I was really looking forward to The Cliffs, but I am sad to say I really struggled through this book. I loved the main story about Jane, a historian at Harvard suffering from alcoholism, the loss of her mother, and in danger of losing her husband, friend, and the job of her dreams. Through Jane the reader is introduced to a haunted house, medium, boy who sees a ghost, and an entitled mom. I would have loved for more of the book to focus on this story line.

Unfortunately, the author strays from the main story to teach the reader about the mistreatment of Indians, the Indigenous people, and the Shakers to name a few. It just did not flow for me and seemed very choppy. The chapters were also extremely long.

Thank you, NetGalley and Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor, for the digital ARC. All thoughts and opinions expressed above are my own.

In the world of thrillers and viral hits, THE CLIFFS is not that book. It's a slow burner that takes its time to delve into its characters and their history, looking deep into the people associated with one particular home and the nearby area. You will not fly through its pages (though it's compelling) or have any big shocking twists (though there are certainly surprises), but if you keep with the story, you will be rewarded with a complex and rich narrative that spans centuries, connecting our characters in fascinating ways and exploring the complicated facets of how the past influences the present.

There are parts of THE CLIFFS that feel too long, as if a history lesson has lasted into another class period, and it can be hard to warm up to Jane, the main protagonist. The story is told from the point of view of various female characters, jumping around in time, but Jane gets the most screen time. They are all tied together by the house and land, but at times, I found myself wishing for more time with our characters older (in time period, not age) than Jane or other modern narratives. Jane's treatment of those around her--even with her alcoholism--was tough to stomach. A female-centric story that still focused so much on Jane pining for her estranged husband was difficult, as well.

There are so many interconnected stories here and the exploration of indigenous people and history is excellent. Sullivan does a great job of exploring motherhood and the idea if one can feel whole without being a mother. The themes of loss and grief run deeply in this story. While I wished there were a few more ghosts in this book (we get one early appearance!) and it felt long at times, it's beautifully written and a wonderful examination of legacies and the passing down of histories and secrets.

I am a big fan of J. Courtney Sullivan and I couldn't put this book down. Like another recent ARC I read, I didn't even mind being up with my toddler for a couple hours overnight because I was able to finish this book. J. Courtney Sullivan is a master of weaving story lines together. You often wonder how these pieces could possibly connect and then...they do! I really enjoyed the profiles of different women within the book too, and how that aligned with Jane's role of curating the lives of women. Overall, I thought it was a beautiful approach to telling untold stories.

All that said, it did feel a bit too robust in topics at times. We had alcoholism, dementia, repatriation, Indian Nation affairs, museum curation, family dynamics, motherhood, Shakers, mediums, rich people behaving badly, and more. While these stories were certainly woven together in the end, it would have been easy to get lost in many of these side plots. As noted above, I am assuming the intent of some of the more substantive histories was to align with Jane's personal interests but it often felt like a bit more of a life history than I necessarily needed to connect the dots. Regardless, this was a 4.5 star read for me.

Smith is one of my favorite novelists and I have enjoyed all of her previous books. This particular one has a wonderful sense of place and Maine is on my list to visit one day because of her amazingly descriptive writing on the state. Maine is probably my favorite of all her work to date. As for The Cliffs, this book is overwhelming! I honestly think there is content, plot and characters galore enough for several books. Sullivan schools us lots on state history and I personally enjoy asides into lessons while other readers may not like to be detoured from the plot. The author’s notes were very interesting to see where the inspiration for various elements and characters came from as well as all of the research materials used. Smith’s skills at developing characters are evident in the protagonist, Jane. There are a ton more voices and storylines but Jane is the link to it all. I felt a bit betrayed after getting close to this tortured soul. We get to follow her entire life from childhood along with her interactions and struggles with her mother and her other relationships. We meet and get familiar with her entire family including a do and a nephew. We experience the death of her mother, her grandmother’s secret past, her best friend and her family, her husband, work colleagues and then all the characters interspersed throughout this story. All of these people felt very real to me. After a deep dive into her struggle with alcohol (the reason she is home) the author seemed to drop her to return to Noami (who, to be honest, I had to think twice to recall. There are a lot of characters!) I do wish I had gotten to experience Jane’s last two years alongside her instead of the summary narrative the author ends with. It sounds like a wonderful ending if more detail had been forthcoming. Otherwise, a great read and I look forward to the next Maybe these characters can be revisited because honestly I did get to care about them and the sense of being dumped at the end is the reason for four stars! Thanks to the author, NetGalley and the publisher for the preview copy. Much enjoyed.

