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mbenzz's review against another edition
5.0
I have read and loved all three of Ms. O'Dell's novels, as they were all extremely engaging. She draws you in from the first chapter and keeps you interested all the way to the last page. Her characters are always very entertaining, and a bit unorthodox, but that's what makes them so fun to follow.
I won't summarize this book as it's been done many times here already, but Shae-Lynn Penrose is at the top of my list of all-time favorite characters. She's tough when she needs to be (thanks to her horrific upbringing), but she also has a sweet side that she's a bit wary of showing. She can take on anyone who gives her trouble, yet at the same time will help anyone in need.
But I think my favorite thing about Ms. O'Dell's novels are the towns themselves. It's almost like they become a character all they're own. I know I felt this way about Coal Run, her first novel, and I certainly felt it this time around about Jolly Mount. The descriptions she gives of these coal mining towns and their hard-working citizens makes you feel like you've been there yourself.
Overall, I definitely recommend this book, as well as her previous two. Tawni O'Dell is a fantastic storyteller, and I always look forward to reading her latest books. I'm already anxious for the next one!
I won't summarize this book as it's been done many times here already, but Shae-Lynn Penrose is at the top of my list of all-time favorite characters. She's tough when she needs to be (thanks to her horrific upbringing), but she also has a sweet side that she's a bit wary of showing. She can take on anyone who gives her trouble, yet at the same time will help anyone in need.
But I think my favorite thing about Ms. O'Dell's novels are the towns themselves. It's almost like they become a character all they're own. I know I felt this way about Coal Run, her first novel, and I certainly felt it this time around about Jolly Mount. The descriptions she gives of these coal mining towns and their hard-working citizens makes you feel like you've been there yourself.
Overall, I definitely recommend this book, as well as her previous two. Tawni O'Dell is a fantastic storyteller, and I always look forward to reading her latest books. I'm already anxious for the next one!
book_concierge's review against another edition
4.0
When her sister disappeared, Shae-Lynn assumed their father had killed her. But 18 years later a stranger appears in their small coal-mining town looking for Shannon. This isn't amystery novel, but one about relationships and adults trying to overcome the damage done by trauma.
karenleagermain's review
3.0
Tawni O'Dell writes beautifully and is great at creating memorable characters. The characters in her book are so well developed that her books become very visual and cinematic.
The problem that I had with this particular book, is it had too much going on. The plot was muddled and downright silly in parts. I felt like many of the characters that created the intensity, especially surrounding the baby, just drifted off unresolved. The scope of the story was too large and I would have enjoyed it more, if it had a simpler plot, that was more character rather than plot driven.
The book kept my attention enough to make it a fast read and O'Dell is a fantastic storyteller...just this book was a bit of a let down.
The problem that I had with this particular book, is it had too much going on. The plot was muddled and downright silly in parts. I felt like many of the characters that created the intensity, especially surrounding the baby, just drifted off unresolved. The scope of the story was too large and I would have enjoyed it more, if it had a simpler plot, that was more character rather than plot driven.
The book kept my attention enough to make it a fast read and O'Dell is a fantastic storyteller...just this book was a bit of a let down.
novelesque_life's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 STARS
"Shae-Lynn Penrose drives a cab in a town where no one needs a cab—but plenty of people need rides. A former police officer with a closet full of miniskirts, a recklessly sharp tongue, and a tendency to deal with men by either beating them up or taking them to bed, she has spent years carving out a life for herself and her son in Jolly Mount, Pennsylvania, the tiny coal-mining town where she grew up.
Two years ago, five of Shae-Lynn's miner friends were catapulted to media stardom when they were rescued after surviving four days trapped in a mine. As the men struggle to come to terms with the nightmarish memories of their ordeal, along with the fallout of their short- lived celebrity, Shae-Lynn finds herself facing harsh realities and reliving bad dreams of her own, including her relationship with her brutal father, her conflicted passion for one of the miners, and the hidden identity of the man who fathered her son.
When the younger sister she thought was dead arrives on her doorstep, followed closely by a gun-wielding Russian gangster, a shady New York lawyer, and a desperate Connecticut housewife, Shae-Lynn is forced to grapple with the horrible truth she discovers about the life her sister's been living, and with one ominous question: Will her return result in a monstrous act of greed or one of sacrifice?" (From Amazon)
An interesting look at a small mining town and the aftermath of being trapped in a mine. Well-worth the read.
"Shae-Lynn Penrose drives a cab in a town where no one needs a cab—but plenty of people need rides. A former police officer with a closet full of miniskirts, a recklessly sharp tongue, and a tendency to deal with men by either beating them up or taking them to bed, she has spent years carving out a life for herself and her son in Jolly Mount, Pennsylvania, the tiny coal-mining town where she grew up.
Two years ago, five of Shae-Lynn's miner friends were catapulted to media stardom when they were rescued after surviving four days trapped in a mine. As the men struggle to come to terms with the nightmarish memories of their ordeal, along with the fallout of their short- lived celebrity, Shae-Lynn finds herself facing harsh realities and reliving bad dreams of her own, including her relationship with her brutal father, her conflicted passion for one of the miners, and the hidden identity of the man who fathered her son.
When the younger sister she thought was dead arrives on her doorstep, followed closely by a gun-wielding Russian gangster, a shady New York lawyer, and a desperate Connecticut housewife, Shae-Lynn is forced to grapple with the horrible truth she discovers about the life her sister's been living, and with one ominous question: Will her return result in a monstrous act of greed or one of sacrifice?" (From Amazon)
An interesting look at a small mining town and the aftermath of being trapped in a mine. Well-worth the read.
alexblackreads's review against another edition
2.0
Another of Tawni O'Dell's books that I just could not get into. She seems to excel at writing unpleasant characters who I don't care about in the slightest. More than anything, this book was a lot of cringe. I'm still not thrilled with her writing style, but I could enjoy it if I didn't hate her stories so much. At least this time I went in prepared for the rape and abuse that seems prevalent in everything she writes.
bill_muganda's review against another edition
3.0
A man spends his whole life trying to prove his worth to others. A woman spends her life trying to prove her worth to herself
"TRIGGER WARNING FOR RAPE AND HEAVY ABUSE"
Finally read this book, its been on my tbr shelf for the longest time.
It was in itself a good book with powerful themes, that made me have a greater perspective on victims of traumatic experiences such as Rape, Domestic violence etc. Shae-Lynn(protagonist) Strong, independent and such a well drawn character made the book for me... She had away with people and her humanity and love was just awesome, even though some side characters treated very badly, she manages to rise fron the ashes. Overall I am glad i read it, even though its not the type of book I normally read.
"TRIGGER WARNING FOR RAPE AND HEAVY ABUSE"
Finally read this book, its been on my tbr shelf for the longest time.
It was in itself a good book with powerful themes, that made me have a greater perspective on victims of traumatic experiences such as Rape, Domestic violence etc. Shae-Lynn(protagonist) Strong, independent and such a well drawn character made the book for me... She had away with people and her humanity and love was just awesome, even though some side characters treated very badly, she manages to rise fron the ashes. Overall I am glad i read it, even though its not the type of book I normally read.
robinhigdon's review against another edition
4.0
i did the audio and the actresses voice and reading was great. cute story that was funny and well written. loved the quirky characters.
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