More like 4.5 stars, and this is only because it took me nearly 80 pages to truly become engaged. However, once I did, this book completely blew away my expectations. Honestly, Picoult's writing has that effect on me quite often. It is beautifully crafted, filled with stunning details and characters that seem to leap off the page. They are so vivid that it feels as if they could grab a cup of coffee and plop down on the couch right next to you to share their stories. I simply could not love Second Glance more. The way Picoult weaves the plot and develops the characters is truly remarkable. Each page draws you in deeper, making you eager to discover what will happen next. It's a book that stays with you long after you've turned the final page.

This is yet another remarkable novel penned by Jodi Picoult.

I have devoured most of her literary works, and this particular one stands out as one of her finest.

The story is exquisitely written, enchanting and captivating me from start to finish with its fascinating narrative of ghosts, murder, and family scandal.

It defied my expectations and was completely distinct from her typical offerings, yet I adored it.

The novel is replete with numerous twists and turns, keeping me perpetually on the edge of my seat, never certain of what would unfold next.

Without a doubt, it earns a resounding five stars.

There aren't many of Jodi's books that I haven't loved.

This one was definitely different. In the beginning, it just didn't feel real. There was haunted ground that was frozen even in the summer, rose petals that fell at will, and a house that was torn down only to form again.

However, amid the plethora of information about Eugenics laws in Vermont, it was truly astonishing. I had thought that sterilization happened only in the south!

The story delved into the lives of people who didn't fit in, love lost, suicides, Indian heritage, and murder. It was definitely a well-written tale with characters that were vividly portrayed.

The ending, in particular, showed a surprising twist that left me completely stunned.

Overall, despite the initial sense of unreality, this book managed to draw me in with its complex plot and well-developed characters. It made me think about issues I had never considered before and provided a unique perspective on a dark chapter in history.

This novel is hands down one of the best stand-alone novels I've ever read.

From the very beginning, it grabs your attention and doesn't let go until the very end. The story is filled with complex and well-developed characters that you can't help but fall in love with.

The plot is engaging and full of twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat. You never know what's going to happen next, and that's what makes it so addictive.

The writing style is beautiful and flows smoothly, making it a pleasure to read. The author has a real talent for creating vivid and detailed descriptions that bring the story to life in your mind.

I would highly recommend this novel to anyone who loves a good read. It's a must-read for fans of the genre and will leave you wanting more.

What an interesting book!

It is filled with so many characters, each one complex and deep.

There are many times when I am truly amazed by the brilliance of the author, as he or she weaves together such a rich and detailed story.

However, there are also other times when I find myself struggling to get into it.

The plot can be quite convoluted at times, and it requires a lot of concentration and effort to fully understand.

But despite its challenges, this book is so unique that I would highly recommend it.

It offers a perspective and a world that is unlike anything else I have ever read.

It makes you think, it makes you feel, and it leaves a lasting impression.

If you are willing to put in the time and effort, you will be rewarded with a truly unforgettable reading experience.

Ghosts, eugenics, oppressive white males, and native people reclaiming their land - these elements combine to form what seems like the foundation of a truly compelling mystery or an excellent vacation read.

The idea is filled with potential, capable of captivating readers and taking them on a thrilling journey. However, there is a downside.

There were an excessive number of characters, which at times felt unnecessary and made it a bit overwhelming to keep track of everyone.

Additionally, some of the writing was really painful to read. It lacked the finesse and polish that one would expect from a top-notch writer.

While JP is clearly a creative storyteller, able to come up with unique and engaging concepts, it seems that in terms of writing skills, there is still room for improvement.

Overall, it's a decent effort with a lot of interesting ideas, but the execution could have been better.

I made an attempt to read this particular piece of writing. However, as I delved into it, it gradually became extremely boring.

The words seemed to blend together in a monotonous fashion, lacking any sort of excitement or engaging elements.

My interest waned with each passing sentence, and before long, I simply couldn't continue.

