This is my first Kristin Hannah book and I get the hype now… the story is so raw and well written that I couldn’t put it down. It was a little slow in the beginning but it quickly picked up and I couldn’t put the book down. 

Cora was my favorite character by far. Cora’s story/journey felt so realistic (from my experiences)

of her range of emotions and constantly going back to Ernt. Ernt hurting Leni being the final straw for Cora and even the scenes of them disposing the body felt exactly like a mother would react.

I really enjoyed reading complicated, nuanced characters and I think she was one of the best written. 

KH did a good job at painting the surroundings to where I felt like I was in Alaska with them. I genuinely could see the whole book in my head like a movie. 

My only complaints that hold this back from being a 5 star read is:
- The lack of native inclusion. There are very little native representation in this book, despite Alaska having such a strong heritage. I would’ve loved to see more native characters. I think another woman like Large Marge would’ve been a great native character in how she was the maternal figure of the island. 
-The ending wrapped up too quick.

I would’ve liked to read more about Leni in jail (it just felt too quick when it should’ve been a big deal), Matthew and Leni reuniting (I would’ve loved a whole chapter on them discussing life since the cave incident), and being at her old cabin. 

I think it would’ve been so cute if her grandparents moved to Alaska in the end!!

I LOVED:
-How KH wrote Cora and Ernst’s relationship.

It was so toxic and damaged yet tight knit and that is so realistic with abusive relationships. Especially near the end of Ernst when he started isolating the family. 
-Leni seeing Matthew at the rehab center. It was so ugly but raw and felt so powerful how she still loved him. 
- The confession at the Homer police station. I, as the reader, even fell for it and was shocked when the cop arrested Leni. 
- How MJ quickly accepted his dad. I thought that was beautiful and shows a kid’s resilience and how MJ wasn’t broken like them. 
-The letter to the newspaper at the end. It was the perfect way to conclude this book in my opinion. 

This is a book that I can see myself rereading more than once and still riding the emotional roller coaster.