Rating: 
Summary: Unimpressed.
Review: It started out kinda quirky and entertaining, but then about one third of the way through, it began to fall apart. As I read on, the plot became less cohesive and it continued to unravel like a poorly knit sweater. The romance part was dragged-out for a ludicrous amount of time ending with a silly conclusion. About halfway through, I began to beg for the end. It's good for a light read, but overall I thought it was insipid.
Rating: 
Summary: I didn't want to put this one down!!!
Review: Bravo!!! I read this book only because it was one of Ophrah's Books of the Month. But I was very pleased with this book. It was sad and warming all at the same time. I will definitely keep my eye out for future books by Letts.
Rating: 
Summary: Superficial, ridiculous
Review: This book is a real chore to read. You have to endure sleazy characters with nauseating names behaving in subhuman manner. I would not want to know these people in real life, nor would I want to read about them again. Please, Oprah, with all the good books out there, why did you choose this?
Rating: 
Summary: Good (but uneven) story of overcoming adversity
Review: I found myself having mixed emotions while reading this book. For example: I could understand and empathize Novalee's marginalized position in society but still found myself angry with her for repeatedly making insane choices (i.e. how many people have to run off after she GIVES them all her money before she learns). At other points I enjoyed it thoroughly and found the characters memorable: Sister Husband, Lexie, Forney, Moses and Certain. It was a smart choice to populate the book with 'outsiders'. I only realized how much on the fringes we were near the end of the book (after the library burned down) when Novalee is talking to the "Upstanding Citizen" board member who in reality would be one the socially 'normal' yet spiritually dead characters (ditto for the nurses in the hospital who 'care' for Novalee after giving birth to Americus). The characters in this book have such chemistry together because they relate to each other so well flaws and all. The only real part of the book that had me go 'oh please' was what I perceived to be as typical American flag-waiving. Novalee Nation names her child Americus Nation after she is encouraged to find a strong name for her child. Unless Letts is being ironic I would have hoped for a better name. Maybe me being Canadian prevents me from being able to relate to this. I can't imagine in Canadian fiction a young woman naming her child Canadus Nation as a display of strength. Please. Overall though the writing style of this book is unique and I would read other works by this author.
Rating:
Summary: A could-have-been favourite!
Review: What struck me about 'Where The Heart Is' once I had finished it was that this was a book written by an excellent storyteller not an excellent writer. Letts creates a wonderful central character - Novalee is perhaps one of the most likeable female characters I've encountered in a book in the last couple of years - who struggles and triumphs, yet it's the struggles that kind of let the book down. Never have I known one single person to encounter so much tragedy. Perhaps this shows the luck and circumstance that surrounds the people I know, I don't know, but it was this slight slip from reality that let Novalee's story down. This is a real shame because it does appear that Letts meant well, but perhaps a more experienced eye peering over the shoulder could have set her straight. The characters however are cleverly drawn - perhaps there are too many, inexperience again - and the surroundings appropriately real, yet these are disappointingly let down by Letts' lack of experience in the writing of a novel. This could have been wonderful but as it is 'Where The Heart Is' is just good. A pleasant read for a weekend in or even a weekend away.
Rating: 
Summary: Very endearing story of an eclectic bunch of characters!
Review: Thoroughly enjoyable snow-day read. The characters are unique and unforgettable. Chock full of humor and heroism. A touching tale that will sure to satisfy.
Rating:
Summary: an uplifting, easy read
Review: Novalee encounters virtually insurmountable obstacles and manages to come out on top. From the crumb bum boyfriend who eventually gets his to the mother who steals all of her money after she has had the baby in the Wal-Mart, she has more bad luck than imaginable. Yet she manages to surmount this and make her own way in life, without relying on a man (as she would have in a romance novel. A fun read and a book that makes you think mankind is good, even though the idea that a whole bunch of perfect strangers would take you in is a little improbable.
Rating:
Summary: A perfect weekend on the couch book!
Review: Maybe the odd names of the characers will attract your attention to this touching account of young motherhood. I read this book in less than 24 hours as my curiosity would not let me put it down. The author does a wonderful job of describing the characters without blurring your own imagination.
Rating:
Summary: Captivating!
Review: This book was so good! I read it in a couple of days...I couldn't put it down. It's a very fast read, I'm recommending it to everyone!
Rating:
Summary: An easy-reading, warm novel
Review: This book comes alive in your imagination as you read--the earmark of a good book. Novalee and Sister Husband are the core of average, blue-collar people in the middle of America, living their own version of the American Dream. I recommend this book to anyone who loves a tale about triumph over obstacles or just a nice, loving story about generosity and acceptance.
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