Book Review: The Violets of March by Sarah Jio

9724798 Title: The Violets of March

Author:  Sarah Jio (Author Website)

Publisher: Plume (April 26, 2011)

ISBN 10: 0452297036

Pages: 304 pages

Format:  Paperback – from public Library.

About the Book:   A LIBRARY JOURNAL BEST BOOK OF 2011

A heartbroken woman stumbled upon a diary and steps into the life of its anonymous author.

In her twenties, Emily Wilson was on top of the world: she had a bestselling novel, a husband plucked from the pages of GQ, and a one-way ticket to happily ever after.

Ten years later, the tide has turned on Emily’s good fortune. So when her great-aunt Bee invites her to spend the month of March on Bainbridge Island in Washington State, Emily accepts, longing to be healed by the sea. Researching her next book, Emily discovers a red velvet diary, dated 1943, whose contents reveal startling connections to her own life.

A mesmerizing debut with an idyllic setting and intriguing dual story line, The Violets of March announces Sarah Jio as a writer to watch.

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Pictures of Bainbridge Island

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Setting: Bainbridge Island in Washington State – Puget Sound

About the Author

sarah-profile-pic-jan-new-400x266 Sarah Jio is a Seattle-based magazine writer and novelist. Her novels include THE VIOLETS OF MARCH (a Library Journal Best Book of 2011), THE BUNGALOW, and the forthcoming, BLACKBERRY WINTER (Penguin/Plume). Sarah is also the health and fitness blogger for Glamour.com. She has written hundreds of articles for national magazines including Redbook, O, The Oprah Magazine, Glamour, SELF, Real Simple, Fitness, Marie Claire, Hallmark magazine, and many others. She has also appeared as a commentator on NPR’s Morning Edition. Sarah lives in Seattle with her husband and their three young boys

Related Media:  Violets of March – Book Trailer – I just love book trailers!!!

My Review:  Violets of March is book that was on my reserve list at the library, most likely because I read an interesting review.  Violets of March is a romance and mystery that is set in present day and the 1940’s through a diary discovered by Emily in her great aunt’s home.  The flow between the present and past is very smooth.   I was very intrigued by the diary and the story it held.  Some parts of the story, were just a bit too convenient, but if you could look past that and enjoy the story without over thinking it, it was a very pleasant, engaging read. 

My favorite character was Aunt Bee, she was quirky without being over the top.  But actually I found the island itself to be a best character in the story.  I loved the essence of the island and the peacefulness of life there.  The island maintained an air of mystery itself, including the presence of the Violets.  The feeling of the island reminds me of the wonderful relaxing feeling I experience during my times up in north in Duluth, MN on Lake Superior. 

As I got further into the the story, I found Violets of March to be a real page turner.  I neglected all I was suppose to do around the house to finish the book.  I did not find the ending completely satisfying.  I wanted to know more about the characters from the diary and their motives, especially Elliot and Esther. 

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I plan on checking out the next book by Sarah Jio, the Bungalow. 

My Rating: 4- really liked it – I did get caught up in the story towards the end and just had to finish it!   Good thing hubby was out of town as I didn’t get any of my household chores done and my youngest son stayed up way too late because Mom was caught up in the book.  My son didn’t seem to mind! Violets of March is a good, light Summer read that I would recommend to a friend!

My Rating Scale: 1 – didn’t like it; 2 – it was ok; 3 – liked it; 4 – really liked it; 5 – it was amazing

Other Bloggers Reviews :

The Well – Read Wife

BookNRound

Amy’s Book Obsession

Sharon’s Garden of Book Reviews

Happy Reading!


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