This Place of Wonder by Barbara O’Neal

In This Place of Wonder, readers will be transported to the stunning and rugged California coastline, where they’ll follow the journey of four women grappling with loss, grief, and secrets. As they navigate their way through the aftermath of famed chef Augustus Beauvais’ death, Meadow, Maya, Norah, and Rory must rely on their family ties, friendships, and inner strength to find their way forward. This emotional and lush story is an empowering reminder of the power of resilience and the beauty of finding oneself in the face of adversity.

Book review of This Place of Wonder

This Place of Wonder by Barbara O’Neal is a captivating story that explores the lives of four women who are dealing with the aftermath of Augustus Beauvais’ death. Meadow, his ex-wife and business partner, Maya, his daughter from a previous marriage, Rory, Meadow’s daughter, and Norah, his latest girlfriend, all have to come to terms with their grief and anger towards Augustus. The book deals with complex family dynamics, grief, and the healing power of forgiveness.

As a reader, I found the characters to be relatable and believable. I appreciated the author’s ability to describe emotions and reactions in a way that felt authentic. However, I did have some reservations about the book. The women in the story, while well-written, could have been stronger and more assertive. I also struggled with the fact that Augustus, the philandering father/husband/lover, was idolized by all the women in his life, despite his numerous infidelities and abandonment of his daughter. Finally, The book relied heavily on stereotypes, with every woman being described as beautiful and busty, and all of them having relationships with men decades older than themselves.

Despite my reservations, I found the writing to be engaging and the plotlines to be interwoven with ease. The author’s writing style was not overly dramatic or verbose, but still managed to convey the emotional struggles of the characters. I appreciated the way in which the author dealt with the struggle of moving forward after loss and the emotions that get twisted and conflicted.

Specifications
	Publisher ‏ : ‎ Lake Union Publishing (July 19, 2022) Language ‏ : ‎ English Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 316 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1662503709 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1662503702 Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 15.5 ounces Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 1 x 8.25 inches

About Article Author

Christopher Hill

Christopher Hill has worked in the publishing industry for more than 15 years for both international and national media. When he is not reading, he enjoys spending time with his three dogs, whom he considers his most loyal reading companions.