Caroline Venable has everything her Southern heritage promised: money, prestige, a rich husband. If she drinks a little too much and her 20-year marriage to successful land developer, Clay, seems a little empty, well, she's doing what she was born to do: be the chatelaine of a magnificent home and hostess to her husband's friends and prospective clients.
Her numbing routine of country-club luncheons, cocktail parties, and increasing isolation is interrupted, however, when Caro finds out that her tycoon husband plans to build a resort on a beautiful untouched island in South Carolina's low country. The island is a quiet haven, rich in lowcountry history and meaningful memories from Caro's youth. But most important to her, his plans will mean the devastation of a band of wild ponies that roam freely across the island. Spurred to action and inspired with new purpose, Caro must confront the life she has been leading and reach deep within herself to save this special place out of her past and, ultimately, make a meaningful life for herself.
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"I picked up this book because it is about a woman named Caroline, called Caro, and my name is Carolyn and sometimes my friends call me Caro. Also, it is set on an island off the southeastern coastline, and much of the description reminds me of St. Simons Island, off the coast of GA, where my grandmother lives and where I have visited since I was little. At first I thought the descriptions were a bit much, but the more I read the more I really got into the book and liked it."
— Carolyn (4 out of 5 stars)
“Anne Rivers Siddons’ novels are women’s stories in the best sense, pulling you into the internal landscape of her characters’ lives and holding you there.”
— People“Lush, lyrical.”
— Boston Globe“An Anne Rivers Siddons novel is as seductive as one of those upscale home-design magazines…The descriptions of the island, sea and sky are near perfect.”
— New York Daily News“A skillful storyteller…Siddons does what she does best and delivers king-sized conflict in hypnotic surroundings.”
— Atlanta Journal-Constitution“Compelling…A book that surpasses her more recent novels…Siddons is a pro at capturing the humanity in her characters.”
— Austin American-Statesman“Delicate, compelling, full of real feeling and lush description. A treat.”
— Kirkus Reviews" This is my all time favorite book, read by Christine McMurdo-Wallis "
— Sofeysue, 10/18/2017" I love the way Siddons can describe things - she can make them come to life. Caro, the heroine, was too mystical for me to identify with her. It made me not love the book, despite the good descriptions. "
— Lorie, 2/17/2014" Another great read by Anne Rivers. "
— Colleen, 2/10/2014" I have just discovered this author and I am enjoying reading the books. Really enjoying the ones related to the local area. "
— Tammy, 2/7/2014" Enjoyed the book, it did take me a while to really get into the story. "
— DobermanMomma, 2/6/2014" again an old one but quick read "
— Ashlee, 1/21/2014" LOVED IT! Made me cry. "
— Annette, 1/5/2014" This is a wonderful story spun around the issue of development encroaching on natural areas and peoples. The main character deals with this on top of her personal struggles with love, loss, betrayal and artistic drive. (BOT) "
— Patty, 1/5/2014" Siddons is very much like Pat Conroy. I loved it, and will definitely read more of her. "
— Les, 12/13/2013" I like her writing style, and found the main character compelling, but the last third of the book seemed implausible and a bit over the top. I didn't buy the whole "Luis" character. "
— Melissa, 12/13/2013" A so-so read. I found it a bit dragging in places. Most characters were predictable. There was nothing much memorable. Usually I love 'southern living'- but these characters were quite boring, selfish and self-absorbed. "
— Smitha, 12/9/2013" Beautiful, descriptive prose and a moving story about family, roots, and the long-term impact of grief and loss. I loved it and plan to read more books by this author. "
— Judy, 12/8/2013" "Enjoyable light read, a woman struggles to keep her SC island pure and untainted by progress and development, even though that is difficult for her husband. Really takes you into the low country." "
— Becca, 10/30/2013" Incredibly lush with descriptions...a hard slog till about the 4th chapter and then it gets a bit easier to read. Lots of regional words that I had to stop and look up. Not a book I would recommend. Not sure I'd want to read any others by this author cause it went so slow. "
