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The Courage Tree
Get caught up in this thrilling family drama that will have you turning pages deep into the night by New York Times bestselling author Diane Chamberlain.
Eight-year-old Sophie Donohue just wanted to be like every other little girl. Which is why her mother, Janine, reluctantly agreed to let her go on the weekend camping trip with her Brownie troop. But when Janine arrives to pick up Sophie after the trip, her daughter is not with the others. Somehow, along the forested route from West Virginia, Sophie has disappeared.
But Sophie is no ordinary eight-year-old. She suffers from a rare disease, and Janine has recently enrolled her in an experimental treatment as a last effort to save her life—despite the vehement objections of her ex-husband, Joe. Without her medication, Sophie cannot survive long. All her mother’s instincts tell Janine that Sophie is alive, but time is running out.
Deep in the Virginia forest, another drama unfolds. Sophie finds refuge in a remote cabin inhabited by Zoe, a woman who wants nothing to do with the child. Zoe is struggling to save her own daughter from the law, and Sophie’s presence jeopardizes any chance of that happening. She is as determined to save her daughter as Janine is to save Sophie…and only one of them can succeed.
Originally published in 2001
Eight-year-old Sophie Donohue just wanted to be like every other little girl. Which is why her mother, Janine, reluctantly agreed to let her go on the weekend camping trip with her Brownie troop. But when Janine arrives to pick up Sophie after the trip, her daughter is not with the others. Somehow, along the forested route from West Virginia, Sophie has disappeared.
But Sophie is no ordinary eight-year-old. She suffers from a rare disease, and Janine has recently enrolled her in an experimental treatment as a last effort to save her life—despite the vehement objections of her ex-husband, Joe. Without her medication, Sophie cannot survive long. All her mother’s instincts tell Janine that Sophie is alive, but time is running out.
Deep in the Virginia forest, another drama unfolds. Sophie finds refuge in a remote cabin inhabited by Zoe, a woman who wants nothing to do with the child. Zoe is struggling to save her own daughter from the law, and Sophie’s presence jeopardizes any chance of that happening. She is as determined to save her daughter as Janine is to save Sophie…and only one of them can succeed.
Originally published in 2001
390 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2001
729 people are currently reading
6870 people want to read
About the author
Diane Chamberlain
79 books15k followersDiane Chamberlain is the New York Times, USA Today and (London) Sunday Times best-selling author of 28 novels. The daughter of a school principal who supplied her with a new book almost daily, Diane quickly learned the emotional power of story. Although she wrote many small “books” as a child, she didn’t seriously turn to writing fiction until her early thirties when she was waiting for a delayed doctor’s appointment with nothing more than a pad, a pen, and an idea. She was instantly hooked.
Diane was born and raised in Plainfield, New Jersey and lived for many years in both San Diego and northern Virginia. She received her master’s degree in clinical social work from San Diego State University. Prior to her writing career, she was a hospital social worker in both San Diego and Washington, D.C, and a psychotherapist in private practice in Alexandria, Virginia, working primarily with adolescents.
More than two decades ago, Diane was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, which changed the way she works: She wrote two novels using voice recognition software before new medication allowed her to get back to typing. She feels fortunate that her arthritis is not more severe and that she’s able to enjoy everyday activities as well as keep up with a busy travel schedule.
Diane lives in North Carolina with her significant other, photographer John Pagliuca, and their odd but lovable Shetland Sheepdog, Cole
Diane was born and raised in Plainfield, New Jersey and lived for many years in both San Diego and northern Virginia. She received her master’s degree in clinical social work from San Diego State University. Prior to her writing career, she was a hospital social worker in both San Diego and Washington, D.C, and a psychotherapist in private practice in Alexandria, Virginia, working primarily with adolescents.
More than two decades ago, Diane was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus, which changed the way she works: She wrote two novels using voice recognition software before new medication allowed her to get back to typing. She feels fortunate that her arthritis is not more severe and that she’s able to enjoy everyday activities as well as keep up with a busy travel schedule.
Diane lives in North Carolina with her significant other, photographer John Pagliuca, and their odd but lovable Shetland Sheepdog, Cole
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 758 reviews
May 31, 2022
Sophie Donohue was eight years old but looked more like six. Sophie had suffered with a rare kidney disease since she was three years old and had been on dialysis for as long as she could remember. But she’d recently started a trial with a new treatment and had improved greatly. When she begged to go on the Brownie camping trip for the weekend, Janine, her mum, agreed. But it was against the wishes of her ex-husband Joe, and her parents. It was when Janine went to collect Sophie when the bus of children arrived back, that their horror began. For Sophie and another girl, Holly, plus Alison, one of the group’s leaders, were not to be found. They’d left by car and when they hadn’t turned up, the police were notified.
