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The Wideness of the Sea
Anna Goodrich has decisions to make.
A young artist who now lives in New York City, Anna must return home to mid-coast Maine for her uncle's funeral.
Can she face all that she left behind when she left seven years earlier?
The pain of her own mother’s death, the fractured relationships with her father, and her first love. The life she had built for herself in New York - the art world, her boyfriend - allowed her to forget the grief and hurt she had left behind in Maine.
But when her uncle leaves her a surprising inheritance, it forces her to face her past, and the parts of her self she’s buried.
As she searches for answers about herself, and where she belongs, she discovers how people and places shape us, and how understanding, forgiveness and grace have the power to transform us and the people we love.
A young artist who now lives in New York City, Anna must return home to mid-coast Maine for her uncle's funeral.
Can she face all that she left behind when she left seven years earlier?
The pain of her own mother’s death, the fractured relationships with her father, and her first love. The life she had built for herself in New York - the art world, her boyfriend - allowed her to forget the grief and hurt she had left behind in Maine.
But when her uncle leaves her a surprising inheritance, it forces her to face her past, and the parts of her self she’s buried.
As she searches for answers about herself, and where she belongs, she discovers how people and places shape us, and how understanding, forgiveness and grace have the power to transform us and the people we love.
266 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2017
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1464 people want to read
About the author
Katie Curtis
1 book6 followershttps://www.facebook.com/katiecurtisw...
Katie Curtis is a novelist, magazine writer, and food blogger at www.thehumbleonion.com. She is working on her second novel. She lives near Portsmouth, NH with her husband and children.
Katie Curtis is a novelist, magazine writer, and food blogger at www.thehumbleonion.com. She is working on her second novel. She lives near Portsmouth, NH with her husband and children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 232 reviews
August 26, 2017
Ok book, kinda cheesy and 100% predictable.
August 30, 2017
I didn't mind this book - the story was quite good and the writing nice, but once again, this book was let down by a lack of editing. It seems to be a real problem with these cheap (I'm assuming self-published) e-books, and I find it really quite off putting.
Other than that, not a bad little read.
Other than that, not a bad little read.
September 4, 2017
It should have been a sweet story. Instead it was just boring. The pace was plodding, the writing uninspired and the characters were flat. During dialogue one speaker couldn't be identified from another. The whole thing felt like I was reading someone's first draft.
September 3, 2017
'But I believe that love is more powerful than death. It had to be. I hope you can picture, like I do, that way down deep inside your heart, there is a connection to another world. Love is a thread. A river. It connects those two worlds between your heart and heaven. Even though I am going to be somewhere else, our love will still bind us together.'
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I am completely flabbergasted at how absorbed I became while reading this book. I read two chapters a day ago, and then completely flew through it today, because I HAD TO KNOW.
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I completely admire Anna. She's complex, confused, and searching for what's right, while processing the grief she's been living in since the passing of her mother, evoked again by the passing of her uncle. This story brings together family, loved ones, friendship, love for home, and incredible envy for living in Maine. Other reviews have shaded they found the novel predictable, but I found myself HOPING for the predictable, and feeling like we were going somewhere that I would leave me heartbroken. You'll have to find out for yourself where it ends.
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Also, Katie Curtis leaves recipes for the dishes at the end of the novel, just beautifully tying together the warm, home, family feeling this novel serves you throughout.
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5/5⭐️
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I am completely flabbergasted at how absorbed I became while reading this book. I read two chapters a day ago, and then completely flew through it today, because I HAD TO KNOW.
•
I completely admire Anna. She's complex, confused, and searching for what's right, while processing the grief she's been living in since the passing of her mother, evoked again by the passing of her uncle. This story brings together family, loved ones, friendship, love for home, and incredible envy for living in Maine. Other reviews have shaded they found the novel predictable, but I found myself HOPING for the predictable, and feeling like we were going somewhere that I would leave me heartbroken. You'll have to find out for yourself where it ends.
•
Also, Katie Curtis leaves recipes for the dishes at the end of the novel, just beautifully tying together the warm, home, family feeling this novel serves you throughout.
