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Logan #4
Music in the Night
Laura Logan dreams of a glorious Cape Cod day when all the dark secrets are swept away....
Laura Logan's life on Cape Cod has been nearly perfect—magical days spent by the sea with her beloved twin brother, Cary. But like the creeping tide, cruel rumors begin to spread at school—whispers of unspeakable things about the Logans. Laura tries to ignore them, but not until handsome and gentle Robert Royce moves to town does she finally feel carefree and happy again.
Robert’s smile drives the shadows from Laura’s heart, yet she still worries about Cary, whose moods drift in like the coastal fog—dark and brooding. Then, without warning, Grandma Olivia issues a chilling threat: Laura must never see Robert again. With no explanation and no choice, she obeys, left alone to suffer under the weight of secrets no one will reveal.
But then comes the miracle of a glorious summer—one that leads Laura back into Robert’s arms. Just as she begins to hope for the warm, sun-filled life she longs for, dark thunderclouds gather on the horizon. When tragedy strikes, it howls a name from the Logans' shameful past, plunging Laura into a silent, unbearable agony. Now, all she can do is dream of the happiness that feels just beyond her reach...
Laura Logan's life on Cape Cod has been nearly perfect—magical days spent by the sea with her beloved twin brother, Cary. But like the creeping tide, cruel rumors begin to spread at school—whispers of unspeakable things about the Logans. Laura tries to ignore them, but not until handsome and gentle Robert Royce moves to town does she finally feel carefree and happy again.
Robert’s smile drives the shadows from Laura’s heart, yet she still worries about Cary, whose moods drift in like the coastal fog—dark and brooding. Then, without warning, Grandma Olivia issues a chilling threat: Laura must never see Robert again. With no explanation and no choice, she obeys, left alone to suffer under the weight of secrets no one will reveal.
But then comes the miracle of a glorious summer—one that leads Laura back into Robert’s arms. Just as she begins to hope for the warm, sun-filled life she longs for, dark thunderclouds gather on the horizon. When tragedy strikes, it howls a name from the Logans' shameful past, plunging Laura into a silent, unbearable agony. Now, all she can do is dream of the happiness that feels just beyond her reach...
320 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1998
98 people are currently reading
3150 people want to read
About the author
V.C. Andrews
370 books9,073 followersBooks published under the following names - Virginia Andrews, V. Andrews, Virginia C. Andrews & V.C. Endrius. Books since her death ghost written by Andrew Neiderman, but still attributed to the V.C. Andrews name
Virginia Cleo Andrews (born Cleo Virginia Andrews) was born June 6, 1923 in Portsmouth, Virginia. The youngest child and the only daughter of William Henry Andrews, a career navy man who opened a tool-and-die business after retirement, and Lillian Lilnora Parker Andrews, a telephone operator. She spent her happy childhood years in Portsmouth, Virginia, living briefly in Rochester, New York. The Andrews family returned to Portsmouth while Virginia was in high school.
While a teenager, Virginia suffered a tragic accident, falling down the stairs at her school and incurred severe back injuries. Arthritis and a failed spinal surgical procedure forced her to spend most of her life on crutches or in a wheelchair.
Virginia excelled in school and, at fifteen, won a scholarship for writing a parody of Tennyson's Idylls of the King. She proudly earned her diploma from Woodrow Wilson High School in Portsmouth. After graduation, she nurtured her artistic talent by completing a four-year correspondence art course while living at home with her family.
After William Andrews died in the late 1960s, Virginia helped to support herself and her mother through her extremely successful career as a commercial artist, portrait painter, and fashion illustrator.
Frustrated with the lack of creative satisfaction that her work provided, Virginia sought creative release through writing, which she did in secret. In 1972, she completed her first novel, The Gods of the Green Mountain [sic], a science-fantasy story. It was never published. Between 1972 and 1979, she wrote nine novels and twenty short stories, of which only one was published. "I Slept with My Uncle on My Wedding Night", a short fiction piece, was published in a pulp confession magazine.
Promise gleamed over the horizon for Virginia when she submitted a 290,000-word novel, The Obsessed, to a publishing company. She was told that the story had potential, but needed to be trimmed and spiced up a bit. She drafted a new outline in a single night and added "unspeakable things my mother didn't want me to write about." The ninety-eight-page revision was re-titled Flowers in the Attic and she was paid a $7,500 advance. Her new-generation Gothic novel reached the bestseller lists a mere two weeks after its 1979 paperback publication by Pocket Books.
Petals on the Wind, her sequel to Flowers, was published the next year, earning Virginia a $35,000 advance. The second book remained on the New York Times bestseller list for an unbelievable nineteen weeks (Flowers also returned to the list). These first two novels alone sold over seven million copies in only two years. The third novel of the Dollanganger series, If There Be Thorns, was released in 1981, bringing Virginia a $75,000 advance. It reached No. 2 on many bestseller lists within its first two weeks.
