Couldn't decide between 3 or 4 stars so went with 4. My first try at this author. Well written although I prefer to have my time line spelled out a little bit more but I generally figured out how much time was passing. I didn't connect quite as much with the characters as I felt I should have. Can't put my finger on why exactly. I liked the show jumping details. No mistakes so yeah! It did seem like she gave up her ambition a little too easily. This had a small element of magical realism or psychic ability that was well integrated.

Definitely a recommended read from me. Maybe not a beach read cuz you know, tsunami. ( )

Before I read this book scanned some the the reviews and started to question why I bought this book. The reason was obvious as I really enjoy and was impressed by The Deep End of the Ocean. Unfortunately this did not live up to my expectations and I understand the mixed bag of reviews.

Recently have encountered a few books that I felt overall were acceptable with the exception the book was longer than the story. And in part, that is what troubles this book. The story is decent BUT there is too much 'filler' that adds nothing to either the story or characters. It is nice chatter that grows tiresome. When the author is on point with the story it is really an interesting tale they are telling. And then, in comes the chatter and boredom. Several reviews said they simply couldn't finish the book because slogging through the first several chapters is grinding on the reader. I almost sub come to the urge to give up as the author lost my interest several times. Well I fought off the desire to read something more dynamic and, I think, I am not totally disappointed.

Overall the story was interesting, if a tad bit far fetched, and the characters were reasonably developed it a little bland. When the story moved the writing was good and then it would got bogged down in something like detail (never sure what to call background that adds noting to the real story) and writing seemed to wander.

Being candid I really enjoyed the concept and the adventure when there was meat on the bones. It is unfortunate there just wasn't enough support what could have been an interesting unique thriller and adventure. I feel kind giving this three stars but it is a tad better than 2 stars.

I love reading and try most reasonable genres'. Always appreciating a well written intelligent story regardless of genre' and love to find ones that I can recommend to others. This one would not recommend it to most people as, I feel, it takes a patience and dedicated reader to work their way through this rather difficult book. And the reward for it is congratulating yourself for having endured it.

I will try other books by Jacquelyn Mitchard as The Deep End of the Ocean really impressed me and left me feeling satisfied. ( )

Good book that explored the question of those who have extraordinary gifts as Ian does.It is wrapped in a suspense novel/ love story/ cop story. ( )

From start to finish, Two if By Sea was impossible to put down. The characters, the situations, the writing... everything came together to where I couldn't stop thinking about the book, and recommended it over and over again even when I was only halfway through.

And then, it ended. And there, that was the one problem with the book... As much as I loved nearly every moment of the book, the ending came abruptly, and not entirely satisfyingly... almost as if Mitchard just didn't know where to go next, or what came next, and had found something of a partial conclusion... so it stopped.

I won't say that the ending ruined the book for me. The book was a wonderful read, and something that will stay with me... but the ending kept it from being something I'll want to re-read, or re-experience, and may make me think twice before I recommend it again or pick up more of Mitchard's work, which is disappointing, as for a while there I really thought I'd found a new favorite writer.

So, if you find yourself thinking it sounds interesting, and/or you appreciate a wonderfully told story with characters who you can't stop thinking about, this might very well be worth looking up... but be aware the ending doesn't quite live up to what comes before it, I'm afraid. ( )

Picked this up on a whim and found it to be quite intriguing, and also quite sad for a number of reasons. I also really thought I'd written a review of it, but apparently didn't, and have read a number of books in the interim. Learned a lot about international adoption, and the woods of Maine. It must have been pretty enthralling though, because I read it in a day.

tags: good-but-made-me-sad, made-me-look-something-up, read, taught-me-something, thank-you-charleston-county-library ( )