I cried when they received unexpected visitors right before Christmas and the change it brought to Julia's life. I hated seeing her push Jamie away when he wanted to comfort her. I loved that he finally figured out how he felt about Julia and ached for him when she refused to believe him.
I wondered what it was going to take for her to see and accept the truth and loved that it was something so simple and sweet. I loved the ending as Julia opened her eyes and her heart and took a big chance. They brought me to tears and made me smile with the depth of their feelings. The epilogue was fantastic, especially with the completion of Julia's list. Jamie was adorable with his attempt to appear innocent. The love and happiness they felt simply glowed.
Such a great review! I had to add this to my TBR Mountain! Dec 10, I wanted to go back and read the prior Haven Point books, I wanted to read the next Haven Point book, and I wanted to dive into the other books the author has written. From the first page I was pulled into the story, into the lives of our characters. It starts on a high and the book only gets better. There are so many experiences throughout, so many emotions to work through, leaving you unable to put the book down for any extended period of time.
I tried to blame my night of no sleep on my injured back, but that was just an excuse I used to spend the night reading Sugar Pine Trails. Honestly, I was addicted. One minute I will claim it was the emotion, the next I will claim it was the characters, and a few moments later I will change my mind to reference sweet scenes. It really is a combination of these things — and others — that make the book so good, one of those stories where the individual elements are great but the collective makes for an even stronger read. I was laughing out loud. I was on the edge of my seat with worry.
I was crying ugly tears at the events. We really do go through such a wide range of emotions in this one, each emotion hitting you hard at the most perfect of moments. It was wonderful, making for a very real read. A large part of why things felt so real, for why the story hits you so hard, is due to the characters. The cast is wonderful.
I fell head over heels for our main characters, as they worked so well together. I also fell madly in love with our other characters. The realness of the children characters adds so much to the story, gripping you so deeply. Honestly, I loved this. As for the events that played out — well, damn. There were so many wonderful scenes. I could list them out, but to do so would ruin the events. It really does pull you through so much. Overall, this was a wonderful second RaeAnne Thayne read; a solid four-point-five star read that works perfectly fine as a standalone should anyone want to pick it up without first reading the prior books.
Julia Winston has always lived her life for other people - caring for her parents before they passed, and helping out anyone that may need her. Wrapped up in her job at the library and her old family home, she keeps love and romance at a distance ever since that one time when she was younger. But when her best friend convinces her to rent out part of her home to playboy Jamie Caine, Julie knows that she will have to be on her guard around her secret crush even though she knows he would never look at plain old her.
- Summer Will Show (New York Review Books Classics).
- Black Velvet Band (Varley Chronicals Book 1);
- Follow the Author.
- Surviving Sandy: A Battle Against That Deadly Whore Mother Nature!
- Sugar Pine Trail.
Jamie Caine lives an interesting life as a successful pilot and knows he has a reputation as a bit of a womaniser. But underneath it all, Jamie carries scars from the past that haunts him to this day, and he will do whatever it takes to keep people at a distance. But when Julia discovers two little boys who need her more than anyone else, it will place her and Jamie in closer quarters than either expected, and they begin to discover that maybe love is the best gift of all this Christmas Review What a lovely holiday romance!!!
I enjoyed this book so much more than I anticipated. While a predictable romance the setting and characters really made this such a great read. First, I can almost never resist a librarian as an MC. But through that you can that she was much more than that. Then enter the Review What a lovely holiday romance!!! Then enter the handsome, wealthy pilot who needs to rent the upstairs from Julia while his house is finished.
Known as "player", Jamie also turns out to be more than first meets the eye. That becomes clear when Julia has two kids stay with her due to extenuating circumstances. He is amazing with the kids and helping Julia navigate her new life with these kids. The combination of Julia and Jamie, the adorable kids and their heartbreaking situation, the quaint town and of course the holidays, this book was just the perfect sweet holiday read for me and a great addition to the series. This review was originally posted on Rebel Mommy Book Blog I love returning to Haven Point.
It's such a cozy town. I love the people of the town. I've been waiting for Jamie Caine's story. I loved that the heroine was a meek librarian named Julie Winston. She was your typical librarian. Julie had some confidence issues and has always had a crush on Jamie but never thought he would be attracted to someone as plain as her. Little did she know she ignited a spark in Jamie who showed a tough exterior but truly had a softness to him that he kept hidden becau I love returning to Haven Point.
Little did she know she ignited a spark in Jamie who showed a tough exterior but truly had a softness to him that he kept hidden because of some darkness in his past. They both had some healing to do. What better way to heal two hearts than two little boys in need of a home. They turn Julie's world upside down. This is a very heartwarming holiday read that will pull at your heart strings.
It truly shows that opposites do attract and that there is truly magic in the Christmas season. I highly recommend this book. Thayne has a wonderful way of bringing you into her stories. You become part of the town and find yourself entangled with the characters and feel what they feel. Nov 12, Cathy rated it it was amazing Shelves: Hahahaha, this is probably, most definitely, objectively not a 5-star book.
So I was biased from the start and that never really changed, because: Barring a few differences, we really are remarkably similar which meant that I Hahahaha, this is probably, most definitely, objectively not a 5-star book. Barring a few differences, we really are remarkably similar which meant that I had no problem whatsoever identifying with her and part of her lifestyle.
Yes, she is kind of the stereotype introverted librarian with cats who likes to keep to herself, but hey, stereotypes exist for a reason and sometimes it's okay to have a book be about that person too. Given that this was Jamie's book and he was the last Caine sibling to be paired off, we finally had all the Caines together again and that is really all I want from life. I need RaeAnne Thayne to just write a book about all of the Caines happily living their lives, okay? And the brothers getting on each other's case all day every day, teasing each other mercilessly about how much they love their women.
Yes, everything was a little too easy there and provided the perfect context to sort of bring both leads together more, but who cares. Granted, this takes place over the course of about 6 or 7 weeks so it would have been soon, but it's not like that's ever stopped other romance authors. I had been hoping I was going to love this book, after the last one in the series was a bit of a bust for me personally. At the same time, I was worried that my expectations would prove to be too high and I was inevitably going to be disappointed. But turns out it was everything I wanted it to be and more.
All of the books in this series are pure wish fulfilment, naturally, but it made me so happy that I honestly don't care even a little bit. Like I said at the beginning: There are certain things regarding Jamie's past that don't get explored as deeply as I wanted them to be, and for a good part of the book, Jamie carries around a lot of guilt and believes he's not worthy of love and all that, and we all know how annoying that can get. Luckily, though, it never went too far and it never became a big deal with an over-the-top resolution, because instead he just realised and easily accepted that Julia was it for him.
And I really, really liked that. So I've decided to overlook those things that could've been done a little better and focus instead on the fact that Julia and Jamie were my one bright spot in an otherwise pretty shitty week. I can't even remember a time when I finished a book and immediately wanted to start reading it again, but I did with this one. Originally published at Reading Reality It may only be September, but welcome to the first holiday book review of the year!
The hero this time around is Jamie Caine, the pilot. Jamie spends his days flying his brothers and the other executives of Caine Tech wherever and whenever they need to go. Jamie is a flirt and a charmer, and not in the least shy of using those charms to get whatever, or whoever he wants. Julia Winston, on that other hand, is the town librarian.
Renting Jamie the upstairs apartment in her huge Victorian house is way outside her comfort zone — if only because Julia, along with more than a few women in town — has an unrequited crush on Jamie. But Julia has also discovered within herself a desire to finally take charge of her own life, and to stop letting her fears hold her back from all the experiences that she once upon a time believed she wanted. Including an orgasm not brought about entirely by her own efforts.
Once she discovers their true situation and brings social worker Wyn Emmett the heroine of Riverbend Road into the case, she learns that the only way that these two brothers can stay together for Christmas is if someone steps up and can foster them together while officials hunt for their missing. She fosters them herself, knowing nothing about fostering and even less about take care of children. Lucky for her, her new upstairs tenant comes to her rescue when she finds herself way, way over her head.
Jamie not only takes the two boys under his wing, but manages to even charm her supercilious cats into purring under his hand. And finds himself, in turn, charmed by the woman that Julia reveals as she opens her heart to the boys and lets her hair down, both metaphorically and physically with him. No matter how much he tells himself that he should. I like Haven Point a lot. On the one hand, the problem that pulls the lives of Julia and the two boys together is one that every library faces in some way, in both large and small places.
Leaving them feels unsafe, but when it happens night after night, the staff who feel forced to stay overtime end up both worried and resentful. While calling the police seems heartless, it is often the only way to deal with the problem so that everyone, including the library staff, feel safe and protected. As a group, we pretty much deride the stereotype whenever and wherever possible.
Of course, readers who are not themselves librarians will not be bothered by this aspect. But I did want to shake her and drag her to a big library conference to see for herself. The fears that held Julia back in so many ways, while they had nothing to do with being a librarian, felt all too real.
She had created a shell around herself, for reasons that often made sense at the time. But her desire to break out of that shell and find out who she really wanted to be was well portrayed. As a character, I liked Jamie and loved the way that he stepped in, stepped up and helped Julia figure out her sudden immersion in parenting. Not that he had any more experience as a parent, but he did have experience both as a sibling in a large family and in wrangling his nieces and nephews. She needed his help, and as difficult as it was for her, accepting that help was necessary for her to grow up and to break out of that shell.
The relationship that Julia forged with the boys, and her heartbreak at the end, was sweet and crazy and just right. But I still had a great time visiting Haven Point for the holidays, and will be happy to make a return trip sometime soon. A fantastic Christmas story. Jamie Caine was a pilot for his family's business.
He decides to rent Julia Winston's upstairs apartment when his condo isn't ready for him to move in. The local librarian isn't anything like he first thought and he doesn't count on falling for her. And the two little boys she's temporarily fostering are so much fun to be around. Julia knows Jamie Caine's reputation and has no intention of getting involved with him no matter how charming and good looking he was. When A fantastic Christmas story. When she agrees to foster little Davy and Clint, Jamie becomes indispensable to her, helping however he can.
Julia finds herself experiencing things she's only dreamed of doing in the past. She's quickly falling for him and although she tells herself to keep her distance, that's easier said than done. This is a typical RaeAnne Thayne book with truly loveable characters and a wonderful, heartwarming plot. Loved it from beginning to end. All the mushy feelings for this one! What a sweet holiday season story.
I loved the characters of Julia and Jamie. Throw in two little boys needing a home during the holiday season, and I just knew this one would tug on the old heart strings. I say this every time I finish a RaeAnne Thayne book -- she writes the best heart-warming books that just make you feel good.
This one was no different. Oct 01, Michele rated it it was amazing Shelves: See the full review at HarlequinJunkie. I truly look forward every year to seeing what holiday stories RaeAnne Thayne will be releasing, knowing the See the full review at HarlequinJunkie. Always full of heart and genuine emotions—plus wonderful small town charm of course—I inevitably will laugh, cry and happy sigh my way through it all. Until that is the man she has been crushing on moves in as her lodger over the Christmas season.
Now her old house is full of life and laughter…and maybe even love, but will Julia be willing to step outsid 3.
Now her old house is full of life and laughter…and maybe even love, but will Julia be willing to step outside her quiet life to claim it? But, despite or maybe because of the strange juxtaposition in weather and atmosphere between where I was and what was happening in the book, I really enjoyed the cozy seasonal read. Yes, it was predictable and yes it was almost nauseatingly sweet, but at the same time it managed to get me in the Christmas spirit whilst on a summer holiday, so kudos!
As they begin to get know one another their feelings build as Jamie starts to notice Julia and Julia sees Jamie as more than just the womanising charmer and begin to know the real him. I also liked the addition of Julia fostering the two young boys, is there anything more likely to tug on your heart strings than orphans at Christmas? If you want to snuggle up with something cute that makes you feel all fuzzy inside this Christmas season than I recommend that you give Sugar Pine Trail a try. Aww, this book made me cry and I was finishing reading it in the middle of a group of parents waiting for kids at gymnastics, so it wasn't exactly an opportune time to be bawling over a book.
A book with characters that will move me to that point is a really well developed and written book. And Julia is a bit of a stereotypi My Review: And Julia is a bit of a stereotypic librarian. She's a homebody living in her big, rambling Victorian house with the three cats that she inherited from her mom.
Jamie moved into her upstairs apartment as a temporary thing while his condo was getting finished. Jamie is fairly famous for both his charm and not sticking. He's not looking for a relationship. Julia has had a crush on him for years, and he doesn't remember ever meeting her although they've met several times. He's not a bad guy. He's just that good looking and personable But this change in living arrangements is not the only huge change in Julia's life.
She finds two young boys in her library and things become even more of an upheaval. There are so many sweet moments in this book. There are two young boys kind of lost in this world, as well as two adults that didn't realize that they were both kind of fumbling through, too. Add in the holidays and I loved it. It's definitely a sweet romance and I enjoyed reading it. I received a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest review. Thank you to Little Bird Publicity for sending me a free copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Sugar Pine Trail releases Sept. However my next request will be a little odd. Once this book is purchased I want you to let it sit, don't touch it. As a reader we all face reading slumps. Gosh they are no fun. I want you to hold off on this book for your worst reading slump because it will pull you out of it so fast! ReaAnne Thayne is a new autho Thank you to Little Bird Publicity for sending me a free copy of the book in exchange for my honest review. ReaAnne Thayne is a new author to me but I'll forever be reading is series to see where she takes things.
This book captured me from the very beginning. As mentioned above, I've been in a book slump but I couldn't put this book down. I fell in love with both Julia and Jamie, as well as the two sweet extras Julia recused. Thayne creates so many emotions between both characters that will drive you crazy wondering where they will lead.
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This is the sweetest book that I've read in soooo long. It's definitely going to be a great Holiday read and I hope you find time this Holiday to first, be in a slump and second to read this novel. I can not wait to read the next in the series. For more follow me on Instagram book. This story was out of the normal formula that I have come to find with RaeAnne Thayne stories and I must say that I really, really enjoyed the unpredictability of it.
Julia is the town librarian that everyone fears will turn into the town spinster since her mother's death. Jamie is the smoking hot pilot that needs a place to live while his condo is being finished away from his family due to his past. Jamie rents a room from Julia, Julia reaches out to two little boys that need a helping hand. Th This story was out of the normal formula that I have come to find with RaeAnne Thayne stories and I must say that I really, really enjoyed the unpredictability of it.
This story is all about self-discovery and helping others in need. It was super sweet and touched on some possible triggering issues. Overall, I enjoyed it. This specific video review will be included in the October wrap-up. For other video book reviews check out my YouTube Channel: Steph's Rom Book Talk. A fantastic book with an emotionally charged story that kept me turning page after page.
I really enjoyed both of these characters and the growth as people they both experienced. Julia is the quiet, reserved librarian who is ready for something new in her life. Living alone in a huge house just isn't working anymore. She has no idea how much her life will change this holiday season.
First she rents her upstairs apartment to carefree Jamie Caine. Then she finds herself the temporary care provider A fantastic book with an emotionally charged story that kept me turning page after page. Then she finds herself the temporary care provider for two young brothers.
Things are definitely picking up around the old house these days! I highly recommend this one! Words cannot decribe what I have read in this book. I'm sooooo in love with is book. Longer review to come. She takes us into her world and lets us meet wonderful people who care about each other in lovely ways. Each one is better than the one before it. Jul 17, Peggy rated it it was amazing. A wonderful Christmas time story of second chances and love of all kinds. Jaime and Julia could not be more different on the surface but beneath it they have much in common.
The two abandoned children round out this tale and give it a heart of it's own. I'm not one of those people who knew from birth she was destined to become a writer. I always loved to read and throughout my childhood I could usually be found with a book in my hands. To the disgust of my friends, I even enjoyed creative writing assignments that made them all groan. But I had other dreams besides writing. I wanted to be an actress or a teacher or a lawyer. Life took a different t I'm not one of those people who knew from birth she was destined to become a writer.
Life took a different turn for me, though, when my mother made me take a journalism elective in high school thanks, Mom! I knew the first day that this was where I belonged. After I graduated from college in journalism, I took a job at the local daily newspaper and I reveled in the challenge and the diversity of it. One day I could be interviewing the latest country music star, the next day I was writing about local motorcycle gangs or interviewing an award-winning scientist.
Through it all -- through the natural progression of my career from reporter to editor -- I wrote stories in my head. Not just any stories, either, but romances, the kind of books I have devoured since junior high school, with tales about real people going through the trials and tribulations of life until they find deep and lasting love. I had no idea how to put these people on paper, but knew I had to try -- their stories were too compelling for me to ignore.
I sold my first book in and now, more than 30 books later, I've come to love everything about writing, from the click of the computer keys under my fingers to the "that's-it! The author does a very nice job of setting the scenery and the conditions along the trail -- you almost feel the dust in your mouth and on your skin and hair. I loved the way she used John's love of nature so that you can visualize everything from the snow topped mountains, to the red rocks of the southwest, to the wide open ranges, and the flora and fauna of California.
All in all a jolly good yarn, I had a hard time putting this down until the very end at the discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill. Feb 09, Joselle rated it did not like it Shelves: This is horrible, horrible, horrible! This book pretty much lost me when they helped their friend escape from the hotel in New Orleans.
Let me suspend any intelligence I might have and just believe that their plan might have worked. And on the trail to what was it - Arizona?? No Indian attacks along the way? No problems dealing with, hmmmm, womanly issues on the trail? She doesn't get pregnant? It was UNrealistic every step of the incredibly long way. Maybe it got better after that, but it didn't start off too promising and was not worth my time. View all 5 comments. Sep 24, Emily rated it liked it. I totally loved the language in this book. But, I must go on with my review. Oh hell for breakfast! Another thing I liked about this book: This book was first published in , so I think most of the people who have heard I totally loved the language in this book.
This book was first published in , so I think most of the people who have heard of this book are dead now. She madly in love with a dude who is going to take a mule train from the east coast to California. Bad stuff ensues hell for breakfast. She has a baby. She works in a saloon. I have no idea how that took up pages. If you are in the mood for a short story and this is the only book you can find, well, hell for breakfast! View all 11 comments. Aug 03, Rebecca Huston rated it it was amazing Shelves: The characters are not dull at all, the descriptions vivid, and the history great fun to read without being boring.
Those looking for the over-the-top sex should look elsewhere; this book doesn't need such cheap tricks to keep it moving. For the longer review, please go here: Feb 24, Debbie rated it it was amazing Shelves: Loved, loved, loved this book!!!!! Aug 30, Laura rated it it was amazing Recommends it for: This book I especially loved because it takes place at the time when California became a state; so the history is really interesting. The characters are unpredictable and flawed but very endearing. Bristow has succeeded in writing a masterful tale about perseverance and hard work and love and redemption.
Perseverance - Garnet has just completed a grueling trek to California and has this thought at the end of the trail: She thought she knew now what heroes were like. They were not calm brave generals on white steeds. They were rude filthy sweating men who kept going till they got where they wanted to go. I don't need you for the sake of beef and beans -- I can earn those for myself.
But I need you. That's why I'm so happy at the thought of having you. Anything you give me will be absolutely free, because you want to give it, not because you want something back. You've got independence of spirit. You won't have to be told a dozen times a day that you're wanted and appreciated. They came looking for gold. Those Spanish lords were great gentlemen. They would never have humbled their spirits with work. A gentleman who had worked could never hold up his head again.
