenty of plot and real life drama with some great reveals then you will love this. Do read Evelyn, After by this author too.
Five stars from me. As a newly published Author myself just stepping out, I aspire to write this well. Fans of women's fiction like Jodi Picoult of Diane Chamberlain might find this author appeals.
Loved it! Don't think twice, get this one on your Kindle bookshelf. Kudos Ms. Stone. I'm eager for your next book so hope you are writing! For anyone keen on my reviews fund me on social media and Goodreads by searching for Booklover Catlady.
This is my second book by Victoria I've devoured in the last few days and I want more please. This is one underrated and talented author and as a Book Publicist I'd love to represent her and tell the world to read her writing.
This one is hard to review without spoilers as there are oodles of secrets and reveals in the plot. A young woman who feels she never quite sat right in her family uncovers something life changing and it takes her on a deeply moving, intriguing and emotional journey.
The plot is fantastic and it got more interesting as the pages turned. Its a novel you can read in one sitting and lose yourself in. Again, the author shines with her character building. I love the human imperfections and raw emotion in this story. Its got so much to keep you wanting more. I honestly didn't want it to end.
As for reveals, oh yes! As for the end reveal? Despite me suspecting it, my breath still was held for seconds reading it to myself. Really clever writing. The pacing of the book is spot in, not bored for one word of it.
Despite some sad moments, it gave me a lot of warm feelings too and there is a realism about the characters that leave me now feeling I know them. This was a guilty pleasure, escape from reality book that I highly recommend.
My followers know I read 300+ books a year so if I really rave on a book it's with good reason. If you like character driven books, plenty of plot and real life drama with some great reveals then you will love this. Do read Evelyn, After by this author too.
Five stars from me. As a newly published Author myself just stepping out, I aspire to write this well. Fans of women's fiction like Jodi Picoult of Diane Chamberlain might find this author appeals.
Loved it! Don't think twice, get this one on your Kindle bookshelf. Kudos Ms. Stone. I'm eager for your next book so hope you are writing! For anyone keen on my reviews fund me on social media and Goodreads by searching for Booklover Catlady.
December 13, 2018
It wasn't just another book, it was a damn good, freaking twisted WTF-book!
Loved it!
Psychological thriller, NOT a romance!!!
It doesn't have a standard HEA, but still... it was brilliant!
I won't spoil anything, even if I wanted I wouldn't know how.
One of the most conflicted, the most interesting, and the most different female characters I ever read.
I didn't like her, but I wouldn't say no to having her as my friend -> 'bitch-bond' *lol*
This book didn't fill me with utter happiness, but it made me think.
Very interesting, very good written; deep and even philosophical.
Warning: NOT a romance, no typical HEA, the ending may leave some readers disappointed, but it fitted, it fitted perfectly.
Very different read and damn delicious 😉
Loved it!
Psychological thriller, NOT a romance!!!
It doesn't have a standard HEA, but still... it was brilliant!
I won't spoil anything, even if I wanted I wouldn't know how.
One of the most conflicted, the most interesting, and the most different female characters I ever read.
I didn't like her, but I wouldn't say no to having her as my friend -> 'bitch-bond' *lol*
This book didn't fill me with utter happiness, but it made me think.
Very interesting, very good written; deep and even philosophical.
Warning: NOT a romance, no typical HEA, the ending may leave some readers disappointed, but it fitted, it fitted perfectly.
Very different read and damn delicious 😉
...it didn't matter who her parents were, what they'd done, how they'd raised her.
She got to choose who she was.
If she wanted something different, it was up to her.
April 10, 2020
I loved it very much indeed.. it's so simple as that!!
Just the right kind of novel I needed for killing time in the midst of this craziness and mess we all are waddling trough..
A mystery, a dark thriller, murder the most foul commited, searching for her identity a young woman does discover a past so terrible and sinister that even sickness and death fades in comparison to it!!
I did feel and suffer with Hannah on her way to the big sur rumbling trough the debris of her past!!
But no danger or even a romantic love affair can't distract her from pursuing the truth ..
Yes, very good written!!
Wonderful believable characters, and the storyline cunningly woben and constructed!!
A good psychological thriller with a gripping story and wonderful descriptions of the surroundings..
Very interesting and perfect for fans of mysteries and thrillers!!
Happy readings and stay healthy all of you my friends!!