Taking a break from the chronicles of Chris and Cathy Dollanganger, Virginia published her one, and only, stand-alone novel, My Sweet Audrina, in 1982. The book welcomed an immediate success, topping the sales figures of her previous novels. Two years later, a fourth Dollanganger novel was released, Seeds of Yesterday. According to the New York Times, Seeds was the best-selling fiction paperback novel of 1984. Also in 1984, V.C. Andrews was named "Professional Woman of the Year" by the city of Norfolk, Virginia.
Upon Andrews's death in 1986, two final novels—Garden of Shadows and Fallen Hearts—were published. These two novels are considered the last to bear the "V.C. Andrews" name and to be almost completely written by
Virginia Cleo Andrews (born Cleo Virginia Andrews) was born June 6, 1923 in Portsmouth, Virginia. The youngest child and the only daughter of William Henry Andrews, a career navy man who opened a tool-and-die business after retirement, and Lillian Lilnora Parker Andrews, a telephone operator. She spent her happy childhood years in Portsmouth, Virginia, living briefly in Rochester, New York. The Andrews family returned to Portsmouth while Virginia was in high school.
While a teenager, Virginia suffered a tragic accident, falling down the stairs at her school and incurred severe back injuries. Arthritis and a failed spinal surgical procedure forced her to spend most of her life on crutches or in a wheelchair.
Virginia excelled in school and, at fifteen, won a scholarship for writing a parody of Tennyson's Idylls of the King. She proudly earned her diploma from Woodrow Wilson High School in Portsmouth. After graduation, she nurtured her artistic talent by completing a four-year correspondence art course while living at home with her family.
After William Andrews died in the late 1960s, Virginia helped to support herself and her mother through her extremely successful career as a commercial artist, portrait painter, and fashion illustrator.
Frustrated with the lack of creative satisfaction that her work provided, Virginia sought creative release through writing, which she did in secret. In 1972, she completed her first novel, The Gods of the Green Mountain [sic], a science-fantasy story. It was never published. Between 1972 and 1979, she wrote nine novels and twenty short stories, of which only one was published. "I Slept with My Uncle on My Wedding Night", a short fiction piece, was published in a pulp confession magazine.
Promise gleamed over the horizon for Virginia when she submitted a 290,000-word novel, The Obsessed, to a publishing company. She was told that the story had potential, but needed to be trimmed and spiced up a bit. She drafted a new outline in a single night and added "unspeakable things my mother didn't want me to write about." The ninety-eight-page revision was re-titled Flowers in the Attic and she was paid a $7,500 advance. Her new-generation Gothic novel reached the bestseller lists a mere two weeks after its 1979 paperback publication by Pocket Books.
Petals on the Wind, her sequel to Flowers, was published the next year, earning Virginia a $35,000 advance. The second book remained on the New York Times bestseller list for an unbelievable nineteen weeks (Flowers also returned to the list). These first two novels alone sold over seven million copies in only two years. The third novel of the Dollanganger series, If There Be Thorns, was released in 1981, bringing Virginia a $75,000 advance. It reached No. 2 on many bestseller lists within its first two weeks.
Taking a break from the chronicles of Chris and Cathy Dollanganger, Virginia published her one, and only, stand-alone novel, My Sweet Audrina, in 1982. The book welcomed an immediate success, topping the sales figures of her previous novels. Two years later, a fourth Dollanganger novel was released, Seeds of Yesterday. According to the New York Times, Seeds was the best-selling fiction paperback novel of 1984. Also in 1984, V.C. Andrews was named "Professional Woman of the Year" by the city of Norfolk, Virginia.
Upon Andrews's death in 1986, two final novels—Garden of Shadows and Fallen Hearts—were published. These two novels are considered the last to bear the "V.C. Andrews" name and to be almost completely written by
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
April 22, 2011
In this whole series I get that Melody is really supposed to be your favorite character. She is the title character of the series, and most of it revolves around her discoveries of family secrets, etc., etc. But I will be the first to admit that ever since book one of this series, I have been most interested in (dying to know really) what happened to Laura Logan. The mystery is set down in the first book vaguely detailed enough to make you curious of the details. In the following book, we are given some more hints that pique the curiosity to a fever pitch. The third book broke my heart in half when it told me what 'happened' to her and how she died. But in this book we get to hear Laura's story from her own point of view. We get to see how she feels about her family, especially her twin brother Cary who she is starting to separate from more and more when we first meet her at the beginning of the book. We get to see Laura's excitement and trepidations about her growing romance with handsome newcomer Robert Royce. That fateful day they wen sailing is given in detail as are the consequences and the aftermath. I will not give any spoilers as to the ending, but if you attach to Laura as much as I did get ready to have a box of tissues handy. You'll be sorry if you don't. A lot of V.C. Andrews' language and speech has a slightly dated feel to it (or I should say V.C.'s ghostwriter's speech). For example on page 22 when Laura's getting ready for a school dance:
Nice, flowly and mostly pretty language; but the datedness of it is noticeable at times. Plus I was disconcerted at the sex scene less then 100 pages into the book. WARNING: There is mature content in this book but it is very light and somewhat old-fashioned in its descriptions. So if that sort of thing isn't for you, its not that large of a factor in this book. I like the way we get to see how Laura's family was before the sailing incident that changed things so drastically. Jacob in particular is a lot softer of a character than in the other books. Sara is less pathetic and slightly more assertive and May doesn't seem as lost with her big sister there to guide her.
