Liza Gyllenhaal

This was my first book by Lisa and look forward to reading her previous books. She does an outstanding job of setting up the characters and this small town where you get to know all the players and setting.

First, the front cover is a huge draw as with the snow setting which is very inviting.This novel is for parents as well as teens. This is a reminder parents do not always know their teens as well as they think they do. Teens also need to be reminded their actions have consequences which can affect many people. A story of lies and cover ups, and secrets from the privileged and wealthy to the poor.
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“A Place for Us” by Liza Gyllenhaal is a story of every parent’s nightmare. The Bostocks are a family for whom everything has gone right. They are a privileged family and are well liked in their small town. Brook is from a wealthy family. She married her sweetheart and they have two children. Her son is in college and her daughter is a busy ten-year-old.

All seems to be going well for them until a drinking episode with minors and an assault that happened in their house promises to become a national scandal. This story is about the children involved and what happens to them during the height of the storm of repercussions. This is the story of a family trying to hang on to their love and respect for each other.

I would recommend book, but for me it was such a sad story. I would not want to read it again, nor would I want to read something like it. It was well written, but such a downer. I received a free print copy of this book in return for my honest review from the publisher, Penguin Group and Night Owl Reviews. The opinions expressed here are my own.

You can read this review on my blog at http://wp.me/p2pjIt-5x… (más)

Real estate in small towns a stone's throw from the city is attractive to those looking for weekend houses. Maddie is a local realtor who depends on the weekenders for her bread and butter; her friend Luke resents them for destroying the land that made the location wonderful in the first place. How land is used is a deep subject which Gyllenhaal mines well. She is very familiar with the small town where the action takes place, and creates a convincing set of characters and situations. The way family predetermines your fate -- the events, the resentments, the petty feuds and tragic rifts-- these are all described in a way anyone could relate to. I especially liked the way the vulgar businessman befriends the police who he can use for his own agenda.… (más)

A PLACE FOR US by Lisa Gyllenhaal is an interesting Women's fiction/Psychological fiction set in a small Massachusetts town. It is told in four parts from the point of view of four characters,two of which are teenagers. Intertwined with underage drinking,tragedy,secrets,physical abuse,longing to belong,and the lies that can tear apart a family as well as a small close knit town. Written about complex social issues,as well as small towns,very compassionate and realistic. A very compelling,gripping story from the start to the last page. "A Place For Us" is a complex story that grips you from the start and holds you there. If you enjoy Women's Fiction,and Social issue reads than this is a story for you. But be aware you may need a tissue or two. Received for an honest review from the publisher.

RATING:4

HEAT RATING: SWEET

REVIEWED BY: AprilR, My Book Addiction Reviews… (más)