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Home Before Dark
by
Susan Wiggs (Goodreads Author)
In her career as a photojournalist, free-spirited Jessie Ryder has seen the world through her camera lens. But she's never traveled far enough to escape a painful moment that has haunted her for the past sixteen years: the day she gave her baby daughter away. Now, facing a life-altering crisis, she's decided to fix the broken pieces of her heart and seek out Lila, even if...more
Mass Market Paperback, 416 pages
Published
January 16th 2004
by Mira Books
(first published 2003)
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I found the story and found it very interesting, as the main character suffered from a visual loss very similar to what I am going through though I have not lost all vision in my right eye.
At the age of 21, Jessie gave up her prematurely newborn daughter to be adopted by her sister Lucy and Lucy's soon-to-be husband Ian. Jessie then traveled overseas to become a photojournalist on the other side of the world. Now, 15 years later, Jess is faced with the very real and impending fact that she is lo...more
At the age of 21, Jessie gave up her prematurely newborn daughter to be adopted by her sister Lucy and Lucy's soon-to-be husband Ian. Jessie then traveled overseas to become a photojournalist on the other side of the world. Now, 15 years later, Jess is faced with the very real and impending fact that she is lo...more
Sep 02, 2008
Erin
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
romance fans, Susan Wiggs fans, people who love a good story
I would actually give this book 3 1/2 stars if I could. Susan Wiggs usually writes romances, and that's what I expected when I put Home Before Dark on hold. But although there are definitely romantic themes in this book, it's really more a story about two sisters and the complicated bonds of love that tie families together.
The premise of the book is that Jessie, the free-wheeling photographer, comes home to her sister's house in Texas to see her family one last time. Sixteen years ago she gave...more
The premise of the book is that Jessie, the free-wheeling photographer, comes home to her sister's house in Texas to see her family one last time. Sixteen years ago she gave...more
1 like · like · see review
First let me say I have enjoyed many books by Susan Wiggs. I am just not sure what happened with this one. Major problems for me were an unlikeable protagonist and a completely unbelieavable...well...everything.
I think Ms. Wiggs was trying to show the lead character as a flawed but likeable person. I just couldn't get past her flaws. Jessie was completely self-absorbed to the point of being clinically narcissistic. But what kept me groaning in pain was the unrealistic scenarios. For example, a m...more
I think Ms. Wiggs was trying to show the lead character as a flawed but likeable person. I just couldn't get past her flaws. Jessie was completely self-absorbed to the point of being clinically narcissistic. But what kept me groaning in pain was the unrealistic scenarios. For example, a m...more
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I read this book really fast cuz I wanted to see what happened. That is always good in a book. I would like to rate it higher but I had problems.
The characters were only okay. Does a teenager really react so little when finding out she is adopted? Most of the people I know who have been adopted have known as long as they can remember. But finding out when you’re a teenager? I don’t know if the reaction would be so small. Esp with a drama queen like Lila.
I did get Jessie’s need to come to see Li...more
The characters were only okay. Does a teenager really react so little when finding out she is adopted? Most of the people I know who have been adopted have known as long as they can remember. But finding out when you’re a teenager? I don’t know if the reaction would be so small. Esp with a drama queen like Lila.
I did get Jessie’s need to come to see Li...more
In respect for author, Susan Wiggs, and her writing style and abilities I give this book three stars. I never give an author less if I review the book, but I was hard pressed to do so here. It just wasn't for me.
I truly did enjoy Ms. Wiggs descriptive writing of a Texas Hill Country and some parts of the characters. Their emotional reaction to HUGE issues, such as narcissistic self-absorbed main character, Jessie, a world renowned photographer who comes "home" to her older sister Luz's ranch in...more
I truly did enjoy Ms. Wiggs descriptive writing of a Texas Hill Country and some parts of the characters. Their emotional reaction to HUGE issues, such as narcissistic self-absorbed main character, Jessie, a world renowned photographer who comes "home" to her older sister Luz's ranch in...more
This book sure wasn't what I expected it to be from reading the synopsis, it was so much better. But the book should come with a warning.....make sure that you have some Kleenex near by, all of a sudden things would happen out of no where and the next thing I knew I had tears running down my face, and it wasn't just once it happened multiple times.
