Top positive review
4.0 out of 5 stars4 Stars
Reviewed in the United States on April 21, 2019
This <b>4 Star</b> book crossed several genres; it could qualify as a psychological thriller, suspense, family drama and/or a love story. At just short of 250 pages, was a quick read. In fact, I couldn't put it down and ended up reading it in just one day.
<b>SUMMARY</b>
This story is told by two narrators, living vastly different lives.
Narrator one, <b>Wren</b>, lives way off the grid in Upstate New York with her mother and sisters, Evie and Sage. They live such an isolated life that the girls have never even met anyone outside their little family, nor have they ever seen a tv or indoor bathroom. Their little world is so similar to pioneer life in the 1800's, for the first couple chapters, I wasn't sure in which century it was set.
Life in their homestead was pretty uneventful until the youngest sister, Evie, became very ill. Wren's mother had no choice but to leave the safety of the little cabin and take Evie to seek medical attention. Assuring them she would return as soon as possible, Wren and Sage's mother left them behind to tend to the homestead with instructions not to open the door for anyone. They just had to stay and wait for their mother and little sister to return...
Narrator two, <b>Nicolette</b>, is a woman in her mid-30's who is married to a photographer, Brant. Brant is quickly becoming the new 'it" photography in the art world. Nicolette is the only child of very wealthy parents and has a trust fund large enough to allow Brant to pursue his photography without having to be a 'starving artist. "
Although Nicolette's life seems to be ideal, it's not. She is dealing with a couple very difficult issues; she is unable to have a baby and she's pretty sure Brant is having an affair. All of this left her feeling very raw and unsure of her life as the book opens.
The two story lines do not converge until about 40% of the way through the book. I spent a lot of time speculating, trying to figure out how the stories would merge. The two narrators didn't seem likely to cross paths.
<b>WHAT I LOVED</b>
This is an extremely absorbing story. I felt very drawn to most of the characters. Although Nicolette is most definitely over-priveledged, she is not a self absorbed brat. She very deeply cares for others and really doesn't make much of her money. It would be hard not to like the sisters and pull for them. They are so sheltered that it would almost be like allowing five year olds out into the world. I really like books where I bond quickly with the characters.
The element of suspense was well played! There were several questions and uncertainties but author, Minka Kent, was in no hurry to reveal the answers. I spent a lot of time speculating, but was pretty off track. I love it when an author surprises me.
<b>WHAT I DIDN'T LOVE</b>
There are a couple coincidences that are kind of hard to believe. I had to choose to go with it and not question the plot too much. This was not meant to be a very <i>thinky</i> book or the next <i>Great American Novel.</i> It was just a fun to read book that kept me very interested and actually made me think about it the next day.
