Map of the Heart
Fiction
William Morrow
August 8, 2017
Hardcover
320
Free copy from publisher
An accomplished photographer, widow, and mother, Camille Palmer is content with the blessings she’s enjoyed. When her ageing father asks her to go with him to his native France, she has no idea that shes embarking on an adventure that will shake her complacency and utterly transform her.
Returning to the place of his youth sparks unexpected memories—recollections that will lead Camille, her father, and her daughter, Julie, who has accompanied them, back to the dark, terrifying days of the Second World War, where they will uncover their family’s surprising history.
While Provence offers answers about her family’s past, it also holds the key to Camille’s future. Along the way, Camille meets a handsome American historian who stirs a passion deep within her she thought she’d never experience again.
My review:
I had a love/hate relationship with this book. There was some great plot material to enjoy, and made me want to delve in further. I'm going to talk about that first, and leave my semi-rant for later 🙂 I really enjoyed the mystery of Henry's past, which takes the characters to France to explore what happened to his family in the midst of World War II. It was riveting to see things unfold, mostly through the aid of old family photographs. I also really liked the sub plot involving the teenage daughter of the main protagonist. It was lovely to see the transformation of this girl, from body image self loathing, to being comfortable in her own skin. I thought she was well written and was really rooting for her. I was very satisfied, and loved the endings for both Julie and Henry. Where things fell apart for me was the obligatory romance. I could see it coming within the first twenty pages. Man and woman meet and instantly dislike each other, but then can't stop thinking about each other, then end up having to work together, yada yada yada, YAWN! I'm not really a fan of romances in books, but if there has to be one, please let it happen naturally and not have me know what is going to happen before I've gotten twenty pages in. Phew, rant over 🙂
If you are a fan of romance books, I think this book will definitely fit the bill. It is well written, with characters to root for, and a mystery on the side. I found myself rolling my eyes over the romance, but I thoroughly enjoyed the other aspects. If you like a predictable romance along with some great sub plots, by all means read this one.
I have this ordered and on its way to me. Generally I like Wiggs and probably like more romance than yourself. Will be interested to see how I find it.
If you don't mind the romance aspect, then I'm sure you will enjoy this one. It has a lot to offer, I just couldn't get past that part. It's me, not the book.