Instructions for a Heatwave

I wanted to put down the book several times during the first 60 pages or so ... I didn't like or relate to the main character, or the way the book took me through each character's story, separately, hinting at things I knew I'd learn later on but in such a way as it was irritating ... pointing out to me there was something interesting I'd learn at some point but leaving me to struggle on with yet another character's story before I would have a chance to start figuring it out. I stuck with it because the book store owner had recommended it and I trusted her recommendation. At some point midway through I began to be interested in at least the youngest daughter in the story and finally, by the end, was sympathetic to them all and, in the end, glad I had gotten through the first part and stuck with it. Reminds you that people can be most judgmental about the things they hate most about themselves, and why won't we learn that holding in a secret is almost always the worst thing to do.