Acclaimed novelist Anne Rivers Siddons's new novel is a stunning tale of love and loss.
For as long as she can remember, they were Cam and Lilly--happily married, totally in love with each other, parents of a beautiful family, and partners in life. Then, after decades of marriage, it ended as every great love story does...in loss. After Cam's death, Lilly takes a lone road trip to her and Cam's favorite spot on the remote coast of Maine, the place where they fell in love over and over again, where their ghosts still dance. There, she looks hard to her past--to a first love that ended in tragedy; to falling in love with Cam; to a marriage filled with exuberance, sheer life, and safety-- to try to figure out her future.
It is a journey begun with tender memories and culminating in a revelation that will make Lilly re-evaluate everything she thought was true about her husband and her marriage.
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"This book is gorgeously written - it reads like poetry and paints a fabulous picture of a woman and her feelings. The only downside is it's not a particularly happy book. Tears came more than a few times and you're left wondering whether her life was happy or not. Odd, but good. "
— Mary-Frances (4 out of 5 stars)
“I've always enjoyed Anne Rivers Siddons’ books, but this is her best, maybe the book she was born to write…The story of Lilly and Jon is one of the best stories of adolescent love—its fierceness and sweetness—that I've ever read.”
— Stephen King“In her beautifully crafted and dazzling new novel Off Season, Ms. Siddons delivers the goods more powerfully than ever. All her books are terriffic, but this one is the best yet.”
— Pat Conroy“In Siddons’ stirring novel, the recently widowed Lily Constable returns to her childhood summer home in Maine to sift through formative memories of her parents and her first love…This is an example of how a good novel can become magnificent when it is beautifully told.”
— Publishers Weekly (starred review)“With a powerhouse ending dazzling in its stealth and ambiguity, master storyteller Siddons delivers a dramatically evocative tale that magically summons a bygone time of innocence and intrigue.”
— Booklist“Her descriptions will have listeners hearing the birds and smelling the ocean.”
— Library JournalMix the lyricism of Siddons's prose; the intense, yet restrained voice of Oscar-winning actress Jane Alexander; and the mysteries of the untamed Maine coastline -and you have the makings of a magical voyage....
— AudioFile" Anne Rivers Siddons is a favorite of mine. I've read almost all of her books. They may not fall under the category of "literary" or "challenging," but they are always a pleasure to read. This one is no different. Unlike most of her novels, which take place in the South, this one takes place in Maine, as a widow struggles to come to terms with her husband's recent death - and her own past in the process. The book is well-paced, with a few surprises thrown in. Another great travel or beach read that will give you a few hours of escape. "
— Laura, 2/19/2014" southern writer. But most of this book took place in Maine and I am very familiar with all the places she wrote about. Started out great. Bit boring in the middle but, I did enjoy the ending. "
— Linda, 2/18/2014" I enjoyed the characters in this book and the story was interesting until towards the end. I wasn't anxious to read the last 10-12 pages. You could imagine the scenery in both DC and in Maine - the descriptions were excellent, but sometimes too long. "
— Sandra, 2/16/2014" This is a great book, my first, by this author. The story set in Maine is full of 3 dimensional characters and surprises. "
— Lynne, 2/7/2014" Great expolorations of loss and the effects later in life when grief is not dealt with. "
— Sherry, 2/1/2014" Lilly is a character to love. She is the leader of the kids who spend their summers in Maine. Leading bike rides, adventures and sailing. Her world changes the summer she meets Jon and with the arrival of Peaches Davenport. Tragedy happens and Lilly is left to fugure out how to live life without some important people in her life. Cam comes full force into her life, marries Lilly and they raise a family. Tragedy again comes into Lilly's life and she is shocked at what she learns about her husband and the secret he had kept from her. "
— Laura, 1/31/2014" I enjoyed this book and have come to the conclusion I have a secret want to go to Maine and live in a community that has been there forever. It must be on the water and I have to live in an old, old family home!! I thought the writing was good and I enjoyed the characters. "
— Sarah, 1/30/2014" it was good, "
— Amber, 1/19/2014" This may be my favorite of Ann Rivers Siddons. I also loved Outer Banks and the Colony.... "
— Katie, 1/19/2014" I couldn't get into it. The writing style is not for me--overly detailed. I quit at page 20. "
— Dawn, 12/20/2013" Great book, I couldn't put it down. "
