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The Belonging
You never know who, or what, will change your life until it happens.
After the death of his wife, home health care worker Robert Jackson must re-evaluate his life in Sydney. Facing an uphill battle with grief, he contemplates suicide.
However, his wife’s best friend Shirley won’t let him give up. But how well does he really know this caring neighbour? And what about the eccentric recluse and the pretentious middle-aged woman whose path he is destined to cross? Appearances can be deceiving.
The Belonging is a story of four broken souls thrown together by chance and one man’s journey to discover the truth and meaning of his own existence.
After the death of his wife, home health care worker Robert Jackson must re-evaluate his life in Sydney. Facing an uphill battle with grief, he contemplates suicide.
However, his wife’s best friend Shirley won’t let him give up. But how well does he really know this caring neighbour? And what about the eccentric recluse and the pretentious middle-aged woman whose path he is destined to cross? Appearances can be deceiving.
The Belonging is a story of four broken souls thrown together by chance and one man’s journey to discover the truth and meaning of his own existence.
279 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2019
5 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
Leanne Wood
16 books22 followersLeanne Wood is a poet, an avid reader and the author of six novels. With an extensive background in business, law and psychology, Leanne said goodbye to her corporate career and devoted her time to writing stories about life and on subjects’ people can relate, stories that evoke emotion and take readers on a journey. Her latest work is a contemporary fiction, Under The Cover of Closeness.
Leanne lives and works out of her home in the Central Tablelands of Australia, she loves cooking, gardening and the great outdoors.
Leanne lives and works out of her home in the Central Tablelands of Australia, she loves cooking, gardening and the great outdoors.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 21, 2019
The book that keeps you interested from the very first page until the last one! A powerful story of attempting to recover from a devastating loss, of trying to find your place in the world, sometimes in a very tortuous way, and searching for the sense of belonging. Is it even possible to 'spread your wings' again? The characters are very well developed, vivid, the author gives you a deep and thoughtful insight into their motives and reasoning that stood behind their actions and reminds us of certain life truths that should be obvious but are so often forgotten. The book is skillfully written, with interesting plot and a series of unexpected turns of events. I held my breath several times, until the last scene. I strongly recommend to you this book and this author. It was my first book by Leanne Wood and I'm sure it won't be the last!
July 13, 2019
This books is hands down addicting! I would have read it in two days if i didn't have to work. Shoot i pulled almost on all nighter just to keep reading. In all seriousness character development is so important to me and Leanne does such an amazing job. This book will keep you on your toes and you will never predict the twist and turns she has in store for you. Heck! what are you waiting on go preorder and get your copy now!?
August 23, 2019
This book was quite addicting. I love how the author kept you interested by dedicating each chapter to a character. I enjoyed how the twist get you and how it felt so real for me. I belive the ending could of been a bit more detailed but Definitely purchasing this book for my collection.
July 26, 2019
Central Idea: The book is about people, life, death, grief and belonging. The plot revolves around the story of the characters who wanted to turn their survival to living. They are in search of the world they belong to and end up in a somewhat surprising situations which cannot be concealed by destiny. It deals with the intertwined realities of manipulations, love, sacrifices and loss.
My Take: This book is a rollercoaster ride of emotions. I found it worth the read. In the beginning it was bit fast for the characters to fit in but when it paced up it took a different turn. The book is undoubtedly gripping and share the intricacies of subtle emotions through letters and dialogues. I enjoyed this book with the nights of crying too.
Critique: A soft critical perspective of the book would be that it paced up pretty quickly and turned slow in the middle. Moreover, the ending was just like a movie somewhat far from reality but yes, into its own unique world of imagination which the reader would enjoy. The writing style is lyrical but somewhat exaggerated at some places. All in all, it is a good read. But I must say that the author has written this book with a sense of involvement and passion.
Favourite lines: 🔖“Forgiveness is incredibly powerful, Robert, it doesn’t mean condoning, excusing or forgetting. Forgiveness opens our hearts to hope and peace, self-forgiveness allows us to move forward.”
🔖‘you can’t catch a fish without the three Ps; a pond, practice, and patience’.
🔖“If you’re going to do something, make it count, commit, or don’t bother at all.”
My Take: This book is a rollercoaster ride of emotions. I found it worth the read. In the beginning it was bit fast for the characters to fit in but when it paced up it took a different turn. The book is undoubtedly gripping and share the intricacies of subtle emotions through letters and dialogues. I enjoyed this book with the nights of crying too.
Critique: A soft critical perspective of the book would be that it paced up pretty quickly and turned slow in the middle. Moreover, the ending was just like a movie somewhat far from reality but yes, into its own unique world of imagination which the reader would enjoy. The writing style is lyrical but somewhat exaggerated at some places. All in all, it is a good read. But I must say that the author has written this book with a sense of involvement and passion.
Favourite lines: 🔖“Forgiveness is incredibly powerful, Robert, it doesn’t mean condoning, excusing or forgetting. Forgiveness opens our hearts to hope and peace, self-forgiveness allows us to move forward.”
🔖‘you can’t catch a fish without the three Ps; a pond, practice, and patience’.
