Lone Star
by Paullina Simons
Why I chose this book? the travel through Europe pulled me in
When I read this book? November 2015
Who should read this book? lovers of romance and travel
Source: TLC Book Tours
From the bestselling, acclaimed author of Tully and The Bronze Horseman comes the unforgettable love story between a college-bound young woman and a traveling troubadour on his way to war—a moving, compelling novel of love lost and found set against the stunning backdrop of Eastern Europe.
Chloe is just weeks away from heading off to college and starting a new life far from her home in Maine when she embarks on a great European adventure with her boyfriend and two best friends. Their destination is Barcelona, but first they must detour through the historic cities of Eastern Europe to keep an old family promise.
Here, in this fledgling post-Communist world, Chloe meets a charming American vagabond named Johnny, who carries a guitar, an easy smile—and a lifetime of secrets. From Treblinka to Trieste, from Karnikava to Krakow, from Vilnius to Venice, the unlikely band of friends and lovers traverse the old world on a train trip that becomes a treacherous journey into Europe’s and Johnny’s darkest past—a journey that jeopardizes Chloe’s plans for the future and all she ever thought she wanted.
But the lifelong bonds Chloe and her friends share are about to be put to the ultimate test—and whether or not they reach Barcelona, they can only be certain that their lives will never be the same again.
A sweeping, beautiful tale that mesmerizes and enchants, Lone Star will linger long in the memory once the final page is turned.
My Review
I can’t review this book. I don’t want to review this book. I want to TALK about this book...to everybody! But I can’t do that if you haven’t read the book, so I’ll have to stick to trying to review it...without spoilers. Here goes….
I’ll start with the negatives. First, the cover doesn’t do much for me. It isn’t a terrible cover, but had the book just been sitting on a shelf in a bookstore, I probably would not have given it a second glance. Next the book is l-o-n-g. This is not a bad thing, especially once you are into the story, because you really won’t want it to end. But it does take awhile for the story to click. For me it took about 60 pages wondering why I agreed to review the book. And third, there is a severe case of book hangover at the end. It’s been three days and I am still hungover. I don’t want to pick up another book; I want to live in this one a little while longer. And I miss Johnny Rainbow!
Now, what can I tell you good about the book — what can I tell you without giving something important away? First, I love the descriptions of the travels through Eastern Europe and the history involved. I also love the storyline and how it develops. Without giving a spoiler, I can tell you that in some ways I saw the ending coming, but I didn’t really think it could end as it did. So I guess I didn’t really see that coming! And third, I love Johnny Rainbow. He was so much fun to hang with as we traveled through Europe. I miss you Johnny Rainbow!
Really, that is all I can tell you about this book. Please, PLEASE read this book! And after you have, please come back here, or come to my Facebook page, so we can talk. I want to talk about this book!
This is definitely NOT a lone star read; I give it 5 stars!
About Paullina Simons
Paullina Simons is an internationally bestselling author whose novels include Bellagrand and The Bronze Horseman. She was born in Leningrad in 1963. As a child she immigrated to Queens, New York, and attended colleges in Long Island. Then she moved to England and attended Essex University, before returning to America. She lives in New York with her husband and children.
Find out more about Paullina at her website, follow her on Twitter, and connect with her on Facebook.
My Rating: ★★★★★ 5 Stars
This book review is included in a tour by TLC Book Tours. I was provided a copy for review purposes.
Paullina’s Tour Stops
Tuesday, November 24th: Raven Haired Girl
Monday, November 30th: Time 2 Read
Tuesday, December 1st: I’m Shelf-ish
Wednesday, December 2nd: Books and Bindings
Thursday, December 3rd: Book Loving Hippo
Monday, December 7th: Curling Up by the Fire
Wednesday, December 9th: Back Porchervations
Thursday, December 10th: Ms. Nose in a Book
Tuesday, December 15th: Svetlana’s Reads and Views
Wednesday, December 16th: Sharon’s Garden of Book Reviews
Thursday, December 17th: Many Hats
TBD: Books Like Breathing
Oh, I'll be adding this one to my wishlist. This one sounds like one I would really enjoy.
ReplyDeleteI hope that you find some people to discuss this book with - I love that feeling of excitement when I've read something so fantastic and just HAVE to discuss it!
ReplyDeleteThanks for being a part of the tour.
The characters are still in my head. I had trouble catching my breath near the end - it gutted me. Like you, I had a hard time leaving it and starting the next book - I still miss Johnny too ;(
ReplyDelete