I really liked this author and this book did not disappoint, it was an appropriately paced, page-turner that will have me hooked throughout the story.

This book kept me turning the pages and had an interesting and pacy premise, but I didn't connect or like any of the characters, which kept me from enjoying or recommending it.

I liked Hannah and really felt for her situation. Caring for a mother who she never really felt a true connection with. I understood her need to hunt for answers about her birth and liked being along on her journey. It was a little spooky at some points and it left you wanting answers. Good story, interesting concept.

Great story concept but was slow to start. I had trouble staying interested. Just as the story began getting interesting it fell flat.

"At forty-five, Hannah Smith is at a crossroads. That’s her spin on it. The reality is she’s divorced, jobless, and moving back to her family home in Iowa to keep an eye on her mother, who’s slipping into dementia. Her return stirs up the same unnerving sense of disconnect Hannah has felt since childhood—always the odd girl out, the loner outshone by her two older sisters. Hannah knew the feelings of hurt would come back. But she never expected fear. Because when her mother looks into her eyes and whispers, “You’re not my daughter,” Hannah is beginning to believe it’s not just the rambling of a confused woman.

It’s the truth.

Now Hannah’s following the trail of a family mystery to the dark coast of Big Sur, where years ago a lie was born—and buried. As frightened as she is to unearth it, Hannah knows this is the last chance she has before her past—and all its terrible secrets—are lost forever."

Sounds a little like Big Little Lies, so I'm in.

This book is many things. It is sad and heartbreaking. It is thought-provoking. And unexpectedly, it is fun. Hannah is a fun character to follow, and an unusual one. Going through a divorce and a turbulent time in her life, she is unpredictable and at a bit of a loose end. It's an original story with some surprising twists, and I really enjoyed it. A great exploration of family ties, loyalty, and plenty of secrets.

It is Hannah's turn. Her turn to sit with her mother, read to her, talk to her, desperately try to get her to have conversations like they used to. Leaving behind her life in Chicago for the slow Iowa life where everyone knows your whole family. It is not something she particularly enjoys, made worse by the fact that sometimes, her mother doesn't seem to want her there. Her mother tells her that she isn't her daughter. Though everyone assures Hannah it is only because her brain is affected by the dementia, it stings. But not nearly as much as when she finds out it's the truth, thanks to a simple and previously unknown disparity in their blood types.

Hannah never felt like she fit in with her family. At 45, she never had children or focused on family life... she basically let herself be talked into marriage. She's going through a divorce. Her sisters have happy families, and were always closer with each other than with Hannah. Hannah had only her father, who died years ago. When she learns there's actually a reason why she felt like a bit of an outsider in her family, she feels a pull to return to California, where they're from. By returning to where she was born and trying to find people who were around back then, perhaps she will be able to find her real mother... and who she is supposed to be, herself.

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read/review this book! I did not enjoy this one as much as Evelyn, After, but it was still an enjoyable read.

This book was a big disappointment for me. I did not finish it and I always finish a book. Even bad ones. It just did not hold my attention.

As part of the NetGalley community, I often have an opportunity to read books before they are released to the public.  Since I'm always open to authors I wouldn't ordinarily be familiar with, I was excited to read the subject of today's post, Half Past by Victoria Helen Stone.

I didn't know what to expect from this book, but based on the description I was looking forward to the book. I was very pleasantly surprised to find that I couldn't even put my Kindle down once I started reading, and I ended up being glued to the story and reading the book from start to finish on one airplane ride from Florida to California!

Right at the beginning I will admit that this book is a bit difficult to provide a review without spoilers because there are so many "secrets" and twists in the plot. 

Hannah Smith is a very real and complex character.  Although her mother has dementia and doesn't remember Hannah, she shows up at the nursing home every day to take care of and visit her mother. She is the youngest of three daughters but her mother doesn't remember her at times.  Hannah's sisters want her to continue taking care of their mother, but Hannah is tired of being "the one" and decides to run off to Big Sur, California when she learns that she was actually adopted.

Hannah slowly puts together the story - a puzzle put together little by little and piece by piece - and it leads to shocking and overwhelming finds that Hannah decides to keep from her sisters once all has been discovered in the end. Hannah comes to accept and realize that everyone has their own burdens in life and that it is how each person deals with them that actually matters.  