🔖“If you’re going to do something, make it count, commit, or don’t bother at all.”
August 17, 2019
It took me a long time to get into the book. It got better by the second half, though. I hated Shirley right from the start. Her character is despicable, the way she treats her son! It almost made me stop reading the book. On the other hand there is Elsie, my favourite character whom I liked very well.
I liked how raw and realistic Robert's grief is. How consuming it is. And I loved how he found his mother after an entire life of wondering why she gave him up.
The part I liked the least about this book was the end. It was good, but it felt incomplete. What happened to Veronica? Will life improve for poor little Jai? Will Shirley get caught for stealing? And most of all: how was the meeting between Robert and his mother? After he had accepted the truth, I mean. When he went back to her. I would have liked to read about that scene.
Maybe the author is planning a sequel to answer these questions. I hope so!
I liked how raw and realistic Robert's grief is. How consuming it is. And I loved how he found his mother after an entire life of wondering why she gave him up.
The part I liked the least about this book was the end. It was good, but it felt incomplete. What happened to Veronica? Will life improve for poor little Jai? Will Shirley get caught for stealing? And most of all: how was the meeting between Robert and his mother? After he had accepted the truth, I mean. When he went back to her. I would have liked to read about that scene.
Maybe the author is planning a sequel to answer these questions. I hope so!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2019
This was a different type of book than I normally read. It was ok, but there was a lot of switching back and forth as to what each character was thinking/doing. However, I'm a tad disappointed. There was no real ending. It didn't necessarily need to be a happy ever after, but it needed a good finish, and there just wasn't one. I'm left wondering what happened to Robert, Shirley, Elsie and Jai. Did Robert and Elsie resolve their relationship? Did Shirley continue to abuse and lie to Jai, her own child? I'm left hanging with no answers. After 61 chapters, you'd think you'd have some kind of closure.
I received a free book, was not required to post a review. All opinions expressed are purely my own.
I received a free book, was not required to post a review. All opinions expressed are purely my own.
July 1, 2019
Robert Jackson had lost his wife and was having a hard time getting his life started again. Shirley, who had been friend with his wife, seems to have plans for Robert. They take turns caring for a recluse named Elsie. Meanwhile Veronica has gotten Robert's attention and Shirley is not happy.
This book centers around these 4 people and is set in Australia.
Some of the story takes some time to figure out because it is written in words that would be spoken in Australia. But if you take a minute you will be able to figure this out. Leanne Wood might want to consider having a page in the book explaining what these words mean.
This book was given to me for a fair and honest review.
This book centers around these 4 people and is set in Australia.
Some of the story takes some time to figure out because it is written in words that would be spoken in Australia. But if you take a minute you will be able to figure this out. Leanne Wood might want to consider having a page in the book explaining what these words mean.
This book was given to me for a fair and honest review.
August 25, 2019
Some very nice, descriptive writing but an unbelievable amount of crying, sobbing, leaking eyes and so on. I can’t say that I truly liked any of the characters and none of their stories had any sort of conclusion to them.
Many parts of the book had me held in suspense and racing through, needing to see what happens next. I would read something else by this author, there is obvious talent here.
Many parts of the book had me held in suspense and racing through, needing to see what happens next. I would read something else by this author, there is obvious talent here.
August 12, 2019
Story of Heartache
Such a sad story on so many levels. I was truly rooting for Elsie and for Robert, but especially for Jai.
Such a sad story on so many levels. I was truly rooting for Elsie and for Robert, but especially for Jai.
October 1, 2019
Leanna Wood’s The Belonging follows the stories of Robert, Shirley, and Elsie. Robert is a recent widower. His life has come to a dead stop due to his suffering from severe grief. Shirley is a single mother raising a seven-year-old son. Elsie is an elderly woman who is under home care. Shirley has stuck with Elsie for years, whereas Robert has recently begun helping Elsie.
When Robert begins group grief therapy, he meets a beautiful woman and begins to believe he is in love. In the meantime, Shirley grows increasingly jealous and attempts to break off the new relationship.
As the drama unfolds, the stakes are high, especially when they involve the interchange between Robert and Shirley, Robert and Veronica, and Shirley and Elsie. At its climax, we see the true nature of these characters. All of them have something to gain in relationship with the other characters.
The reader experiences a drama that nods at the classic soap operas, such as Days of our Lives, in which a number of characters are out to get each other, at least one character is caught in the middle, while another is the target for financial and emotional manipulation.
Personally, I’m not a fan of Soap Operas. But, many people are, and once I saw the pattern the author wove into the story, I truly appreciated the intricacy of details. From the weather reflecting the mood of the characters to the scenes in which the readers are suddenly thrown right in the middle of a heated argument.
Through all of this, the story delivers on what it promises: each character is seeking to belong. All character arcs are satisfactorily tied together and each character reaps what he or she sows through their own actions.
In short, this is a fantastic story with well-developed empathetic characters engaged in high-stakes drama throughout the story.
When Robert begins group grief therapy, he meets a beautiful woman and begins to believe he is in love. In the meantime, Shirley grows increasingly jealous and attempts to break off the new relationship.
