What do you think?
Rate this book
The Widow's Watcher
From Eliza Maxwell, the bestselling author of The Unremembered Girl, comes a gripping novel about the mysteries that haunt us and the twists of fate that can unravel them…
Living in the shadow of a decades-old crime that stole his children from him, reclusive Lars Jorgensen is an unlikely savior. But when a stranger walks onto the ice of a frozen Minnesota lake, her intentions are brutally clear, and the old man isn’t about to let her follow through.
Jenna Shaw didn’t ask for Lars’s help, nor does she want it. After he pulls her from the brink, however, Jenna finds her desire to give up challenged by their unlikely friendship. In Jenna, Lars recognizes his last chance for redemption. And in her quest to solve the mysteries of Lars’s past and bring him closure, Jenna may find the way out of her own darkness.
But the truth that waits threatens to shatter it all. When secrets are surrendered and lies are laid bare, Jenna and Lars may find that accepting the past isn’t their greatest challenge. Can they afford the heartbreaking price of forgiveness?
Living in the shadow of a decades-old crime that stole his children from him, reclusive Lars Jorgensen is an unlikely savior. But when a stranger walks onto the ice of a frozen Minnesota lake, her intentions are brutally clear, and the old man isn’t about to let her follow through.
Jenna Shaw didn’t ask for Lars’s help, nor does she want it. After he pulls her from the brink, however, Jenna finds her desire to give up challenged by their unlikely friendship. In Jenna, Lars recognizes his last chance for redemption. And in her quest to solve the mysteries of Lars’s past and bring him closure, Jenna may find the way out of her own darkness.
But the truth that waits threatens to shatter it all. When secrets are surrendered and lies are laid bare, Jenna and Lars may find that accepting the past isn’t their greatest challenge. Can they afford the heartbreaking price of forgiveness?
283 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 29, 2018
3255 people are currently reading
5873 people want to read
About the author
Eliza Maxwell
6 books873 followersEliza Maxwell lives in Texas with a patient man, two impatient children and a bird named Sarah. When she's not working on her next novel, she stays busy trying to keep her children from some future therapist's chair.
You can reach her at theelizamaxwell@gmail.com.
You can reach her at theelizamaxwell@gmail.com.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 719 reviews
January 16, 2019
3.5 Stars
My first novel by Eliza Maxwell and what a surprisingly good read this was. I plucked this one out of the blue on Audible when looking for something to hold my interest on a recent trip and the story kept me interested and entertained for the journey.
". Living in shadow of a decades old crime that stole his children from him, reclusive Lars Jorgensen is an unlikely saviour. But when a stagger walks onto the ice of a frozen Minnesota lake, her intentions are brutally clear and the old man isnt about to let her follow through.
The story is set in winter time Minnesota and I loved the sense of time and place and could almost feel the cold and misery of winter and this suited the story perfectly. The grief and pain of the characters story is extremely well protrayed and while there is a few unlike coincidences in the novel the plot is pretty tight and the supspense builds and the book is quite a page turner.
A story of loss, family and forgiveness this one has great character devolment and lots of twists and turns to keep the reader interested.
An easy and surprising entertaining book, where the writing is good the story flows.
I think readers who enjoy authors such as Kristin Hannah or Diane Chamberlain may well enjoy this novel
My first novel by Eliza Maxwell and what a surprisingly good read this was. I plucked this one out of the blue on Audible when looking for something to hold my interest on a recent trip and the story kept me interested and entertained for the journey.
". Living in shadow of a decades old crime that stole his children from him, reclusive Lars Jorgensen is an unlikely saviour. But when a stagger walks onto the ice of a frozen Minnesota lake, her intentions are brutally clear and the old man isnt about to let her follow through.
The story is set in winter time Minnesota and I loved the sense of time and place and could almost feel the cold and misery of winter and this suited the story perfectly. The grief and pain of the characters story is extremely well protrayed and while there is a few unlike coincidences in the novel the plot is pretty tight and the supspense builds and the book is quite a page turner.
A story of loss, family and forgiveness this one has great character devolment and lots of twists and turns to keep the reader interested.
An easy and surprising entertaining book, where the writing is good the story flows.
I think readers who enjoy authors such as Kristin Hannah or Diane Chamberlain may well enjoy this novel
May 6, 2018
From the moment I opened my eyes this morning, I was lost in Minnesota as a woman stepped onto the ice to rid herself of the ghosts that followed her and an older man with ghosts of his own rescued her.
The Widow's Watcher is a beautifully written contemporary family drama with a hint of mystery and a cast of loveable characters. Jenna and Lars seemed like a mismatched pair, but I loved how they interacted with one another and helped each other with the grief that held both of them captive. I became so entranced with the story that it came as a surprise when everything was revealed.
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced ebook in exchange for an honest review.
The Widow's Watcher is a beautifully written contemporary family drama with a hint of mystery and a cast of loveable characters. Jenna and Lars seemed like a mismatched pair, but I loved how they interacted with one another and helped each other with the grief that held both of them captive. I became so entranced with the story that it came as a surprise when everything was revealed.
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced ebook in exchange for an honest review.
April 26, 2021
I kept waiting for a mystery or something (anything) to emerge to make me care about what was going on in this novel. Finally, at Chapter 20, this book turned into something mildly interesting. But until then it's just us (the readers), following around a suicidal and barely communicative Jenna, as she grieves for her recently deceased husband and children.
And oh, what fun! Jenna also has a once-precocious-now-sarcastic teenage daughter scolding her in her head. Add to that the utter joy of Jenna being trapped in a crappy and frozen little "town" in Minnesota with a 70-something cranky old man who's also dealing with a crapload of tragedy and loss.
What, we're not all totally relating? *sigh* This is no recipe for (this reader's) success.
This book has such high ratings, and even after reading through the reviews here in Goodreads, I can't figure out why. I feel like everyone else read a different book than I did, one that was interesting, with great characters, and a rich story. I didn't get any of that out of The Widow's Watcher.
And oh, what fun! Jenna also has a once-precocious-now-sarcastic teenage daughter scolding her in her head. Add to that the utter joy of Jenna being trapped in a crappy and frozen little "town" in Minnesota with a 70-something cranky old man who's also dealing with a crapload of tragedy and loss.
What, we're not all totally relating? *sigh* This is no recipe for (this reader's) success.
This book has such high ratings, and even after reading through the reviews here in Goodreads, I can't figure out why. I feel like everyone else read a different book than I did, one that was interesting, with great characters, and a rich story. I didn't get any of that out of The Widow's Watcher.
May 26, 2018
You can find my reviews at: https://yayareadslotsofbooks.wordpres...
