If anyone can make us understand the struggles of mental illness, it is this author.

We are introduced to Marianne, who is in a manic bipolar tailspin and on her way across the ocean from North Carolina to her hometown in England. The past has crawled back inside her head, and the only way she can move forward with some peace is to connect again with her teenage friend, Gabriel… who also happens to be her first love.

I fell in love with Gabriel right away. This kind, sexy, town vicar does everything he can to help Marianne get control of her life, while steeling his heart from getting involved with her again.

We meet Jade, a young “daughter of Marianne’s heart” who is witty, sassy, emotionally scarred, and loyal to a fault to Marianne and her husband, Darius.

Then there is Darius, a man so completely in love with his wife, and all of her “faults” a man I wasn’t sure I liked at first. But this author has a way of peeling back the layers of each character, unveiling their delicate layers of hurt, fear, and vulnerability.

I thoroughly enjoyed digging deep into each of these unique characters, all emotionally scarred, yet willing to continue on and hope for a happy future. And it didn’t disappoint! The thing I loved most about this book was the humor and wit woven through a story that could have been doom and gloom.

It shows us that with grief, can come happiness, and with loss, can come hope.
A great read! ( )

A woman struggling with bipolar disorder journeys back to her roots in the English countryside, attempting to come to grips with current and past trauma. Along with mental illness, this book touches on guilt, forgiveness, jealousy, the bonds of first love, families forged through life experience, and healing. I thought the author did an excellent job of describing the nature of bipolar disorder, and how disruptive it can be. Characters were well-formed and interesting. I would have preferred a deeper look at the relationship between the main character and her husband, and thought the daughter acted much younger than a thirty-year-old, but found the book an informative example of families grappling with the chaos of bipolar disorder. Be aware that it contains content related to suicide. Recommended to readers interested in mental health and its impact on family dynamics. ( )

This is the second book of Barbara Claypole White's that I have read. I am in awe of her ability to write of beautifully flawed characters. She shows that people are more than just his/her disorder. This book is a wonderful story of forgiveness. I enjoyed this story and Jade may be one of my favorite characters of all time. ( )

I almost OD'd on the over-the-top drama. No doubt a story with mental illness as its focus is bound to have dramatic moments but they were virtually non-stop in this book. Also, my feelings were mixed about the characters themselves. Two had me rooting for them but the others were just a little too exaggerated for me to take seriously. I can't say whether or not this is a realistic depiction of bipolar disorder and that may be the reason the book didn't click with me.

I received this book for free through Goodreads Giveaways. ( )

Won this in a Goodreads Giveaway. There were times when it was a bit over dramatic. Also, the ending was a bit too perfect. The characters were well developed and had interesting stories; I especially liked Hugh, Gabriel's psychiatrist friend. Overall a good read and I'm happy to have read it.
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