•
5/5⭐️
March 14, 2019
Not a bad book...nice story-line (typical lightweight chic lit I guess) and interesting location....BUT....so many mis-used words....bad grammar, incorrect verb tense, spelling, unfinished words (such as understand when it should have read understanding), I spent a long time being mad at your rather than you, he sleeves rolled up rather than his, threw the slits of her eyes rather than through, insistence on capitalizing champagne, your rather than you're, strait hair rather than straight. Character's name spelled Steven at times, Stephen at others, character's hair blonde at times, light brown at others, and once reddish-brown. Incorrect use of lie/lay, (people lie, things lay: (I will lie on the bed, but first I will lay my book on the table) etc.
I am not, and probably never will be, a writer. However, as a reader I appreciate attention to detail...there is really no excuse for the kind of errors mentioned ( and I only gave examples of a few). If you aren't sure, look it up!
I am not, and probably never will be, a writer. However, as a reader I appreciate attention to detail...there is really no excuse for the kind of errors mentioned ( and I only gave examples of a few). If you aren't sure, look it up!
August 12, 2017
Good story
It was good story and a nice clean read but it needs a little grammatical work... Still, I enjoyed reading it.
It was good story and a nice clean read but it needs a little grammatical work... Still, I enjoyed reading it.
November 25, 2020
This was a perfectly pleasant, instantly forgettable love story/family drama. Only the gorgeous descriptions of the Maine coast set it apart for me, and made me want to visit ASAP.
Anna is a talented painter. After the death of her mother, a successful artist herself, Anna has a falling out with her father and leaves behind her home, her family, and the mans she loves to relocate to Manhattan. That never really seemed like a logical reaction to me, but I guess grief does strange things to people.
Eight years later another death, this time her beloved Uncle Charlie, leads Anna to return to Maine and confront her past. Will she reconcile with her father and her lost love? What do you think?
Anna is a talented painter. After the death of her mother, a successful artist herself, Anna has a falling out with her father and leaves behind her home, her family, and the mans she loves to relocate to Manhattan. That never really seemed like a logical reaction to me, but I guess grief does strange things to people.
Eight years later another death, this time her beloved Uncle Charlie, leads Anna to return to Maine and confront her past. Will she reconcile with her father and her lost love? What do you think?
April 16, 2019
Love, hope, loss, second chances
When Anna lost her mother, she lost her father at the same time. His way of dealing with grief was forcing Anna to school where she did not want to go so she ran. Anna shared a love of painting with her mother. That talent did not go to waste but went dormant after her death. After her Uncle Charlie dies, she returns home and healing begins for her losses. Losses that include Andrew, her high school sweetheart, her mother, and uncle. Loved this book of family and second chance love.
When Anna lost her mother, she lost her father at the same time. His way of dealing with grief was forcing Anna to school where she did not want to go so she ran. Anna shared a love of painting with her mother. That talent did not go to waste but went dormant after her death. After her Uncle Charlie dies, she returns home and healing begins for her losses. Losses that include Andrew, her high school sweetheart, her mother, and uncle. Loved this book of family and second chance love.
May 4, 2021
This was the light read I needed after a harsher book. This was a book of forgiveness, recognizing the honest path to the life she wants, and love. Yes, there are still editing problems but I feel glad I could recognize them. No one is perfect.
April 8, 2019
Must visit Maine now!
Excellently well written story of overcoming grief, strengthening family bonds, understanding how to listen to your heart...and best of all...it’s about painting Plein air. Would love to go out painting in Maine now!
Excellently well written story of overcoming grief, strengthening family bonds, understanding how to listen to your heart...and best of all...it’s about painting Plein air. Would love to go out painting in Maine now!
April 20, 2018
A quick, light read. I liked the book and the storyline but where was the editor? So many errors - most memorably “your” instead of “you’re” repeatedly. Shame on somebody!
August 20, 2017
Easy read
Love story with usual happy ending, nicely told about family, romance and coming home and appreciating where you and your talents come from
Love story with usual happy ending, nicely told about family, romance and coming home and appreciating where you and your talents come from
July 4, 2020
In all fairness, I wanted to give this three stars, but I settled on four. The story was fine, a lot of excess verbiage that was not necessary. A little thinning of the story would have helped as would a little variety in the constant use of the adjective AMAZING. Really is everything just AMAZING? I never use the same word in a sentence like this and I lost count how often it was used. Sometimes several times on the same page.