For Jenna Shaw, life has become unbearable. She has lost everything, a husband who adored her and her three children in a terrible plane crash. As Jenna walks out onto the ice of a river, knowing that she will end it all, on old man, Lars Jorgensen sees her from his cabin. He knows what she intends to do, he has seen and experienced tragedy, he knows the face of it. Lars pulls her from the edge of her decision and an unlikely friendship starts to develop. Jena does not want his help nor his friendship but the two start to bond and share the grief they both have within their lives.
Lars is no stranger to loss and tragedy. His children all except one son were stolen from him, gone without a trace, his wife confined to a mental facility having no idea what happened to the children on that fateful day. As their friendship and care for one another increases, Jenna resolves to find out what happened to the children and perhaps find the ability to help herself.
This is a novel of forgiveness, love, and loss. Can one forgive themselves for things said, acts committed, and the guilt one feels for being left behind? Can love and care be found among strangers and can two totally different people find that love can bring them to the closure they so desire? Can they cope with their loss and find that they can survive and life can be found to be hopeful and loving?
Thank you to Eliza Maxwell, Lakeshore Publising, and NetGalley for providing this reader with an advanced copy of this book .
Publishing date: May 20, 2018
Forgiveness is not always easy. At times, it feels more painful than the wound we suffered, to forgive the one that inflicted it. And yet, there is no peace without forgiveness. (Marianne Williamson)
For Jenna Shaw, life has become unbearable. She has lost everything, a husband who adored her and her three children in a terrible plane crash. As Jenna walks out onto the ice of a river, knowing that she will end it all, on old man, Lars Jorgensen sees her from his cabin. He knows what she intends to do, he has seen and experienced tragedy, he knows the face of it. Lars pulls her from the edge of her decision and an unlikely friendship starts to develop. Jena does not want his help nor his friendship but the two start to bond and share the grief they both have within their lives.
Lars is no stranger to loss and tragedy. His children all except one son were stolen from him, gone without a trace, his wife confined to a mental facility having no idea what happened to the children on that fateful day. As their friendship and care for one another increases, Jenna resolves to find out what happened to the children and perhaps find the ability to help herself.
This is a novel of forgiveness, love, and loss. Can one forgive themselves for things said, acts committed, and the guilt one feels for being left behind? Can love and care be found among strangers and can two totally different people find that love can bring them to the closure they so desire? Can they cope with their loss and find that they can survive and life can be found to be hopeful and loving?
Thank you to Eliza Maxwell, Lakeshore Publising, and NetGalley for providing this reader with an advanced copy of this book .
Publishing date: May 20, 2018
Forgiveness is not always easy. At times, it feels more painful than the wound we suffered, to forgive the one that inflicted it. And yet, there is no peace without forgiveness. (Marianne Williamson)
May 15, 2018
This book did not grab me from the very beginning but once I got going, it was hard to put it down. In fact, I had to start it over twice because I let a few days go by and as I read on, I wasn’t connecting at all. I looked at the reviews and EVERY SINGLE REVIEW was 4-5 stars, nothing less than that. So I decided to start over from the beginning and I’m so glad I did! The 2nd time “ I got it” ! Lars and Jenna are an unlikely pair and how they met makes you want to read more. This is heartwarming, sad, but has hope thrown in too. The author has a way of pulling you in. Highly recommend this one! I received this book from the publisher and NetGalley. All opinions expressed are my own.
November 3, 2018
**ARC provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review**
4.5 stars
"She had no one at all. There was only him. An old man with a broken heart."
When Jenna loses everything, there is nothing to live for. So she makes up her mind and walks onto the ice of a frozen Minnesota lake. As you've read in the synopsis she is saved by Lars, who has his own demons he is struggling with. An unusual friendship develops between these two broken characters. I loved seeing this grow further into the story, and how they were healing each other in a way. To keep Jenna from leaving and finishing what she started, Lars asks her if she could look into the disappearance of his two young children twenty-nine years ago. This case is very mysterious and no one really knows what happened to these two children. Are they able to solve this case and bring peace to Lars after so many years? You'll have to read and find out!
I have devoured every book by Eliza Maxwell, so I didn't hesitate when I had to chance to read The Widow's Watcher. I blindly trust this author to come up with stories that are original, unpredictable and engaging. This book was another great story by Eliza, I usually don't read these type of stories but I just can't put down her books. I am hooked from the start and look forward to seeing what will happen next. I love seeing old secrets being revealed and the ability of the author to shock me with them. Every character plays an important role in this book and they really brought this book to life. Like with the previous three books by this author, I couldn't contain my tears again. There was a moment I had to tell myself that this is just a book, because I was getting too involved and sad. This book was heartbreaking, but also very uplifting. I am already looking forward to Eliza's next book.
4.5 stars
"She had no one at all. There was only him. An old man with a broken heart."
When Jenna loses everything, there is nothing to live for. So she makes up her mind and walks onto the ice of a frozen Minnesota lake. As you've read in the synopsis she is saved by Lars, who has his own demons he is struggling with. An unusual friendship develops between these two broken characters. I loved seeing this grow further into the story, and how they were healing each other in a way. To keep Jenna from leaving and finishing what she started, Lars asks her if she could look into the disappearance of his two young children twenty-nine years ago. This case is very mysterious and no one really knows what happened to these two children. Are they able to solve this case and bring peace to Lars after so many years? You'll have to read and find out!
I have devoured every book by Eliza Maxwell, so I didn't hesitate when I had to chance to read The Widow's Watcher. I blindly trust this author to come up with stories that are original, unpredictable and engaging. This book was another great story by Eliza, I usually don't read these type of stories but I just can't put down her books. I am hooked from the start and look forward to seeing what will happen next. I love seeing old secrets being revealed and the ability of the author to shock me with them. Every character plays an important role in this book and they really brought this book to life. Like with the previous three books by this author, I couldn't contain my tears again. There was a moment I had to tell myself that this is just a book, because I was getting too involved and sad. This book was heartbreaking, but also very uplifting. I am already looking forward to Eliza's next book.
May 25, 2018
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 / 5
When I first started The Widow's Watcher by Eliza Maxwell I was a little apprehensive because I was really in the mood for a good thriller/mystery, and I wasn't getting a mystery vibe from the beginning of the book. However, as the book went on I got more of the mystery that I had been hoping for and really ended up loving it!
The Widow's Watcher is about a woman named Jenna who has suffered an unbelievable tragedy, and an older man by the name of Lars who hasn't had the best go of things himself. Jenna ends up on his lake in the middle of a brutal Minnesota winter only to get taken in by him and caught up in a decades-old crime revolving around his wife. The two form an unlikely friendship that I absolutely loved reading about. Lars is quite the old curmudgeon who reminded me quite a bit of Ove from A Man Called Ove. He's very brittle around the edges but his heart is in the right place, and he really ends up being quite the match for Jenna (don't worry, not in a romantic way!).
I loved that The Widow's Watcher was based in my home state of Minnesota. Even though the town itself is fictional, it still mentioned quite a few places I was familiar with including the city I went to college in. I love when I can relate to the setting of a book, so this was a plus for me.
