Reviews

Better Luck Next Time by Julia Claiborne Johnson

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caribbeangirlreading's review against another edition

funny lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

I was really exited going into this book. I LOVE historical fiction and the topic of Nevada divorce ranches in the 1930s is one that has not been covered. I did know going in that the inspiration for this book was the author's father, who once worked in a divorce ranch himself. What I did not realize is that this book is not about the women who go to the divorce ranch, but about one of the men who once worked there. If you accept the book for what it is, it's ok. But for me, it was a huge disappointment.

I expected a story about the women who go to the ranch to get divorced, not about an old man narrating the story of his time working at the ranch, a la "The Notebook." This is a story about a divorce ranch for WOMEN for Pete's sake, yet the female characters were secondary to the male narrator, and never fully realized. This is a book that could have really used multiple pov's from the various women. Did I mention how strongly I feel that this is a book that should have centered the women?!!! Overall, the male pov/gaze rubbed me the wrong way. Listening to the audiobook didn't help much either. The male narrator had this folksy / southern / small town accent that was just annoying. I speed-listened to the second half of the book so I could finish it and be ready for book club. I sure hope my fellow book clubbers forgive me for choosing this drivel.

Content Warnings

vtsarahd's review

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3.0

Interesting premise for the story, I enjoyed the setting and historical details as well as Ward as the narrator. The plot felt slow at times and I didn’t enjoy this one as much as I’d hoped.

issianne's review

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2.0

Don’t let the cover fool you. This isn’t a book about women really. It’s about women through the perspective of one of the most boring narrators I’ve encountered. We know Ward is hot, but there’s not much else. I genuinely expected a book of camaraderie of divorcées, set at a dude ranch. But it was weirdly just a hot guy who had been rich when he was younger working at a ranch in Nevada where women go to finalize their divorces just listens in on their conversations.

hilaryannbrown's review

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4.0

Fun summer reading; historical fiction with delightful characters and a unique setting.

deanab's review

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3.0

Thank you Net Galley and HarperCollins Publishing for the ARC. The idea for this book was intriguing. I did not know that there was such a thing as divorce ranches in 1930’s Nevada. The story of Ward, one of the Cowboys that worked at The Flying Leap Ranch was interesting; however, I would have preferred to learn a little more about how the ranches were run, the women who sought refuge there while awaiting their divorces rather than the very limited story of Ward and Emily. Overall, it was a good read and did compel me to do some research on the divorce ranches out of curiosity but would have liked the book to expand a little more on the concept.