September 1, 2017
Loved it. Frustrated at it. Yelled at it. And finally loved it again.
Recommended by Book Bub and ordered because it said it was set in Midcoast Maine, possibly my favorite place in the world . Discovered midcoast meant New Harbor and i squealed in delight. Spent many a summer at my great aunt and uncle's cottage in New Harbor and the thought of slipping into a tale about a lobsterman and an artist who have beers at Shaw's made my heart melt.
My dream is to be like Anna and inherit a home on the rocky coast. I even picked out the house that Uncle Charlie's is probably based on.
Once i was deep into the story i got frustrated at the silly mistakes like Reilly's legendary store being spelled Riley's. Or Boothbay Harbor being spelled Booth Bay. Or other stupid typos that a non New Harbor knowledgeable editor should have caught.
Eventually i got over my pickiness and just appreciated what is good about this sweet love story. Love for friend, employer, mentored teenager, sister, brother, dad, mom, Maine itself and of course the cute lobsterman.
Recommended by Book Bub and ordered because it said it was set in Midcoast Maine, possibly my favorite place in the world . Discovered midcoast meant New Harbor and i squealed in delight. Spent many a summer at my great aunt and uncle's cottage in New Harbor and the thought of slipping into a tale about a lobsterman and an artist who have beers at Shaw's made my heart melt.
My dream is to be like Anna and inherit a home on the rocky coast. I even picked out the house that Uncle Charlie's is probably based on.
Once i was deep into the story i got frustrated at the silly mistakes like Reilly's legendary store being spelled Riley's. Or Boothbay Harbor being spelled Booth Bay. Or other stupid typos that a non New Harbor knowledgeable editor should have caught.
Eventually i got over my pickiness and just appreciated what is good about this sweet love story. Love for friend, employer, mentored teenager, sister, brother, dad, mom, Maine itself and of course the cute lobsterman.
September 16, 2018
Twentysomething artist Anna Goodrich lives and works in New York, putting distance between herself and her father, since their relationship has become complicated after her mother's death. She doesn't want to live her life bound by his expectations that she'll follow in her mother's footsteps as a famous artist. Her return to her Maine hometown for her uncle's funeral brings up old hurts, including an old romance; at the same time, she learns she's been invited to show her work at a prestigious art show that would blow her cover. An enjoyable read.
June 29, 2020
The whole thing felt like a first draft and wasn’t edited by an actual editor. The plot was bland, the language was cringe, and the characters were lifeless. It made me laugh a lot but more like a bullying type of way. Come on, how cannot laugh at the fact that she got proposed to with a mussel shell? Was that mean to invoke a feeling?
Because I know grief very well, and what it does to people, this story was just so blatantly uninspiring to me, it didn’t do much at all.
Because I know grief very well, and what it does to people, this story was just so blatantly uninspiring to me, it didn’t do much at all.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 22, 2017
aargh! Did not finish this book because I was so distracted by the lousy editing. Your instead of you're, strait instead of straight, chia latte tea instead of CHAI. I literally could not take any more. The story was actually not bad - maybe this had to do with the Kindle version? Here's hoping someone takes a red pencil to this book and renders it readable!
September 21, 2020
This book presents a predictable story that's been told with varying degrees of skill by countless authors in innumerable books. Unfortunately this version was not one of the better ones. It was filled with a surprising number of grammatical errors. The author did not write with much knowledge of how art is made, nor painting specifically.
November 25, 2017
Get an editor!
The story was... fine. But good lord, the copyediting was clearly nonexistent. So many mistakes that no one past third grade should be making. I was embarrassed for the author.
The story was... fine. But good lord, the copyediting was clearly nonexistent. So many mistakes that no one past third grade should be making. I was embarrassed for the author.
May 28, 2022
Boring. Predictable.
April 21, 2024
This book was very predictable. Very light love story that really didn’t hold my interest.
June 12, 2018
THE WIDENESS OF THE SEA - Three of My Favorite Things
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW
http://fangswandsandfairydust.com/201...
A family death brings a young woman back to her hometown to face her past.
