Karen J. Hasley

I'm going to rate this book a four of five. I don't think that I'll ever read it again, but wow, the first time was great. (Wish I could give it 4.5—I think I'll go back and re-read certain sections again.)

I liked it partially because I'm from Cleveland and I enjoy stories set in historical Cleveland. Not sure how this book got on my Kindle, but that could be a reason. I think it's neat that when a character turns a corner or heads to the YWCA that you know where they are and that you've been there, too.

But! I primarily liked this book because of the characters and character development. The author spends a great deal of time and energy developing the four main characters (MP counts as two) as well as the various supporting characters.

Yes, the diary style (tone?) is not what you're used to, but bear with it—Hasley uses it for a purpose, and to great effect.

While not exactly a mystery, there are certainly twists and turns and there is mystery in it. As the story builds, we see further and further into this MP person and her character(s). Setting the story in the WWI teens was brilliant and, while I'm not a scholar of those times, Hasley got all the details I needed to enjoy the story right enough for me.

It's OK to have a longing for a different ending—to have a sense of loss—this is not a disney princess story.

Please don't give up on the story because of the style—persevere and you'll be rewarded by a good read.… (mer)

I don't often gravitate towards westerns in movies or books, which is strange because whenever I see or read one I usually enjoy it, and this was no exception. Etta Capstone was a totally remarkable heroine and her story was heartbreaking and inspiring. My one quibble with the novel was that her plan for revenge, the central plot line of the book, was idiotic and ill-conceived and I didn't believe that a smart woman like her would ever have thought it could work.

However as this plan unfolded, it provided the backdrop to the brutal, tragic story of Etta and her family; how she came to run a restaurant in a small Western town; how she became surrogate mother to a fragile, damaged young woman; and how she forged relationships with two fascinating men. All this would culminate in an exciting and satisfying conclusion where Etta was able to put the ghosts of her past to rest and move forward to a more hopeful future.… (mer)