Janine and her friend – and only supporter of the new treatment – Lucas Trowell, were there every step of the way in the search through the woods near the camp. Janine was distraught, as was Joe, but only Janine and Lucas were sure Sophie was alive. They also knew she needed treatment and as each day went past, the likelihood of finding her alive lessened. Would Janine find her daughter – and would it be too late for her?
The Courage Tree by Diane Chamberlain was an excellent, suspenseful read which I thoroughly enjoyed. I loved Sophie’s character, with her courage and tenacity, and stoic acceptance of what could and would happen. Janine was inspirational, her parents needed a good wake-up call while Joe was just confused! I wasn’t initially on Zoe’s side, but she redeemed herself 😊 The twist at the end was unexpected, but well done! All in all, a book which I’ve owned for a long time, and was read because I needed a book published in 2000-2002, is one I’m very glad to have read. Highly recommended.
Janine and her friend – and only supporter of the new treatment – Lucas Trowell, were there every step of the way in the search through the woods near the camp. Janine was distraught, as was Joe, but only Janine and Lucas were sure Sophie was alive. They also knew she needed treatment and as each day went past, the likelihood of finding her alive lessened. Would Janine find her daughter – and would it be too late for her?
The Courage Tree by Diane Chamberlain was an excellent, suspenseful read which I thoroughly enjoyed. I loved Sophie’s character, with her courage and tenacity, and stoic acceptance of what could and would happen. Janine was inspirational, her parents needed a good wake-up call while Joe was just confused! I wasn’t initially on Zoe’s side, but she redeemed herself 😊 The twist at the end was unexpected, but well done! All in all, a book which I’ve owned for a long time, and was read because I needed a book published in 2000-2002, is one I’m very glad to have read. Highly recommended.
September 29, 2020
I honestly love a Diane Chamberlain book and this was no exception. I was really drawn into all the characters and found it hard to put the book down. I didn't particularly like Janine but I think that made the story more intense.
April 29, 2017
I will confess, I do love a Diane Chamberlain novel. She certainly knows how to tell a good story and gets to the very root of the human heart. In " The Courage Tree", Chamberlain introduces us to Janine, a young mother and her eight year old daughter, Sophie. Sophie is wise beyond her years but when a child has spent most years in hospitals battling kidney disease, that will happen. Janine wants desperately to be a good mother and provide normality in her little girl's life. So, when an overnight camping opportunity with her Brownie troupe comes up, Janine decides to let her daughter go. However, when Sophie fails to return from the trip, a mother's worst nightmare begins.
Things I didn't like about the book:
Many of the characters- Janine's parents were awful, the ex-husband was unbearable, and the storyline with gardener came so late in the story that it took away from the main plot.
But I did like the book!
Things I didn't like about the book:
Many of the characters- Janine's parents were awful, the ex-husband was unbearable, and the storyline with gardener came so late in the story that it took away from the main plot.
But I did like the book!
October 24, 2016
Starting Words:She would have no music where she is going.
Ending Words:And she vowed to reach deep enough inside herself to find the courage that had been there all the time.
This is an interesting read,the characters are vivid and loveable, the plot and settings awesome.Though my first book by Diane Chamberlain it won't be the last.I give this book 4 stars.
Ending Words:And she vowed to reach deep enough inside herself to find the courage that had been there all the time.
This is an interesting read,the characters are vivid and loveable, the plot and settings awesome.Though my first book by Diane Chamberlain it won't be the last.I give this book 4 stars.
March 28, 2016
I hated this book. I hated pretty much the whole thing, start to finish.
There are two plot threads; both too weak to stand on their own but they're both desperate enough to not belong together. The result is this bizarre ... "plot". The main plot is this sick girl named Sophie. The second plot is of this woman who springs her murderous child from jail because she believes she's innocent... And that all goes the way you'd think.
It was predictable and stupid.
The thing that made me hate this more is the characters. I literally hated every. single. character. outside of Janine, Sophie, and Lucas. Like, I think murder is a terrible thing but if Janine snapped and killed her parents and Ex, I'd totally be like 'they deserved it'/'it was completely justified'. Their treatment of her was that bad.
