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The Healing Series
The Healing Summer
Summer, 1981
At the age of ninety-four, Maggie Howard’s final wish is to return to San Francisco and find out what happened to the young man who saved her life in 1906 after the disastrous earthquake and fires that devastated the city. They’d been trapped beneath a collapsed roof for hours, injured and unable to call for help.
The morning of their rescue, Orlando Gallo promised he would find her again. But Maggie hasn’t seen or heard from him in over seventy years, and now, widowed and childless, Maggie hopes to leave her estate to Orlando’s descendants. She invites her neighbor, forty-year-old Jo Sampson, to travel with her, and as the two women return to San Francisco to track down Orlando, they form a strong bond of friendship and healing that transcends time and place.
At the age of ninety-four, Maggie Howard’s final wish is to return to San Francisco and find out what happened to the young man who saved her life in 1906 after the disastrous earthquake and fires that devastated the city. They’d been trapped beneath a collapsed roof for hours, injured and unable to call for help.
The morning of their rescue, Orlando Gallo promised he would find her again. But Maggie hasn’t seen or heard from him in over seventy years, and now, widowed and childless, Maggie hopes to leave her estate to Orlando’s descendants. She invites her neighbor, forty-year-old Jo Sampson, to travel with her, and as the two women return to San Francisco to track down Orlando, they form a strong bond of friendship and healing that transcends time and place.
250 pages, Paperback
Published April 27, 2021
85 people are currently reading
395 people want to read
About the author
Heather B. Moore
163 books1,594 followersHeather B. Moore is a USA Today bestselling author of more than ninety publications. Heather writes primarily historical and #herstory fiction about the humanity and heroism of the everyday person. Publishing in a breadth of genres, Heather dives into the hearts and souls of her characters, meshing her love of research with her love of storytelling.
Her ancient era historicals and thrillers are written under pen name H.B. Moore. She writes historical women's fiction, romance and inspirational non-fiction under Heather B. Moore, and . . . speculative fiction under Jane Redd. This can all be confusing, so her kids just call her Mom. Heather attended Cairo American College in Egypt and the Anglican School of Jerusalem in Israel. Despite failing her high school AP English exam, Heather persevered and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young University in something other than English.
Please join Heather's email list at: HBMoore.com/contact/
Website: HBMoore.com
Twitter: @heatherbmoore
Instagram: @authorhbmoore
Facebook: Fans of Heather B. Moore
And yes, the Blog still lives: MyWritersLair.blogspot.com
Literary honors: 2020 Goodreads Choice Award Semi-Finalist, Foreword 2020 INDIES Finalist, ALA Best New Books - September 2020, 6-time Best of State Recipient for Best in Literary Arts, 2019 Maggie Award Winner, 4-time Whitney Award Winner, and 2-time Golden Quill Award Winner.
Heather is represented by Dystel, Goderich, and Bourret.
Her ancient era historicals and thrillers are written under pen name H.B. Moore. She writes historical women's fiction, romance and inspirational non-fiction under Heather B. Moore, and . . . speculative fiction under Jane Redd. This can all be confusing, so her kids just call her Mom. Heather attended Cairo American College in Egypt and the Anglican School of Jerusalem in Israel. Despite failing her high school AP English exam, Heather persevered and earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Brigham Young University in something other than English.
Please join Heather's email list at: HBMoore.com/contact/
Website: HBMoore.com
Twitter: @heatherbmoore
Instagram: @authorhbmoore
Facebook: Fans of Heather B. Moore
And yes, the Blog still lives: MyWritersLair.blogspot.com
Literary honors: 2020 Goodreads Choice Award Semi-Finalist, Foreword 2020 INDIES Finalist, ALA Best New Books - September 2020, 6-time Best of State Recipient for Best in Literary Arts, 2019 Maggie Award Winner, 4-time Whitney Award Winner, and 2-time Golden Quill Award Winner.
Heather is represented by Dystel, Goderich, and Bourret.
