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The Edge of Winter
Neve Halloran and her daughter have shared a fierce love for the austere beauty of Rhode Island’s South County ever since Neve guided Mickey’s first baby steps along the sandy shore. Now, with Mickey a teenager and Neve’s last hope for happiness with her daughter’s loving but unstable father gone, both will struggle to make a new life together amid the windswept landscape that sustains them.
Captivated by a fragile wildlife sanctuary, Mickey will move toward womanhood in the company of a lonely boy who shares her instinctive way with the creatures of the coast. And Neve will find herself drawn to a man who has devoted his life to the sanctuary, but who is unable to share the pain of a recent loss—or reconnect with the father who still bears the scars of World War II.
As winter gives way to spring, and spring to summer, a secret will emerge that has lain buried in the depths just offshore for decades, a secret that will galvanize the small seaside community. For the waters bear their own vestige of the past—and their ceaseless rhythms may point the way to hope and new beginnings.
Lyrical, luminous, and utterly captivating, The Edge of Winter is Luanne Rice at her most penetrating and insightful, in a moving exploration of the bonds that shape us and set us free.
Captivated by a fragile wildlife sanctuary, Mickey will move toward womanhood in the company of a lonely boy who shares her instinctive way with the creatures of the coast. And Neve will find herself drawn to a man who has devoted his life to the sanctuary, but who is unable to share the pain of a recent loss—or reconnect with the father who still bears the scars of World War II.
As winter gives way to spring, and spring to summer, a secret will emerge that has lain buried in the depths just offshore for decades, a secret that will galvanize the small seaside community. For the waters bear their own vestige of the past—and their ceaseless rhythms may point the way to hope and new beginnings.
Lyrical, luminous, and utterly captivating, The Edge of Winter is Luanne Rice at her most penetrating and insightful, in a moving exploration of the bonds that shape us and set us free.
339 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2007
45 people are currently reading
1974 people want to read
About the author
Luanne Rice
109 books3,145 followersLuanne Rice is the New York Times bestselling author of thirty-eight novels, translated into thirty languages. Rice often writes about love, family, nature, and the sea. Most recently she has written thrillers, including one based on a murder that affected her family. She received the 2014 Connecticut Governor’s Arts Award for excellence and lifetime achievement in the Literary Arts category.
Connecticut College awarded Rice an honorary degree and invited her to donate her papers to the College’s Special Collections Library. They are archived in the Luanne Rice Collection.
Rice has also received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from St. Joseph University in West Hartford, Conn.
Several of Rice's novels have been adapted for television. Her monologue for the play Motherhood Out Loud premiered at Hartford Stage and has been performed Off-Broadway in NYC and at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles.
Rice is a Creative Affiliate of the Safina Center. She lives in southeastern Connecticut.
Connecticut College awarded Rice an honorary degree and invited her to donate her papers to the College’s Special Collections Library. They are archived in the Luanne Rice Collection.
Rice has also received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from St. Joseph University in West Hartford, Conn.
Several of Rice's novels have been adapted for television. Her monologue for the play Motherhood Out Loud premiered at Hartford Stage and has been performed Off-Broadway in NYC and at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles.
Rice is a Creative Affiliate of the Safina Center. She lives in southeastern Connecticut.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 351 reviews
January 1, 2019
Parti sem quaisquer expectativas para esta leitura, pois foi uma obra que caiu cá em casa sem que eu a tivesse comprado, pedido ou falado sobre ela. O ano passado, no final do primeiro período, o meu filhote comprou-a por pouco mais de um euro numa Feirinha Solidária que se fez na sua escola e ofereceu-ma. Nunca pus em causa não a ler, não só porque foi uma prendinha do meu D., mas também porque dificilmente me recuso a ler qualquer livro que chegue aqui a casa e que seja uma estreia.
