Tara Road

Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable Read
Review: The first part of "Tara Road", which is a bit slow, tells the story of Ria Lynch, her marriage to Danny Lynch, and her life with him and their two children as they buy a house and renovate it on Tara Road. It also tells the stories of Ria's friends, especially Rosemary Ryan, not quite the friend she appears to be; Gertie, a battered wife who is so used to living a lie that she actually believes it; and Colm, who is struggling to run a restaurant while dealing with his sister's problems.

"Tara Road" picks up pace in the second part, when Ria's life takes an unexpected turn, and she switches houses with Marilyn Vine, an American, who is dealing (not very well) with a tragedy in her life. While the reader knows all about Ria's life (more, in fact than she does), the reader discovers Marilyn's story at the same time as Ria does. In the end, Ria's stay in Connecticut and Marilyn's stay on Tara Road, change them both in ways they never imagined.

Although a bit too long (the first part drags at times), this was an enjoyable read and towards the end, I couldn't put it down. As always, Binchey fills the book with memorable characters, some of whom you'll like, others would will dislike quite a bit. I highly recommend "Tara Road".


Rating:
Summary: Tara Road
Review: This book was worth the read. The characters were diverse and rich; the backstabbing targeted at the main character Ria was incredible. The only part I did not like was that Ria was so incredibly innocent, never suspecting friends and husband to the very end. I suspected certain affairs before they were ever made known within the book. I think Ria is much more intelligent than the author allowed. This woman should have never been subjected to so much betrayal, because the character was smart enough to know better. It was not the betrayal that I found unbelievable, but instead, the fact that Ria did not realize the betrayal.

Rating:
Summary: merely lukewarm
Review: This was a book that appeared to be in by a deadline. Characters were not fully developed.

Rating:
Summary: merely lukewarm
Review: This was a book that appeared to be in by a deadline. Characters were not fully developed.