Dean;)
Just the right kind of novel I needed for killing time in the midst of this craziness and mess we all are waddling trough..
A mystery, a dark thriller, murder the most foul commited, searching for her identity a young woman does discover a past so terrible and sinister that even sickness and death fades in comparison to it!!
I did feel and suffer with Hannah on her way to the big sur rumbling trough the debris of her past!!
But no danger or even a romantic love affair can't distract her from pursuing the truth ..
Yes, very good written!!
Wonderful believable characters, and the storyline cunningly woben and constructed!!
A good psychological thriller with a gripping story and wonderful descriptions of the surroundings..
Very interesting and perfect for fans of mysteries and thrillers!!
Happy readings and stay healthy all of you my friends!!
Dean;)
April 26, 2021
Half Past is a well-paced suspense novel about a woman named Hannah who uncovers evidence that she cannot be the biological daughter of the mother who raised her. Her father is dead, and her mother is suffering from dementia and dying. Distraught and eager to find answers, Hannah drops everything and heads to the only place that might hold the truth: the town of her birth.
I did not like Hannah's character, and for what it's worth, I don't think we're necessarily supposed to. She is realistically flawed and a bit brash, but aware of her shortcomings. She is a straight-shooter, with herself and those she holds close, which is not appreciated as much as one would expect. However, we're supposed to see her for all the reasons she doesn't fit, to understand why her passion for hard answers is so strong.
I wouldn't qualify Half Past as a thriller, because this wasn't an "I can't turn the pages fast enough" kind of book. It was what I guess is called a "cozy mystery"? There was no foul language, no gore, not really even any sex. Instead it was a direct chronicle of one woman's sane and calm search for her true mother, to discover the truth of how she ended up where she did -- in a family where she always felt like an outsider.
I did not like Hannah's character, and for what it's worth, I don't think we're necessarily supposed to. She is realistically flawed and a bit brash, but aware of her shortcomings. She is a straight-shooter, with herself and those she holds close, which is not appreciated as much as one would expect. However, we're supposed to see her for all the reasons she doesn't fit, to understand why her passion for hard answers is so strong.
I wouldn't qualify Half Past as a thriller, because this wasn't an "I can't turn the pages fast enough" kind of book. It was what I guess is called a "cozy mystery"? There was no foul language, no gore, not really even any sex. Instead it was a direct chronicle of one woman's sane and calm search for her true mother, to discover the truth of how she ended up where she did -- in a family where she always felt like an outsider.
March 20, 2020
3.5 rounded up. I saw someone say that this reads more like women's fiction then a thriller, and i have to agree. Which makes it surprising that i thoroughly enjoyed it! I think it's because i understood & empathized with our main character. Nothing terribly unique, but interesting & it went down easy right from the beginning.
January 4, 2020
Half past⭐️
Hanna’s mother is sick and now being a good daughter that she is she comes to take care of her. Her mother is in a nursing home so the nurses and doctors are pretty much doing everything but she still comes and visits and talk to her and tries to get her to remember her because not having your mother remember who you are really sucks. Anna has two other sisters both which her mother remembers but she can’t seem to remember Hanna. Soon Hanna comes to realize maybe her mother doesn’t remember her because she isn’t actually her mother.
The story had good direction Hanna’s mother is sick and now being a good daughter that she is she comes to take care of her. Her mother is in a nursing home so the nurses and doctors are pretty much doing everything but she still comes and visits and talk to her and tries to get her to remember her because not having your mother remember who you are really sucks. Anna has two other sisters both which her mother remembers but she can’t seem to remember Hanna. Soon Hanna comes to realize maybe her mother doesn’t remember her because she isn’t actually her mother.
The story had good direction But it moved very slow I like the little twists and turns but it took too long to get there for me I wanted it faster I wanted more action and one more mystery and I just didn’t get that from this. I did like the characters I did like the story but again I wanted more.
2017 review
Thank you so much to Lake Union publishing via netgalley for sending me an ARc copy of Half past by Victoria Stone . Half past will be released on September 19, 2017.
Hannah youngest of three is the only one who comes to the nursing to home take care/visit their mother everyday. Hannahs mother has dementia and doesn't care about hannah or remember hannah at times, only her other two daughters. But Loving daughter hannah soon finds out that she is adopted and trouble arises.
