This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
5 Minutes for Books staff reviewer Nancy received a copy of this book to facilitate her review and is here to share her thoughts and offer up a giveaway copy for one of you.
Sleeping in Eden starts with a bang – a man has hung himself, and a buried body is discovered beneath his dangling feet.
Lucas Hudson, one of three doctors in small town in Iowa, fills in for the medical examiner as a favor to the chief of police when Jim Sparks’s body is found in his barn, hanging from a rope. Lucas stumbles across what turns out to be another body, that of a female, which has laid undiscovered for 10 years. Lucas’s belief that he knows who the body is weighs on him as he withholds evidence he found in the barn, and he also has to deal with the reappearance of Jim’s daughter, Angela, who was close to Lucas’s wife Jenna until she disappeared, running from Jim’s abuse.  Lucas and Jenna’s marriage has been disintegrating due to their own tragedy, and Angela’s return can either make or break them.
Years earlier, Meg Painter meets and falls for Dylan Reid, a boy who is unattainable and elusive, but she can’t get him out of her head. Â She takes the easier route with neighbor Jess, and Dylan and Jess each warn her about the other. Just when Meg and Dylan seem to be getting their lives together, it all comes crashing down.
The story flips between Lucas and Meg, and at times the transition is too fast and jarring. I found Meg’s story to be the more compelling one and often skipped Lucas’s chapter, only to return to it later when I found out what happened next with Meg. Â It’s pretty clear from the beginning where the story is headed, but the fun is in finding out how it gets there.
Sleeping in Eden covers many areas – teen love, complete with the mysteries of the opposite sex and exploring new territory, is contrasted with a marriage that’s holding on by a thread. The mystery of who is buried in the barn is underlying throughout the book, though often takes a backseat to more pressing concerns of everyday life. As in real life, the actions of the characters are often frustrating which makes them realistic.
Sleeping in Eden may not be an uplifting novel but it’s an entertaining one that I recommend.
Win it!
One of you (U.S. only) can enter to win a copy of this novel. Use the rafflecopter below to enter this giveaway. New to Rafflecopter? Watch this 45-second video on how to enter!
And yes, one of you can win your own copy! Follow the instructions below to enter.
Holly Mitkowski says
the plot sounds very interesting!!
Jenny Stanek says
The marriage hanging by a string
liz l says
teen love…reminisce my youth
Josephine D says
I love a good mystery! Seems like it has a great plot and I would like to read a book by a new-to-me author!
Huda says
The plot is very intriguing
Huda says
I would absolutely love to win this!
Nancy says
I enjoy mysterious novels.
Trish says
The idea that this novel features both a mystery and relationship storylines sounds very interesting to me.
Brigette Streeper says
I love how it starts out as a murder mystery from the start!
Crystal Rose says
It sounds like it starts off well.
Dawn Monroe says
I just need a new ” cant put down book” and enjoy mysteries.
Pamela Halligan says
I like a good mystery.
Megan H says
I’ve been looking for a good book to read and this looks right up my alley! 🙂
Cyndy McKinley says
I can never pass up a good mystery!
Diana Hatch says
I love a good mystery
allyson becker says
The cover is gorgeous, and I love mysteries.
golden storm says
I think its intriguing because its a mystery,,my favorite kind of book
Brandy W. says
sounds like a great mystery to me!
Sam Stamp says
I love the cover & the mystery of what happened! I also like that the book flips between the two stories.
kathy dalton says
i love mysteries and this one looks like a good one
Gina says
Type of book I usually read.
Helen says
the mystery what happened
betty says
Its seems very intriguing: the title
Mel says
It looks exciting.
Melissa B. says
The mysterious dead body interests me.
Charlene S says
That it is a mystery book.
nannypanpan says
the murder mystery
hollowsins says
Love the mysterious plot and the relationship issues
Janet F says
I like the mystery aspect of the story.
janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com
Beth C says
The mystery and the striking cover!
cheryla lister says
I’ve always enjoyed mysteries!
Christine Derrel says
Anybody read this book??? I wonder if its any good!!!! I love mysteries!!!
Susan P. says
It’s a mystery and an intrigue all mixed up!
Debby Chandler says
I like books that start off with something interesting happening. It makes me want to read more.
amanda roach says
without even reading about it..the cover and title.
Jeanne says
This sounds like a great mystery which I love!!!
Hillry says
I love Nicole Baart’s books!
Liz says
What most appeals is the promised complexity.
vickie couturier says
I like a g ood mystery novel,,keeps you on your toes
Tana says
One of my favorite authors! A good writer, and a good person. You can find her on fb https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nicole-Baart/53232389209?hc_location=stream.
Laura Kay says
The premise of the story sounds really interesting…and I’ve read a number of books where I know where the story is going, but I love the ride 🙂
Jenn says
Though you aren’t supposed to judge a book by one, the cover always draws me in.
Daniel M says
sounds like a fun mystery!
Suzy says
I saw this book when it first came out. I think the cover is absolutely gorgeous!
Laura says
I love mysteries!
Jessica To says
I like that it has a mystery.
Sheri says
The cover pulled me in first and then the intrigue/mystery of the plot!!
Anne says
The novel is captivating for the plot and the characters.
amyc says
The beginning itself sounds intriguing.
Kerrie Mayans says
I am intrigued by the body in the barn and if Lucas really does know who she is.
Elizabeth bevins says
I love a story that starts with a bang!