No one explores the rich tapestry of the human heart as Belva Plain does. Her more than twenty New York Times bestsellers have captivated re...
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Jan 29, 2009
Vannessagrace
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Crossroads is about the jealousy of two women: Gwen, born into wealth, who marries Stan, a common man, and Jewel, born into poverty, who marries Jeff, a privileged man.
Gwen marries Stan for love while Jewel marries Jeff for the material things he could give her. Stan marries Gwen not only for love but for her inner beauty. Jeff marries Jewel for her outer beauty and for the way she encourages him to act upon his greed. Gwen is jealous of Jewel for her outer beauty and Jewel is jealo More...
Gwen marries Stan for love while Jewel marries Jeff for the material things he could give her. Stan marries Gwen not only for love but for her inner beauty. Jeff marries Jewel for her outer beauty and for the way she encourages him to act upon his greed. Gwen is jealous of Jewel for her outer beauty and Jewel is jealo More...
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May 07, 2010
Sandie
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READER WARNING: CROSSROADS by Belva Plain has also been published as RED LEAVES. The only differences being that the mother in Red Leaves is called Jean instead of Cassandra and Gwen's name is spelled Guin in Red Leaves. That being said, let me get on to the review.
Similar in some ways to her earlier works Eden Burning, Random Winds and Evergreen but lacking in the skillfully balanced bittersweet insights and heartwarming truths that beguiled her readers and brought her a legion of More...
Similar in some ways to her earlier works Eden Burning, Random Winds and Evergreen but lacking in the skillfully balanced bittersweet insights and heartwarming truths that beguiled her readers and brought her a legion of More...
Jun 14, 2009
RNOCEAN
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No one explores the rich tapestry of the human heart as Belva Plain does. Her more than twenty New York Times bestsellers have captivated readers and garnered legions of devoted fans. Now Plain dazzles us once again with a new novel of rare eloquence and raw emotion…a powerful tale about the consequences of greed—and the acts of love and forgiveness that can heal the heart.Cassie Wright never saw it coming. As owner of Wright Glassworks, the foremost company in a thriving New England town, Cassi
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May 09, 2011
Joanne
rated it:
When I read the jacket flap I thought this book was set at the turn of the
century era, but it was actually a contemporary novel. Timeless themes of
jealousy and greed are well developed by the author in this relatively
short novel.
The story centers on Gwen and Jewel along with matriarch Cassie (Gwen’s
mother) who is a successful businesswoman of a long-standing NE glassworks.
Gwen and Jewel meet and they both want what each other has – money, social
st More...
century era, but it was actually a contemporary novel. Timeless themes of
jealousy and greed are well developed by the author in this relatively
short novel.
The story centers on Gwen and Jewel along with matriarch Cassie (Gwen’s
mother) who is a successful businesswoman of a long-standing NE glassworks.
Gwen and Jewel meet and they both want what each other has – money, social
st More...
Mar 04, 2010
Barb
rated it: 
I'm glad this was a short book. The plot was painfully predictable and boring. Maybe it's because the author looks like a Queen Mum wannabe, but it was completely devoid of any kind of edge, humor or excitement. It's based in modern times, but I may well have been reading something from the early 20th century based on how chaste the language and content is! Good lord, I'm an adult, give me a "grown up" book. I found the main characters to be as boring and dull as the story itself. This
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Dec 13, 2009
Laurel-Rain
rated it: 
When Cassie Wright, heir to the foremost company in a thriving New England town adopts a child she names Gwendolyn, she also keeps a very big secret of the child's origins. Years later, once Cassie has established her abilities running the company and her daughter is in her teens, a jealous young woman turns their relationship upside down by what she reveals.
Jewel Fairchild is from humble origins, but her beauty is her ticket into the world she desires. But her envy and jealousy mot More...
Jewel Fairchild is from humble origins, but her beauty is her ticket into the world she desires. But her envy and jealousy mot More...
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Jan 22, 2012
Mary
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Cassie Wright never saw it coming. As the owner of the thriving Wright Glassworks, her life was well-planned, orderly and quiet until a tragic accident forces her to become mother to a one year old child who has no one else to care for her. As the years pass, Cassie raises Gwen as her own, and the girl flourished in a world of privilege and opportunity. Enter Jewel Fairbanks; beautiful and conniving, Jewel will touch both Cassie's and Gwen's life in powerful ways. Both Gwen and Jewel will marry
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Mar 12, 2010
Sharon
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Gwen Wright, daughter of wealthy entrepreneur, Cassandra Wright, is introverted and holding a secret. Her chance meeting with Jewel Fairchild, beautiful,confident and making a meager living, kicks off a life-long feud that dramatically changes their lives both good and bad. I listened to the audiobook and at first thought this story was based in the early 19th century and later realized that it was a contemporary novel. It is interesting how this book could actually be interpreted in another tim
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Jan 16, 2009
Mary
rated it:
This book reminded me why I read Belva Plain's older novels. She does have a way with words and story telling. This one is about two young girls, one rich and one very poor. The trials and misadventures both take and how in the back of their minds they keep track of the other. They meet by chance and become jealous of each other. Thinking that because Jewel is beautiful she has it all. Because Gwen is rich she must have it all. The story takes a lot of twists and turns and the outcome is
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Feb 10, 2009
Carol
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This is the latest of Ms. Plain's books and I found it to be excellent. An intelligent young girl who thinks she is unattractive is adopted by the richest lady in Wrightsville. She learns of her "real" parents from her mother's receptionist who is beautiful but only on the outside. Both marry but their lives are intertwined throuoghout the book as only Ms. Plain can do by holding the reader's attention waiting to see just how the two will end up and who will triumph.
