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Dovetail
From the bestselling author of Hello Love comes a spellbinding new novel of enduring love, family secrets, and mysterious death.
Joe Arneson’s ordinary life is upended by troubling dreams of himself as a different man in another place and time. It isn’t until he visits his estranged grandmother, Pearl, in her Wisconsin hometown that a startling connection emerges.
Drawn into his family’s past, Joe discovers secrets weighing on the old woman’s soul: the tragic death of her sister Alice a half century ago and its ripple effect on all who loved her. Digging into the events of that summer in 1916, Joe is convinced that his recurrent visions relate to Alice’s untimely passing and to the beloved man she meant to marry. With the help of Kathleen, a local woman Joe’s fallen for, the puzzles of the past start falling into place.
As uncovered truths bring Joe and Kathleen closer together, they also reveal a new danger. For Joe’s dreams may be a warning—from one star-crossed couple to another.
Joe Arneson’s ordinary life is upended by troubling dreams of himself as a different man in another place and time. It isn’t until he visits his estranged grandmother, Pearl, in her Wisconsin hometown that a startling connection emerges.
Drawn into his family’s past, Joe discovers secrets weighing on the old woman’s soul: the tragic death of her sister Alice a half century ago and its ripple effect on all who loved her. Digging into the events of that summer in 1916, Joe is convinced that his recurrent visions relate to Alice’s untimely passing and to the beloved man she meant to marry. With the help of Kathleen, a local woman Joe’s fallen for, the puzzles of the past start falling into place.
As uncovered truths bring Joe and Kathleen closer together, they also reveal a new danger. For Joe’s dreams may be a warning—from one star-crossed couple to another.
338 pages, Paperback
First published March 10, 2020
8759 people are currently reading
23106 people want to read
About the author
Karen McQuestion
53 books2,652 followersKaren McQuestion is an Amazon Charts bestselling author whose books have sold over three million copies. Some of her titles include The Moonlight Child, Dovetail, and A Limited Run.
Her publishing story has been covered by the Wall Street Journal, Entertainment Weekly, and NPR. Additionally she appeared on ABC's World News Now and America This Morning.
Her website:www.karenmcquestion.com\
Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Karen-M...
Her publishing story has been covered by the Wall Street Journal, Entertainment Weekly, and NPR. Additionally she appeared on ABC's World News Now and America This Morning.
Her website:www.karenmcquestion.com\
Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/pages/Karen-M...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 922 reviews
April 7, 2021
Pearl, as a seventeen year old and Pearl as an eighty seven year old woman, dying of cancer, ties the two timelines of this story together. But so do the dreams of her grandson, Joe. Present day Pearl has sprung her grandson, who she has never met before, out of a mental health facility, where twenty two year old Joe has been for months, because of his very vivid, recurring dreams, that haunt him most nights. Both his doctor and his father want Joe to agree to electroshock therapy so he's more than ready to get out of that place and jumps at the chance to leave with his grandmother.
The 1916 timeline has a very spoiled, selfish, lazy, unkind Pearl channeling Scarlett O'Hara, except Gone With the Wind hadn't been written yet...nevertheless, that it the personality that came to mind as I read about Pearl. She avoids helping her nineteen year old sister. Alice, with any of the chores that come with running a household made up of a father and his seven daughters. Pearl hides from chores while she daydreams of Hollywood or Paris, thinks the eyes of all men or boys are on her only and considers her kind, hardworking, loving, compassionate sister to be plain, boring, and not worth the time or attention that anyone would give to her. So when medical student John Lawrence comes to work on their farm for the summer, Pearl is enraged that John falls for Alice and she is determined to undermine their relationship. Also against the relationship is Frank, a man who considers Alice his girlfriend despite the fact that Alice openly shuns him and all his gifts and advances.
In the present day timeline of 1986, Pearl wants Joe to clean out the old family home and take the saleable items to the local vintage shop, for resale. He's also to live in the house while he get the property ready to sell. Twenty six year old Kathleen runs the vintage shop and despite her being against having a relationship with anyone, after a very bad marriage to her ex husband, Ricky, she and Joe become best friends and spend all their time together. He tells her every detail of his dreams and both Joe and Kathleen decide to find out how Alice died at the age of nineteen.
This story it really very simple with very simple themes. And the characters are very black and white. There is the almost perfect couple of Alice and John and the almost perfect couple of Kathleen and Joe. Any black spots in their pasts are no fault of their own, they are almost too good to be true. And then there are the characters of Frank and Ricky, rotten to the core, abusive, jealous, possessive and determined to make Alice/Kathleen love them, no matter who they hurt. Finally there is Pearl who hasn't turned over a new leaf in her late years. Really she is just wanting to be sure she has a chance to enter Heaven when she dies, because she knows she's broken every one of the Ten Commandments, at least once. So she's going to try to redeem herself, the little bit that she can, by helping Joe, and through him, hopefully getting a chance to apologize to her estranged son, Joe's father.
I haven't really mentioned Joe's dreams much but to do so tells the story of what happened back in 1916. Joe is a tie to the past and his dreams aren't like most dreams. Instead he is living the life of someone else in them and he feels the great love this man has for the woman in the dreams. He also sees the great heartbreak of the man when the woman dies. Together, with Kathleen, they want to understand what these dreams mean.
Published March 10th 2020
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC.
The 1916 timeline has a very spoiled, selfish, lazy, unkind Pearl channeling Scarlett O'Hara, except Gone With the Wind hadn't been written yet...nevertheless, that it the personality that came to mind as I read about Pearl. She avoids helping her nineteen year old sister. Alice, with any of the chores that come with running a household made up of a father and his seven daughters. Pearl hides from chores while she daydreams of Hollywood or Paris, thinks the eyes of all men or boys are on her only and considers her kind, hardworking, loving, compassionate sister to be plain, boring, and not worth the time or attention that anyone would give to her. So when medical student John Lawrence comes to work on their farm for the summer, Pearl is enraged that John falls for Alice and she is determined to undermine their relationship. Also against the relationship is Frank, a man who considers Alice his girlfriend despite the fact that Alice openly shuns him and all his gifts and advances.
In the present day timeline of 1986, Pearl wants Joe to clean out the old family home and take the saleable items to the local vintage shop, for resale. He's also to live in the house while he get the property ready to sell. Twenty six year old Kathleen runs the vintage shop and despite her being against having a relationship with anyone, after a very bad marriage to her ex husband, Ricky, she and Joe become best friends and spend all their time together. He tells her every detail of his dreams and both Joe and Kathleen decide to find out how Alice died at the age of nineteen.
This story it really very simple with very simple themes. And the characters are very black and white. There is the almost perfect couple of Alice and John and the almost perfect couple of Kathleen and Joe. Any black spots in their pasts are no fault of their own, they are almost too good to be true. And then there are the characters of Frank and Ricky, rotten to the core, abusive, jealous, possessive and determined to make Alice/Kathleen love them, no matter who they hurt. Finally there is Pearl who hasn't turned over a new leaf in her late years. Really she is just wanting to be sure she has a chance to enter Heaven when she dies, because she knows she's broken every one of the Ten Commandments, at least once. So she's going to try to redeem herself, the little bit that she can, by helping Joe, and through him, hopefully getting a chance to apologize to her estranged son, Joe's father.
