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2.96 AVERAGE
2.96 AVERAGE
This was very bleh. My favorite part about it was that the characters went to Malta on one part of the cruise — and I recently went to Malta this summer, but I don't think the book really captured the charm of the island.
The characters were boring, the plot was forgettable. I wanted to DNF a few times but it was a Reese's book club pick AND it was fulfilling my alphabet challenge for a 'J' book — and so I forged on hoping the book would redeem itself, but it didn't!
The characters were boring, the plot was forgettable. I wanted to DNF a few times but it was a Reese's book club pick AND it was fulfilling my alphabet challenge for a 'J' book — and so I forged on hoping the book would redeem itself, but it didn't!
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My New Years' Resolution this year is to read every book that Reese picks in her book club. This was a good one, though (to absolutely no fault of the author of course) I'm supposed to be in Italy next month so it was a little rough to read the Italy chapters - made me sad. ha, but that's all on me. Great story about family and gender roles.
I’m not exactly sure what to think of this.
The cover makes it look like all the romcom titles that are exploding out of book stores and shelves right now. But there was some grit here too. Are contemporary authors trying to prove they have heart and also profound thoughts by adding in these heavy themes? At times I felt it was too heavy handed. But then all the different sections and points of view was overwhelming listening in audio.
It was touted as a beach read and while some of the book could fit this category, it wasn’t what I would consider a beach read.
The cover makes it look like all the romcom titles that are exploding out of book stores and shelves right now. But there was some grit here too. Are contemporary authors trying to prove they have heart and also profound thoughts by adding in these heavy themes? At times I felt it was too heavy handed. But then all the different sections and points of view was overwhelming listening in audio.
It was touted as a beach read and while some of the book could fit this category, it wasn’t what I would consider a beach read.
I just needed more. The structure was interesting but also limiting. I think the plot could have lended itself more to the various settings the characters were in. It was really annoying to see these characters waste an international vacation, so I think I would have liked to have seen that punched up a bit and not treated so nonchalantly. Also, the most interesting part at the end was skipped. I feel like this book was just too little of a glimpse into a family’s life.
I think this book has the markings of making a really good one-season Hulu show, though!
I think this book has the markings of making a really good one-season Hulu show, though!
Finally made it through this atrocious book. Golly the characters in this book are so selfish and need to go to therapy. The author would jump back and forth with the present and try to infer things but not in a way that made sense. If you’re looking for a beach read this is NOT it. Don’t let the cover and back blurb fool you.
This books started out with a great premise - a lonely mother tries to get her three adult children together on a cruise around Europe, attempting to reconnect with them and their disorganized lives. Lee, the oldest, holds a secret from their childhood that she's never shared; she's a down-and-out actress who thinks her beauty is the only thing she has to share with the world. Chad, the middle child, has yet to come out to his family as gay though he's just gotten engaged to his boyfriend; he hides his feelings of inadequacies behind alcohol and food. Regan, the youngest, is in an awful marriage but wants to do all she can to be the artist she never was able to be and be a good mother to her two daughters. With the addition of Regan's husband Matt, the family sets off on the cruise.
Obviously, not everything will be all sunshine and roses. However, the characters fell so flat for me that it was difficult to keep going. The narrative switches back and forth between the three children and their mother Charlotte, remembering things from childhood, discussing the consequences of their choices as adults, and reflecting on what was happening currently. Charlotte was simply all over the place, and the essay she wrote - what? That was the 'winner'? The entire plot there didn't do much for the rest of the story, other than the page or two when she 'loses her mind' and has her revelation. There were several cut-off plot points, and the ending didn't really tie everything together - or give the resolution that seemed logical or even - resolving. The story had a lot going for it, but it just didn't meet the expectations I had for it.
Obviously, not everything will be all sunshine and roses. However, the characters fell so flat for me that it was difficult to keep going. The narrative switches back and forth between the three children and their mother Charlotte, remembering things from childhood, discussing the consequences of their choices as adults, and reflecting on what was happening currently. Charlotte was simply all over the place, and the essay she wrote - what? That was the 'winner'? The entire plot there didn't do much for the rest of the story, other than the page or two when she 'loses her mind' and has her revelation. There were several cut-off plot points, and the ending didn't really tie everything together - or give the resolution that seemed logical or even - resolving. The story had a lot going for it, but it just didn't meet the expectations I had for it.
I really was not feeling this. Easy to read but there was no resolution here for any of these characters. I kept reading to see what would really happen and how this would all tie out. Spoiler: It doesn’t. Just a realization that they’re all a lil messed up from their family trauma
Wouldn’t recommend
Wouldn’t recommend
This was the perfect escapist read to enjoy while in COVID-19 safe at home mode. It was light enough to escape with, but heavy enough to not be silly. And wrapped up with a happy ending.