If I were to cast this book I would choose:
Kay Panabaker as 'Laura Logan'
Jeremy Sumpter as 'Cary Logan'
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Daren Kagasoff as 'Robert Royce'
Sienna Miller as 'Sara Logan' (Mommy)
Jeffery Dean Morgan as 'Jacob Logan' (Daddy)
[image error]
Chloe Moretz as 'May Logan'
Jessica Szhor as 'Teresa Patterson'
[image error]
Michael Caine as 'Samuel Logan' (Grandpa)
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Helen Wagner as 'Olivia Logan' (Grandmother)
Jacqueline Bisset as Belinda Gordon (Aunt Belinda)
Be well aware that as much as you will wish to like Grandma Olivia, that will not happen even in a very miniscule measure until the next book, which is her story. So be prepared to HATE HER INTENSELY! She ruins pretty much everyone in her family by keeping secrets for 'the good of the family.' Yeah, worst Grandmother EVER. So, those are my thoughts on this book. Feel free to comment and I hope this helps!
"My fingers trembled as I sifted through my closet to find my most beautiful dress, the pink taffeta Mommy had made for me. It was the only formal dress I owned. It was a good dancing dress too. All week I had been practicing dancing with it on. May sat on the bed and watched and then, when she got up her nerve, joined and imitated me. We laughed and grew dizzy.
Nice, flowly and mostly pretty language; but the datedness of it is noticeable at times. Plus I was disconcerted at the sex scene less then 100 pages into the book. WARNING: There is mature content in this book but it is very light and somewhat old-fashioned in its descriptions. So if that sort of thing isn't for you, its not that large of a factor in this book. I like the way we get to see how Laura's family was before the sailing incident that changed things so drastically. Jacob in particular is a lot softer of a character than in the other books. Sara is less pathetic and slightly more assertive and May doesn't seem as lost with her big sister there to guide her.
If I were to cast this book I would choose:
Kay Panabaker as 'Laura Logan'
Jeremy Sumpter as 'Cary Logan'
[image error]
Daren Kagasoff as 'Robert Royce'
Sienna Miller as 'Sara Logan' (Mommy)
Jeffery Dean Morgan as 'Jacob Logan' (Daddy)
[image error]
Chloe Moretz as 'May Logan'
Jessica Szhor as 'Teresa Patterson'
[image error]
Michael Caine as 'Samuel Logan' (Grandpa)
[image error]
Helen Wagner as 'Olivia Logan' (Grandmother)
Jacqueline Bisset as Belinda Gordon (Aunt Belinda)
Be well aware that as much as you will wish to like Grandma Olivia, that will not happen even in a very miniscule measure until the next book, which is her story. So be prepared to HATE HER INTENSELY! She ruins pretty much everyone in her family by keeping secrets for 'the good of the family.' Yeah, worst Grandmother EVER. So, those are my thoughts on this book. Feel free to comment and I hope this helps!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2017
Of all the books I've read by V.C. Andrews, Music in the Night is particularly special to me because it was the very first book I've ever read by V.C. Andrews after borrowing it from a friend. Since we were both quite young, we mostly read this book to giggle about the sex scenes only to end up completely captivated by V.C. Andrews' storytelling that we decided to read the rest of the books in this series, including some of her other literary works. Before we knew it, we were both rabid V.C. Andrews fans. And this book started it all!
May 17, 2019
This book was a quick read
September 24, 2014
I just wish I knew how to quit V.C. Andrews.
Or, in this case, the ghost writer for V.C. Andrews.
You see, I discovered that the real V.C. Andrews died after completing the Flowers in the Attic series along with only a handful of other books, and that her family hired a ghost writer to write a ton more titles under her name. The Logan Family Series were among those titles.
That's why nothing is quite as juicy or good as Flowers in the Attic.
These books are what I like to call my literary palette cleansers. When I'm feeling like a jaded reader, I will pick up an Andrews novel, breeze through it in a couple of days, and afterward pick up something worthwhile again. Andrews' novels are like my book equivalent of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills; I know they are all garbage in absolutely every way possible but I just CANNOT LOOK THE HELL AWAY!! They suck me in, like, EVERY DAMN TIME!