I haven't really mentioned Joe's dreams much but to do so tells the story of what happened back in 1916. Joe is a tie to the past and his dreams aren't like most dreams. Instead he is living the life of someone else in them and he feels the great love this man has for the woman in the dreams. He also sees the great heartbreak of the man when the woman dies. Together, with Kathleen, they want to understand what these dreams mean.
Published March 10th 2020
Thank you to Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC.
March 10, 2020
***NOW AVAILABLE***
I think I would classify this as women’s fiction but with a good deal of romance.I must admit that I was hoping for a bit more about Pearls’ life but the book centers mainly about one particular event that she feels responsible for. She knows that she doesn’t have a long time to live and comes up with a plan to at least atone for part of her history.
The novel is told in a dual storyline, the past is the life Pearl lived when she was young, the second oldest of seven daughters to a newly widowed father. Alice is the oldest sister and most of the work of the household falls to her. She is sweet tempered and very maternal and does the cooking, cleaning, etc with the help of her sisters. Pearl at that age was very narcissistic and cared only about herself. She evaded work as much as she could and dreamt of being an actress and leaving their small Wisconsin town of Pullman. She wasn’t even happy when her sister Alice was at last finding some personal happiness and this is the point of the main plot of the story which I won’t divulge and spoil the novel for readers. It does however provide the romance for this time thread of the story.
The second story line is the present. Pearl sets out to retrieve her grandson, whom she has never met, from a mental institution where he has been because of recurring, extremely upsetting and vivid dreams. The dreams cause him to shout out and disturb his father and mother in law, along with his young sister Linda. Though they seem to have Joe’s best interests at heart he is sure that the therapy he is receiving isn’t helping. When he hears that his doctor has suggested electroconvulsive therapy he is adamant about leaving. Just when he is trying to decide how he will get out and where he will go he is told that his “grandmother” and her lawyer are waiting to check him out. At first he isn’t sure about this situation but goes along with it.
When we get into the story we find that Pearl has a plan for her grandson, she wants to hire him for the summer to get her family home ready for sale. There is much to go through in the house and barn and she is also hoping to get to know him. She and her only son, Joe’s father, have been estranged for many years.
During the course of the summer Joe meets Kathleen, a young woman fairly recently arrived to take over the resale and vintage shop that her aunt owned. It was left to her and she finds that she really enjoys the work and the people. Pearl had already set up an account with Kathleen so she was expecting all of the furniture, etc from the house. From this relationship grows the romance in this thread of the story. Joe also finds that his dreams are actually more like recreations of past events (this part of the story was the hardest for me to believe)
While I enjoyed the story I thought it was a bit slow moving and somewhat repetitive. I would have enjoyed hearing more about Pearl, perhaps explaining why she had been completely estranged from all of her sisters. I thought she would perhaps try to reach out to some of them or their children to make amends.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley.
I think I would classify this as women’s fiction but with a good deal of romance.I must admit that I was hoping for a bit more about Pearls’ life but the book centers mainly about one particular event that she feels responsible for. She knows that she doesn’t have a long time to live and comes up with a plan to at least atone for part of her history.
The novel is told in a dual storyline, the past is the life Pearl lived when she was young, the second oldest of seven daughters to a newly widowed father. Alice is the oldest sister and most of the work of the household falls to her. She is sweet tempered and very maternal and does the cooking, cleaning, etc with the help of her sisters. Pearl at that age was very narcissistic and cared only about herself. She evaded work as much as she could and dreamt of being an actress and leaving their small Wisconsin town of Pullman. She wasn’t even happy when her sister Alice was at last finding some personal happiness and this is the point of the main plot of the story which I won’t divulge and spoil the novel for readers. It does however provide the romance for this time thread of the story.
The second story line is the present. Pearl sets out to retrieve her grandson, whom she has never met, from a mental institution where he has been because of recurring, extremely upsetting and vivid dreams. The dreams cause him to shout out and disturb his father and mother in law, along with his young sister Linda. Though they seem to have Joe’s best interests at heart he is sure that the therapy he is receiving isn’t helping. When he hears that his doctor has suggested electroconvulsive therapy he is adamant about leaving. Just when he is trying to decide how he will get out and where he will go he is told that his “grandmother” and her lawyer are waiting to check him out. At first he isn’t sure about this situation but goes along with it.
When we get into the story we find that Pearl has a plan for her grandson, she wants to hire him for the summer to get her family home ready for sale. There is much to go through in the house and barn and she is also hoping to get to know him. She and her only son, Joe’s father, have been estranged for many years.
During the course of the summer Joe meets Kathleen, a young woman fairly recently arrived to take over the resale and vintage shop that her aunt owned. It was left to her and she finds that she really enjoys the work and the people. Pearl had already set up an account with Kathleen so she was expecting all of the furniture, etc from the house. From this relationship grows the romance in this thread of the story. Joe also finds that his dreams are actually more like recreations of past events (this part of the story was the hardest for me to believe)
While I enjoyed the story I thought it was a bit slow moving and somewhat repetitive. I would have enjoyed hearing more about Pearl, perhaps explaining why she had been completely estranged from all of her sisters. I thought she would perhaps try to reach out to some of them or their children to make amends.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley.
February 14, 2020
This is a story that takes place in small town Wisconsin over two timelines, 1916 and 1983. I would characterize it as a family drama/romance combo with a twist. The older tale revolves around nineteen-year-old Alice who is caring for her dad and six younger sisters after the untimely death of her mother. It also features John Lawrence, a new hire helping out on the family farm. Alice’s seventeen-year-old sister Pearl also has a major role in the 1916 timeline. The 1983 setting brings back Pearl as an elderly dying woman. We also meet her grandson Joe and Kathleen, the owner of an antique store in town. Joe is racked with terrifying nightmares that seem very very real and turn out to be at the crux of the tale.
This story is different. To enjoy it, the reader must park the believability factor at the door. I don’t generally like to do that, but I thought this book was worth giving it a try. Happily, I succeeded in going with it and felt rewarded by a satisfying reading experience. There are several threads going on that lend to romance and eternal love, mystery, suspense, and family dynamics. The main characters are appealing despite a couple of them seeming a bit too perfect. My other small criticism is that there are some slow spots. As I say, I did buy into the thread regarding Joe’s dreams, and that unusual angle of the plotline elevated the whole story for me.
I recommend Dovetail to all readers who love poignant fiction. I am pleased to have discovered this author and will definitely be seeking out more of Ms. McQuestion’s novels.
I would like to thank Ms. Karen McQuestion, Net Galley, and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC of this novel. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
This story is different. To enjoy it, the reader must park the believability factor at the door. I don’t generally like to do that, but I thought this book was worth giving it a try. Happily, I succeeded in going with it and felt rewarded by a satisfying reading experience. There are several threads going on that lend to romance and eternal love, mystery, suspense, and family dynamics. The main characters are appealing despite a couple of them seeming a bit too perfect. My other small criticism is that there are some slow spots. As I say, I did buy into the thread regarding Joe’s dreams, and that unusual angle of the plotline elevated the whole story for me.
I recommend Dovetail to all readers who love poignant fiction. I am pleased to have discovered this author and will definitely be seeking out more of Ms. McQuestion’s novels.