Hannahs sisters want her to stay and take care of their mother still but hannah is sick of being the good girl and heads off to California to get away from the craziness that is her family.
In California Hannah is on a mission to find herself.
I really enjoyed the language used and the description/descriptive details i felt pulled into the world. I also really liked that Hannah was older which we dont see in many thiller books. And even though Hannah is older she didnt want kids so her interaction with children and how she made it clear that she wouldnt put up with children was very realistic to our society today.
I didnt find the twists and turns of the book to be very exciting after the first few chapters. Also i didnt connect with hannah. She seemed a bit immature for her age and i felt lost during certain parts of the story.
But the ending was well explained and i thought it was a logical ending, clearing up some things i was confused about along the way.
Hanna’s mother is sick and now being a good daughter that she is she comes to take care of her. Her mother is in a nursing home so the nurses and doctors are pretty much doing everything but she still comes and visits and talk to her and tries to get her to remember her because not having your mother remember who you are really sucks. Anna has two other sisters both which her mother remembers but she can’t seem to remember Hanna. Soon Hanna comes to realize maybe her mother doesn’t remember her because she isn’t actually her mother.
The story had good direction Hanna’s mother is sick and now being a good daughter that she is she comes to take care of her. Her mother is in a nursing home so the nurses and doctors are pretty much doing everything but she still comes and visits and talk to her and tries to get her to remember her because not having your mother remember who you are really sucks. Anna has two other sisters both which her mother remembers but she can’t seem to remember Hanna. Soon Hanna comes to realize maybe her mother doesn’t remember her because she isn’t actually her mother.
The story had good direction But it moved very slow I like the little twists and turns but it took too long to get there for me I wanted it faster I wanted more action and one more mystery and I just didn’t get that from this. I did like the characters I did like the story but again I wanted more.
2017 review
Thank you so much to Lake Union publishing via netgalley for sending me an ARc copy of Half past by Victoria Stone . Half past will be released on September 19, 2017.
Hannah youngest of three is the only one who comes to the nursing to home take care/visit their mother everyday. Hannahs mother has dementia and doesn't care about hannah or remember hannah at times, only her other two daughters. But Loving daughter hannah soon finds out that she is adopted and trouble arises.
Hannahs sisters want her to stay and take care of their mother still but hannah is sick of being the good girl and heads off to California to get away from the craziness that is her family.
In California Hannah is on a mission to find herself.
I really enjoyed the language used and the description/descriptive details i felt pulled into the world. I also really liked that Hannah was older which we dont see in many thiller books. And even though Hannah is older she didnt want kids so her interaction with children and how she made it clear that she wouldnt put up with children was very realistic to our society today.
I didnt find the twists and turns of the book to be very exciting after the first few chapters. Also i didnt connect with hannah. She seemed a bit immature for her age and i felt lost during certain parts of the story.
But the ending was well explained and i thought it was a logical ending, clearing up some things i was confused about along the way.
September 7, 2018
Took some time to finish. Mainly because I couldn't like and relate to h. She was all restless and whiny about everything.
The mystery part was very well covered tho.
The mystery part was very well covered tho.
August 29, 2017
I have always loved Victoria Dahl/Helen Stone's "difficult" characters. She writes people who feel like they don't fit, who have experienced trauma, who just don't want the same things as "everyone else" with a lot of sensitivity and complexity. Hannah is one of those characters. I've read in other reviews that some readers don't connect with Hannah. I get why that would be, but I also really *did* connect with her because she's seeking for the reasons why she's always felt out of place. She's uncompromising. She's complicated.
The way her story rolls out wasn't as compelling for me as some of VD/HS's other works. It's most comparable to "Evelyn, After," which was structurally fascinating and emotionally gripping. Because the mystery in this one is from 45 years before, it loses some of the punch it otherwise might have had.
As always, VD/HS is an auto-buy for me and I'm looking forward to what comes next.
I was given an advance reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.
The way her story rolls out wasn't as compelling for me as some of VD/HS's other works. It's most comparable to "Evelyn, After," which was structurally fascinating and emotionally gripping. Because the mystery in this one is from 45 years before, it loses some of the punch it otherwise might have had.
As always, VD/HS is an auto-buy for me and I'm looking forward to what comes next.
I was given an advance reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 9, 2020
Not a bad book, just not really me.
October 25, 2017
My guess was way off.
