August 11, 2016

Family Tree. Susan Wiggs

book cover
Published: William Morrow
Date: August 9th 2016
Format:
Pages: 368
Genre: Women's Fiction
Source: Publisher via Edelweiss
Rating:
4.5 stars              Add to Goodreads
Annie Harlow knows how lucky she is. The producer of a popular television cooking show, she loves her handsome husband and the beautiful Manhattan home they share. And now, she’s pregnant with their first child.

But in an instant, her life is shattered. And when Annie awakes from a year-long coma, she discovers that time isn’t the only thing she's lost.

Grieving and wounded, Annie retreats to her old family home in Switchback, Vermont, a maple farm generations old. There, surrounded by her free-spirited brother, their divorced mother, and four young nieces and nephews, Annie slowly emerges into a world she left behind years ago: the town where she grew up, the people she knew before, the high-school boyfriend turned ex-cop. And with the discovery of a cookbook her grandmother wrote in the distant past, Annie unearths an age-old mystery that might prove the salvation of the family farm.

My thoughts banner
It is always with a sense of delight that I pick up a new book by an author whose books I have always enjoyed. This one was like sinking down into a warm cozy bath on a cold day. It was almost everything I love in a good book.

Annie is a wonderful character, going for her dreams but finding that things haven't worked out quite the way she thought. Her partner and husband Martin just might not be the best thing going for her. When an unusual accident lands her in a coma in hospital his narcissistic self does what he does best, looks after Martin.

Annie's family are wonderful although not perfect. She has a Gran she idolised and loved - and although no longer alive she lives on in Annie. Annie's parents divorced when she was about ten years old and she has never quite gotten over her father walking out on his family. She sees her mother with a talent as an artist who has never fulfilled her dreams. She stayed back from going on to develop her abilities - choosing instead to care for her family.  Yet when Annie is down it is family who stands by her.

Fletcher is a person who has put his roots down in Switchback. He and Annie go way back, have loved each other and parted. Annie's desire to spread her wings and follow her dreams have meant they have had to part. Now with Annie back in town there is a possible second chance.

As Annie recovers from  injuries sustained in a freak accident she is determined and feisty. However she must start from scratch and discover who she is now and what she wants to do. It takes awhile but the journey just endeared her to me and I was delighted by all the steps she takes. 

The only thing I didn't like about the book was the Now/Then part of the storytelling. I'd be immersed in the now, and then would be taken back into the past. Necessary but just something I don't particularly like. I prefer a linear story. But I guess I'd be in the minority and the telling of a story just might have needed it.

One of those books I just want to go on forever!  
Favourite author Family Page turner Delish

14 comments:

  1. I love Susan Wiggs but was a little worried about this one. Maybe it seemed darker than her usual stuff? I don't know. For whatever reason it didn't call me like her books usually do. I see that I definitely need to fix this as it sounds like it's her usual comforting read with good characters and a lot of heart. Great review!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Katherine I wasn't as taken by it as many of her other books, but I still liked it and Annie's struggle was great to follow.

      Delete
  2. Great review Kathryn Susan is a definite go-to author for me too. I love her stand a lones and her series. I can't wait to read this one!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Me too, love her books, she is an auto-read for me.

      Delete
  3. I need to read more of her work. I've read two of her books and wasn't disappointed. Loved that Table for Five one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh I adored her Table for Five, thinking I will do a reread of it some time by listening to the audio.

      Delete
  4. I just downloaded Family Tree this week, and I like the sound of it. I already detest Martin...LOL.

    I sometimes enjoy the back and forth of a story, but it does interrupt the flow.

    Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  5. I really enjoyed this one but agree about the back and forth. A lot of authors are doing that lately, it seems. Sometimes I just want a linear storyline, lol.

    ReplyDelete
  6. This sounds like a terrific novel. The back and forth works well sometimes and no so well other times. It sounds like it worked well enough here. Glad you enjoyed it.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Mahalo for checkin' out my card post. My BFF was appreciative of her little, birthday card ^__^. I'm glad you liked it too. I was a bit unsure as I kinda wished my confetti stamp was larger for some more umph.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I've heard great things by Susan Wiggs, but I've never read any of her books--but I do have one in my TBR!

    ReplyDelete

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...