It hooked me in from the very start, and between the flow of the writing and the super short chapters, it made for a very fast read. This book isn't all that long (less than 300 pages) so I think it is a good choice for someone looking for a shorter book they could read in one day.
I felt like the book was more about the emotions than the actual mystery that takes place. Even though the mystery is a good one, I got more caught up in the characters and the emotional aspects of both Lars and Jenna's stories than the mystery itself. The end had me in a puddle, so just know that you may cry!
Final Thoughts: Even though I own all of her books, this is the first novel I have read from Eliza Maxwell. I think her writing is very good with excellent flow. The wording may be a little "simple" for an adult book (at least from what I'm used to), but I think that helped a lot with the readability for me and the speed at which I was able to read it. This book wasn't quite what I had expected it to be, but I still ended up loving it, and I definitely think it is worth checking out (I also can't wait to read her other books now). I would recommend this book to anyone who maybe isn't so much about the mystery, but the emotional connection they can get from the book and its characters.
The Widow's Watcher in 3-ish words: Satisfying, Relatable, Tear-Jerker
When I first started The Widow's Watcher by Eliza Maxwell I was a little apprehensive because I was really in the mood for a good thriller/mystery, and I wasn't getting a mystery vibe from the beginning of the book. However, as the book went on I got more of the mystery that I had been hoping for and really ended up loving it!
The Widow's Watcher is about a woman named Jenna who has suffered an unbelievable tragedy, and an older man by the name of Lars who hasn't had the best go of things himself. Jenna ends up on his lake in the middle of a brutal Minnesota winter only to get taken in by him and caught up in a decades-old crime revolving around his wife. The two form an unlikely friendship that I absolutely loved reading about. Lars is quite the old curmudgeon who reminded me quite a bit of Ove from A Man Called Ove. He's very brittle around the edges but his heart is in the right place, and he really ends up being quite the match for Jenna (don't worry, not in a romantic way!).
I loved that The Widow's Watcher was based in my home state of Minnesota. Even though the town itself is fictional, it still mentioned quite a few places I was familiar with including the city I went to college in. I love when I can relate to the setting of a book, so this was a plus for me.
It hooked me in from the very start, and between the flow of the writing and the super short chapters, it made for a very fast read. This book isn't all that long (less than 300 pages) so I think it is a good choice for someone looking for a shorter book they could read in one day.
I felt like the book was more about the emotions than the actual mystery that takes place. Even though the mystery is a good one, I got more caught up in the characters and the emotional aspects of both Lars and Jenna's stories than the mystery itself. The end had me in a puddle, so just know that you may cry!
Final Thoughts: Even though I own all of her books, this is the first novel I have read from Eliza Maxwell. I think her writing is very good with excellent flow. The wording may be a little "simple" for an adult book (at least from what I'm used to), but I think that helped a lot with the readability for me and the speed at which I was able to read it. This book wasn't quite what I had expected it to be, but I still ended up loving it, and I definitely think it is worth checking out (I also can't wait to read her other books now). I would recommend this book to anyone who maybe isn't so much about the mystery, but the emotional connection they can get from the book and its characters.
The Widow's Watcher in 3-ish words: Satisfying, Relatable, Tear-Jerker
June 7, 2018
Favorite Quotes:
“They spend their whole lives walking away from you,” the kindergarten teacher had said on her little girl’s first day. “Your job now is to be there when they look back.”
“When the judge said, ‘For better or worse,’ I agreed quick enough.” Lars pinned her with his piercing gaze. “Nobody tells you how bad the worse can get.”
She marveled at his matter-of-factness. Was it an innate part of him, or was this what years and the grinding sands of loss did to a person? Shaped them into something smooth and hard and polished.
Hope was a frightening thing to rekindle. As impossible to control as a wildfire on a dry plain.
No matter how many years go by, the past never really lets you go.” She ran her hands up and down her arms, as if to ward off a chill. “It’s sewn in, like patches on one of my old granny’s quilts. You can run from it all you like, but it’s part of you. Goes where you go.
What exactly is involved in playing knick-knack, paddy-whack anyway? And why does it need to happen on my knee? The old man sounds kind of sketchy.
My Review:
I’m not exactly sure how to classify the genre of this exceptionally poignant and beautifully written book, it was a Contemporary piece with elements of Suspense, but it wasn’t a Thriller. In addition, I also noted considerable Family Drama, Women’s Fiction issues, mental illness, and an unsolved Mystery that spanned thirty years. With a regal wave of my well-manicured hand, I push all that to the side as I have decided I want new categories of Brilliant, Ingeniously Crafted, and Extraordinarily Well-Written.
Eliza Maxwell has word voodoo. I was quickly pulled into a disquieting and often uncomfortable vortex of unresolved issues and unsettling events, and oddly enough, I didn’t want to crawl back out. The characters were many and all were irreparably fractured, some hanging by a thread, and most were not always likable or admirable. Yet by the end of this uncannily insightful and maddeningly paced story, I understood that they had each been existing with and working at living through a long series of harrowing events as best they could, and I adored every single one of them by the time I arrived at the epilogue. I seldom cry but this eloquently evocative tale moved me, my eyes stung with an unusual wetness while my throat burned and felt constricted on several occasions. The storylines were brilliantly crafted, tautly written, and hard to quit as they were fraught with addictive tension and prickling intrigue. Sigh, my abused and bruised coronary muscle needs a rest, I believe I’ll be hitting the TBR for a comedy next.
“They spend their whole lives walking away from you,” the kindergarten teacher had said on her little girl’s first day. “Your job now is to be there when they look back.”
“When the judge said, ‘For better or worse,’ I agreed quick enough.” Lars pinned her with his piercing gaze. “Nobody tells you how bad the worse can get.”
She marveled at his matter-of-factness. Was it an innate part of him, or was this what years and the grinding sands of loss did to a person? Shaped them into something smooth and hard and polished.
Hope was a frightening thing to rekindle. As impossible to control as a wildfire on a dry plain.
No matter how many years go by, the past never really lets you go.” She ran her hands up and down her arms, as if to ward off a chill. “It’s sewn in, like patches on one of my old granny’s quilts. You can run from it all you like, but it’s part of you. Goes where you go.
What exactly is involved in playing knick-knack, paddy-whack anyway? And why does it need to happen on my knee? The old man sounds kind of sketchy.
My Review:
I’m not exactly sure how to classify the genre of this exceptionally poignant and beautifully written book, it was a Contemporary piece with elements of Suspense, but it wasn’t a Thriller. In addition, I also noted considerable Family Drama, Women’s Fiction issues, mental illness, and an unsolved Mystery that spanned thirty years. With a regal wave of my well-manicured hand, I push all that to the side as I have decided I want new categories of Brilliant, Ingeniously Crafted, and Extraordinarily Well-Written.
