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There are currently 36 member reviews
for Pieces of Blue
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Jenny G. (Loveland, OH)
Had so much potential
I received Pieces of Blue with great excitement. I expected this would be a story about a strong mother's courageous journey forward after losing her husband in a tragic accident. I had anticipated marveling at this woman's insight and skillful planning in getting an old hotel up and running while somehow successfully raising her three children. She would endure hardships and challenges, yes, but in the end she would prevail. Instead, I was dismayed by the decisions she made both as they related to her children and the restoration of the hotel, and the plot segue from what could have been a unique and uplifting adventure to a storyline more tailored toward yearning teens.
I wish I had enjoyed the book more.
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Cindy B. (Waukee, IA)
Pieces of Blue
This is a story of loss, hope, love and redemption. Lindsey Hill and her three children move to Hawai'i after purchasing a rundown hotel following the death of Paul Hill in a surfing accident. The characters are likable and real as they adapt to their new life on an island and deal with their grief over losing their loved one. The author keeps the reader engaged in the story with compelling twists and turns of the plot. However I felt the mother's new relationship and the children's ability to move on at the end of the book needed further development to be believable. Overall the novel was an enjoyable read.
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Lucy S. (Ann Arbor, MI)
On the fence
I have read and enjoyed some of Holly Goldberg Sloan's books for younger readers. Some of the devices she uses in those books, really don't work in this book, intended for adults. There is so much that is unrealistic about this plot. I think the author could have used a sensitivity reading as well. Some of her word choices are potentially offensive, and I struggled with the whole idea of this white family from the mainland settling in Hawai'i when so many Native Hawaiians are struggling with cultural survival.
All this being said, I found that the plot moved at a fast pace and was full of twists.
I'm torn about whether I would recommend this one.
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Margot P. (Mandeville, LA)
Pieces that don't fit together
I would describe this book as stuck in limbo between the YA market and beach reading adults. There are "pieces" of quality-the characters, while never fully developed, are interesting and for the most part likable. The Hawaii setting is rich in lush description and the restoration of an old hotel did engage my attention. I think YA readers would be bored with the ramblings of confused, troubled adults and serious adult readers will find the plot contrived and melodramatic (especially the hurricane and other events that would be spoilers). However, it did entertain and was a good book to have on a long plane ride. I think this could be popular with book clubs, but comparisons to Where'd You Go, Bernadette are a bit of a stretch.
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Kate G. (Bronx, NY)
Beach Read
Lindsey's husband has died in a surfing accident and she and her 3 children need a new start. Moving from Oregon to Hawaii and buying a run down beach motel is a new start. This started slow and picked up momentum and I am sure it will be widely read this summer on the beach, near the pool and by book groups. This story felt familiar to me; the teenage daughter is pouty and difficult, the son, the middle child embraces change and the younger 7 year old daughter is wise beyond her years. It dragged at some points as it was a lot of the same days with the kids going to school, Lindsey walking and working on the motel, and then school evenings, dinner and homework. A handsome stranger shows up and starts to help Lindsey with repairs and her loneliness. Ultimately, I felt Lindsey was a little too naive; if she had been a stronger character, it might have been a stronger story.
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Carolyn S. (Kennesaw, GA)
Pieces of Blue
Pieces of Blue is an interesting take on an old story of disappearing people and fate of their survivors. But in this day and age where there is nowhere to hide, it is hard to suspend belief. The story could have been enhanced by giving more detailed descriptions and facts about the State of Hawaii where the story takes place.
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Beth M
A disappointing read!
I was expecting a “brilliant and bighearted page turner” as Maria Semple promised. Instead I found the book tedious and simplistic. It is a story about mother and her three children who move to Hawaii where they bought a run down motel hoping to heal from the death of the husband/father. I loved the spunky younger daughter, Sena, but the rest of the characters were too simplistic for my taste. As another reviewer said, this feels like a YA novel although I’m not sure there is much to be gained. I really wanted to like this story and just couldn’t. There’s so many better books to read!!!
