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Facets
New York Times bestselling author Barbara Delinsky shares a cautionary tale of romance, revenge, family relationships and power in this powerful novel.
Nothing can prepare writer Hillary Cox for seeing her lover of 27 years, mining magnate John St. George, announce on television that he's marrying another woman. Seeking revenge, Hillary begins a tell-all book exposing John and his shady past, but John's sister, Pamela St. George, also wants revenge against her brother, who has abused Pamela throughout her life.
As Hillary attempts to end her obsession, Pamela sets out to wrest control of the family's tourmaline mining business from John, and to search for Cutter Reid, the one man she has always loved, and from whom John has always kept her. Now, a three-decade-old family drama of power, duplicity, and money comes hurtling to an explosive final confrontation with the one man who has so damaged their lives.
Nothing can prepare writer Hillary Cox for seeing her lover of 27 years, mining magnate John St. George, announce on television that he's marrying another woman. Seeking revenge, Hillary begins a tell-all book exposing John and his shady past, but John's sister, Pamela St. George, also wants revenge against her brother, who has abused Pamela throughout her life.
As Hillary attempts to end her obsession, Pamela sets out to wrest control of the family's tourmaline mining business from John, and to search for Cutter Reid, the one man she has always loved, and from whom John has always kept her. Now, a three-decade-old family drama of power, duplicity, and money comes hurtling to an explosive final confrontation with the one man who has so damaged their lives.
416 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1990
233 people are currently reading
621 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Delinsky
307 books4,356 followersI was born and raised in suburban Boston. My mother’s death, when I was eight, was the defining event of a childhood that was otherwise ordinary. I took piano lessons and flute lessons. I took ballroom dancing lessons. I went to summer camp through my fifteenth year (in Maine, which explains the setting of so many of my stories), then spent my sixteenth summer learning to type and to drive (two skills that have served me better than all of my other high school courses combined). I earned a B.A. in Psychology at Tufts University and an M.A. in Sociology at Boston College. The motivation behind the M.A. was sheer greed. My husband was just starting law school. We needed the money.
Following graduate school, I worked as a researcher with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and as a photographer and reporter for the Belmont Herald. I did the newspaper work after my first son was born. Since I was heavily into taking pictures of him, I worked for the paper to support that habit. Initially, I wrote only in a secondary capacity, to provide copy for the pictures I took. In time, I realized that I was better at writing than photography. I used both skills doing volunteer work for hospital groups, and have served on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and on the MGH’s Women’s Cancer Advisory Board.
I became an actual writer by fluke. My twins were four when, by chance, I happened on a newspaper article profiling three female writers. Intrigued, I spent three months researching, plotting, and writing my own book - and it sold.
My niche? I write about the emotional crises that we face in our lives. Readers identify with my characters. They know them. They are them. I'm an everyday woman writing about everyday people facing not-so-everyday challenges.
My novels are character-driven studies of marriage, parenthood, sibling rivalry, and friendship, and I’ve been blessed in having readers who buy them eagerly enough to put them on the major bestseller lists. One of my latest, Sweet Salt Air, came out in 2013. Blueprints, my second novel with St. Martin’s Press, became my 22nd New York Times bestselling novel soon after its release in June 2015. Making Up, my work in progress, will be published in 2018.
2018? Yikes. I didn’t think I’d live that long. I thought I’d die of breast cancer back in the 1900's, like my mom. But I didn’t. I was diagnosed nearly twenty years ago, had surgery and treatment, and here I am, stronger than ever and loving having authored yet another book, this one the non-fiction Uplift: Secrets From the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors. First published in 2001, Uplift is a handbook of practical tips and upbeat anecdotes that I compiled with the help of 350 breast cancer survivors, their families and friends. These survivors just ... blew me away! They gave me the book that I wish I’d had way back when I was diagnosed. There is no medical information here, nothing frightening, simply practical advice from friends who’ve had breast cancer. The 10th Anniversary Volume of Uplift is now in print. And the money I’ve made on the book? Every cent has gone to my charitable foundation, which funds an ongoing research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Connect with me on Facebook: facebook.com/bdelinsky
Look for my photos on Instagram: instagram.com/barbaradelinsky
Following graduate school, I worked as a researcher with the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and as a photographer and reporter for the Belmont Herald. I did the newspaper work after my first son was born. Since I was heavily into taking pictures of him, I worked for the paper to support that habit. Initially, I wrote only in a secondary capacity, to provide copy for the pictures I took. In time, I realized that I was better at writing than photography. I used both skills doing volunteer work for hospital groups, and have served on the Board of Directors of the Friends of the Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center and on the MGH’s Women’s Cancer Advisory Board.