Eliza Maxwell has word voodoo. I was quickly pulled into a disquieting and often uncomfortable vortex of unresolved issues and unsettling events, and oddly enough, I didn’t want to crawl back out. The characters were many and all were irreparably fractured, some hanging by a thread, and most were not always likable or admirable. Yet by the end of this uncannily insightful and maddeningly paced story, I understood that they had each been existing with and working at living through a long series of harrowing events as best they could, and I adored every single one of them by the time I arrived at the epilogue. I seldom cry but this eloquently evocative tale moved me, my eyes stung with an unusual wetness while my throat burned and felt constricted on several occasions. The storylines were brilliantly crafted, tautly written, and hard to quit as they were fraught with addictive tension and prickling intrigue. Sigh, my abused and bruised coronary muscle needs a rest, I believe I’ll be hitting the TBR for a comedy next.
June 26, 2018
3 Stars
I'm not even sure how to categorize this book. Part family drama, small part mystery/thriller and a lot sad. I'm also having a hard time rating it because there were parts I really liked but a few key factors that seemed pretty improbable to me. I am pretty sure 3 Stars is the right choice for me.
SUMMARY
The story opens with broken hearted Jenna walking out onto a mostly frozen Minnesota lake in an attempt to end her unbearably sad life. Grumpy, equally tragic Lars happens to see her through his kitchen window, realize what her intentions were and stops her. Jenna was the opposite of grateful.
As luck would have it, Jenna's car won't start, this very small MN town which basically shuts down for the winter, has no hotels so Jenna and Lars are stuck together while she waits for her car to be fixed. As Jenna and Lars slowly begin to bond and their stories are doled out to the reader in little bits and pieces, we learn about the life altering events which brought them to this place and time together. Can they help each other? What was so horrible that made Jenna walk out onto that ice? What made Lars so miserable? All will be revealed.
WHAT I LOVED
I did the immersion reading and loved the sing song Minnesota accent the narrator used. It reminded me of my Aunts who have spent their entire lifetime in Minnesota.
Lars story was so interesting. I won't ruin it by giving away much about it, but I can say his story was layered with many factors and so much emotion. It's impossible to not be affected by that story.
I liked the whole concept of the Midwestern sensibility, particularly in Owen. He just took everything in stride. He may not have loved the situation, but he just faced it and dealt with it because there was no other way.
WHAT I DIDN'T LOVE
I can't say much about it because it would ruin the story BUT I can say that I thought there were too many unlikely coincidences that brought Jenna and Lars together for me to buy into the whole story at all.
The first 2/3's of the book were just SO DARN SAD and filled with sad people that I found myself watching TV instead of reading in my free time. I just didn't have the energy to spend with these sad sad people and read about their overwhelming grief. It's not like there were being dramatic, they had legit reason to be sad, it was just depressing to read about it after a while.
OVERALL
It was okay but definitely not one of my favorite books.
I'm not even sure how to categorize this book. Part family drama, small part mystery/thriller and a lot sad. I'm also having a hard time rating it because there were parts I really liked but a few key factors that seemed pretty improbable to me. I am pretty sure 3 Stars is the right choice for me.
SUMMARY
The story opens with broken hearted Jenna walking out onto a mostly frozen Minnesota lake in an attempt to end her unbearably sad life. Grumpy, equally tragic Lars happens to see her through his kitchen window, realize what her intentions were and stops her. Jenna was the opposite of grateful.
As luck would have it, Jenna's car won't start, this very small MN town which basically shuts down for the winter, has no hotels so Jenna and Lars are stuck together while she waits for her car to be fixed. As Jenna and Lars slowly begin to bond and their stories are doled out to the reader in little bits and pieces, we learn about the life altering events which brought them to this place and time together. Can they help each other? What was so horrible that made Jenna walk out onto that ice? What made Lars so miserable? All will be revealed.
WHAT I LOVED
I did the immersion reading and loved the sing song Minnesota accent the narrator used. It reminded me of my Aunts who have spent their entire lifetime in Minnesota.
Lars story was so interesting. I won't ruin it by giving away much about it, but I can say his story was layered with many factors and so much emotion. It's impossible to not be affected by that story.
I liked the whole concept of the Midwestern sensibility, particularly in Owen. He just took everything in stride. He may not have loved the situation, but he just faced it and dealt with it because there was no other way.
WHAT I DIDN'T LOVE
I can't say much about it because it would ruin the story BUT I can say that I thought there were too many unlikely coincidences that brought Jenna and Lars together for me to buy into the whole story at all.
The first 2/3's of the book were just SO DARN SAD and filled with sad people that I found myself watching TV instead of reading in my free time. I just didn't have the energy to spend with these sad sad people and read about their overwhelming grief. It's not like there were being dramatic, they had legit reason to be sad, it was just depressing to read about it after a while.
OVERALL
It was okay but definitely not one of my favorite books.
May 31, 2018
This is the third book I’ve read by author Eliza Maxwell, and there is a reason I keep coming back. Yes, her book covers are gorgeous and enticing and make you want to crawl inside and find out the story behind the image. But those covers are only one appetizer before a multi-course meal. The cover of The Widow’s Watcher whets the appetite, and then Maxwell, like all good chefs, sets the stage by feeding the reader morsels of information that hint at the delicious feast to come. (Note to self: have a snack before writing next review to avoid food analogies.)
This meal, (oops! story!), keeps reinventing itself and going in unexpected directions, which is one of many reasons it’s unputdownable. Readers are initially drawn-in to the banter between a mother and her teen aged daughter, then one single sentence zooms out and shows that things are not as they seem. Nothing is as it seems. No one is as he or she seems. The real joy in reading The Widow’s Watcher is watching the story unfold via small, sometimes misleading reveals that take readers on a suspenseful and emotional journey from start to finish.
Oh, the GUILT in this book. Guilt is such a driving force of human nature, and the richly drawn characters in The Widow’s Watcher are immersed in it. They feel guilt about what they’ve done in equal parts with what they haven’t done…or are going to do…or have thought about doing – or maybe didn’t really do at all. The pain of their guilt radiates from the characters and is exacerbated by the secrets they keep. Eliza Maxwell knows how to write secrets.
In what I would say is Eliza Maxwell’s trademark style, she creates complex characters who are ruled by the guilt they carry and the secrets they keep and who are their own worst enemies. Maxwell builds extraordinary, yet realistic relationships between the characters that allow readers to relate to them. These connections, both between characters but also between the reader and the characters, are powerful and make us feel invested in the characters’ lives.
The Widow’s Watcher is powerful and poignant. Prepare to feel emotionally drained after you finish reading because this book puts readers through the wringer. It is at times profoundly sad, but there is a constant hopeful thread that weaves its way in and out of the sadness as the characters search for redemption and forgiveness they don’t know they are seeking.