I voluntarily reviewed an audio review copy of this book. No remuneration was exchanged and all opinions presented herein are my own except as noted.
Three of my favorite things: Art (painting in particular), Maine and Lobster. I loved everything about this story where, as ridiulous as it seems, two high school to college sweethearts find their way back to each other. That little bit of fantasy, and the fact that their biggest issues were mistaken identities and young adult communicative abilities and reactive behavior, took away from the story a bit.
A letter, a phone call and x or y number of years wouldn’t have been lost. Of course in that time period, Anna has the chance to become her own woman, learn a bit about the world outside of her little town. And the guy, Andrew, learns how to not be parochial while living in his hometown.
There are other issues: fathers, sisters, inheritances. It’s an interesting story – a little predictable.
It’s also a little glib on the details. While I haven’t been a painter in NYC, I have been a painter for over 25 years and know many, many, IMMENSELY talented painters who know people and who are connected. Success doesn’t work the way it works in this fantasy. But it is the fantasy for painters of any degree of talent.
Reality: sometimes we stop painting for years for emotional or professional reasons. Sometimes these breaks are good and get one out of a rut, sometimes they help you make your rent payment, and sometimes they interrupt your flow and set you back skill-wise. But running as a young person and coming back are often those huge growth opportunities, hugely painful, but opportunities just the same.
Historical relationship issues between Anna and her current guy are either unexplained or I totally missed it; I found it an unfair treatment of a character. There’s also a little religion that sneaks in
The fact that the story happens in the state I call home and they drive by my town several times. It’s pretty realistic. Portland is a fantastic place for dinner, and Damariscotta, the main location of this story is one of my favorite towns, Sadly, the narrator mispronounces “Damariscotta” constantly throughout the book. I’ve lived here 34 years and have never heard it pronounced this way. If you didn’t live in Maine, or had never been here, it might not bother you. It did bother me though and it was such an easy thing to not screw up – one little phone call to the town itself, or its library. Otherwise, I enjoy Landon’s work.
So, it starts off with a lobster, a super rare thing in the sea. And it is redolent of the lovely feeling of this fabulous state. Get past the mispronunciation and it is enjoyable.
AUDIOBOOK REVIEW
http://fangswandsandfairydust.com/201...
A family death brings a young woman back to her hometown to face her past.
I voluntarily reviewed an audio review copy of this book. No remuneration was exchanged and all opinions presented herein are my own except as noted.
Three of my favorite things: Art (painting in particular), Maine and Lobster. I loved everything about this story where, as ridiulous as it seems, two high school to college sweethearts find their way back to each other. That little bit of fantasy, and the fact that their biggest issues were mistaken identities and young adult communicative abilities and reactive behavior, took away from the story a bit.
A letter, a phone call and x or y number of years wouldn’t have been lost. Of course in that time period, Anna has the chance to become her own woman, learn a bit about the world outside of her little town. And the guy, Andrew, learns how to not be parochial while living in his hometown.
There are other issues: fathers, sisters, inheritances. It’s an interesting story – a little predictable.
It’s also a little glib on the details. While I haven’t been a painter in NYC, I have been a painter for over 25 years and know many, many, IMMENSELY talented painters who know people and who are connected. Success doesn’t work the way it works in this fantasy. But it is the fantasy for painters of any degree of talent.
Reality: sometimes we stop painting for years for emotional or professional reasons. Sometimes these breaks are good and get one out of a rut, sometimes they help you make your rent payment, and sometimes they interrupt your flow and set you back skill-wise. But running as a young person and coming back are often those huge growth opportunities, hugely painful, but opportunities just the same.
Historical relationship issues between Anna and her current guy are either unexplained or I totally missed it; I found it an unfair treatment of a character. There’s also a little religion that sneaks in
The fact that the story happens in the state I call home and they drive by my town several times. It’s pretty realistic. Portland is a fantastic place for dinner, and Damariscotta, the main location of this story is one of my favorite towns, Sadly, the narrator mispronounces “Damariscotta” constantly throughout the book. I’ve lived here 34 years and have never heard it pronounced this way. If you didn’t live in Maine, or had never been here, it might not bother you. It did bother me though and it was such an easy thing to not screw up – one little phone call to the town itself, or its library. Otherwise, I enjoy Landon’s work.
