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tashaseegmiller's review against another edition
5.0
The concept of this story had the potential to be either unbearably heavy or melodramatic, but a skillful writer like Fromm manages to keep the emotional weight in perfect balance. This is not to say the story won't break your heart, because it will. But the character development, the structure of the story in marking off time, the way that we see healing from this heartbreak, not as an unrealistic linear progression, but rather an ebb and flow of sorrow and joy made the whole book a delight to read.
mrsfligs's review against another edition
4.0
When I first started this book, I didn't think I was going to like it. But, because I was obligated to provide a review for the Amazon Vine program, I persevered and I'm so glad I did. By the end of the book, I was in tears -- probably for the last 50 to 75 pages or so.
This is a book that sneaks up on you. Fromm's writing style takes a bit of getting used to. (It was the reason why I didn't want to stick with the book in the first place.) It felt a bit choppy and was hard to get into. But, as I read, this style started to work its magic on me. I became invested in the story and the characters.
The story is simultaneously a quiet one and a huge loud one. Taz loses his beloved wife Marnie when she gives birth to their first child. (This isn't a spoiler ... it says it on the book jacket.) The rest of the book chronicles the first two years after this event. There aren't chapters ... rather, transitions are measured in the number of days since the baby's birth.
As bleak as it sounds (and there are very bleak and haunting moments), there are also moments of comic relief--mostly provided by Taz's best friend Rudy. You need a friend like Rudy in your life if you experience such a devastating blow--someone who knows you and loves and you but won't let you wallow or suffer or stay rooted in your grief. I thought Rudy was a great character -- I just loved him.
By the end, you'll be rooting for Taz to take a step forward and begin engaging with life again. I thought this book was heartfelt and well-done and it is one that will stay with you for quite some time.
This is a book that sneaks up on you. Fromm's writing style takes a bit of getting used to. (It was the reason why I didn't want to stick with the book in the first place.) It felt a bit choppy and was hard to get into. But, as I read, this style started to work its magic on me. I became invested in the story and the characters.
The story is simultaneously a quiet one and a huge loud one. Taz loses his beloved wife Marnie when she gives birth to their first child. (This isn't a spoiler ... it says it on the book jacket.) The rest of the book chronicles the first two years after this event. There aren't chapters ... rather, transitions are measured in the number of days since the baby's birth.
As bleak as it sounds (and there are very bleak and haunting moments), there are also moments of comic relief--mostly provided by Taz's best friend Rudy. You need a friend like Rudy in your life if you experience such a devastating blow--someone who knows you and loves and you but won't let you wallow or suffer or stay rooted in your grief. I thought Rudy was a great character -- I just loved him.
By the end, you'll be rooting for Taz to take a step forward and begin engaging with life again. I thought this book was heartfelt and well-done and it is one that will stay with you for quite some time.
kyleigharies's review against another edition
3.0
The second half had me tearing up and ultimately earned it the third star, but overall, this book straight up AMBLES. All I knew about it upon cracking the spine was that it’s about a man forced to raise his newborn alone after his wife dies in childbirth. I was anticipating dark, weighty, and agonizing, with moments of reprieve in the form of baby milestones, but it was extremely PG in every sense. It’s like a St.John’s Bay button down from Penney’s—the craftsmanship is good enough, but it’s boring, safe. Nothing unexpected. It’s full of region and industry specific jargon to the point of feeling contrived (WE GET IT, HE’S A CARPENTER.) It’s like if Three Men and a Baby was set in Montana, but it was just one man and that man was Bob Vila.
cjfbadgery's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
mhillier's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.0
ozblom24's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
catherine_christensen's review against another edition
3.0
I went into this book with no expectations (bad or good), but somehow it still wasn’t what I expected
twilfitt's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
tk_'s review against another edition
5.0
This was an endearing read. It was nice to see people pulling together in the beginning, and I really enjoyed the development between all the characters as Taz began to work through his loss and move forward.
ebizzell's review against another edition
4.0
Taz and Marnie are young and living on love. When a baby is on the way, they are ready to start their new lives as parents. The author takes us on a heartbreaking journey through grief when Taz has to live their dream without Marnie. The baby is the anchor that keeps him from floating away and an interesting cast of characters wraps around Taz as the story unfolds.
This was one of those books where I kept thinking of the characters after reading. The writing style was different, very relaxed and almost conversational but it worked for the story. I highly recommend! I will have to check out Fromm's other work.
This was one of those books where I kept thinking of the characters after reading. The writing style was different, very relaxed and almost conversational but it worked for the story. I highly recommend! I will have to check out Fromm's other work.
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