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kaciazoerner's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
4.25
delaneyymarie's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book! It is so special and so uniquely and eloquently conveys sibling relationships/bonds. I found something in each character that was relatable. Whether it was a situation that they were in, personality trait, thought process, etc. I also really like when authors write from multiple character perspectives, and imo Lisa Jewell always does this right. There were a lot of characters and all of their corresponding situations to keep straight, but once I made a little notecard, all was well....
Also I haven't kept track of quotes in a while so that says something about my enjoyment of this novel.
"Did she actually look like a mother? It seemed unlikely. She was so far from the reality of motherhood-the concept sat on the horizon, strange and unattainable- that the idea that someone could look at her and imagine for a moment she was that type of person made her feel disturbed and oddly flattered all at the same time." Lydia p25
Now seeing this quote after finishing the book-the character development. At the time of reading this just felt relatable lol
"They rubbed their fingers together like good luck charms." Maggie p167
A classic storyline of finding out mutual attraction just as one person is about to die.
"For a while she couldn't quite think who it was she was pretending to be, and then, with a start, she remembered: she was pretending to be herself." p354 Robyn, a disassociating queen. Relatable.
"She smiled with satisfaction at her closing words and Lydia felt her own heart fill with pride, seeing someone so young work it all out for themselves." p369
I found myself relating to Lydia the most-oldest daughter things.
"Like waiting for a bus, the more time you invest in awaiting the outcome the harder it is to walk away." p376 Daniel
On death in the book but I just thought this was funny.
Also I haven't kept track of quotes in a while so that says something about my enjoyment of this novel.
"Did she actually look like a mother? It seemed unlikely. She was so far from the reality of motherhood-the concept sat on the horizon, strange and unattainable- that the idea that someone could look at her and imagine for a moment she was that type of person made her feel disturbed and oddly flattered all at the same time." Lydia p25
Now seeing this quote after finishing the book-the character development. At the time of reading this just felt relatable lol
"They rubbed their fingers together like good luck charms." Maggie p167
A classic storyline of finding out mutual attraction just as one person is about to die.
"For a while she couldn't quite think who it was she was pretending to be, and then, with a start, she remembered: she was pretending to be herself." p354 Robyn, a disassociating queen. Relatable.
"She smiled with satisfaction at her closing words and Lydia felt her own heart fill with pride, seeing someone so young work it all out for themselves." p369
I found myself relating to Lydia the most-oldest daughter things.
"Like waiting for a bus, the more time you invest in awaiting the outcome the harder it is to walk away." p376 Daniel
On death in the book but I just thought this was funny.
juliette_21's review against another edition
Another excellent book from Lisa Jewell. I read this in one sitting and my only regret is putting this book away too many times before I actually got to reading it.
I usually hate books with different point of views, but this book was written in such a way that it didn't feel like a burden and I really just kept turning the pages.
The story was very emotional and sad and happy at the same time. There were interesting stories behind each character and I found myself wanting more and more.
I feel like this book could have had a sequel to it. It was just that good.
I also love the way Lisa Jewell builds up her stories, the descriptions and twists are always build in a perfect way and never disappoint.
I usually hate books with different point of views, but this book was written in such a way that it didn't feel like a burden and I really just kept turning the pages.
The story was very emotional and sad and happy at the same time. There were interesting stories behind each character and I found myself wanting more and more.
I feel like this book could have had a sequel to it. It was just that good.
I also love the way Lisa Jewell builds up her stories, the descriptions and twists are always build in a perfect way and never disappoint.
greatexpectations77's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
It was my fault for starting this one thinking it was a thriller. But until the day that the earth swallows me up, I will stand by that Jack is totally Robyn's brother. It's way too suspicious. The lady down the street took the baby and gave him a different name?? The baby just looked like a blob of clothes?? The mom acted all weird about the sperm donor thing?? I'm absolutely convinced. But I thought it was a touching look at finding family later in life and that we're all really just looking for support.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Alcohol, Death of parent, Abandonment, Cancer, Medical content, Toxic relationship, Death, and Terminal illness
Minor: Blood, Classism, Grief, Incest, and Sexual content
annecarts's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book about three strangers that find they have a shared connection. The characters were well drawn and flawed in various ways and I loved Lydia.
colorfulleo92's review against another edition
5.0
I've read a few of Lisa Jewell's book and wasn't sure if I enjoyed her older more "chick lit" kind of books or her more recent more thriller kinds of reads. I was leaning towards the later but I loved this book so much. Its follows three half siblings that have the same father, a sperm donor, and their struggle to find them self in their lifes. I was hooked on Lydia's and Dean's story the most but found the whole book very readable and engaging. It dealt with struggle but wasn't overly emotional and sad.