So, it starts off with a lobster, a super rare thing in the sea. And it is redolent of the lovely feeling of this fabulous state. Get past the mispronunciation and it is enjoyable.
May 28, 2019
I loved this book - not just because of the story, but because of the setting in Pemaquid. I read it with Google Maps on Pemaquid Point, marking familiar places, roads I'd biked on, places I'd camped, back when I was married without children. After that, we came up a few more years and stayed in a bed-and-breakfast. At one point, we considered moving up there, but it never happened. This book was a visit to a familiar and beautiful part of my past.
Anna Goodrich is living in New York, working as an artist and in an art gallery, when she learns that her Uncle Charlie has died. She has a difficult relationship with her father and is not comfortable around him since her mother, a famous artist, died. Her father, an art professor at Bowdoin, is trying to control what Anna does with her life, which is why she escaped to New York in the first place. I know what it's like to be a disappointment to my parents, so Anna's struggle was very real to me. She told her father she gave up painting, but this isn't true; in fact, she has had two openings at her gallery and is doing very well.
She returns to Maine for the funeral, and discovers that Uncle Charlie left her his house, which is in New Harbor (a place we visited every year in order to eat lobster at Shaw's, also mentioned frequently!). She also runs into her childhood sweetheart, Andrew, whom she left when she went to New York. She always thought he didn't love her enough to come with her, and she now has a New York boyfriend, Raphael, who stayed behind when she came to Maine.
There's a lot more to this book than just a love triangle - there's healing and rediscovery and a new focus for Anna. It's worth reading even if you haven't been to Pemaquid.
Anna Goodrich is living in New York, working as an artist and in an art gallery, when she learns that her Uncle Charlie has died. She has a difficult relationship with her father and is not comfortable around him since her mother, a famous artist, died. Her father, an art professor at Bowdoin, is trying to control what Anna does with her life, which is why she escaped to New York in the first place. I know what it's like to be a disappointment to my parents, so Anna's struggle was very real to me. She told her father she gave up painting, but this isn't true; in fact, she has had two openings at her gallery and is doing very well.
She returns to Maine for the funeral, and discovers that Uncle Charlie left her his house, which is in New Harbor (a place we visited every year in order to eat lobster at Shaw's, also mentioned frequently!). She also runs into her childhood sweetheart, Andrew, whom she left when she went to New York. She always thought he didn't love her enough to come with her, and she now has a New York boyfriend, Raphael, who stayed behind when she came to Maine.
There's a lot more to this book than just a love triangle - there's healing and rediscovery and a new focus for Anna. It's worth reading even if you haven't been to Pemaquid.
November 5, 2019
The Wideness of the Sea by Katie Curtis is a story of family, following your dreams and returning home. Anna Goodrich is a 28-year-old art gallery worker in New York City with friends and a handsome boyfriend. She rarely thinks about her family in her hometown of New Harbor, Maine. She left it all behind after the death of her beloved mother. One day she gets terrible news. Her uncle had passed away suddenly and Anna finds herself on the road back home for his funeral. While she is there, she must deal with her widowed father who she has butted heads with about her career path. She discovers that her uncle has left her his house and she must stay to clean it out. Anna finds herself being pulled back into life of the seaside town. Her boyfriend, boss, and friends are urging her to return to her life in New York. Anna must decide does she stay in Maine or does she return in New York? Will she be able to find healing from the past and find the life she has been searching for?
The Wideness of the Sea is a beautiful story of family, tragedy and finding healing by the sea. Ms. Curtis’ descriptions of Maine are so vivid, I could almost smell the saltiness of the ocean. I would love to visit Maine now after reading her story. The ending was predictable, and you can see it coming a mile away; however, it is still a beautiful story of forgiveness and discovering where you truly belong. I loved the scene where Anna realizes that our loved ones never truly leave us. We are always connected through our memories and love. I recommend The Wideness of the Sea.