Li esta obra para o desafio Christmas in the Books 2, mais especificamente para a categoria – Livro que se passe no Natal ou no inverno e, apesar de nada saber sobre a sua narrativa, posso já dizer que acertei em cheio, pois praticamente toda a história se desenrola em meses gelados do inverno. Luanne Rice leva-nos a Rhode Island e apresenta-nos várias personagens marcadas pela perda. Desde um pai que perdeu um filho, um filho que perdeu um pai, um avô que perdeu um neto, um irmão que perdeu outro irmão e uma família que perdeu, por causa do divórcio, o homem lá de casa, todos, sem exceção, estão ainda dentro de um sofrido e amargo processo de luto, dentro do seu próprio inverno. Todos moram perto uns dos outros, numa localidade conhecida por ter sido o local, onde em 1944, no penúltimo ano da Segunda Guerra Mundial, um navio americano bombardeia e afunda um submarino alemão, matando toda a sua tripulação. Ora tudo isto poderia ser um conjunto de ingredientes para uma narrativa que me prenderia e me faria feliz. Infelizmente não o foi.
Todos aqui já devem saber que me “rasgo todinha” por uma história intensa, exigente, com laivos sombrios e muito, muito introspetivos. Também já o disse, no início desta opinião, que entrei nesta leitura sem expectativas. Contudo, não posso deixar de assinalar a minha frustração ao estar perante os ingredientes certos e chegar à conclusão que a autora não soube lidar com eles como eu tanto queria. O seu estilo é pouco facetado, muito linear, previsível e, usando a linguagem do surf (atividade muito presente na obra), muito “flat”; as personagens são interessantes, mas com uma dose rudimentar de complexidade; os temas são muito atrativos, mas são tratados de forma superficial. Resumidamente, estava certa ao lançar-me nesta leitura de mente em branco, porque aquilo que a mesma me ofereceu foi aquilo que eu previa – uma leitura minimamente agradável, mas que vai morar durante muito pouco tempo na minha memória…
Opinião completa em:
https://osabordosmeuslivros.blogspot....
NOTA – 06/10
Li esta obra para o desafio Christmas in the Books 2, mais especificamente para a categoria – Livro que se passe no Natal ou no inverno e, apesar de nada saber sobre a sua narrativa, posso já dizer que acertei em cheio, pois praticamente toda a história se desenrola em meses gelados do inverno. Luanne Rice leva-nos a Rhode Island e apresenta-nos várias personagens marcadas pela perda. Desde um pai que perdeu um filho, um filho que perdeu um pai, um avô que perdeu um neto, um irmão que perdeu outro irmão e uma família que perdeu, por causa do divórcio, o homem lá de casa, todos, sem exceção, estão ainda dentro de um sofrido e amargo processo de luto, dentro do seu próprio inverno. Todos moram perto uns dos outros, numa localidade conhecida por ter sido o local, onde em 1944, no penúltimo ano da Segunda Guerra Mundial, um navio americano bombardeia e afunda um submarino alemão, matando toda a sua tripulação. Ora tudo isto poderia ser um conjunto de ingredientes para uma narrativa que me prenderia e me faria feliz. Infelizmente não o foi.
Todos aqui já devem saber que me “rasgo todinha” por uma história intensa, exigente, com laivos sombrios e muito, muito introspetivos. Também já o disse, no início desta opinião, que entrei nesta leitura sem expectativas. Contudo, não posso deixar de assinalar a minha frustração ao estar perante os ingredientes certos e chegar à conclusão que a autora não soube lidar com eles como eu tanto queria. O seu estilo é pouco facetado, muito linear, previsível e, usando a linguagem do surf (atividade muito presente na obra), muito “flat”; as personagens são interessantes, mas com uma dose rudimentar de complexidade; os temas são muito atrativos, mas são tratados de forma superficial. Resumidamente, estava certa ao lançar-me nesta leitura de mente em branco, porque aquilo que a mesma me ofereceu foi aquilo que eu previa – uma leitura minimamente agradável, mas que vai morar durante muito pouco tempo na minha memória…
Opinião completa em:
https://osabordosmeuslivros.blogspot....
NOTA – 06/10
February 13, 2009
I might be a little prejudice reviewing this book. It is set in Rhode Island and clearly the author knows Rhode Island. And, the story is about World War II and men who served with my father--even though Luanne Rice fictionized the book, the details of the 492nd Bomb Group is very accurate. Her father served in the same group. Anyone who grew up at RI beaches will recognize the references in the book.
