by Amber Stockton
Quilts of Love series, Book 20
Christian Fiction / Contemporary / Romance
Available August 2014
Abingdon Press
240 pages
About the Book
A getaway on a charming island may be just what Alyssa needs—if only she can let go of her past.
When Alyssa Denham, a single career woman, wins a fun getaway for two
on Mackinac Island where her grandmother lives, she gives her carefree
best friend a call. Together, they tour the old shops and hidden
treasures of the quaint island while helping Alyssa’s grandmother piece
together an heirloom quilt. Their quest gains them entrance into the
homes of many longtime residents of the island, parts of the city that
are otherwise off limits to tourists.
As the quilt’s story takes shape, Alyssa gains amazing insight into
her grandmother’s life . . . and attracts the attention of the handsome
Scott Whitman, an island resident in charge of hotel transportation.
Will memories of her past keep Alyssa from letting go? Or will the quest
to piece together the heirloom quilt restore Alyssa’s fractured
heart—and bring healing to her entire family?
My Thoughts
I was looking forward to reading A Grand Design because I'm fascinated by Mackinac Island! Unfortunately, this story did not resonate with me as a reader at all. While the characters were in their 20s, much of the time they seemed much younger. Libby is completely "boy crazy"—a term I generally think of when talking about younger teens. Also, while I understand that Alyssa experienced some trauma in her youth, her response never totally made sense to me. It was built up to be a huge, life-changing event, but then the explanation and further discussion didn't really support that. Additionally, the dialogue didn't feel genuine. At times, it was stilted and a little juvenile. It just didn't fit with the rest of the information I had about the characters.
I think the author had a good story idea and a great setting (I definitely want to visit Mackinac Island!). Unfortunately, this just wasn't the book for me. There are quite a few positive reviews of this book, so if you're intrigued by the premise, I would definitely check out some other reviews before making a decision solely based on mine. [2 stars]
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher through Litfuse Publicity in exchange for my fair and honest review.
About the Author
Amber Stockton is an award‑winning author, a national speaker, and a
direct‑sales brand partner with Nerium International. She lives with her
husband and fellow author, Stuart Vaughn Stockton, in Colorado. They
have a daughter and a son, and an Aussie/retriever mix named Roxie.
Three of her novels have won annual reader’s choice awards.
If you like stories about Mackinac Island, Love Finds you in Mackinac Island is a very good read (if you haven't read it). We spent our 40th wedding anniversary on Mackinac Island during the Lilac Festival and it was incredible:)
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