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Sep 14, 2020 Marin rated it it was ok “The Girl He Left Behind” is honestly a bit of a mess. I bought it on a whim and thought it would be sort of like an Atlantic-Canada “Where the Crawdads Sing” since it is marketed as a mystery/thriller/romance. The plot follows Willow Alexander, who is known in her Nova Scotian village as the girl Graham Currie left at the altar. She’s also the last person to have seen Kathleen and James Millhouse alive. And Graham Currie is showing up in town again, 15 years after he left Willow behind. If that “The Girl He Left Behind” is honestly a bit of a mess. I bought it on a whim and thought it would be sort of like an Atlantic-Canada “Where the Crawdads Sing” since it is marketed as a mystery/thriller/romance. The plot follows Willow Alexander, who is known in her Nova Scotian village as the girl Graham Currie left at the altar. She’s also the last person to have seen Kathleen and James Millhouse alive. And Graham Currie is showing up in town again, 15 years after he left Willow behind. If that all sounds kinda... disconnected and clunky, that is because that is the best description I have for this book. It can’t decide if it’s a romance or a murder mystery (well, it’s definitely not the latter, despite being marketed as such, and if you pick this up hoping to be thrilled you will not be lol). And there is very little romance here. Oh for two 😬. The storytelling is also bizzare, jumping around in time and giving the reader completely unnecessary background on Willow’s ancestors and extended family, all of whom have no bearing on the plot whatsoever. I almost DNF’ed multiple times. The big, climatic, tense supposed-to-be-scary moment at the end is actually a little laughable (the dialogue is awful). And after writing Willow as a strong and independent woman, the author jumps ship and decides this needs to have a warm and gooey ending which honestly makes no sense (I would not forgive a man for what he did to Willow in just half a page. Blink! Past erased?) Striking cover, bad book 🤷🏼♀️ ...more
The Girl He Left Behind has three parts: the first section deals with Willow and Graham's history, and is full of energy, with Willow herself an unstoppable force.
She's a fearless Cape Breton woman, who stands up to Graham's mother, and anyone else who gets in her way. I loved her spirit. The middle part deals with death (literal and metaphoric), and Willow becomes like a ghost of her former self, pale and quiet and lonely. Her suppressed rage over Graham's betrayal turns to a kind of depressio The Girl He Left Behind has three parts: the first section deals with Willow and Graham's history, and is full of
energy, with Willow herself an unstoppable force. She's a fearless Cape Breton woman, who stands up to Graham's mother, and anyone else who gets in her way. I loved her spirit. The middle part deals with death (literal and metaphoric), and Willow becomes like a ghost of her former self, pale and quiet and lonely. Her suppressed rage over Graham's betrayal turns to a kind of depression. She is the living expression of the local ghost stories told by the people in her mountain town. The final (and
weakest) section is an unraveling of lies, a revelation of truths, and Willow is restored to her true self, her true spirit of fierce strength. The ending fit the book, but it read a little too much like a traditional romance, where confusions are cleared up, and the path of true love becomes smooth. In my humble opinion, it would have been better if the emphasis was more on Willow's restoration of self, than on the happy love story ending.
Title:The Girl He Left Behind T H R E E • W O R D S Slow paced • Poetic • Tragic 📖 S Y N O P S I S T H R E E • W O R D S Slow paced • Poetic • Tragic 📖 S Y N O P S I S 💭 T H O U G H T S 📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O ⚠️ CW: death, grief, miscarriage 🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S
Jun 28, 2020 Catherine rated it really liked it
MacNeil's 5th book does not disappoint. Graham, Marjorie and Willow grew up together. They all have dreams including going to school and returning home to start their adult lives. Unfortunately, tragedies and other people get in their way. Willow left behind by the others endures many hardships. Supportive friends help her find her way. In Where horses gallop, the town was getting ready for a dance. MacNeil starts this book with a vivid
description of the town and its' residents while the fiddler In Where horses gallop, the town was getting
ready for a dance. MacNeil starts this book with a vivid description of the town and its' residents while the fiddler plays his music. Her writing style is amazing. It is like reading poetry. This book took less than a day to finish. I would love to get a copy of Where horses gallop to reread and remember the beautiful language and imagery.