June 9, 2022
I thought Evelyn, After was going to be my favorite book by the author - I was wrong. This one is wonderful. I loved it from start to finish. I hope you will too.
November 28, 2018
That was it for Gabriel?! No more tacos and whiskeys? Ugh my fragile heart. I loved that guy. Maybe it’s my biased weakness to Spanish men but Gabriel was sexy as hell. But I get it. The story was bigger than him.
Great, quick read! It was full of all the drama and mystery I had hoped for. I think I can say I am definitely a fan of Victoria’s edgy style. Already preordered “Jane Doe”.
Great, quick read! It was full of all the drama and mystery I had hoped for. I think I can say I am definitely a fan of Victoria’s edgy style. Already preordered “Jane Doe”.
October 28, 2020
Well, I'm going to admit to a fair amount of skimming for this one.
There was a heck of a lot of introspection and telling instead of showing. The story line was a bit improbable although I suppose all of that COULD have happened given the right set of circumstances. The relationship between Hannah and her mother towards the end did a 180 degree change there. I lost interest several times. Gabriel was a massive red herring and that messed up scene where they explain their own motives for behaving as they did was just - odd.
So, this one is getting a 3 out of 5 from me. Couldn't stay invested in this character at all.
When I turned the last page, I felt like calling out, unhappily, like Mr. Rochester in Jane Eyre, ..." Jane! Jane!"
There was a heck of a lot of introspection and telling instead of showing. The story line was a bit improbable although I suppose all of that COULD have happened given the right set of circumstances. The relationship between Hannah and her mother towards the end did a 180 degree change there. I lost interest several times. Gabriel was a massive red herring and that messed up scene where they explain their own motives for behaving as they did was just - odd.
So, this one is getting a 3 out of 5 from me. Couldn't stay invested in this character at all.
When I turned the last page, I felt like calling out, unhappily, like Mr. Rochester in Jane Eyre, ..." Jane! Jane!"
September 4, 2017
I loved this book!!
Read
March 28, 2020Another story with some big family secret that suddenly come out years later and makes the protagonist search for answers. Started off ok but the more I read about Hannah, the more she started to get on my nerves. I don't much care for selfish, immature, pathetic, whiny main characters. Who wants to read about them? I expect more maturity, depth and sense from a 45-year-old. Plot sounded kinda forced and weak. The resolution was weak. Sorry could not connect with this story nor the protagonist. 1 Star.
August 13, 2017
The theme of the book is what made me select it in the first place. A definite different concept to the ones I have read before.
Parents are what we always take for granted. We always fall back on them in all crisis. But Hannah in the middle of a setback in life and career realises that her mother is not actually "her" mother. The author has brought out Hannah emotions and the turmoil in her mind when she learns the truth about herself, well. Also, the book lead me into a world, I till date, did not know existed- commune promoting polygamy. The book kept on twisting and turning always, till the last where the author has bought it all to a good, well explained, reasonable end.
Just one negative comment I have, there we some places when I could not completely connect with the book. There exists some book where we wholely become part of the main character, that was missing here. Sometimes I felt lost during the read. But, overall a good read.I did want the book to end with Hannah getting back on the so called "normal" life, but may be I am also being part of that judgemental society out there.
Parents are what we always take for granted. We always fall back on them in all crisis. But Hannah in the middle of a setback in life and career realises that her mother is not actually "her" mother. The author has brought out Hannah emotions and the turmoil in her mind when she learns the truth about herself, well. Also, the book lead me into a world, I till date, did not know existed- commune promoting polygamy. The book kept on twisting and turning always, till the last where the author has bought it all to a good, well explained, reasonable end.
Just one negative comment I have, there we some places when I could not completely connect with the book. There exists some book where we wholely become part of the main character, that was missing here. Sometimes I felt lost during the read. But, overall a good read.I did want the book to end with Hannah getting back on the so called "normal" life, but may be I am also being part of that judgemental society out there.
August 19, 2018
After discovering Victoria Helen Stone with the magnificent JANE DOE, I’m working my way through the author’s catalogue, starting with HALF PAST. Once again, Ms. Stone demonstrates her originality with another atypical heroine. Hannah Smith, let’s be honest, is unpleasant, selfish, somewhat irrational regarding a recent discovery, and totally unreasonable in the way she treats her mother, who suffers from dementia. Hannah is not a very appealing character, I would not like to have her for a sister, and I would not want her as a friend. Hannah is exactly the sort of character that makes me dislike a book, or maybe even stop reading. So why five stars, you may ask? Because once again, Victoria Helen Stone presents us with a veritable literary tour de force: her writing is compelling, powerful, and shows us this character, Hannah, with all her flaws and vulnerability, and it’s just impossible not to want to read more.