— Linda, 12/19/2013" Once I got thru the first few pages, this book really picked up! I laughed, I smiled, I cried.. just an overall good book that I didn't want to end! "
— Kimberly, 12/18/2013" I enjoyed reading her other books; so, why not! "
— Pam, 10/20/2013" Really enjoyed the book until the end. I was really left hanging. "
— Rachel, 9/27/2013" New to this author, I really got into her writing. Be prepared for a stab to the heart at the end. SPOILER ALERT!! I hate love stories with infidelity. HATE them. "
— Elissa, 4/28/2013" 1-26-09. Good book. Enjoyed reading it. I guess I liked it more than I anticipated because I got attached to the characters and was really upset by the end of the book! "
— Shay, 2/22/2013" Pointless book "
— Darcy, 11/10/2012" This book is gorgeously written - it reads like poetry and paints a fabulous picture of a woman and her feelings. The only downside is it's not a particularly happy book. Tears came more than a few times and you're left wondering whether her life was happy or not. Odd, but good. "
— Mary-Frances, 10/14/2012" I liked the book until the end. That I didn't get at all but poor endings happen a lot I think. The book goes along really well and then the author can't figure out how to end it and the story goes off the rails. Maybe I'll reread the last 2 chapters and see if it's better the second time. "
— Carol, 6/14/2012" Loved this book... a wonderful story about the power of true love... "
— Jennifer, 6/10/2012" oh man. this book just went on and on. and the ending was just downright silly. it wasn't BAD, but it wasn't GOOD either... "
— Cathy, 4/16/2012" For my taste, this book had too much sadness. Especially the ending. It did't make sense to me. That is why I only gave it two-stars. "
— Janice, 4/12/2012" I really enjoyed this book until the ending, which was horrible! "
— Megan, 4/4/2012" Not my favorite. To me there were a lot of similarities in setting and characters to earlier books, i.e. beach/water/ospreys/white blond hair/flame red hair/adultery. I was looking forward to something totally new and fresh in this book, but just got a re-run of sorts. "
— Dawn, 2/28/2012" Although this book is somewhat sad. I really enjoyed it. It made me want to live in Maine or at least visit. "
— Gaurett, 10/16/2011" Good escapist fiction; I usually enjoy her books. But about halfway through well-developed characters did some strange things. "
— Nancy, 10/3/2011" Good summer read. About first love, secrets, marriage and all that good stuff. Not terribly "deep" but a good read "
— Paulette, 7/30/2011" Started off extremely slow, but I stayed with it because my sister recommended it. It was a good read, but the ending was a bit strange. "
— CC, 6/25/2011" I just loved this book from cover to cover. ARS is one of<br/>my favorite authors. savored the last 50 or so pages<br/>because i didn't want it to end. "
— Pam, 6/23/2011" Depressing, but beautiful description of Maine. "
— Allison, 6/21/2011" This was an excellent book...until the last chapter! I was so angry at the author and the characters that every time I think of this book I get annoyed. I'd recommend it and if you read it let me know what your reaction was. "
— Jenn, 6/14/2011" got to the second chapter and lost all interest. The story line became <br/>very strange and outlandish. Got too many books to read to waste my time on <br/>uninteresting byline. <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> "
— Rebecca, 6/10/2011" I really enjoyed this book. I became very attached to the main character and loved how the author followed her life. However, I wasn't happy with the ending. It was a bit of a twist, but it saddened me. Don't want to give too much away. "
— Angierob19, 6/5/2011" This was a good story about flawed characters, love, and hate. I was mad when it was finished and I won't tell you why, but the story kept me turning the pages. I loved the main character, Lilly. "
— B.d., 5/25/2011" READ MANY OF ANNE RIVERS SIDDONS BOOKS, ALTHOUGH THIS STORY TAKES PLACE IN MAINE, IT WAS NOT MY FAVORITE STORY LINE, "
— Terri, 5/14/2011" Just a beautifully told story you can dive right into and delight as Lilly gives you a very private and honest look at her life as she reflects upon it after the death of her husband. I totally enjoyed every page and the ending was the best! "
— M-J, 5/9/2011" I listened to this book as I drove to and from the beach. I liked learning about the coast of Maine. I didn't care for the book, but it may be because of the voice of the reader. Or maybe the book really is tookie. "
— Mary, 5/5/2011" Good book, waxed a little poetical for me in descriptions and emotional states, but still enjoyed it. "
— Judith, 5/5/2011Anne 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.
Jane Alexander‘s acting career has encompassed a Tony® Award, and six other nominations; she is a four time Oscar® nominee; the author of Command Performance, documenting her tenure as chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts from 1993-1997; and she is Commissioner of Parks, the Taconic Region, for New York State.