The writing is lovely and flows well with short chapters that allow for a quick read. There are some scattered SPAG errors, but none were enough to impact my enjoyment. As I did with The Grave Tender and The Unremembered Girl, I highly recommend reading The Widow’s Watcher for a smorgasbord of feelings that will leave you satisfyingly full but not in need of an antacid.
Extra credit awarded: Yes, there is a library in the story and though I was initially bummed by the librarian’s attitude and *GASP* withholding of information, in keeping with the rest of the story, there is redemption. Double points awarded for one of my favorite sayings, "You can't judge a book by its cover...but you can judge a person by their books."
Thank you to Lone Star Book Blog Tours and the author for providing me a beautiful print copy in exchange for my honest opinion – the only kind I give. This full review and more special features on Hall Ways Blog .
This meal, (oops! story!), keeps reinventing itself and going in unexpected directions, which is one of many reasons it’s unputdownable. Readers are initially drawn-in to the banter between a mother and her teen aged daughter, then one single sentence zooms out and shows that things are not as they seem. Nothing is as it seems. No one is as he or she seems. The real joy in reading The Widow’s Watcher is watching the story unfold via small, sometimes misleading reveals that take readers on a suspenseful and emotional journey from start to finish.
"Is there anything so empty as something that's once been full?"
Oh, the GUILT in this book. Guilt is such a driving force of human nature, and the richly drawn characters in The Widow’s Watcher are immersed in it. They feel guilt about what they’ve done in equal parts with what they haven’t done…or are going to do…or have thought about doing – or maybe didn’t really do at all. The pain of their guilt radiates from the characters and is exacerbated by the secrets they keep. Eliza Maxwell knows how to write secrets.
"Forgiveness is hard. It's painful. It's giving when you've got nothing left to give, from places you can't afford to give anything else."
In what I would say is Eliza Maxwell’s trademark style, she creates complex characters who are ruled by the guilt they carry and the secrets they keep and who are their own worst enemies. Maxwell builds extraordinary, yet realistic relationships between the characters that allow readers to relate to them. These connections, both between characters but also between the reader and the characters, are powerful and make us feel invested in the characters’ lives.
"Hope was a frightening thing to rekindle. As impossible to control as a wildfire on a dry plain."
The Widow’s Watcher is powerful and poignant. Prepare to feel emotionally drained after you finish reading because this book puts readers through the wringer. It is at times profoundly sad, but there is a constant hopeful thread that weaves its way in and out of the sadness as the characters search for redemption and forgiveness they don’t know they are seeking.
The writing is lovely and flows well with short chapters that allow for a quick read. There are some scattered SPAG errors, but none were enough to impact my enjoyment. As I did with The Grave Tender and The Unremembered Girl, I highly recommend reading The Widow’s Watcher for a smorgasbord of feelings that will leave you satisfyingly full but not in need of an antacid.
Extra credit awarded: Yes, there is a library in the story and though I was initially bummed by the librarian’s attitude and *GASP* withholding of information, in keeping with the rest of the story, there is redemption. Double points awarded for one of my favorite sayings, "You can't judge a book by its cover...but you can judge a person by their books."
Thank you to Lone Star Book Blog Tours and the author for providing me a beautiful print copy in exchange for my honest opinion – the only kind I give. This full review and more special features on Hall Ways Blog .
May 13, 2019
This book about unimaginable loss, has an atmospheric setting in Minnesota about which I knew precious little other than a) where it is and b) what I gleaned from Fargo! This backdrop totally suits the storyline and adds an extra dimension. Jenna Shaw tragically lost her husband and three children in a plane crash and travels to Minnesota to scatter their ashes and then take her own life as she finds that she does not wish to go on without them. Lars Jorgensen prevents her from doing so. Lars also has suffered greatly as 29 years previously his wife Audrey took his two youngest children then reappeared a few days later without the children and totally incapable of explaining what had happened. Audrey is incarcerated in a secure state psychiatric unit. He lives with not knowing. Lars and Jenna help each other to move forward with their lives. There are some beautiful and touching descriptions of the loss they both suffered.
I like a lot about this book. The characters are good and its easy to picture them. Although Cassie her eldest daughter died in the crash she is present in the book as Jenna has ‘conversations’ with her. These are wonderful as they push Jenna in the right direction and Cassie seems like the kind of kid any parent would be proud of. I also like Hannah who is Lars granddaughter - she has great spirit too.
There are some shocking moments too in the story such as when Jenna bitterly verbally attacks Audrey and you wonder who is Jenna really attacking - Audrey or herself? Via hypnotherapy Audrey’s damaged mind is unlocked and Lars is able to learn what happened to his children. Jenna with his help is able to learn to live with the horror of her loss.
This book is well written and although it covers a very difficult subject it does so with sensitivity and with touches of wit from Cassie and Hannah.
I like a lot about this book. The characters are good and its easy to picture them. Although Cassie her eldest daughter died in the crash she is present in the book as Jenna has ‘conversations’ with her. These are wonderful as they push Jenna in the right direction and Cassie seems like the kind of kid any parent would be proud of. I also like Hannah who is Lars granddaughter - she has great spirit too.
There are some shocking moments too in the story such as when Jenna bitterly verbally attacks Audrey and you wonder who is Jenna really attacking - Audrey or herself? Via hypnotherapy Audrey’s damaged mind is unlocked and Lars is able to learn what happened to his children. Jenna with his help is able to learn to live with the horror of her loss.
This book is well written and although it covers a very difficult subject it does so with sensitivity and with touches of wit from Cassie and Hannah.
November 10, 2018
Can’t even get through it
IDK what’s up with this book but good grief, it’s boring! I just want to fall asleep EVERY time I read it.
Can’t finish it, just about half through it and just HAVE to end it...
IDK what’s up with this book but good grief, it’s boring! I just want to fall asleep EVERY time I read it.
Can’t finish it, just about half through it and just HAVE to end it...
July 29, 2018
I really enjoyed this read. It was a very well-written and heartfelt story. I was easily absorbed into the story and enjoyed the characters. There were a few minor issues that kept me from giving the full five stars, but the book is definitely worth a read if you enjoy contemporary fiction.
This was my first book by Eliza Maxwell and I look forward to reading more of her work.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing me with a free electronic copy in exchange for an honest review.
This was my first book by Eliza Maxwell and I look forward to reading more of her work.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for providing me with a free electronic copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 7, 2018
I truly believe that narration makes or breaks a story for me, the narration was on point with The Widow's Watcher. I was sucked in from the get go....some mystery, characters enduring painful loss, new beginnings...just a great, great read.
May 15, 2018
I absolutely fell hard in love with this book. A true treasure of a read. You have to order a copy of The Widow's Watcher right away.