HALF PAST is utterly riveting, and I’m still not sure why I needed to see what Hannah would do, how things would turn out, but I could not stop myself from reading, and this is the mark of an extraordinarily gifted author: that I must read, even though I couldn’t relate to Hannah’s way of thinking most of the time, which usually makes me disconnect from the story, but with HALF PAST, I only wanted to know more. The writing is mesmerising and utterly flawless; there are no lulls in the story; the secondary characters are amazingly well-fleshed out; and the ending was entirely unexpected, and some parts utterly shocking. I have read two of Victoria Helen Stone’s three books so far, and she is now on my go-to authors list; absolutely brilliant.
HALF PAST is utterly riveting, and I’m still not sure why I needed to see what Hannah would do, how things would turn out, but I could not stop myself from reading, and this is the mark of an extraordinarily gifted author: that I must read, even though I couldn’t relate to Hannah’s way of thinking most of the time, which usually makes me disconnect from the story, but with HALF PAST, I only wanted to know more. The writing is mesmerising and utterly flawless; there are no lulls in the story; the secondary characters are amazingly well-fleshed out; and the ending was entirely unexpected, and some parts utterly shocking. I have read two of Victoria Helen Stone’s three books so far, and she is now on my go-to authors list; absolutely brilliant.
August 16, 2017
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC.
Hannah is the youngest of three sisters. While her sisters are blonde and very much alike, Hannah is the exact opposite. She has never felt like she fit into the Smith family, and now she has come home. Their mother has dementia and Hannah has recently taken a severance package from her job in Chicago.
Being home, has made Hannah restless. What doesn't help is her mother keeps telling her "You're not my daughter". Trying to ignore her mother is hard. It then gets harder when she sees her blood type means she couldn't be her mother's daughter.
This information leads Hannah to Big Sur, California on a search for the truth. What Hannah finds is is going to change the rest of her life.
It took me time to warm up to Hannah. I felt she was a little whiny. But then I kept asking myself to put myself in her shoes. Hannah's world was rocked in a major way. I enjoyed the writing and would love to read the author's previous book!
Hannah is the youngest of three sisters. While her sisters are blonde and very much alike, Hannah is the exact opposite. She has never felt like she fit into the Smith family, and now she has come home. Their mother has dementia and Hannah has recently taken a severance package from her job in Chicago.
Being home, has made Hannah restless. What doesn't help is her mother keeps telling her "You're not my daughter". Trying to ignore her mother is hard. It then gets harder when she sees her blood type means she couldn't be her mother's daughter.
This information leads Hannah to Big Sur, California on a search for the truth. What Hannah finds is is going to change the rest of her life.
It took me time to warm up to Hannah. I felt she was a little whiny. But then I kept asking myself to put myself in her shoes. Hannah's world was rocked in a major way. I enjoyed the writing and would love to read the author's previous book!
August 26, 2017
Imagine one day finding out that everything you knew about your life was a lie. Now imagine if you went searching for the truth and you discover the real story was worse than you could have ever dreamed possible. For Hannah Smith, this is her new reality in Victoria Stone’s latest novel “Half Past.” Hannah questions her parentage when she feels there is a discrepancy on one of her mother’s blood test, but what appears to be a search into her past is also a journey of self-discovery for Hannah. Victoria Stone entraps her reader with her carefully selected words making it virtually impossible to put the book down until the reader has turned the last page. I was given an advanced copy of this book, and all of the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
October 11, 2018
Half Past
I Picked Up This Book Because: The last Victoria Helen Stone book I read wrecked me in all the best ways.
The Characters:
Hannah Smith:
The Story:
I am sad to report this book did not have the same results. While well written it left me feeling blah overall. I realize now more than ever I need my characters to interact with other characters. Hannah spent a lot of time in her head. It doesn’t work for me. Once we got deep into the plot and there were other people to hash out details with I started to enjoy the story more. I didn’t agree with a lot of Hannah’s actions. I think there was much more she could have done before she flew halfway across the country but in the end I see how that does not serve the plot well. I enjoyed the mystery and the unraveling. I don’t even know what I would do if I were to find out one of my parents is not my parent. I don’t think it’s a thing you can decide on if you aren’t in that position.
