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Marybeth Whalen

Author of The Things We Wish Were True

21 Works 1,120 Members 70 Reviews

About the Author

Includes the name: Marybeth Mayhew Whalen

Series

Works by Marybeth Whalen

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Common Knowledge

Gender
female

Members

Reviews

Beautifully written story of the bond community in the wake of tragic events and the secrets we all keep.
 
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IntrovertedFaerie13 | 32 other reviews | Apr 1, 2024 |
So glad my wish was granted with this one through Netgalley it is an outstanding read. I am an avid reader of all things interesting. This tops the list for interesting.
A spider's intricately spun web blocks the entrance to the neighborhood swimming pool on opening day, a portent of some sticky situations in store for the residents of Sycamore Glen. There isn't a person in the group who doesn't have a secret. And yes, those secrets will all be laid bare before summer's end. The draw back to living in a small town everyone knows everyone and sometimes everything.
Each character is very well developed almost like the author is making this book a dress that fits the reader perfectly from start to finish. That being said Zell is my favorite character we all have someone like her in our lives. The DO GOODER. Always the one to bring food to a family dealing with a tragedy, lend support when it is needed, quietly observe what is going on around her. Yet she has her own secrets, things she hopes never come to light despite the fact that they might help someone else. Trying to put a puzzle together yet she doesn’t have all the pieces together just yet.
Then you have Jancey the welcome home girl. The girl who has everything growing up in this lovely town then she grows up and comes back with nothing. A husband in jail and two girls who need her to keep them together. Lance was a sweet character in my opinion I truly think the two of them are a cute couple I think the author’s choice to implement the love scene was well positioned and gave you a way to cut the tension of the town.
If you like books that leave you guessing and wanting to put everything back together for the people in this town you will love it. It reads like a television miniseries where each characters chapter is an episode that brings you closer to the end.

Whalen makes you feel at home with her characters and in all honesty this is an easy breezy beach read that you could do in one sitting it was very well done.
… (more)
 
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b00kdarling87 | 32 other reviews | Jan 7, 2024 |
Great book told from many different viewpoints, this story takes place in a small town in the heat of the summer, where a near-tragedy in their community pool brings the neighbors closer together.

And exposes many secrets they'd rather keep hidden.

I like the various characters POV's, which had to have been a writer's nightmare! Male, female, and child POV's told stories that ripped at my heart, intrigued me, and kept me guessing.

A very good read!
 
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JillHannah | 32 other reviews | Nov 20, 2023 |
LOVED THIS BOOK.....started out a little on the slow side for me but once it picked up, i couldnt put it down. Makes you think about where your marriage is right now and what state it will be in if we dont try to communicate and fix the smaller issues.
 
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SRQlover | 5 other reviews | Jul 18, 2023 |

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Statistics

Works
21
Members
1,120
Popularity
#22,935
Rating
½ 3.5
Reviews
70
ISBNs
55
Languages
1

Charts & Graphs