— Sally, 9/27/2013" I love the low country and was looking for a book I could get lost in. I did really like this. It reminded me of Rosamund Pilcher books, only set in the South. "
— Susan, 8/6/2013" A little too pat, too romantic for my taste "
— Barbara, 7/18/2013" I listened to the unabridged version and it was nice audio for a car trip. "
— Pam, 7/16/2013" I liked it more than I thought I would, but I still feel like it was missing closure with characters that were built during the journey. It's a good beach read! "
— Liza, 4/29/2013" A little more depth than what I expected. "
— Painter9300, 12/7/2012" Thoroughly developed characters. Touches the heart and reflects the spirit of the Low Country "
— Deborah, 11/15/2012" Going to S. Carolina for spring break so decided to re-read this one....Siddons is one of my favorite authors for her stunning descriptions of the world around her. Enjoyed it just as much as the first time! "
— Cindy, 9/13/2012" A great story - had to skip around the periodic foul language - but overall a good read! "
— Tia, 3/19/2012" A nice read. People who read Siddons and like her will find this satisfying. Caro and her hubby have it all except when he decides to develop her island, they have to reevaluate their marriage. I like what I learned of the Gula people. "
— Kelly, 1/31/2012" This is a beautiful romance/woman's fiction novel that deals with an island, its people and its horses. Very touching and moving about a family and how one family struggles to keep the island intact and not changes. This was a tearjerker in some ways. "
— Kristen, 8/20/2011" Easy reading with good characterization. I like Siddons' style because I feel transported to the about which she writes. "
— Leanne, 8/18/2011" South Carolina, through and through. "
— Doris, 6/1/2011" Much better than I expected. Likable characters. Author took the easy way out by killing off one of the protagonists in the end... "
— Andrea, 5/23/2011" The reader was great, but the book was slow-moving schlock. "
— Inger, 5/21/2011" Good story. I enjoy her books. "
— Butterfly181964, 12/9/2010" This was a character driven story but I love people and this book makes you fall in love with the heroine and the Low Country she lives in. "
— Shawne, 9/18/2010" A so-so read. I found it a bit dragging in places. Most characters were predictable. There was nothing much memorable. Usually I love 'southern living'- but these characters were quite boring, selfish and self-absorbed. "
— Smitha, 8/20/2010" Beautiful, descriptive prose and a moving story about family, roots, and the long-term impact of grief and loss. I loved it and plan to read more books by this author. "
— Judy, 7/20/2010" I like her writing style, and found the main character compelling, but the last third of the book seemed implausible and a bit over the top. I didn't buy the whole "Luis" character. "
— Melissa, 1/5/2010" I started reading this book twice and i couldn't do it.It was boring and slow and not interesting at all.Maybe i will try again some other time i might like it then who knows. "
— Stela, 1/2/2010" Siddons is very much like Pat Conroy. I loved it, and will definitely read more of her. "
— Les, 10/27/2009" I always like Siddons, some more than others, but I like the way she develops her characters, and her psychological insights into what molds and drives them. "
— Sue, 8/20/2009" a beautifully written book. based in a fictional resort in South Carolina, Carol must fight to save her beloved island from her developer husband. "
— Kimberlyn, 8/12/2009Anne Rivers Siddons (1936–2019) wrote nineteen novels, including several New York Times bestsellers, as well as a work of nonficton and two movie scripts. Her novels received praise from Stephen King and Pat Conroy. Her debut novel, Heartbreak Hotel, was made into a major motion picture in 1989 titled Heart of Dixie. Her novel The House Next Door was made into a made-for-television movie that aired in 2006 on Lifetime Television.
Anne Rivers Siddons is a New York Times bestselling author who she has written works such as Sweetwater Creek, Islands, Nora Nora, Low Country, Up Island, Fault Lines, Downtown, Hill Towns, Colony, Outer Banks, King’s Oak, Peachtree Road, Homeplace, Fox’s Earth, and Heartbreak Hotel. Her novel The House Next Door was made into a made-for-television movie starring Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Colin Ferguson, and Lara Flynn Boyle. She and her husband, Heyward, split their time between their homes in South Carolina and Maine.