Writing: Good.
Forward Motion: Great pacing. It felt natural
Overall Interest: It wavered during a lot of the beginning of the book
Length of Reading Time: Fair
Re-read-ability: No.
The Random Thoughts:
Oh and Hannah’s sisters really made me mad. I’m glad she was able to overcome though.
The Score Card:
3 Stars
I Picked Up This Book Because: The last Victoria Helen Stone book I read wrecked me in all the best ways.
The Characters:
Hannah Smith:
The Story:
I am sad to report this book did not have the same results. While well written it left me feeling blah overall. I realize now more than ever I need my characters to interact with other characters. Hannah spent a lot of time in her head. It doesn’t work for me. Once we got deep into the plot and there were other people to hash out details with I started to enjoy the story more. I didn’t agree with a lot of Hannah’s actions. I think there was much more she could have done before she flew halfway across the country but in the end I see how that does not serve the plot well. I enjoyed the mystery and the unraveling. I don’t even know what I would do if I were to find out one of my parents is not my parent. I don’t think it’s a thing you can decide on if you aren’t in that position.
Writing: Good.
Forward Motion: Great pacing. It felt natural
Overall Interest: It wavered during a lot of the beginning of the book
Length of Reading Time: Fair
Re-read-ability: No.
The Random Thoughts:
Oh and Hannah’s sisters really made me mad. I’m glad she was able to overcome though.
The Score Card:
3 Stars
January 1, 2019
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
October 31, 2017
This review was originally posted on (un)Conventional Bookviews
Half Past is a story of resilience and hope, of finding oneself during a midlife crisis, and coming out on the other side ever stronger.
Story:
Hannah was able to carry Half Past on her own, even if she needed other people in her quest for the truth, she was self-sufficient, and stronger than she thought. I felt like someone hit me at the very beginning of the story, because even if her mother was suffering from dementia, what she said to Hannah has to have hurt. A lot. And then, when her two older sisters arrived, they weren't exactly understanding of her predicament.
After Hannah found out her mother wasn't her biological mother, even if her name was on Hannah's birth certificate, Hannah had to leave. Half Past follows Hannah across states, towards both her past and possibly a new future. Digging around in both her own and her parents' past did not endear her to anyone - not to her sisters, and not to the locals in California.
Half Past is a great title, because it goes well with the story on more than one level. One could argue that Hannah has arrived to the middle of her life, and is, thus, herself half past. One could also see half past to mean a glass half full, and even in the face of a lot of difficult situations, Hannah was positive more often than not.
In a way, Half Past is also a book about mourning. I think Hannah started mourning her mother as soon as she got diagnosed with dementia. And with the news that her mother wasn't her mother, she got a second layer added on to that grief. Stone did a fantastic job of portraying a woman who has seemingly lost all - but who still has the strength to shoulder the pain for the people she cares for, shielding them from things they might not recover from.
Characters:
Hannah felt like her whole life was unraveling before her eyes. Slipping through her hands like sand. And the only way she found to deal with it all was to run across the country to find out what was hidden in her parents' past.
Rachel is Hannah's oldest sister, and she had it all together. At least on the surface. Even if she was not exactly open to what Hannah felt she had to do.
Becky is Hannah's other sister, and while she's more sympathetic to Hannah's feelings, she doesn't fully understand her.
Writing style :
Half Past is written in third person point of view, past tense, and from Hannah's perspective. Even if Hannah's story was very different from my own, I felt connected to her, and completely understood why she was so discombobulated.
Feels :
I felt both the heartache and the pain Hannah felt. But I also really felt the hope. Hannah was the kind of character that is able to deal with all the hardships life can bring on.
Sucking a deep breath of clean, disinfectant-free air into her lungs, she fled to her car. The feeling was terrible on every level. She shouldn't want to run from her mother. The woman was sick. Dying. And losing everything bit by bit as she did it. That was true suffering. Hannah's frustration didn't even qualify as a hangnail in the face of her mom's slow, steady decline.
Not that she'd been all "buck the system." She'd gotten As and Bs in high school and had chosen accounting pretty quickly in college. She'd never been a bad kid, really; she'd just been full of an energy that had vibrated at a different frequency from the rest of her family.