I became an actual writer by fluke. My twins were four when, by chance, I happened on a newspaper article profiling three female writers. Intrigued, I spent three months researching, plotting, and writing my own book - and it sold.
My niche? I write about the emotional crises that we face in our lives. Readers identify with my characters. They know them. They are them. I'm an everyday woman writing about everyday people facing not-so-everyday challenges.
My novels are character-driven studies of marriage, parenthood, sibling rivalry, and friendship, and I’ve been blessed in having readers who buy them eagerly enough to put them on the major bestseller lists. One of my latest, Sweet Salt Air, came out in 2013. Blueprints, my second novel with St. Martin’s Press, became my 22nd New York Times bestselling novel soon after its release in June 2015. Making Up, my work in progress, will be published in 2018.
2018? Yikes. I didn’t think I’d live that long. I thought I’d die of breast cancer back in the 1900's, like my mom. But I didn’t. I was diagnosed nearly twenty years ago, had surgery and treatment, and here I am, stronger than ever and loving having authored yet another book, this one the non-fiction Uplift: Secrets From the Sisterhood of Breast Cancer Survivors. First published in 2001, Uplift is a handbook of practical tips and upbeat anecdotes that I compiled with the help of 350 breast cancer survivors, their families and friends. These survivors just ... blew me away! They gave me the book that I wish I’d had way back when I was diagnosed. There is no medical information here, nothing frightening, simply practical advice from friends who’ve had breast cancer. The 10th Anniversary Volume of Uplift is now in print. And the money I’ve made on the book? Every cent has gone to my charitable foundation, which funds an ongoing research fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital.
Connect with me on Facebook: facebook.com/bdelinsky
Look for my photos on Instagram: instagram.com/barbaradelinsky
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews
January 4, 2018
2.5★s
Facets is the twentieth stand-alone novel by American author, Barbara Delinsky. When journalist Hilary Cox learns, second-hand, that her erstwhile lover, John St George is getting engaged to a Boston society widow, she is hurt. When he tells her that he fully intends for their relationship to continue unchanged, she is livid. She decides to write a book about his life, but is won’t be a sanctioned biography. It will be a warts-and-all expose.
John St George is the heir to a gem miner, and he has established several successful jewellery stores under the Facets brand. But he has not trodden lightly to do so, and Hilary learns the truth about him from his half-sister, Pam St George, his ex-mine manager (and Pam’s lover), Cutter Reid and his step-mother and ex-lover, Patricia St George. Despite being warned not to publish, she continues to write..
This is an early Delinsky novel that drags on for about a hundred pages too many. While John is meant to be nasty, vindictive and unlikeable, Pam, Patricia and Hilary all needed to grow some spine, and Cutter managed to lose sight of what was important in life. The best character, despite his secrets, was the man Pam married. Delinsky’s later novels are much better.
Facets is the twentieth stand-alone novel by American author, Barbara Delinsky. When journalist Hilary Cox learns, second-hand, that her erstwhile lover, John St George is getting engaged to a Boston society widow, she is hurt. When he tells her that he fully intends for their relationship to continue unchanged, she is livid. She decides to write a book about his life, but is won’t be a sanctioned biography. It will be a warts-and-all expose.
John St George is the heir to a gem miner, and he has established several successful jewellery stores under the Facets brand. But he has not trodden lightly to do so, and Hilary learns the truth about him from his half-sister, Pam St George, his ex-mine manager (and Pam’s lover), Cutter Reid and his step-mother and ex-lover, Patricia St George. Despite being warned not to publish, she continues to write..
This is an early Delinsky novel that drags on for about a hundred pages too many. While John is meant to be nasty, vindictive and unlikeable, Pam, Patricia and Hilary all needed to grow some spine, and Cutter managed to lose sight of what was important in life. The best character, despite his secrets, was the man Pam married. Delinsky’s later novels are much better.
March 11, 2009
Unfortunately this was a book on CD; if I'd been reading it I would have skipped most of the book and read the last chapter. Definitely not worth the time. In addition I found the ending disappointing. Not one of Delinsky's better books.
July 27, 2011
I HATED this book! BORING!!!! I merely finished it because I made it past the 6th chapter, expecting it to get better, but never ever did. Not recommended!
