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rebroxannape's review against another edition
4.0
**3.5** rounded up because Rosamunde Pilcher. I did enjoy this one, one of her more slight of the "little" novels. The heroine being an RP heroine is hapless and naive and led down the primrose path by the antagonist in the piece for a little too long despite numerous red flags. But she didn't make me scream with frustration at least. She was at her weakest and strongest all in one night. So we didn't have to suffer endlessly. As always there a few cringeworthy moments that do not have the benefit of our more enlightened attitudes of today.
I had a lump in my throat a few times, especially at the beginning before she goes to Porthkerris. Several of her books I know are set in this fictional artist colony based on St. Ives in Cornwall. So evocative and lovely. This one almost seems a bit of a precursor to her masterwork, [b:The Shell Seekers|37095|The Shell Seekers|Rosamunde Pilcher|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1385213408l/37095._SY75_.jpg|517040]. Besides the setting, it shared a number of elements. The good guy love/interest was one of her most appealing and romantic. The resolution was lovely and perfect without an ugly confrontation and drama-fest that many authors would not have resisted writing in. (Not that I wouldn't have enjoyed that as well.) All in all, it had the elements that draw me to this beloved (by me at least) author. Listening to the story being narrated compounded my enjoyment. (less)
I had a lump in my throat a few times, especially at the beginning before she goes to Porthkerris. Several of her books I know are set in this fictional artist colony based on St. Ives in Cornwall. So evocative and lovely. This one almost seems a bit of a precursor to her masterwork, [b:The Shell Seekers|37095|The Shell Seekers|Rosamunde Pilcher|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1385213408l/37095._SY75_.jpg|517040]. Besides the setting, it shared a number of elements. The good guy love/interest was one of her most appealing and romantic. The resolution was lovely and perfect without an ugly confrontation and drama-fest that many authors would not have resisted writing in. (Not that I wouldn't have enjoyed that as well.) All in all, it had the elements that draw me to this beloved (by me at least) author. Listening to the story being narrated compounded my enjoyment. (less)
tobyyy's review against another edition
3.0
Rosamunde Pilcher is a go-to of mine when I need a “Sick Book” - aka, a book that doesn’t involve a lot of thought, but that is still enjoyable and engaging - yet peaceful - to read. Perfect for my brain when I’m sick and don’t have much energy to exert in any avenue.
Anyway. I probably won’t reread this (unless I have a dearth of sick books the next time I’m laid up ill at home). It was a pleasant enough read, but I anticipated the ending (which wrapped up far too quickly and too neatly to be completely satisfactory), and I also didn’t like the protagonist. She seemed to get upset far too easily by other characters in the book, to the point where I caught myself thinking several times throughout, “She has no backbone!”
But Rosamunde Pilcher definitely weaves words in a calming manner and for that I will always adore her and her writing. Her style really shines when she is describing places and people. All the love for peaceful reads.
Anyway. I probably won’t reread this (unless I have a dearth of sick books the next time I’m laid up ill at home). It was a pleasant enough read, but I anticipated the ending (which wrapped up far too quickly and too neatly to be completely satisfactory), and I also didn’t like the protagonist. She seemed to get upset far too easily by other characters in the book, to the point where I caught myself thinking several times throughout, “She has no backbone!”
But Rosamunde Pilcher definitely weaves words in a calming manner and for that I will always adore her and her writing. Her style really shines when she is describing places and people. All the love for peaceful reads.
krism's review against another edition
3.0
Short. Light. Pleasant. What's the phrase about damning something with faint praise? I'm applying it here.
solaana's review against another edition
3.0
I'm only going to review this one of all of Pilcher's other books, because they're essentially all the same. Think Babysitter's Club for adults - quick easy fun reads that don't require a lot mentally or emotionally.
nursenell's review against another edition
5.0
Rebecca is a young woman who was raised by a single mother. Her mother lived a Bohemian lifestyle with frequent changes of boyfriends and addresses so Rebecca never grew up with roots. She never knew of any other family or relatives. She is working in a bookstore in London when she is summoned to ibiza, where her mother has been diagnosed with leukemia. Rebecca had not seen her mother in 2 years. Her mother finally shares family information with Rebecca, telling her her grandfather is a famous artist living in Cornwall. That night her mother dies. Rebecca feels pulled to Cornwall, she wants to meet her grandfather. She finds her grandfather is thrilled to see her, and has a grandson and daughter-in-law living with him. He also has opened his home to a young man who restores old furniture and antiques. A lot of stress develops between all the major characters. Who really loves the old artist, and who loves the possibility of inheriting his money and home? It isn't always the way it seems.
317769's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
carlislerose17's review against another edition
3.0
None of Rosamunde Pilcher's earlier, shorter novels are as good as the massive stories she wrote later, but they're all so cozy and happy. Coming Home and The Shell Seekers both blow this away, but it was still a happy little read.
marthe's review against another edition
2.0
While this has the distinctive charm of all of Rosamunde Pilcher's books, there is a number of things I had issues with. Mostly two: first, the plot seems artificial and hurried, second, the (female) protagonist is completely passive and there is no issue with men making big decisions for her all the time. I strongly recommend her other, more famous works instead.