It felt like a chore rather than an enjoyable experience.

The lack of vivid descriptions, interesting characters, or a captivating plot made it difficult for me to stay focused.

I found myself constantly looking for something to hold my attention, but unfortunately, it was nowhere to be found.

Rewriting and expanding the given text:

Once again, here is another book for me where one has to suspend belief from time to time. However, it is a good story if you are easily entertained. The ending was the most difficult to accept. Ross Wakeman has constantly put his life in danger ever since the love of his life passed away. When nothing seems to work and a job with a paranormal investigator fails to bring him any closer to his former love, he decides to move in with his sister. As fate would have it, strange phenomena are afflicting the town, and Ross finds himself drawn into an investigation of a plot of land that the local Abenaki Indians assert is an ancient burial ground. During this process, he encounters the lovely Lia Beaumont, who has some mysterious connection to the sinister events that took place 70 years ago in Comtosook. With a host of eccentric characters added to the mix, Picoult attempts to weave a suspenseful and otherworldly tale that delves into insights about the human spirit and the profound depths of true love.

I don't believe in ghosts. Sorry, I just don't. You could place me in a haunted house or any such spooky setting, and at the end of the day, I still wouldn't believe in ghosts. Even if, hypothetically, I were to die and become a ghost, haunting all those who wronged me in my lifetime - I still wouldn't believe.

Admitting all of that, I can't say that I was hesitant about reading this book, nor did I have overly high expectations for it. I've said this countless times, but I really do have a love/hate relationship with Jodi Picoult.

"Second Glance" wasn't my favorite book of hers because nothing will ever beat my first love: "Vanishing Acts". While reading "Second Glance", I didn't really connect with the characters or the story line. I didn't truly care about what was happening. However, I was entertained enough that I read the book from start to finish without stopping. I felt like I just kind of wanted to get this book over with, so I didn't let myself really stop reading or even think about another book.

I guess if you believe in ghosts or are into that sort of thing, then I suggest you give this book a try. I'm not really into it because I don't believe in ghosts or anything of the sort, but I've also read other paranormal books with ghosts or evil spirits that were a lot better than this one.

I'm sorry - I tried, but it just didn't work out for me.

I first heard about the eugenics project carried out in the United States in the third and fourth decades of the 20th century. In this project, people were classified into good, "normal" and unfit - those who were sick or did not meet the generally accepted standards of a "good American". The cruel idea was that based on scientifically supported arguments, the right to have children and families was taken away from those who were marginalized in society. The tragedy of one family was presented very mysteriously, sometimes even a little "cooled down", but it makes one think. Because such ideas still sound today. Not everyone can be tall, with blue eyes and a high intelligence quotient. This is both a test of true humanity and the beauty of diversity.

Wow!

This is truly everything I was hoping for and even more!

I want to express my sincere gratitude to Heidi for her wonderful review.

Her review has effectively placed this particular item at the very top of my “spooky reads” list.

It has piqued my interest and anticipation to an even higher level.

I am really looking forward to writing my own detailed review in the near future.

I hope to be able to share my in-depth thoughts and feelings about this “spooky read” with others.

It seems to have all the elements that I love in a spooky story, and I can't wait to explore it further.

Thank you again, Heidi, for your amazing review that has led me to discover this gem.

At first, I really had trouble getting into this book.

The constantly changing point of view felt rather choppy to me, making it a bit difficult to follow the flow of the story smoothly.

However, as I reached about the halfway mark of the book, something interesting happened. I suddenly found myself completely caught up in the story.

The author's work, as usual, is truly frightening in the way it vividly describes the countless positive and negative emotions that are intricately involved in motherhood.

It delves deep into the complex and often contradictory feelings that a mother experiences, painting a realistic and powerful picture that makes the reader truly understand the depth and breadth of this profound relationship.

The detailed descriptions and the author's ability to capture these emotions with such precision and authenticity make this book a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the themes of motherhood and the human experience.