The Wideness of the Sea
Is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook
The Wideness of the Sea is a beautiful story of family, tragedy and finding healing by the sea. Ms. Curtis’ descriptions of Maine are so vivid, I could almost smell the saltiness of the ocean. I would love to visit Maine now after reading her story. The ending was predictable, and you can see it coming a mile away; however, it is still a beautiful story of forgiveness and discovering where you truly belong. I loved the scene where Anna realizes that our loved ones never truly leave us. We are always connected through our memories and love. I recommend The Wideness of the Sea.
The Wideness of the Sea
Is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook
May 13, 2019
E-Reader. Romance Novel/ Fiction
Anna Goodrich young her Mom, a famous artis, died from cancer. She was the youngest daughter.
After her Mom died, her Dad wanted make all decisions for Anna. But Anna did not want that to happen. So moved from Maine to NYC. Shared a small apartment with another young woman.
All that Anna wanted to paint pictures, as her Mom taught her.
And left behind Andrew she loved high school. They both went same college in Orono, Maine.
Anna applied for job in art gallery in NYC. She hired by the owner. She loved working there. When spoke customers about a painting they were interested in, she could name colors, brush strokes. Anna was asked to work full selling paintings.
Her older sister called her that Uncle Charlie had died. She would call Anna back,with funeral arrangements were made.
When received that call, she called owner of the gallery, cell number to to fly to Maine for for the funeral. She was told take off all time needed in Maine.
When Uncle Charlie will read by his attorney, Anna inherited his house & property. More things to think about. She left boyfriend, Raphael in NYC, he is stock broker.
Will Anna return to her boyfriend in NYC. Or Anna chose her first love, Andrew?
Too many characters in tis book to list.
I hope will enjoy this book as I did!
Anna Goodrich young her Mom, a famous artis, died from cancer. She was the youngest daughter.
After her Mom died, her Dad wanted make all decisions for Anna. But Anna did not want that to happen. So moved from Maine to NYC. Shared a small apartment with another young woman.
All that Anna wanted to paint pictures, as her Mom taught her.
And left behind Andrew she loved high school. They both went same college in Orono, Maine.
Anna applied for job in art gallery in NYC. She hired by the owner. She loved working there. When spoke customers about a painting they were interested in, she could name colors, brush strokes. Anna was asked to work full selling paintings.
Her older sister called her that Uncle Charlie had died. She would call Anna back,with funeral arrangements were made.
When received that call, she called owner of the gallery, cell number to to fly to Maine for for the funeral. She was told take off all time needed in Maine.
When Uncle Charlie will read by his attorney, Anna inherited his house & property. More things to think about. She left boyfriend, Raphael in NYC, he is stock broker.
Will Anna return to her boyfriend in NYC. Or Anna chose her first love, Andrew?
Too many characters in tis book to list.
I hope will enjoy this book as I did!
March 8, 2021
This book is a hybrid romance/women's fiction. While there are no sex scenes in the story, it is about two parallel storylines. 1) Will Anna end up back with her first love, Andrew? 2) Does she move past her grief and find herself again?
I thought the storyline with Andrew was engaging. Is it predictable? Yes, but romance novels are not read for a surprise at the end. In fact, those are hated. The second storyline is where perhaps it dragged or could have used some refining. Did we need Georgia? Did she add anything? The brother Stephan was also just there with no depth. Instead, it might have been more interesting for her to spend more time with the local artist/gallery owner. Or to have shown us more of Anna with Raphael before going back. It was easy to write him off because we saw them at one party together.
PS: I'm not sure what to make of the reviews below. There seems to be quite a date range between them and am wondering if an update or revision has been made. I did find what I thought was more editing misses than I'd expect but it was not so many as to be distracting.
I thought the storyline with Andrew was engaging. Is it predictable? Yes, but romance novels are not read for a surprise at the end. In fact, those are hated. The second storyline is where perhaps it dragged or could have used some refining. Did we need Georgia? Did she add anything? The brother Stephan was also just there with no depth. Instead, it might have been more interesting for her to spend more time with the local artist/gallery owner. Or to have shown us more of Anna with Raphael before going back. It was easy to write him off because we saw them at one party together.
PS: I'm not sure what to make of the reviews below. There seems to be quite a date range between them and am wondering if an update or revision has been made. I did find what I thought was more editing misses than I'd expect but it was not so many as to be distracting.