So I kept reading this, hoping for them to get something for this. Some punishment. And there was none. The ending enraged me to no end. Like, her ex had to talk to her parents to have them treat her like a -- gasp -- human and this is supposedly HAE?! I have no idea what Paula sees in her Ex either. Just to be near that level of vitriol all the time!
Don't even get me started on the ridiculous notion of Lucas. Just ... I can't...
There are two plot threads; both too weak to stand on their own but they're both desperate enough to not belong together. The result is this bizarre ... "plot". The main plot is this sick girl named Sophie. The second plot is of this woman who springs her murderous child from jail because she believes she's innocent... And that all goes the way you'd think.
It was predictable and stupid.
The thing that made me hate this more is the characters. I literally hated every. single. character. outside of Janine, Sophie, and Lucas. Like, I think murder is a terrible thing but if Janine snapped and killed her parents and Ex, I'd totally be like 'they deserved it'/'it was completely justified'. Their treatment of her was that bad.
So I kept reading this, hoping for them to get something for this. Some punishment. And there was none. The ending enraged me to no end. Like, her ex had to talk to her parents to have them treat her like a -- gasp -- human and this is supposedly HAE?! I have no idea what Paula sees in her Ex either. Just to be near that level of vitriol all the time!
Don't even get me started on the ridiculous notion of Lucas. Just ... I can't...
August 23, 2012
Meh. The book seemed way too long to me. I constantly felt like, how can we be to page 200 and only *this* has happened? So drawn out. I didn't feel that the characters were very well-developed in general, especially Lucas.
In short, an awful lot of book and not an awful lot of anything happening. I'd skip it.
In short, an awful lot of book and not an awful lot of anything happening. I'd skip it.
November 26, 2022
KNYGA IŠ BIBLIOTEKOS.
Džaninos dukrelė serga reta inkstų liga, dėl kurios ji greitai mirs. Ji sutikusi su eksperimentiniu gydymu užsitraukia buvusio vyro ir tėvų rūstybę. Bet mergaitė jaučiasi puikiai ir išvyksta į stovyklą, tačiau iš jos negrįžta... Prasideda jos ir kitos mergaitės paieškos...
Tai trečioji autorės knyga, kurią perskaičiau. Knyga man tikrai patiko, bet... pirma pusė knygos vien mergaitės paieškos ir Džaninos rietenos su tėvais ir buvusiu vyru. Tik nuo vidurio pagaliau paaiškėja kur yra mergaitė ir veiksmas ima rutuliotis greičiau. Suprantu, kad motinos skausmas dingus dukrelei didžiulis, bet man jo buvo kiek per daug. Labai pykdė Džaninos tėvai ir jos buvęs vyras Džo, nes jie naująjį Džaninos vaikiną laikė pedofilu ir nuolat kaltino Džaniną dėl to eksperimentinio gydymo herbalina.
Skaitant knygą ja mėgavausi, nes rašytoja moka puikiai sukurti intrigas ir paslaptis, kurių niekaip neinasi atspėti. Skyriai vieni ilgesni, kiti trumpesni, nes bendrai paėmus knyga lengvai parašyta kaip ir kitos autorės knygos. Istorija sukėlė tikrai visokių jausmų, kuriuos sunku visus aprašyti. O kadangi pats sergu lėtiniu inkstų nepakankamumu – buvo įdomu skaityti apie veikėjus su šia liga.
Rekomenduoju visiems Diane Chamberlain gerbėjams ir tiems, kurie nori šiokio tokio trilerio.
Džaninos dukrelė serga reta inkstų liga, dėl kurios ji greitai mirs. Ji sutikusi su eksperimentiniu gydymu užsitraukia buvusio vyro ir tėvų rūstybę. Bet mergaitė jaučiasi puikiai ir išvyksta į stovyklą, tačiau iš jos negrįžta... Prasideda jos ir kitos mergaitės paieškos...
Tai trečioji autorės knyga, kurią perskaičiau. Knyga man tikrai patiko, bet... pirma pusė knygos vien mergaitės paieškos ir Džaninos rietenos su tėvais ir buvusiu vyru. Tik nuo vidurio pagaliau paaiškėja kur yra mergaitė ir veiksmas ima rutuliotis greičiau. Suprantu, kad motinos skausmas dingus dukrelei didžiulis, bet man jo buvo kiek per daug. Labai pykdė Džaninos tėvai ir jos buvęs vyras Džo, nes jie naująjį Džaninos vaikiną laikė pedofilu ir nuolat kaltino Džaniną dėl to eksperimentinio gydymo herbalina.