At least three times while reading this book I vowed to put it down, but it was like watching a train wreck....I couldn’t turn away. Th The only likable characters are Katherine and Alma. The only two woman in this town with
any common sense. Then there are the two main characters, Willow and Graham. I wanted to like them and their supposedly tragic love story, but half way in I just wanted to slap both of them for being stupid and self centered and stubborn. They actually deserve each other. The writing is all over the place, to the point you are aware of how bad it is while trying to focus on reading the story. Do not read this book if you are all ready depressed. In fact, just don’t read this
book.
Ok so I have a couple of things to say about this book. The descriptions were very well written, the prose was beautiful. However, I found the conversations between characters awkward and unrealistic. At times they just didn't make sense. And friends don't use each other's names in every sentence when speaking to each other! It was just an okay boo The descriptions were very well written, the prose was beautiful. However, I found the conversations between characters awkward and unrealistic. At times they just didn't make sense. And friends don't use each other's names in every sentence when speaking to each other! It was just an okay book for me.
Jun 09, 2021 Olivia rated it liked it The time situation was an absolute mess and I definitely have a few other complaints because it wasn’t the cleanest execution of an already questionable idea, but overall, I had a pretty good time with this one. It is entirely possible it is because I had such low expectations
going in; however, at the end of the day, a good read is a good read (good equalling mediocre to decent, potato, potahto). I won’t be rereading this one, just I enjoyed my day in the sun and this for sure aided that. The ch The characters were eh. I didn’t mind them, I thought barring pacing stuff there were some realistic portions and therefore things that I liked about them each. Their stories were nice though beyond crazy lady’s (Polina
and I acknowledge that that is insensitive, but that’s another issue) and the Currie women. Affection for most of the stories built as I read and so, I think the author directed fairly well in that regard. A major failing would definitely be in regards to painting mental illness as she did because Polina was a villain and she was awful, but it all completely came down to her being ill. In particular for all that, there was something charming to all the beginning romance -- especially
Willow’s parents and then young Willow and Graham. Watching the trio of friends grow up was very sweet and while a pretty typical viewpoint, what MacNeil poured into that story made it more than backstory you had to trudge through. They were normal, the world affected them and relationships were born of it; I liked hearing about Willow, Graham and what little of Marjorie we got. That's something, personally, I think is a pretty major thing to achieve with your readers. On the other hand, hearing
all the adults in Willow’s life have romance was an interesting view that I really liked for being interesting. All of the adults’ romances also acted as pleasant examples of love that did work out, her parents were who appealed to me the most though. The plot itself was...interesting, I suppose? The childhood portion is something I’ve already stated to like, but the progression of the “current day” was weird because the story was weird. I understand anxiety and even grief tumbling into doubt of mass proportion, but wow, Willow’s concerns about rat poison are something else. Her reunion with Graham? Way too rushed for any end to the story, the maximum I would’ve realistically pictured was an attempt at healing -- together or individually -- being talked about slash initiated. Not happening, not succeeding, not failing: just barely initiated. Which brings us to my opener: what the fuck was that setup MacNeil? I totally would’ve accepted viewing the pictures and that sort of inner monologue happening in a prologue, not what happened.. The actual bouncing around until it sort of faded into chronological, but not? Weird and unsuccessful, in my opinion. A prologue of that nature and then a chronological telling or more properly spaced bouncing between past and present would’ve worked far better in my mind. This was just really messy and I can understand why it would plain stop a lot of people from finishing. This was a cool beach read set in Maritimes Canada. Nowhere near amazing and tons of problems, but the writing was pleasant (the second time I picked it up haha), it was mainly easy to read and I didn’t hate anyone I wasn’t supposed to. Absolutely I liked it well enough. ...more
Oct 13, 2020 Wendy rated it really liked it Compelling and emotionally riveting, “The Girl He Left Behind” opens
when Willow Alexander is jilted on her wedding day, losing more than just her high school sweetheart Graham Currie. Heartbroken by her losses she buries herself for fifteen years on her family’s expansive property, looking after her ailing mother Rhona after the death of her father, and working in a medical clinic in town. On the alternate side of this heart-breaking story is Graham Currie who is struggling with a lie that shatt On the alternate side of this heart-breaking story is Graham Currie who is struggling with a lie that shatters his