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April 9, 2022
4/9/22 Updated review of the audiobook: The audiobook is SO GOOD!! The narrator, Nancy Peterson is amazing! She's become one of my favorite narrators as she's able to do so many voices and get the emotions of the characters across. She easily switched between 94 year old Maggie and 30 something Jo plus all the other characters in this wonderful story of healing and starting over.
5-26-21 Original review
I wasn't sure what to expect from a book about a 94 year old woman who sets out to find the man who saved her life during the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco. I should've known I'd be pulled into Maggie's story like I'm pulled into every book by Heather B. Moore. That's because this book isn't just about Maggie looking for Orlando, it's about a friendship between two women, family, healing and opening yourself up to find love again after a divorce.
Maggie asks her recently divorced neighbor, Jo, to take a trip with her to find the man who saved her 75 years ago, or at least one of his children or grandchildren. Jo is recently divorced and with her son spending the summer with his father, she has no reason to say no. What follows is the beginning of a great friendship between these two women and a journey of healing and some life changes for Jo.
I'd love to be like Maggie, especially at the age of 94. She's lived her life but never forgotten the young man she met and fell in love with during that horrible earthquake and it's aftermath. Although she'd tried many times to find Orlando, she'd never succeeded, and given her age and health Maggie knew this was her last chance. I liked that we got to see parts of Maggie's earlier life when she first met Orlando.
I really liked Jo, and having been divorced I understood all the things she was feeling, and how hard it was for her to let her son visit his father for the summer. I was happy she decided to take Maggie up on her offer of traveling with her to find Orlando. I loved watching Jo heal and make changes in her life when she returned from her trip with Maggie. It's not easy to open your heart again after a divorce and I loved watching Jo let Antonio into her life. Although there's some romance in this story, I feel it's not the main focus of the book.
This book was originally part of the A Place to Belong: A Collection of 12 Heartwarming Novels with Animal Sidekicks, and was released as on it's on at the end of April. I own a copy of A Place to Belong, but was sent a complimentary digital copy of this book to review. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.
5-26-21 Original review
I wasn't sure what to expect from a book about a 94 year old woman who sets out to find the man who saved her life during the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco. I should've known I'd be pulled into Maggie's story like I'm pulled into every book by Heather B. Moore. That's because this book isn't just about Maggie looking for Orlando, it's about a friendship between two women, family, healing and opening yourself up to find love again after a divorce.
Maggie asks her recently divorced neighbor, Jo, to take a trip with her to find the man who saved her 75 years ago, or at least one of his children or grandchildren. Jo is recently divorced and with her son spending the summer with his father, she has no reason to say no. What follows is the beginning of a great friendship between these two women and a journey of healing and some life changes for Jo.
I'd love to be like Maggie, especially at the age of 94. She's lived her life but never forgotten the young man she met and fell in love with during that horrible earthquake and it's aftermath. Although she'd tried many times to find Orlando, she'd never succeeded, and given her age and health Maggie knew this was her last chance. I liked that we got to see parts of Maggie's earlier life when she first met Orlando.
I really liked Jo, and having been divorced I understood all the things she was feeling, and how hard it was for her to let her son visit his father for the summer. I was happy she decided to take Maggie up on her offer of traveling with her to find Orlando. I loved watching Jo heal and make changes in her life when she returned from her trip with Maggie. It's not easy to open your heart again after a divorce and I loved watching Jo let Antonio into her life. Although there's some romance in this story, I feel it's not the main focus of the book.
This book was originally part of the A Place to Belong: A Collection of 12 Heartwarming Novels with Animal Sidekicks, and was released as on it's on at the end of April. I own a copy of A Place to Belong, but was sent a complimentary digital copy of this book to review. All thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.
April 7, 2021
***This book is part of the A Place to Belong: A Collection of 12 Heartwarming Novels with Animal Sidekicks boxset. It will be released individually at the end of April.***
My mind is still wrapped up in this book. I read it a couple of days ago and I'm still being pulled back into it and the sweet feeling that I had while reading it. There was this calm and sweet feeling while reading it that I just can't even fully describe or do justice to. But I can say that from the first page I was fully invested in these characters; their stories, their sorrows, their past, their now, their future, their healing, their dawning joys, their rekindled dreams, their loves, their everything!