Skaitant knygą ja mėgavausi, nes rašytoja moka puikiai sukurti intrigas ir paslaptis, kurių niekaip neinasi atspėti. Skyriai vieni ilgesni, kiti trumpesni, nes bendrai paėmus knyga lengvai parašyta kaip ir kitos autorės knygos. Istorija sukėlė tikrai visokių jausmų, kuriuos sunku visus aprašyti. O kadangi pats sergu lėtiniu inkstų nepakankamumu – buvo įdomu skaityti apie veikėjus su šia liga.
Rekomenduoju visiems Diane Chamberlain gerbėjams ir tiems, kurie nori šiokio tokio trilerio.
October 31, 2012
Wow, another fantastic novel by Diane Chamberlain - this book was particularly masterful at creating suspense, hope and belief around every corner. I felt such hatred toward Janine's mother throughout most of the book, and almost as much for her father...I was up and down about how I felt about Joe, Janine's ex-husband, but mostly I understood him, even when I was upset by his actions or words, I understood where he was coming from....I was able to feel his pain and his love and his anger....and Joe always redeemed himself, able to be reasonable which was much more than I could say for Janine's parents. And Janine - wow, such love, such hope, such belief. And Sophie - ahhh, I was so in love with sweet little Sophie....and Lucas! - I think there was more suspense around Lucas than around finding the missing Sophie. I never wanted to believe in someone so much as I wanted to believe in Lucas...I really liked him and wanted everyone to be wrong about him. I've said before with Ms. Chamberlain's books, that she is genius at creating characters with depth...and she is ! and whether the reader likes the characters or not seems irrelevant because the reader will FEEL something about or for the characters....she connects the characters to the reader in a way not many authors that I have read have accomplished with such strength. Definitely one of my favourites - and one I would read again !
July 30, 2014
I really enjoy Diane Chamberlain's books. They are engrossing, interesting, and quick reads. That being said, this was not my favorite of her books that I've read thus far. Without giving too much away, there were parts of this book that were just beyond unrealistic. The entire movie star/escaped convict daughter was just ridiculous not to mention everything having to do with one of the main characters. Putting all that aside, the book was enjoyable, just not my favorite as it strayed slightly too much into the soap-opera domain for my liking.
January 1, 2019
☆2.5/5☆
April 3, 2016
The Courage Tree is the story of two mothers, each trying in their own ways to protect their daughters, and realising that the protection they're trying to give maybe not what is needed. Diane Chamberlain intertwines two main stories, with lots of sub-plots that are all neatly tied together at the end.
It was okay.
Don't get me wrong - this isn't a BAD book. It's relatively well constructed, and the characters are likeable and (mostly) believable. There's a certain amount of suspense, particularly through the beginning half of the book, and it was compelling enough for me to keep reading.
It was all a bit... too neat, though. Everything tied together so perfectly at the end that it feels uncomfortable. Too unlikely (the epilogue too saccharine for words.) I couldn't quite believe it all.
It's along the same sort of lines as Jodi Picoult - that almost seems to be a genre/style in its own right these days. Diane Chamberlain is one of those authors that people say: "if you like Jodi Picoult, you'll like her." And I get that, I do. But, actually, this book seemed like a sub-standard version of a Jodi Picoult book. Maybe it would be better without the comparison?
A fine read - but nothing really special, overly melodramatic.
It was okay.
Don't get me wrong - this isn't a BAD book. It's relatively well constructed, and the characters are likeable and (mostly) believable. There's a certain amount of suspense, particularly through the beginning half of the book, and it was compelling enough for me to keep reading.
It was all a bit... too neat, though. Everything tied together so perfectly at the end that it feels uncomfortable. Too unlikely (the epilogue too saccharine for words.) I couldn't quite believe it all.
It's along the same sort of lines as Jodi Picoult - that almost seems to be a genre/style in its own right these days. Diane Chamberlain is one of those authors that people say: "if you like Jodi Picoult, you'll like her." And I get that, I do. But, actually, this book seemed like a sub-standard version of a Jodi Picoult book. Maybe it would be better without the comparison?
A fine read - but nothing really special, overly melodramatic.
