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MEGRIt was the ending I wanted obviously, but the whole thing about Matthew being that much better just felt unbelievable. My favorite thing about the book was how Cora finally came through for Leni towards the end of her life. That felt real.6y
jpelletLeni saying goodbye to Cora was hard to read. I think Leni had unconditional love for her mom even though Cora selfishly stayed with an abusive husband for so many years, putting Leni at risk. I thought the book ended on a happy note. Overall, I thought it was a great read!6y
CoffeeNBooksI enjoyed the book, even though some of it seemed too convenient: Cora's death and the confession letter, Matthew's recovery, and even how quick he was to forgive Leni for being gone and keeping his son from him for so long. But, I feel like that's also an important part of the story- life is too short and unpredictable, especially somewhere like Alaska, to hold grudges. This was the 1st Kristin Hannah book I've read , but I'll read more.6y
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CoffeeNBooksThanks@EadieB for hosting this buddy read!! I really enjoyed the reading and the discussions!6y
Rachbb3I thought the ending was right on. Leni finally could lay Cora to rest and go on with her life. Great book! Yes, thank you@EadieB for hosting.6y
GeekletThanks so much@EadieB This was the first buddy read I‘ve been in where I read along with the group and it was tons of fun.6y
EadieB@Geeklet You‘re welcome! Buddy Reads are great fun!6y
JovyI cried at her farewell to Cora, so touching! I enjoyed the book very much. Thanks@EadieB for hosting!6y
Andrew65@jpellet I agree the scenes with Leni and Cora were hard to read.6y
Andrew65Overall an excellent book, although felt the book took the wrong path with the accident to Matthew and then had to find a way to resolve it.6y
Andrew65My only other issue with the book was the abuse, very difficult to read. Thanks@EadieB for an excellent buddy read. 🙌👏😊6y
EadieB@Andrew65 You‘re welcome! Yes the abuse was difficult and I have to agree that Matthew‘s accident did not have to be that severe. He should have been able to recuperate better.6y
Andrew65@EadieB Despite this I still have it down as a five star read.6y
Reecaspieces🤔🤔🤔I think she is woman enough to do whatever she wants now.6y
jpelletIt went very well! I was surprised to hear Matthew had improved so much. I don‘t think she will move back to her old cabin where there are constant memories of her dead parents.6y
CoffeeNBooksI think Leni will take the negative memories and rebuild on her land, with Matthew, and turn it into something positive.6y
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Rachbb3I thought the reunion was great. It was nice that Matthew had recovered somewhat. As for the cabin, burn it to the ground.6y
GeekletI hope that she will be able to help Matthew heal. I don‘t know if I would have stayed on that land if I were her though.6y
JovyGreat reunion! I think she can return to the cabin, although probably best to tear it down and build new memories.6y
Andrew65Yes destroy it and build something new on the land. A touching reunion, like the scene where he thought she wanted to show him her husband.6y
kspenmollYes! First of all I love her bigger than life character so it was fun to have her reappear with a big splash! As to Tom‘s call to the governor, that seems realistic & we were aware that connection. They could pull out all the stops to help Leni now. Before Cora got in the way with her refusal to press charges against Ernt.(edited) 6y
ReecaspiecesLarge marge is one of the best characters ever. And once again@kspenmoll nailed it!6y
peaKnitAgree! It‘s awesome to see these characters standing up for one another, and Large Marge blows any stereotypes of who lives in podunk, Alaska, right out of the water.☺️6y
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jpelletYes! Large Marge is one of my favorite characters in this book. Of course she would come to Leni‘s rescue! And it pays to have friends in high places!6y
CoffeeNBooksI love Large Marge!! And I love how she and Tom have always looked out for Cora and Leni. I was afraid Tom was going to be upset with Leni for not letting him know about his grandson for all of those years, but I think he understood why.6y
Rachbb3Yeah, as soon as Large Marge came into the courtroom I knew that was it. She wasn't going to let anything happen to Leni.6y
GeekletI loved Large Marge so much. I‘m glad they were able to help Leni. I wish Leni would have let her mother take the blame a long time ago though.6y
JovyI love that scene! Part of me was like why didn‘t they use Tom‘s connections years ago!6y
kspenmollI was surprised she was not more prepared especially since her grandfather is a lawyer & I had assumed would go over any what ifs & how to handle the police. The Chief seemed to be unnecessarily mean spirited.(edited) 6y
jpelletI knew that he was not being genuine by asking her to write the confession and then saying she could just go about her merry way. I was surprised that she didn‘t stick to her story and follow the advice given to her.6y
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CoffeeNBooksI was very surprised that she fell for that! I thought she would have been much less talkative with the police, and just stick with what her grandfather told her to say.6y
Rachbb3I was surprised by her arrest, but I also remembered Tom Walker's connections. Lol.6y
JovyI was surprised she did not know better or maybe deep down she really wanted to confess.6y
Andrew65We all knew he was trapping her! He was definitely a by the book man.6y
kspenmollIt seems like Cora was trying to give the gift of Alaska back to her daughter because she knew it was a huge part of who Leni is, but I am not sure it‘s a good idea. How could Leni not be implicated as accessory? But with no body would that not matter? Lung cancer a way to move the plot along & get Leni back to Alaska & Matthew?(edited) 6y
peaKnit@kspenmoll I agree, a little too “convenient” but I want Leni to get back to where she is whole.6y
jpelletI thought that Cora‘s letter would not be the end of that story, and Leni was sure to get in trouble if she delivered the letter to the police. It would not be believable that she knew nothing of what happened.6y
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CoffeeNBooksIt was definitely a convenient story line, but I'm glad Leni had the opportunity to return to Alaska. She'd given up so much, and she had her entire life ahead of her. I was pretty sure the situation with the police in Alaska was going to end poorly.6y
Rachbb3I knew she wouldn't be whole until she got back to Matthew and Alaska. She was told not to say anything of her part, but I think if she had heeded advice and let Cora take all the blame it would have tormented her. Too many lies.6y
JovyI think the cancer was a convenient way for Leni to get her happy ending. I agree with@Rachbb3 she would not be able to live with herself had she not confessed.6y
Andrew65Given the amount she smoked lung cancer certainly was a possibility. Very sad scenes around this. The letter was strange because of the last sentence about Leni, not well written at this point. Yes Leni would have some difficult questions to answer but she needed to go back to Alaska.6y
Tove_ReadsShe‘s suffered so much. About time she gets to do her own thing. Yup, I would also tell. It‘s time to stop lying and hiding.6y
kspenmollI was happy she was finally creating her own life & had the built in support she needed financially & for child care. She had a semblance of family that did not terrorize her. I am glad she is sharing Matthew with her son.6y
jpelletI was glad the Leni could finally do something for herself! I was glad to see she had been honest with M.J. And what she thought was appropriate to tell him at the time.6y
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CoffeeNBooksLeni definitely deserved the opportunity to go to college. I think it's good that she was honest with MJ about Matthew, so he has a realistic understanding of the situation.6y
Rachbb3I was happy for her and that her circumstances didn't hold her back. She persevered even though she was hurting.6y
JovyLeni deserves this break. So good for her! She also did good explaining to MJ about his dad.6y
Andrew65This was the right thing to do on both fronts.6y
kspenmollYes I was. It seemed convenient that her father had such access to false ID, that he would risk his credentials to go to the dark side. Maybe he already did this; or was he retired? Thinking the author must have had this in mind.6y
ReecaspiecesThe things you will do for your children.6y
peaKnit@Reecaspieces Right?! It is amazing what you‘d do for your kids. Luckily these folks have money and connections.6y
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jpelletI think it showed that they would do anything for their family.6y
CoffeeNBooksCora's mom mentioned that they'd been hoping for a second chance, so I think her parents would have done just about anything for them.6y
Rachbb3No, not surprised. They all clearly made mistakes that they regret. I'm glad at least for Leni's sake they took their second chance.6y
JovyNo surprise there. No parent can close their door on their kids.6y
Andrew65@kspenmoll I felt this was a bit of a stretch for me but did fit the plot.6y
Tove_ReadsProbably the only place for them. No money, no skills... what else could they do? Where else would they go?6y
kspenmollProbably the only alternative. Have to reinvent themselves but have no $.6y
ReecaspiecesIt‘s a no brainer for them. Just about their inky option6y
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peaKnitI agree, they have such limited options. Finally Cora makes a good decision!6y
jpelletI think it was a good choice since Cora knew she could count on her parents to help her out!6y
CoffeeNBooksThey didn't have anywhere else to go, and no matter how much Cora didn't want to admit it, she probably knew she needed the emotional support of her parents. Leni certainly needed them.6y
Rachbb3Finally a good choice! I'm glad that Cora reconciled with her parents.6y
GeekletIt was the only place for them to really go.6y
JovyAgree! Also a chance to make up with her parents.6y
CoffeeNBooksIt was so sad that she had to say goodbye. I don't think it's possible for them to ever see eachother again, since Cora & Leni are disappearing in order to appear dead. Why didn't Cora just press charges when she had the chance?! I think things would have turned out so differently, and Matthew & Leni could have had a chance at their future. 😢6y
GeekletIt was heartbreaking. They never got a chance in life. I don‘t know if Matthew will ever recover or anything but it‘s just a shame they all needed up in that situation.6y
Rachbb3The whole situation is so sad. The outcome of poor choices on Cora's part.6y
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jpelletThe whole thing is sad. I think Leni will be back.6y
EadieBSo sad all the way around. If you don‘t react properly in the first instance of abuse the situation seems to always escalate and clearly gets out of hand.6y
CoffeeNBooksI can see why they felt they had to dispose of his body, and it makes sense why Marge said they had to leave Alaska. I don't think Leni had thought that much through. Once again, Cora's decisions are directly affecting Leni.6y
GeekletLord I wish they hadn‘t have done this. It‘s just another example of Leni suffering for the behaviors of her parents. Cora never behaves like the adult. She could have just waltzed over to the radio when it happened and reported that she had killed her husband.6y
Rachbb3I thought it was a horrible idea. It was self defense and they had the testimonies of many people to corroborate. Cora makes the most ridiculous decisions and as always Leni will be effected.6y
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peaKnitI agree, report it and face consequences, if any, people knew how unpredictable and dangerous Ernt was. It was feasible she‘d kill him in defense. That said, the way these two have been victimized, it maybe makes since they try to cover their tracks instead.6y
jpelletI agree that Cora should have reported it and Leni could have moved on with her life, while continuing to live in the cabin with the continued support of her neighbors.6y
EadieBKilling him is one thing but disposing of his body really makes them look guilty. She shot him in the back but she could of just said that she was fearful he would kill Leni. So stupid to dispose of him.6y
Andrew65Very stupid to do what they did. Now different times so may not have got away with a self defence plea but Cora should not have allowed Leni to sacrifice her life in this way. Most parents would have sacrificed themselves first.(edited) 6y
JovyI feel like they could have still gotten away with self defense. Now they have no choice but to be fugitives.6y
kspenmollVery stupid. I think Cora should have just owned it & free Leni to live her life. Bad advice from Marge. Why should Leni be A fugitive? Sorry to say, from reviews etc. I am in the minority, but I am liking this book less & less.6y