By Jane Kirkpatrick
Genre Historical Fiction
Format Print
Rating ⭐️⭐️
Synopsis
When her father dies, Cassie feels pressured to marry Josiah Stearns to help her destitute mother and sister. Traveling west with her new husband brings Cassie to the wilds of Washington. Seemingly the girl who has everything with a doting husband, a beautiful daughter and her mother and sister close, Cassie still longs for something more. When she meets the handsome Louis Simpson a forbidden love affair will end with the woman behind the man who founded North Bend, Oregon and inspired the most beautiful mansion and gardens on the Oregon coast.
First Sentence
My friend Annie and I sat in our family's closed Victoria carriage peering out through the round, isinglass window.
Though I love the history of North Bend (the town my husband grew up in) and can imagine the beautiful house that once stood on Shore Acres, I never would have picked this book up. My husband is a little bit (okay, A LOT) obsessed with Louis J. Simpson and Shore Acres State Park. When he saw this book he bought it for me and eagerly awaited my thoughts.
The book is a historical fiction and a slow one at that but I did find it interesting. I liked that the author wrote the story from Cassie's point of view. Everything about this story and history is ALWAYS about the man. Typical. So, getting the woman's point of view was nice.
Sadly, I couldn't quite find it in my heart to care for Cassie. She was pretty selfish which always makes it hard to sympathize with. Still, the history was fun and now I know almost as much as my husband about his home town. Not a complete loss.
Sounds like an OK read and it's good that you've learned something more about the history. :)
ReplyDeleteYeah, that’s always something.
DeleteWhen characters are based on real people I think it can be really hard to make them likeable.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Which is sad. I guess we humans aren’t very likable.
DeleteI struggle with historical fiction... But like you with this one, I'm always happy to give books like this a try! :)
ReplyDeleteI’ll try just about anything when it comes to books.
DeleteHistorical fiction can be hit or miss with me, but I tend to stay away from books that feature affairs and infidelity. I do find it adorable and sweet that your husband wanted you to read this so much, and that you indulged him. ;)
ReplyDeleteYeah, it was purely for him. Not sure I would have tried it otherwise.
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