Rating: 
Summary: Interesting topic, very undeveloped characters
Review: The premise of the book was good, but the characters were extremely flat and predictable. The book is basically about Carrie and Mike, who are engaged, but apparently got engaged too young, and now Carrie is having doubts and ignoring Mike. So, Mike dives from the pier, breaks his neck, becomes paralyzed and what is Carrie to do? Again, good for discussion... but Carrie, Mike and their friends bored me to tears. They weren't developed at all. Then, some gratuitious sex scenes popped into the book for no apparent reasons... perhaps the author knew her audience would get bored otherwise!
Rating: 
Summary: a surgical yet poetic look at one person's life
Review: and the choices and emotional crossroads this person faces.
This book was sad but rung true: Ann Packer respects the complexity of Carrie's thoughts, situation and choices. Emotionally very subtle and sharp.
an amazing book!
Rating:
Summary: A Superb Book
Review: Rich in subtle, powerful images of love, loss, betrayal, duty and honour, this book is a provoking, haunting, yet joyful story.
A spinal cord injury that has left Carrie Bell's fiancée, her high school sweetheart, paralysed for life. Shortly before the injury, both were having serious doubts about their relationship. They now must decide what to do with the rest of their lives, such as they are, in a small Midwestern town. The right thing to do--what would that be? Stick by your fiancé? Leave town? Such is the dilemma of Carrie Bell. Her fiancé, Mike, is the accident victim. Carrie must face many around her who will judge her in some way. Her own, fatherless family. Mike's family. Mike's friends. Their friends as a couple. Her own best friend. And everyone else in town who knows them. Ann Packer writes a compelling, fascinating tale of the difficult choices a young woman faces as she faces personal loss and the painful process of personal growth that follows.
Rating: 
Summary: Simply lacking...
Review: The beginning of the book starts off a little bit on the slow side, but once Carrie meets Kilroy, the books takes on a whole new life. The most interesting parts of the book was the character of Kilroy, it brought spice to an otherwise average list of characters. I really started enjoying it until she went home to Madision. Never in my wildest dreams did I think the book would end the way it did. I felt that it made the storyline and buildup completely fall apart. Midway through the book, I thought the author was trying to make the point of, it is natural for people grow out of relationships. That is what helps one mature. It was evident she had nothing but good memories in Madision and so such a bright future awaiting her in New York. I didn't agree with the heroines final decision. It left me irate and disguisted by her.
Rating:
Summary: Glad I didn't let reader reviews sway me.
Review: I almost didn't buy this book because of all the unflattering reviews by readers. Glad I didn't listen, cause they were wrong, wrong, wrong. This book is easily one of the most emotionally complex, fascinating works of fiction I've ever read. I was completely hooked from beginning to end. It's been a week since I finished reading it and it's still with me. Wonderful!
Rating:
Summary: Has Potential
Review: I started out liking the book. The plot-after an accident paralyzing her fiance, Carrie flees to New York-was intriguing. Then the story begins to fall apart, especially with character development. What were Mrs. Wolf, Carrie's father, Kilroy about? How could Carrie "love" Kilroy when he didn't even know himself? Also the ending was confusing and vague. Bits and pieces of the book were excellent, but the whole was uneven and unreal.
Rating:
Summary: Very Good!
Review: This is a sad story, but it was really good. I think the author could have cut it down a bit, but overall, I was pleased with it. It definitely kept me from putting the book down.
Rating:
Summary: What does it all mean ?
Review: I have to say this book was a big letdown, even though it is rather well-written. I can't possibly like a book where I can get to the end without once understanding the protagonist's motives. Ok, so she moves to New York City to get away from a difficult situation with her paralyzed boyfriend-then what ? Why does she get involved with "Kilroy", who is completely emotionally unavailable ? Doesn't it bother her that he is so distant and unapproachable ? Why does she up and leave to go back home ? Shouldn't she at least let her lover know she is leaving him ? I gave the book two stars because of the interesting cast of supporting characters, and the description of Carrie's life in Wisconsin. Apart from that, I had a strong desire to shake the heroine by the shoulders, tell her to wake up and stop being so passive and emotionally half-asleep. I can't recommend a book that left me feeling so irritated at the end.
Rating:
Summary: Overhyped, underwritten
Review: I had heard and read so much praise for this book, I ran out to buy it the day it came out in paperback. What a huge disappointment. I felt like I was reading the script for a Lifetime TV movie of the week. After Carrie moved to NY, it was all downhill. Ridiculous situations, thinly written characters, and a sappy ending. I skimmed the last 100 pages just for plot, and to find out what choice she made. By the end, I just didn't care.
Rating:
Summary: Too much left unanswered
Review: I read through this book relatively quickly especially after the first section. I was intrigued and wanted to know what would happen next. I was upset with the ending mainly due to the fact that so many things that were brought up through the story were never fully explained. Carrie's issues with her dad, Ms. Wolf's book, her relationship with Simon (he was crying on the phone to have her move back to NY). If Ms. Packer developed these sub-plots -the story would have been richer and a lot better. The only solution would be a sequel. Some other things that drove me crazy? Why didn't Carrie just get a job in New York. All she did was complain about money and the only reason why she didn't get a job was because Kilroy and Simon told her that she wouldn't want to work where they did. What about waitressing? What about working in a library? Heck, even a fabric store! Is Carrie a hero for coming back and tormenting Mike with her decision to be just friends and practically forcing her presence on him with no thought that he was still in love with her? I was giving Carrie's character the benefit of the doubt - but the ending sent me over the edge.
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