You think this book will be Jess finding new love, and sure it does happen, but it isn't what is so great about this book. The great thing about this...more
You think this book will be Jess finding new love, and sure it does happen, but it isn't what is so great about this book. The great thing about this...more
Actually, this is more a 3.5 stars. It wrapped up a little quickly after spending more time than it really needed to on the history of the girls and their mother. There is some beautiful raw moments between the characters but at the same time, I got a little tired of Jessie's "poor pitiful me, I screwed everybody's life up, it's all my fault" attitude as well as Luz's "look at the life I got stuck with," grudge on her shoulders, let's make Jessie feel horrible about her life's choices attitude....more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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This book is so good,Jessie comes home to see the people that are most important to her before she completly loses her sight(Home Before Dark),it actually scared me ,it was written so well that I could put myself in her place and know what that feels like and also marking time as each step in this going blind process happens ,and what part of her sight is lost each time she loses a little more.
How depressing it was to finally find someone and have to tell them what lies ahead,know ing so many gu...more
How depressing it was to finally find someone and have to tell them what lies ahead,know ing so many gu...more
I love Susan Wiggs books!
This is another wonderful one.
It deals with the effect keeping secrets has on loved ones as well as dealing with a debilitating illness that ends with blindness. I gained a lot from the emotional struggles within the characters and was satisfied with their final development.
I was enthralled with the detailed description of learning to deal with and becoming independent after losing sight.
I felt the ending happened a bit to abruptly with out voicing some of the fears and...more
This is another wonderful one.
It deals with the effect keeping secrets has on loved ones as well as dealing with a debilitating illness that ends with blindness. I gained a lot from the emotional struggles within the characters and was satisfied with their final development.
I was enthralled with the detailed description of learning to deal with and becoming independent after losing sight.
I felt the ending happened a bit to abruptly with out voicing some of the fears and...more
An overall pleasing read. She didn't have me from the first page, but she did have me further on. I enjoyed the writing style, nice flow and her characters were quite well-rounded. I could have done without the typical boy meets girl, boy knows girl is 'The One' before their first date. Although I would have liked the romance to be less clichéd, I felt the characters behaved/acted genuine under their individual circumstances and the story played out in a believable manner. And although we can su...more
I just love stories about sisters! This one addresses deep issues, including the heartbreaking choice to give up a child for adoption, the guilt that ensues, along with the wrenching emotions that can't be abated. Estranged sisters reunite after years without seeing each other, and the story grabs you. Birth Mother and Adoptive Mother must each make choices and live with the consequences... when these two woman are sisters it certainly complicates family issues & creates secrets that can't s...more
A really good quick read, perfect for a summer afternoon.
This book deals with some hidden family secrets that come to light whee n Jessie, a world-renowned photographer comes back home after many years away. Sixteen years ago, she had given birth to a baby girl and given that baby up for adoption, to her sister Luz. The girl, Lila, has never been told the truth of her adoption, but now that Jessie is back, is the time right? Jessie has returned home, not only to meet her daughter, but because...more
This book deals with some hidden family secrets that come to light whee n Jessie, a world-renowned photographer comes back home after many years away. Sixteen years ago, she had given birth to a baby girl and given that baby up for adoption, to her sister Luz. The girl, Lila, has never been told the truth of her adoption, but now that Jessie is back, is the time right? Jessie has returned home, not only to meet her daughter, but because...more
Not challenging to me. Not great fiction even though Jodi Picoult gives it a rave on the back cover. Some genre of women's romance I guess. 2-3 stars. The 3rd star mainly for the occupation of photographer of one of the characters who ends up going blind. One of my fears. Even with all the disasters that Jesse has occur in her life Susan Wiggs manages to turn it all into a pink frosted cake with marriage at the end - so much sweet it made me sick. Sorry to all those that like romantic fiction -...more
Wow- an emotional story for Jessie. She had to dig deep inside herself to find strength to forgive, forget and to move forward with her life. Her sister Luz is a wonderful sister to adopt her daughter Lila and then to be there when Jessie needed her the most. A sisters bond may be nonexistant at times but it is never broken- that is forever. I am glad she was able to help Dustin with his grief and that he was able to help her when she needed it. I wish a little more of a love story was in this b...more
If I could I would give this book 3.5 stars. I enjoy this author for the most part and this book did not disappoint. It is the story of two sisters and the strain in their relationship after one sister makes a choice that affects them both. The one thing I found myself wondering about though was the one sister's relationship with the male neighbor. I didn't think with all that had happened in his life up to that point he would have been so quick to fall in love with her. But other than that a go...more
Sometimes I have a hard time trying to figure out what the book's title has to do with the story I've read. Not this book. There's a lot going on in this story. Relationships are tested and lives are greatly changed by what is happening in this story. I'm not giving anything away. You really have to read this story. It might seem flighty in the beginning but stick with it the story gets more gripping as it goes on.
