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rayofhope's review against another edition
challenging
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I read this for a local queer bookclub. I'll admit that I had some trouble with it at the beginning, some of the topics approached in the book hit a little too close to home (like having a homophobic parent and grappling with being raised in a religion that doesn't support queer identities) -- but in that awkward way where it's a little to the left of my own experience, and so instead of feeling seen I just felt misunderstood.
I didn't really connect with any of the characters, none of them seemed like people I would be friends with in real life. However, I feel like part of the issue was the audiobook reader. Once I mentally replaced Ezra and his family with version of the Rose family from Schitt's creek, (in terms of line delivery at least) I ended up liking them a lot better lol.
The narrative poses a lot of interesting questions about the nature of life, and afterlife, and meaning. But most importantly it's about families. About navigating the misunderstandings and heartbreak that caring about other people inevitably brings. I'm glad I read it, even if it was challenging for me.
I didn't really connect with any of the characters, none of them seemed like people I would be friends with in real life. However, I feel like part of the issue was the audiobook reader. Once I mentally replaced Ezra and his family with version of the Rose family from Schitt's creek, (in terms of line delivery at least) I ended up liking them a lot better lol.
The narrative poses a lot of interesting questions about the nature of life, and afterlife, and meaning. But most importantly it's about families. About navigating the misunderstandings and heartbreak that caring about other people inevitably brings. I'm glad I read it, even if it was challenging for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Drug use, and Alcoholism
lisasilv's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I laughed and cried. This book really did give all of the feels - joy, hope, fear, love, sadness, grief and loss. One of my favorites for this year.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Homophobia, and Death of parent
Moderate: Hate crime, Alcoholism, and Animal cruelty
Minor: Terminal illness
faythd's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Alcoholism, and Homophobia
Moderate: Classism, Animal death, Body shaming, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Grief
Minor: Sexual content
lilbroccoli's review
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was a weird mix of comedy and homophobia. Parts were really funny and over the top! Other parts read like the speech you want to give everyone in your homophobic small town that will make them see the errors of their ways, which definitely is not how that works in real life.
Chrissy really struggled to accept her son at the beginning, making it difficult to be in her head. Neither mom felt like a real person with how suddenly their issues were resolved.
Chrissy really struggled to accept her son at the beginning, making it difficult to be in her head. Neither mom felt like a real person with how suddenly their issues were resolved.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Animal death, and Alcoholism
cde10's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia
Moderate: Alcoholism and Animal death
kerrygetsliterary's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Drug use, Hate crime, Alcoholism, Excrement, and Animal death
Moderate: Death of parent
courtneyer's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Grief, and Homophobia
caribbeangirlreading's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
WARNING! This book is NOT a gay rom-com. Yes, there is a gay couple that is about to get married, but honestly, they are not the main characters. This book is about a widowed middle-aged woman who lives on a farm in rural Louisiana and her character growth. She has dreams and she has to learn over the course of the novel that these are HER dreams, not her son's dreams.
This novel is more along the category of women's fiction, novels that deal with serious topics, but too often in a superficial way. Don't get me wrong, I love a well written women's fiction novel, and this was not terrible. But it's also not a novel that will live in my heart and mind forever.
TW: There is a LOT of homophobia and an alcoholic parent played for laughs
This novel is more along the category of women's fiction, novels that deal with serious topics, but too often in a superficial way. Don't get me wrong, I love a well written women's fiction novel, and this was not terrible. But it's also not a novel that will live in my heart and mind forever.
TW: There is a LOT of homophobia and an alcoholic parent played for laughs
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Alcoholism, and Animal death
Moderate: Death
laura_berger's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal death, Cancer, Hate crime, and Homophobia
sarah_elaine's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia and Animal death
Moderate: Hate crime, Terminal illness, Alcohol, and Alcoholism
Minor: Death of parent