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Gail Cleare

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The Taste of Air Kindle Edition

by Gail Cleare (Author) Format: Kindle Edition

3,011 ratings

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USA Today Bestseller

"In The Taste of Air, Cleare deftly explores the consequence of our choices, even those made with the best of intentions. A family saga bridging decades and filled with shocking revelations, hope and love, you won't be able put this book down." Kate Moretti, author of NYT Bestseller Thought I Knew You

"In this terrific novel, when two women learn their mother wasn't who they thought she was it leads them to question their own lives and choices. Deftly written, with lush descriptions of the New England setting, this is a book to choose as a companion for curling up on a sofa on a dark winter day or for laying on the beach in the summer. The Taste of Air is character-driven fiction at its best." Ann Warner, author of The Babbling Brook Naked Poker Club series

A simple phone call disrupts Nell Williams’s well-ordered life. Her mother, Mary, is in a hospital in Vermont. But her mother is supposed to be safely tucked away in an assisted-living facility in Massachusetts, so Nell can’t fathom why she would be so far from home.

After notifying her sister, Bridget, Nell hops on a plane and rushes to her mother’s side. There, she discovers that her mother has been living a second life. Mary has another home and a set of complex relationships with people her daughters have never met.

When Nell and Bridget delve deeper into their mother’s lakeside hideaway, they uncover a vault of family secrets and the gateway to change for all three women.

From the Publisher

Gail Cleare

USA Today Bestselling author Gail Cleare used to write for newspapers, magazines, ad agencies, Fortune 50 companies and AOL. Now she writes fiction, and lives in Vermont with her family and dogs, cats, chickens, bears, foxes, rushing streams and wide, windy skies. When she's not writing, Gail is usually working in her organic garden or stalking wild creatures with a 300mm lens.

The Taste of Air

USA Today Bestseller

"One of the greatest riddles, it turns out, is a parent's real life, the one not shown to children. ...Skillful dialogue as well as brisk pacing and an effective resolution." ~Kirkus Reviews

"A captivating story filled with mystery, suspense, love, longing and family." Readers' Favorite (5 STARS - Silver Medal / 2017 Book Awards)

Love & Chocolate

"An engaging, irresistible chocolate-laced romance. Cleare's (The Taste of Air, 2016, etc.) latest is an appealing romance with finely drawn characters and a well-constructed story. Sarah is a likable, sympathetic heroine--a single mother who wants to maintain a solid, stable home for her son. .... Chocolate lovers may also enjoy the recipes at the end of the novel." Kirkus Reviews

WARNING: California’s Proposition 65

Editorial Reviews

Review

"One of the greatest riddles, it turns out, is a parent's real life, the one not shown to children."
~Kirkus Reviews

"A captivating story filled with mystery, suspense, love, longing and family."
~Readers' Favorite (5 STARS - 2017 Book Award)

"A compelling portrait of three memorable women and the unique bond that exists between mothers and daughters."
~Booked Solid (5 STARS)

"This is that kind of book, one so real and important that it bears at least a second reading - after the first sinks in."
~Grady Harp, San Francisco Review of Books (Amazon Top 100 Reviewer - 5 STARS)

"While I enjoyed The Taste of Air for the story, full of suspense, mystery, and drama, which kept me entertained, it also got me thinking."
~Big Al's Books and Pals (5 STARS)

"A family saga bridging decades and filled with shocking revelations, hope and love, you won't be able put this book down."
~Kate Moretti, New York Times bestselling author

"The Taste of Air is an engaging story about what our mothers teach us. When Nell and Bridget start pulling at the thread of their mother's deceptions, their own worlds unravel."
~Katie O'Rourke, Amazon bestselling author

"This is a book to choose as a companion for curling up on a sofa on a dark winter day or for laying on the beach in the summer...character-driven fiction at its best."
~Ann Warner, author of The Babbling Brook Naked Poker Club series

"Gail Cleare's mesmerizing new novel...will make you see your own life with new eyes and leave you transformed."
~Jamie Cat Callan, author of Bonjour, Happiness!

"My first thought after finishing The Taste of Air was that this was an incredibly satisfying novel. "
~Bibliotica (5 STARS)

About the Author

USA Today Bestselling author Gail Cleare used to write for newspapers, magazines, ad agencies, Fortune 50 companies and AOL. Now she writes fiction, and lives in Vermont with her family and dogs, cats, chickens, bears, foxes, rushing streams and wide, windy skies. When she's not writing, Gail is usually working in her organic garden or stalking wild creatures with a 300mm lens.
Cleare's debut novel is "Destined, a Novel of the Tarot"(2010), a magic realism romance. The audiobook, featuring narrator Marnye Young, was released in early 2019. Her second novel, three-times USA Today Bestseller "The Taste of Air" (2016), is a women's fiction family drama, and in 2017 it won Readers' Favorite awards for the book, and the audiobook. "Love & Chocolate" is a small-town culinary romance, released in 2018. It features the Dumas family and their restaurant, The Three Chocolatiers.

