It's hard to believe that RNP thinks we needed more about Ben Blaine and the dysfunctionality of rich families on Martha's Vineyard, but apparently he thinks we do. I was quite disappointed to read that there will be a third book in this series. About the only interesting thing in this book was the good job he did portraying the 1960s, and that generations feelings about love, war, politics, and Bobby Kennedy. ( )

prequel to fall from grace. Interesting plot considering patterson is known more for his legal thriller. This is a thriller of sorts with all sorts of twists but read more like a romance. Ok story but good writing made it possible for me to stick through. ( )

I enjoyed this story because I identified with the characters. I also graduated from college in 1968 in the midst of the Viet Nam era, and my fiancé was also worried about the draft. He was never called due to a heart issue that his mother made sure the draft board had all the medical paperwork regarding. It was an unpopular war then but it was also a shameful time in our history when the returning vets were treated as criminals. It seems the story keeps repeating itself...when will they ever learn. ( )

I enjoyed this story. It was the second of the series but a prequel to Fall From Grace. Since I knew much of the way the charcters' lives evolved I was able to enjoy the story without the pretense of a mystery. ( )

This is not what I expected from Richard North Patterson. It's basically a family drama. Whitney Dane is the sheltered younger daughter of a wealthy family, coming of age in 1968. Her father has political aspirations. Her mother lives vicariously through Whitney's older sister who is a beautiful model. Whitney is a good daughter, following in her parents' footsteps and not questioning too much when their decisions for her don't quite match her desires. She's engaged to marry an equally bland society guy who is also doing what's expected of him by working for her father.

As the family prepares for the marriage, Whitney and her mother stay in Martha's Vineyard while the men travel back and forth from the Vineyard and work, which is in New York. Whitney strikes up a friendship with Ben, who worked for Bobby Kennedy until he was assassinated, and is not part of the Dane's social circle. The family is confused and angry at the relationship, but Whitney likes that he challenges her way of thinking.

I'm used to Richard North Patterson taking on major issues and making me think, but this novel was a run-of-the-mill family drama, no brain power needed. As a run-of-the-mill family drama, it was okay, but I saw the "surprises" coming a mile away. ( )