Half Past is a fast paced story that gives us moments of calmness. Hannah is a wonderfully complex but very real character and the story is a twisting one that keeps readers thoroughly engaged throughout.  The author has written an honest and moving novel that provides readers with very believable characters with human imperfections with raw emotions.

I later learned that the author, Victoria Helen Stone is actually a romance novelist by the name of Victoria Dahl, when I read the "about the author" at the end of the book. I haven't read anything by either of her names, but I have to say the book was very interesting and I'm surprised she has published more than 25 romance novels.  

Thank you to Netgalley for providing a digital copy of Half Past by Victoria Helen Stone for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Everything about Half Past was just ok. The characters weren't the type to stick out in my mind amongst the thousands of characters I love, nor was the story anything that great. It wasn't terrible, but I just don't feel like it was that interesting or memorable.

What happens if you wake up one day and discover that you are not who you think you are? This is what happens to Hannah Smith and the story “Half Past” follows her on a very unexpected journey. Hannah has recently taken over, from her older sisters, the role of caregiver for their mother who is suffering from dementia. When she questions the results of a simple blood test on her mother’s medical records her world is turned upside down. Hannah discovers that the woman who raised her is not her biological mother. With her father dead and her mother rarely having lucid moments, it’s up to Hannah to discover for herself how she came to be Hannah Smith. Her journey takes her to California where she discovers her twisted history and herself.

This book has all of my favorite things. A main character who is complicated and not always very charming. I setting in the redwoods of California and beautiful descriptions of the location. A mystery that does not have an obvious solution. Hippies and communes, and a personal psychological journey. The result is that I devoured this story. In my book, this is a hit and I highly recommend it.

Thank you to Netgalley, Victoria Helen Stone and Lake Union Publishing for giving me a copy of this book.

I loved reading Victoria's first book "Evelyn, After" so I thought that I would like this one just as much or more. I loved this one (even though it took me a while to get through)

All I can say is that I am a fan of Victoria's book and I look forward to reading her next one. I highly recommend this book, it's very heart warming, sad in places but also a page turner.

As someone who watched a loved one move from dementia into Alzheimer's, and who has always been the black sheep of the family, I found it really easy to identify with Hannah, and her quest for the truth while struggling with her obligations to her mother. Although the story may feel heartbreaking at first, the mystery will quickly sweep you up in its embrace and carry you off. Who is Hannah really? Will she be able to uncover the truth as her mother slips farther away?

I raced through this book. If you like domestic thrillers, you will enjoy this novel.

I picked up this book although it was out of my romance wheelhouse, due to the author. I’ve always wanted to read something by Victoria Dahl, but none of her recent releases have appealed to me. However, I was captivated by the blurb of this book. There seemed to be a mystery that was compounded by the difficulty of family relationships...so, I picked this book up. I am so glad I read Half Past! I was captivated from the very first sentence and didn't’ put this book down, reading the entire thing in less than a day.

There is something so relatable with this heroine. Hannah has always felt a little bit like an outsider in her family, so when she learns that the woman who raised her isn’t actually her birth Mother, so goes on a quest to find answers. Along the way, she learns some unsettling facts about her family, but she also learns a whole lot about herself.

Stone’s descriptions of Iowa, San Francisco, and Big Sur were captivating. It was easy to picture Hannah driving through the corn fields or along the coast searching for her story. Overall, I did find Stone’s prose a bit wordy and I skimmed at some points, but the actual meat of this story was truly excellent. 4 stars for Half Past!

Half Past

I Picked Up This Book Because: The last Victoria Helen Stone book I read wrecked me in all the best ways.

The Characters:

Hannah Smith:

The Story:

I am sad to report this book did not have the same results. While well written it left me feeling blah overall. I realize now more than ever I need my characters to interact with other characters. Hannah spent a lot of time in her head. It doesn’t work for me. Once we got deep into the plot and there were other people to hash out details with I started to enjoy the story more. I didn’t agree with a lot of Hannah’s actions. I think there was much more she could have done before she flew halfway across the country but in the end I see how that does not serve the plot well. I enjoyed the mystery and the unraveling. I don’t even know what I would do if I were to find out one of my parents is not my parent. I don’t think it’s a thing you can decide on if you aren’t in that position.