Maggie was a delightful character. I just adored her. She's 94 and trying to find someone from her past who saved her and whom she loved. I loved though, how she kept living her life even with the inability to find Orlando years and years ago. She cared for him and was grateful for his hand in her life being spared. Yet she lived and loved. Now at the end of her life she is ready to finish this last unfinished chapter in her life. It was so beautifully connected and I loved how the author wove her and Orlando's stories together. We get a few snippets here and there from the past, but not a lot.
The chapters go between Maggie and her neighbor Jo. Jo is recently divorced and trying to navigate life with her son heading off to spend some of his summer with his dad, her ex. Her life has changed and she is trying to keep going but it's all off and out of balance. Thus her newfound adventure going with Maggie to find this man from her past.
I want to tell you everything form this book. I want to tell you all the ups and downs and feelings I felt and thoughts I had. But that was my journey and experience with it. I want you all to experience it for yourself. There are raw emotions. There are hard moments. There are beautiful moments. There are moments of healing and finding peace. There are moments of saying goodbye. There are moments of sweet love and joy. I hope if you read this one that you will feel all of these moments and emotions. That you will enjoy the journey and the summer with Maggie, Orlando, Jo and Antonio.
I'm just grinning thinking about this book. I loved it all. But the last several chapters, I'll admit are my favorite. There are some moments with Jo and another character that just had these little tidbits that I loved as well! So well written!
Content: Clean. Talk of divorce and the emotions and adjustments connected with that. Some kisses and nothing more.
I received a copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
My mind is still wrapped up in this book. I read it a couple of days ago and I'm still being pulled back into it and the sweet feeling that I had while reading it. There was this calm and sweet feeling while reading it that I just can't even fully describe or do justice to. But I can say that from the first page I was fully invested in these characters; their stories, their sorrows, their past, their now, their future, their healing, their dawning joys, their rekindled dreams, their loves, their everything!
Maggie was a delightful character. I just adored her. She's 94 and trying to find someone from her past who saved her and whom she loved. I loved though, how she kept living her life even with the inability to find Orlando years and years ago. She cared for him and was grateful for his hand in her life being spared. Yet she lived and loved. Now at the end of her life she is ready to finish this last unfinished chapter in her life. It was so beautifully connected and I loved how the author wove her and Orlando's stories together. We get a few snippets here and there from the past, but not a lot.
The chapters go between Maggie and her neighbor Jo. Jo is recently divorced and trying to navigate life with her son heading off to spend some of his summer with his dad, her ex. Her life has changed and she is trying to keep going but it's all off and out of balance. Thus her newfound adventure going with Maggie to find this man from her past.
I want to tell you everything form this book. I want to tell you all the ups and downs and feelings I felt and thoughts I had. But that was my journey and experience with it. I want you all to experience it for yourself. There are raw emotions. There are hard moments. There are beautiful moments. There are moments of healing and finding peace. There are moments of saying goodbye. There are moments of sweet love and joy. I hope if you read this one that you will feel all of these moments and emotions. That you will enjoy the journey and the summer with Maggie, Orlando, Jo and Antonio.
I'm just grinning thinking about this book. I loved it all. But the last several chapters, I'll admit are my favorite. There are some moments with Jo and another character that just had these little tidbits that I loved as well! So well written!
Content: Clean. Talk of divorce and the emotions and adjustments connected with that. Some kisses and nothing more.
I received a copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions in the review are my own.
Happy Reading!!!
May 18, 2021
The Healing Summer follows the journey of Maggie Howard who is 94 years old. Back in 1906, her life was saved by a handsome, young Italian, named Orlando Gallo after a horrible earthquake struck San Francisco. They are stuck for hours under the rubble. During this time the two fall in love but sadly lose track of each other after they leave the hospital. You can so feel the connection between the two characters. The yearning that Maggie has to see Orlando again is so strong, even so, many years later.
I felt so bad for Maggie even though she went on to marry a very wealthy man. She never was able to have any children of her own. In her old age, she tries searching for Orlando's descendants to leave them her wealth. Maggie takes her sweet neighbor Josephine, a recently divorced lady on the trip with her.
