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gabbyscarlet's review against another edition
5.0
A book that I will cherish forever. This is the one that got me hooked on Sarah Jio's writing. I recommend this one to historical fiction lovers often, in addition to her other novels. This was the first book that ever had me in tears!
tashaseegmiller's review against another edition
4.0
This is a charming story with sweet characters and a plot that kept me engaged. I thought there were just a few too many coincidences in the end, but it didn't decrease the overall sentiment of the story.
marlisphillips's review against another edition
3.0
A boy disappears while his mother works her hotel cleaning job in the midst of a late spring blizzard in Seattle. Years later, another spring blizzard in Seattle stirs up memories of the original storm. This book took place in both time periods, following the mother (Vera) and a present-day journalist as we slowly wove toward the conclusion of what happened to the missing boy. I generally like this style of book. I think it takes a skillful writer to slowly reveal bits of the story in different time periods in such a way that the reader feels a mystery being solved but still doesn’t know what happened until the end. In that way, this book was well written. What I didn’t like were the characters. None of them. The journalist and her husband in particular. The fact that I can’t even think of her name as I’m writing this is evidence of how little I liked her. The couple’s marriage was in trouble the entire book and their childish treatment of their marriage was the reason for their troubles. The missing child mystery was slowly resolved too but here too, the people involved were so immature and ridiculous that I couldn’t be excited about the resolution of the mystery. So because of the poorly evolved and stereotypical characters, I can’t say I really enjoyed this book, it was just ok.
utahmomreads's review against another edition
4.0
Sarah Jio's third novel Blackberry Winter has just been published. I enjoyed both of her earlier novels, The Violets of March and Bungalow and I must say that her books just keep getting better.
Claire Aldridge, a reporter for the Seattle Herald, is given the assignment to write about the weather phenomenon known as a "blackberry winter" when snow falls in May. In her research, Claire discovers that the last "blackberry winter" was in 1933 and on that very day a little boy went missing. Determined to find the truth about the missing boy, Claire also discovers truth in her own life and is able to heal from the deep personal wounds.
Jio has a comfortable style of writing that I can easily get lost within her stories. Her characters are realistic and often make unwise decisions for which they must unravel themselves. Yet, they are so likable that reader can't help rooting for their ultimate success. Jio also brings her city to life in both eras--present day and the Great Depression years. Like her previous novels, Blackberry Winter is a delightful read with a well plotted mystery that will have the reader turning pages late into the night.
Claire Aldridge, a reporter for the Seattle Herald, is given the assignment to write about the weather phenomenon known as a "blackberry winter" when snow falls in May. In her research, Claire discovers that the last "blackberry winter" was in 1933 and on that very day a little boy went missing. Determined to find the truth about the missing boy, Claire also discovers truth in her own life and is able to heal from the deep personal wounds.
Jio has a comfortable style of writing that I can easily get lost within her stories. Her characters are realistic and often make unwise decisions for which they must unravel themselves. Yet, they are so likable that reader can't help rooting for their ultimate success. Jio also brings her city to life in both eras--present day and the Great Depression years. Like her previous novels, Blackberry Winter is a delightful read with a well plotted mystery that will have the reader turning pages late into the night.
book_concierge's review against another edition
2.0
Book on CD performed by Tara Sands.
From the book jacket: Seattle, May 1933. Vera Ray kisses her three-year-old son, Daniel, good night and reluctantly leaves for work. She hates the night shift, but it’s the only way she can earn enough... In the morning … a heavy snow is falling. Vera rushes to wake Daniel, but his bed is empty. His teddy bear lies outside in the snow.
Seattle, present day. On the second of May, Seattle Herald reporter Claire Aldridge awakens to a late-season snowstorm. Assigned to cover this “blackberry winter” and its predecessor decades earlier, Claire learns of Daniel’s unsolved abduction and vows to unearth the truth – only to discover that she and Vera are linked in unexpected ways.
My reactions:
I had heard such good things out Jio and this book in particular, so I was looking forward to reading it. The premise is interesting, though I figured out the connection between Claire and Vera long before any of the characters did.
Both these women irritated me. I got tired of hearing how poor Vera was, how hard she struggled, how dedicated she was. I got bored with Claire’s marital drama, with her apparent inability to confront her husband and her boss. Yes, I understand she was suffering a depressive grief, but it seemed out of character for what the blurbs promised me: a mystery, twists and turns that would shock and enthrall me. In both cases there were several opportunities for the women to take some action, to assert themselves and possibly change their fortunes. Time and again they failed to do so. The personal travails of these women held the story back, forcing the reader to slog through all these personal dramas much as the people of Seattle slogged through piles of snow.
