Creepy story which left me feeling icky. The guy in this book was really twisted and the setting felt foreboding, even though the Inn was described as a cross between Old New England and Laura Ashley.I finished it but can't say I'll run out to read another one. Just not my cup of tea. Same reason why I never picked up another Erica Spindler.This being said, I had to say that I found that the author really piled the ick factor on the one character to unbelievable proportions. It wasn't bad enough that he was crazy, but the author also added in that he was facially deformed and therefore pushed away by his parents and also sexually abused by his mother at a young age. I bit of overkill.I also found that all 3 of the women were on the TSTL side - all 3 go to a deserted off-season Inn for a mysterious getaway, meeting with a blind date and spa-type mini-break - take your pick. And each of their intuition kicked in and they realized something wasn't right, yet they all stayed. I guess the author had to get the women there or there wouldn't be a story, but I think it could have been done in a less stupid way.So, while the story kept me turning the pages, it was just too weird for my tastes. I'll stick to this author's Lily Dale series instead. Call me a wimp.
If you like Mary Higgins Clark, you will love Wendy Corsi Staub. Three ladies have been invited by a mysterious stranger to visit Tide Island. Sandy is looking for her Mr. Right. She puts personals in the newspaper and has attracted a weathly, elegant doctor who has invited her to the island. Liza, a New York City publisher, has been invited by a reclusive author and this could be her big break. Laura, has won a free trip from a raffle and wants to spend the weekend relaxing. While at the island, the ladies find out that things aren't always as they seem.
What do You think about Dearly Beloved (2003)?
I was excited about this one because the summary sounded right up my alley, however, it was a huge case of TSTL and by the end I wanted everyone to die. First, let's talk about Staub's mad issues with fat/overweight/chubby women. In the first book I read by her, the pathetic woman who stays with and defends her husband, an attempted rapist, is always talking about her weight and sneaking food, etc. It's heavily implied that her husband turned to pornography because he finds her too disgusting to
—Maerhys
This book made me feel iffy all over. There were some chapters where I just couldn't put it down, but there were others that made me think: "Oh, Oh GODS! Why am I READING THIS!" One thing I really enjoyed about it was that the characters were very realistic in the sense that you feel you like some characteristics of them, but not all. I don't think I really, honestly liked a character in this book as a whole. But there were times that I would really like each of them. In fact, I even had moments in the book where I actually like the antagonist of the novel. (And then he went back to being the antagonist.) Well, not exactly like as much as pitied. Anyways, If you can stand a little cheesy-ness in the way Staub words things, its a very entertaining read.
—Xandra