October 4, 2012
This is the first book of Diane Chamberlain's that I've had to say I did not like, hence, the two star rating. I did finish reading it but I was doing major skimming near the end. I'd lost all interest in the story because I knew from early on how it was going to end. Okay, there was one twist that I didn't guess but it was just plain stupid as far as I was concerned. I figured out Lucas' secret long before the author spilled the beans. Not only that, but the main character, Janine (the mother of the lost child), was an extremely unlikeable person to me. I'm sorry but I cannot work up a lot of sympathy for someone who lets everyone around them walk all over them and tell them what to do and how to do it, etc. She just didn't add up for me.
All in all, a big disappointment for me. And I have to say that I started disliking the book almost at the start. It doesn't read well. I have one more book by this author and I sure hope it's better than this one was.
All in all, a big disappointment for me. And I have to say that I started disliking the book almost at the start. It doesn't read well. I have one more book by this author and I sure hope it's better than this one was.
September 18, 2016
Possibly a 4.5.....I typically enjoy most novels by this author. This one was no exception. It was a bit over the top, which is why I didn't go with a full 5 stars. It left me hoping, wondering....I was intrigued over a few things, such as the Gardner, Lukas. You think you have it possibly figured out, then...nope! Plot twist.
February 24, 2024
Labai patiko! Buvau prilipusi prie šios knygos. Mačiau viską, ką autorė aprašė šioje knygoje, taip vaizdžiai, kad net nemoku žodžiais apsakyti! Tiek daug mažų detalių, kurios viena su kita turi kažkokį sąlytį, tiek daug minties ir tikrumo! Patiko!
October 12, 2019
3 stars. This book was overall a disappointment. What started off as an intriguing storyline quickly lost its momentum. Sophie Donahue is an eight year old girl suffering from end-stage kidney disease. In desperation, and against the wishes of family and doctors, her mother, Janine enrols her in an alternative medicine study. Sophie becomes the recipient of “Herbalina”, an herb-based concoction being tested on kidney disease patients. With improvements in her quality of life after receiving this treatment, Janine decides ( again, against everyone’s advice), to send her away to Brownie camp.
To everyone’s horror, Sophie does not return from camp and her ( and another girl and the leader) whereabouts are unknown. A search begins.
The plot weakens when a second storyline merges with the “Sophie is missing” storyline. The characters in this story are unlikeable and flat. Conversations are awkward and emotions seem fake. Many implausible scenarios, which just elicited a lot of eye-rolling from me.
This is a Chamberlain book that is not on my recommenced list. I’ve enjoyed her other books, so hopefully this is just a one-off!
To everyone’s horror, Sophie does not return from camp and her ( and another girl and the leader) whereabouts are unknown. A search begins.
The plot weakens when a second storyline merges with the “Sophie is missing” storyline. The characters in this story are unlikeable and flat. Conversations are awkward and emotions seem fake. Many implausible scenarios, which just elicited a lot of eye-rolling from me.
This is a Chamberlain book that is not on my recommenced list. I’ve enjoyed her other books, so hopefully this is just a one-off!
May 28, 2023
Diane Chamberlaon "Drąsos medis" 👩🦰🌳
Diane Chamberlain neabejotinai yra šeimos dramų meistrė, bet šįkart istorijos pradžia žadėjo labai daug, bet pati istorija lyg ir praplaukė paviršiumi. Taip šįkart viena iš pagrindinių veikėjų Džanina pakliūna į nepavydėtiną situaciją, kai reikia surasti, gyvą ar mirusią, į avariją patekusią ir kažin kur prapuolusią savo sunkiai sergančią dukrelę. Pats turėdamas vaikų, nori to ar nenori, skaitydamas vis svarstai, ką pats darytum tokioje situacijoje? Iš kur pasisemti šitiek drąsos, stiprybės ir tikėjimo?
Perteklinė ir visai nereikalinga man pasirodė paraleliai einanti Zojos istorija. Taip suprantu, kad buvo reikalinga dar viena veikėja, kad viskas galėtų pasisukti taip, kaip pasisuko, bet jos istorija visai manęs neįtikino.