Jenna and Lars had me from the get go. They were quite the pair. What with their "insults" or really I should say Jenna's insults towards Lar's attitude. When Lar would crack a smile, I could not help but smile as well. They were both wounded souls who actually needed one another. Although, I liked Jenna's deceased daughter, Cassie's voice whispering in Jenna's ear along the way.
Eliza Maxwell pens a heartfelt, lovely story that reached deep into my soul with her endearing characters that will stick with you long after you have put down the last page in The Widow's Watcher!
Jenna and Lars had me from the get go. They were quite the pair. What with their "insults" or really I should say Jenna's insults towards Lar's attitude. When Lar would crack a smile, I could not help but smile as well. They were both wounded souls who actually needed one another. Although, I liked Jenna's deceased daughter, Cassie's voice whispering in Jenna's ear along the way.
Eliza Maxwell pens a heartfelt, lovely story that reached deep into my soul with her endearing characters that will stick with you long after you have put down the last page in The Widow's Watcher!
March 12, 2021
Women's Fiction / Contemporary
Publication date : May 29, 2018
This is a story of loss and grief, mental illness, connections, acceptance. There was so much despair and feel of loss at times, that it was depressing to read on. Considering what Jenna had been through...not suprising that she felt no hope. That she didn't know how to go on without her family, and the only solution she saw was a suicide. She wasn't the only one who had been through very rough times.
Publication date : May 29, 2018
This is a story of loss and grief, mental illness, connections, acceptance. There was so much despair and feel of loss at times, that it was depressing to read on. Considering what Jenna had been through...not suprising that she felt no hope. That she didn't know how to go on without her family, and the only solution she saw was a suicide. She wasn't the only one who had been through very rough times.
August 7, 2018
After The Grave Tender, this was my second book by Eliza Maxwell, and I've learnt that you need to be in a certain mood for these. Ms Maxwell definitely knows how to pull you into a tragic story, and she crafts it skillfully with beautiful writing but goodness these stories are sad and heartbreaking, and did i mention, sad....? In spite of all this gloom, I was glued to this and I absolutely adored the friendship between Lars, a cantankerous old man who lost a lot, and Jenna, who has lost everything and just wants to put an end to it. The wintry setting of remote Minnesota added beautifully to the atmosphere. With its short chapters, this was quite a fast read, but the characters are nevertheless fully fleshed out. There is a mystery to be solved, but at the forefront, genre wise, this is more contemporary fiction exploring grief, guilt and forgiveness.
I have my third book by Eliza Maxwell ready on my Kindle, but I need a somewhat more lighthearted read first.
I have my third book by Eliza Maxwell ready on my Kindle, but I need a somewhat more lighthearted read first.
August 25, 2023
Story 5 Stars. Narration 5 Stars
I’d had this since March to listen to and just kept forgetting.
Now that I have, I’m kicking myself for letting it sit in my massive tbr for that long. To be honest, I’d forgotten what it was about. It ended up being a story that grabbed me immediately and never let up. It is the story of a horrible grief and a unimaginable loss. The aftermath brings the main character, Jenna, to a small town in Minnesota in the middle of ice and snow. Through circumstances she meets an old man that resides on a frozen lake. The two slowly begin a friendship of sorts. She finds out that she’s not the only one to have had unimaginable loss. There’s a mystery involved as well. It was a good story with very well realized characters. There is no romance and that was very realistic to the situation. I usually want a romance in my books but I honestly didn’t miss it as it wouldn’t be appropriate. I highly recommend this book although it could be triggering for someone who is going through grief.
I’d had this since March to listen to and just kept forgetting.
Now that I have, I’m kicking myself for letting it sit in my massive tbr for that long. To be honest, I’d forgotten what it was about. It ended up being a story that grabbed me immediately and never let up. It is the story of a horrible grief and a unimaginable loss. The aftermath brings the main character, Jenna, to a small town in Minnesota in the middle of ice and snow. Through circumstances she meets an old man that resides on a frozen lake. The two slowly begin a friendship of sorts. She finds out that she’s not the only one to have had unimaginable loss. There’s a mystery involved as well. It was a good story with very well realized characters. There is no romance and that was very realistic to the situation. I usually want a romance in my books but I honestly didn’t miss it as it wouldn’t be appropriate. I highly recommend this book although it could be triggering for someone who is going through grief.
May 4, 2018
Jenna stumbles upon Lars unintentionally but it seems like fate. Both have suffered unimaginable loss of family in very hard circumstances. Lars however lives in uncertainty whereas Jenna has given up all hope. Jenna is suicidal and just wants to end it all. Lars is living on borrowed time. His heart will give up any day soon.
How Lars rescues Jenna from a watery death and how Jenna repays the favor by digging into his past uncovering the sad story of his wife and two children and tries to look at it with a fresh eye investigating what has been painstakingly gone over - over and over again by not just Lars but by private investigators as well. What she uncovers gives a glimmer of hope to Lars, so that he can get some kind of closure and understanding over a three decade misery.
That Jenna herself will benefit from Lars mission was not apparent at first but helping out someone else did work miracles for Jenna herself. That she is able to live for herself is what Jenna gets from the entire experience.
This was a particularly sad story, but very well written. Characterization was spot on and the plot was good.
How Lars rescues Jenna from a watery death and how Jenna repays the favor by digging into his past uncovering the sad story of his wife and two children and tries to look at it with a fresh eye investigating what has been painstakingly gone over - over and over again by not just Lars but by private investigators as well. What she uncovers gives a glimmer of hope to Lars, so that he can get some kind of closure and understanding over a three decade misery.
That Jenna herself will benefit from Lars mission was not apparent at first but helping out someone else did work miracles for Jenna herself. That she is able to live for herself is what Jenna gets from the entire experience.
This was a particularly sad story, but very well written. Characterization was spot on and the plot was good.
March 23, 2020
So ~ So ~ SO Good!!
October 2, 2022
I started to read this book without even knowing what type of sty it was, this was one of my first books with suspense and that kind of angst that will keep you turning page after page.
Jenna Shaw is walking and driving around like a ghost she lost everything in her life and now she doesn't feel like she has a purpose to continue until she meets Lars an old man who has many bitter memories like her and will be the savior of her life.
Jenna's life was saved when an old man intervene, she wasn't expecting any help never less from someone with that bad character as Lars but we never choose who will help us and save us from own selves.
I enjoy so much many of the characters and what they went through, I really y love the way it was written and the way it took me from the first pages to the last without guessing what was going to happen always keeping me immerse and interested in what will happen next.
the narrations by Angela Dawe were great bringing so much to the story and the characters
great book.
Jenna Shaw is walking and driving around like a ghost she lost everything in her life and now she doesn't feel like she has a purpose to continue until she meets Lars an old man who has many bitter memories like her and will be the savior of her life.
Jenna's life was saved when an old man intervene, she wasn't expecting any help never less from someone with that bad character as Lars but we never choose who will help us and save us from own selves.
