I read this book which I received from the Early Reviewers only because I needed to write a review (I was gently reminded to do so). The characters were likable but the story a bit tired. The plot was completely predictable and the ending less than satisfying. That having been said, I guess I liked it well enough to finish it...not something I feel compelled to do with a book I don't like. ( )

I received this book from The LibraryThing Early Reviewers and must admit that I just got around to reading it. My mistake because I really loved this book! I was hooked from the very start and read it all yesterday and finished it this morning. I couldn't put it down. It deals with sadness, love and loss and the many complications that life gives you. I enjoyed reading it from different views of the 3 main characters. I wish the ending had not been quite so abrubt, but other than that I think it is a wonderful book that I will recommend. ( )

I really liked this book about l0ove and loss and finding your way to hope again. I read it at a time in my life when I was dealing with these issues. My son Caleb died just two years before and the 5 year old Caleb in this book tugged at my heart.

Widower Danny struggles to raise his son Caleb alone. They both miss Danny's wife Tara completely...she was the love of Danny's life. They live in a small town where hurting Lily comes to spend the summer. Lily and her husband have grown apart. This is at least poartially due to Lily's desire for a child which her husband absolutely does not share. He thinks their life together should be enough and he doesn't understand why Lily would want a child after they both agreed in the beginning there would be no children. He feels betrayed by her change of heart and she feels betrayed because he cannot hear or understand her pain - the loss of a child she never had a chance to love.

And so they spend a season apart, during which Lily grows closer and closer to Danny and Caleb, finding in their relationships what she so longs for with her husband. At the same time her husband is doing some exploring on his own and realizing how much he truly loves his wife. At the end of the day Lily realizes she truly loves him, too, and her itme with Danny was a nice interlude but niot something she can pursue. Danny and Caleb resign tehmselves to being grateful for Lily's friendship and the joy and love she brought to their lives, teaching them that they could laugh and love again.

it is a bitterwseet predictable story but I loved every word. Just the kind of book to read when you just want to get away from the world for awhile. Thanks so much for sending me this book, I have share it with many friends and will continue to do so. ( )

A rather predictable, but enjoyable story of forbidden love. Childless Lilly longs not only for the unconditional love of a child of her own, but the love of her husband. Recently widowed Danny longs to have his deceased wife back while dealing with raising his son, Caleb. The book's ending (while not wanting to ruin the story for anyone) feels clipped and unresolved. You are drawn in hoping that Lilly and Danny find happiness and each resolves their lingering personal issues but are left questioning what direction they each go in. Perhaps it's the author's intent to draw us in, but to leave us assuming our own endings. ( )

This was a hugely emotional novel and very, very good. Right off, I will say that I loved it!

The stories main characters are Danny, Lily and Paul with Caleb, Tara and Eve being a big part of the overall picture too. Danny loses his wife Tara and while feeling that life holds no promise for him anymore, he knows that he must move on for his five-year-old son Caleb. Caleb just grabs onto your heart in this story and doesn't let go-you can just picture in your mind what a sweet little soul he is. Danny has problems with his mother-in-law Eve, she appears to us as an awful person but not all is as seems all of the time.

Lily and Paul are married. Paul is a controlling man and Lily has always followed his every wish. She has always wanted a child but Paul put an end to that hope long ago. Lily is finally getting fed up with it all and has retreated to their home in Stone Creek while Paul works in the city and comes out on weekends. She needs to find who she is and what will make her happy.

Danny and Lily meet and it is electric from the beginning. In ways you can't begin to imagine they connect on such an emotional and intense level. I think they see in each other the deep pain that exists in each of them. The novel unfolds from there and we live and feel with these characters.

This novel is romantic, emotional and sad, although hopeful. The author draws you into these characters so completely and her writing is as beautiful as is this story. I would love to see a sequel to this novel as I would be curious to see where life takes these characters. This is an excellent novel and highly recommended!

http://peekingbetweenthepages.blogspot.com/2008/07/stone-creek-by-victoria-lustb... ( )