I was reading this one at an all day field hockey tournament and had to quietly read under a blanket because I didn't want anyone else to know I was reading this trash. Not only is it a totally smutty incestuous novel, but it is most definitely a totally smutty incestuous novel written for fifteen year olds. Double whammy.
But see, the thing is, this one was just not as good. I found it boring in spots, and the absolutely heinous (and I mean HEINOUS) writing style really grated on me. I never got that thrilling, ohmygoshwhatis goingtohappen storyline that so many of her other novels entail. Also, I have never actually seen so many names ever written in one passage:
"I love you, Laura"
"I love you too, Robert."
"Laura, your eyes are so blue."
"Thank you Robert. Your eyes are also so blue, Robert. Be mine, Robert. Let's always be together, Robert."
Catch my drift?
This fourth installment is a prequel to the first three and is told from the point of view of a character who dies before the action in the first three take place. Maybe it's because I already knew the outcome, or perhaps I'm finally finally growing out of these awful books but this one just didn't do it for me. The worst part is that I didn't get that whole literary palette cleanser thing from this one. Now I feel like I need a literary palette cleanser for the literary palette cleanser. It's really a vicious vicious cycle.
I would only recommend this book to those who have already read books 1-3 of the Logan saga and then only to those who deem themselves completers (this is me raising my hand). I got no new information from this one and it just annoyed me the whole way through. Layering cliche over cliche over cliche and then adding flimsy characters with unrealistic motivation, speech patterns, and behaviors does not a great novel make. Hopefully when the serial completer in me finishes the next and final novel in this series, I can move on to less adolescent obsessions & kiss V.C. Andrews (ghostwriter) goodbye.
Or, in this case, the ghost writer for V.C. Andrews.
You see, I discovered that the real V.C. Andrews died after completing the Flowers in the Attic series along with only a handful of other books, and that her family hired a ghost writer to write a ton more titles under her name. The Logan Family Series were among those titles.
That's why nothing is quite as juicy or good as Flowers in the Attic.
These books are what I like to call my literary palette cleansers. When I'm feeling like a jaded reader, I will pick up an Andrews novel, breeze through it in a couple of days, and afterward pick up something worthwhile again. Andrews' novels are like my book equivalent of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills; I know they are all garbage in absolutely every way possible but I just CANNOT LOOK THE HELL AWAY!! They suck me in, like, EVERY DAMN TIME!
I was reading this one at an all day field hockey tournament and had to quietly read under a blanket because I didn't want anyone else to know I was reading this trash. Not only is it a totally smutty incestuous novel, but it is most definitely a totally smutty incestuous novel written for fifteen year olds. Double whammy.
But see, the thing is, this one was just not as good. I found it boring in spots, and the absolutely heinous (and I mean HEINOUS) writing style really grated on me. I never got that thrilling, ohmygoshwhatis goingtohappen storyline that so many of her other novels entail. Also, I have never actually seen so many names ever written in one passage:
"I love you, Laura"
"I love you too, Robert."
"Laura, your eyes are so blue."
"Thank you Robert. Your eyes are also so blue, Robert. Be mine, Robert. Let's always be together, Robert."
Catch my drift?
This fourth installment is a prequel to the first three and is told from the point of view of a character who dies before the action in the first three take place. Maybe it's because I already knew the outcome, or perhaps I'm finally finally growing out of these awful books but this one just didn't do it for me. The worst part is that I didn't get that whole literary palette cleanser thing from this one. Now I feel like I need a literary palette cleanser for the literary palette cleanser. It's really a vicious vicious cycle.
I would only recommend this book to those who have already read books 1-3 of the Logan saga and then only to those who deem themselves completers (this is me raising my hand). I got no new information from this one and it just annoyed me the whole way through. Layering cliche over cliche over cliche and then adding flimsy characters with unrealistic motivation, speech patterns, and behaviors does not a great novel make. Hopefully when the serial completer in me finishes the next and final novel in this series, I can move on to less adolescent obsessions & kiss V.C. Andrews (ghostwriter) goodbye.
October 1, 2017
Alors, j'étais très intriguée par l'histoire de Laura qui n'est qu'effleurée dans les 3 premiers tomes consacrés à Melody et j'ai particulièrement adoré celui ci ! Déjà, parce que pour une fois, le tome 4 n'est pas consacré à la filles des héros (généralement parents ou élevés comme tels), ensuite parce que le personnage de Laura ne connait pas une fin joyeuse...
