❥ Thank you to Libro.fm for the free audiobook.
Synopsis
It’s a beautiful day in Newport, Rhode Island, when Phoebe Stone arrives at the grand Cornwall Inn wearing a green dress and gold heels, not a bag in sight, alone. She’s immediately mistaken by everyone in the lobby for one of the wedding people, but she’s actually the only guest at the Cornwall who isn’t here for the big event. Phoebe is here because she’s dreamt of coming for years―she hoped to shuck oysters and take sunset sails with her husband, only now she’s here without him. Meanwhile, the bride has accounted for every detail and every possible disaster the weekend might yield except for, well, Phoebe―which makes it that much more surprising when the women can’t stop confiding in each other.
Thoughts
This story was not for me, specifically because of the theme of s u i c i d e, which was glossed over in the marketing of this book. I had noticed that several of my book friends enjoyed the book, so I decided to choose it as my BOTM selection.
This book upset me due to its flippant attitude towards the subject. As a person with a masters degree in psychology & counseling, who also had her life directly affected by s u i c i d e, I realize that no two stories are the same. However, I did not find the tone and too-good-to-be-true turnaround to be realistic or inspirational. I think the author did a fine job of depicting the detachment of depression. However, I found the sarcasm and overall story extremely off-putting.
This book reminded me that our own personal experiences can make or break a story for us. What you get from a book is not necessarily what I get from a book. And that is okay.
❥ Helen Laser did a good job with the narration of this story.