July 21, 2019
Книгата ме завладя с това,че разглежда проблеми,присъстващи и в нашето ежедневие. Това,което Джон причини на своите близки, в крайна сметка се обърна срещу него. Той е единствения отрицателен герой и изобщо не ми хареса. Прекрасните взаимоотношения между Пам и Кътър и любовта между тях успяха да победят отмъстителност Джон и това страшно много ми хареса.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 27, 2015
Funny story: Upon first buying this book I thought it was called
Faucets
because of the swirly cursive font that's on my edition. What made this even more confusing was the note from the author on the back cover, explaining that the title was set from the get go. This makes a lot more sense now that I know it's actually
Facets
and not
Faucets
.
I really liked this book, and I seem to be in the minority.
This was a really well crafted and entertaining family drama, so I'm confused as to why there are so many terrible reviews. I would think that if you've read her newer stuff, you might not like this. This is the complete opposite of my experience, out the handful of Delinsky novels I've read, this was the best.
The beginning starts off a bit jilted and slow, but after a few chapters, I had no problem plowing through it. This is a very full book, there is a lot of character and plot development, as well as a lot of meticulously laid out backstory. As the book spans three decades, I thought this was extremely well spread throughout the story. It wasn't laid on to thick, but it wasn't so thin as to make it boring or tedious to get though. The pacing was consistent, which isn't always the case in these types of family drama/soap opera books. It's tough to pinpoint exactly what it's about. There are so many different experiences and happenings, but the overlaying arc running through it is: that spite doesn't really satisfy anyone. And it only isolates us further. I found this to be not only poignant for a beach read, but relevant to the story and the character's experiences.
I really liked this book, and I seem to be in the minority.
This was a really well crafted and entertaining family drama, so I'm confused as to why there are so many terrible reviews. I would think that if you've read her newer stuff, you might not like this. This is the complete opposite of my experience, out the handful of Delinsky novels I've read, this was the best.
The beginning starts off a bit jilted and slow, but after a few chapters, I had no problem plowing through it. This is a very full book, there is a lot of character and plot development, as well as a lot of meticulously laid out backstory. As the book spans three decades, I thought this was extremely well spread throughout the story. It wasn't laid on to thick, but it wasn't so thin as to make it boring or tedious to get though. The pacing was consistent, which isn't always the case in these types of family drama/soap opera books. It's tough to pinpoint exactly what it's about. There are so many different experiences and happenings, but the overlaying arc running through it is: that spite doesn't really satisfy anyone. And it only isolates us further. I found this to be not only poignant for a beach read, but relevant to the story and the character's experiences.
July 15, 2018
I struggled getting into this book, and never bonded tightly to the characters.
March 27, 2024
Soap opera type of book of a family over the course of 25 years. We see the father and his second wife get in a horrible accident, and then the older brother steps up to car for his half sister and continue to build and expand the business his father left him. We learn the horrible truths about the brother, John and he is awful! I'm glad he gets put in his place by the end of the book. I'm glad in the end Pam was able to have it all with Cutter.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 20, 2017
Adapted from the back cover: "Hillary Cox sees her lover of 20 years, mining magnate John St. George, announce on television that he's marrying another woman. Seeking revenge, Hillary begins a tell-all book exposing John and his shady past. John's sister, Pamela St. George, also wants revenge against her brother. Throughout her life, Pamela has suffered horrifying abuses at John's hands. John was once an insecure child, and now na over-controling man, he tries to rape his half sister, destoy Cutter(the man whom Pam loves), and even abort their child. Pam sets out to wrest control of the family's tourmaline mining business by buying shares of his company with Cutter. As Hillary attempts to end her obsession with John, Pamela searches for Cutter Reid, the one man she has always loved, and from whom John has always kept her. Now, a three-decade-old family drama of power, duplicity, and money comes hurtling to an explosive final confrontation with the one man who has so damaged their lives."
Facets is a heavy family drama that kept me horrified, angry and hating class-standing. It´s very well written, strong, and it covers the past of the characters to help us understand John´s last stand. Full of betrayal, love-making, pain and evilness,this is one book I shall never forget. I felt sorry for nearly everybody at the hands of John, especially for Pam, but the last chapters were a pleasure to read. Delinsky´s current writing style may be diferent, but this novel was just as good. Be sure not to miss it!
