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There are currently 36 member reviews
for Pieces of Blue
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Laurie S., Minneapolis, MN
Blues of Hawaii
With equal parts character study, love story, mystery, and adventure, Pieces of Blue weaves together the pleasure and pain that comes with living and loving. Lindsey, a young woman with three children, takes the insurance money from her husband's mysterious death to start her life anew, again, by renovating a vacation property off the beaten path in wild, tropical Hawaii. Her three children respond to this new life in different ways from curiosity and adventure to frustration. The focus on the children early in the novel add to its magic and charm. Olivia, Carl/Carlos, and Sena, along with their mother Lindsey each embody the pieces of blue. When Lindsey's first "guest" arrives, he is more than willing to help rebuild the property which raises questions as to his intentions. As the story unfolds, the reader sees multiple sides to each of the characters who add interesting contradictions, mysteries, and revelations. I was especially satisfied with the ending.
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Janet T. (Northbrook, IL)
Starting over in a remote part of Hawaii
Imagine a family, a mother and three children, a few years after the dad died in a surfing accident, setting up a small motel in a quiet and scenic spot on Oahu. They had become accustomed to being downwardly mobile after the dad's business had become less profitable.
After a moderately paced beginning, a helpful guy appears. After having bought the motel property sight unseen, the mom is grateful for advice and volunteer help. It gets complicated and somewhat mysterious.
The pace picks up considerably in the later part of the story.
I enjoyed the sense of place as the story developed and was intrigued by the brave (maybe foolish?) experiment in reinvention. It is ultimately a big-hearted novel that works.
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Lorraine D. (Lacey, WA)
A Captivating, Humorous Story of A Family Trying to Re-Invent Themselves
A determined mom with three very different children, two teens and a gifted younger child, decides to totally re-invent their family after a catastrophe takes her husband. From the time they make the big, poorly planned move to their Hawaiian island paradise to the blustery conclusion, you will feel compelled to turn the page, chapter to chapter. Laugh out loud instances, intrigue, mystery, and descriptive language brings it all to life. A highly enjoyable read. Kudos to Holly Goldberg Sloan on her debut novel for adults. Highly recommended.
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Gretchen M. (Martinsburg, WV)
Loved This Story
The book was a slow start for me, but I'm so glad I stuck with it. The characters felt like people you know. The children are so enjoyable to get to know, especially Sena. I appreciated how the author told the background story of Lindsey's marriage without separate chapters or the back and forth style many use. I wasn't expecting the climax.
The only thing I thought was lacking was exploring how the children handled the reappearance and then disappearance of their father. I felt that piece was crucial to the new path their mother took after the hurricane. Otherwise, a 5-star rating.
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Vicky R. (Roswell, GA)
Heartwarming
This story in this book made my heart happy. It's a charming story but includes some drama and a little mystery. I loved the descriptions set in Hawaii and felt the islands tropics every time I opened the book.
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Gail H. (Waukee, IA)
Pieces of Blue
I found the book, "Pieces of Blue" to be a heartwarming look at loss, love, and the struggle to move forward. It was easy to embrace the Hill family as they transitioned to Hawaii as owners of a rundown motel on a beautiful beach to start a new life. Each character has a unique personality that keeps the reader engaged. There is also a surprise twist at the ending.
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Eileen F. (Media, PA)
Winds of change
Good beach read about a family trying to start over again in Hawaii. Great descriptions of the flora and fauna in the island and how important it is to the people of Hawaii. Interesting plot lines for the family and how they struggled to make things work with some twists.
