Tied to the Tracks

by Sara Donati

From the author of the bestselling INTO THE WILDERNESS historical series comes an irresistible modern love story...
DESCRIPTION OF BOOK
Seemingly out of the blue, tiny documentary company Tied to the Tracks is handed the opportunity of breata lifetime: a personal invitation from reclusive literary legend Miss Zula Bragg to make a film about her life. For Angie Mangiamele and her award-winning team, it's almost too good too be true - and impossible to pass up.
But for Angie, the prospect of visiting Miss Zula's home town in the Deep South is a mixed blessing because it means coming face to face with the man she once thought was the love of her life. Now head of Ogilvie University's literature department, John Grant is engaged to local beauty Caroline Rose. In a small town rich in tradition and rife with gossip, the sparks that fly when the two former lovers meet again can't escape the attention of the closeknit community, mind Caroline's four sisters and the overbearing Aunt Patty-Cake, who aren't about to let any strangers from the city interfere with the impending nuptials.
Beautifully drawn with a vibrant cast of characters more than ready for their close-ups, TIED TO THE TRACKS a sharp, witty and grown up love story.

Genres: Fiction, Romance, Contemporary Romance, Chick Lit

292 pages, Trade Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Working on the next novel in the Waverly Place series. Looking for more information? Visit the wilderness universe wiki. Register to comment and participate in giveaways.

Sara Donati is the pen name of Rosina Lippi, also here on Goodreads because she writes too. All book reviews you'll find under Rosina's name.

Reviews

[Becky · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to reading this book when I realized Sara Donati had written it. I loved Into the Wilderness and just assumed these characters would have the same depth and likeableness. I was wrong.


I read a review by someone that said Donati fell into the same modern day cliché romance trap and I have to agree. I'm not sure what happens when attempting to write a modern day romance but they seem to always get screwed up.

I can't decide if I was just bored to death or if I disliked the main characters so much.

First off, Miss Zula, who Donati had the opportunity to make a complex and engaging character seemed flat, boring, and absent. Miss Maddie had more life and she was a secondary character at best. There were way WAY too many familiar members and towns members and general members. I couldn't begin to keep anyone straight and therefore did not try. I just let the names and descriptions flow over me.

Next, I can't decide who I disliked more? Angie or John. I mean come on! If you're going to cheat and call off a wedding and destroy so many lives then by God you better not be laughing and giggling when you get stuck in a bathroom hiding out from the local cop.

Everyone involved deserved more from you than that. Donati acted as if because Caroline was a closet lesbian and wanted out of the marriage as well that that made their actions okay. John acted like because he sent Caroline a letter it was okay to sleep with Angie. I mean he didn't even know if she got it. I disliked how irresponsible and immature these two lead characters were.

[Gemma Donovan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not ashamed to admit I enjoyed a love story. Found this book in a book stall on the side of the road, an interesting easy read.

[Susan White-Riggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good writing as usual, interesting story and characters

[Saffron · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book took me a while to actually get into it, i'd read a page or two every once and awhile when i had nothing else to read. But once i decided to try to read the whole book i found myself quite enjoying it. The characters and conflicts during the book intrigued me and kept me wanting to read more.

[Marlene · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Sara’s In the Wilderness series but this one fell far short of her exceptional writing and story telling...I kept reading because I love her books so much....still looking forward to her latest book, Where the Light Enters....but would not really recommend this one...😞

[Terry Tschann Skelton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, of course I loved this book! I love her historical fiction . . . why wouldn't I love her southern fiction? Great characters, good story and more humor. Just keep writing Sara!

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A novel that transports you to another place with characters that feel like they’ve always been part of your life.

[Sheryl Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable.

[V Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this author and have read all her Sara Donati series. This book had me laughing out loud in so many of the situations in this book. The multitude of characters that were so typical of both the northeast and the south were a joy to navigate. I was, however, a bit confounded why the subject of sexuality should be so big a deal. Clearly, the younger characters grew up in a period when this should have been widely accepted, and John, especially having spent time in the northeast where he clearly knew people that were gay should have led him to a more clear acceptance of his circumstances. However, that being said, maybe he just had a hard time getting over the fact that he had been fooled even if it was Caroline who clearly was just finally accepting who she really was. I do wish the book had a more satisfying ending to the Miss Zula story, but all in all, it was a good read.

[kylee edmondson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very disappointed with this read. After reading The Wilderness Series I was very much looking forward to this novel. No depth, too many characters to try and keep track of, and terrible story line. Such a stark contrast in comparison to The Wilderness Series which I absolutely Loved and The Gilded Hour was one of my favourite reads.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably more like 2.5 stars. Mixed thoughts about this book... began it with interest; lost the plot; got confused with so many characters, few of whom I really came to "know"; enjoyed parts of story development...

[Haryani Jumari · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay book overall. The story is pretty slow and the writing style doesn't engage me that much. Tells the story of a girl and guy who broke off who's still crazy about each other. Eventually, they end up together.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light and easy with a fun storyline. I was caught out when it ended, there could have been a few more chapters

[Jean · Rating 1 out of 5]

A love story - not what I would have picked to read, but I enjoyed the wilderness series. I was bored and gave up.

[Christine Snow · Rating 2 out of 5]

My first book by this author was The Pyjama Girls of Lambert Square. I found this novel rich in quirky characters and the flavour of the South. So I was looking forward to reading Tied to the Tracks. Unfortunately I was disappointed. While the novel once again featured many quirky characters I felt hungry to explore them further than the author permitted. They lacked depth and I was confused and somewhat put off by the endless anger of Angie and the ongoing apologies of John. Miss Zula was a fascinating character but I felt rather like I'd eaten candy floss: it was sweet and attractive but had little substance as I devoured it. Perhaps a light read to relax on a summers day?

[Donnelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light, predictable, but well-written and fun.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun love story.

[Maddy]

An enjoyable quick read.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable easy read.