I would like to thank Ms. Karen McQuestion, Net Galley, and Lake Union Publishing for an ARC of this novel. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
March 15, 2020
Joe Arneson’s life is anything but predictable. He has visions and odd feelings he can’t put his finger on. He visits his estranged grandmother, Pearl, in Wisconsin, and learns more about his family’s unique past, including a number of secrets, specifically related to his grandmother.
Her sister Alice’s death more than fifty years ago shocked the family and tore it apart. Joe feels like his visions are connected in some way. Joe finds help from Kathleen, and begins to fall in love. But Joe and Kathleen may be just as star-crossed as Alice and her beau before her tragic death.
If you want to fully enjoy the story, suspend your disbelief at the first page. Because I did, I found it a rewarding story for those times when I’ve had a “what if,” or wanted to believe something was a sign from a late beloved family member. Dovetail is an emotional story with its share of love and romance. Overall, Dovetail offered me hope, and I enjoyed the suspense, sweetness, and poignancy of it all.
I received a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
Her sister Alice’s death more than fifty years ago shocked the family and tore it apart. Joe feels like his visions are connected in some way. Joe finds help from Kathleen, and begins to fall in love. But Joe and Kathleen may be just as star-crossed as Alice and her beau before her tragic death.
If you want to fully enjoy the story, suspend your disbelief at the first page. Because I did, I found it a rewarding story for those times when I’ve had a “what if,” or wanted to believe something was a sign from a late beloved family member. Dovetail is an emotional story with its share of love and romance. Overall, Dovetail offered me hope, and I enjoyed the suspense, sweetness, and poignancy of it all.
I received a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
February 24, 2020
The elderly woman who came to his rescue in 1983 was a stranger to Joe Arneson but she declared she was his grandmother. Joe had always been told by his father that his grandmother had died, but as he came to know Pearl, he knew that she was in fact his grandmother, and there was a past of secrets that both his father and grandmother were unwilling to tell him. With Pearl in a nursing home, and dying from cancer, she asked Joe to clear the family home ready for sale. The secondhand store in Pullman, Wisconsin was willing to take the old furniture that was too good to dump – and so Joe met Kathleen, owner of the store.
Joe told Kathleen about the recurring dreams he’d been having; dreams that he felt were too vivid to be anything but real. But they also frightened him. As Joe and Kathleen investigated findings among the old furniture, some parts of the puzzle came clear. Back in 1916 Pearl’s older sister, Alice had died under tragic circumstances, her death having a profound effect on those left behind. Would they find the answers that Joe needed to find peace of mind? And what was the danger that was coming closer to Kathleen, a danger that she was completely unaware of?
Dovetail is my first by Karen McQuestion but definitely won’t be my last. An outstanding read, I thoroughly enjoyed both timelines – 1916 with Alice, Pearl and her family; and 1983 with Joe, Kathleen and Pearl – with the connection between the past and present profound. A captivating read, the blend of romance with family secrets is perfectly done. Dovetail is a book I have no hesitation in recommending highly.
With thanks to the NetGalley, the publisher and author for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Joe told Kathleen about the recurring dreams he’d been having; dreams that he felt were too vivid to be anything but real. But they also frightened him. As Joe and Kathleen investigated findings among the old furniture, some parts of the puzzle came clear. Back in 1916 Pearl’s older sister, Alice had died under tragic circumstances, her death having a profound effect on those left behind. Would they find the answers that Joe needed to find peace of mind? And what was the danger that was coming closer to Kathleen, a danger that she was completely unaware of?
Dovetail is my first by Karen McQuestion but definitely won’t be my last. An outstanding read, I thoroughly enjoyed both timelines – 1916 with Alice, Pearl and her family; and 1983 with Joe, Kathleen and Pearl – with the connection between the past and present profound. A captivating read, the blend of romance with family secrets is perfectly done. Dovetail is a book I have no hesitation in recommending highly.
With thanks to the NetGalley, the publisher and author for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
March 16, 2020
This book has been rattling around in my head for quite a while, probably about four years. All along I've been calling it Dovetail and although bits and pieces were coming to me (like listening to a radio station almost out of range) I waited to start writing until it was more fully formed in my head. After I finished each of my last few books, my younger son Jack would ask, "And now are you going to write Dovetail?"
Every time I said, "Not just yet."
And then one day, I knew the time was right and I sat down with my laptop and got to work.
It's a longer book than I usually write and there are more layers to it. Also, it's different than my other novels, but what else is new? I have trouble staying in my lane, so much so I'm not even sure I have a lane.
Some of my early readers have said this is my best book yet. For some reason I'm unable to judge my own work, so I don't know if that's true or not. All I know is that I hope readers enjoy it.
Every time I said, "Not just yet."
And then one day, I knew the time was right and I sat down with my laptop and got to work.
It's a longer book than I usually write and there are more layers to it. Also, it's different than my other novels, but what else is new? I have trouble staying in my lane, so much so I'm not even sure I have a lane.
Some of my early readers have said this is my best book yet. For some reason I'm unable to judge my own work, so I don't know if that's true or not. All I know is that I hope readers enjoy it.
April 23, 2020
Joe Arneson has had troubling dreams or more like nightmares that disturb him and wake his parents and sister with his screaming. As a result he has been in an institution where they are trying to help him deal with these nightmares. Then one day into his life comes the grandmother he has never known, and never met. She wants to free him from where he is and take him to her place in Wisconsin. Joe’s father who had cut off all contact with his mother years before, is against the idea. But Joe goes to Wisconsin to help his grandmother who is dying of cancer. The year is 1983 when he goes to clear out the family home and prepare it for sale. As he sifts through items, he uncovers links and a deeper understanding of his ancestors and his family’s past. His grandmother, Pearl, is still haunted by the death of her older sister Alice who died young. But she won’t talk about it. As Joe digs into events of that summer of 1916 and Alice’s life and death, Joe is convinced his visions relate to Alice’s death. But could there be an even deeper meaning? A local woman, Kathleen, who owns the second hand store, becomes the recipient of the unwanted furniture and items from the house,. It doesn’t take long before he falls in love. With Kathleen’s help Joe finds the puzzles of the past falling into place. Yet with it emerges a very real threat to both Joe and Kathleen.
I found this an intriguing book. It certainly kept my interest throughout. I liked reading the story of John and Alice, Pearl and their sisters and others from the older story as well as the story from 1983 with Joe and Kathleen. It is a story of family, self-sacrifice, jealousy, love, danger and abuse. The characters are engaging and effortlessly drew me into the story. I couldn’t help but want to know what had happened to fracture this family and why events of the past had so much an impact on Joe. An engrossing read that deals with a number of issues as the truth emerges. I loved it and would be keen to read another book by this author.
I found this an intriguing book. It certainly kept my interest throughout. I liked reading the story of John and Alice, Pearl and their sisters and others from the older story as well as the story from 1983 with Joe and Kathleen. It is a story of family, self-sacrifice, jealousy, love, danger and abuse. The characters are engaging and effortlessly drew me into the story. I couldn’t help but want to know what had happened to fracture this family and why events of the past had so much an impact on Joe. An engrossing read that deals with a number of issues as the truth emerges. I loved it and would be keen to read another book by this author.