plans of a happy, loving marriage to Willow but after ten years working in a clinic in New York City and newly divorced returns to Glenmor, Cape Breton after the death of Dr. Millstone and his wife, hoping to breach the gap he left behind when he abandoned the woman he always loved. Forty years of age, each cursed by sorrow and tormented by lost dreams, Graham and Willow reunite when he returns to take over the town’s medical clinic. Harboring secrets and guilt that can destroy any hope of
a reunion the two must confront the pain of their past before they'll find true happiness. Beautifully written with poetic imagery that draws you into the emotional current running though the plot, the author pulls you into the torment, death and depression that stakes its claim on Willow’s life as well as the guilt and unhappiness that haunts Graham. Even when they reunite years later a dark shadow hovers over Willow who suspects she might have unsuspectingly caused the death of the
Millstones. Although the mystery is limited and lies in the loss of youthful innocence, the lies, betrayal and pain that stain the happiness of the lovers over the years, the romance is to be remembered as it flows to a rewarding conclusion. Bringing this emotionally-riveting romance to life are realistic and intriguing characters like beautiful, strong and sincere Willow Alexander who after being abandoned degenerates into a ghost of her former self, becoming depressed, lonely and
looking for insight into a life that seems cursed with unhappiness and loss. Handsome, gifted and studious Graham Currie seems to have everything he could want in life with a brilliant career and the woman he loves until a lie and betrayal sets him on a lonely path of torment and anguish. Harvard graduate Dr. Pauline Rebane who’s determined and forward is the catalyst that rips the lovers apart to get what she wants only to become worn, drained and remote after her divorce. “The Girl He
left Behind” is a powerfully moving story of how confronting your fears and uncertainties can bring renewal and happiness again.
My first impression a quarter of the way through: sad, a very sad tale. Willow Alexander is ditched at the altar by the love of her young life; at 24 she embarks on a life of caregiving to her dad and
then her mom in a lovely house at the foot of Christy's Mountain in Cape Breton, being left at the altar by Graham Currie who suddenly decides life as a med student in New York more important. But there are two sides to every story and it is not until nearing the book's end Willow's secret is revea My first impression a quarter of the way through: sad, a very sad tale. Willow Alexander is ditched at the altar by the love of her young life; at 24 she
embarks on a life of caregiving to her dad and then her mom in a lovely house at the foot of Christy's Mountain in Cape Breton, being left at the altar by Graham Currie who suddenly decides life as a med student in New York more important. But there are two sides to every story and it is not until nearing the book's end Willow's secret is revealed to Graham and his, to her upon his return to the Mountain and to the practice he now takes over from the newly deceased Dr. Millhouse and his ailing
wife Kathleen, friends and employers of Willow.
Jan 08, 2021 Laura rated it liked it The was a quick paced book and I read it in one day. Willow is left at the altar on the day of her wedding by her high school sweetheart - Graham. She remains behind in the small town of Glenmor in Cape Breton. Graham moves to New York, marries a rich but troubled woman and stays there for 15 years. Graham eventually moves back home and takes over the town's medical practice. This story is about confronting fears and the ghosts of the past. It is simply written and my favourite part is the descr The was a quick paced book and I read it in one day. Willow is left at the altar on the day of her wedding by her high school sweetheart - Graham. She remains behind in the small town of Glenmor in Cape Breton. Graham moves to New York, marries a rich but troubled woman and stays there for 15 years. Graham eventually moves back home and takes over the town's medical practice. This story is about confronting fears and the ghosts of the past. It is simply written and my favourite part is the description of life in a small community, families, and the wild natural beauty of the hills in Cape Breton. ...more
Aug 17, 2020 Melissa rated it liked it I love CanLit and this book really showcases the east coast. Set in Cape Breton it gives you the lovely picture of the landscape of the Atlantic ocean coast. I truly liked the characters and the plot, I found it a bit slow and also wish that there was more action. The
emotions lacked substance and the lack of questions that they asked didn't seem realistic. Like why wouldnt Willow ask Graham why he left? Just took away the realism for me. I truly liked the characters and the plot, I found it a bit slow and also wish that there was more action. The
emotions lacked substance and the lack of questions that they asked didn't seem realistic. Like why wouldnt Willow ask Graham why he left? Just took away the realism for me.
