The Passions of Chelsea Kane

One of the only books I truly love, I have read my copy so much it is falling apart and I have to buy a new one. I have read other books by Barbara Delinsky, but this one, in my opinion, is one of her best.

Chelsea Kane always realizes that she was adopted but her family didn't want her to know anything about her biological parents. They destroyed all the records. When her mother dies, her lawyer gives to Chelsea an envelope postmarked Norwich Notch, New Hampshire. Before she makes the decision to go to the town of her birth, she makes love with her best friend and business partner Carl Harper.She becomes pregnant but before she can tell Carl, he informs her he is marrying the woman who is carrying his twins. Needing a place to escape to and wanting to find out about her biological roots, Chelsea moves to the small conservative village of her birth, buys into a business and meets Judd Streeter who is Chelsea's foreman on the quarry site. While the two fight their growing feelings for one another, someone in town attempts to scare her into leaving, going so far as to trying to run her over and burning down her home.It has been over eleven years since THE PASSIONS OF CHELSEA KANE was published but classics such as this stand the test of time and remain a strong read when reprinted. The relationship between the heroine and her love is so dynamic and explosive, sparks fly off the pages. The townsfolk are an interesting group who give color and atmosphere to the plot and demonstrate that even in a small hamlet, there remains a huge gap between the classes.Harriet Klausner

This book really grabed me from the start. I think it is one of the author's best novels. Don't be thrown off by the size of the book... it is a very fast read. Overall it is a very pleasant and heart warming book. My only negative comment is I found the sub-plot about Donna a little depressing. But I am sure a real critic would say that Donna made the book believable. Don't pass this one up!

I have enjoyed reading Barbara Delinksy's books, and this is very much one of her best. She seems to be able to take various subjects and flesh them out with characters who are true to life. While I enjoyed very much reading about Chelsea's search for her birth parents, the subplot about Donna and her situation (spousal abuse) was equally compelling. I agree with the other reviews that the conflict of the family heirloom was left unresolved and should have been dealt with, as well as the relationship between Chelsea and her adoptive (read that "real") father, Kevin. But, in spite of that, Barbara Delinsky has written a book one will not easily forget, with characters you will remember for a long, long time.

I loved this book! The twists and turns keep you entrigued. There were plenty of times by jaw dropped. I was disappointed to finish reading. It is definitely a book that keeps you guessing.