Review of Sand Dollar at Mina’s Bookshelf
Posted on November 27, 2012
Paperback, 223 pages
Published May 1st 2012 by Sebastian Cole LLC
Genre: contemporary novel, romance, romantic fantasy
Rating : 5 stars
“What an exquisitely romantic story! Utterly heart-wrenching in its tragedy, absolutely gratifying in its resolution. Far from being a mellow romance novel, the author deepened and enriched the shadows of widely exploited tropes (lost love and second chances) with more introspective and dramatic tones, tragic elements and a mind-blowing ending. Although frequently referred to as a romantic fantasy, I wouldn’t say that Cole’s soulful debut novel falls in that clear-cut category, being the otherworldly element not a dominant feature throughout the narration, as much as an imaginative touch that the author used very lightly and that found its culmination only at the end of the book.
Lying in a hospital bed, eighty year old Noah Hartman offers to a compassionate medical orderly a bitter-sweet recount of his love life. As past events and present-time regretful considerations unfold in front of our eyes with the fluidity, accuracy and comfortable pace of a movie script, Noah takes us for an emotional trip down memory lane, leading the readers through his heartbreaking quest for love and the countless obstacles that external forces, prejudices, and twists of fate placed on his path to happiness. What makes this story of undying love so poignant and inspiring is the combination of two very fragile and vibrant characters and the incredible resiliency of their mutual feelings. I was overwhelmed with a deep sense of compassion for Noah and Robin. Their back-stories may be marked by environmental and genetic traits that will act as invisible and sometimes unexplained forces against the fulfillment of their love (Noah’s Jewish background and family’s hostility to Robin, Robin’s tragic past and lack of emotional stability), but true love has a way to reveal itself in “a moment of truth and clarity” and to lead two soul mates through the storms and the rough seas, like a compass to its true north.
Keep a tissue box close by while reading this evocative novel…Sand Dollar won’t leave your soul and your eyes dry.” — Mina’s Bookshelf
Lisa’s Review of Sand Dollar at Amazon
Posted on September 16, 2012
★★★★★ Great read!
“Sand Dollar: A Story of Undying Love will make even the hardest hearts melt and believe in love once again. This is a fabulous read for men and women alike. One of the best books I have read in a long time!” — Lisa H.
A Very Touching Review of Sand Dollar, Remembering Her Father on Veterans Day
Posted on November 13, 2012
★★★★★ Amazing
“I think I have a new favorite book. I absolutely loved this book. I just finished it today and thought that it was amazing. I was at my Mom’s house reading the final chapters and crying, then I handed it to her and said, “You’ve got to read this!” She said she wasn’t sure as she had seen me crying. I told her that it is indeed a beautiful love story and it did have a fantastic ending. I don’t even usually like romance novels but I loved this one. My favorite part was when the protagonist, Noah, said to his brother, and I’m paraphrasing here, even though my life may be over, my love will never end. It is especially reassuring to read this today on Veteran’s Day as I’m missing my eternal hero, my dad. I believe that even though I didn’t get to see him and thank him for his service to our country this morning, that he still knows what is in my heart and mind and that he does indeed still continue to love me as much as I still love him. Thank you, Mr. Cole, for an incredible novel that moved me to tears in a very personal way. I will most definitely read this novel again, as I often do with my favorites, and recommend it to my friends. Congratulations on a superb book!” — Donna
“It was one of the greatest love stories ever told!”
Posted on November 13, 2012
★★★★★ A Must Read For Every Romantic!
“This is the story of Noah Hartman’s life and it begins with him narrating the story with him and how he found the love of his life Robin. He finally found Robin after searching and searching for Mrs. Right! They begin dating and of course his well to do parents do not agree as she is not what “they” want, she isnt well to do, she isnt jewish, she isnt right for their son etc. They are some of the worst parents esp. the mom they control every aspect of Noah’s life and u really want to just slap them. Even though they dont agree Noah dates Robin and is going to marry her. Without giving too much away the marriage doesnt happen and Noah is torn up more than u can ever imagine. Years and years go by and Noah finds another woman Sarah and knows she will never replace Robin but things happen and they decide to wed but guess who shows up on the wedding day? Oh well that is it you will have to read the book! It’s a great book and you wont be sorry you bought it. I won this book and Mr. Cole was so gracious he autographed it and wrote a note in it! I am going to give back by buying another copy for a Christmas gift! It was one of the greatest love stories ever told! I hope to see it in the movies bc i will definitely go see it! I give it 5 Sand dollars, i mean stars! Can’t wait for Mr. Cole’s 2nd novel! Way to go! I will recommend this to all my friends and family!” — Riau74
“The Greatest Love Story I Have Ever Read” – A Novel Review
Posted on November 7, 2012
“Noah Hartman meets his soul mate, Robin at a local club. When he loses her, he does not ever give up on their love, truly believing they belong together. Finally, Noah agrees to marry Sarah, a long time family friend. As Sarah is ready to walk down the aisle, Robin walks in and declares her love for Noah.
An old and sick Noah tells his love story to Josh, an orderly at Mount Sinai Hospital. As the story is told different family members arrive to tell him goodbye. The closer to the end of the story, the more the pieces of his life are put back together.
When I was told that this was the next great love story I was cynical, but it is totally true. Noah and Robin’s story is the greatest love story I have ever read.
Robin was a character I didn’t really like. The way she played with the good guy, Noah, broke my heart. The fact that she had a child from a previous relationship and kept uprooting her life made her the type of mother that I never understand or can relate to. I did like that she encouraged Noah to break free from the unreal hold his parents had on him letting him finally live his life his way. But this was really the only good thing I can say about Robin.
