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3.25 AVERAGE
3.25 AVERAGE
At first I didn’t like this book. It was ridiculous! But I kept going and I’m glad I did! Didn’t see the twist coming! 3.5 stars
This was a short book all about grief, forgiveness, family, and love. It wasn’t really a Christmas book- as I had expected from the cover- and I wasn’t quite anticipating the magic/fairytale aspect of it.
But overall, Hannah’s writing was good, the characters were compelling, and I enjoyed the story & its ending. I did have to get past the various “plot holes” and look at this one more as an unbelievable fairy tale, than a novel.
But overall, Hannah’s writing was good, the characters were compelling, and I enjoyed the story & its ending. I did have to get past the various “plot holes” and look at this one more as an unbelievable fairy tale, than a novel.
emotional
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I wanted a sweet, feel-good Christmas romance to read on a snuggly Christmas afternoon and this was not it. It was awful. Totally ridiculous mid-book plot twist and unbelievable ending. Fortunately I skimmed through and didn’t waste much time on this mess. I mean, romance novels often require suspension of disbelief, but this was beyond anything— and not so much the “I’ve been talking to people while in a coma” magical thinking as the “I’ll forgive you for having an affair with my husband and not telling me and then showing up with a wedding invitation because we’re sisters” part of it. Puh-lease. What a mess. My first and last Kristen Hannah.
I have read a lot by this author and honestly the others have been much more entertaining. It was a sweet story but nothing much more than that. Very predictable and cliche in most places. It wasn't the worst book but I wouldn't really recommend it to others
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
It's a dangerous business...going out of your door. You step into the Road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to. -J. R. R. Tolkien
Not really sure how this quote fits in, as it is beyond the scope of this book, but I'll give it that.
I did figure it out, before I was halfway through the book, something was going on that was not quite what it seemed, but didn't throw me off finishing to see what exactly it was or how it would turn out. I haven't read too many Christamas stories but just happened to own a copy of this I was committed to reading this year and glad I did. I do like this author and want to read more. This was just a little awkward and not a best effort. Now I want to finish this review and get it off to the Little Library so someone else can get to a seasonal read.
I stand there, watching the shiny combination of rain and moonlight.
Other quotes I like:
As the kids at school say: it's all good now.
I feel rejuvenated by the moisture, like a desert traveler who has stumbled upon an impossible oasis. I can't see anything with perfect clarity; it is a world veiled by mist and water, and yet made all the more beautiful by obscurity.
Regret, I know, is a powerful remainder; it can bring the strongest man to his knees. One small boy is no match for it all all. No wonder he "sees" his mom.
If I'm to be honest-and why would I lie now?-our house was quiet long before Thomas left me.
Mostly I dreamed of us being together all the time, instead of all going our separate ways.
I know how a thing like this happens. Not all at once, but day by day. You stop wanting to record every minute of an unhappy life.
I need to soak up every second and fashion the time into memories.
You see things and you say 'Why?'
But I dream things that never were
And say, 'Why not'? - George Bernard Shaw (again a quote a little too deep for this book, but can allow)
Experiencing our lives through each other
Not really sure how this quote fits in, as it is beyond the scope of this book, but I'll give it that.
I did figure it out, before I was halfway through the book, something was going on that was not quite what it seemed, but didn't throw me off finishing to see what exactly it was or how it would turn out. I haven't read too many Christamas stories but just happened to own a copy of this I was committed to reading this year and glad I did. I do like this author and want to read more. This was just a little awkward and not a best effort. Now I want to finish this review and get it off to the Little Library so someone else can get to a seasonal read.
I stand there, watching the shiny combination of rain and moonlight.
Other quotes I like:
As the kids at school say: it's all good now.
I feel rejuvenated by the moisture, like a desert traveler who has stumbled upon an impossible oasis. I can't see anything with perfect clarity; it is a world veiled by mist and water, and yet made all the more beautiful by obscurity.
Regret, I know, is a powerful remainder; it can bring the strongest man to his knees. One small boy is no match for it all all. No wonder he "sees" his mom.
If I'm to be honest-and why would I lie now?-our house was quiet long before Thomas left me.
Mostly I dreamed of us being together all the time, instead of all going our separate ways.
I know how a thing like this happens. Not all at once, but day by day. You stop wanting to record every minute of an unhappy life.
I need to soak up every second and fashion the time into memories.
You see things and you say 'Why?'
But I dream things that never were
And say, 'Why not'? - George Bernard Shaw (again a quote a little too deep for this book, but can allow)
Experiencing our lives through each other
Cute story, uplifting, not much substance, but enjoyable enough