Writing: Good.
Forward Motion: Great pacing. It felt natural
Overall Interest: It wavered during a lot of the beginning of the book
Length of Reading Time: Fair
Re-read-ability: No.

The Random Thoughts:

Oh and Hannah’s sisters really made me mad. I’m glad she was able to overcome though.


The Score Card:

description

3 Stars

I'm giving this 4 stars, which I'm surprised by because it took me a while to get into the story, but once it got rolling I enjoyed it. The part that I enjoyed most was when Hannah was in Big Sur. I'm from northern California so reading about a "Jesus freak" commune that took place deep in the redwoods was fascinating. I'm curious to know if the author got the idea based on real events? Nevertheless, I felt the author did a great job in creating a secluded, woodsy yet coastal atmosphere that transported me to the last time I drove through Big Sur. I could practicality smell the trees through the pages.

Another part of the book that had me turning the pages was the romance between Hannah and Gabriel. It was a pleasant surprise because I didn't anticipate there being a love story and being the romantic that I am I was thrilled. The chemistry between them felt realistic. Lately I've been reading too many farfetched, or completely eye-roll worthy insta-attractions/insta-loves, that it's made me sick. The connection between Gabriel and Hannah, however, felt natural and easy. I believed in their attraction without it being forced down my throat. The outcome between the two of them feel realistic as well. The romantic in me really wanted them to work out. I wanted so badly for Hannah to return to Big Sur and start a new life with Gabriel... or at least another roll in the hay! Lol

As far as the ending goes, I guessed early on that Hannah's mother would reveal the truth at the very end. So that part didn't surprise me, but what did surprise me was Hannah's reaction. I'm not so sure if I would react the same way. First she finds out that her birth mother is dead so there's absolutely no way of finding out important answers like family health history and then she finds out that her birth mother could have lived if her mother hadn't killed her.... I would've felt all sorts of betrayal and anger! I also disliked her ex husband in the end too. While they parted amicably, I thought he was quite the... excuse my language... dick, for wanting half of her severance pay and her 401k, but I guess that's how divorces work and i hope to God I don't have to go through one cause I'll probably turn into divorcezilla.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was slow paced but not at all in a bad way. I never felt that it dragged despite the beginning feeling a little slow for me. I would recommend this to my best friend who would appreciate the story, especially the Big Sur part.

4.5 stars
Half Past is a story of resilience and hope, of finding oneself during a midlife crisis, and coming out on the other side ever stronger.

Hannah was able to carry Half Past on her own, even if she needed other people in her quest for the truth, she was self-sufficient, and stronger than she thought.

I wanted to read this book because I am becoming a foster parent and wanted insight into how people feel. The plot is the main character doesn't find out until she was adult that she is not biological related to her parents. The conflict is about your sense of identity, and I didn't the storyline was very engaging.

“Half Past” by Victoria Helen Stone

Three daughters who are taking turns sitting with the mother at a memory care center. Two the woman still recognizes. The other is told “you are not my daughter!” Not once, not twice but several times. Blood tests confirm this to be true.

So begins Hannah’s journey to Big Sur to find her mother. What she slowly puts together piece by piece is shocking and hard to take in. It is not a version of her family she would ever have believed had she not had the verbal and written proof. It was a past that not even she ever guessed.

With strong, relatable, deep, and flawed characters, Victoria Helen Stone, has written a novel that is realistic, honest, strong, at times raw, and always moving.

The novel is fast paced, yet has its moments of calmness where one is able to learn more about the characters and the storyline. It is a twisting turning novel that has straight paths...but very short ones. It is a puzzle put together little by little and piece by piece that leads to shocking and overwhelming finds that, in the end, Hannah decides to keep from her sisters. She has come to realize everyone has their burdens. It is how they carry them that matters. And for now, that was enough. She would sit with them and accept them and move forward with a life she chooses to live and a self she chooses to be. Right now that is sitting with her mother.

A moving, enthralling, deep and exhilarating novel...one with a bit of something for everyone.

Rating: 4.8
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

** I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this novel. All thoughts and opinions are my own.