March 6, 2017
Wow! Just wow! I just loved The Edge of Winter by Luanne Rice: family, history, military...it had it all for me! Rice does a wonderful job creating fully developed characters, characters I would like to spend time with. She also created many scenes that were believable without being sappy. For anyone who has ever had a cause to fight for as a teenager (Micky/owls, Shane/sunken Uboat), who has had a loved one in the military (the O'Casey family), or a loved one living with/through alcoholism, there are great moments for connection in this novel. I look forward to reading more by this author.
Go Cards! L1C4!!
Go Cards! L1C4!!
January 30, 2015
This book is not technically categorized as Juvenile Fiction, but it certainly reads that way. Although it has many adult themes i.e. alcoholism, post traumatic stress syndrome,forgiveness,loss of loved ones to death, divorce - the dialog and some of the descriptions are simplistic and contrived. The overall story line is ok but the way it's written caused me to do a lot of "eye rolling". Much of the writing feels cliché. But the best line in the book, for me, is: "Love means ALWAYS having to say you're sorry." That's actually a very nice twist on a classic old movie cliché! Anyone remember "Love Story"?
April 10, 2011
The O'Casey men have a history of war tragedy in their family. Mickey and her mother Neve have a history of disappointment and hurt when it comes to Mickey's alcoholic, undependable, irresponsible father. Shane has a history with the water, getting his love of surfing from his father, who passed away after drowning while surfing when Shane was very young--and was watching from the shore. The tie that binds all of these characters together is their mutual love for nature, birds, and preserving history through the U-823 submarine that rests off the shore of Tim O'Casey's wilderness. When a big shot wants to move the sunken WWII German sub, it causes their worlds to collide together, and while they all bond over how to save the ship (that Tim's father actually sunk himself), love blossoms.
The characters were likable, and the storyline was okay, but it wasn't something I could personally connect to or invest in for some reason. I didn't always think the writing rang true, and sometimes it could be a little cheesy, especially the parts dealing with any affection. Dialogue didn't always sound realistic to me, either. There were some parts that were well-written, but overall, the book felt somewhat generic. The conflicts that arose between characters seemed to be settled too easily, like a half-hour sitcom from the 90s, so that there was never much real tension to build, leaving the plot feel flat.
The characters were likable, and the storyline was okay, but it wasn't something I could personally connect to or invest in for some reason. I didn't always think the writing rang true, and sometimes it could be a little cheesy, especially the parts dealing with any affection. Dialogue didn't always sound realistic to me, either. There were some parts that were well-written, but overall, the book felt somewhat generic. The conflicts that arose between characters seemed to be settled too easily, like a half-hour sitcom from the 90s, so that there was never much real tension to build, leaving the plot feel flat.
August 17, 2009
A good story! It talked about historical and environmental preservation without being too preachy. Instead, it focused on how important the beach and the offshore WWII U-boat wreck were for various members of the community. I love stories where the individual character's lives are so intertwined; in my opinion, Rice does a good job of doing this without being too predictable.
November 18, 2007
this was okay. it made me cry, which probably means i've officially crossed over to the bad place.
it was sappy, and too simple, and not that well written. and all the diving references were wrong. which leads me to believe her Uboat history was off too.
oh well.
it was sappy, and too simple, and not that well written. and all the diving references were wrong. which leads me to believe her Uboat history was off too.
oh well.
August 10, 2021
Every once in a while I have to touch base with Luanne Rice. Amid the contemporary fiction and thrillers, murder and mayhem I usually read these days, sometimes I just need her writing. To read about love, loss, forgiveness, family, disappointment and most of all, hope. This book, to me, is one of her best and I enjoyed every page. "The courage of some who believed in goodness even while the world around them seemed to be ending..."
April 6, 2010
Didn't get past the first few chapters. The characters and plot were predictable, unimaginative and far too cookie cutter for my tastes.
March 3, 2022
I enjoyed this book,wish the punk villain would’ve payed for abusing the Snowy Owl though & nearly drowning Mickey
September 12, 2024
I thought I'd like these more
January 4, 2009
Se já tinha ficado rendida à autora com o "A Minha verdade é o Amor", com este livro ela excedeu completamente as expectativas.