Facets is a heavy family drama that kept me horrified, angry and hating class-standing. It´s very well written, strong, and it covers the past of the characters to help us understand John´s last stand. Full of betrayal, love-making, pain and evilness,this is one book I shall never forget. I felt sorry for nearly everybody at the hands of John, especially for Pam, but the last chapters were a pleasure to read. Delinsky´s current writing style may be diferent, but this novel was just as good. Be sure not to miss it!
October 13, 2017
Enjoyable
January 11, 2011
From a small town in Maine to Boston and New York, they shared love affairs, friendships, and betrayals... When John St. George announces his engagement on national TV, Hillary Cox threatens to bring him down in disgrace - while a three decade old family drama of power, duplicity, and money is played out to its extraordinary conclusion.
John St. George grew up with a large chip on his shoulder he had never gotten along with his father and one of the things he did to get back at him was to have an affair with his father’s young second wife Patricia. He was not content with his father's fortune in tourmaline mines either and he wanted to expand but his father didn’t.
Hillary Cox, a successful writer could not escape her obsession for one man, and all the pain and passion he offered.
Pam St. George hated her half brother John but after her father's death when she was only 13 she was left to his mercy and John ruled her like a tyrant.
Cutter Reid was transformed by Eugene St George from a kid with no future to a man of distinction he was the object of John's undying hatred, and Pam's tempestuous love.
This story is told backwards and forwards between the times, it starts in 1990 then goes back to the 1960’s and 70’s. It was a really great story and you really got to know the characters really well. I loved Pam and Cutter and hated John and felt sorry for Hillary.
John St. George grew up with a large chip on his shoulder he had never gotten along with his father and one of the things he did to get back at him was to have an affair with his father’s young second wife Patricia. He was not content with his father's fortune in tourmaline mines either and he wanted to expand but his father didn’t.
Hillary Cox, a successful writer could not escape her obsession for one man, and all the pain and passion he offered.
Pam St. George hated her half brother John but after her father's death when she was only 13 she was left to his mercy and John ruled her like a tyrant.
Cutter Reid was transformed by Eugene St George from a kid with no future to a man of distinction he was the object of John's undying hatred, and Pam's tempestuous love.
This story is told backwards and forwards between the times, it starts in 1990 then goes back to the 1960’s and 70’s. It was a really great story and you really got to know the characters really well. I loved Pam and Cutter and hated John and felt sorry for Hillary.
Read
July 28, 2011This one is simply a delight right from the start!
The characters are well written and the story grabs you and doesn't let go till the last page. In my case, I felt a wee bit bereft after I finished this one 'coz I wanted it to go on and on.
Facets centers around four characters, one of which is the bad guy and all three are fall guys. Every character's life and story depends on the bad guy, making it a highly interesting storyline. Facets is very aptly named.
There's a writer, a jewelry designer,a miner and a mining mogul. The story spans three decades, but personally I felt it should have been four or six or eight! Haha...
Instead of diamonds, tourmaline makes a rare appearance in this book. And soon you start to value them over diamonds! :)
Barbara Delinsky tells us a story that has all the age-old emotions : love, trust, friendship, betrayal, affairs, hate, forgiveness and closure. But with each page you turn, it feels like a whole new world!
Read this book only if you have the time to finish it in one go....'coz you just can't put it down :)
The characters are well written and the story grabs you and doesn't let go till the last page. In my case, I felt a wee bit bereft after I finished this one 'coz I wanted it to go on and on.
Facets centers around four characters, one of which is the bad guy and all three are fall guys. Every character's life and story depends on the bad guy, making it a highly interesting storyline. Facets is very aptly named.
There's a writer, a jewelry designer,a miner and a mining mogul. The story spans three decades, but personally I felt it should have been four or six or eight! Haha...
Instead of diamonds, tourmaline makes a rare appearance in this book. And soon you start to value them over diamonds! :)
Barbara Delinsky tells us a story that has all the age-old emotions : love, trust, friendship, betrayal, affairs, hate, forgiveness and closure. But with each page you turn, it feels like a whole new world!
Read this book only if you have the time to finish it in one go....'coz you just can't put it down :)
February 25, 2020
"Горчив триумф" на Барбара Делинска е тежка книга, поне за мен. Много напрегнато ми беше от нея когато я четях. Много неприятен герой е Джон, перфектният злодей. Той правеше интригата в цялата книга и скърцах със зъби от яд, че може да съществува някой като него. Авторката те кара да четеш и да видиш докъде може да стигне злото. Но е факт, че то винаги се самоизяжда и не може да съществува вечно. 3/5, заради напрежението, което ми създаде книгата. Не бих посегнала пак към нея, трябват здрави нерви
September 21, 2009
This book had a good premise: the gem and jewelry trade, and a family business dealing with it.