Tara Sands did a pretty good job reading the audiobook. She set a good pace and her diction was clear. Despite the constantly changing time frame and narrative point of view I managed to easily follow the parallel stories. (Although, I do think this would be more easily done in a text format.)
From the book jacket: Seattle, May 1933. Vera Ray kisses her three-year-old son, Daniel, good night and reluctantly leaves for work. She hates the night shift, but it’s the only way she can earn enough... In the morning … a heavy snow is falling. Vera rushes to wake Daniel, but his bed is empty. His teddy bear lies outside in the snow.
Seattle, present day. On the second of May, Seattle Herald reporter Claire Aldridge awakens to a late-season snowstorm. Assigned to cover this “blackberry winter” and its predecessor decades earlier, Claire learns of Daniel’s unsolved abduction and vows to unearth the truth – only to discover that she and Vera are linked in unexpected ways.
My reactions:
I had heard such good things out Jio and this book in particular, so I was looking forward to reading it. The premise is interesting, though I figured out the connection between Claire and Vera long before any of the characters did.
Both these women irritated me. I got tired of hearing how poor Vera was, how hard she struggled, how dedicated she was. I got bored with Claire’s marital drama, with her apparent inability to confront her husband and her boss. Yes, I understand she was suffering a depressive grief, but it seemed out of character for what the blurbs promised me: a mystery, twists and turns that would shock and enthrall me. In both cases there were several opportunities for the women to take some action, to assert themselves and possibly change their fortunes. Time and again they failed to do so. The personal travails of these women held the story back, forcing the reader to slog through all these personal dramas much as the people of Seattle slogged through piles of snow.
Tara Sands did a pretty good job reading the audiobook. She set a good pace and her diction was clear. Despite the constantly changing time frame and narrative point of view I managed to easily follow the parallel stories. (Although, I do think this would be more easily done in a text format.)
lindabrowne's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
jlaz's review against another edition
4.0
I am a fan of Sarah Jio, and this book did not disappoint. I love how she goes back and forth between a past story and a story setting in the current time period. Great quick read. I was able to finish it over a couple of days. Loved the characters in this book.
somnis3's review against another edition
4.0
Хороша книжка про важливі теми материнства, вона випадково мені трапилася і я не читала анотацію, тому початок затягнув сильно, і ось я прочитала цю книжку.
Хороша детективна історія, повчальна. Але не думаю, що це щось "нове"? важко сказати, що саме я маю на увазі.
Дещо не сподобалося, я думала, гг зробить інший вибір, напевно авторка злякалася неканонічного кінця історії тому все вийшло "театрально-кіношно".
Тому 4*-5*
Хороша детективна історія, повчальна. Але не думаю, що це щось "нове"? важко сказати, що саме я маю на увазі.
Дещо не сподобалося, я думала, гг зробить інший вибір, напевно авторка злякалася неканонічного кінця історії тому все вийшло "театрально-кіношно".
Тому 4*-5*
daybreak1012's review against another edition
4.75
You know what I particularly love? Books that I don't see coming. Having read another Sarah Jio book, I had some idea what to expect. Or so I thought. I was in no way prepared for how this book would reel me in.
What I liked about Blackberry Winter:
Compelling cast of characters - I will admit that, initially, I wasn't quite sure about any of them, but it didn't take long for me to find myself curious about these people. Not necessaily always likable, but they had a story to tell and they told it spectacularly.
I can't say that I personally encounter a lot of Pacific Northwest as a setting - It really provided some unique circumstances around which to build the story, and I enjoyed getting to know a location with which I am not at all familiar.
Sarah Jio knows how to piece together a mystery - While there were certain details I started to feel coming by their reveal, there were far more that came at me sideways. Which isn't to say they felt in any way disconnected. They were brilliantly constructed and I was mesmerized watching them come into focus.
The way the whole thing came together - There was not a thread left dangling, nor did any of them feel forced into place. All the connections were masterful and satisfying. As the book was rapidly reaching its conclusion (especially when you have to keep turning pages as quickly as possible!), I kept thinking "but what about this?" and "are we going to get any resolution to that?". I was not left with a single disappointment.
What I didn't care for:
A tiny bit of a slow start - I'm grasping at straws here, if I'm being transparent with you. But the deduction of a quarter of a star is based solely on the temporarily slow start. I was a tad concerned the book might drag but after setting the stage, it took right off.
Worth noting:
Fairly clean but... - I don't recall any cursing, but there were some bedroom scenes. They were not gratuitous but served the overall plot, and they were appropriately handled for their intended purposes.
If I liked my first Sarah Jio experience, then I thoroughly delighted in this one. As a result, I cannot wait to dig into more of her library, especially if this book is any indication.
oreo143z's review against another edition
4.0
I really loved this novel and can't wait to read her next one.