Noah was the prince of the story. Willing and wanting to worship Robin and put her on a pedestal giving her everything a woman could want. Every girls dream man. The fact that he allowed his parents to rule so many of his decisions and life was his biggest downfall. The control went beyond being a momma’s boy and was definitely the cause of most of his issues with Robin. Noah instantly won my heart when he included Robin’s daughter in many of their plans making her feel like part of the “family” he was trying to form.
I highly recommend Sand Dollar to everyone. This is a story that will touch you to the depth of your heart.” — A Novel Review
The Blogging Book’s Review of Sand Dollar
Posted on October 30, 2012
“Wow! I definitely did not expect the book to end that way. It caught me off guard and I even teared up a little bit. It made the whole book that much more heart wrenching.
In the beginning it was a little confusing for me. The way it goes back and forth from past to present, sometimes with no warning. I had to backtrack and reread a couple times to make sure I didn’t miss anything.
I understand the whole ‘you love who you love thing’, but if I was Noah and Robin treated me like that, I would kick her to the curb. So many times I wanted to reach into the book and slap her. Then other times my heart broke for her because of all she went through.
Overall this is a great Romance. Any fan of Nicholas sparks will absolutely adore Sebastian Cole.”
— The Blogging Book
Stacey’s Book Review of Sand Dollar at Amazon
Posted on October 20, 2012
★★★★
A Surprise!
“My friend passed this book on to me to read, and I shoved it aside, as it’s not typically my genre. BUT it was a really great read. I kept coming back to it because I just had to see what happened to poor Noah next. Great character development, wonderfully frustrating, page-turning events and an ending I definitely didn’t expect. Excellent read!” — Stacey
Adrienne’s Book Review of Sand Dollar at Amazon
Posted on October 2, 2012
★★★★★
Spectacular Read
“This was probably the greatest love story I have ever read. Although at times I wanted to shake both Robin and Noah it truly was an amazing read with a spectacular ending. Want to share this book with friends but not willing to part with my copy. This will be a book I keep and read over and over again. (Oh yeah….make sure you have a box of kleeenex nearby!!)” — Adrienne
Maryellen’s Book Review of Sand Dollar at Amazon
Posted on October 1, 2012
★★★★
Undying Love for Sand Dollar
“Congratulations Mr. Cole! Your debut novel, SAND DOLLAR: A STORY OF UNDYING LOVE, is a winner. And I’m a winner too! I won this book as a Firstreads Giveaway. SAND DOLLAR is a wonderful tale of love and so much more. Noah Hartman~~what a perfect name for a man who follows his heart~~spent his life searching for his soul mate. He found her in Robin. If only Robin could find her way to back to him. As eighty-year old Noah from his hospital bed tells his story to Josh, a very special orderly, we learn of a love that will never die. Well done. I enjoyed reading this story written from a man’s perspective. Genuine. Keep writing Mr. Cole and I’ll keep reading! I gave this book 4 stars but I really wanted to give it 4.5 stars!” — Maryellen
Sherrie Pogorzelski’s Book Review of Sand Dollar at Amazon
Posted on October 1, 2012
★★★★★
Excellent
“Mr. Cole did an amazing job writing this book. I strongly recommend that any one who loves romance books you need to read this one, just have your tissues ready your going to need them. What Noah went through was gut wrenching a true sole mate is hard to find as Noah will tell you, but if you wait long enough as Noah did for Robin it will work out in the end. And to share his love story with a very special some one like Josh is even better. I can’t wait until his next book come out. I really Love this book.” — Sherrie Pogorzelski
Michelle Gilbert’s Book Review of Sand Dollar at Amazon
Posted on September 21, 2012
★★★★★
Wonderful Story
“This is a story of love, loss and learning. The analogies were fabulous and really made the reader think. Get your tissues ready. Wonderfully written. Can’t wait to read another story by Sebastian Cole. I highly recommend the Sand Dollar you wont be sorry!” — Michelle Gilbert “Book Lover”
Valerie’s Book Review of Sand Dollar at Amazon
Posted on September 20, 2012
★★★★★
Like THE NOTEBOOK
“Really Great read, great love story!! I could not put the book down! I have definitely recommended to all my friends and book club to read.” — Valerie
Jeny Robertson’s Review of Sand Dollar at Amazon
Posted on September 17, 2012
★★★★★
A Fantastic Love Story
“I won this book in a contest off of Goodreads.com. Im not a huge romance reader so I was skeptical about this book at first. I adored it!! I loved Noah’s character and how he came from money but was very down to earth. I love that he was true to his heart through the entire story. I know Robin’s character had to be the way she was but she made me mad! Noah was a great guy. In the end though she realized what she had. I would recommend this book for sure! A must read!”
— Jeny Robertson
Doris Williams’ Review of Sand Dollar at Amazon
Posted on September 17, 2012
★★★★★
Sand Dollar: A Story of Undying Love
“Sebastian Cole is a great new author with a wonderful story you will never forget. Grab your tissues and start reading. You will not be disappointed. I am looking forward to more from this author!” — Doris Williams
Book Addict’s Review of Sand Dollar
Posted on September 7, 2012
Click here to read the most colorful review by far…
Tara Brittain’s Review of Sand Dollar at Amazon
Posted on September 4, 2012
★★★★★
Couldn’t put it down!
“I absolutely loved this book. It was a beautifully written love story with a twist. Definintely a must read! My mom also read it and loved it.” — Tara Brittain