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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
This is one of those books to read when the craziness of life and politics has got you down. The mystery is compelling enough to keep you interested but low stakes so you're not stressed about the outcome. The characters are lovable, have great development, and make you want to move to a small town. Overall this is a very sweet and cathartic read that I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it.
The plot was too thin for my liking. There was some real potential initially (wounded veteran dad, family dynamic changes, young girl dealing with body image issues...), but the author barely scratched the surface of the more complex emotions and chose a ridiculous mystery-scavenger-hunt-style instead. Very disappointing.
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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:
No
‘“Bravery comes in all sizes,” Aunt True had once said. I took a deep, raggedy breath. Did it come in mine?’ ❄️ ❄️ ❄️
We don’t have snow or frozen waterfalls where I live in Maryland...but it’s still frosting almost every morning. I read Absolutely Truly for #middlegrademarch and #hyggedunit and #unreadshelfproject2021 I love it when one book checks so many boxes. ✅✅✅ It was good. I liked the characters, the mystery, and all the cozy vibes. I think any kid from 5-7th grade who likes mysteries would like this novel.
We don’t have snow or frozen waterfalls where I live in Maryland...but it’s still frosting almost every morning. I read Absolutely Truly for #middlegrademarch and #hyggedunit and #unreadshelfproject2021 I love it when one book checks so many boxes. ✅✅✅ It was good. I liked the characters, the mystery, and all the cozy vibes. I think any kid from 5-7th grade who likes mysteries would like this novel.
http://www.pussreboots.pair.com/blog/2016/comments_10/absolutely_truly.html
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Absolutely Truly is a wholesome, cozy kind of read, one that you could imagine curling up with on a snowy afternoon with a steamy cup of cocoa or tea and a plate of cookies in arms reach.
It also gets extra satisfaction points because it’s a successful series opener, so you put it down knowing that there is hopefully more pleasure ahead when you get to the next Truly Lovejoy adventures.
Best bits
- Stellar small town setting - in fact, Pumpkin Falls is so well realized that it feels like another character in the story. The charm of the place leaps off the page. The traditions, the quirky downtown shops, the memorable community members - these elements definitely gave me Stars Hollow feelings.
- Truly’s quiet passion for bird watching was an unusual and endearing character trait. It’s nice to see something different in a character and I think it’s important to open up young readers’ minds to new, unexpected interests.
- The family bookstore - I could picture it and I wanted to go there and hang out in a cozy chair eating mini pumpkin whoopie pies.
- I enjoyed how Truly found her people. The friendship crew in this book was cute and vibrant.
- Truly’s dad’s injury and recovery was presented sensitively. I’m interested to see how that develops in subsequent books.
Howevers:
- Not sure billing this one as a mystery was smart marketing. The mystery aspect was really secondary, and frankly, low stakes. It was hard to feel much tension related to the mystery beyond curiosity about it. Kids can get very invested in things, this was believable, but solving the mystery was not the central focus of this book.
- It’s tough to have such a large cast and not make some characters feel a little two dimensional. Lauren and Danny were almost forgotten about in some ways, and I wonder if a couple of the friends could have been more fleshed out.
I will happily anticipate more time spent in Pumpkin Falls! This charmer was just the balm I needed and offered a gentle escape.
It also gets extra satisfaction points because it’s a successful series opener, so you put it down knowing that there is hopefully more pleasure ahead when you get to the next Truly Lovejoy adventures.
Best bits
- Stellar small town setting - in fact, Pumpkin Falls is so well realized that it feels like another character in the story. The charm of the place leaps off the page. The traditions, the quirky downtown shops, the memorable community members - these elements definitely gave me Stars Hollow feelings.
- Truly’s quiet passion for bird watching was an unusual and endearing character trait. It’s nice to see something different in a character and I think it’s important to open up young readers’ minds to new, unexpected interests.
- The family bookstore - I could picture it and I wanted to go there and hang out in a cozy chair eating mini pumpkin whoopie pies.
- I enjoyed how Truly found her people. The friendship crew in this book was cute and vibrant.
- Truly’s dad’s injury and recovery was presented sensitively. I’m interested to see how that develops in subsequent books.
Howevers:
- Not sure billing this one as a mystery was smart marketing. The mystery aspect was really secondary, and frankly, low stakes. It was hard to feel much tension related to the mystery beyond curiosity about it. Kids can get very invested in things, this was believable, but solving the mystery was not the central focus of this book.
- It’s tough to have such a large cast and not make some characters feel a little two dimensional. Lauren and Danny were almost forgotten about in some ways, and I wonder if a couple of the friends could have been more fleshed out.
I will happily anticipate more time spent in Pumpkin Falls! This charmer was just the balm I needed and offered a gentle escape.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I had no idea this was a middle grades book when I requested it from the library. I just needed a book whose author’s last name started with a V. It turned out to be a very sweet book that I thoroughly enjoyed. The heavy topic of a disabled veteran parent is covered alongside pre-teen angst and a mystery to solve. It is a nice book that isn’t just for middle grade readers as far as I’m concerned!