A história gira à volta de um mocho bufo-branco e um Submarino alemão, que farão com que todos os protagonistas saltem das suas "conhas" recheadas de tristezas e desespero e acordar para a vida e o Amor.
Mickey descobre o seu primeiro Amor, mas descobre também que por vezes ajudar nem sempre é "passar a mão pela cabeça" de quem erra.
Neve e Tim percebem que ainda é possivél voltar a amar apesar das grandes perdas que já sofreram e Joe consegue por fim resolver todos os problemas
com os "fantasmas" da Guerra.
A autora consegue abordar os mais variados temas sempre arranjando um elo de ligação entre todos eles de uma maneira bem simples.
Temos Divórcio, problemas de adolescencia, alcoolismo, crises entre pais e filhos, traumatismos de guerra, um Submarino Alemão e morte...
No final tudo se resume ao Amor e à Compreensão de parte a parte que por vezes deixamos de lado por só vermos os nossos problemas.
Um livro sublime e maravilhoso que aconselho a que todos leiam.
A história gira à volta de um mocho bufo-branco e um Submarino alemão, que farão com que todos os protagonistas saltem das suas "conhas" recheadas de tristezas e desespero e acordar para a vida e o Amor.
Mickey descobre o seu primeiro Amor, mas descobre também que por vezes ajudar nem sempre é "passar a mão pela cabeça" de quem erra.
Neve e Tim percebem que ainda é possivél voltar a amar apesar das grandes perdas que já sofreram e Joe consegue por fim resolver todos os problemas
com os "fantasmas" da Guerra.
A autora consegue abordar os mais variados temas sempre arranjando um elo de ligação entre todos eles de uma maneira bem simples.
Temos Divórcio, problemas de adolescencia, alcoolismo, crises entre pais e filhos, traumatismos de guerra, um Submarino Alemão e morte...
No final tudo se resume ao Amor e à Compreensão de parte a parte que por vezes deixamos de lado por só vermos os nossos problemas.
Um livro sublime e maravilhoso que aconselho a que todos leiam.
June 26, 2009
The current rating for this book on Goodreads is 3.65, and I think that’s a pretty accurate representation of its quality. The plot was rather predictable, with very few surprises. Pretty much everything progressed along the lines you’d expect. What made this novel worth reading, though, was Rice’s ability to draw rich, three-dimensional characters. I finished the book feeling like the people I’d encountered in its pages were flesh and blood -- people that I knew well and was sorry to leave. In addition, Rice penned some very moving scenes that could have turned overly sappy in a lesser writer’s hands. So, I enjoyed it, but it’s not one I’d recommend without reservation.
February 11, 2011
This was a very good book. It told a good story with characters that people can relate to. It held my interest enough to finish reading it in one sitting over the course of a couple hours. I liked that the "happy ending" seemed realistic and showed how happy endings don't always mean that everything works out the way that you thought they would. I would definitely recommend this book for someone else to read. I liked the references to nature/animals and that was a big part of what kept me interested in the story.
September 15, 2011
Não acho este livro inferior ao "A minha verdade é o amor", acho-o diferente, nem parece que foi a mesma autora a escreve-lo. Este livro é muito mais profundo e sentimental. Emocionei-me em diversas partes. Mais uma vez simpatizei com as personagens, até com o Richard que no fim admitiu os seus erros e procurou ajuda. Adorei o tema da Natureza integrado no enredo do livro. Adorei o romance entre a Mickey e o Shane, tão inofensivo mas duradouro. No geral gostei bastante do livro, uma excelente surpresa :)
January 30, 2019
I haven't read a Luanne Rice book in awhile so it was good to visit with this author again. This is a story of families and how the past affects future relationships. It is also a story of respecting our past. And taking care of our Earth. This book was written in 2007 and there is a character you never meet but he influences the plot. He built a huge tower in NYC and has a variety of real estate holdings. He thinks nothing of disturbing the environment for his own wealth. Sound familiar?
June 28, 2011
I enjoyed this story. I enjoy reading about the beaches and towns in RH and learned some history of the attacks on US shores during WWII. The love and passion the main characters have of birds is contagious.