Why the heck was this so exhausting? All she did was sit there and talk with her mother, help her with lunch and the bathroom, keep her supplied with music and television show. It was barely work at all, but Hannah felt weak as a baby.
Half Past is a story of resilience and hope, of finding oneself during a midlife crisis, and coming out on the other side ever stronger.
Story:
Hannah was able to carry Half Past on her own, even if she needed other people in her quest for the truth, she was self-sufficient, and stronger than she thought. I felt like someone hit me at the very beginning of the story, because even if her mother was suffering from dementia, what she said to Hannah has to have hurt. A lot. And then, when her two older sisters arrived, they weren't exactly understanding of her predicament.
After Hannah found out her mother wasn't her biological mother, even if her name was on Hannah's birth certificate, Hannah had to leave. Half Past follows Hannah across states, towards both her past and possibly a new future. Digging around in both her own and her parents' past did not endear her to anyone - not to her sisters, and not to the locals in California.
Half Past is a great title, because it goes well with the story on more than one level. One could argue that Hannah has arrived to the middle of her life, and is, thus, herself half past. One could also see half past to mean a glass half full, and even in the face of a lot of difficult situations, Hannah was positive more often than not.
In a way, Half Past is also a book about mourning. I think Hannah started mourning her mother as soon as she got diagnosed with dementia. And with the news that her mother wasn't her mother, she got a second layer added on to that grief. Stone did a fantastic job of portraying a woman who has seemingly lost all - but who still has the strength to shoulder the pain for the people she cares for, shielding them from things they might not recover from.
Characters:
Hannah felt like her whole life was unraveling before her eyes. Slipping through her hands like sand. And the only way she found to deal with it all was to run across the country to find out what was hidden in her parents' past.
Rachel is Hannah's oldest sister, and she had it all together. At least on the surface. Even if she was not exactly open to what Hannah felt she had to do.
Becky is Hannah's other sister, and while she's more sympathetic to Hannah's feelings, she doesn't fully understand her.
Writing style :
Half Past is written in third person point of view, past tense, and from Hannah's perspective. Even if Hannah's story was very different from my own, I felt connected to her, and completely understood why she was so discombobulated.
Feels :
I felt both the heartache and the pain Hannah felt. But I also really felt the hope. Hannah was the kind of character that is able to deal with all the hardships life can bring on.
Sucking a deep breath of clean, disinfectant-free air into her lungs, she fled to her car. The feeling was terrible on every level. She shouldn't want to run from her mother. The woman was sick. Dying. And losing everything bit by bit as she did it. That was true suffering. Hannah's frustration didn't even qualify as a hangnail in the face of her mom's slow, steady decline.
Not that she'd been all "buck the system." She'd gotten As and Bs in high school and had chosen accounting pretty quickly in college. She'd never been a bad kid, really; she'd just been full of an energy that had vibrated at a different frequency from the rest of her family.
Why the heck was this so exhausting? All she did was sit there and talk with her mother, help her with lunch and the bathroom, keep her supplied with music and television show. It was barely work at all, but Hannah felt weak as a baby.
October 16, 2017
“Half Past” by Victoria Helen Stone
Three daughters who are taking turns sitting with the mother at a memory care center. Two the woman still recognizes. The other is told “you are not my daughter!” Not once, not twice but several times. Blood tests confirm this to be true.
So begins Hannah’s journey to Big Sur to find her mother. What she slowly puts together piece by piece is shocking and hard to take in. It is not a version of her family she would ever have believed had she not had the verbal and written proof. It was a past that not even she ever guessed.
With strong, relatable, deep, and flawed characters, Victoria Helen Stone, has written a novel that is realistic, honest, strong, at times raw, and always moving.
The novel is fast paced, yet has its moments of calmness where one is able to learn more about the characters and the storyline. It is a twisting turning novel that has straight paths...but very short ones. It is a puzzle put together little by little and piece by piece that leads to shocking and overwhelming finds that, in the end, Hannah decides to keep from her sisters. She has come to realize everyone has their burdens. It is how they carry them that matters. And for now, that was enough. She would sit with them and accept them and move forward with a life she chooses to live and a self she chooses to be. Right now that is sitting with her mother.
A moving, enthralling, deep and exhilarating novel...one with a bit of something for everyone.