Both women have many internal struggles as they deal with their current situations in life. My heart hurt for Jo as her divorce was still so fresh. It's hard for her to go on with her life after everything was taken away. This character brought out many feelings in me as I recalled the amount of hurt you feel when a divorce leaves you raw and hurting. Maggie and Jo's relationship grows into one of true friendship and support that both women needed at this time in their lives. I also loved what happened once the women got to California. I'm not saying anything else because I was thrilled by so much of it! How do you feel about me leaving you wanting to know more? I'll leave a little clue in Italian which I'm learning to speak. "L'ho adorato e un certo uomo che mi ha rubato il cuore."
Just know that author Heather Moore writes beautiful stories with characters that stay with you long after reading the book. I loved The Healing Summer and the messages of renewal and hope you'll find within its pages.
I felt so bad for Maggie even though she went on to marry a very wealthy man. She never was able to have any children of her own. In her old age, she tries searching for Orlando's descendants to leave them her wealth. Maggie takes her sweet neighbor Josephine, a recently divorced lady on the trip with her.
Both women have many internal struggles as they deal with their current situations in life. My heart hurt for Jo as her divorce was still so fresh. It's hard for her to go on with her life after everything was taken away. This character brought out many feelings in me as I recalled the amount of hurt you feel when a divorce leaves you raw and hurting. Maggie and Jo's relationship grows into one of true friendship and support that both women needed at this time in their lives. I also loved what happened once the women got to California. I'm not saying anything else because I was thrilled by so much of it! How do you feel about me leaving you wanting to know more? I'll leave a little clue in Italian which I'm learning to speak. "L'ho adorato e un certo uomo che mi ha rubato il cuore."
Just know that author Heather Moore writes beautiful stories with characters that stay with you long after reading the book. I loved The Healing Summer and the messages of renewal and hope you'll find within its pages.
March 21, 2021
Romance, clean, contemporary, but slightly in the past; flashbacks to the past
Gorgeously detailed novel telling both Maggie and Orlando's story, and Jo's as she deals with her divorce, her child, her future and who she defines herself as. Poignantly detailing a past romance for Maggie as they explore to try to find her long lost acquaintance who stole her heart when trapped beneath the rubble of a collapsed building in an earthquake, and her request for Jo to accompany her on her search close to where it all happened.
Loved the artistic themes, setting, and backstory, Jo's new opportunities that come because she helps Maggie, and of course, the tribute to Maggie and Orlando that is so beautifully interwoven in the future. A beautifully crafted story that just resonates with you, and will linger long after you have finished the novel. This is truly a lovely gem of a story, and with characters so richly drawn, that it will linger with you in your present. Jo's lovely future, that she has to choose even when her life is going places she is not sure she wants to go, with her son making choices that are tearing her heart, although a good transition for him, so skillfully drawn. Highly recommend this one for any reader.
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review, my opinions are my own.
Gorgeously detailed novel telling both Maggie and Orlando's story, and Jo's as she deals with her divorce, her child, her future and who she defines herself as. Poignantly detailing a past romance for Maggie as they explore to try to find her long lost acquaintance who stole her heart when trapped beneath the rubble of a collapsed building in an earthquake, and her request for Jo to accompany her on her search close to where it all happened.
Loved the artistic themes, setting, and backstory, Jo's new opportunities that come because she helps Maggie, and of course, the tribute to Maggie and Orlando that is so beautifully interwoven in the future. A beautifully crafted story that just resonates with you, and will linger long after you have finished the novel. This is truly a lovely gem of a story, and with characters so richly drawn, that it will linger with you in your present. Jo's lovely future, that she has to choose even when her life is going places she is not sure she wants to go, with her son making choices that are tearing her heart, although a good transition for him, so skillfully drawn. Highly recommend this one for any reader.
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for a fair and honest review, my opinions are my own.
April 2, 2021
I wasn’t sure what to expect of this book by Heather B Moore when I first opened it. I knew I’d enjoy it. All of her books are great. But I had no idea just how much I would enjoy it.