October 25, 2015
March 1 2010
One of my all time fav books ever! must read for everyone!
september 28-29 2015
I still love this story. Everything about it speaks to me. It still brings tears to my eyes.
One of my all time fav books ever! must read for everyone!
september 28-29 2015
I still love this story. Everything about it speaks to me. It still brings tears to my eyes.
January 22, 2013
Probably more like 3.5 stars but I liked it overall. Nothing spectacular but it was a good winter read for me. Probably a bit cheesy and sappy for some but that didn't bother me with this book.
October 13, 2022
Another library book sale book. It sat on my to-read pile for months. Took it on vacation passed the time while travelling home.
I debated between three or four stars but decided to go with four because I enjoyed it overall despite some flaws.
What I liked
- birds, I’m not really a bird fan but this book made me understand why some people are. Lots of descriptions of different types of birds and their interesting traits. Snowy owl featured and I can see why it was revered in this novel
- strong characters: Mickey, her mom Neve, Shane, Tim, Joe. Everyone had their issues and some baggage to work through. Loved Mickey’s optimism and hope, Neve was the strong mother who was trying to balance motherhood, work, relationships, Tim, forest ranger, working through trauma, Shane, surfer, Mickey’s boyfriend, has had his own trauma to deal with, Joe, Tim’s dad, loved him, trauma of war, recovering alcoholic, had perspective of asking for forgiveness, bird rescue guy
- openly talking about ptsd of war, death, divorce, alcoholism, sometimes felt a bit contrived but author did a fair job
- romance was there but not graphic
What I didn’t like
- sometimes felt too contrived—evil rich people want to raise Uboat, optimistic 16 year old tries to stop them. The good guys were really good, the bad guys were really not good
- storyline a bit unbelievable, everyone forgives each other, example last scene on the beach, without spoiling: all the visitors who miraculously show up at that time.
- ending was wrapped a little too well with that bow, I forgive that as even though it was cheesy, that’s what I wanted
I’d recommend this book to anyone who likes reading about birds, the ocean, the beach and complicated lives of fictional characters with a bit of respectable romance thrown in. It was a good vacation read for me.
I debated between three or four stars but decided to go with four because I enjoyed it overall despite some flaws.
What I liked
- birds, I’m not really a bird fan but this book made me understand why some people are. Lots of descriptions of different types of birds and their interesting traits. Snowy owl featured and I can see why it was revered in this novel
- strong characters: Mickey, her mom Neve, Shane, Tim, Joe. Everyone had their issues and some baggage to work through. Loved Mickey’s optimism and hope, Neve was the strong mother who was trying to balance motherhood, work, relationships, Tim, forest ranger, working through trauma, Shane, surfer, Mickey’s boyfriend, has had his own trauma to deal with, Joe, Tim’s dad, loved him, trauma of war, recovering alcoholic, had perspective of asking for forgiveness, bird rescue guy
- openly talking about ptsd of war, death, divorce, alcoholism, sometimes felt a bit contrived but author did a fair job
- romance was there but not graphic
What I didn’t like
- sometimes felt too contrived—evil rich people want to raise Uboat, optimistic 16 year old tries to stop them. The good guys were really good, the bad guys were really not good
- storyline a bit unbelievable, everyone forgives each other, example last scene on the beach, without spoiling: all the visitors who miraculously show up at that time.
- ending was wrapped a little too well with that bow, I forgive that as even though it was cheesy, that’s what I wanted
I’d recommend this book to anyone who likes reading about birds, the ocean, the beach and complicated lives of fictional characters with a bit of respectable romance thrown in. It was a good vacation read for me.
July 8, 2019
Could be called Couples, with apologies to John Udike. Or since that title is taken, how about Love Stories with Snowy Owls? Off a beach in Rhode Island lies a submerged German U-boat in whose shelter Shane, an avid surfer finds exhilerating waves, and to that beach Neve and her daughter Mickey come to observe the yearly migration of birds, particularly for this story, a snowy owl. The sub, the beach, and the birds also symbolize the complicated family relationships of the O'Caseys: in World War II, Joe torpedoed the sub, and now runs a refuge for injured birds; Joe's deceased brother, Damien who also served during WWII, was a well-known painters of birds, but hid behind the name of Berkeley; Tim, Joe's estranged son, is the park service ranger in charge of the beach and the birds. A developer, Cole Landry wants to raise the sub and take it elsewhere as a museum. The O'Caseys, Shane, Neve and Mickey oppose the move.
