Utterly brilliant!!!

Ever since listening to Amy Snow, I have been waiting to download Tracy Rees' next book. My only regret is that I didn't listen to it slower. With the exception of sleeping, I literally listened all the way through. I believe I can officially declare this my most favorite book of 2016. It was even better than Amy Snow! The writing was gorgeous, the characters vivid and so realistic, the descriptions of Cornwall absolutely breathtaking. The story had so many ups and downs, weaving together an intricate tale of family loyalty, complicated love, obligation, loss and self-discovery. Once again Imogen Church did a fantastic job narrating this novel. She was perfect. I would give this ten stars if I could. Don't pass this book up! The only downside now is waiting for her next. Brava, Ms. Rees. This book will stay with me for many weeks.

46 people found this helpful

Delightful

I do so enjoy a good story, and this is such. Beautifully narrated, wonderfully spun, I find myself weeping and laughing in turn. Well done indeed.

19 people found this helpful

Excellent excellent performance and writing!

I love Tracy Rees style if writing. She is a very detailed descriptive writer. She pulls me into the story and I can't put it down until I finish and then I want more!! This story is a mix of Jane Austin and Lucy Montgomery's Ann if Green Gables style to it.
I will read anything written by Tracy Rees. She puts such thought and care into her stories. Excellent read.

Imogene Church narrated this story absolutely perfectly! She had all expressions and accents down pat perfectly. It was so realistic that I believed each character was actually speaking and hard to remember that all this characters "voices" came out of the same person. As the the story was written in the first person, I truly believe that Imogene was actually Florence Grace. Kudos to you for s job well done!!

11 people found this helpful

It tried. It really did.

What did you like best about Florence Grace? What did you like least?

I really enjoyed her story in the beginning, but the middle and end it just fell flat. In the start you get this amazing no-nonsense girl who is smart with a touch of mystery. She also is funny, adventurous, and just a joy to read about.
Then we get to the 2nd part of the story and she changes (i know that's the point) but it's not for the better. The story is redundant and we get the same plot over and over in different chapters. I can SEE the message behind the whole book- that family is what you make it not what you're given..but getting there is slow and painful and we saw the whole message early on and it just felt like it was a ''please get to the point'' book, but then the point never came.

What could Tracy Rees have done to make this a more enjoyable book for you?

Have something happen. Honestly.

Have you listened to any of Imogen Church’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

The narration does not match the book...as in the narration is amazing and the book is lackluster. She is an incredible narrator and really brought the characters to life. Everyone had a different voice, tone, and it was believable. It wasn't like others where they tried to play a kid and made their voice very squeaky, or a man where they try to go too deep. Her accents were very believable (mind you i'm not cornish) but it was a lovely book to listen too in that regard.

Could you see Florence Grace being made into a movie or a TV series? Who should the stars be?

Who cares?

Any additional comments?

I'm assuming if you're upon this book it's because you read Amy Snow. Amy Snow is not one of my favourite books but it was at least memorable. This book will just fall to the wayside compared to Amy. The main character is interesting at first, but the depth just isn't there. If it's on sale buy it, but save your credit- Maybe try something else in the meantime. But the beautiful things about books is that it's very subjective so I feel a bit hypocritical telling you ''don't get this''
Maybe you will enjoy it more than I did. Imogen Church is enough to pull this book through. I hope if you do purchase this book that it moves you more than it did myself.
I will continue to give this author my time because I believe she has good stories to write because of Amy Snow, but if this was the first book I purchased from her I probably wouldn't of purchased Amy Snow.
Anyhow, try Simone St. James if you haven't, it's a similar type of book and I find I felt more gratified with the stories there.

21 people found this helpful

Unexpected...overwhelming...insightful...

a wonderful story, not of "coming of age" but of coming to accept the deepest impressions, feelings, and instincts that make up a wise and "special" woman who truly knows herself. Florrie's journey to become Florence Grace inspires me to follow her example: listen to my own instincts and desires, contemplate the natural and supernatural world around me, and have patience and great faith in the future and in the people I love. Through the highs, lows, terrors, and heartbreak of her life, Florence becomes "grace" personified.

10 people found this helpful

Cornish gem

this is a wonderful read. I found it difficult in a few parts but otherwise I couldn't put it down. narrator does a wonderful job and the story comes to life.

6 people found this helpful

Disappointing after "Amy Snow"

I selected this book because I absolutely loved her book "Amy Snow". Very different books. I thought this one was depressing and somewhat tragic. Not a "feel good" book. It was longer than it needed to be and some parts were random. The character Hawker was strange and I never understood what he was trying to accomplish. The entire part about Calantha made no sense.

I will say the ending was better and overall had a good message, but not worth a credit.

9 people found this helpful

Amazing story. I was swept away immediately.

Loved this as much as Amy Snow. An amazing cast of characters and so very relatable for all who've loved someone who can't love them self. Brilliant work yet again.

4 people found this helpful

Wonderful, simple and wonderful

Ms Rees tells a story of a girl. But, not just any girl, a "special girl" (which is what her grandmother, Nan, calls her). As Florence, the special girl, grows in body, she grows in wisdom and strength of character as well. This book touched a chord in my spirit. Which is one of the most wonderful gifts that books can impart to its readers (or listeners). A beautiful story that if passed by, will be the loss of any reader

3 people found this helpful

I couldn't stop listening!

After reading Amy Snow, I was hooked and had to hear more from Tracy Rees. I'm so glad that I pre-ordered this because I was not disappointed. I stayed hooked on the timeline and felt like I was there with Florence along her journey through rich and poor. It also came with valuable life lessons and tugged at the heartstrings. MUST READ! :)

3 people found this helpful