This book follows the journey of Jo and Maggie. Jo is a recently divorced woman. She needs healing from all the hurt and heartache of her divorce. Maggie is 94. And she just wants to find the young man she fell in love with when she was 19 years old.
I loved the way Jo grew and healed through this book. The reader could feel her anguish during certain parts of the story. Her hurts became my hurts. And her joys my joys. I loved that she was willing to drop what she had intended to do and go with Maggie on her journey.
Maggie. She’s an amazing woman! I love the way this book showed her point of view from when she was older and when she was 19 and the crazy events of her life happened. I love the way Jo and Maggie became connected through the book. And what she did for Orlando near the end of the book.
This book has elements of romance, but it’s more women’s fiction than a romance. It is well worth the read. Honestly, I read this book so fast. I just wanted to know what was going to come next. And I wanted to know how things would turn out.
I was sent an e-copy of The Healing Summer as a gift from the author. All opinions are my own.
This book follows the journey of Jo and Maggie. Jo is a recently divorced woman. She needs healing from all the hurt and heartache of her divorce. Maggie is 94. And she just wants to find the young man she fell in love with when she was 19 years old.
I loved the way Jo grew and healed through this book. The reader could feel her anguish during certain parts of the story. Her hurts became my hurts. And her joys my joys. I loved that she was willing to drop what she had intended to do and go with Maggie on her journey.
Maggie. She’s an amazing woman! I love the way this book showed her point of view from when she was older and when she was 19 and the crazy events of her life happened. I love the way Jo and Maggie became connected through the book. And what she did for Orlando near the end of the book.
This book has elements of romance, but it’s more women’s fiction than a romance. It is well worth the read. Honestly, I read this book so fast. I just wanted to know what was going to come next. And I wanted to know how things would turn out.
I was sent an e-copy of The Healing Summer as a gift from the author. All opinions are my own.
August 24, 2021
Beautiful and Amazing
I've decided that Heather B. Moore is a genius when it comes to drawing a reader in through emotion. I read this one without reading the description and was taken off guard by what the book was about, but that didn't matter. I was pulled along on a beautiful bittersweet journey that tugged my heart so hard and left me pondering deep thoughts about life and the people who come into it.
The way neighbors Maggie and Jo finally connect and bond struck me and the search they embark on was healing to not only each of them, in vastly different ways, but to me, in a way. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop. The past and present collided in such a way that I was left reeling on occasion, and I loved every minute.
All I can say is--it was beautiful and amazing.
Content: mild romance; mild moments of peril
*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
I've decided that Heather B. Moore is a genius when it comes to drawing a reader in through emotion. I read this one without reading the description and was taken off guard by what the book was about, but that didn't matter. I was pulled along on a beautiful bittersweet journey that tugged my heart so hard and left me pondering deep thoughts about life and the people who come into it.
The way neighbors Maggie and Jo finally connect and bond struck me and the search they embark on was healing to not only each of them, in vastly different ways, but to me, in a way. Once I started reading, I couldn't stop. The past and present collided in such a way that I was left reeling on occasion, and I loved every minute.
All I can say is--it was beautiful and amazing.
Content: mild romance; mild moments of peril
*I received a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own and were voluntarily given.*
June 7, 2021
Charming in every way
Healing summer is a poignant story told from a few different by points of view, each one brimming with heart as it plunges into the depths of loves that last forever.
Healing summer is a poignant story told from a few different by points of view, each one brimming with heart as it plunges into the depths of loves that last forever.
March 9, 2021
This story is such an emotional journey. The characters are complex and the romance is sweet. Wonderful!
March 23, 2021
This was a wonderful book. Maggie at 94 years old decides to embark on an adventure to find her first love the boy who saved her life during an earthquake. Her sweet neighbor Jo just sent her son to live with dad for the summer and Maggie asks her help to search. Together they drive from Seattle to San Francisco in search of memories. While there they each find what they are looking for including finding what they didn't think they were looking for. This story was a great reminder that life can change so quickly, we should live and love while we can. Also a story about moving on and finding joy in what we have. The lives we touch in just a small moment can have lasing effects. I really enjoyed the journey of these two ladies.
I was given an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed in the review are my own.
