Rating: 
Summary: On Mystic Lake
Review: The people in this book are great and make you feel like you are going through everything they are. This is the first book I have read by Kristin Hannah and I loved it!! I went out and bought her newest book - Angel Falls along with two other books. If you like authors like Barbara Delinsky you will definitely enjoy reading Kristin Hannah.
Rating:
Summary: Truly worth reading!
Review: "On Mystic Lake" has been a book sitting on my bookshelf for months now. For some unknown reason, I didn't get the desire to start the book - perhaps I didn't like the dustjacket design - who knows? In fact - who cares? I was wrong! This is a book that is "severely" and profoundly well-written. More importantly, it delves into the center of the human heart, and clarifies what really matters. It accurately portrays how one's past DOES affect how one turns out, but at the same time, proves that the future is up to each individual nonetheless. The bond and relationship (or in some cases, the lack thereof) between a parent and a child, and the complex yet oh-so-simple and pure love that a parent feels for their child is so painfully reflected in this story. Especially what a mother goes through, and sacrifices for her children, or for her family. Suicide, depression, murder - - - and friendship, love and honor. . . these are all themes in this book. Rarely do I find a book that can literally captivate me from page one. Even rarer is the book that could make me cry in the first chapter, without even remotely getting to 'know' the characters I find myself shedding tears for!!!! I might also mention that this won't be the only time that this book breaks your heart. So many times, I found myself hurting for Izzy, or Annie...Natalie, Nick, and heck - even Blake. Fortunately, as often as it tears your heart into pieces, it gives you as many laughs, and even more opportunities to reflect upon your own life, and realize yet again that all that matters in the end is being with the ones you love. Another message that remains with me as I finished this book tonight <I also started it tonight - talk about page-turner!> is that the unit that we often refer to as "family" is simply the gathering of those that we love, and love us back. Whether or not you share the same blood, or have a long history together - ultimately, a family is only what you make it. And hopefully - for all of you, you've already found yours. Reading this book will only make you appreciate it more.
Rating: 
Summary: A good start but this books loses its way ...
Review: I quickly became engrossed in this book and felt a lot of empathy for Annie's plight when her husband decides to leave her. However as the book progressed it became apparent that it would never amount to more than a sickly sweet romance and that most of the characters - apart from the heroine and a few others - would be cardboard cutouts. At the point when she pops into Lurlene's salon for a makeover I got that sinking feeling that I didn't want to meet another stereotypical American character and felt that I could accurately predict Lurlene's behaviour and dialogue in advance - and how right I was! The book is full of this kind of sloppy writing, which in the long run completely destroys its credibility. How convenient for Nick that Annie turns up when she does and takes over the parenting role that he has neglected, considering that (at this point of the story) he is neither a lover or a relative just an old friend. There is also no mention of whether Annie is paid for caring for Izzie (though I would guess that she doesn't need the money anyway). Personally if I had spent years caring for a man and a child only to be cast aside I don't think I would be so keen to rush into the same situation again. I'm not saying this novel doesn't have its good points - certainly the relationship between Annie and Izzie is very touchingly portrayed but it is certainly not what the blurb on the jacket promised. It is certainly not about a woman 'finding herself' or finding any form of enlightment it is simply about a woman who exchanges a unsatisfactory relationship with a man who doesn't love her for a better relationship with a man who does - (a stock plot for romanctic novels) but apart from that does not change her essential role in life (a dogsbody) in any way at all.
Rating: 
Summary: Emotionally compelling read
Review: ON MYSTIC LAKE isn't perfect, by any means. The plot is fairly predictable, at times bordering on the melodramatic, and the pregnancy part of the storyline doesn't ring true on many counts. But when you find yourself unable to stop reading, when the characters' plights suck you right in so that the flaws no longer matter, you know you've found a winner. Ms. Hannah's vivid prose is rich and textured, but never overpowering. And she certainly knows how to manipulate the reader's emotions! Her characters are wonderfully flawed and confused and make some really dumb decisions -- just like real people do -- but I still found myself rooting for them because they were basically good people at heart. Yes, there is a Hallmark quality to this book, but there's nothing wrong with that. A few cathartic tears now and then are good for a body. The upshot is, I thoroughly enjoyed this book on a basic, emotional level as I've enjoyed few books this past year or so, and certainly plan on reading more of Ms. Hannah's work in the future.
Rating:
Summary: Cute
Review: Although this book was better than most of it's kind it still lacked depth and the characters were pretty flat. I find it hard to believe that if you had someone as a friend since kindergarten you would suddenly not stay in touch. Hank and Joe were such stand in characters, and come on -- what grown up woman has to call her dad to say she wasn't coming home that night. She made use of the word "hugged" too and not in the way you hug people. And of course, everyone is beautiful with beautiful blue eyes, beautiful blonde hair, beautiful, beautiful. Stop, before I hurl. I can tell by most of these reviews that the readers don't read a lot of quality novels. And one thing that irked me was the underground parking at LAX. All the parking structures I've been in at LAX are right across from the terminal about 4 stories high. Clue me in if you know. And of course that hair dresser had to be loud. The intimate scenes were handled pretty well but the AAA was a total drag and I sped read through it. True, the story had it's twists and turns but it wasn't as great as it was blown up to be. It was a cutesy feel good middle america book.
Rating:
Summary: A definite keeper
Review: Absolutely the best book I read this year. ON MYSTIC LAKE touched every emotion I have ever felt. I couldn't put it down.
Rating:
Summary: For every woman who has ever been done wrong!
Review: This was a total delight! This book is for every woman who has ever had her heart broke from out of the blue. It will make you laugh, cry, and cheer out loud. Read this you won't be disappointed!
Rating:
Summary: Beach Read Only!
Review: I looked forward to reading Ms. Hannah's novel On Mystic Lake after reading several synopses and reviews. However, it was a disappointing experience. The plot was predictable; the writing a notch above that found in a supermarket romance novel. At best it serves as escapist reading--reserve for beach reading only!
Rating:
Summary: A TRUE PLEASURE TO READ
Review: This is my first Kristin Hannah book and I know I'll read more. It is enjoyable to find a MODERN romance that is great to read instead of just the historical romances. I find it hard to really get into some of the modern romance books, but this book was really fantastic and I enjoyed every minute of it, even the heartwrenching parts. It was very realistic and the characters were totally relatable. Don't pass this one up!
Rating:
Summary: will touch your heart
Review: I loved this book! I have never read anything by Hannah and if this is any indication of her work as a whole, I will be searching for all her books. The story touches your heart and I could not put it down. Finally a book with feelings and emotions. The best book I have read in a long time.
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