I enjoy so much many of the characters and what they went through, I really y love the way it was written and the way it took me from the first pages to the last without guessing what was going to happen always keeping me immerse and interested in what will happen next.
the narrations by Angela Dawe were great bringing so much to the story and the characters
great book.
June 18, 2018
Thank you so much TLC Book Tours and Amazon Publishing for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, and for having me on this book tour! I was pleasantly surprised by this book as I wasn't too sure what to expect, but I ended up emotionally attached by the end and hoping that we see these characters again soon. I give this book four stars!
I think my favorite part about this story was seeing two troubled souls find each other and help each other. We have all been there in life where the dark times seem to consume us and we could use someone to pull us back into the light. I thought Lars and Jenna were just what the other needed and can I just tell you how much I loved that it wasn't a romance! Far too often mysteries, especially like this one, have a way of getting a romance story line involved and sometimes I enjoy it, but other times I think it takes away from the mystery the book is meant to be. Eliza just let this be a mystery with healing and growth occurring for the characters naturally.
I did think it was a little predictable in terms of some aspects (I obviously don't want to go into specifics and do spoilers) but in other ways I was left unsure about so many things up until the end. That always makes me happy because I'm left guessing till the last pages and that keeps me involved and reading quickly needing to see what happens and who doesn't enjoy that? There was nothing overly dramatic about this book, no big twists or crazy plot lines, but it was interesting all the same.
As I said I would love to see what was next for these characters. The ending brought about so many emotions and I just want to know how life goes on after that ending!! Ugh any who I recommend this for a light, quick mystery :)
I have a giveaway going on on my Instagram (katyslibrary) right now for one copy of this book, open to US/Canada and it ends 6/25!
I think my favorite part about this story was seeing two troubled souls find each other and help each other. We have all been there in life where the dark times seem to consume us and we could use someone to pull us back into the light. I thought Lars and Jenna were just what the other needed and can I just tell you how much I loved that it wasn't a romance! Far too often mysteries, especially like this one, have a way of getting a romance story line involved and sometimes I enjoy it, but other times I think it takes away from the mystery the book is meant to be. Eliza just let this be a mystery with healing and growth occurring for the characters naturally.
I did think it was a little predictable in terms of some aspects (I obviously don't want to go into specifics and do spoilers) but in other ways I was left unsure about so many things up until the end. That always makes me happy because I'm left guessing till the last pages and that keeps me involved and reading quickly needing to see what happens and who doesn't enjoy that? There was nothing overly dramatic about this book, no big twists or crazy plot lines, but it was interesting all the same.
As I said I would love to see what was next for these characters. The ending brought about so many emotions and I just want to know how life goes on after that ending!! Ugh any who I recommend this for a light, quick mystery :)
I have a giveaway going on on my Instagram (katyslibrary) right now for one copy of this book, open to US/Canada and it ends 6/25!
May 21, 2018
First I have to say thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishers for this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
This book starts out with much sadness and continues all the way. It’s a book so worth reading and shedding tears for. It had me from the start and I could not put it down. I read all day yesterday and today only stopping to cook and take a shower. Well sleep too but that is beside the point.
Two lost souls brought together due to so much loss and sadness. Two that would never have given each other a second look before. Not a love story at all. But full of a kind of love that will last forever.
Jenna came to Minnesota for one thing and only one thing. She was on a mission and was so determined to see it through that nothing was going to stop her.
Lars is an old man who has known so much loss and was not going to let Jenna do anything to ruin his pond and mess with the rest of his life.
They are drawn together in a way that will keep you wanting to know more. Wanting to know what happens next. Who did what and why. They each blame themselves for what life has given them. Jenna just wanted to die and Lars just wants answers of his own. But what will happen when those answers are finally there. Will they be able to live with the details of what happens.
This book will certainly make you cry. I don’t remember ever crying this much during a book but I promise it is worth it. It’s one that will pull you in and take you on a ride you won’t soon forget. The ups and downs will make you dizzy. Not a love story of the conventional sense but a story full of love.
I read The Unremembered Girl by this same author and loved it but this one is way better. It’s a heart wrenching, tender, broken story of family, love and loss.
A five star book for sure.
This book starts out with much sadness and continues all the way. It’s a book so worth reading and shedding tears for. It had me from the start and I could not put it down. I read all day yesterday and today only stopping to cook and take a shower. Well sleep too but that is beside the point.
Two lost souls brought together due to so much loss and sadness. Two that would never have given each other a second look before. Not a love story at all. But full of a kind of love that will last forever.
Jenna came to Minnesota for one thing and only one thing. She was on a mission and was so determined to see it through that nothing was going to stop her.
Lars is an old man who has known so much loss and was not going to let Jenna do anything to ruin his pond and mess with the rest of his life.
They are drawn together in a way that will keep you wanting to know more. Wanting to know what happens next. Who did what and why. They each blame themselves for what life has given them. Jenna just wanted to die and Lars just wants answers of his own. But what will happen when those answers are finally there. Will they be able to live with the details of what happens.
This book will certainly make you cry. I don’t remember ever crying this much during a book but I promise it is worth it. It’s one that will pull you in and take you on a ride you won’t soon forget. The ups and downs will make you dizzy. Not a love story of the conventional sense but a story full of love.
I read The Unremembered Girl by this same author and loved it but this one is way better. It’s a heart wrenching, tender, broken story of family, love and loss.
A five star book for sure.
September 29, 2018
I knew this one was a tear jerker before reading it, so I pulled on my big girl pants. The first few pages were a bit awkward feeling, but then I became ensnared in the author's web. And. It. Wouldn't. Let. Me. Go. So much for my plans today. Who needs clean laundry, anyways? Beautiful. Touching. Intriguing. Mysterious. I was so proud of myself for not crying, then the last few pages broke me. I'm a puddle on the floor. I'm broken. Happy sigh.
September 22, 2018
4.5*
A beautifully penned story of love,deep loss and heartbreak sprinkled with some mystery and the unquenchable spark of hope.
Highly recommended.
A beautifully penned story of love,deep loss and heartbreak sprinkled with some mystery and the unquenchable spark of hope.
Highly recommended.
December 6, 2019
Throughout the majority of this book I was leaning towards a 5 star rating; but, the ending left me feeling, "meh", and so I stopped at 4 stars instead.
If you've ever known deep loss and grief, whether through divorce or the sudden death of someone you love, this book will resonate with you. In most instances, it's not a book that will cause you to cry or relive your own personal nightmare; it's just that you'll relate. Within the relation comes a kinship to the characters and a deeper knowing and understanding. It's in the relation to the underlying currents that draws you in and keeps you enthralled and involved.
I truly enjoyed this book. If it wasn't for the last handful of pages I could reread it (even after having just finished!)
