Scan barcode
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.
bookishwithwine's review
4.0
Thoughts
This is such an entertaining read! Can you even imagine a place like this existing? Actually this day in age I can. The budding relationship between Nina and Emily was so fun to read. Nina has multiple divorces in her pocket so it's not her first time at the ranch. It is Emily's first time, and she can't help but wonder if she made a mistake leaving her husband. Where Nina is outspoken, Emily is timid. I feel like these two women really brought out the best in one another. The ranch life changed their lives for the better.
The people who run the ranch: Max and his wife Margaret and their right hand man Ward are equally as amusing. Pick this one up today! You won't regret it.
Book Rating: 4/5
Wine Pairing: St Supéry Sauvignon Blanc
This is such an entertaining read! Can you even imagine a place like this existing? Actually this day in age I can. The budding relationship between Nina and Emily was so fun to read. Nina has multiple divorces in her pocket so it's not her first time at the ranch. It is Emily's first time, and she can't help but wonder if she made a mistake leaving her husband. Where Nina is outspoken, Emily is timid. I feel like these two women really brought out the best in one another. The ranch life changed their lives for the better.
The people who run the ranch: Max and his wife Margaret and their right hand man Ward are equally as amusing. Pick this one up today! You won't regret it.
Book Rating: 4/5
Wine Pairing: St Supéry Sauvignon Blanc
marbooks88's review
4.0
Ward has his memory sparked by an old photo and tells the story of his time at a divorce ranch outside of Reno. The ranch caters to wealthy women who have to reside in Reno for 6 weeks to get a divorce. This is the last group when Ward was working the ranch and the interactions with them changed his life.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an arc for my honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an arc for my honest review.
wordage's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.5
It was very charming and warm, full of that golden age banter. The dialog was so clever and every character was so endearing in their own way. It's a romp of a sort like those old American classics. I also loved getting to see the unconventionality and tenderness of a friendship formed between these two women and this man, especially given their roles on the ranch. I felt so charmed by ward, what a sweetheart.
It was sad at turns and made me feel scared of growing old, conscious of my youth and the brevity of it. But in a hopeful reflective way. It in itself was not a sad book.It's always startlingly to me, anytime an elderly person is recounting their life, to hear how many people in their lives die at one point or another - which is silly, we all die. Eventually.
It was sad at turns and made me feel scared of growing old, conscious of my youth and the brevity of it. But in a hopeful reflective way. It in itself was not a sad book.
hannahjsimpson's review
5.0
Told through the eyes of an elderly man as he reminisces on his times as a cowboy at a Reno divorce ranch in the 1930s, this literary tale is surprisingly funny and full of wisdom. I particularly loved Nina and Sam. That twist at the end wasn't necessarily a surprise but I found it lovely and a satisfying ending. I am looking forward to reading more by Ms. Johnson.
roscoehuxley's review
3.0
The set up was great, the characters were compelling. For some reason, it didn't grab me right now, so I put on a shelf to pick up again later.
laurahood's review
2.0
Bummer! I kept waiting for the story to take off. I really liked the narrator and wanted to keep going but it fell flat.
bethanyhyde's review
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
zhzhang's review against another edition
3.0
Before reading this book, I have no idea about this little history of Reno and the business around it. The book is full of humor, but sometimes sadness as well, especially the end.