Nice story about two sisters and their very different lives. I enjoyed the characters - even how selfish Jessie was.. they all felt pretty real to me except Amber - she was supposed to be around two and the way she was described would have made her much younger - that bugged me. Overall, I liked the book - wish it had maybe one more chapter just to wrap it all up in writing instead of my imagination.
A marginally romance novel. I don't often read this sort of book on purpose and I was pleasantly surprised. It was a nice break. The storyline is a reach, but I was willing. The family relationships made me fear having a teenage daughter, but it gave me food for thought. I would recommend this book to someone who wants an easy, breezy read. Fun.
I didn't think this was quite as good as other books I have read by Susan Wiggs. I especially enjoyed the relationship between the sisters. I agreed with another reviewer who thought the 2 year old child was portrayed as much younger, and also that the romance between Jessie and Dusty happened much too quickly.
I read this in June so I don't remember all the details, but I remember I was really disappointed in so many things about it. It could have been a good story, but there were just so many dumb things about it. I wouldn't really recommend it.
Wasn't sure if I was going to like this book at first but the characters did grow on me and the story line was good. I enjoyed the dynamics between sisters and mothers and daughters. All in all the story drew me in and I enjoyed the book.
Some of the most unsympathetic female characters have ever had the misfortune to read. Dull writing at best and people who are two-dimensional at best, and rather horrible people. Not my cup of tea.
This was my first Susan Wiggs book and although it was much slower paced than I usually like, I enjoyed it. I really loved the strained relationship between sisters Luz and Jessie and the secrets that floated throughout the whole novel. Good read.
Another great book from Susan Wiggs! She can find ways to address several real-life issues at once and they have a way of resolving themselves but not in a fake, could never happen to me, way.
So good! I've had this book on my shelf for a looong time... To think I could have enjoyed this wonderful book sooner! I didn't necessarily like everything each character did, but it was mostly believable and it was a bittersweet and happy ending.
Fun book, lighter than may. About following our dreams, or not. About wanting what others have until you realize what you have already. I like her books. Made me cry.
I've said it before, but there's really no such thing as a bad Susan Wiggs book. This one didn't grip me as much as some. The book centers around a woman who returns home after 16 years to face the daughter whom she left at birth with her sister. I find that now that I am a mother I have a hard time with the missing/abandoned child plots. This book is masterfully done as always with great characterization. I just had a very hard time getting beyond the selfishness of the heroine, but I think tha...more
I love everything Susan Wiggs writes, but this book still remains my favorite. The writing voice is stellar and I love the positive message of the story.
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Susan Wiggs's life is all about family, friends...and fiction. She lives at the water's edge on an island in Puget Sound, and she commutes to her writers' group in a 17-foot motorboat. She serves as author liaison for Field's End, a literary community on Bainbridge Island, Washington, bringing inspiration and instruction from the world's top authors to her seaside community. (See www.fieldsend.org...more
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You wrote a great review. NY times here you come.
MOM
Feb 01, 2009 04:37pm