For the latest news, visit gailcleare.com or Gail's Facebook page at facebook.com/GailCleareAuthor/

Product details

ASIN ‏ : ‎ B01LDIXKAY
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Red Adept Publishing, LLC (September 22, 2016)
Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 22, 2016
Language ‏ : ‎ English
File size ‏ : ‎ 1.1 MB
Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
Print length ‏ : ‎ 253 pages

Best Sellers Rank: #136,288 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
- #183 in Contemporary American Fiction
- #226 in Sibling Fiction
- #935 in Women's Divorce Fiction

Customer Reviews:
3,011 ratings

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Gail Cleare

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Gail Cleare used to write for newspapers, magazines, ad agencies, Fortune 50 companies and AOL. Now she writes fiction, and lives in Vermont with her family and dogs, cats, deer, bears, foxes, and ravens. She can often be found working in her organic vegetable garden, or stalking wild creatures with a 300 mm lens.

Cleare's debut novel, "Destined" (2011), was a finalist at the Somerset Awards, the Green Book Festival and the New England Book Festival. USA Today Bestseller "The Taste of Air" is a family drama that won Readers' Favorite awards for both the book and the audio book, and an award for best romance fiction from the Kindle Book Review. "Love & Chocolate, a Romance with Recipes," is a culinary romantic comedy. It features the Dumas family and their restaurant, The Three Chocolatiers, and includes a free digital booklet of chocolate recipes.

Customer reviews

3,011 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a great summer read with a totally believable plot and relatable characters. The writing style keeps readers engaged, and they enjoy the discovery of family secrets throughout the story. The book maintains interest from start to finish, with one customer noting its artfully woven mix of past and present events. Customers describe the book as heartwarming and life-inspiring.

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Readability Story quality Character development Writing quality Mystery Interest Beauty Inspiration

130 customers mention "Readability"130 positive0 negative

Customers find the book readable and refreshing, particularly enjoying it as a beach read.

"...I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by this author. I actually have surprised myself and enjoyed this immensely...." Read more

"...The book is well-written and fairly fast-paced. An enjoyable read." Read more

"...One dimensional characters. It was an okay read. I really didn't like the last few chapters...." Read more

"...A Taste of Air is the sort of book that is such a compelling read that I found myself staying up to all hours to finish it...." Read more

126 customers mention "Story quality"119 positive7 negative

Customers find the book's story engrossing and totally believable, with an interesting premise that wraps up nicely.

"...Very well written a story about a mother, daughters and a life time of secrets. Beautiful ending.." Read more

"...The story is one of hope and resolution found in some of the most unlikely relationships and friendships. I highly recommend this book. *..." Read more

"...The book did a wonderful job exploring the relationships between mothers, daughters, and sisters, and the ways in which expected norms and roles..." Read more

"...Family bonds, mother and child relationships, and friendships are explored and formed...." Read more

72 customers mention "Character development"67 positive5 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, finding them relatable, with one customer noting how the story flows easily through each character's perspective.

"...The characters all felt very real." Read more

"...the characters were real and you could picture them easily. You could relate to their status, problems, desires, and history easily...." Read more

"...The author does a terrific job at telling the story, while developing her characters, causing the reader to care about each of them, even the ones..." Read more

"...The characters are fully developed. Family bonds, mother and child relationships, and friendships are explored and formed...." Read more

63 customers mention "Writing quality"63 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing style of the book, finding it well composed and readable, with one customer noting how the narrative is expertly woven across generations with interwoven secrets.

"...I was very impressed with the authors writing and immediately became so interested in the characters and their lives I found the book hard to put..." Read more

"...The pages are filled with descriptive paragraphs of the gorgeous New England countryside. Cleare's words made me feel the crisp clean air...." Read more

"This book is a captivating look at the secrets we keep and the lies we tell ourselves and each other...." Read more

"This was a beautifully written book!..." Read more

50 customers mention "Mystery"47 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the mystery elements of the book, particularly the discovery of family secrets and the tale of mothers and daughters, with one customer noting it kept them guessing until the end.

"...I liked the way the family relationships were depicted throughout the story and the way there was a sense of mystery surrounding Mary’s life...." Read more

"...Three remarkable women – extraordinary family ties. An ever popular theme of mother-daughter(s) bonds...." Read more

"I couldn’t put it down! Touches of mystery, humor, and interesting characters whose lives intertwined throughout with a surprising twist...." Read more

"...Loved all the characters, beautiful setting and the many surprises. Beautifully written story about families." Read more

40 customers mention "Interest"40 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging, keeping their interest from start to finish.