Donc on découvre Laura dans sa famille et le moins que l'on puisse dire c'est que les sentiments de Cary ne sont vraiment pas clairs (en fait, je me dis que les soupçons de Melody quand aux sentiments incestueux qu'il avait pour Laura étaient amplement justifiés). J'ai beaucoup apprécié de découvrir les sentiments de Laura pour Robert et la manière dont leur histoire se construit peu à peu. J'avoue avoir détesté la grand mère (qui au final est aussi diabolique que d'habitude...). Tout le passage où Laura se retrouve internée était passionnant et même si on connait le destin du personnage, on ne peut s'empêcher de souhaiter une issue positive...
La fin est vraiment touchante et bien menée et le personnage de Laura (tout comme des autres jeunes internés ) est bien développé et crédible !
Ce que j'aime : la fin, l'histoire de Laura et Robert, le passage en hopital psychiatrique
Ce que j'aime moins : j'aurais apprécié de lire encore plus de tomes sur Laura
En bref : Une histoire très bien menée portée par un personnage intéressant et attachant !
Ma note
8/10
Donc on découvre Laura dans sa famille et le moins que l'on puisse dire c'est que les sentiments de Cary ne sont vraiment pas clairs (en fait, je me dis que les soupçons de Melody quand aux sentiments incestueux qu'il avait pour Laura étaient amplement justifiés). J'ai beaucoup apprécié de découvrir les sentiments de Laura pour Robert et la manière dont leur histoire se construit peu à peu. J'avoue avoir détesté la grand mère (qui au final est aussi diabolique que d'habitude...). Tout le passage où Laura se retrouve internée était passionnant et même si on connait le destin du personnage, on ne peut s'empêcher de souhaiter une issue positive...
La fin est vraiment touchante et bien menée et le personnage de Laura (tout comme des autres jeunes internés ) est bien développé et crédible !
Ce que j'aime : la fin, l'histoire de Laura et Robert, le passage en hopital psychiatrique
Ce que j'aime moins : j'aurais apprécié de lire encore plus de tomes sur Laura
En bref : Une histoire très bien menée portée par un personnage intéressant et attachant !
Ma note
8/10
April 30, 2009
Pretty good book. The beginning is a little slow because it's all regarding previous information learned from the first 3 books in the series.
I felt bad for the tortured soul of Laura. To be so happy and in love with someone who obviously felt the same for her to have tragedy strike. The character of Grandmother Olivia is the most evil in this book. Her despicable decision to commit Laura to a mental institution after discovering her amnesia is unforgiveable.
The book then reminds me of the movie "Girl, Interrupted." You learn of Laura's days in the mental hospital, surrounded by supporting characters of the other patients. In the end, I feel it was best for her to give her life to the sea, (the suicide was inevitible, as it was foreseen in book 3). What was considered her beautiful suicide was a whole lot better than being continually drugged and strapped into a bed. I'm debating on whether or not to read the 5th and final book in this series, "Olivia" simply because the character makes me sick.
I felt bad for the tortured soul of Laura. To be so happy and in love with someone who obviously felt the same for her to have tragedy strike. The character of Grandmother Olivia is the most evil in this book. Her despicable decision to commit Laura to a mental institution after discovering her amnesia is unforgiveable.
The book then reminds me of the movie "Girl, Interrupted." You learn of Laura's days in the mental hospital, surrounded by supporting characters of the other patients. In the end, I feel it was best for her to give her life to the sea, (the suicide was inevitible, as it was foreseen in book 3). What was considered her beautiful suicide was a whole lot better than being continually drugged and strapped into a bed. I'm debating on whether or not to read the 5th and final book in this series, "Olivia" simply because the character makes me sick.
January 15, 2009
This book is pretty bad, as are all the other books that were written after Andrews died. What makes this one stand out as being one of the worst is this: It's a diary in which the author dies. Am I to believe that Laura had her diary with her out in the water and was furiously writing what was happening in the past tense as she began to drown? Aside from that, it's really no better or worse than the other drivel this man has been spewing in the name of V.C. Andrews.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2023
This one was predictable. Usually the last book of her series is a prequel but with this series it is the last two books. If the series end the way it did with the last book will be disappointing. Hope the last one will tie everything together.
November 23, 2012
This book gets increasingly more interesting. There is a HUGE paradox going on. The beginning of the book was beautiful, sweet, and innocent. During what seems like the second half of the story, Laura is in a mental institution where there is a lot of darkness, anger, and pain. Perhaps this symbolizes the ebbs and flows of love. Love can be magical and love can be painful. I think the ending was well done where Laura reunites with Robert in true love after death. I think this gives the story a Romeo and Juliet effect.
However, I don't like how the previous story of her family was neglected. So much of the first part of the story was centered around her and her twin brother. Once the story shifted and Laura was admitted to the hospital, that sort of died. If she really had the relationship with her twin brother as described in the first part of the story, then he would have found a way tore unite or help her. I feel like this was left to the wayside.
All in all I thought the author's metaphors and vivid descriptions really added to the story and were very well written overall. Will definitely read another.