October 2, 2022
A dynamic duo of timelines in this unforgettable, poignant love story! In 1916, you meet a rambunctious Pearl and her 6 sisters raised by their father. The innocence of this time period paints a more simple home life although the work around the farm is rigorous their lives were pure. The story builds with Pearl’s jealousy of her oldest sister Alice, who at 19 years falls in love with a medical student John helping out on the farm for the summer. Pearl thrashed about carelessly wanting his attention but his heart was betrothed to Alice. Alice took care of the household’s needs with pleasure and love in her chores, but Pearl could be found lazily daydreaming about Hollywood.
In 1983, Pearl is dying of cancer and wants to make mends with her past, so she retrieves her 23 year old grandson Joe from a mental facility. His family told him they were taking him for an evaluation because of his vivid reoccurring nightmares but instead had him committed.
Against Pearl’s estranged son’s opinion, she takes Joe to her home on the farm and hires him to clean it out so she can list it before she dies.
With another love story building between Joe and a local girl Kathleen and strange connections to the one in 1916, you will find an emotional struggle for all. Deep regrets fall neatly in the grooves of Dovetail, which has an interesting story behind its title.
This Women’s Literary fiction opens your eyes to a family’s healing and secrets that have left scars passed down 3 generations. A very enjoyable read!
In 1983, Pearl is dying of cancer and wants to make mends with her past, so she retrieves her 23 year old grandson Joe from a mental facility. His family told him they were taking him for an evaluation because of his vivid reoccurring nightmares but instead had him committed.
Against Pearl’s estranged son’s opinion, she takes Joe to her home on the farm and hires him to clean it out so she can list it before she dies.
With another love story building between Joe and a local girl Kathleen and strange connections to the one in 1916, you will find an emotional struggle for all. Deep regrets fall neatly in the grooves of Dovetail, which has an interesting story behind its title.
This Women’s Literary fiction opens your eyes to a family’s healing and secrets that have left scars passed down 3 generations. A very enjoyable read!
March 11, 2020
Finding out you had a grandmother you never knew you had and to have her release you from a treatment center was the best thing that could ever have happened for Joe and his entire family.
Joe wanted to know why his father never told him about his mother. What could have happened?
Joe was in treatment for nightmares, and his father wouldn’t let him come home until the treatments resolved his problems.
Another question is how did his grandmother find him, and why did she want to find him? Answers are she had a private detective look for him mainly because she wanted him to clean out her house and inventory everything that was in it. That would be a great way to learn about Grandmother Pearl wouldn't it?
We go back and forth from 1916 to 1983 and see the family Joe never knew about as we meet Alice and Pearl as young women and Pearl present day. The story from 1916 gave details about the family’s life without their mother, and present day gave details about what Pearl told Joe about her past and his place in her life now.
We have another story line that involved a young woman, Kathleen, hiding from her abusive ex-husband in her aunt’s home. Whose home could it be? None other than Aunt Edna.
Who is Aunt Edna? She knew Pearl's family, and her sister, Alice, was Aunt Edna's best friend. The odd thing is that when Kathleen and Joe met each other, they did a double take because they seemed familiar to each other, but they couldn't figure out how they knew each other.
DOVETAIL pulled me in because the characters and story line were warm and inviting. I would have loved to be acquainted with the characters.
If you need an uplifting read set in a small, mid-western town, you won't be disappointed in DOVETAIL.
This book has intrigue, tenderness, suspense, and an all-around cozy, sweet story line. 5/5
This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
Joe wanted to know why his father never told him about his mother. What could have happened?
Joe was in treatment for nightmares, and his father wouldn’t let him come home until the treatments resolved his problems.
Another question is how did his grandmother find him, and why did she want to find him? Answers are she had a private detective look for him mainly because she wanted him to clean out her house and inventory everything that was in it. That would be a great way to learn about Grandmother Pearl wouldn't it?
We go back and forth from 1916 to 1983 and see the family Joe never knew about as we meet Alice and Pearl as young women and Pearl present day. The story from 1916 gave details about the family’s life without their mother, and present day gave details about what Pearl told Joe about her past and his place in her life now.
We have another story line that involved a young woman, Kathleen, hiding from her abusive ex-husband in her aunt’s home. Whose home could it be? None other than Aunt Edna.
Who is Aunt Edna? She knew Pearl's family, and her sister, Alice, was Aunt Edna's best friend. The odd thing is that when Kathleen and Joe met each other, they did a double take because they seemed familiar to each other, but they couldn't figure out how they knew each other.
DOVETAIL pulled me in because the characters and story line were warm and inviting. I would have loved to be acquainted with the characters.
If you need an uplifting read set in a small, mid-western town, you won't be disappointed in DOVETAIL.
This book has intrigue, tenderness, suspense, and an all-around cozy, sweet story line. 5/5
This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
March 23, 2020
“DOVETAIL” is a beautiful story told in two timelines, one in 1916 with Pearl as a young woman and in 1983 when Pearl is in a home dying from cancer. Pearl’s estranged grandson Joe Arneson has been having troubling dreams that have affected him so much he needed help and treatment. Pearl offers Joe a chance to reconnect by offering a job of clearing out her home and a place to stay. There in Wisconsin, Joe connects with Kathleen who runs the antique store, Secondhand Heaven, in town. In 1916, Pearl’s story as a young girl and older sister Alice is revealed. Between Joe and Kathleen, they piece together the past, uncovering secrets that have been haunting Pearl’s life and now Joe from so many years ago.
I enjoyed the dual time lines and the element of mystery as to what happened in the past and how it connects to the present day. The alternating timelines added to how the story moved forward and had me turning those pages. The story was easy to read and had characters I enjoyed reading about.
I enjoyed the dual time lines and the element of mystery as to what happened in the past and how it connects to the present day. The alternating timelines added to how the story moved forward and had me turning those pages. The story was easy to read and had characters I enjoyed reading about.
November 30, 2019
A story set in two timelines.
1916 Pearl is the second of seven sisters. When a young student comes to work for her father Pearl is jealous that he prefers her older sister Alice.
1983 Joe is in hospital because he suffers terrible nightmares. His grandmother Pearl who he has never met comes to collect him to help her empty her family's home so she can sell it.
After he arrives in Pearl's home and he learns more about his family's history Joe's nightmares begin to resemble things that happened in the family before he was born.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
1916 Pearl is the second of seven sisters. When a young student comes to work for her father Pearl is jealous that he prefers her older sister Alice.
1983 Joe is in hospital because he suffers terrible nightmares. His grandmother Pearl who he has never met comes to collect him to help her empty her family's home so she can sell it.
After he arrives in Pearl's home and he learns more about his family's history Joe's nightmares begin to resemble things that happened in the family before he was born.
Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 14, 2020
"I've long believed that no one should be judged on the worst thing they've ever done. And not on the best thing, either, for that matter." "Human beings are much more complex than one event that happened on one day in a very long life." Pearl has reached the end of her very long life and has lived with guilt, regrets, sorrow and pain. What secrets is she keeping and why is it so hard to reveal them?
