Along The Infinite Sea By Beatriz Williams
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One Clever Minx
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Along The Infinite Sea By Beatriz Williams
Along the Infinite Sea by Beatriz Williams
As much as I love this author, and enjoyed this book I am giving it a four star rating.
Let's start with the cover. It's gorgeous! The artwork lends a vintage feel that readers will find very attractive (just like her last three books, all beautiful!).
I try to avoid giving a detailed synopsis in my reviews because I hate to spoil anything for readers. Instead I will share just enough to hopefully spark an interest and encourage others to discover this book for themselves.
This is the third novel in the Schulyer sister;s trilogy. While each novel is a stand alone, readers will enjoy this book more if they read them in order.
Our story starts in the fall of 1966 with Pepper, the youngest of the Schuyler sisters, who is coming to terms with her unexpected and unplanned pregnancy after an elicit affair with a high profile and married man from Washington. Pepper has fled to Palm Beach, Florida to escape her past and set in motion a plan to secure a future for both herself and her unborn child. When she restores a rare vintage Mercedes and sells it at auction for a sizable profit Pepper feels things are finally going her way. Until her past catches up with her and threatens her hopes and plans for a bright future. Help comes from a most unexpected source. When Pepper learns the woman who purchased her car wants to meet her she reluctantly agrees. When Annabelle Dommerich reveals that she escaped Germany on the brink of the second World War in this very car, Pepper can't help but be curious. As Pepper tries to uncover Annabelle's past, Annabelle shares just enough information to keep Pepper interested. Annabelle, however, seems to have her own agenda and soon after taking Pepper under her wing, she mysteriously disappears.
Like previous novels by this author, she weaves her story by flipping back and forth between Pepper's present and Annabelle's past to create a beautiful tapestry.
Annabelle's story begins in the summer 1935 on the coast of France where as an innocent girl of 19, she meets two men who are mortal enemies and who will both irrevocably alter her destiny. With a Jewish lover and a Nazi husband Annabelle's story is both tragic and triumphant. As their heart wrenching story unfolds readers will experience an intimate taste of both the glamour and rising tensions leading up to World War II that will lend an authentic flavor to this novel.
As the threads from Annabelle's past become tangled in Pepper's present situation the two heroines are bound together in a sisterhood built on secrets and sacrifices that result in a new beginning for each of them.
The magic of this novel is found in Annabelle's story. The plot is full of twists and turns but it's the 3 dimensional characters in her story that make it truly special. Their emotions and motivations are complex and it's easy for the reader to connect with them and become invested in their tale.
Pepper on the other hand is rather 2 dimensional. Up until now she has lead a rather privileged existence and comes across as a little shallow. She is described as a very beautiful woman who thrives on the attention she receives from men. You will admire her independence, intelligence and untamable spirit and you will celebrate her progressive attitudes towards sex. But underneath her Bravado she lacking the confidence that she wears like a cloak. She seems to believe her appearance is her strongest attribute and relies on her power over men to build up her courage. Her character is likable and interesting, but she shows little growth. I feel like the author didn't give Pepper a story worthy of her potential. I feel like Pepper is just beginning her journey. Even at the end of the novel her story feels unfinished. I would love to discover where life takes her. I'm sure that Pepper and Florian's story would be an epic adventure!
All in All Along the Infinite Sea is a book worth reading. I read a lot of books and the books I love the most are the ones that stay with me. Most books are easily forgettable, but when after a few days I am still thinking about a particular book I know it was worth my time and praise. And while this novel does have a few week spots, it certainly has it's strengths. It is a story that resonates and will keep you thinking long after that last page is turned.
As much as I love this author, and enjoyed this book I am giving it a four star rating.
Let's start with the cover. It's gorgeous! The artwork lends a vintage feel that readers will find very attractive (just like her last three books, all beautiful!).
I try to avoid giving a detailed synopsis in my reviews because I hate to spoil anything for readers. Instead I will share just enough to hopefully spark an interest and encourage others to discover this book for themselves.
This is the third novel in the Schulyer sister;s trilogy. While each novel is a stand alone, readers will enjoy this book more if they read them in order.
Our story starts in the fall of 1966 with Pepper, the youngest of the Schuyler sisters, who is coming to terms with her unexpected and unplanned pregnancy after an elicit affair with a high profile and married man from Washington. Pepper has fled to Palm Beach, Florida to escape her past and set in motion a plan to secure a future for both herself and her unborn child. When she restores a rare vintage Mercedes and sells it at auction for a sizable profit Pepper feels things are finally going her way. Until her past catches up with her and threatens her hopes and plans for a bright future. Help comes from a most unexpected source. When Pepper learns the woman who purchased her car wants to meet her she reluctantly agrees. When Annabelle Dommerich reveals that she escaped Germany on the brink of the second World War in this very car, Pepper can't help but be curious. As Pepper tries to uncover Annabelle's past, Annabelle shares just enough information to keep Pepper interested. Annabelle, however, seems to have her own agenda and soon after taking Pepper under her wing, she mysteriously disappears.
Like previous novels by this author, she weaves her story by flipping back and forth between Pepper's present and Annabelle's past to create a beautiful tapestry.
Annabelle's story begins in the summer 1935 on the coast of France where as an innocent girl of 19, she meets two men who are mortal enemies and who will both irrevocably alter her destiny. With a Jewish lover and a Nazi husband Annabelle's story is both tragic and triumphant. As their heart wrenching story unfolds readers will experience an intimate taste of both the glamour and rising tensions leading up to World War II that will lend an authentic flavor to this novel.
As the threads from Annabelle's past become tangled in Pepper's present situation the two heroines are bound together in a sisterhood built on secrets and sacrifices that result in a new beginning for each of them.
The magic of this novel is found in Annabelle's story. The plot is full of twists and turns but it's the 3 dimensional characters in her story that make it truly special. Their emotions and motivations are complex and it's easy for the reader to connect with them and become invested in their tale.
Pepper on the other hand is rather 2 dimensional. Up until now she has lead a rather privileged existence and comes across as a little shallow. She is described as a very beautiful woman who thrives on the attention she receives from men. You will admire her independence, intelligence and untamable spirit and you will celebrate her progressive attitudes towards sex. But underneath her Bravado she lacking the confidence that she wears like a cloak. She seems to believe her appearance is her strongest attribute and relies on her power over men to build up her courage. Her character is likable and interesting, but she shows little growth. I feel like the author didn't give Pepper a story worthy of her potential. I feel like Pepper is just beginning her journey. Even at the end of the novel her story feels unfinished. I would love to discover where life takes her. I'm sure that Pepper and Florian's story would be an epic adventure!
All in All Along the Infinite Sea is a book worth reading. I read a lot of books and the books I love the most are the ones that stay with me. Most books are easily forgettable, but when after a few days I am still thinking about a particular book I know it was worth my time and praise. And while this novel does have a few week spots, it certainly has it's strengths. It is a story that resonates and will keep you thinking long after that last page is turned.
