Rating: 
Summary: Ms. Smith has a wonderful way of telling a story.
Review: The first half of the book about Claire's & Roan's childhood was very refreshing and original, but the adult romance was very predictable and somewhat boring. This is the first book I've read by this author and I truly enjoyed Ms. Smith's writing style. Despite my disappointment with the second half of this book, I will definitely seek out her other books.
Rating:
Summary: A warm surprise!!!
Review: Despite this book remaining on my 'to read' stack for a couple years, I was wonderfully surprised by this rich story of regret and love. I classify this book as a must read.
Rating: 
Summary: WONDERFUL!!!!!!!
Review: Wow! For all you southern ladies or wanna be's, this is a must read. So much humor and heart have gone into this book and the language and descriptions are so truly southern. You hate for the story to end. The characters are absolutely priceless. The story starts when the two main characters are children and follows them into adulthood. The little girl is rich and the older boy she befriends is poor and abused. The first part of the book is probably the best (the childhood years) but all of it is simply amazing. The author grabs hold and doesn't let you go until the final page. Keep the hankies handy, open that box of bon bons and ENJOY! Highly recommended and a definite keeper.
Rating: 
Summary: First half great, second half dull
Review: I loved the first half of the book. The second half was more like a typical romance novel. I was amazed to find other reviewers felt like I did, the second half was a huge disappointment.
Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Southern Romance Novel
Review: This book will completely absorb you! It is a story of two children from opposite backgrounds who together learn about kindness, family, trust, faith, and most of all, love. After a tragedy has separated them for twenty years, they are united once again and rediscover each other. There are no words to describe the emotions you feel while reading this book-it really takes you there! Deborah Smith is truly gifted with words!
Rating:
Summary: Five Stars Not Enough for This Treasure
Review: An amazing tale that you will not be able to put down. You won't want to miss one word of this beautiful novel from Claire's performance as a "tap-dancing leprechaun" to the drunk trying to buy grandma for five dollars and a bottle of whiskey.Deborah Smith moves us from laughter to tears,as we meet Claire at age 5 discovering she is in love with Roan. Share their heartbreak when outside forces drive them apart. And mostly hope and wonder if 20 years later true love can survive. Don't miss this incredible book. It will live in your heart forever.
Rating:
Summary: 50/50, half and half...
Review: The first half of this book was exquisite! Close to the best story I have ever read, however, the second half could not compare. The absolute magic of the first half just did not follow through the second. This was a good book over all I would definitely recommend reading it.
Rating:
Summary: A great beginning!
Review: The first half of this book was wonderful. I loved the story of Claire and Roan, the boy from the wrong side of town. The first half of the story, about Claire and Roan as children in small town America was excellent. The character of Claire as a Child was wonderful and I loved the exchanges with her grandmother's. I was frequently laughing out loud. I actually found I could relate to the characters and the family. Unfortunately, the author was unable to keep my complete interest. Once Roan and Claire became adults, the story started to fall apart. The relationship between the grown Claire and Roan was just not as interesting as their friendship as children. The adult Claire and Roan lacked chemistry. I started to become bored with the story. Half the story was about them getting over the past, and unfortunately that just wasn't very interesting. I was undecided as to whether this book deserved five stars. I am usually pretty stingy about awarding 5 stars, however, I felt that the early relationshp between the Claire and Roan was wonderful and should not be missed. The last half of the book was not terrible, it just couldn't meet the high expectations which were created from reading the first half of the book.
Rating: 
Summary: Let down halfway through
Review: The beginning of this book was truly wonderful. There were some laugh out loud funny parts (the Easter scene had me laughing until I cried). The characters were well drawn and enchanting. I was even compelled to read through Clair's stint as a reporter. But when Roan came back, I was left scratching my head. I lost interest quickly in the drama of whether or not Roan would forgive Clair's family. Add to that Matthew's parentage...What difference did it make which one of them had fathered him? I agree with the reviewer who said that Ms. Smith has talent. Next time I read one of her novels, I hope it lasts all the way through the book.
Rating:
Summary: Draws you in and soon you care deeply about the characters
Review: I had this gem of a book on my shelf for a while until I needed something to take on a trip. I cried on the airplane when I read it--a first for me with a novel albeit not with a movie. Smith deftly portrays a young girl growing up in the 70's and falling in love in her own way with a boy from the wrong side of the tracks--but that doesn't do the book justice! It is one of the best illustrations of the multifaceted creatures that are the American family and the American small town---but that doesn't tell about the tender love story inside...by all means read this.
| 