The villain, however, could have been dealt with about 25 years earlier than he was. He did all sorts of sordid and/or illegal things, and no person, even an underage person, who was worth that much money would not have her own attorney to advise her. Totally ridiculous, and it overwhelmed my suspension of disbelief.
The villain, however, could have been dealt with about 25 years earlier than he was. He did all sorts of sordid and/or illegal things, and no person, even an underage person, who was worth that much money would not have her own attorney to advise her. Totally ridiculous, and it overwhelmed my suspension of disbelief.
April 15, 2016
CONTAINS SPOILERS****** It took me a couple chapters to get into this book. But one I was in I was hooked! I was completely entranced with the love story of Cutter and Pam. And John's character was so awful I felt sorry for Hillary right until the end. It wil admit the ending was a little anti climactic. John was so bad I would have like to seen him ruined.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 28, 2021
Като гледам, тук рейтингът не се е похарчил особено, но Делински е малко от времето на романтиките преди излъсканата политкоректност и целулоидните компютърно генерирани емоции и образи. И тя бие здраво щампи и клишетв (че как!), но не се свени да вкарва и наистина проблемни ситуации и антипатични (ама истински зли) герои. При това даже не гарантира хепи енд.
May 29, 2011
Absolutely brilliant.
June 2, 2021
Tengo que admitir que el libro me gustó, me enganchó mucho y estuve pegada a él hasta el final. Sin embargo, aunque el final tenía parte de lo que esperaba, me quedé con ganas de ver como terminaba John y Hillary. Quería un desenlance entre ellos y la redención de John hubiera sido un toque maravilloso para cerrar la historia. Que eso no estuviera en el libro fue una gran decepción y me dejó esperando por más.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2022
Gem mining and trade is the family business. When the patriarch dies unexpectedly, the evil son, John, takes over the business and the care of his 11 year old step-sister.
John is cruel to his young charge and denies her any kindness. He also has his step mother confined to a mental hospital. When his girlfriend of 20 years hears on TV that he is engaged, she decides to write a tell all book about him.
John is cruel to his young charge and denies her any kindness. He also has his step mother confined to a mental hospital. When his girlfriend of 20 years hears on TV that he is engaged, she decides to write a tell all book about him.
May 14, 2018
Delinsky is one of my favorite, favorite authors! It seemed to me that this book is very unlike anything else she has written that I've read. This book makes me dislike John St. George in the worst way! What a wonderful villain. Hillary makes you want to smack some sense into her head.
I loved this book.
I loved this book.
August 7, 2017
Another treat from Barbara Delinsky. A story of family, and all that comes with it....greed, deception, jealousy, a bit of love, and a lot of chaos! I found this book a bit less exciting than some of her others, but it was a good read, nonetheless.
September 17, 2018
All of the characters displayed consuming, obsessional and igniting kind of emotions.
John was a classical representation of a charismatic psychopath.
I was unable to relate with the characters but things presented in the story, happens!
John was a classical representation of a charismatic psychopath.
I was unable to relate with the characters but things presented in the story, happens!
July 18, 2019
One of the worst books I have read. Invested time in it so decided to finish it. Too many unbelievable sex scenes. There is sex between an adult male and a teenage girl and this is the relationship the author is expecting you to cheer for! Disgusting!
March 23, 2021
Mining family who own the mine. The father who dies and the two children and mother who don't get along. How their lives unfold. The sad love missed out by the townie. The sick half brother who thinks he knows it all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2021
Evil brother looking for power but a woman who loves him nonetheless. Power, and the pursuit of it, can become the driving force in a person’s life. Why? Much happier in the pursuit of love and laughter. Can’t relate to the other.
July 13, 2022
This book is so much like a soap opera and so heavy-handed about who’s good and who’s bad—even when the good guys do bad things. And the bad guy is so over-the-top bad, none of it seems real. The book was mostly suffering, and nobody really gets to be happy in the end. I found it a letdown.
June 3, 2017
A mediocre book that's way.... too long.
July 3, 2017
I felt like I was reading a Jackie Collins novel.
July 15, 2018
I normally like Delinsky, but this must have been one of her earlier efforts. She has improved.
February 27, 2020
Horrible unbelievable characters, especially John and Hillary.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews