... [a] lyrical ode to love ... liquid prose ... I won’t spoil your enjoyment of the book by telling you what happens next — just know Betsy Carter takes us on an exploration of love through much of the 20th century, from the excitement and passion of the new to the comfort of family in all its complexities. Her lost souls don’t necessarily get what they want, but in this rich and varied story they eventually find what they need.
The rich complexities of mother-daughter relationships are explored in this book; the characters are incredibly convincing, warts and all ... Carter...writes movingly of a time when gender roles were clearly defined and stepping outside the norm was taboo. This title will appeal to women's fiction and romance readers, and those looking for something a little different. One can't help fall in love with each character, mourn each loss, cheer their triumphs, and maybe shed a tear or two.
A sweeping intergenerational story of the intertwined lives of two people who find themselves staying briefly at the Neptune Inn in New Rochelle, New York ... In this sweeping tale that extends through much of the 20th century before ending in 1980s New York City, the reader meets Dillard’s and Emilia Mae’s parents, friends, and lovers and is given a deep, layered look at what events, people, choices, and secrets shape Dillard, Emilia Mae, and Alice into the complicated individuals they ultimately become. A bittersweet tale that follows the twists and turns of love and loss and the painfulness and joy of life.
... an endearing, sweeping saga of strangers brought together ... the story comes alive through the honesty and raw emotion injected into the characters. Her unflinching look at the characters’ imperfections and boundless exploration into their minds makes for an exceptional tale.
