After hearing rave reviews about Barbara O'Neal, I decided to pick this one up. Unfortunately, I quickly realized that her writing style just isn't for me. It was a slow start, and I could never get into the story. I tried but ultimately forced my way to the end. It's not horrible by any means, it's just not for me.

🌟🌟🌟/5

I received an advanced copy for free and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you to NetGalley, Lake Union, and Barbara O'Neal. ❤️

A fun sweet read! Highly recommend.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for my ARC.

I loved how much detail there was on each character's background, I felt like we were able to get to know each girl well. All four ladies were lovely characters and I loved how connected they all were .This was a really moving story written by an author that I highly recommend.

I found this slow and unengaging, didn't care what happened. I read half and then stopped. So this was a DNF for me

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advanced copy of This Place of Wionder for me to preview.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my digital copy in exchange for an honest review. When I stumbled upon this author years ago, I knew she was going to be one of my favorites...and I wasn't wrong...I have read everything that comes my way and loved every one of them. While this was still a four star read for me, I won't lie and say it was my favorite...for whatever reason, I had a harder time getting into this one...maybe because it seemed like there were so many main characters at first...anyway, about halfway through, it finally all clicked and I learned to love everyone :) The characters were great, the story line was great, and the location was great. All in all, a very good read.

This was a family drama and relationship book that I struggled to read despite fantastic writing and three POVs.
This book was written very well. Sometimes I do not enjoy multiple POVs and this time it worked. I did struggle to really get deep into this plot, however. Instead of the focus being on the celebrity and women who glorified him, I'd have enjoyed more of the family relationships and the theme of forgiveness.

I highlighted this book on my Booktube channel. The video can be accessed here: https://youtu.be/LTn1nMBRomA

When famed chef Augustus Beauvais dies, he leaves behind a celebrated reputation―and four women grappling with loss, anger, pain, and the question of how the world will turn without him.

This was stunning. I was invested in each character, and I loved the slight mystery to the plot. Slowly uncovering Augustus' past with these women that were big parts of his life. O'Neal chose the perfect location, and was impeccable at setting the scene. At times novel felt cold and mysterious, but it also felt cozy, hopeful and warm. I loved how this story played out, I gobbled this book up and would absolutely recommend to readers of women's fiction or readers wanted to delve more into the genre.

Thank you NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for a copy of this eARC.

when famed chef Augustus Beauvais dies suddenly, he leaves behind a complicated blended family - an ex wife with a haunted past, a daughter fresh out of rehab, a mistress who’s determined to uncover the secrets of the family. this is a story about love, healing, and the complicated nature of family.

I’ve been a fan of O’Neal’s books for years, but this was probably my least favorite of hers. it certainly wasn’t bad and kept me wanting to keep reading it the whole time, but compared to her past books, it just didn’t feel like anything special. the pacing of the story felt really off, and I found the mystery element of Augustus’ death unnecessary. overall, don’t really recommend. thanks to @netgalley for this gifted digital copy!

This is my second read by this author, and I am a big fan! She has a lovely way of writing descriptively while keeping her characters real. The characters are flawed yet still likable, which accurately personifies humanity. This story is an excellent representation of the challenges we all face within our families: including how to balance supporting each other while still allowing for independent decision-making. Sometimes, the only way to help our loved ones teach their potential is by letting go.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #LakeUnionPublishing for the eARC of #ThisPlaceOfWonder. All Opinions are my own.

This Place of Wonder is a story of 4 women. They are ex wife, daughters, and girlfriend of Augustus Beauvalis. He was everything to them and they are each grieving his loss in their own way.

It was a beautiful story of love, loss, family, betrayal, and healing.

I loved it and would recommend.

I reviewed on GR when I read it. Another fab book by this author. She has a phenomenal way with words.

This Place of Wonder by Barbara O'Neal was a deep dive into family, women, grief and infidelity. The CA setting was fabulous and I loved the descriptions of Meadow's home.
The story jumps from the start as we learn about the "man" of the book, Augustus, and his sudden death. Crazy how he's not alive yet he jumps from the pages.
I really enjoyed this story but I'll forever be comparing her work to When We Believed in Mermaids.
Trigger warning: rape, abuse.

Not my favorite of Ms. O'Neal's. While I appreciate her wanting to stretch the boundaries, and do something different.,It was very difficult to connect to the characters. Honestly, I didn't really like any of them, which is sort of the kiss of death to my interest in a book.

I loved WHEN WE WERE MERMAIDS and excited to read this one.

It’s a compelling story that keeps you turning the pages.

Augustus and Meadow was once the IT couple. The ones everyone wanted to be. Everyone loved. Until they weren’t a couple anymore. An affair broke them. An affair that was Augustus’s fault. Seems he was fairly good at that. Though Meadow is still a part of Augustus’s restaurant business and life. His daughter is a big part of this life and Meadow is determined to give her a place to come home too.

Told in multiple POVs from the three main characters, Meadow, Augustus, and Maya. A very emotional story filled with lots of tears. And some anger. This book will make you feel so many feelings and keep you turning the pages.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC..

This book kinda disappointed me, I love her other book when we were mermaids much better. I kinda got lost with all
The different characters, who was who again. This book was 4 women who all adore one man and after his passing they learn to cope. It seems as if they were all lost with out him and it just seemed that no women could go it with out him and that’s just not something that I could stomach.

Contemporary Fiction

Stories about complicated families resonate with me.

Augustus Beauvais is a famous chef. His ex-wife Meadow is still very involved in the restaurant Augustus owns, but has a very successful business of her own. They were once the IT couple in the food world and helped spur the farm to table movement. When they got together, Augustus was married and both had a daughter. They eventually come together and form a blended family that exists for twenty years until an infidelity of Augustus' causes a divorce.

At the beginning of the novel, Augustus has just died, his daughter Maya is in rehab for alcoholism. Meadow arrives at her former family home and kicks out Augustus' latest girlfriend, Norah, to give Maya a place to come home to. The story is told from multiple POV's - Norah, Maya and Meadow.

Their stories unfold beautifully. The narrative is a combination of present day experience mixed with memories to help the reader uncover the past. There are a few unknowns and a possible mystery adding intrigue and tension that doesn't just occur between family members.

I really enjoyed this story. The characters are dynamic and the book evolves in such an organic way that you can't help but be engaged. Very good!

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for my copy of this novel.

Another wonderful novel by Barbara O'Neal!
This Place Of Wonder is the emotional story of four women (Meadow, Maya, Rory & Norah) whom each grieve the loss of Augusta in their own way. Each character's story is interwoven with each others giving us a heartfelt story of love, loss and healing.

Thank you to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for an arc of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Such a deep read. The author explored some real and raw emotions and it made connecting to the characters very effortless. The writing was incredible. Would definitely recommend!