However, I don't like how the previous story of her family was neglected. So much of the first part of the story was centered around her and her twin brother. Once the story shifted and Laura was admitted to the hospital, that sort of died. If she really had the relationship with her twin brother as described in the first part of the story, then he would have found a way tore unite or help her. I feel like this was left to the wayside.
All in all I thought the author's metaphors and vivid descriptions really added to the story and were very well written overall. Will definitely read another.
January 20, 2021
I think I've just outgrown VCA.
The Logan series is one of the series that was affected by VC's death and was finished just by her notes and her half-finished manuscripts. And it suffers from it. You can see the bits and pieces that may have been VC's ideas but Andrew Niederman tried a bit too hard and it resulted in a clunky incoheisive narrative. Cary has an incestuous infatuation with his twin sister but because this is a prequel we know he ends up married to his cousin who looks similar to Laura. Yuck. But Laura meets a boy and Cary is jealous and everyone assumes she's gonna sin so she has a panic attack when she does decide to have sex with him and then her grandmother forces her to break up with him or she'll "tell her parents what she did". This is a grown woman...threatening to tell on a 16 year old.
Life is too short to spend on terrible books, so I decided to DNF at 45%; it's a prequel and we know Laura's unfortunate end anyway...I just didn't care to read the journey.
The Logan series is one of the series that was affected by VC's death and was finished just by her notes and her half-finished manuscripts. And it suffers from it. You can see the bits and pieces that may have been VC's ideas but Andrew Niederman tried a bit too hard and it resulted in a clunky incoheisive narrative. Cary has an incestuous infatuation with his twin sister but because this is a prequel we know he ends up married to his cousin who looks similar to Laura. Yuck. But Laura meets a boy and Cary is jealous and everyone assumes she's gonna sin so she has a panic attack when she does decide to have sex with him and then her grandmother forces her to break up with him or she'll "tell her parents what she did". This is a grown woman...threatening to tell on a 16 year old.
Life is too short to spend on terrible books, so I decided to DNF at 45%; it's a prequel and we know Laura's unfortunate end anyway...I just didn't care to read the journey.
February 7, 2016
This fourth book in the Logan series, is about Laura Logan. If you have already read the first three books of the series then you already know that she is This book just merely takes us back to see how. Like most V.C. Andrews books it sticks to a structure, and gives us an insight on how effed up the world can be.
March 4, 2017
The story held my interest, although I had not read any of the other books in the series. I just happened upon this one and was looking for something to read. I get distracted by the teenagers using words like "Mommy" and "Daddy" and the incest vibe is ever so squicky. Still, this was a time killer.
May 21, 2017
I liked Laura a lot better than Melody!
May 18, 2024
The first half of this book was okay, but the second half was absolutely disgusting. After losing her memory in a tragic accident, the main character is secretly placed in a mental hospital by her horrible grandmother. While there the medical “professionals” made me angry and sick to my stomach. There was constant gaslighting, over medicating, and blatant disregard for all of their patients! They didn’t even want the patients to get better. It made me happy to know the grandmother dies alone and in pain.
January 13, 2018
Finally, the story behind the death of Laura Logan. Though this book does cast some shadows on the other Logans, such as Cary and his strange obsession with his sister, it’s an interesting story following Laura’s trip to a psychological unit and a tumultuous relationship.
May 24, 2015
This is an extra appendage to the Logan family saga and though Melody's story is efficiently dealt with in the preceding novel, Unfinished Symphony this book charts the story of one of the main characters from the rest in the series.
Laura Logan is Cary's twin sister, they are inseparable to the point they get teased for their closeness.
Life proceeds along until the point one day where Laura meets and falls in love with Robert and the close bond the siblings share is threatened by an outside element.
Cary is jealous and also devastated that someone else is claiming Laura's attention and things spiral out of control as the lovers get closer and closer.
Add to that the indomitable will of Grandmother Olivia who has big plans for Laura's future, finishing school, a good career, a marriage to a supposed "blue blood" member of the circles the family move in.
When Olivia's plans are thwarted when Laura falls in love with someone she considers beneath her she exercises her power in ways Laura could never have imagined which ultimately leads to the final tragedy of Laura's complicated life.
Well written and worthy successor to the other novels in the series and expands on one of the main characters mentioned throughout, a very enjoyable and much needed addition to the sequence for fans of Andrews stories.
Laura Logan is Cary's twin sister, they are inseparable to the point they get teased for their closeness.
Life proceeds along until the point one day where Laura meets and falls in love with Robert and the close bond the siblings share is threatened by an outside element.
Cary is jealous and also devastated that someone else is claiming Laura's attention and things spiral out of control as the lovers get closer and closer.
Add to that the indomitable will of Grandmother Olivia who has big plans for Laura's future, finishing school, a good career, a marriage to a supposed "blue blood" member of the circles the family move in.