I was given an ARC of this book. All opinions expressed in the review are my own.
March 8, 2021
Wow! I loved this story. I loved Jo and Antonio. They have awesome chemistry together. Jo has a great 94 year old neighbor and they take a trip of a lifetime together. I loved what their search uncovered and the whole San Francisco experience. I felt like I was there. This is a super sweet, clean romance that I didn't want to end.
March 8, 2021
LOVED this book! It pulled me in right from the start, and brought me to tears more than once as I got caught up in Maggies's search for Orlando. It's one of those rare books where the writing and emotions stuck with me long after I was finished reading.
Clean, well-written, I would highly recommend this book!
Clean, well-written, I would highly recommend this book!
July 9, 2021
This is the 1st book I read by Heather B. Moore. I loved ❤ this book's storyline. This book's storyline was sad 😞. I loved ❤ Maggie's character. I loved ❤ Jo's character. I loved ❤ Antonio's character. I loved ❤ the ending. I loved ❤ messages in this story. Awesome job Ms. Moore.
April 11, 2022
The Healing Summer by Heather B. Moore (5 stars)
What a wonderful book! The characters, the events, the emotions all felt so real and so believable! It was part women’s fiction, part romance and it was heartwarming and tragic all at the same time.
Maggie is one of the main characters and she is a delight. She is 94 and has lived through so much and yet has lived her life with grace and purpose.
Jo is Maggie’s neighbor of 13 years and is going through a painful divorce. Maggie invites her to help on a personal quest: to find the man who rescued her during the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco.
The quest has healing and life-changing consequences for both women.
A heartwarming, book full of family, friendship, heartbreak, pain, romance, danger, mystery and art! I can’t say enough good about this story!
Narrator: (5 stars)
Nancy Petersen does great voices! She’s nailed the older woman’s voice and the main man has a deep, believable voice. Her children’s voices are even good, and those seem to be the most difficult to get right! Not only are her various voices excellent, but she reads with feeling and emotion…just excellent!!
What a wonderful book! The characters, the events, the emotions all felt so real and so believable! It was part women’s fiction, part romance and it was heartwarming and tragic all at the same time.
Maggie is one of the main characters and she is a delight. She is 94 and has lived through so much and yet has lived her life with grace and purpose.
Jo is Maggie’s neighbor of 13 years and is going through a painful divorce. Maggie invites her to help on a personal quest: to find the man who rescued her during the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco.
The quest has healing and life-changing consequences for both women.
A heartwarming, book full of family, friendship, heartbreak, pain, romance, danger, mystery and art! I can’t say enough good about this story!
Narrator: (5 stars)
Nancy Petersen does great voices! She’s nailed the older woman’s voice and the main man has a deep, believable voice. Her children’s voices are even good, and those seem to be the most difficult to get right! Not only are her various voices excellent, but she reads with feeling and emotion…just excellent!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 28, 2022
Heather B. Moore has written an amazing book! It takes place during the summer of 1981 when Maggie, a 94 year old woman, invites her recently divorced neighbor, Jo, to accompany her to San Francisco to locate an old love who saved her during the 1906 earthquake. Introduced in flashbacks, the infamous earthquake is brought to life through the memories of Maggie. Traveling from Seattle to San Francisco, Maggie shares with Jo her story about her lost love. Her devotion to the memory of this young man piques Jo's curiosity. What kind of man could garner such devotion for nearly 80 years? As Jo and Maggie search the internet, local libraries and phone books for any trace of this man or his family, both are surprised when one phone call offers them a lead.
This novel is not high drama but the quality of writing held my interest, as I read nonstop through the night. The Healing Summer is a book that will stick with me for many years. I loved the plot and all the characters; my heart ached for Jo as she wrestled with letting go of the past and her new life changes.
Excellent story! 5 stars.
This novel is not high drama but the quality of writing held my interest, as I read nonstop through the night. The Healing Summer is a book that will stick with me for many years. I loved the plot and all the characters; my heart ached for Jo as she wrestled with letting go of the past and her new life changes.
Excellent story! 5 stars.