When Landry's son injures the snowy owl during a drunken party on the beach, Neve, Shane and Mickey take it to Joe O'Casey. In the meantime, Shane and Mickey write to the relatives of the dead Germans in the u-boat. Neve, separated from Mickey's father, mounts an exhibit of bird art at a museum she runs, and that exhibit brings together all the O'Caseys, and all the participants pair off: Neve with Tim, Shane with Mickey, and the injured snowy owl even finds a mate at Joe's rehab center.
When Landry's son injures the snowy owl during a drunken party on the beach, Neve, Shane and Mickey take it to Joe O'Casey. In the meantime, Shane and Mickey write to the relatives of the dead Germans in the u-boat. Neve, separated from Mickey's father, mounts an exhibit of bird art at a museum she runs, and that exhibit brings together all the O'Caseys, and all the participants pair off: Neve with Tim, Shane with Mickey, and the injured snowy owl even finds a mate at Joe's rehab center.
January 28, 2022
Mickey and Neve, a teenage daughter and her single mother live in Rhode Island and have a close relationship to each other and to the natural beauty of Refuge Beach. But they each face their own struggles too and they both have to deal with Richard, Mickey’s troubled,alcoholic father and Neve’s ex-husband.
Three men who become close to Mickey and her mom also love the beach. Tim O’Casey, the park ranger, his estranged father Joe O’Casey the raptor rehabilitator, and Shawn a fatherless teenage surfer fighting to find his place in the world, are all trying to reckon with their own losses.
This book carefully illustrates the ties of family that can be tightened or loosened based on open or closed-off communication. And it shows the effects of war on survivors decades later as well as the effects on their loved ones. War’s destructive forces rip through time and generations. But love and the courage to connect with each other is the balm that heals all in The Edge of Winter. I recommend this book as a good read.
Three men who become close to Mickey and her mom also love the beach. Tim O’Casey, the park ranger, his estranged father Joe O’Casey the raptor rehabilitator, and Shawn a fatherless teenage surfer fighting to find his place in the world, are all trying to reckon with their own losses.
This book carefully illustrates the ties of family that can be tightened or loosened based on open or closed-off communication. And it shows the effects of war on survivors decades later as well as the effects on their loved ones. War’s destructive forces rip through time and generations. But love and the courage to connect with each other is the balm that heals all in The Edge of Winter. I recommend this book as a good read.
May 17, 2022
I don't understand how the title goes with the story when it takes place in the spring on the beach, but don't judge a book by its cover, as they say! The story was good and emotional as it dealt with veterans and those lost in WW2 and preserving a historical battle site to honor those that died. It was good writing how the author portrayed that and I felt for those involved. It was nice that 2 high school kids were the ones that started the program to preserve it. The story takes place over 4-5 months and it has several inner stories to make up the full story which is my favorite style of story. 3 families of different generations, with totally different issues, come together and help each other out without actually realizing that they were, resulting in a happy ending for all. It was a nice read.
September 30, 2017
This audio-book was a nice story. This is the first book by Luanne Rice that I have read. The story was about many views of human nature, the caring and kind nature of people and the selfish arrogant ones as well. Told mostly from the caring point of view, the topics discussed include the tragedies of wars, the decisions that can never be undone, the results and consequences of the decisions that were and are made.
How humans are really frail and flawed creatures at times. How each of us makes snap decisions, and really never can foresee or realize or imagine the final outcomes.
Sometimes, they are just dumb luck. Sometimes they are disastrous. And life goes on. And we try to make the best of things.
How humans are really frail and flawed creatures at times. How each of us makes snap decisions, and really never can foresee or realize or imagine the final outcomes.
Sometimes, they are just dumb luck. Sometimes they are disastrous. And life goes on. And we try to make the best of things.
