Acclaimed novelist Luanne Rice "touches the deepest, most tender corners of the heart" (Tami Hoag, author of A Thin Dark Line). He...
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reviews
Oct 01, 2009
Susan
rated it: 
I really enjoyed this book because it was a quick and easy read. The story is about a woman named Diane who's husband left her after finding out their child would be handicap. It goes through her life as she deals with being a single mom taking care of her child with the help of her mother. She also gets help from her brother-in-law, Alan who is the girls doctor and is in love with Diane.
He finds a friend for his niece named Amy, who doesn't have a pleasant childhood because she h More...
He finds a friend for his niece named Amy, who doesn't have a pleasant childhood because she h More...
Oct 23, 2008
Kaye
rated it:
Slightly better than average romance. Women with handicapped child learns to take love again. Book club selection.
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May 14, 2008
Angie
rated it:
Taken from www.barnesandnoble.com:
"Being a good mother is never simple: each day brings new choices and challenges. For Dianne Robbins, being a devoted single mother has resulted in her greatest joy and her darkest hours. Weeks before her daughter was born, she and her husband, Tim McIntosh, received the news every parent fears. Tim had not reckoned on their child being anything less than perfect, and abruptly fled to a solitary existence on the sea, leaving Dianne with a newborn—al More...
"Being a good mother is never simple: each day brings new choices and challenges. For Dianne Robbins, being a devoted single mother has resulted in her greatest joy and her darkest hours. Weeks before her daughter was born, she and her husband, Tim McIntosh, received the news every parent fears. Tim had not reckoned on their child being anything less than perfect, and abruptly fled to a solitary existence on the sea, leaving Dianne with a newborn—al More...
Nov 22, 2008
Jan
rated it: 
This is a nice book about nice people.
They also turned it into a decent Hallmark movie.
A woman, with a disabled child, is abandoned by her husband, but is making it alone (with the help of the husband's brother who of course becomes the love interest).
There is a girl, on the wrong side of town, who is more or less abandoned by her mother (family). The two get together and form a wonderful bond centered around the disabled girl. Really sweet book.
They also turned it into a decent Hallmark movie.
A woman, with a disabled child, is abandoned by her husband, but is making it alone (with the help of the husband's brother who of course becomes the love interest).
There is a girl, on the wrong side of town, who is more or less abandoned by her mother (family). The two get together and form a wonderful bond centered around the disabled girl. Really sweet book.
Apr 23, 2009
I really enjoyed this book because it was such an easy read. The story tells about a woman named Diane and her life. It goes through her life as she deals with a husband leaving her and her deformed child. Luckily as time passes her daughter acquires a friend, and Diane gets help from her mother, the little girl, and her ex brother-in-law. As Diane lets herself recieve help from these people in her life she learns that love is an incredible action.
Jan 28, 2010
Nenette
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An 11-year old girl with Rett syndrome; her mother, abandoned by her father even before she was born; her father’s brother, who stood by and cared for them through all those years; a neglected 12-year old girl, in need of love and yet has so much love to give herself. What I like about Luanne Rice’s stories is their redeeming quality – through all of life’s trials, there’s always hope to overcome; though there are mean people, the good are the ones rewarded with happiness at the end. Life is g
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Feb 27, 2011
Shelly
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This was 3.5 stars for me. I liked the plot and loved how having a special needs child was included. I wondered often where the school system was because she didn't seem to get any education or therapies (which of course she would). I loved reading about where the book took place because it sounded like where I grew up.
Nov 18, 2011
Stacie
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I love Luanne Rice novels because she writes so vividly about a place I would love to be able to afford to live. I am SO envious of kids that grew up boating & beaching all day & watching 'beach movies' at night! I loved the doc in this one. I am the Queen of Wanting Happy Endings in books
& this has one.
& this has one.
