I like to read good fiction that is well written, but this book was a drag from start to finish. The author seems to concentrate far more on her flowery descriptions of the most mundane acts and scenes, but never develops her characters OR the potentially great plot that falls flat on it's face with a sloppy plop at the end of the book. We really never even get to know our characters at all, or even what they really look like. Some just disappear (Michelle, Rosemary, Howard. Where did they go???)It never did take off, and in fact was the most boring read I have had in years. Vague characters who, you find, you don't really CARE what happens to them. And ultimately, nothing really does. Most disappointing was the rave reviews it got from authors that I have respected in the past. Are they just trying to save face? A real disappointment. I will not read anything by this author again.