February 15, 2021
This is my first time reading Luanne Rice; I really enjoyed the easy read, written well enough that nowhere did I stop to wonder what had just been said. The story's subjects: winter, birds, coastlands, all drew me in as I'm dealing with being snowed in during my own 'edge of winter'.
I enjoyed the characters, their dilemmas, and the plot. Learning about some WWII history I'd never known was a plus as well. The last quarter of the book felt like the minutes pulling an hour long sitcom to a close. All the ends were tied up nicely, although the fate of the deadbeat dad was appropriate. So while enjoyable, this is mostly a book to pass the time well and move on. Probably won't remember much, except the beauty of the snowy owls!
I enjoyed the characters, their dilemmas, and the plot. Learning about some WWII history I'd never known was a plus as well. The last quarter of the book felt like the minutes pulling an hour long sitcom to a close. All the ends were tied up nicely, although the fate of the deadbeat dad was appropriate. So while enjoyable, this is mostly a book to pass the time well and move on. Probably won't remember much, except the beauty of the snowy owls!
December 2, 2017
So much loss, so much grief, so much learned and so much love.
Richard is in a place he can not come back from no matter what. Mickey does not see all the grief that Neve has gone through though the years with him. Well, Alyssa is about to find out because he's hers to deal with now.
Tim, Joe, Damien and Frank O'Casey, three generations torn by the pain of war.
Shane and his mom Talia West dealing with their own loss and trying to.make the best out of what life has become.
All these people brought together by what lies at the bottom of the ocean at the beach that Tim O' Casey is the ranger at.
Touched my heart on so many different levels.
Richard is in a place he can not come back from no matter what. Mickey does not see all the grief that Neve has gone through though the years with him. Well, Alyssa is about to find out because he's hers to deal with now.
Tim, Joe, Damien and Frank O'Casey, three generations torn by the pain of war.
Shane and his mom Talia West dealing with their own loss and trying to.make the best out of what life has become.
All these people brought together by what lies at the bottom of the ocean at the beach that Tim O' Casey is the ranger at.
Touched my heart on so many different levels.
December 24, 2025
I picked this book up without the cover at a thrift store and liked the title so my background knowledge of this book and author was zero. I didn’t even read the book synopsis on here before I began and with that, this book read like a YA with a cute enough plot that dives palatably into heavy topics like divorce, parent/child loss, alcoholism and the traumas of war.
It is a simple read with easy to follow characters and timeline. It was not a page turner and therefore, will probably be given away rather than cherished on my bookshelf.
3 stars because I was able to finish it without much fanfare or effort. I probably won’t seek out any of the other 22 publications from this author.
It is a simple read with easy to follow characters and timeline. It was not a page turner and therefore, will probably be given away rather than cherished on my bookshelf.
3 stars because I was able to finish it without much fanfare or effort. I probably won’t seek out any of the other 22 publications from this author.
January 29, 2017
The is the story if a mother and teen-aged daughter trying to get over a broken marriage. It is also the story of a man who lost his son in the war in Iraq and his estrangement from his own father. All share the love of their home, the southern coast of Rhode Island, the beach, and the birds that live there. They are working together for a common cause; to prevent the removal of a German U-Boat that was sunk off-shore during World War II. The characters are not stereotypes. The book taught me a few things about which I would not have known.
February 20, 2020
I enjoyed this book and cried during the epilogue but it bored me during some passages revolving around the war stories. It's about a mother and daughter who struggle with their alcoholic ex-husband/dad. They are bird-lovers and come upon a gorgeous snowy owl in their local RI preserve. They get involved with the park ranger and his father, plus a local surfer who is also a nature-lover. Everyone grows from their interactions with each other and it's a nice story, but kind of slow, fluffy and unfulfilling.
May 16, 2021
Despite some less-than-sterling reviews, I loved this book. I was fascinated by the information on birds, especially snowy owls, and enjoyed the rest as well. Lots about alcoholism and World War 2, as well as several love stories. It was interesting reading about Rhode Island and its history -- I went on a bus trip there a few years ago and it was definitely one of the better ones. I'm working my way through Luanne Rice's books, but finding some of them is quite a challenge. As with everything, some are better than others..
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