February 5, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I don't say that about many. This connected with me at many levels and was written in a way that was not over the top, nor had any fillers, but everything flowed well and had a purpose. Even though many of the supporting characters weren't very multi-dimensional, it was okay because the themes and scenery were characters all on their own. I certainly found myself rooting for Anne and felt oddly connected to her and happy with her own personal development throughout the story. I think this was a refreshing story, well-written, perfect for cozying up on the sofa or in bed, and it sure made me want to visit Maine and have some lobster! Very few books make it to my personal print version bookshelf, but I think this will be one of them that I would like to own a physical copy of and revisit once a year or so to connect with something at a deeper level. This is one of those stories that has depth and a personality all of its own.
March 30, 2019
Emotional and compelling
I received this book free from one of the book sites. I do not remember which one! This is my honest and voluntary review.
I live in Maine, further up the coast near Acadia National Park. The sights, sounds, and scents of Maine are described in perfect detail. As I read this book, I found peace in my own losses from over the years. Grief will, at times, overwhelm & over take one. The choices made during grief can be either profound or emotionally crippling. Whatever the choice, we can change the direction in which one goes. I felt that Ms. Curtis handled the subject matter of grief with a great degree of sensitivity & grace.
I encourage you to read this book. The characters are strong and memorable. The dialogue is natural. The writer amazing. I was compelled to read the book from start to finish without stopping. Highly recommended.
I received this book free from one of the book sites. I do not remember which one! This is my honest and voluntary review.
I live in Maine, further up the coast near Acadia National Park. The sights, sounds, and scents of Maine are described in perfect detail. As I read this book, I found peace in my own losses from over the years. Grief will, at times, overwhelm & over take one. The choices made during grief can be either profound or emotionally crippling. Whatever the choice, we can change the direction in which one goes. I felt that Ms. Curtis handled the subject matter of grief with a great degree of sensitivity & grace.
I encourage you to read this book. The characters are strong and memorable. The dialogue is natural. The writer amazing. I was compelled to read the book from start to finish without stopping. Highly recommended.
November 15, 2024
I loved this book. The heroine, Anna, returns from New York to a small coastal community in her native Maine because of the passing of a favorite uncle, Charlie. She leaves behind a job and a busy boyfriend, Raphael, and comes home to deal not only with her uncle's death, but his unexpectedly willing his house to her and also running into her first boyfriend, Andrew, whom she realizes she has not entirely forgotten.
The focus of this story is Anna growing into herself. During past crises, she has done what she thought was right, and for the time it may have been, but now she is facing a new crisis of personal identity and figuring out what is best for her. Every person and every thing in her world pulls at her from a different direction, and she has to sort it all out.
Anna is at heart an artist, and somehow as she examines her priorities, she has to remember that. It's a challenge that many people face, and as a writer, it feels quite familiar to me. We all need people and want love in our lives, but we have to be true to our deeply personal selves as well.
There is a bonus to this sweet and touching story. Maine is a great place to set a novel--what a gift to Katie Curtis's readers!
The focus of this story is Anna growing into herself. During past crises, she has done what she thought was right, and for the time it may have been, but now she is facing a new crisis of personal identity and figuring out what is best for her. Every person and every thing in her world pulls at her from a different direction, and she has to sort it all out.
Anna is at heart an artist, and somehow as she examines her priorities, she has to remember that. It's a challenge that many people face, and as a writer, it feels quite familiar to me. We all need people and want love in our lives, but we have to be true to our deeply personal selves as well.
There is a bonus to this sweet and touching story. Maine is a great place to set a novel--what a gift to Katie Curtis's readers!
April 5, 2019
I enjoyed this book. A good editor could have cleaned up some errors, but I cruised through the book without being thrown out of the story by any of those things. I found it to be a pleasurable fast read. Some of the characters called out for more development, but the author did a very good job portraying the myriad ways grief can toss lives into turmoil and create estrangement in family relationships. She was quite skillful in directing the reader to desire a particular ending, but I won't include any spoilers on whether or not she delivered. The author also did a lovely job of portraying a small town on the coast of Maine, and the contrast between life in NYC and life in Maine. A good beach read.
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