Jun 02, 2022 Paulina rated it did not like it Okay so I hated this book, but I still finished it and that was rough. The amount of times it misspelt "women" as "woman" drove me up the wall (about 4-6 times), the unbelievability of Polina's parents, the unrealistic dialogue between characters (no one talks like that) and just how messy it was. There was a lot of background stories that had nothing to do with the main plot line. The 2 lead characters were infuriating. I don't know why I wasted my time. Okay so I hated this book, but I still finished it and that was rough. The amount of times it misspelt "women" as "woman" drove me up the wall (about 4-6 times), the unbelievability of Polina's parents, the unrealistic dialogue between characters (no one talks like that) and just how messy it was. There was a lot of background stories that had nothing to do with the main plot line. The 2 lead characters were infuriating. I don't know why I wasted my time. ...more
Poignant and haunting This story feels like a grey, cool, misty morning. Slow, quiet, and lovely. It's an old heartache. It's not an easy love story at all. I think that story is actually secondary. It's about living past heartbreak. Finding life in contentment. It is about the folly of youth and the grace of forgiveness. It is an achingly lovely tale. This story feels like a grey, cool, misty morning. Slow, quiet, and lovely. It's an old heartache. It's not an easy love story at all. I think that story is actually secondary. It's about living past heartbreak. Finding life in contentment. It is about the folly of youth and the grace of forgiveness. It is an achingly lovely tale.
Stay with it, it's a little 'slow going' in spots, but deserves to be read and enjoyed. I liked it, I didn't dislike it, it moved a little slowly in
spots, but certainly not enough to close it before I finished it. I liked it, I didn't dislike it, it moved a little slowly in spots, but certainly not enough to close it before I finished it.
I really struggled to connect with this book and find it enjoyable. The premise was decent but it wants for me at this time. I wouldn’t write off this author but it will be awhile before I try one again.
Aug 10, 2020 Joyce rated it really liked it Loved it! Evocative scenes and descriptions. Beautiful writing. And a great story.
Aug 29, 2020 Kate rated it liked it Meh. Not terrible but not great, a “kind of” love story that wraps up super annoyingly. Entertaining enough but I wouldn’t recommend it.
Oct 05, 2020 Pauline rated it liked it Not a bad story - a little slow in places, but all in all quite an enjoyable read.
Well written romantic story that takes place on the Eastern Coast - Cape Breton, is a contrast I enjoyed
Quite underwhelming, maybe even predictable.
An easy read. A light and airy story,
A lovely writing style and intriguing but sad story line.
Sep 19, 2022 Angela rated it liked it I thought the book was well written. I think the story was something you would watch on Hallmark. For me, it just want my cup of tea.
It has a lovely tone. Excellent voice. Beautiful prose. But the dialogue felt over done. Too much exposition. And Polina was hard to believe.
I did enjoy this book and loved that it was about Cape Breton. I did find the writing a bit clunky but it was a good read.
Feb 14, 2022 Sandra rated it really liked it great characters...story and characters that move you, make you sad and restore your faith in people.
As it’s set in Cape Breton, I had high hopes this novel. Overall, I found the writing a bit slow and simplified, but I enjoyed the story tremendously.
Jan 27, 2021 Patti rated it liked it I didn't care for the writing style - too flowery at times to really get what the meaning of what the story details. It really required a very slow, contemplative read - no rushing this one. I also did not care for the ending. I didn't care for the writing style - too flowery at times to really get what the meaning of what the story details. It really required a very slow, contemplative read - no rushing this one. I also did not care for the ending. ...more News & InterviewsHere at Goodreads World Headquarters, we like to encourage an informal, lateral-thinking approach to reading. If you’ve never tried it, themed... Welcome back. Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. Is the girl they left behind a true story?“Based on the life of Roxanne Veletzos' mother, The Girl They Left Behind is a vividly told, beautifully written, impossible-but-true story. This novel is a moving testament to the power of the human spirit and to those who defied impossible odds to allow the light of humanity to shine in the darkest of times.”
What is the book the girl you left behind about?Sophie Lefèvre must keep her family safe while her adored husband, Édouard, fights at the front. When their town falls to the Germans, Sophie is forced to serve them every evening at her hotel. From the moment the new Kommandant sets eyes on Sophie's portrait—painted by her artist husband—a dangerous obsession is born.
Is the girl you left behind a standalone?A prequel and a novel.
How many pages is the girl left behind?Product Details. |
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