The only right and proper way for them to get gold was to murder the people who had already worked for it and to steal what they had. They rode up here. But they couldn't find the golden cities. They couldn't find anything to steal. So they went home and said this was a worthless country nobody would want. And all the time, everything they believed was true. There was gold enough here to fit their most fantastic dreams.
Here it was, more gold than those thieving killers had ever seen in one place in their lives, and they never found it. But the first men who ever in the history of the world went up there to do a plain ordinary job of work, they found it. Jul 09, Janice marked it as to-read. Jubilee Trail is a great story, the writing itself is not especially incredible but the story is incredible.
I should mention it felt a little cheesy to me at first - very prim and proper and some other quality I'm not sure how to describe. Once I got a little ways into the book and was used to the writing style it didn't feel cheesy anymore. I did not have a lot of time to read when I started this book. As I moved further through the story I found it harder and harder to put it down.
I was reading little snippets during my son's basketball games every time they called a timeout and at the quarter and half. Any time I could squeeze in some reading I did until yesterday when I just blazed through the last pages. I finished the book hoping she wrote a second novel with the same characters. She certainly could have as the story had a good ending that did not leave you hanging but, the characters were still young and off to face another adventure.
Mar 08, Diane Lynn rated it it was amazing Shelves: Oct 01, Mela rated it it was amazing Shelves: Gwen Bristow was and is one of the best authors of historical fiction. She knew how do it and he did it marvelous. One may think you take some interesting historical background and some more or less original fictional story and you end up with a good historical fiction.
It isn't definitely enough. Every great writer of this genre has own style, own recipe. And of course Bristow had also. Her books I have read three her novels are rich with historical facts but in the way that you don't feel Gwen Bristow was and is one of the best authors of historical fiction. Her books I have read three her novels are rich with historical facts but in the way that you don't feel overwhelmed.
Thanks to her I know so much about USA history.
Wild Trail
After each one of the books I had read I searched for more information. I wanted to know more. She showed us a fascinating world. But that world was also wild, hard, sometimes even cruel but that world offered many opportunities for those who dared. She created also great characters. I don't like them all but they all are perfect examples of people who lived then. Through them she described many other women and men. I think, that what she did the best are male characters especially those who are in closer relationship with a main heroine in some point of the story.
In my opinion her male characters are much better created than female characters. All these remarks refer also to Jubilee Trail of course. Reading this book I was completly immersed in those times and with the story. I was a few times totally surprised what had happend. I was thrilled, angry, sad. And these male characters. They are so perfect in their imperfection. Each of them had his own place in the story and in the life of heroine.
By the by, QNPoohBear has right, that The story is full of racial and ethnic stereotypes and prejudices that were common in the s. It was hard to read it sometimes. Aug 24, Jessica rated it it was amazing Shelves: My friends and I all passed this book around in high school, and a few years ago I was lucky enough to find a copy at a library book sale prior to this edition. This is a great book about the settlement of California, from the eyes of a young woman raised in New York society. Longing for adventure, Garnet marries a man she barely knows, wooed by his stories of magical California, a land that isn't even on the map yet.
But the path to California is hard, and Garnet encounters many unpleasa My friends and I all passed this book around in high school, and a few years ago I was lucky enough to find a copy at a library book sale prior to this edition. But the path to California is hard, and Garnet encounters many unpleasant surprises, in the way of bandits, hostile natives, even more hostile in-laws, and a husband who is nothing like the charming man who courted her.
The characters are richly drawn, from Garnet to Florinda, the dance hall girl she befriends, plus a host of Chinese immigrants, a giant Russian, and the cattle ranchers and prospectors who are trying to make their fortune in the territory. I can remember whole conversations, entire scenes and chapters, this book is so clearly and poignantly written. And I rather fancy wearing a corset, sprigged calico gown, and a Colt pistol in a leather holster. Aug 10, Tasha rated it really liked it Shelves: This is not a book to grab you and not let go but one that sort of seeps into your consciousness and sort of settles in.
