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Thursday, May 19, 2011

'Falling Home' by Karen White

Home is where the heart is, but Cassie Madison prefers to think of it as a place where one if born, then outgrows, along with skinned knees and childhood dreams. A humiliated Cassie left Walton, Georgia for Manhattan fifteen years before, vowing never to return. And then her sister calls. Their father is dying and wants Cassie to come back home. FALLING HOME is a coming home story about forgiveness and acceptance, and of finding love in the most unexpected of places.
My Thoughts:
This book has it all....a great family story, love, heartbreak, secrets, humor, sadness....and it's written beautifully. I finished this book in one day and resented whatever chore took me away from reading. I absolutely loved spending time with these characters and the town of Walton. It made me a bit nostalgic for my childhood days and upbringing. I lived in a small town where everyone knew you and your parents. If you were misbehaving your mom knew about it before you could bicycle home. There's much to be said for a small town life and that feeling of a community as an extended family. I grew to really care about Cassie as she came to terms with her past hurts and regrets. The book was filled with characters that were authentic and many I would love to have as friends. As I finished the last page I sighed with satisfaction...another solid book from Karen White.
Recommend? Yes...y'all need to read this one...fantastic southern fiction with a great cast of characters. This book will make you emotional.....read it!

Rating: 9/10

Author: Karen White
Published: November 2, 2010
Publisher: NAL Accent Trade
Pages: 437
Genre: Southern Fiction
ISBN:  9780451231444
  
Disclaimer:Thank you to Joy Strazza of Joan Schulhafer Publishing & Media Consulting for sending me a review copy. I was not compensated for my review. My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist.They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel

© 2011, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

25 comments:

  1. It is nice living in a small town, but that's the drawback that everyone knows your business and it gets back to your parents like wildfire. Great review! I love books like that where you just don't want to stop!

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  2. While I did not grow up in a small time I have lived in one or two during my life and love their charm. This sound like a wonderful read.

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  3. What a nice review Staci. I have enjoyed this author previously.

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  4. Wow! This sounds REALLY good! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

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  5. Ooh, this one sounds wonderful, Staci! Thanks for such a glowing recommendation. Small towns do have their appeal, that's for sure. Glad you enjoyed the book so much.

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  6. Wow, as much as I love Karen White and her books, I wasn't sure about this one since it's a re-write. You've made me want to drop everything and read it right now.

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  7. Glad to hear you enjoyed this one. I have a copy on my nook and hope to read it someday soon.

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  8. My list of books to read by Karen White grows and grows. I need to set aside a month and have a Karen White read-a-thon! LOL

    Thanks for sharing about this one, Staci. It sounds wonderful.

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  9. 9/10 sounds like a pretty good recommendation!

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  10. Sounds amazing :D I love when a book makes me just wanna keep on reading...even if dinner should be made or something else

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  11. You're tempting me again, Staci! I really need to read more contemporary fiction.

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  12. I actually miss small town living. Although every body else did know your business and couldn't get away with anything. *grin* Added it to my wishlist. Sounds like a wonderful book.

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  13. I hate it when chores get in the way of reading!! I'm pretty sure I have this one on my shelf. I grew up in a smallish town and loved it, but never wanted to stay.

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  14. This has been on my shelf for a while. I got sidetracked when I had received it and I haven't had a chance to get back to it. I can't wait though. It sounds fantastic and I really expect nothing else from Karen White. I love her writing.

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  15. I loved this book, too, Staci. Even though I grew up in a small town in California, I was surprised at the similarities between my small town experiences and those in this book. Perhaps it had to do with growing up in a family whose members came from places like the South (or the Midwest).

    Feelings of community are the upside of small town life, while the downside would be how much we can be skewered by the scrutiny of others.

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  16. I love a book that makes me sigh with satisfaction.

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  17. It's books like these that make me wish I grew up in a small town. Great review :)

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  18. I still haven't read a Karen White book. Hmmm - one day.

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  19. I have yet to read a Karen White novel - although I think I have about three on my TBR list. Now it looks as though I need to add a 4th! Great review :)

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  20. You definitely liked this novel more than I did. While I'm a huge fan of Karen White, I thought this was one of her weaker novels and it seemed to drag on forever... great characters, though! Nice review.

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  21. As you know, I also LOVED this book for many of the reasons you stated in your review. I was sorry when it was over because I, too, became attached to the great characters. I'm so glad you loved it as much as I did!

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  22. I'm glad to hear that you enjoyed this one so much! I read a book by this author a few years back and remember enjoying it as well. I believe it was The House on Tradd Street if you haven't had the chance to read it yet :)

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  23. I love well written contemporary fiction like this, especially one you don't want to put down. Another one to keep an eye out for. Thanks for great review Staci.

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  24. Glad to see you loved this book as much as I did!

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  25. I almost always like the books you recommend. This one sounds like it hits on all the emotional button we like in our reading. Thanks for the recommendation.

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