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Ten years is a long time for best friends to not see each other face to face as they do in Sweet Salt Air by Barbara Delinsky. Charlotte and Nicole have been leading very different lives since Nicole’s marriage 10 years previously. After the wedding, Charlotte was simply to busy with life and her job as a journalist telling people’s stories all around the world. Nicole’s successful blog has turned into a cookbook deal, and she entices Charlotte to return to Quinnipeague, the island off Maine where Nicole’s family has a summer house.
Nicole can cook and create the table settings, but she’s looking for Charlotte’s writing expertise to pull the cook book together. Charlotte jumps at the chance, and Nicole’s husband is too busy working to spend the summer on the island with them, so it’s just the two girls working together to capture the magic of Quinnipeague for Nicole’s cookbook.
The tension is there between them, though Nicole seems oblivious to it. Charlotte’s secret takes awhile to come out to the reader and it creates a delicious anticipation as you try to determine why such good friends stayed apart and yet remain in constant contact via phone and email. It isn’t the only focus of the book, as several subplots help carry the book along and delve into additional characters.
Charlotte pushes Nicole to explore the end of the island where Cecily Cole lived, a woman shrouded in mystery on the island but also the owner of a beautiful garden that supplies most of the children herbs throughout the island. Cecily has passed on, but her son Leo now lives there. He was a bad boy when Charlotte and Nicole were teens summering on the island, and the stories about him as an adult aren’t an improvement. Nicole urges Charlotte to stay away to avoid a curse Cecily might throw on them, but Nicole can’t resist. And you know there’s a budding romance with Charlotte coming, as well as mystery about the truth of Leo Cole, as well.
The main emotional hook in the book is Nicole’s husband Julian. He was diagnosed with MS four years earlier but is telling no one, as he’s a leading surgeon who lectures and teaches all over the world and can’t afford to lose his career or reputation. The stress of keeping the secret from everyone – including her parents – is torture for Nicole, as Julian pushes her away. The MS is getting worse, and Nicole and Julian search for a way to halt the disease’s progress. Nicole finally breaks down and tells Charlotte about Julian’s MS, and Charlotte discovers she has a dilemma.
All the secrets threaten to come out surrounding all the characters in the novel, and there’s no way to tell exactly where the cards will fall. That’s the beauty of the book. It isn’t predictable, and the multiple plots keep you occupied and entertained throughout the novel. Each character is richly drawn, with flaws but still someone you want to root for. Whether it’s the stereotypical island native Dorey who runs the Qunnie Cafe and makes the best chowder anywhere or Rose Mayes, a 75 year old grandmother with slaw to die for, each person is distinct and personable and someone you want to sit down and observe for awhile.
Sweet Salt Air lasts for almost 400 pages, but it doesn’t feel nearly that long. It’s unusual to say that a novel this long is a quick read, but it is. I didn’t want to put it down and finished it in under two days. And yes, I cried in it. A book that can bring you to tears is definitely one to share with friends.
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Written by Michelle who is mildly jealous of the fictional Nicole’s blogging success. She also blogs about food and other topics on her own blog Honest & Truly! or you can find her on Twitter where she is also @HonestAndTruly.
LaNan R says
Yes, however, I like to read those books when I’m alone. 🙂
Michelle Tucker says
Sometimes, but I’ve got to be in the right mood.
Chris says
It is nice to be able to get really pulled into a book – makes it a good one!
LaVonne says
Yes, I love books, movies, and even commercials that make me cry.
Jessica T says
For sure . . . a good release!
nannypanpan says
it depends on my mood
Anita Yancey says
I love reading any book that can make me cry or laugh. They both make me feel better afterwards.
Holly Messana says
I don’t actually know if I have ever read a book that made me cry. Movies, yes, but not a book.
Anne Lehnick says
I haven’t read a book that made me cry in a long time. I could stand to do it again now!
Jessica says
Yes, I do
Kerrie Mayans says
I like a book that makes me cry if I am in the right mood for it.
Karen W says
Looks amazing – cannot wait to read this book!!
jennifer says
Looks like a wonderful book!
Meg Munson says
You knows it a great book when you cry:-)
Melissa says
Yes, I enjoy books that can pull me in enough that my emotions are tugged a bit.
Beth C says
Yes, I do. I like books about friendship and I know I would like this one.
Madonna says
I only like ones that make me cry if they turn happy later on.
JJT says
A good cry can be restorative!
Brandy W. says
absolutely! it keeps you human
rhonda says
Every once in awhile I enjoy a good cry.
Chelsea says
it depends on my mood… sometimes I’m drawn to books that allow me to cry and other times i avoid them like the plague
Seaside Book Nook says
A good cry while reading a book – cleanses my soul! I haven’t had a good-cry-book in a long time. Thanks for the giveaway
Ellen B says
sometimes – I enjoyed her other books
Rosita says
Not these days, I don’t.
Shari says
I don’t mind sad books, but I honestly am very rarely brought to tears by one.
Charlene S says
If it is a happy cry.
Jeanna says
I like all types of books, but the ones that make me cry are usually the good ones!
Cindi says
Yes, sometimes, I need a good cry and a book that
has a moment or experience that touches me, is
a wonderful one!
Thanks, Cindi
emily says
Yes – I find it a good release.
Jessica To says
I like books that bring out different emotions!
Katie says
I love when books make me cry! I just need to break them up with happier books too!
DEBIJOT says
Yes, I do, sometimes
Patricia Wojnar Crowley says
Only if it’s a happy cry!
Liz says
I do, but I have to choose the right time.
Anne says
Yes, that means they are meaningful and special.
Cindy B says
I do! It leaves me thinking about the story for a long time.
Laura says
Sometimes…it depends on my mood and where I am.