Jul 19, 2010
Michelle
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This was a nice book with a nice story. It didn't blow me away or change my life, and some places were a bit too sappy and sentimental for my taste. Still, it had a nice message and was easy to read. The plot did keep me engrossed, but I expected more fireworks in the climactic scene than there were. But I guess there are worse things I can saw about a book than, "It was a nice story."
Jun 23, 2010
Suziep11
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This story is about a Mother and her handicap daughter and how she deals with this challenge and her husband walking out on her. This is a wonderful story told by a great author. She really knows how to capture the story so that you feel like you are in it. Such great characters.
4.8 on a 5.0 scale
4.8 on a 5.0 scale
Sep 05, 2009
Jessica
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This is one of my favorite books. Not many books have the ability to make me laugh one minute and cry the next! Its a beautiful story of life and love, and how hardships can be turned into blessings. I would have given it 5 stars but I do not like the sex scenes. Otherwise I LOVE this book.
Jan 18, 2012
Valerie
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This is the book that the Hallmark movie was based upon. The movie was better because there was no illicit sex scene in the movie...that was the most disappointing thing about this book. Had I known, and it not been near the end, I wouldn't have read it! I don't care to read such drivel.
Oct 30, 2009
Susan
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Hallmark Hall of Fame made a movie from this book and it's one of my favorites. When I found the book, I was anxious to read it. The characters are great and it was thrilling to know that after eleven years everyone's dreams are finally coming true.
Apr 28, 2010
Bonnie
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Luanne Rice is always a good read. I had seen the movie on the Hallmark Channel. The book is a little different than the movie. Luanne really captures the complexities of human beings. Great love story.
May 27, 2009
Kathy
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Pretty good but super cheesy and romantic. I think its just my personality and I just don't like it much. I just don't enjoy romances but if you love them this is super!
Jan 02, 2009
Kitty Tomlinson
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Dianne Robbins, an abandoned wife and single mother raises her severely handicapped daughter with the help of her mother and her absent husband's brother. Good read.
Aug 24, 2009
Swanbender2001
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I returned this to the library unfinished. I found I didn't have the patience to listen to this woman's problems and what was keeping her back from finding love.
Aug 20, 2011
Shelle
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It took me until about page 100 to really get into this book, but once I did, I couldn't put it down! I hope Luanne Rice continues the book into a Series!
May 12, 2009
Kathleen
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Great book but very sad! I cried my eyes out at the end. This book was also made into a tv movie which isn't half bad though the book is much better!
Apr 23, 2010
Jeanne
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Really, really enjoyed the book. There were a few twists and turns that I totally did not see coming! I would recommend this book! I am excited to check out some other selections by this author!
May 26, 2009
Bcgrad
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Favorite Quote: "We are, all of us, approaching the end of our time on earth. We all have gifts to bestow, but not one of us is finished yet."
Apr 08, 2009
Amy
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Loved this book, I picked it up from the library after seeing the start of the Hallmark movie--great sentimental book!!!
Oct 03, 2009
Joanie
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Things happen for a reason and love still hangs on right to the end. This book gives strength and love to the reader
Sep 20, 2011
Wendy
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Inspirational and moving story of girls and women and their capacity to love and nurture and forgive.
Jan 17, 2012
Tammy O
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Loved this book--such a pretty book to read. I especially liked the cat named Orion. : )
Dec 23, 2011
Karen
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I loved this book. There was a movie made from it, but the book was so much better!
Oct 21, 2009
Ronica
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This was my first Luanne Rice book, I recall have a hard getting through the book.
Jul 23, 2009
Barbara
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What can I say? I love Luanne Rice. She's definitely my guilty pleasure.
Jan 12, 2008
Jimmyjane
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Luanne Rice is an author who always adds my favorite ingredients such as gorgeous settings, beautiful names, heartfelt friendships and intense love, but sometimes they just don't turn out right in the mix. This is one where she got it just right for me- maybe it was the timing of when I read it, but it struck a chord with me and made me bawl and grin and sigh. You really can't beat a book that does that- and the movie was a pretty- in all senses- good translation of it (Kimberley Williams was
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