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kk1311's review
4.0
Would have gotten 5 stars, but the main characters weren’t likable except for Ward, who didn’t have enough depth. But, fun story, easy read!
ameserole's review
3.0
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Better Luck Next Time was a different adventure for me when going down a historical route. Mostly because every time I dive into a historical book, ARC or not, it's mostly around a war. So, I'm not going to lie - this was different and I was really excited to take the chance to dive into it.
Since I've never been married, divorced, or wanted to go to a camp with people - this intrigued me. Yeah, I went to summer camp for soccer back in the day but that doesn't mean I wanted to. Or that I liked it. That being said, this was pretty interesting to see the couples go through what they went through.
Each character was pretty unique and brought something fun and different to the group. Yet, I kind of felt bored while listening to the book. I wouldn't necessarily say it was a slow paced book through and through but nothing really excited me either. It was still enjoyable to see who was going to stay together or not towards the end though.
In the end, I'm happy that I got the chance to dive into something new.
Better Luck Next Time was a different adventure for me when going down a historical route. Mostly because every time I dive into a historical book, ARC or not, it's mostly around a war. So, I'm not going to lie - this was different and I was really excited to take the chance to dive into it.
Since I've never been married, divorced, or wanted to go to a camp with people - this intrigued me. Yeah, I went to summer camp for soccer back in the day but that doesn't mean I wanted to. Or that I liked it. That being said, this was pretty interesting to see the couples go through what they went through.
Each character was pretty unique and brought something fun and different to the group. Yet, I kind of felt bored while listening to the book. I wouldn't necessarily say it was a slow paced book through and through but nothing really excited me either. It was still enjoyable to see who was going to stay together or not towards the end though.
In the end, I'm happy that I got the chance to dive into something new.
irishkreem's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
rozlev's review against another edition
5.0
I loved every minute of this book. Beautifully written. Wonderful characters. A little history, intrigue, romance, mystery, heartbreak, and humor all rolled into to an engaging story.
brandypainter's review
3.0
This is the first book for summer book club. It was entertaining enough. I didn't hate it, nor can I enthusiastically recommend it. It is a character driven novel, yet none of the characters are any more than caricatures. I had a hard time caring about them. I also found the plot to be rather predictable, which doesn't always bother me if the character development is worth it. I didn't feel it was here. All that being said, Johnson has a tongue-in-cheek wit to her writing I enjoyed. Those sly, subversive gems hidden in all the rest made it worth it.
kategci's review
3.0
Thank you to Custom House for a chance to read this novel prior to its publication. This is historical fiction, told through the voice of Ward who was a ranch hand on a divorce ranch in Reno on the 1930s. Wealthy women would come and stay at the ranch for 6 weeks which enabled them to divorce their husbands. Nina and Emily are there together (Nina for the 3rd time). Most of the story I enjoyed, I was not a fan of Ward's medical career digressions. Some of the antics at the ranch were a little over the top, but this was a great pre-Christmas read as I was transported to Reno in the 1930s. I think this would be the perfect book club choice for my in person book group (which now meets on Zoom).
lucieloureads's review
2.0
March Book Club 2021
I was sold on the synopsis of a divorce ranch for women found in Reno during the 1930s, and the sorts of stories and misadventures that could occur. The narrative choice to have it told via Howard, one of the ranch hands, in a retirement home years later and in the form of an interview was not my favourite. I enjoyed the historical aspect of it and in Nina, Emily, and Portia you have interesting characters who are as unlikeable as Howard was naïve.
I think my expectations were for a different kind of story than the one I read.
I was sold on the synopsis of a divorce ranch for women found in Reno during the 1930s, and the sorts of stories and misadventures that could occur. The narrative choice to have it told via Howard, one of the ranch hands, in a retirement home years later and in the form of an interview was not my favourite. I enjoyed the historical aspect of it and in Nina, Emily, and Portia you have interesting characters who are as unlikeable as Howard was naïve.
I think my expectations were for a different kind of story than the one I read.
drae's review
5.0
This book was an unexpected delight! The characters were charming and I learned about a topic I'd never heard of before. The narrative style added additional depth and a little surprise along the way. I listened to it as an audiobook and the voice artist reminded me of Matthew McConaughey.
moviebuffkt's review
4.0
This was a cute one. I loved the frame narrative, and the whole cast of quirky characters at the Flying Leap Ranch, mostly women staying in Reno for the requisite 6 weeks to get divorced.
It’s mostly about Ward, the naive ranch hand, rich and equally naive Emily, and Nina who just wants to have fun. These 3 get in to funny and sometimes sweet situations. The book was well written and one of those “I just want a good read” reads - nothing too deep here.
It’s mostly about Ward, the naive ranch hand, rich and equally naive Emily, and Nina who just wants to have fun. These 3 get in to funny and sometimes sweet situations. The book was well written and one of those “I just want a good read” reads - nothing too deep here.
lewilk's review against another edition
3.0
An intriguing setting, a likable protagonist — but overall a lukewarm story with barely any plot and little momentum.