The characters in the book are people that any of us could know and could relate to. They have emotions and traits that are individual in what makes their personalities. I loved John and Alice. Such caring, loving, and unselfish characters. I loved Joe and Katherine. Their story was one of an immediate attraction to each other but built as they worked to discover the connections from the past to the present. There were characters I disliked the whole book. Then there was Pearl. She had me on both ends of the likeable spectrum. I found myself despising her and then forgiving her. This worked so perfectly to create the story.
This book has suspense, drama, secrets, mystery, tragedy and foreboding. It also has compassion, devotion, forgiveness, hope and love. Love that can transcend time and space. The way it's all brought together in the pages had me turning them, each chapter building, to find out how it was going to all end.
I have yet to pick up a Karen McQuestion book that I have not liked. This book is no exception. In fact, I loved it! It's complex but written so adroitly that the plot and characters are easily followed and built up as the story goes. The uniqueness of the dual time lines and building the parallel stories until they merge is page turning anticipation. Karen McQuestion has created a book that is like the dovetail joints her title is named after. She takes each of the characters and designs them to perfectly fit with the characters they are joined to. Then she builds the story, chapter and event from 1916 to the parallel chapter and events in 1983. Each revealing more as to what really happened in 1916 that Pearl has held secret for all those years. The story starts to link together just as dovetail joints slip together to create a beautiful piece of work when it's finished. "A dovetail joint can stand the test of time."
This is a wonderfully detailed and crafted book. Written in such a wonderful way that the story unfolds in perfect synchronization. A novel that I thoroughly enjoyed from the beginning to the end. I want to thank the author, Karen McQuestion, for the honor of reading an ARC of this fantastic book. All opinions and thoughts are my heartfelt own. It is definitely a five star read for me.
The characters in the book are people that any of us could know and could relate to. They have emotions and traits that are individual in what makes their personalities. I loved John and Alice. Such caring, loving, and unselfish characters. I loved Joe and Katherine. Their story was one of an immediate attraction to each other but built as they worked to discover the connections from the past to the present. There were characters I disliked the whole book. Then there was Pearl. She had me on both ends of the likeable spectrum. I found myself despising her and then forgiving her. This worked so perfectly to create the story.
This book has suspense, drama, secrets, mystery, tragedy and foreboding. It also has compassion, devotion, forgiveness, hope and love. Love that can transcend time and space. The way it's all brought together in the pages had me turning them, each chapter building, to find out how it was going to all end.
I have yet to pick up a Karen McQuestion book that I have not liked. This book is no exception. In fact, I loved it! It's complex but written so adroitly that the plot and characters are easily followed and built up as the story goes. The uniqueness of the dual time lines and building the parallel stories until they merge is page turning anticipation. Karen McQuestion has created a book that is like the dovetail joints her title is named after. She takes each of the characters and designs them to perfectly fit with the characters they are joined to. Then she builds the story, chapter and event from 1916 to the parallel chapter and events in 1983. Each revealing more as to what really happened in 1916 that Pearl has held secret for all those years. The story starts to link together just as dovetail joints slip together to create a beautiful piece of work when it's finished. "A dovetail joint can stand the test of time."
This is a wonderfully detailed and crafted book. Written in such a wonderful way that the story unfolds in perfect synchronization. A novel that I thoroughly enjoyed from the beginning to the end. I want to thank the author, Karen McQuestion, for the honor of reading an ARC of this fantastic book. All opinions and thoughts are my heartfelt own. It is definitely a five star read for me.
January 15, 2020
This is my first book by Karen McQuestion and I look forward to reading more! I expected a typical girl-moves-to-small-town kind of story, but it was so so much more than that. With a touch of magical realism, the past and the present are found to be deeply connected, the romance is authentic and moving, and the story is captivating. Put this one on your list!
December 30, 2019
Karen McQuestion has crafted an emotionally suspenseful tale that explores the intriguing possibilities of genetic memory. It’s an inspired story—a marvelous, evocative read, the perfect blend of mystery, magic, tragedy, and hope. I absolutely loved it, and I devoured it from start to finish.
August 8, 2021
Wonderful story full of all the love and warmth of a true romantic novel. With the right amount of tension, good versus evil and a beautiful ending. Set in two timelines, it is a story of secrets, betrayals, and uncovering the mysties of the past.
May 11, 2021
My Review
March 10th 2020
☕☕☕☕☕
Dovetail
By E sapp - Mar 10, 2020
This was a first for me by Karen mcquestion, this was a Arc that I absolutely loved I felt like I was right there in the story with Alice, and John. Pearl Frank.
And Joe and Kathleen.
This story goes from the year 19 16 - to 1983 back and forth in time to the Future but Alice taking care of her family after her mother dies her younger sisters and her father. A young man named John comes to help out on the farm Alice not knowing they would soon fall in love this young man has a background that back in those days was not lightly looked upon.. but I soon saw why Alice fell in love with John and he was such a giving caring guy..1916.. going into 1983 Joes dad and stepmom had put him into Trendale a place like psychic ward.. because Joe has nightmares and all it scared his family.. but Joe's nightmares have a lot to do with things in this story this is a wonderful Story one that touched me deeply one that I will definitely read again. Will be recommending to everyone which I have already done I finished this book yesterday but I wanted to sit on it a while and then do my review I just can't say enough about this book I absolutely love this book and if I could I would give it 10 Stars.
Thank you netgally For this copy.
And also Thank Karen McQuestion
For this Amazing Book.
March 10th 2020
☕☕☕☕☕
Dovetail
By E sapp - Mar 10, 2020
This was a first for me by Karen mcquestion, this was a Arc that I absolutely loved I felt like I was right there in the story with Alice, and John. Pearl Frank.
And Joe and Kathleen.
This story goes from the year 19 16 - to 1983 back and forth in time to the Future but Alice taking care of her family after her mother dies her younger sisters and her father. A young man named John comes to help out on the farm Alice not knowing they would soon fall in love this young man has a background that back in those days was not lightly looked upon.. but I soon saw why Alice fell in love with John and he was such a giving caring guy..1916.. going into 1983 Joes dad and stepmom had put him into Trendale a place like psychic ward.. because Joe has nightmares and all it scared his family.. but Joe's nightmares have a lot to do with things in this story this is a wonderful Story one that touched me deeply one that I will definitely read again. Will be recommending to everyone which I have already done I finished this book yesterday but I wanted to sit on it a while and then do my review I just can't say enough about this book I absolutely love this book and if I could I would give it 10 Stars.
Thank you netgally For this copy.
And also Thank Karen McQuestion
For this Amazing Book.
January 18, 2020
Can love survive all obstacles? In DOVETAIL, Karen McQuestion crafts a story spanning generations, one brimming with family secrets between sisters, breathtaking suspense, and the undeniable power of love everlasting. I dare you to put the book down before reaching the triumphant conclusion. I couldn’t.
January 17, 2020
won this via Goodreads giveaways in exchange for an honest review. All my opinions are my own.
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Dovetail has by far become one of my favorite books that I look forward to rereading and I seldomly reread a book that I've already read. I don't even know where to start because I don't want to give any of the story away.
The main characters of the book have ties with the characters in the past and they all slowly intertwine. It was an easy read that was such a pleasure to read. You get drawn into to the story, it's so easy to imagine yourself as part of Pullman Wisconsin. The author has so many different relate able parts to the story that make it feel familiar.
I would suggest this book for anyone who loves a good drama, slight mystery and a touch of romance rolled I to one.
