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the_true_monroe's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
While the overall story was not for me, I connected greatly with Greta’s family dynamic, the struggles it caused in her interpersonal relationships, and her transition into her own person outside of the enmeshed family. I loved how her thought process and realizations were thoroughly communicated to the reader but also her partner.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Dementia, Chronic illness, Alcohol, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Vomit, Homophobia, Lesbophobia, Drug use, and Transphobia
ladythana's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Dementia, Toxic relationship, and Infidelity
Minor: Drug use, Mental illness, Homophobia, Transphobia, Religious bigotry, and Lesbophobia
givemaribooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I had high hopes for this book as a big fan of this author and The Holiday, but it didn’t hit the mark for me. Part of me wishes the book had been just about Truman and Ash.
While I liked Greta and part of her journey, I did not like Carys. She game mani pixie vibes at times, with the mini horse, the unusual way to make money, her being a bit all over the place while also acting like the super one who is more emotionally matured. She judges Greta for her relationship with her family pretty harshly from the start, not that I’m excusing the family, especially that one homophobic sister, but she placed the blame solely on Greta and wouldn’t give her time to come to terms with the changes she needed to make. Greta was in New Orleans precisely to do that. I also didn’t like how the two fights were handled. I understand Carys point of view, what I don’t like is that she didn’t explicitly tell Greta why she was mad after the ice cream. Those two “favors” were things people say no to all the time thinking they are being polite, how was Carys supposed to know. She didn’t cross some huge boundary, or didn’t listen about something big, she did two things she thought were nice to do because Carys did not communicate with her properly. I honestly wished Greta had ended up single in the end and living her new life.
As for Ash and Truman, I loved these two. I particularly liked Truman. I do think there were a lot of holes in their stories/backgrounds, the whole book actually, like did Truman confront his ex or just disappear on him. We don’t get to know about Ash background as much, we don’t even know the details of how he ended up in the island or why a florist shop, or why he doesn’t live with his mom. I’m still confused why she chose random strangers to care for his mom instead of him.
Overall it was an enjoyable book. I listened to the audiobook while doing something else so I was able to ignore the holes in the story or unlikeable characters.
While I liked Greta and part of her journey, I did not like Carys. She game mani pixie vibes at times, with the mini horse, the unusual way to make money, her being a bit all over the place while also acting like the super one who is more emotionally matured. She judges Greta for her relationship with her family pretty harshly from the start, not that I’m excusing the family, especially that one homophobic sister, but she placed the blame solely on Greta and wouldn’t give her time to come to terms with the changes she needed to make. Greta was in New Orleans precisely to do that. I also didn’t like how the two fights were handled. I understand Carys point of view, what I don’t like is that she didn’t explicitly tell Greta why she was mad after the ice cream. Those two “favors” were things people say no to all the time thinking they are being polite, how was Carys supposed to know. She didn’t cross some huge boundary, or didn’t listen about something big, she did two things she thought were nice to do because Carys did not communicate with her properly. I honestly wished Greta had ended up single in the end and living her new life.
As for Ash and Truman, I loved these two. I particularly liked Truman. I do think there were a lot of holes in their stories/backgrounds, the whole book actually, like did Truman confront his ex or just disappear on him. We don’t get to know about Ash background as much, we don’t even know the details of how he ended up in the island or why a florist shop, or why he doesn’t live with his mom. I’m still confused why she chose random strangers to care for his mom instead of him.
Overall it was an enjoyable book. I listened to the audiobook while doing something else so I was able to ignore the holes in the story or unlikeable characters.
Content Warnings
Minor: Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Chronic illness, and Gaslighting
beth_s98's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book was a mixed bag. While the concept was super fun, I struggled with one of the story lines, and felt like I kept waiting to switch back to the one I connected with more. It was a fine read, but I’m not sure I’m going to be jumping to reread it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Drug use, and Sexual content
Moderate: Chronic illness, Dementia, Toxic relationship, and Infidelity
penguinsquack's review
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
Moderate: Infidelity
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