I almost wasn't going to read this. I really didn't like the first book, but so glad I gave it a shot. I enjoyed it so much more than the first in so many ways. I found the characters so annoying and unlikable in the first book but in the second their pain felt more real, their behaviour more realistic and believable. In the first it was too over the top. Kate was made into a much stronger character than she actually was in the first book. She was kind of weak and did what everyone else wanted acting the martyr. She gets the guy who she wanted despite the fact he had eyes for her best friend and she is then jealous of that but ok with being second best for over 20 yrs of their relationship, has the kids she wanted and then is depressed and empty keeping care of them specially her over the top spoiled rotten daughter who is mad for who knows what reason from the time she is born. She is NOT that annoying Kate in this book at all. Actually she isn't anything like the Kate in Firefly Lane. I loved Dorthy, even though I am shocked about that since she was so despicable in book 1, but I can believe she was this way because of years of abuse and addiction. I felt the story of Dorthy made me believe her. Either way I really enjoyed this book. I also loved the character Marjory in fact I liked her also more in this book than the first. The first she was too much the best mom next door. I didn't even hate Marah this book. Her spiral out of control because of loss and grief felt real, specially since she was so horrible to her mother her entire life. All their grief felt real. Good read. I really enjoy Kristin Hannah books.