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Dovetail has by far become one of my favorite books that I look forward to rereading and I seldomly reread a book that I've already read. I don't even know where to start because I don't want to give any of the story away.
The main characters of the book have ties with the characters in the past and they all slowly intertwine. It was an easy read that was such a pleasure to read. You get drawn into to the story, it's so easy to imagine yourself as part of Pullman Wisconsin. The author has so many different relate able parts to the story that make it feel familiar.
I would suggest this book for anyone who loves a good drama, slight mystery and a touch of romance rolled I to one.
June 30, 2020
A favorite to read again and again.
This is one of my favorite books of the last few years. Mystery, romance and a page turner all at once. I love the dual timelines and the structure and pacing were perfect. Highly recommend but be prepared to put everything aside until you finish!
This is one of my favorite books of the last few years. Mystery, romance and a page turner all at once. I love the dual timelines and the structure and pacing were perfect. Highly recommend but be prepared to put everything aside until you finish!
March 16, 2020
Melissa contributed this review to Really Into This
Check out all of our reviews at https://reallyintothis.com
Happy Reading, friends!
Special thanks to Lake Union Publishing for providing our copy of Dovetail by Karen McQuestion in exchange for an honest & fair review.
Dovetail by Karen McQuestion
I love this dual timeline novel. Family secrets, messages from the past and the thread that connects everything is Joe’s, Grandmother Pearl. Immediately, I want to know more about the family secrets. I know that Karen will connect the past & present.
If there is a book that is written for me, this is it! I loved Karen’s novel, Good Man, Dalton. Her writing style just speaks to me. The characters suck me in & she really takes readers on a journey.
THE VERDICT
I am really into this book! Dovetail is for fans of Quantum Leap, Frequency, Me Again. In case you didn't know, those are some of my favorite TV shows & movies. I love stories with time jumps & bridges between the past & present. If you love stories where the past influences the future and vice versa you will love Dovetail by Karen McQuestion.
Check out all of our reviews at https://reallyintothis.com
Happy Reading, friends!
Special thanks to Lake Union Publishing for providing our copy of Dovetail by Karen McQuestion in exchange for an honest & fair review.
Dovetail by Karen McQuestion
I love this dual timeline novel. Family secrets, messages from the past and the thread that connects everything is Joe’s, Grandmother Pearl. Immediately, I want to know more about the family secrets. I know that Karen will connect the past & present.
If there is a book that is written for me, this is it! I loved Karen’s novel, Good Man, Dalton. Her writing style just speaks to me. The characters suck me in & she really takes readers on a journey.
THE VERDICT
I am really into this book! Dovetail is for fans of Quantum Leap, Frequency, Me Again. In case you didn't know, those are some of my favorite TV shows & movies. I love stories with time jumps & bridges between the past & present. If you love stories where the past influences the future and vice versa you will love Dovetail by Karen McQuestion.
December 28, 2019
Karen McQuestion, author of “Dovetail” has written a captivating, intriguing, intense, memorable, emotional and suspenseful novel. The Genres for this novel are Fiction, Historical Romance. and Suspense. There are two timelines in the story and characters in the different timelines have something relatable and in common. The author describes her characters as complex and complicated. There are deep secrets, mysteries, and murder.
Joe Arneson has very strange and tormenting dreams, that have gotten so bad that he has been committed for his mental health. A grandmother that he doesn’t remember or know, Pearl comes and arranges his discharge. Pearl is an old lady, and with her friend, encourages Joe to live in her house and offers him a job. Pearl and Joe’s father are estranged. Pearl is quirky, eccentric and narcissistic, and now is sick and wants to make amends for many things that happened in her life.
Joe seems to have triggers for those dreams, and it seems that he is living someone else’s life. Joe meets a friend Kathleen, who is very supportive. As Joe spends time with Pearl, he learns that his Aunt Alice had died when she was young. Joe is realizing certain places in the present were also in the past. How can these be related? Can history rewrite itself? What are Joe’s dreams really symbolizing? I would highly recommend this thought-provoking story for those readers who enjoy fiction, and Historical Romance.
Joe Arneson has very strange and tormenting dreams, that have gotten so bad that he has been committed for his mental health. A grandmother that he doesn’t remember or know, Pearl comes and arranges his discharge. Pearl is an old lady, and with her friend, encourages Joe to live in her house and offers him a job. Pearl and Joe’s father are estranged. Pearl is quirky, eccentric and narcissistic, and now is sick and wants to make amends for many things that happened in her life.
Joe seems to have triggers for those dreams, and it seems that he is living someone else’s life. Joe meets a friend Kathleen, who is very supportive. As Joe spends time with Pearl, he learns that his Aunt Alice had died when she was young. Joe is realizing certain places in the present were also in the past. How can these be related? Can history rewrite itself? What are Joe’s dreams really symbolizing? I would highly recommend this thought-provoking story for those readers who enjoy fiction, and Historical Romance.
April 22, 2020
Pensive, heartwarming, and mysterious!
Dovetail is a captivating, moving tale that takes us into the life of Joe Arneson, a young man who after years of struggling with tormented dreams finally gets some closure and relief after moving to a new town, forging a relationship with a grandmother he never knew existed, embarking on a blossoming new relationship, and uncovering tragic memories and long-buried family secrets from the past.
The prose is fluid and smooth. The characters are troubled, complex, and genuine. And the plot, alternating between timelines and told from multiple perspectives is an absorbing tale of life, loss, love, family, guilt, grief, friendship, forgiveness, jealousy, obsession, and romance all interwoven with a thread of magical realism.
Overall, Dovetail is a compelling, thought-provoking, emotional novel by McQuestion that reminds us that often even the little choices we make often have far-reaching consequences, and sometimes, perhaps, things are truly just fated to happen.
Thank you to Thomas Allen & Son for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Dovetail is a captivating, moving tale that takes us into the life of Joe Arneson, a young man who after years of struggling with tormented dreams finally gets some closure and relief after moving to a new town, forging a relationship with a grandmother he never knew existed, embarking on a blossoming new relationship, and uncovering tragic memories and long-buried family secrets from the past.
The prose is fluid and smooth. The characters are troubled, complex, and genuine. And the plot, alternating between timelines and told from multiple perspectives is an absorbing tale of life, loss, love, family, guilt, grief, friendship, forgiveness, jealousy, obsession, and romance all interwoven with a thread of magical realism.
Overall, Dovetail is a compelling, thought-provoking, emotional novel by McQuestion that reminds us that often even the little choices we make often have far-reaching consequences, and sometimes, perhaps, things are truly just fated to happen.
Thank you to Thomas Allen & Son for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 6, 2021
Tragic but beautiful
A five all the way.
I'm old now and had somewhat of trouble keeping up with who.
The story of the characters read like a dream.
In the end it brought it all together.
Family histories repeating themselves especially toward the end.
You'll see, even Kathleen repeat the same words when Joe proposed to her.
Tragedy by history but beautiful in history I'm sure because Alice wanted the love story to have a happy ending.
Its said for both young and older. My granddaughter is 13, my daughter, her Mother is thirty five.
Cor my granddaughter to truly understand that life does indeed come full circle so she won't have to make the same mistakes. Hopefully she'll be like Alice but changing the circle without sorrow.