It didn't always feel like a 4 star read but as it came together at the end I knew it was a good read. It definitely gives you the feeling of what it was like at that time with the sparseness of California, the roughness of living on the trail and the political flavor of the times. But it's more than that, it's about friendship and brave souls. I think Gwen Bristow set this on This is not a book to grab you and not let go but one that sort of seeps into your consciousness and sort of settles in.
I think Gwen Bristow set this one up for the next book so I'm pretty sure I will check out Calico Palace one of these days. I see that Calico Palace continues where Jubilee Trail leaves off in history but not in characters. I am sad to see these characters go, I was thinking I would meet them again in this next one. Jan 19, Meg rated it it was amazing.
I had such a fun time reading Jubilee Trail and found myself savoring every word. It was written in the 's and it is quite obvious from the writing style, but I found that it added to the charm. It just "felt" old fashioned to it's core. The character's were beautifully written with so many layers, and I found myself in love with so many of them. Or hating them passionately There were so many individual and deeply personal stories interwoven in this book that will stay with me f I had such a fun time reading Jubilee Trail and found myself savoring every word.
There were so many individual and deeply personal stories interwoven in this book that will stay with me for a lifetime. Garnet and Florinda become unlikely friends traveling the trail to California, pretty much before there was much of a trail. They grow and evolve and entrance you in their world in the meantime.
There were so many twists and turns, I never knew what would happen next. I have also found this to be true: Oct 01, Melinda rated it it was amazing. She had been so full of zest and curiosity, so eager to follow all those shining promises that did not exist anywhere except in her own head. She had thought freedom meant simply the chance to have her own way, with no need to take the consequences of having had it.
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Well, she knew better now. Life was not a lot of golden adventures that cost you nothing. I browsed some titles on Amazon and settled on this book without knowing very much about it. I supposed it had been suggested due to the forward written by Nancy E. However, the edition I purchased was old and did include one.
I truly loved this read. It was just what I had hoped it would be! I am so used to reading books from modern authors who end a book abruptly so they can entice you to read their next installment. I can't say I blame them, but I can't help but feel irritated waiting a year for the author to tell me what happens next! While there were plenty of acceptable stopping points that Gwen Bristow could have used to end her book, I found delicious satisfaction in having plenty more pages to turn; she never lost my interest.
Like a child craving another scoop of ice cream, I felt gluttonous as I devoured each chapter. I had to set mini deals with myself "okay, so I am going to finish this chapter, and then I will vacuum and dust before starting the next. The last 50 pages of the book taunted me. I loved reading about the stoic westward travelers. I grew up in California, memory's shadow tickled me with nostalgia- seeing the names of towns and trying to recall events learned in history class. It was not some sloppy love novel with graphic scenes to target my hormones, but was rich with characters who were faulted and yet good, and my heart ached with understanding.
I did finish the book late after work one night and am now content! Maybe I will see if the library has the movie maybe. Feb 18, Amberly rated it really liked it Shelves: One busy day while ordering some books from amazon I typed in Nancy's name and this book pulled up so I stuck it in the cart and placed my order. When the order arrived I was very surprised to see this book, whose forewards are written by Nancy E.
Turner and Sandra Dallas, was authored by someone I was unfamiliar with. So onto the shelf it went for someday when I didn't have a book in front of me that I HAD to read right then. Well, someday came and I pulled this book out.
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The forewards hooked me. Turner said, "Jubilee Trail is a classic Western, a lush romance, an action adventure, and a survivor story, told with s sensibilities. I'm not a big fan of westerns or romance novels but it turns out I am a big fan of this book. And the 's sensibilities? Oh they are there and I loved it. Bonus - the book is really clean. Oct 26, Melissa T rated it it was amazing Shelves: I dearly loved this book. I loved traveling across the Jubilee Trail and farther with these characters, and was so sorry to see the book end!