Knyga įtraukianti ir lengvai skaitoma, tik ar man vienai pasirodė, kad tai tikrai ne pati stipriausia autorės knyga. Ir ne visi veikėjai man patiko. Tikrai likau sužavėta besąlygišku Džaninos atsidavimu dukrelei ir tokiu stipriu užsispyrimu ir drąsa. Na, o kiti veikėjai pelnė šiek tiek mažiau mano simpatijų, nes kaip čia pasakius buvo tokie vidutiniai "mekiai". Pats bijau ir nieko nedarau, bet ir nenoriu, kad tu darytum. Ir šiaip šįkart atrodo buvo praplaukta paviršiumi arba vietomis perspausta kaip kokioje muilo operoje. Ir su pabaiga ryškiai paskubėta.
Kad ir kaip man patinka Diane Chamberlain, ši knyga tikrai ne pats stipriausias jos kūrinys. Bet gi turiu ir kitų neskaitytų jos knygų, kurios tikiu ir vėl aukščiau kilstelės kartelę.
Diane Chamberlain neabejotinai yra šeimos dramų meistrė, bet šįkart istorijos pradžia žadėjo labai daug, bet pati istorija lyg ir praplaukė paviršiumi. Taip šįkart viena iš pagrindinių veikėjų Džanina pakliūna į nepavydėtiną situaciją, kai reikia surasti, gyvą ar mirusią, į avariją patekusią ir kažin kur prapuolusią savo sunkiai sergančią dukrelę. Pats turėdamas vaikų, nori to ar nenori, skaitydamas vis svarstai, ką pats darytum tokioje situacijoje? Iš kur pasisemti šitiek drąsos, stiprybės ir tikėjimo?
Perteklinė ir visai nereikalinga man pasirodė paraleliai einanti Zojos istorija. Taip suprantu, kad buvo reikalinga dar viena veikėja, kad viskas galėtų pasisukti taip, kaip pasisuko, bet jos istorija visai manęs neįtikino.
Knyga įtraukianti ir lengvai skaitoma, tik ar man vienai pasirodė, kad tai tikrai ne pati stipriausia autorės knyga. Ir ne visi veikėjai man patiko. Tikrai likau sužavėta besąlygišku Džaninos atsidavimu dukrelei ir tokiu stipriu užsispyrimu ir drąsa. Na, o kiti veikėjai pelnė šiek tiek mažiau mano simpatijų, nes kaip čia pasakius buvo tokie vidutiniai "mekiai". Pats bijau ir nieko nedarau, bet ir nenoriu, kad tu darytum. Ir šiaip šįkart atrodo buvo praplaukta paviršiumi arba vietomis perspausta kaip kokioje muilo operoje. Ir su pabaiga ryškiai paskubėta.
Kad ir kaip man patinka Diane Chamberlain, ši knyga tikrai ne pats stipriausias jos kūrinys. Bet gi turiu ir kitų neskaitytų jos knygų, kurios tikiu ir vėl aukščiau kilstelės kartelę.
June 15, 2022
Nesuzavejo manes labai si autores knyga, buvo silpnesne nei jos kitos skaitytos knygos🤔☹️
3⭐ vien uz autore kitaip butu 2...
Kazko pritruko, beveik visa knyga ir Jos istorija labai istesta, O atomazga ir pabaiga labai jau suplakta gavosi, biski per daug snargliu ir aimanu, nors buvo ir stipriu vietu. Man liko nesuprantama kaip savo buvusia zmona ir vaiko motina taip lengavai perleidi broliui, aukoji jam inksta kai viskas taip painu ir neaisku,O po to dar ir susilauki vaiko su moterim, kuria visoje knygoje laikai tik drauge🤦🏻♀️ man pritruko logikos sitoj seimynelei, geriau istorija butu apie Zoja ir Marte (pabegima is kalejimo, ju gyvenimus), nei nuvalkiota istorija apie inkstu liga ir pora pusprociu tevu😩
3⭐ vien uz autore kitaip butu 2...
Kazko pritruko, beveik visa knyga ir Jos istorija labai istesta, O atomazga ir pabaiga labai jau suplakta gavosi, biski per daug snargliu ir aimanu, nors buvo ir stipriu vietu. Man liko nesuprantama kaip savo buvusia zmona ir vaiko motina taip lengavai perleidi broliui, aukoji jam inksta kai viskas taip painu ir neaisku,O po to dar ir susilauki vaiko su moterim, kuria visoje knygoje laikai tik drauge🤦🏻♀️ man pritruko logikos sitoj seimynelei, geriau istorija butu apie Zoja ir Marte (pabegima is kalejimo, ju gyvenimus), nei nuvalkiota istorija apie inkstu liga ir pora pusprociu tevu😩
May 22, 2024
I enjoyed this book a lot. Caught my interest early on. I too suspected Lucas of being a pedophile at first but figured it was too obvious to be the right assumption. I found the characters to be believable. The mother’s love was strong and nothing she wouldn’t go through for her daughter.
