Product Description

Everyone has secrets. Some we keep to protect ourselves, others we keep to protect those we love.

A devoted city dweller, Cornelia Brown surprised no one more than herself when she was gripped by the sudden, inescapable desire to leave urban life behind and head for an idyllic suburb. Though she knows she and her beloved husband, Teo, have made the right move, she approaches her new life with trepidation and struggles to forge friendships in her new home. Cornelia's mettle is quickly tested by judgmental neighbor Piper Truitt. Perfectly manicured, impeccably dressed, and possessing impossible standards, Piper is the embodiment of everything Cornelia feared she would find in suburbia. A saving grace soon appears in the form of Lake. Over a shared love of literature and old movies, Cornelia develops an instant bond with this warm yet elusive woman who has also recently arrived in town, ostensibly to send her perceptive and brilliant son, Dev, to a school for the gifted.

Marisa de los Santos's literary talents shine in the complex interactions she creates between these three women. She deftly explores the life-altering roller coaster of emotions Piper faces as she cares for two households, her own and that of her cancer-stricken best friend, Elizabeth. Skillfully, de los Santos creates an enigmatic and beguiling character in Lake, who draws Cornelia closer even as she harbors a shocking secret. And from the first page until the exhilarating conclusion, de los Santos engages readers with Cornelia, who, while trying to adapt to her new surroundings, must remain true to herself. As their individual stories unfold, the women become entangled in a web of trust, betrayal, love, and loss that challenges them in ways they never imagined, and that ultimately teaches them what it means for one human being to belong to another.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3196 in Books
• Published on: 2008-04-01
• Released on: 2008-04-01
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 400 pages

Customer Reviews

Just as good as "Love Walked In"!
I was not even expecting this one out when I came across it at Chapters and picked it up. (I all but ran to the check out!) I was so pleased with the entire book. It has the same similar warm, sweet story as love Walked In and was just an all round good read. If you are looking for something light without the heavy storyline this would be a great choice.

far fetched
I really like this author's writing. Reading the first paragraph, you notice how she can really put a sentence together. But I had a couple of big problems with the plot. First of all, the character of Piper. Again, her description is an extremely well-written paragraph, one which is quite unflattering. I never figured out how Piper and Cornelia went from mutual dislike to being friends. My other major problem was with the resolution. It seems extremely far fetched.

If you're looking for somethibng light to read on a plane, this may be for you.

What a lovely surprise
Despite being in the middle of two other books, I picked this up on a whim and hated to put it down. 36 hours later, I was loathe to say goodbye to this story. I did feel like some of the characters weren't fully developed, but realized afterward that there is a "prequel", which might explain that shortcoming (I look forward to reading it). As a mother, I was especially touched by how beautifully the author explores the love women have for their children and their families, biological or otherwise (a note to all moms - you will cry). It was a moving, complex story and the John Irvingesque intertwining of all the characters in such an unexpected way had me on the edge of my seat for the last third of the book. Just a terrific read.