I felt like it was unpredictable, and although I was surprised by the turn of events, I really liked it as I went along. Somehow it seemed more true to life than many "romances". I loved the friendship between these two women, despite their entirely different upbringings. I also really enjoyed the writing style--when I read it I could tell is wasn't writ I dearly loved this book. I also really enjoyed the writing style--when I read it I could tell is wasn't written recently, but obviously wasn't written at the time it took place.
It's definitely one I will read again and give as gifts. I already gifted it to a friend in the last two days! A few of thought-provoking quotes: But then we love it, because that the school that taught us all we know, and gave us all the strength we have. Jul 07, Terri rated it it was amazing. Gwen Bristow knows has to write about women. Garnet and Florinda aren't anything like each other and yet they are true friends who stand by and help one another through whatever comes.
They don't completely understand each other, but they value the differences they see in one another. As life gives them hard times, they both face it with grit and determination. My favorite quote from the book comes from Garnet, "She had thought freedom meant simply the chance to have her own way, wi Gwen Bristow knows has to write about women. My favorite quote from the book comes from Garnet, "She had thought freedom meant simply the chance to have her own way, with no need to take the consequences of having had it.
Life isn't all rainbows and fairies, but it can be very, very good and sometimes it is good because not just despite the trials because you become something better than you were before. Bristow is also very good at writing historical fiction that really brings to life the era. It is fascinating to learn about times and places from the past especially when a good story is involved!
She was obviously a very well liked and well read author in her time this book was even made into a movie and I think the books deserve to still be read. Jul 30, Abigail rated it it was amazing. My dear friend lent me this book. I have to confess that the first ninety pages felt slow to me, but I am sssooooo happy that I kept reading. The story builds and then slows a little and then out of nowhere it punches you in the face with a plot twist that you never expected.
Once I became emotionally invested in the characters - who, in completely different ways are rich, complex, and therefore, endearing - I couldn't stop reading. Even when I really needed to. I can't say just how much I enjoy My dear friend lent me this book. I can't say just how much I enjoyed how each character's "tale of woe" is revealed. And then you love them all even more.
I wept, I chuckled, I put the book down in disbelief, excitement, or mortification repeatedly. And to top it all, I came away from this story, truly wishing these characters really existed. Horrid, nasty piece of work.
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And if John Ives could read this, he'd cringe as he read these words: I loved this book and am so grateful to my friend, Sarah for lending it to me. It was quite a ride. I really liked this novel about a proper New York girl longing for adventure midth Century, getting married, and taking a trek with her new husband along a wagon trail to the nation of California--which wasn't even on the globes out east yet--where further adventures await her. In style, it's of its era, and I mean that as a complement.
Would that the average popular novel today were written this well, or as well as Mary Stewart's Gothics. But the "middlebrow" novel disappeared in about I really liked this novel about a proper New York girl longing for adventure midth Century, getting married, and taking a trek with her new husband along a wagon trail to the nation of California--which wasn't even on the globes out east yet--where further adventures await her. But the "middlebrow" novel disappeared in about , and I certainly miss it. In the depiction of female characters, it's years ahead of its time.
It's mostly shelved a romance here, but it's really a story of a female friendship more than a romance. Some lovely descriptions and surprising human insights. Had females chosen the canon, no doubt some of the mid-century novelists would have been booted off the list to be replaced by this book and Edna Ferber books.
Dec 30, Readitnweep rated it really liked it Shelves: This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. This is not the edition I read - I have an old copy from the s. This historical story set in the s is well paced and packed with events and characters - with some historical figures. It is not graphic in text, though, so don't look for a lot of historical accuracy, in terms of the graphic nature of living in the west at the time, but it does include wonderful description and som This is not the edition I read - I have an old copy from the s.
It is not graphic in text, though, so don't look for a lot of historical accuracy, in terms of the graphic nature of living in the west at the time, but it does include wonderful description and some historical details.