This book is a rich, complex dive into trauma and relationships and then added the history of the Native Americans of the Maine coast. It weaves the stories of multiple generations of women who have lived over time in a house. Jane the central character binds them all together as the historian trying to piece their histories together in a form of a “ghost story” but it’s more of a historical fiction come to life in trying to figure out the history of the house and honoring the history of who lived there. Through researching the history of the history and its previous inhabitants we learn about Jane’s history and trauma and how everyone is all connected. It is a beautiful story in the end about forgiveness and healing.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Cliffs. The novel flows smoothly. Shortly after starting my reading I felt such an urge to visit Maine. The author does such a good job describing the setting. I enjoyed seeing the main character grow from childhood to adolescents and later adulthood. I studied women's literature in college and felt a connection to the themes in this novel. I loved learning history throughout the book. Maine holds onto so much history in the land and homes, traditions and culture. I feel the author did a great job showing this aspect.

I normally love J. Courtney Sullivan books but I felt like this was trying to be too many different books in one. If it had been split up into three different books I might have enjoyed it better. I think my favorite parts were of Jane. I honestly would have loved a book just on her story. Overall the book was okay I just felt like there was too much going on for me to really enjoy it.

Sometimes life finds us standing over its cliffs revisiting our past while contemplating what's ahead. As a teenager, Jane wanted to leave her family and past behind. Receiving scholarships, she climbed the corporate ladder and found herself working at Harvard. From all appearances, Jane achieved her dreams but inside she can't escape the ghosts of her past.

Her mother's drinking caused a rift between them and Jane's grandmother was her safety net. While vowing not to drink due to her mother's history, Jane finds courage in the bottom of the bottle and her secret struggles becomes corporate news. That indiscretion leaves her treading water and Jane's job, marriage and security in peril. Will she be able to right her boat or has her anchor washed away?

Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for the early edition of #TheCliffs in exchange for an honest review. I'm at my own crossroads so Jane's struggle between past and present resonated with me. We all make mistakes but how we can handle them makes us martyrs or survivors. Choosing to give up is not the answer and taking the time to acknowledge your mistakes affords moving forward and carving out a new life.

I have read most of Sullivan’s books. While I thought the early books were terrific, the last few didn’t work for me at all. They felt forced. But now, she’s back!. Despite using all the devices that usually annoy me —pages of research on multiple historical, religious, and sociological legacies, multiple points of view, a plethora of issues— I was compelled by all of it.

The main protagonist, Jane Flanagan, had a troubled childhood with a single alcoholic mother, and a sister she doesn’t connect to. But she has seemingly risen above it to become an archivist at the Schlesinger Library at Harvard. Residual behaviors, unacknowledged yet ever present, rear their ugly heads at a time when all should have been well. She engages in behavior that may cost her both her ascending career and marriage.

Jane comes back home to her coastal Maine town. Now, she is back in the cluttered house she grew up. It's a place without good memories that holds anger, regret, and has been fertile ground for self-destruction. She has no idea as to how to move forward if she is able to reclaim her old life.. Her mother, with whom she had a troubled relationship, died months earlier and Jane is now tasked with clearing out the clutter.

An old Victorian house that had been hideaway for Jane when she was a teenager becomes an important character in the book. Her refuge from her mother’s volatility was that old Victorian house, then abandoned, now unrecognizable. It was purchased as a summer home for a Beacon Hill family. Genevieve, the new owner, has completely gutted, modernized it, and taken some actions that drive the plot forward. She is convinced the house is haunted and hires Jane to research its history. What is uncovered through the tales of the people who lived there reveals the violent history of colonial America, lost loves, artistic awakening, death, and loss. The history is filled in by the ghosts of the past, clairvoyants, and found artifacts.

I was mesmerized by both the characters and the history uncovered. This was a well researched book that I felt moved the story along. The only part I felt could have been condensed was the journey through the alcoholic haze. While the rest was fresh, this part was not.