As the drama unfolds, the stakes are high, especially when they involve the interchange between Robert and Shirley, Robert and Veronica, and Shirley and Elsie. At its climax, we see the true nature of these characters. All of them have something to gain in relationship with the other characters.
The reader experiences a drama that nods at the classic soap operas, such as Days of our Lives, in which a number of characters are out to get each other, at least one character is caught in the middle, while another is the target for financial and emotional manipulation.
Personally, I’m not a fan of Soap Operas. But, many people are, and once I saw the pattern the author wove into the story, I truly appreciated the intricacy of details. From the weather reflecting the mood of the characters to the scenes in which the readers are suddenly thrown right in the middle of a heated argument.
Through all of this, the story delivers on what it promises: each character is seeking to belong. All character arcs are satisfactorily tied together and each character reaps what he or she sows through their own actions.
In short, this is a fantastic story with well-developed empathetic characters engaged in high-stakes drama throughout the story.
August 5, 2019
A powerful and compelling story that I thoroughly enjoyed. A beautiful story of love, loss, and hope. It’s a story so many will relate to. Leanne Wood introduces the reader to only a handful of characters, yet a plethora of emotion. I cried, I cheered and at times I wanted to jump into the book and strangle. A well developed plot I could never predict. In short, I couldn’t put it down. I had to find out. This is a definite page turner that kept my housework on hold. The characters just felt so real and I wished they were so I could hug them. (Well some of them) Chapters dedicated to individual characters provided additional insight into their feelings and motivations. The sprinkling of letters added depth and the analogy of birds was beautiful. I don’t want to give too much away, but if you’re looking for a story that encapsulates life and portrays realistic and relatable individuals and situations this I’d highly recommend this. PS. Make sure you have your tissues.
July 31, 2019
Sometimes when I first start reading a novel, I think I know where it’s heading. But l have to say, this one kept me guessing until the very end. The story is centred around four unforgettable characters who are entwined in each other’s lives, yet somewhat lost in their own. The broken-hearted, the manipulative and the unsuspecting souls continually searching and yearning for answers. It is a clever author who can make their characters relatable enough for readers to feel they are watching a movie. Leanne Wood has done exactly that. I felt as though I knew these people, as I lived their lives through the pages of her book. There are some I wanted to hug and make it all better, and others I hoped would get their just deserts. When the story ended I missed the nice characters and wanted to know more. Let’s hope there’s a sequel in the pipeline.
July 30, 2019
I just finished it, and I must say it was quite the enjoyable read! I had trouble putting my Kindle down on this one. I was a little skeptical because it falls outside my normal genre wheelhouse, but I took a chance because I was offered the book free in exchange for an honest review. I, of course, agreed to do so here as well as my blog. And I was so glad I took that chance! Wood walks us through some different lives, different versions of struggles and the desire to find a place in the world. She wrote it beautifully, and I also loved the Australian dialect that crept in from time to time. I could have used a more solid ending, but I suppose that's part of the art of writing. Sometimes we don't get everything we want. A beautiful read, highly recommend.
September 6, 2019
Leanne Wood is a very talented Australian writer who has handled the grief, guilt & envy potrayed in her latest book with an insight of understanding beyond her years. I have read her Secrets books which I thoroughly enjoyed & loved, & The Belonging is just as enjoyable & thought provoking. I look forward to reading more from Leanne.
My error: I note the heading above states kindle edition. I read the hard copy which is beautifully bound & has a picture on its cover that envokes peace.
My error: I note the heading above states kindle edition. I read the hard copy which is beautifully bound & has a picture on its cover that envokes peace.
September 12, 2019
This was a tough one to rate. I received it from a Facebook group author for an honest review. There was so much crying from all the characters in the book that it seem redundant and too predictable. Too many manipulating characters, while the others were incredibly naive. Parts felt unfinished. What happened to Jai, Amanda, Veronica, Shirley and Elsie. Without being a spoiler, some of the questions should have been answered before the end of the book. Felt like we were left hanging.
September 5, 2019
This book is so good. It grabs you on the first page and doesn't let go. I really enjoyed reading this book. I received an ARC copy and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.
August 21, 2019
Great read.
Couldn't put it down, will certainly be looking for more from this Author. Maybe a " Belonging To" in the future?
Couldn't put it down, will certainly be looking for more from this Author. Maybe a " Belonging To" in the future?
September 8, 2019
I enjoyed the book, especially the story line.
If I had to be critical, I would say too much emphasis in thunder and lightning - it seemed to happen everyday!!
If I had to be critical, I would say too much emphasis in thunder and lightning - it seemed to happen everyday!!
October 11, 2019
Just wow.
This book was so weird. I didn't end up liking it. Something's should of been taken care of better. Very odd ending.
This book was so weird. I didn't end up liking it. Something's should of been taken care of better. Very odd ending.
September 12, 2019
The author‘s writing style makes this book easy to read, hooking you in from the first chapter. Her descriptions paint a vivid picture for the reader, both visually and emotionally – it draws you in and makes you feel like a close observer. Unexpected twists and turns with the characters right to the end, although this does leave a few unanswered questions. Enjoyed the book on the whole, a great read!
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews