Official Review: Splendid Shore by Linda Thorndike
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Official Review: Splendid Shore by Linda Thorndike
Cynthia and Hardy, her first cousin, have been close friends since childhood. No matter how hard she tries, it seems her heart is constantly being drawn to Reginald, who is relatively poor. Nevertheless, Cynthia is after money, as she has grown accustomed to a luxurious lifestyle. She is thrilled that her aunt, Natty, used her talent to marry a rich man. Her dazzling beauty is a valuable asset, and like Reginald, men are enamored of her looks. Additionally, her cousin Hardy is excessively obsessed with her. His journal contains gifts that Cynthia ever mentioned in their talks, and he is ready to pamper her. He has a plan to bring his cousin closer to him. It is a complex situation. Will Reginald finally be with the girl he has been in love with for ages?
Splendid Shore introduced me to fascinating, gray characters, which is brilliant because the book is primarily character-driven. Linda Thorndike, the author, sufficiently demonstrates that even characters who swim against societal tides can be delightful. It was enthralling how the author excellently developed each character distinctly, making them both fascinating and relatable. Equally, the lively dialogues made it easy to be inside the story. Further, the picturesque descriptions of the primary setting, the Lake in Wisconsin, and other travel destinations were so vivid that I could visualize them.
The other intriguing aspect was the revelation of the motives behind the characters’ choices. In as much as one could pity Reginald, Cynthia’s decision was also understandable. They were part of a small community where friendship was largely influenced by one’s background, money, and social standing. The fact that the characters had to struggle with the consequences of their choices made the story believable. Reginald’s love for Cynthia continued growing. Cynthia, on the other, felt attracted to him and would always think of informing Reginald about any news first. They were unimmune to the dilemma that accompanies internal battles, especially when it comes to heart matters.
Apart from romance, other themes were family, friendship, loss, and travel. These were masterfully interwoven to generate a gripping book with simple, mesmerizing characters. Splendid Shore contains twists and turns that will keep one enthralled down to the concluding chapter. The last chapter leaves the reader with a few questions that will undoubtedly provoke serious thinking. Apart from a few errors, there is nothing negative about the book.
I rate the book 4 out of 4 stars. The grammatical errors did not warrant a lower rating, as they are few and minor. In addition, I found the other aspects of the book appealing. I recommend the book to all ardent readers of historical romance fiction. There are no explicit scenes, and I only encountered borderline cuss words.
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Splendid Shore
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