January 23, 2020
Very entertaining and suspenseful. It was quite a quick read for me. I liked the characters and the story flowed and was mostly believable. There were some things that wrapped up a little too quickly with little details but overall I really ebjoyed this
May 22, 2020
Where do I even start? I have so many issues with this book. For example, a woman who has been a Hollywood star her whole life is suddenly squatting in a tumble down shack in the wilds of West Virginia shooting squirrels to eat. Do you know how hard it is to shoot a squirrel?!! Not to mention, skinning, cleaning and cooking it. On top of that she was previously a vegan!! And when your daughter is accused of murder you don't hire a criminal defense lawyer-why not?! That brings me to the other mother in this book. The car her daughter is in goes missing on the return trip from a camping trip traveling on mountainous roads. The authorities won't use a helicopter to search for the car-why not? I think that would be the first way they would search. But not to worry-the mother is a trained helicopter pilot who hires a helicopter and finds the crash within 5 minutes of takeoff.
I could say more but I think you get the idea of why this book is a little hard to swallow.
I could say more but I think you get the idea of why this book is a little hard to swallow.
August 8, 2012
While I found this compelling, wanting to find out what happened with the Sophie, the 8 year old girl lost for days after a camp and needing treatment (I ended up staying up one night to read finish it,)I still didn't find it as satisfying a read as some other Diane Chamberlain books.This was mainly due to the characters. I found the characters of the mother, Janine and Joe, the father of the child and Janine's ex annoying in their bickering and behaviour and the Janine's parents and the grandparents Sophie unbelievable.
November 8, 2018
I found this book hard to get in to. The story plods along at times and I found myself skipping pages of dialogue between characters that had no basis on the storyline. The plot twists are ridiculously far fetched!! The twist regarding Lucas at the end actually made me laugh with the soap opera style absurdity of it!
Overall it's a readable book and parts of the story will keep you interested..but definitely not a favourite of mine
Overall it's a readable book and parts of the story will keep you interested..but definitely not a favourite of mine
February 1, 2018
This was my fourth Diane Chamberlain book that I've now read and again I was not disappointed. It was a truly wonderful insightful read and it really pulled at my heartstrings. Such beautiful writing and wonderful throughout characters. If it wasn't for work I would gave read this in a day for sure.
October 6, 2020
A good solid read. It is the story of a child with end stage kidney disease and her family, and also another mother who is trying to protect her adult daughter convicted of murder. Their stories intersect, fairly smoothly. There are a couple of surprises. Overall, I enjoyed it, but not as much as some of the author’s other books.
July 25, 2014
oh god I love Diane Chamberlain but this book was just too freakin boring! main character is an annoying whimp and the mystery of the missing child is overburden with unnecessary crap like annoying parents and ex husband. putting this book down after making myself read about 65% of it.
April 8, 2015
Diane Chamberlain never disappoints. I loved this suspenseful tale that anyone would enjoy. 5 stars.
April 1, 2018
When Janine’s 8-year old, Sophie, goes away to a camp with the other Brownies/Girl Scouts, it’s an adventure for her. Sophie is in end-stage renal failure, but has been feeling so much better on an alternative herbal mixture that is being tested. On the way home, she and another little girl are in a second vehicle with a younger leader. When their vehicle doesn’t return home, time is ticking on Sophie’s treatment. What happened? Janine and her ex-husband, Joe, are frantic to find Sophie!
This was really good. Another page-turner that kept me wanting to stay up late and read! Oh, Joe and Janine’s parents just made me want to smack them all, though. In addition to a couple other characters.
This was really good. Another page-turner that kept me wanting to stay up late and read! Oh, Joe and Janine’s parents just made me want to smack them all, though. In addition to a couple other characters.
August 11, 2023
Nuostabi, jautri, itraukianti nuo pradzios iki paskutinio puslapio. 💗💗💗
September 29, 2023
Labai patinka ši autorė, bet ši knyga pasirodė labai ištęsta. Atrodo, kad niekada nesibaigs tas pats per tą patį. Pats siužetas įtraukia - svarbiausia, kad pabaiga laiminga 😉
April 19, 2025
I don’t think there’s one book by her that I don’t love.
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