March 10, 2021
Mesmerizing! Ms Moore’s descriptions of the scenery were spot on. I knew the exact locations in San Francisco for I have been there many times, however, I had not seen the sunrise there until reading this book. The colors described were dreamy. Now I would love to go back there just to watch that sun rise in person. I sympathized with Jo. She was a divorced mother trying to deal with all her memories in their home and a son who would rather spend his days with his father. Her neighbor, Maggie, was an energetic 94 year old. I couldn’t even imagine having that much stamina at that age. I am quite a bit younger than that and definitely not that energetic. Jo helped her travel to San Francisco to find a long lost man named Orlando who helped her during the 1906 earthquake there. What they found was remarkable! I find it difficult to summarize all that they found. Nevertheless both Jo and Maggie found love, devotion, a new life, and happiness. This is a story well worth reading. I’ve even begun a little healing of my own after reading it.
May 1, 2021
LOVE IT!
I've read a lot of fact and fiction regarding the great quake and fires in San Francisco 1906 and it's ongoing effects, including a book about "the Paper Daughters of Chinatown". This was a well researched and very enjoyable story.
I loved getting to know Maggie and Jo, their friendship in present day was sweet. Maggie shares her story of a brief meeting of an artist (Orlando) on the street followed by an intense day trapped with him in the rubble of a building after the quake. Orlando saves her life and they fall in love. After they're rescued, they are taken to different hospitals and can't find each other again. Many years later, Maggie is planning for the end of her life while Jo is dealing with the end of her marriage.
This was a sweet story with touches of humor, romance, and heartbreak, but also a happy-ever-after. I read this in KU but will be adding it to my permanent shelves, too.
I've read a lot of fact and fiction regarding the great quake and fires in San Francisco 1906 and it's ongoing effects, including a book about "the Paper Daughters of Chinatown". This was a well researched and very enjoyable story.
I loved getting to know Maggie and Jo, their friendship in present day was sweet. Maggie shares her story of a brief meeting of an artist (Orlando) on the street followed by an intense day trapped with him in the rubble of a building after the quake. Orlando saves her life and they fall in love. After they're rescued, they are taken to different hospitals and can't find each other again. Many years later, Maggie is planning for the end of her life while Jo is dealing with the end of her marriage.
This was a sweet story with touches of humor, romance, and heartbreak, but also a happy-ever-after. I read this in KU but will be adding it to my permanent shelves, too.
March 11, 2021
Historical research shows, but instead of dry reading of facts and figures, this author directly brings you into the story by making you care about what is happening and giving you a peek into the lives of people who lives through it. She also gives relevance to the story by tying it into things happening in our time, or at least a more recent time. I remember 1981. Answering machines, libraries, payphones, communication was a little more difficult then.
Jo's and Maggie's stories become intertwined and the love stories more poignant knowing both of their histories and difficulties. Then we get Antonio in the mix, too. Definitely worth reading. Clean romance, fun interactions and some humor as well as at least one person you can strongly dislike. Enjoy!
Jo's and Maggie's stories become intertwined and the love stories more poignant knowing both of their histories and difficulties. Then we get Antonio in the mix, too. Definitely worth reading. Clean romance, fun interactions and some humor as well as at least one person you can strongly dislike. Enjoy!
March 9, 2021
So much emotion. It was like I was there, or could feel the emotion first hand. That didn't change from character to character. I love the glimpses of history as Maggie recalls the San Francisco earthquake in 1906. The heartbreak of being separated from your true love is obviously difficult, but the common love of art and searching is quite endearing.
Jo's side of the story includes her own heartbreak that just keeps coming. Although she is forced to adapt and change, she does it with bravery, I found this story sweet and inspirational. I love the sweet ties that connect these two women and their stories beyond being neighbors. And the courage that develops throughout the story.
Jo's side of the story includes her own heartbreak that just keeps coming. Although she is forced to adapt and change, she does it with bravery, I found this story sweet and inspirational. I love the sweet ties that connect these two women and their stories beyond being neighbors. And the courage that develops throughout the story.
