- Shopping Bag ( 0 items )
Want a NOOK? Explore Now
A psychologist, haunted by the kidnapping of her baby daughter 23 years ago, decides to try adoption. Her missing daughter, now grown up and pregnant, hears of a woman desperate for a child. Thus Eileen Goudge sets the stage for a story rich with drama and delicious family secrets. A LG main selection. Ads in People. Online promo. HC: Viking. Fiction--General
It's 1972 when Ellie, a good girl from the Midwest whose parents kicked her out when she got pregnant (it was her "first time"), returns to the Manhattan apartment where her hooker sister Nadine has been baby-sitting Ellie's infant daughter Bethanne. But to Ellie's horror, while she's been working the late shift selling movie tickets, Nadine's been beaten to a pulp by her pimp, who—worse yet—made off with Betanne (telling Nadine, who later dies of a drug overdose, that blue-eyed babies are hot on the black market). Waspy Kate Sutton—wife of the also blue-blooded Will, co- owner of an antiques store, and someone who's been craving motherhood for years—is so elated when her husband's attorney suddenly "locates" an adoptable baby that she forces herself to ignore the revealing photos and news bulletins about Bethanne's kidnapping. As it happens, the child grows up as Skyler Sutton, a lovely, smart, gifted equestrienne who's been told by the Suttons since the age of six that she was abandoned by her "real" mother. Meanwhile, Ellie's never forgotten Bethanne, of course, but she's managed to put herself through night- and then graduate school, become a psychologist, and marry Paul Nightingale, a neonatologist who has trouble dealing with Ellie's desperate, always doomed attempts to become a mother again. When the 23-year-old Skyler/Bethanne meets Tony Salvatore, a friend of Ellie's and a mounted policeman from the wrong side of the tracks (but with a heart of gold), all hell breaks loose: Secrets leak, wounds reopen, another baby is born—and Goudge plays fix-it with her customary zeal, providing far-fetched but satisfying conclusions.
A relatively guilt-free, toothsome treat: Goudge doesn't aim too high, but then again, unlike overshooters, she hits her mark.
A-READER24
Posted August 25, 2011
I liked the suspense of the book, and the Ellie and Tony characters were goodhearted and kind & you felt for them.
However, I really didn't care that much for the Sutton family. Kate's actions in the hospital at the beginning of the book were cold. Yes, I understood that she really wanted a child, but the fact that she KNEW the truth about Skyler and didn't reveal it was really selfish. Also, I thought that Skyler was a bit of a selfish spoiled brat also, attempting to keep Tony out of her decision about THEIR child. Also, it was unclear to me WHY Skyler even NEEDED to choose adoption, seeing as how she came from a wealthy family. ???
However, I would recommend the book to readers that like suspense and big, juicy secrets.
The story was a beautiful plot full of love and devotion to hide deep secrets. The plot brought together many peoples lives hidden by shocking secrets. Discovery and finally knowing dreams do come true brings the story to a final climax. God's "miracle" shows how obstacles can be challenged but come to a final good conclusion.
Three women are linked together as life thrusts upon them hurt, betrayal, and finally love. A true romantic and touching tale.
Each woman shows great compassion and is truly loved by three men. Sexual, showing great passion between these three women and the men who have won their hearts.
It was a timeless romantic plot and loved reading it to the end. Couldn't put the book down until I had to close my eyes and go to sleep.
The book was immediately picked up the next day to continue on with the story to see how it ends.
Cherry Blossom
Anonymous
Posted January 19, 2013
No text was provided for this review.
Overview
Ellie Nightingale moved to New York in the early 1970s, a scared country girl with a newborn, no money, and no one to run to but her sister, a prostitute with a couch to spare. Ellie worked as hard as she could, determined to make a good life for her child, but one day the baby disappeared—kidnapped and handed over to a wealthy Connecticut couple. Skyler Sutton has grown up with ...