When Olivia's plans are thwarted when Laura falls in love with someone she considers beneath her she exercises her power in ways Laura could never have imagined which ultimately leads to the final tragedy of Laura's complicated life.
Well written and worthy successor to the other novels in the series and expands on one of the main characters mentioned throughout, a very enjoyable and much needed addition to the sequence for fans of Andrews stories.
July 16, 2012
Entertaining but I did a lot of skimming as I found it a bit wordy.
A Synopsis?
"Life is pretty much perfect for Laura Logan. She has loving parents, an adorable little sister, her boyfriend Robert, and her protective twin brother, Cary. Only, Cary is jealous of Robert. He believes that Robert is just out to use girls and break their hearts. Also, Cary refuses to let Laura grow up.
But when grandmother Olivia finds out that Laura is dating Robert, she demands that Laura end the relationship. Grandma Olivia says that Robert and his family are beneath them, and doesn't meet up with her social standards. Of course, Laura doesn't do that, and continues to see Robert. But, when Cary "accidently" tells Grandma Olivia that Laura spent an evening with Robert alone, Olivia pounces on Laura and threatens to tell her parents. Laura is devasted because she doesn't want to lose her parents' trust. She and Robert cool things down a bit, but Laura becomes very depressed. Cary, who is feeling very guilty about betraying his sister, decides that they should all have a top secret picnic on the beach. Here is where the action begins.
I wonder why V.C. Andrews makes the grandmothers out to be bad?
A Synopsis?
"Life is pretty much perfect for Laura Logan. She has loving parents, an adorable little sister, her boyfriend Robert, and her protective twin brother, Cary. Only, Cary is jealous of Robert. He believes that Robert is just out to use girls and break their hearts. Also, Cary refuses to let Laura grow up.
But when grandmother Olivia finds out that Laura is dating Robert, she demands that Laura end the relationship. Grandma Olivia says that Robert and his family are beneath them, and doesn't meet up with her social standards. Of course, Laura doesn't do that, and continues to see Robert. But, when Cary "accidently" tells Grandma Olivia that Laura spent an evening with Robert alone, Olivia pounces on Laura and threatens to tell her parents. Laura is devasted because she doesn't want to lose her parents' trust. She and Robert cool things down a bit, but Laura becomes very depressed. Cary, who is feeling very guilty about betraying his sister, decides that they should all have a top secret picnic on the beach. Here is where the action begins.
I wonder why V.C. Andrews makes the grandmothers out to be bad?
April 5, 2014
The fourth book in the Logan series takes us back to before Laura died, and it was nice to find out what happened to her. As always, these books are such a guilty pleasure of mine, and I'm ashamed at how much I enjoy them.
The beginning of this was kind of boring, because I didn't care that much about her relationship with Robert. I did think Cary was a total creeper, and that makes me wary about his future with Melody.
The second half of this book was MUCH better, though.
The last and final book in the series is about Grandma Olivia, which doesn't sound like the most exciting story. I'd much rather have another story about Melody, or a story about Haille growing up. I'll still read it anyway, though.
The beginning of this was kind of boring, because I didn't care that much about her relationship with Robert. I did think Cary was a total creeper, and that makes me wary about his future with Melody.
The second half of this book was MUCH better, though.
The last and final book in the series is about Grandma Olivia, which doesn't sound like the most exciting story. I'd much rather have another story about Melody, or a story about Haille growing up. I'll still read it anyway, though.
September 18, 2015
This book was about the background of Laura Logan, sister of Cary and May. The beginning of the book was slow and predictable, with Laura meeting Robert Royce, her school life, and home life. It got better after the boating accident with Robert and Laura. Grandma Olivia takes over after Laura is rescued and puts her in a mental institution, since she has no memory of anyone or anything. We are under the impression that even if Laura remembers everything, she will be forced to stay at the institution, given more medication, and told the lie over and over that she is getting better and will be able to go home soon. Grandma Olivia is paying a lot of money to keep this a secret "for the good of the family." It was frustrating when I wished Laura just pretended to take her medication, or wishing her family found out she was alive. Another thought: we come to know even more that Cary loved Laura, and not in a sisterly way. Since we know he is with Melody now, is it happy ever after? This story just justifies that Cary is replacing Laura with Melody. And it doesn't help that Melody resembles Laura.
October 27, 2012
Laura Logan is a young girl on the cusp of entering into womanhood. Laura has a twin brother, Cary, who has always been extremely overprotective of her and now, even moreso since Laura is dating a new boy at school, Robert Royce. Laura's family is a church going family who always began their evening meal with her father reading scripture from the Bible. The matriarch of the family is Grandmother Olivia Logan and believes first and foremost that the Logan name always be honoured and that means no granddaughter of hers should be seen with the likes of Robert Royce as his family are (in her words) 'nothing by Inn Keepers'. This infuriates Laura and she wants nothing but to be with the love of her life, Robert. But Laura does not know the extent of her grandmother's power with anyone, (including her own flesh and blood) who goes against her wishes.