"...I actually have surprised myself and enjoyed this immensely. I have recommended this book to several relatives." Read more

"I loved this book, it pulls you in and makes you realize that family is the most important thing in your life, with secrets and memories that all..." Read more

"...Still overall I found the book very well written and satisfying." Read more

"...landscapes, gorgeously depicted, into what brings joy and respite to those of us caught in the daily grind...." Read more

18 customers mention "Beauty"18 positive0 negative

Customers find the book beautifully depicted and finely drawn, with one customer particularly appreciating the vivid New England scenery and another noting the artfully woven mix of past and present events.

"...the characters were real and you could picture them easily. You could relate to their status, problems, desires, and history easily...." Read more

"...The pages are filled with descriptive paragraphs of the gorgeous New England countryside. Cleare's words made me feel the crisp clean air...." Read more

"I read this in one day. Loved all the characters, beautiful setting and the many surprises. Beautifully written story about families." Read more

"...a journey through both metaphoric and psychological landscapes, gorgeously depicted, into what brings joy and respite to those of us caught in the..." Read more

17 customers mention "Inspiration"17 positive0 negative

Customers find the book life inspiring and heartwarming, with one customer noting how it provides a thoughtful look into lives, while another mentions it offers a perspective on living the simple life.

"...ways that she described: Maple syrup, bracingly cold, and it awakens a human being in a way no other place can...." Read more

"...Love, heartwarming people, mystery , and overcoming life's hard times while discovering how we may not really know our parents...." Read more

"This author has beautifully captured life’s ups and downs and created living, breathing characters...." Read more

"...A thoughtful look into their lives and how through the help of reviewing memories and facing their pasts they grow more into the people they truly..." Read more

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Cathryn
Best book I have read in a while!!
Reviewed in the United States on February 25, 2025
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This book captured my attention from the first few sentences. Very well written a story about a mother, daughters and a life time of secrets. Beautiful ending..

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Jan Trieschman
Family secrets and family love.
Reviewed in the United States on October 5, 2024
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I read this in one sitting enjoyed every minute of it and couldn't wait to uncover all the family secrets. The characters all felt very real.

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Sherry Amazonaholic
A very good writer
Reviewed in the United States on July 5, 2023
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This is the first book that I have read by this author. I normally read military/technical books and historical books.
I was very impressed with the authors writing and immediately became so interested in the characters and their lives I found the book hard to put down. the characters were real and you could picture them easily. You could relate to their status, problems, desires, and history easily.
the descriptions of places - towns, homes, scenery was like you were there and could see everything.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by this author. I actually have surprised myself and enjoyed this immensely. I have recommended this book to several relatives.

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Debbie Richards
A Lovely Story of Hope, Change, and Secrets Revealed
Reviewed in the United States on October 25, 2016
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The Taste of Air by Gail Cleare is a well-written novel examining the feelings, hopes, and dreams of two grown sisters as they discover their elderly mother's secret life in a Vermont lake cottage. The pages are filled with descriptive paragraphs of the gorgeous New England countryside. Cleare's words made me feel the crisp clean air. It was easy to walk alongside the characters. It was hard to put down.

I'm typically pretty good at predicting a twist or turn, but this lovely story held my attention throughout as I wondered what could possibly turn up next. The author does a terrific job at telling the story, while developing her characters, causing the reader to care about each of them, even the ones that lack likability. They come alive in the reader's mind and I hope for a sequel and will read it immediately if one is released.

The main character, Nell, struggles with personal satisfaction as a stay at home mom even though she is married to a supportive and good man. I could relate to her confusing feelings of wanting more and experiencing guilt for wanting it. The emotional struggle causes her to hold on to the secret life of her mother as she begins to uncover the secrets. Her sister Bridget, has led a completely different life and through this family crisis, she too begins to work through her own emotional struggles.

The story is one of hope and resolution found in some of the most unlikely relationships and friendships. I highly recommend this book.

*I received a copy of this book in return for my honest review* and have since recommended it to many friends. I liked it that much.

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24 people found this helpful

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Amazon Customer
Fascinating Look at Intergenerational Secrets
Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2024
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This book is a captivating look at the secrets we keep and the lies we tell ourselves and each other. The book did a wonderful job exploring the relationships between mothers, daughters, and sisters, and the ways in which expected norms and roles interrupt happiness and create desires that feel impossible to live with or without. Unfortunately, the book also tries to cram in a romance story on top of all this, which cheapens the rest of the relationships. The book is well-written and fairly fast-paced. An enjoyable read.