Rating: 4.8
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
** I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this novel. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Three daughters who are taking turns sitting with the mother at a memory care center. Two the woman still recognizes. The other is told “you are not my daughter!” Not once, not twice but several times. Blood tests confirm this to be true.
So begins Hannah’s journey to Big Sur to find her mother. What she slowly puts together piece by piece is shocking and hard to take in. It is not a version of her family she would ever have believed had she not had the verbal and written proof. It was a past that not even she ever guessed.
With strong, relatable, deep, and flawed characters, Victoria Helen Stone, has written a novel that is realistic, honest, strong, at times raw, and always moving.
The novel is fast paced, yet has its moments of calmness where one is able to learn more about the characters and the storyline. It is a twisting turning novel that has straight paths...but very short ones. It is a puzzle put together little by little and piece by piece that leads to shocking and overwhelming finds that, in the end, Hannah decides to keep from her sisters. She has come to realize everyone has their burdens. It is how they carry them that matters. And for now, that was enough. She would sit with them and accept them and move forward with a life she chooses to live and a self she chooses to be. Right now that is sitting with her mother.
A moving, enthralling, deep and exhilarating novel...one with a bit of something for everyone.
Rating: 4.8
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
** I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this novel. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
February 21, 2019
A wonderful family drama with some thrilleresque elements to it. Hannah is a fresh breath of air as a woman who doesn't want children and isn't even sure if she likes being married. She feels left out of her family, never quite fitting in, and so when her mother gets dementia, and Hannah discovers that there's no scientific way her mother can be her mother, she searches for answers. What Hannah finds is what makes the heart of the novel. Her search, her reconciliation, and how she moves forward can be seen through the growth Hannah experiences, and it gives her a clear arc.
I really enjoyed this book. I also listened to the Audible version, and I was super pleased with the narrator. She didn't use ridiculous voices or accents she couldn't pull off. Highly recommend.
I really enjoyed this book. I also listened to the Audible version, and I was super pleased with the narrator. She didn't use ridiculous voices or accents she couldn't pull off. Highly recommend.
December 4, 2018
This was an interesting book for Hannah as she goes through a lot. Hannah learns so much about herself, her family and in the end makes a very conscious choice as how to go forward. All along the way I think Hannah made the right choices, but the best one she made was at the end, it was a great way to embrace her past and set her up for the future.
August 31, 2019
Unfortunately, I’m starting to get the sense that this author’s books are not for me. It’s not that she doesn’t write a compelling story. She does. It’s just that the two stories that I’ve read of hers both featured utterly unlikable characters. Suffice it to say I hope I’m not like the female protagonist of this story when I’m 45. However, I managed to finish this book so that’s saying something too, I guess.
October 12, 2018
Meh--not for me
I recently read Jane Doe and I enjoyed it so much, I went in search of other books by this author. It turns out Victoria Helen Stone is quite the accomplished author, but most of her other books are romance novels. I chose to read Half Past because it was listed as a suspense novel.
Unfortunately, this book fell short for me. There wasn't much to like about the main character and since the total focus is dedicated to her researching her family ancestry, I found it difficult to remain focused. There were so many characters and keeping track of who there were was a bit of a chore and I just didn't care enough to turn pages backwards to keep characters straight in my mind. I'm just glad I got through this so I can read something else.
Bottom line: I feel this book does not belong in the suspense/thriller category like Jane Doe does. It would be more appropriate listed under women's lit/mystery. Ms. Stone has strong literary skills, but if you are looking for a fast-paced suspense novel, it would probably be best to look for something different.
I recently read Jane Doe and I enjoyed it so much, I went in search of other books by this author. It turns out Victoria Helen Stone is quite the accomplished author, but most of her other books are romance novels. I chose to read Half Past because it was listed as a suspense novel.
Unfortunately, this book fell short for me. There wasn't much to like about the main character and since the total focus is dedicated to her researching her family ancestry, I found it difficult to remain focused. There were so many characters and keeping track of who there were was a bit of a chore and I just didn't care enough to turn pages backwards to keep characters straight in my mind. I'm just glad I got through this so I can read something else.
Bottom line: I feel this book does not belong in the suspense/thriller category like Jane Doe does. It would be more appropriate listed under women's lit/mystery. Ms. Stone has strong literary skills, but if you are looking for a fast-paced suspense novel, it would probably be best to look for something different.
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