When Maude Chambliss first arrives at Retreat, the seasonal New England home of her husband's aristocratic family, she is a total outsider, a South Carolina beauty who looks like she will never fit in. The book is a stunning look at how she eventually became one of the bedrocks of Retreat. Its characters are charismatic, and the tale flows with an ease that only a truly gifted writer could accomplish. I absolutely loved it, and plan on reading a lot more Siddons. ( )

Gorgeous descriptive writing, memorable characters, story with many separate elements that held me captive until the last word on p. 600. Siddons is a superlative storyteller.

A woman from Charleston marries into a New England family that spends at least part of each summer at a colony in Maine called the Retreat. The story follows her from the time she first visits the Retreat until it will be up to her granddaughter to keep the colony safe from those who might destroy what it means to those who have spent time there. While the novel was well-written, I just didn't really care for the characters. Most of them were spoiled rotten and couldn't get along with each other, and I just failed to connect with them. Siddons does a good job depicting the area and portrays that social class well. Book is a bit long to keep most readers interested with the slow pacing of the novel. ( )

Beautifully written, great characters, wonderful settings, wonderfully described and an engrossing story. I loved it. Now I'm off to get more of Siddons books. ( )

When Maude Chambliss first arrives at Retreat, the seasonal home of her husband's aristocratic family, she is a nineteen year old fresh faced bride direct from South Carolina convinced that she will never fit in with everyone. Everyone believes the same, until she begins to make friends. As time goes by, Maude falls in love with the colony and the people who live there.

There is Maude's husband, Peter, consumed with a darkness of spirit; her adored but dangerously fragile children; her domineering mother-in-law, who teaches Maude that it is the women of the colony who possess the strength to keep it intact and Micah Willis, a Maine native who turns out to be Maude's truest friend.

I loved this story and give it an A+! I don't usually read long books, but this book just drew me in and flew by for me. I didn't want it to ever end. ( )