For my mind, this is Sullivan’s deepest, most interesting story to date.

Thank you to Netgalley and Knopf for allowing me to read this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I received a free ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

In "The Cliffs" by J. Courtney Sullivan, perched on a cliff by the sea stands a pretty old house, purple with fancy decor. It's full of secrets from a hundred years ago. When Jane finds it as a teen, it's deserted but full of stuff like clothes and toys. Jane loves exploring it to get away from her alcoholic mother. Years later, Jane comes back after messing up at work and in her marriage. But the house is all changed. The new owner, Genevieve, has made it modern and white. She thinks it's haunted. Genevieve asks Jane to find out about the house and the people who lived there. Jane discovers a long story of love, loss, art and history. It's a captivating book about the past, spirits, and how women's lives connect through generations.

This book is a slow burn fiction with deep layers and well-done research, especially about Indigenous history. It's full of drama and tackles many issues like alcoholism and mother-daughter relationships. It's told from different perspectives, which I liked, but some parts felt too spiritual for my taste, despite the narrative heavily exploring spiritualism, Native American history, and colonialism, which I found interesting.

While some aspects of the book felt like lectures, Jane's journey remains compelling. Despite flaws, it's a gripping read with a relatable protagonist. I wish some mysteries were resolved, but overall, it's a great read, especially for fans of Kristin Hannah. It also would be a perfect option for book club discussions. Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!

4.25/5 stars!

I loved this book, and the characters!!! I learned so much from this book, about indigenous people, the Shakers and the way the American founders, treated anyone not like them!!! All of this information was wrapped in a story that was interesting and compelling. I read this book in two days. First book I have read by this author, it will not be my last.

I was instantly drawn to this book by the description alone but I was not prepared for the journey I would be on once starting!

Having moved into a much older home myself, I’ve recently become more interested in the history of not only our home but also surrounding land and town.

Sometimes it’s easy to forget that there is so much history and stories yet to be told all around us. I loved the well thought out and researched history of the book. I also was drawn to all the stories that were woven through out that helped in bringing the full picture together.

I read this book on a gloomy day and really enjoyed the journey through history it brought me on.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc of The Cliffs in return for my honest review, all opinions are my own.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Knopf for this advanced reader copy of The Cliffs by J. Courtney Sullivan.

This novel tackles a wealth of topics taking place from the 1600s to present day, but they all center around a piece of property nestled on the cliffs in Maine. This location has a rich history as a home to the Indigenous people who were forcibly removed, members of the Union army, a shaker colony, and a seaside tourist spot.

Jane returns to her hometown after a somewhat forced leave of absence from her job as an archivist at Harvard. Rather than tackle her problems head on, Jane continues to run from them by focusing her efforts on learning the history of a home she’s admired and dreamt of since childhood.

Sullivan is a master of character development and swept me into Jane’s world and the multiple historical timelines. There is so much happening in this novel, at times it feels like a mashup of up of multiple books. It takes a lot of concentration to keep the thread, and I would love to see this trimmed down a bit.

I still very much enjoyed the experience and will always appreciate a book with a strong sense of place and the ability to make me laugh and cry.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I've read novels by J. Courtney Sullivan and have always liked them. The Cliffs has everything in a book I love, set in Maine, well-researched historical fiction segments, complicated interesting family stories, and themes of past lives and ghosts. There is a lot going on in the book, but it's very well written and easy to follow. I could not put it down. The character in the present and the past are all well-developed, complex, flawed, and interesting.

Jane returned home to begin the process of cleaning out her mother’s house. It’s not a welcome return due to her troubled relationship with her mother, sister, and the town she worked so hard to escape. Then, add to the fact that an incident led her to hide away in the first place; Jane is forced to deal with some stuff. As she returns home, she remembers a local abandoned house that always held her interest, and through an encounter with the new owners, she begins to unearth the house’s history and her hometown.

