The Deep End of the Ocean, by Jacquelyn Mitchard

[Rachel]

I read this as my book from Oprah's book club for PopSugar, and although I liked it, it wasn't as good as I expected either.

For some reason, I had the distinct impression that this book was about a toddler who accidentally drowns while at the beach with his family, and the aftermath of his death. That wasn't the story at all, although if anyone knows what that book might be (if it even exists, I remember reading a preview somewhere), please let me know.

This book was actually about a three-year-old who is kidnapped from a crowded hotel lobby, and how his family copes with it. I thought the author did a great job conveying the emotions of most of the characters, but I thought the book was too slow-paced and dragged on much too long. I also really did not like Beth, the boy's mother, and found her generally irritating and unlikable. It was a decent book, and I'd be willing to give other books by the author a chance, but it wasn't what I thought it would be.