A poignant novel about a woman who survives breast cancer, only to struggle with what comes next: living.
After five cancer-free ... read full description
After five cancer-free ... read full description
reviews
Jun 06, 2010
Caren
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I loved this story! The title may lead you to think it is a "summer" read but it actually takes place in CA at Christmas, and weaves together the tales of young love, a middle-aged couple and a widow who lived her life for more than 50 years. The widow doesn't want to sell her multi-million dollar property to just anyone so she has a literary contest for which the lucky winner only has to pay $300,000 for the house. The main character is also a breast cancer survivor and as a surviv
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Feb 09, 2009
Mary
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I'm neither a cancer survivor, mother, or writer, but strangely, felt so in tune with what she feeling, if not what she was going through. That sense of emptiness, drained hope and the little things in life that fill you back up. Memories, hope, and love... and peace.
Perhaps I just read this book at the right time, but I thank Nash for giving me a companion with shared feelings...even if just for 265 pages.
Perhaps I just read this book at the right time, but I thank Nash for giving me a companion with shared feelings...even if just for 265 pages.
Apr 07, 2010
Phil
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This is what I call a light, chick-lit beach read. The story seems to flow along casually, with no real challenges along the way, and the characters, while pleasant, are never truly explored beyond the superficial. There are some touching moments and a few minor setbacks for the main character, but nothing really to sink your teeth into. Pleasant entertainment for a quiet day on the shore.
Jul 05, 2008
Liz
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I bought this book from the title, thinking it would be more along the lines of "A Year By the Sea" or "An Unfinished Marriage" by Joan Anderson, but fictionalize.
It was actually about a breast cancer survivor, April Newton, trying to find hope. The character April seemed to have prepared herself to die, but didn't prepare herself to survive. She seemed to have disconnected herself from a lot of her life, including her husband and daughter. The book is less about More...
It was actually about a breast cancer survivor, April Newton, trying to find hope. The character April seemed to have prepared herself to die, but didn't prepare herself to survive. She seemed to have disconnected herself from a lot of her life, including her husband and daughter. The book is less about More...
Dec 27, 2009
Holli
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A very fast, easy read from author Jennie Nash. The writing is very real and flows well. I enjoyed that and I really liked the premise of this book. I thought that it could have been fleshed out more as I would have enjoyed hearing more about all of the characters introduced and their stories. Every one of them would have been interesting in their own right. It really took me a long time to connect with the narrator and finally after a hundred pages or so I did. Sadly, that's about half wa
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Oct 28, 2009
Deb
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This was a quick easy read, my analogy of it, one woman searching for her mortality after reaching the five year point of a clean breast cancer report, and trying to search for her dreams thru a house. It was a fun read but glad I only paid $2 for it off the bargain shelf at the bookstore.
Jul 14, 2008
Jen
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This story is told by a woman who is a breast cancer survivor. The story revolves around her relationship with her husband Rick and her teenage daughter, Jackie.
Her husband is building them a new huge home, to signify a fresh start to their lives (since she survived the cancer); however, what the woman really wants is a bungalow that is for sale.
The owner of this bungalow, Peg, is going to give away the house in a contest, to whichever bidder gets her attention and More...
Jan 31, 2012
Cynthia
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I really enjoyed this book, up until the end. I turned the page, sure there was another chapter, but no, it just ended with a whimper. Disappointing, frankly.
Oct 15, 2011
Mary
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The Beach Reporter plays a featured role.
"I sometimes read it when I walk on the treadmill at the gym, mesmerized by poorly written stories about aging surf legends and health spa openings."
"I sometimes read it when I walk on the treadmill at the gym, mesmerized by poorly written stories about aging surf legends and health spa openings."
Aug 29, 2009
Kristin
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A quaint novel of a woman trying to reclaim her life after cancer. A bit anti-climactic at the end, but overall this was a quiet, yet quite enjoyable read.
Sep 21, 2008
Chelsea
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This book was really good. It grabbed me right away. April Newton is at a turning point in her life and she is cancer free after 5 years. She feels her husband slipping away from her and her 15 year old daughter is growing up before her eyes. They are about to move into their dream home and she could care less. This hurts her husband deeply, as he built it for her. Off chance she finds an article that changes her outlook on her life. I wasn't sure if I could read about a woman going throu
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Dec 06, 2009
Jillinohio
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I just plain liked this book. The main character is a cancer survivor, but the houses and relationships in the book are the main focus.
Feb 27, 2009
Joan
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A quick read. Read in a short evening. Story about a house,woman with breast cancer etc.
Nov 21, 2010
Kimberly
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Nice quick-read. Kind of haunting in that there are parts of it, dreams, that apply to all of us.
Aug 31, 2010
Susan
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Shows the complicated state of marriage, the longing for home, the worry of cancer survivors.
Aug 20, 2011
Debbie
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This was the first book in a long time that left me with that "ahhhh" feeling!
Aug 10, 2010
Rebecca
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Heartfelt book. Really makes you step back and look at your life and what your values really are....
Apr 08, 2008
Drea
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This is our book club book for March or would it be April since we aren't discussing it until April 28 - Hmmm? I finished reading this and am now ready for our book club meeting. I have to say I have not experienced anything like the woman in the book but I was a little thrown off by her thoughts and actions. At the same time, it did make me think about how I would react in the situation.
Oct 25, 2009
Lisa
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This book is not really about a house. It's about a woman finding herself after surviving breast cancer. I liked the writing very much; it sounded so real to me.
Oct 01, 2010
Bschulman87
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A very personal story that definitely resonates. You get to a point sometimes in your life where you wonder is this all there is and you wonder if you have made the right choices. This story provides perspective. It would have been easy for the author to take the expected ending, but the road taken really showed the main character's growth.
Jul 22, 2008
Corky
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This has to be one of the best books I have read in a long time. Jennie Nash is a breast cancer survivor and has written 2 non-fiction books. This is her first novel. She hits all the right notes for making this a best seller and most likely, the newest in book discussion titles all over the country.