A lot was going on in this story. There were several changes in the narrator/point of view, and they often came suddenly and would never be narrated again. It also came late in the book and seemed slightly out of place. There was also a lot going on- the Native American history of Maine, the history of the house inhabitants going back to the Pre-civil war, the history of the spiritual movement. It all became overwhelming, and hard to stay engaged. I enjoyed Jane’s story and saw how all the other stories were supposed to add to the overall story, but it was so much that I think it just fell flat. I skipped through some of the “historical chapters and the chapter on the visit to the camp as it just felt extra. It took me longer to finish this book than I expected because there was so much going on, BUT I never wanted to quit or DNF because I was invested in Jane’s story ( and MariIyn and Genevieve learning what happened to the house). I think the writing and those characters kept me engaged.

Overall, it was a good book. A lot was happening, but I mostly enjoyed the story and the writing.

A contemporary novel with pockets of historical fiction. I think the story parts of the book were good - both the current storyline and the flashbacks to Shaker life in the 1800s. I also liked the inclusion of some of the background on Native American/Indigenous history - I love learning something even when I read fiction. But at some point it felt like the storyline got lost and was overshadowed by the history.... as if the author not only wanted to prove that she had done extensive research to prep for writing this novel, but almost as if she was trying to make up for every white person who had ever written a story that takes place in the USA and not taken into account the indigenous experience. The book would have benefited from a stronger edit, particularly the towards the end of the book, so that the plot and story and characters we are following from the beginning of the book -- which I really enjoyed -- could shine through.

note: Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a free advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Alongside the cliffs on Maine, stands an abandoned lavender home, a seemingly hidden time capsule frozen as if the owners vanished into thin air. For lonely teenager Jane, this home becomes a beautiful escape from the turmoil of her home life. As Jane leaves for college and adulthood, the house remains empty until Boston resident, Genevieve, renovates it into a seemingly brand new, and unrecognizable home. What follows that summer when the two women’s paths intersect is a beautiful and haunting tale. The Cliffs’ pages are filled with the search for healing amidst generational trauma and digging deep into the past to find answers. Are these women finally able to move past the unimaginable heartbreak and loss and find the hidden connections that offer hope and healing?

Review is posted on Goodreads and will be posted on Instagram in June closer to publication!

Thank you #NetGalley for this amazing ARC of The Cliffs by J. Courtney Sullivan, in return for my honest review.
This is the first time I've read anything from this author, and I was hooked from the first page.
The characters were well developed and the descriptions of the landscapes and situations, left me feeling as if I were there at that time.
Jane Flanagan, the protagonist, falls in love with a beautiful, abandoned, Victorian house on a hillside overlooking the water. The house becomes her refuge from an alcoholic mother, and she spends every moment that she can there. Jane is intrigued with the fact that it looks like whoever lived there, just walked away one day, leaving clothing in the closets, plates in the cupboards, everyday items around the home and marbles on the floor.
Jane grows up and goes away to college, gets married and gets a prestigious job in a museum making her quite famous around the world, however, a black out drunk incident during a party may cost Jane her job and possibly her marriage.
Jane returns to Maine after her mother dies, to clean out her home, and learns that the Victorian home has been purchased by a wealthy couple.
Genevieve, the woman who bought the home, has done something she shouldn't have, and now her little boy is seeing ghosts in the home.
Jane is hired by Genevieve to research the home, to see what could be happening. As Jane begins her research, an unbelievable amount of history is uncovered about the women who lived there, and on the land even before the home was built.
We are taken through the history of Native American people, the Shakers, lost and stolen artifacts, also it delves into the aspects of alcoholism, infertility, family drama arms much more.
This book is beautifully written and I can not wait to read more from this author!

This is a first time read for this author. I am immensely impressed. The writing was good but it actually had several different stories within the story and I was able to follow each section without any problems. Many writers try to use this format but most fall short as they can not keep simple items current. J. Courtney had no trouble and I found it refreshing to read. I will be choosing more of this authors books in the future.

4.5 stars. A very interwoven tale centered around Jane and the house on a cliff that becomes her refuge during her teen years.
So many women's stories that Sullivan crafted into this novel. I loved learning about all their different lives and hope and dreams. The way they were written didn't make me confused as some other books had with many different narrators.
Jane herself was a prickly character. As her younger self it was easier to like her but she seemed pretty one dimensional. Then as she aged and you learned more about her life and her inner thoughts it was more difficult to like her and her choices (it probably was that she was more human.) My heart ached for David and I wished that would have ended up tied up in a bow with a happy ending, but the way it did was probably more realistic.