January 1, 2022
I loved this book! I enjoyed the theme of love transcending time and distance and how one person can make a huge impact on others. Maggie wants to find the man who saved her in the San Francisco earthquake of 1906. Jo is struggling to get over the man who found another woman and divorced her and will have custody of their son for the summer. When Maggie asks Jo to go on a road trip with her to find "the man who got away" it sends them on an adventure of healing, love, and friendship.
The characters were so real and likable and Maggie's love story was beautiful. I would have enjoyed seeing more of the story from the 1906 point of view but overall it was a great story!
The characters were so real and likable and Maggie's love story was beautiful. I would have enjoyed seeing more of the story from the 1906 point of view but overall it was a great story!
March 24, 2021
What a beautiful story of healing and second chances. In this story we have Jo, who is going through a rough year of change and her 94 year old neighbor, Maggie, who has a plan! The story engages you right from the beginning. I love the time warp back to 1906 and the San Francisco earthquake. The rest of the story takes place in 1981. The author is so good at research and detail. The characters are interesting, realistic and you just want everything to work out for them. This is a clean, contemporary, historical, adventure romance. I read it in an afternoon and loved every minute of it.
March 31, 2021
A well written story of tragedy, hope, healing and love. I found the storyline very beautiful.
The author does a wonderful job of developing the characters in such a way that they feel very real. You can feel, see and understand what they are feeling and become involved in their “ lives”.
The story’s plot does a good job of handling loss, both in parting thru circumstances as well as divorce. But there was a thrill as the characters discover their purpose and rediscovered love.
I enjoyed reading this book immensely!
The author does a wonderful job of developing the characters in such a way that they feel very real. You can feel, see and understand what they are feeling and become involved in their “ lives”.
The story’s plot does a good job of handling loss, both in parting thru circumstances as well as divorce. But there was a thrill as the characters discover their purpose and rediscovered love.
I enjoyed reading this book immensely!
March 30, 2021
Very enjoyable story! I really liked the plot, with Maggie's quest to find Orlando's family and how Jo was drawn into it. Maggie was quite the character! Jo's emotional journey as she's trying to move on from her divorce and heal from her husband's betrayal was realistically portrayed and well-written. I wouldn't have minded seeing a little more of the romance storyline, but it was engaging and flowed well as is.
I read an ARC provided by the author/publisher. All opinions are my own.
I read an ARC provided by the author/publisher. All opinions are my own.
March 8, 2021
I didn’t want to put the book down! Well written; and I loved the two romantic relationships. I also loved the friendship between Maggie and Jo, no matter the age difference. Good character development, emotion and poignant moments. Another good book to add to my Heather Moore collection!
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
April 26, 2021
A wonderfully written story of heartache, friendship, and healing. I love the way heather depicts her characters in this story. She makes you feel like you are there with them on their journey. Hands down one of my favorite books that I have read so far this year!
I received an ARC from the author and all opinions are my own.
I received an ARC from the author and all opinions are my own.
March 18, 2021
A beautiful story that grabs you and won’t let go. I have read a lot of books but the love story in this one struck my heart. It was so sweet and beautiful, and sang to my soul. I highly recommend this book.
April 2, 2021
I really enjoyed this story. It has so much depth and heart. Maggie and Orlando’s story is bitter sweet but amazing. You can’t help but love Antonio who can not love a good looking Italian. Jp is a sweetheart and it sad to read her heartbreak.I loved this book and would highly recommend it.
May 4, 2021
Loved the book.
This was fun to read. I finished it in one day. It is so nice to read a feel good story like this. No violence, no vivid sexual scenes, just good vibes throughout. A good author doesn't have to resort to all that.Thanks Heather. Love your books.and
This was fun to read. I finished it in one day. It is so nice to read a feel good story like this. No violence, no vivid sexual scenes, just good vibes throughout. A good author doesn't have to resort to all that.Thanks Heather. Love your books.and
March 21, 2021
What a fun story! True love never dies and never is forgotten!
March 14, 2021
This was so sweet and also so sad. The ending felt a little rushed, but it was happy.
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April 9, 2021Eligible for a 2021 Swoony Award, to nominate/vote click here: https://tinyurl.com/y593ce67
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