The major twist, the one you know is coming, I didn't have figured out until the chapter of its big reveal began. Even though I knew what was coming, as those particular pages unfolded I was still intrigued. Within the big reveal are more revelations and those I hadn't anticipated. The book remained unique, new, and real to lives having been [and being] lived.
The ending was the only part that wasn't quite up to par. I guess I wanted more life lived and not such a tidy, "Good-bye". Having lived through my own deep encounters with loss and grief I know that the ending of this book is just too compact and tidy. However, I also believe very few people would ever be able to encapsulate the enormity of grief within a fictional tale and setting when the storyline was never meant to run on for years upon years upon years.
The "Widow's Watcher" as a whole is well written; however, sometimes grief has no ending.
This book comes to an end. Within its ending it becomes less genuine, less real to life, less convincing; it became its fictitious self: A made up story, with a tidy finale, far from what real life tends to look like.
It falls short; but, is nonetheless a Goodread.
If you've ever known deep loss and grief, whether through divorce or the sudden death of someone you love, this book will resonate with you. In most instances, it's not a book that will cause you to cry or relive your own personal nightmare; it's just that you'll relate. Within the relation comes a kinship to the characters and a deeper knowing and understanding. It's in the relation to the underlying currents that draws you in and keeps you enthralled and involved.
I truly enjoyed this book. If it wasn't for the last handful of pages I could reread it (even after having just finished!)
The major twist, the one you know is coming, I didn't have figured out until the chapter of its big reveal began. Even though I knew what was coming, as those particular pages unfolded I was still intrigued. Within the big reveal are more revelations and those I hadn't anticipated. The book remained unique, new, and real to lives having been [and being] lived.
The ending was the only part that wasn't quite up to par. I guess I wanted more life lived and not such a tidy, "Good-bye". Having lived through my own deep encounters with loss and grief I know that the ending of this book is just too compact and tidy. However, I also believe very few people would ever be able to encapsulate the enormity of grief within a fictional tale and setting when the storyline was never meant to run on for years upon years upon years.
The "Widow's Watcher" as a whole is well written; however, sometimes grief has no ending.
This book comes to an end. Within its ending it becomes less genuine, less real to life, less convincing; it became its fictitious self: A made up story, with a tidy finale, far from what real life tends to look like.
It falls short; but, is nonetheless a Goodread.
January 29, 2019
This was my first book by Eliza Maxwell, but it will definitely not be my last. I listened to the audio version of this book and the narration was fantastic! The plot ensured that I finished this audio book quicker than others I have read because I was desperate to know what was going to happen.
The book is set in Minnesota during the winter and the writer did an amazing job with the scenery and the location. Everything was just so vivid and detailed. I loved the story. Jenna is struggling after the deaths of her husband and three children. Determined to end her life, Lars sees her out on the ice and pulls her away, something which irritates Jenna considerably. Lars is no stranger to tragedy himself. Years ago, his wife and two children disappeared. His wife was found wondering the streets, apparently suffering from a psychotic break with no memory of what had happened and the children were never seen again. God, I loved seeing Jenna's story unfold and the connections between her loss and that of Lars. They were both very broken people and I loved the humor Lars showed, as well as his determination that Jenna not give up. The plot was slow to build, but that doesn't mean it wasn't awesome to listen to. I loved the characters and the sadness that they showed was heartbreaking. The ending had such a huge twist. I did not see it coming at all. This was such a great book. I will definitely be reading more of this author's books.
The book is set in Minnesota during the winter and the writer did an amazing job with the scenery and the location. Everything was just so vivid and detailed. I loved the story. Jenna is struggling after the deaths of her husband and three children. Determined to end her life, Lars sees her out on the ice and pulls her away, something which irritates Jenna considerably. Lars is no stranger to tragedy himself. Years ago, his wife and two children disappeared. His wife was found wondering the streets, apparently suffering from a psychotic break with no memory of what had happened and the children were never seen again. God, I loved seeing Jenna's story unfold and the connections between her loss and that of Lars. They were both very broken people and I loved the humor Lars showed, as well as his determination that Jenna not give up. The plot was slow to build, but that doesn't mean it wasn't awesome to listen to. I loved the characters and the sadness that they showed was heartbreaking. The ending had such a huge twist. I did not see it coming at all. This was such a great book. I will definitely be reading more of this author's books.
June 1, 2018
I'm sure I have said it before, but I rarely cry when I read books. Once in a while a book comes along that hits me right in the heart. The Widow's Watcher is one of those books. Jenna Shaw has been dealt an incredibly crippling blow. With one phone call, her entire world has ended. But fate puts her in the path of the one person who may be able to help her find her way to the other side of grief.
This book was gut wrenching, sad and emotionally draining. I think I spent the first 40% of the book with tears in my eyes. But, I couldn't put the book down. My heart hurt for Jenna. I can't imagine anyone surviving the amount of loss that she did. I was rooting for her the whole time. Her savior, Lars, had his own loss he had been dealing with for years. Once the truth of his story was finally revealed, I spent the last 30% with tears in my eyes. This story is like one of those tear-jerker movies that leave you exhausted from a good cry. But it's a good exhausted. I loved this book. I loved the feeling of hope that I was left with and I loved the ending.
I won't spoil the story. Just go read it. It's worth the emotional ride. I know this will be in my top 10 books of 2018.
This book was gut wrenching, sad and emotionally draining. I think I spent the first 40% of the book with tears in my eyes. But, I couldn't put the book down. My heart hurt for Jenna. I can't imagine anyone surviving the amount of loss that she did. I was rooting for her the whole time. Her savior, Lars, had his own loss he had been dealing with for years. Once the truth of his story was finally revealed, I spent the last 30% with tears in my eyes. This story is like one of those tear-jerker movies that leave you exhausted from a good cry. But it's a good exhausted. I loved this book. I loved the feeling of hope that I was left with and I loved the ending.
I won't spoil the story. Just go read it. It's worth the emotional ride. I know this will be in my top 10 books of 2018.
September 21, 2018
Really liked this one...
This is the second book by this author that I've recently read, and I enjoyed this one even more. The chapters are short, and it's a real page turner. I feel like I should have figured out the ending, but I didn't. The subject matter was a bit unsettling, but didn't limit the good story in any way. Definitely recommend this one!
This is the second book by this author that I've recently read, and I enjoyed this one even more. The chapters are short, and it's a real page turner. I feel like I should have figured out the ending, but I didn't. The subject matter was a bit unsettling, but didn't limit the good story in any way. Definitely recommend this one!
January 22, 2025
Loved it!
I loved this book so much. I almost stopped reading it a few times because of the subject matter but found myself drawn in and wanting to know the story and could not let go of the characters, it was marvelous.
I loved this book so much. I almost stopped reading it a few times because of the subject matter but found myself drawn in and wanting to know the story and could not let go of the characters, it was marvelous.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 719 reviews