Let me start by saying this: 'The Cliffs' isn't just a book - it's an experience. As someone who devours historical fiction, I was immediately drawn to the atmospheric Maine setting and the promise of ghost stories woven with real history. The way J. Courtney Sullivan describes that Victorian house perched on the cliffs? I could practically smell the salt air and hear the floorboards creak.

The good? Sullivan's research is impeccable. The sections about indigenous tribes and Shaker communities were so vivid, I found myself googling for hours afterward (always the sign of compelling historical fiction). Jane's struggle with alcoholism felt raw and real - not glamorized, not demonized, just painfully human. And that scene where she first explores the abandoned house? Chills.

Now for the not-so-good: The narrative does meander. There were moments I had to flip back pages thinking 'Wait, who's this character again?' Some plot threads (like certain ghost stories) felt tantalizing but underdeveloped. And that ending... without spoilers, let's just say it left me wanting more closure.

Perfect for: Readers who loved 'The Dutch House' or 'The Great Alone'. Anyone interested in feminist historical fiction or addiction narratives. Great book club pick - so much to discuss!

Maybe skip if: You prefer tight, linear plots or get frustrated with unlikeable protagonists (Jane can be... a lot). Also if ghost stories aren't your thing - while not scary, the supernatural elements are central.

Final verdict? 4/5 stars. Flawed but fascinating - one of those books that stays with you long after the last page.