The number of characters in this novel is somewhat overwhelming in the beginning but their personalities soon fall into place and they become familiar acquaintances. The reader explores the multi-generational relationships of the characters, experiencing a mixture of emotions in their stories. The main characters are strong independent women with spunk, who prove over and over that they can make the best of the situation.

I feel the book is a little hard to follow in some places. I’d find myself going back to re-read to see what I’d missed. I realize this is an ARC that I’ve read and things may change before the publication date. While it is an enjoyable read, it is not a book that you will find yourself reflecting on. It’s like a vacation. You meet people and get to know them but when the vacation is over, so is your relationship with them.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Ione, originally from Norway, suffers a terrible betrayal at the hands of her cousin, but that does not stop her. Her philosophy is “the only thing to help the hurting is to do something,” She is the backbone of her family—Patty Jane, Thor, Nora, and so many others in their small Minnesota community. I really enjoyed this novel, with its believable characters in an appealing story –I couldn’t put the book down, and I was sorry when it ended.

There is a lot of characters in this and I really struggled to keep up with them all. It was confusing and I had to keep going back and rereading to figure out what was happening. I did enjoy reading about the various generations but found it a little disjointed. Still, it was a good story and I would definitely read more from this author. Thank you for the opportunity to read this book.