My daughter who has already made so many mistakes (Pearl), can change her own circle of life be a happy ending starting with her overbearing and I've thought often physical abuse like Ricky. Scary thought. Been there did that but I got the good guy and got her perhaps the way Joe " finally " comes and he and Kathleen will indeed change the circle.
I read avidly and every time I find answers. My own daughter has cut me out also but for different reasons I can only relate to as this generation which I don't get except I know her well and believe it or not when I call to her through her study wall I know she hears me. I can sense her need when she lets her wall down just enough for me to tell her hello and I love her. The crack slams closed and I know sorta why relating back to this generation.
A five all the way.
I'm old now and had somewhat of trouble keeping up with who.
The story of the characters read like a dream.
In the end it brought it all together.
Family histories repeating themselves especially toward the end.
You'll see, even Kathleen repeat the same words when Joe proposed to her.
Tragedy by history but beautiful in history I'm sure because Alice wanted the love story to have a happy ending.
Its said for both young and older. My granddaughter is 13, my daughter, her Mother is thirty five.
Cor my granddaughter to truly understand that life does indeed come full circle so she won't have to make the same mistakes. Hopefully she'll be like Alice but changing the circle without sorrow.
My daughter who has already made so many mistakes (Pearl), can change her own circle of life be a happy ending starting with her overbearing and I've thought often physical abuse like Ricky. Scary thought. Been there did that but I got the good guy and got her perhaps the way Joe " finally " comes and he and Kathleen will indeed change the circle.
I read avidly and every time I find answers. My own daughter has cut me out also but for different reasons I can only relate to as this generation which I don't get except I know her well and believe it or not when I call to her through her study wall I know she hears me. I can sense her need when she lets her wall down just enough for me to tell her hello and I love her. The crack slams closed and I know sorta why relating back to this generation.
October 21, 2019
"What's done is done. You can't unring the bell. I surely would, if given a chance."
A wonderful story with dual timelines, one in 1916 and the other in 1983 with a linking thread that you just will not believe!
Joe has been bailed out of a psychiatric facility by a grandmother he had no idea existed!
Pearl ( Joe's Grandma) needs help to clean her house up and out and who better than her grandson. She wants to know him while she has time and make things right.
There is a reason Joe has been in a facility.
He has reoccurring dreams that cause terrors. Dr's cannot understand what or why these dreams continue to go on and certainly do not like that he is leaving the institution.
Part of this mission that Pearl has given Joe, is to pack up the furniture and items not wanted in her house and deliver them to the second hand shop in town.
The connections to the dreams and 1916 begin here.
This is one amazing novel and although I will admit I was confused in the beginning, keep with it as it all comes together as the chapters progress! I reread some pages again to grasp each new revelation that was discovered.
There are details upon details that truly kept me loving this book!
Excellent journey you will not want to miss!
A wonderful story with dual timelines, one in 1916 and the other in 1983 with a linking thread that you just will not believe!
Joe has been bailed out of a psychiatric facility by a grandmother he had no idea existed!
Pearl ( Joe's Grandma) needs help to clean her house up and out and who better than her grandson. She wants to know him while she has time and make things right.
There is a reason Joe has been in a facility.
He has reoccurring dreams that cause terrors. Dr's cannot understand what or why these dreams continue to go on and certainly do not like that he is leaving the institution.
Part of this mission that Pearl has given Joe, is to pack up the furniture and items not wanted in her house and deliver them to the second hand shop in town.
The connections to the dreams and 1916 begin here.
This is one amazing novel and although I will admit I was confused in the beginning, keep with it as it all comes together as the chapters progress! I reread some pages again to grasp each new revelation that was discovered.
There are details upon details that truly kept me loving this book!
Excellent journey you will not want to miss!
March 11, 2020
A duel timeline story about family secrets. Joe Arneson has troubling dreams he can't understand. When his estranged grandmother brings him to her home, Joe discovers that his dreams are about his family's past. I love loved this! I've never read this author before. A compelling story that held me to the end. A perfect book club novel.
Dawnny-BookGypsy
Novels N Latte
Hudson Valley NY
Dawnny-BookGypsy
Novels N Latte
Hudson Valley NY
November 1, 2022
How I read this: Free ebook copy received through NetGalley
This is kind of an old-fashioned book, and while that's not a bad thing, I wasn't so keen on the slut-shaming. The character whom it concerns IS very unlikeable and she does do a lot of stuff selfishly, and she did live in an age where women were supposed to be very shy and humble. She openly acts improperly because she wants to be happy and live life, though. The book felt quite judgy about this, and I wasn't fond of it at all. You can judge her for the manipulation and her selfishness and jealousy, but not the fact that she romanticizes relationships and wants to get into one as fast as possible.
That said, the rest of the characters in the book were also very simplified, they're either all good or all bad, there's pretty much no in-between. I prefer to read stories with more complex characters, but I do admit that this lends somewhat of a fairytale feel to the book, which might be what the author was going for.
Other than that, the plot is good, although easily predictable within the first few chapters. The main plot of the story IS very sweet and quite romantic, but in a sort of starcrossed, yet tragic way. It's not a bad way to tell a story at all. I gather that this book was simply written for older readers, and so I am just not the intended audience for it. It did leave a warm feeling in my heart, though - that I must admit.
I thank the publisher for giving me a free copy of the ebook in exchange to my honest review. This has not affected my opinion.
Book Blog | Bookstagram | Bookish Twitter
This is kind of an old-fashioned book, and while that's not a bad thing, I wasn't so keen on the slut-shaming. The character whom it concerns IS very unlikeable and she does do a lot of stuff selfishly, and she did live in an age where women were supposed to be very shy and humble. She openly acts improperly because she wants to be happy and live life, though. The book felt quite judgy about this, and I wasn't fond of it at all. You can judge her for the manipulation and her selfishness and jealousy, but not the fact that she romanticizes relationships and wants to get into one as fast as possible.
That said, the rest of the characters in the book were also very simplified, they're either all good or all bad, there's pretty much no in-between. I prefer to read stories with more complex characters, but I do admit that this lends somewhat of a fairytale feel to the book, which might be what the author was going for.
Other than that, the plot is good, although easily predictable within the first few chapters. The main plot of the story IS very sweet and quite romantic, but in a sort of starcrossed, yet tragic way. It's not a bad way to tell a story at all. I gather that this book was simply written for older readers, and so I am just not the intended audience for it. It did leave a warm feeling in my heart, though - that I must admit.
I thank the publisher for giving me a free copy of the ebook in exchange to my honest review. This has not affected my opinion.
Book Blog | Bookstagram | Bookish Twitter
February 28, 2020
Wow! This book has a little bit of everything. Family drama, mystery, love and betrayal. This was the first book I’ve read by Ms. McQuestion, and I need to go back and read her earlier books. Her characters were realistic, flaws and all, not expecting our love or forgiveness. The past (1916) and present (1983) timelines go back and forth seamlessly and tie things together honestly. The touch of magical dreams thrown in was perfect touch.
Set in a small town in Wisconsin, Pearl is a feisty, opinionated grandmother. She springs her never met grandson, Joe, out of a mental hospital where he is staying because of his vivid dreams. She takes him to her childhood home and offers him a job for the summer. He becomes friends with Kathleen, who inherited her antique/second hand store from her GreatAunt. There is a instant connection that they can’t explain. But, Kathleen is hiding something.