An extremely well executed story of a young woman who wants nothing but to be with her man. A truly excellent book with a shocking ending!
An extremely well executed story of a young woman who wants nothing but to be with her man. A truly excellent book with a shocking ending!
July 25, 2014
This book is written from Laura's perspective and it's supposed to give us an insight as to what actually happened to her. For me, I found this book quite boring due to the fact that in the 3rd book, Melody discovers Laura's fate and grandmother Olivia's cruelty. Also, Cary's weird possessiveness of his sister is implied on many occasions on the previous books (ie the hole he created on the attic floor to watch her) therefore the reader has already formed a theory as to what life was like for Laura and since her ending is already known, there's not much anticipation while going through that book.
October 28, 2013
Laura Logan's story was tragic and beautiful all at the same time. I fell in love with Laura and with Robert Royce, and by the time I finished the book, I felt as if I had known these characters forever. Seeing the Logan family through Laura's eyes instead of Melody's was a beautiful end to the series, as Laura and Melody were not as similar as Sara, Laura's mother believed. Laura's story is one of love and hope and courage, and I found her to be one of V.C. Andrew's most captivating protagonists!
May 22, 2016
This was my first V.C. Andrews book I have read. I have seen her book that where turned in to movies and really thought I was not going to like her books. So I went into this book thinking I was going to hate it. Well I didn't hate it, in fact I feel in love with it. This book was about every emotion you could feel. I'm not going to lie up until Chapter 5 I was pretty bored. I started Chapter 5 today and well as you can see finished the book within that day. If you like unhappy ending (like me) you will love this book.
September 30, 2011
I WAS SO SAD TO LEARN HOW LAURA AND ROBERT DIED. WHAT RIGHT DID OLIVIA HAVE IN TRYING TO PREVENT THEM FROM DATING. IT WAS NOT HER CALL, O.K I CAN SEE HOW DISAPPOINTED HER FATHER WOULD HAVE BEEN IF HE KNEW THAT LAURA HAD PREMARITAL SEX, BUT CLEARLY SHE DID NOT HAVE AN OLDER WOMEN TO WHOM SHE COULD HAVE GONE TO FOR ADVISE. HER OWN MOTHER WAS TOO SHY TO SPEAK OF ANYTHING THAT PERTAINING TO SEX. SO THE NEXT BEST THING FOR LAURA WAS TO TALK TO BELINDA.
October 28, 2012
I had been waiting since Book 1 to find out what really happened to Laura. Based on the previous books Cary seemed to think Laura died hating him but I didn't get that impression. Laura was mad but she had forgiven him. Why didn't Cary tell Melody what he had done? It wasn't even that serious. I didn't think Olivia was believable in the epilogue. She seemed too caring. Basically this book was a disappointment since I enjoyed the others so much.
July 10, 2010
It was good, kinda slow, but good. The grandmother and other people in the book got on my nerves somewhat. It's sad to know that there are people like that. It was like a forbidden love story of romeo and juliet and with pretty much the same ending. Overall it's a beautiful story which i enjoyed during this summer vacation.
July 5, 2010
I have been fascinated by the author that still writes after she died. This is written by a ghost writer commissioned by the family of miss Virginia Andrews. A ghost writer....funny.
although this is the fourth book in a larger series, it can stand on its own. I enjoyed it. A nice read -- nothing that will change the world...and a slightly dissatisfying end really.
although this is the fourth book in a larger series, it can stand on its own. I enjoyed it. A nice read -- nothing that will change the world...and a slightly dissatisfying end really.
November 7, 2011
I've never read a VC Andrews book before so this was my first.
I liked the book at first but then right in the middle of the book the story line seems to twist. It became dragged on for the second half of the book. A good story line for the first few chapters but I don't think I'll read another "Logan" series anytime soon.
I liked the book at first but then right in the middle of the book the story line seems to twist. It became dragged on for the second half of the book. A good story line for the first few chapters but I don't think I'll read another "Logan" series anytime soon.
March 2, 2015
VC Andrews has always been a favorite of mine since my childhood days. I have read (and re-read) all of her books, and although I am much older now and find that some of her work is better than others, I still enjoy the twists and turns, strangeness and mystery that continues to captivate my interest. (even some of the ghostwriter's work)
January 31, 2013
The first half was rather boring, but once I got to 1/2 or 2/3 of the book, everything changed and got interesting after the 'tragedy' struck, not to spoil anything, but it's true. I couldn't put the book down. I thought it was going to be a happy ending, but then I read the Epilogue and cried. A lot.
Over all, it was a good book and it is something I will remember.
Over all, it was a good book and it is something I will remember.
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