Sep 23, 2009
Angie
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I didn't really enjoy this book. To me, the characters were all unlikable. A sassy jealous poor girl and a rich but homely sweet? girl-- I don't know, they just didn't click for me. I really loved Evergreen but her other books just don't seem to compare. This is one of my least favorites of her books. I wouldn't recommend it...
Jan 27, 2012
Lynne
rated it: 
I enjoy reading Belva Plain. After reading something heavy it is nice to pick up one of her books. It fast reading, but she always has a good story line with a moral. There is not foul language or inappropriate sex. She usually has romance as well as family relationships that we can all learn from.
Aug 03, 2011
This book had so much potential, but sadly, it didn't live up to it. It had all the right components for one of her blockbuster novels, but she didn't explore them. It left the characters very 2 dimensional.It really didn't have the depth of characters and storylines past.
Mar 26, 2009
Erica
rated it:
Some of my materialistic acquaintances should read this to help them understand money and big fancy things shouldn't define you. Yes, I know this book is fiction, but there is still a lesson to be learned. This was a quick read so I liked it. I don't think I'll read any other books by Belva, but who knows.
Sep 25, 2011
Donna
rated it:
This is a story about two girls who come from opposite ends of the spectrum and each seems
to want what the other has. Jealousy is a terrible thing and causes many bad choices. In the
long and painful struggle, I believe they both learned important lessons.
to want what the other has. Jealousy is a terrible thing and causes many bad choices. In the
long and painful struggle, I believe they both learned important lessons.
Oct 01, 2010
Jen
rated it:
Interesting mix of people from different classes that live in a small town and their interactions and feelings about one another. These kinds of things always kinda get me thinking, so it was nice to read.
Jan 20, 2009
Loretta
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A poor girl marries rich and a rich girl marries poor. This is a story about what happens when envy and jealousy rear their ugly heads....Jewel, Jeff, Gwen and Stan are interesting characters..
Oct 21, 2011
Carol
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Story of 2 young women, beautiful and cunning Jewel and quiet and reserved Gwen, and how their lives intertwine. This satisfactory women's story deals with wealth, adoption, bankruptcy, fidelity, women in business, and writing.
Mar 31, 2010
Susan
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A good time amusement - a page turner as they say, like many by Belva Plain. I like to watch the development of her families, although their lives will not stick with me forever. Still, a fun read.
Mar 29, 2009
Dorine
rated it:
I enjoy Belva Plain books. They are comfortable reading but not page turners. This was not one of her best, but I liked it okay. It was a Reader's Digest Condensed Book version.
Jan 01, 2009
Portrayal of a girl who has everything and a girl who has nothing and the struggles they both have. The book was well written but was not one that is a must read
Jul 10, 2011
Lschneier
rated it:
A story of greed and envy that leads to tragic results. The story goes fast and results in a happy ending for the characters that exhibit loyalty and goodness.
Feb 18, 2009
Wanda
rated it:
Slow reading, old fashioned book. Really didn't enjoy it too much. Have never been much of a Belva Plain fan, but thought I would give this one a try.
Aug 30, 2011
Rudi
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Easy reading, but not great. It lacks depth and character development. Overall entertaining enough to read in between 'proper' books, but nothing more.
Feb 20, 2010
Pmcdnld2
rated it:
Typical Belva Plain-nice littl story about a poor, liitle rich girl where she lives happily ever after which can be read in 1 sitting.
Dec 28, 2008
Harriet
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Read the first 90 pages, then the last two pages and I knew everything I needed to know about the story. Yuk!
Dec 21, 2008
Lynda
rated it:
This kept me reading but the ending was too quick and too pat. Very readable but not as good as her earlier books.
Feb 14, 2010
Liesl
rated it:
Agree with those who called it plain and predictable. Belva Plain is capable of so much better.
Aug 03, 2009
Loraine, Family History Lady
rated it:
Belva Plain as usual delves into the minds of her characters and creates a tale of real life drama.
Oct 04, 2009
SueAnn
rated it:
Very wholesome characters. I read the Reader's Digest abridged version.