Now go back to the past. Pearl is a self-centered, head in the clouds, pretty teenager. She wants the finer things for herself and especially her future. Second in line of six girls. Her mother deceased, a loving father and an older sister, Alice, who was born to run a home. When a handsome man comes to work for their father, he has secrets of his own, but much to Pearl’s dismay, he only has eyes for Alice.
Both Kathleen and Alice have unwanted suitors who won’t take no for an answer. These two timelines collide with totally different outcomes. You will cheer for both these couples...one just a little too perfect for me.
I loved the family dynamics... the sibling dynamics, parental interactions and family mystery. I especially loved how Pearl never changed, only aged and softened. Thanks to Ms. McQuestion, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.
Set in a small town in Wisconsin, Pearl is a feisty, opinionated grandmother. She springs her never met grandson, Joe, out of a mental hospital where he is staying because of his vivid dreams. She takes him to her childhood home and offers him a job for the summer. He becomes friends with Kathleen, who inherited her antique/second hand store from her GreatAunt. There is a instant connection that they can’t explain. But, Kathleen is hiding something.
Now go back to the past. Pearl is a self-centered, head in the clouds, pretty teenager. She wants the finer things for herself and especially her future. Second in line of six girls. Her mother deceased, a loving father and an older sister, Alice, who was born to run a home. When a handsome man comes to work for their father, he has secrets of his own, but much to Pearl’s dismay, he only has eyes for Alice.
Both Kathleen and Alice have unwanted suitors who won’t take no for an answer. These two timelines collide with totally different outcomes. You will cheer for both these couples...one just a little too perfect for me.
I loved the family dynamics... the sibling dynamics, parental interactions and family mystery. I especially loved how Pearl never changed, only aged and softened. Thanks to Ms. McQuestion, Lake Union Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. Opinion is mine alone.
May 4, 2024
I am in love
This is one of the best books. I’ve read in a very long time. I absolutely loved it. It was so sweet and real and written so well I’m so impressed by this book that I keep telling everybody that I know they should read it great job
This is one of the best books. I’ve read in a very long time. I absolutely loved it. It was so sweet and real and written so well I’m so impressed by this book that I keep telling everybody that I know they should read it great job
October 7, 2021
Wonderful Story.
Thank you Karen McQuestion, Very good Book, hard to put down. I enjoyed it very much, it was scary, interesting and had a very good ending.
Thank you Karen McQuestion, Very good Book, hard to put down. I enjoyed it very much, it was scary, interesting and had a very good ending.
March 16, 2020
I’ve read several of Karen McQuestion’s books and have to say that this is my all time favorite by far. It’s so full of emotions of all kinds that you will keep reading and wanting to know what happens with each page, each chapter.
This book is told from two different time periods. In 1916 when Pearl was just a teen and in 1983 when she is an old woman dying from cancer. Her story is one that will break your heart. Make you believe in love. Bring you to your knees. Fill you with hope and make you want more. It’s such a good story and you won’t forget it for a good long while.
This is a tragedy and a love story. It’s the story of two sisters in the early years and a grandmother and grandson in the later years. Joe first meets his grandmother, Pearl, when he is 21 years old. He was always told that she had died. His dad never talked about her and he really had no questions. But once he meets her his life will change drastically. She breaks him out of a psychiatric hospital and takes him to her home. His dad and step mother thought he needed to be in this hospital because of the dreams he was having that disturbed him and scared them. Little did they or anyone know exactly what these dreams would eventually reveal.
Pearl is an old woman who has so many regrets in her life. Things she has done and can’t change. Her fear of dying and her longing to make amends with her son, Bill. They both seem to be rather stubborn in many ways and neither wants to be the one to admit they are wrong.
Kathleen moved to town to escape her abusive ex husband. She needed to get away where he could not find her. She and Joe become friends. She took over her great aunt’s second hand store and moved into her home after her death. It was the answer to her problems so she thought. Kathleen is a sweet young woman that you will love. You’ll root for her to find love and happiness as she certainly deserves it. Even though she vows to never fall in love again. She really just needs to find the right man.
This is a story to make you feel many feelings. From sorrow, heartache, tragedy, true deep emotional love, loss, just plain meanness, forgiveness, starting over. It has all the feels you can get from a book. Laughter even. I did cry quite a few tears reading this one but I also laughed a lot. I cringed and held my breath also. It is one book that will give you many feels.
Great characters that you will love, some maybe hate, but most you will love. The settings are done to perfection and you’ll feel like you are in both time periods. You’ll feel each persons pain and happiness. Love and heartache. It’s a feeling book for sure.
I have to thank #NetGalley, #Lake Union Publishers, #Karen McQuestion for the eARC of the awesome book. This is my own true review.
I gave it 5 stars and believe me it deserves way more. A huge high recommendation to everyone. This book will grab you and won’t let go. It’s done so perfectly. From start to finish everything falls in place and all your questions are answered. It’s one great book.
This book is told from two different time periods. In 1916 when Pearl was just a teen and in 1983 when she is an old woman dying from cancer. Her story is one that will break your heart. Make you believe in love. Bring you to your knees. Fill you with hope and make you want more. It’s such a good story and you won’t forget it for a good long while.
This is a tragedy and a love story. It’s the story of two sisters in the early years and a grandmother and grandson in the later years. Joe first meets his grandmother, Pearl, when he is 21 years old. He was always told that she had died. His dad never talked about her and he really had no questions. But once he meets her his life will change drastically. She breaks him out of a psychiatric hospital and takes him to her home. His dad and step mother thought he needed to be in this hospital because of the dreams he was having that disturbed him and scared them. Little did they or anyone know exactly what these dreams would eventually reveal.
Pearl is an old woman who has so many regrets in her life. Things she has done and can’t change. Her fear of dying and her longing to make amends with her son, Bill. They both seem to be rather stubborn in many ways and neither wants to be the one to admit they are wrong.
Kathleen moved to town to escape her abusive ex husband. She needed to get away where he could not find her. She and Joe become friends. She took over her great aunt’s second hand store and moved into her home after her death. It was the answer to her problems so she thought. Kathleen is a sweet young woman that you will love. You’ll root for her to find love and happiness as she certainly deserves it. Even though she vows to never fall in love again. She really just needs to find the right man.
This is a story to make you feel many feelings. From sorrow, heartache, tragedy, true deep emotional love, loss, just plain meanness, forgiveness, starting over. It has all the feels you can get from a book. Laughter even. I did cry quite a few tears reading this one but I also laughed a lot. I cringed and held my breath also. It is one book that will give you many feels.
Great characters that you will love, some maybe hate, but most you will love. The settings are done to perfection and you’ll feel like you are in both time periods. You’ll feel each persons pain and happiness. Love and heartache. It’s a feeling book for sure.
I have to thank #NetGalley, #Lake Union Publishers, #Karen McQuestion for the eARC of the awesome book. This is my own true review.
I gave it 5 stars and believe me it deserves way more. A huge high recommendation to everyone. This book will grab you and won’t let go. It’s done so perfectly. From start to finish everything falls in place and all your questions are answered. It’s one great book.
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