I bought this book as it was recommended for me by Amazon and it seemed to get lots of good reviews. I did enjoy it, although it is light, easy reading and doesn't really make you think at all. It touches on capital punishment but gives it no more than a cursory glance, If anything, the book is really about motherhood, love, and what makes a good mother. I read the book in 3 days and found myself staying up late at night, thinking 'just one more chapter, then I'll turn the light off'. The writing style is fluid and the main characters are well-drawn. However, I can't give it 5 stars as there were just too many implausible things that happened throughout the book. I know it is fiction and I understand the concept of suspension of disbelief, but for me there were just too many far-fetched events and characters. I know America is huge and people must go 'on the run' etc, but I found it hard to believe that the characters could really get away with the things they did, even in the States. The ending was a bit too saccharine for me unfortunately. Overall, a reasonable holiday read but in my opinion, not as exceptional as other readers have found.