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Becky
Oh what tangled web we weave
Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2021
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Two daughters discover their mother has been keeping secrets for years. A phone call disrupts Nell's life in an instant. Her mother is extremely ill in a hospital Nell never heard of. How is her mother there and not at the assistant living complex she should be at in Massachusetts? She notifies her sister Bridgette who is looking at leaving yet another husband for abuse. Both of their lives will be turned upside down when they discover not only their mothers antics, but the men that now live next door to the cabin they knew nothing about. It makes them begin to think of of their own lives and relationships. I was able to work out quickly what the secrets were and the who's-who. I have read other books that had almost the identical script. One dimensional characters. It was an okay read. I really didn't like the last few chapters. I would have thought there would have been more emotion in them when reality hit. But all in all a good book.

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GenaS
This was a beautifully written book
Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2017
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This was a beautifully written book! I liked the way the family relationships were depicted throughout the story and the way there was a sense of mystery surrounding Mary’s life. Why was Mary in Hartland, Vermont instead of in Massachusetts in the assisted-living facility where she lived? Mary’s daughter, Nell, receives a call from a hospital in Vermont informing her that her mother has been admitted there. Once Nell gets to Vermont, she finds out that her mother has a whole other life in Hartland. Nell and her sister Bridget become more and more engrossed in Mary’s secret life in Vermont. They get to know people there who have known their mother for years. Over time, they discover different things and piece together the whole mystery. The characters are fully developed. Family bonds, mother and child relationships, and friendships are explored and formed. Everyone has something they are trying to work through or forgive themselves for, from their past or the present time. Surprising secrets are revealed. Hartland is described in such a way that I wished I could go there to visit it. The atmosphere sounds so peaceful and cozy. The story is told in the third person point of view of Nell, Bridget, and their mother Mary’s stories, alternating from the past and the present time. This would make a wonderful Mother’s Day present for someone special in your life! And it would be an excellent choice for your book club.

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Jim Brown
Wife loved it
Reviewed in the United States on October 3, 2024
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Bought this for my wife after a friend recommended it to her. She is a cozy murder mystery type reader, but she really enjoyed the story line in this book. She had a hard time putting it down and highly recommends to others.

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Top reviews from other countries

Amazon Customer
Great read. I really enjoyed this well written story. I didn't want ot to end The characters are so believable that you you felt part of their lives. Loved it.
Reviewed in Australia on September 6, 2017
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I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a great read and look forward to reading other books by this author

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Kindle Customer
The story is awesome, clearly states don't ever judge appearances first handedly
Reviewed in India on March 13, 2019
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I liked how the author let the story flow seamlessly figuring out individual lives of each heroine, their emotions and sentiments

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c. burgess
A beautifully written and gripping story
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 14, 2017
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This is an enjoyable, emotional, and thought-provoking story about family ties and unexpected secrets. I loved all three women in this story and found them well drawn and relatable. I particularly enjoyed the flashbacks to Mary's earlier days, which revealed what a good and loving woman she had been throughout her life. Although Mary's secret life comes as a big shock to her daughters, it never feels sordid or bad, and I really liked that about it. Rather it just peels back the layers of Mary's life and acts as a catalyst for change in Nell and Bridget's own lives. A lovely story and highly recommended.

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Andrea Barton
A Compelling Family Drama
Reviewed in Australia on October 28, 2018
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If you like secrets, The Taste of Air is for you. When Mary is admitted to hospital in Vermont, miles from her assisted-living home in Massachusetts, she has some explaining to do. While the daughters uncover their mother’s secret life, they must also face unresolved issues in their own lives.
Gail Cleare skilfully weaves three perspectives: Mary and her two daughters, Nell and Bridget. She also juggles multiple time frames as we jump between the present, to Mary’s time as a nurse in the Vietnam war, and through the daughters’ formative years. The characters are flawed, yet likeable, and show growth as they tackle life’s challenges.
The settings are beautifully drawn from the beautiful Vermont countryside to the terrifying, war-torn Vietnam.
Ultimately, these are good people facing moral dilemmas with grace and courage. I highly recommend it for a fabulous family drama.

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Lindarwally enjoyed reading this couldn't wait to finish it. Really looking forward to the others.
Delightful
Reviewed in Canada on November 27, 2018
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I truly enjoyed reading this book. This was the first time reading this author so I was a little hesitant at first. A real page turner waiting for what was going to happen next. Looking forward to reading more of Gail Cleare books.

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The Taste of Air Kindle Edition

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The Taste of Air

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Top reviews from other countries

5.0 out of 5 stars Great read. I really enjoyed this well written story. I didn't want ot to end The characters are so believable that you you felt part of their lives. Loved it.

5.0 out of 5 stars The story is awesome, clearly states don't ever judge appearances first handedly

5.0 out of 5 stars A beautifully written and gripping story

4.0 out of 5 stars A Compelling Family Drama

4.0 out of 5 stars Delightful

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Great read. I really enjoyed this well written story. I didn't want ot to end The characters are so believable that you you felt part of their lives. Loved it.

The story is awesome, clearly states don't ever judge appearances first handedly

A beautifully written and gripping story

A Compelling Family Drama

Delightful