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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
Mehh. I didn't love it and I didn't hate it. There were a couple times that I thought about quitting and putting the book down but I stayed committed and followed through. It felt like the story really picked up during the last 100 pages which kind of sucked. But overall it was a good story about the bond and strength of sisterhood.
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Dear One Two Three,
I have been wanting to pick you up for months. I didn't really know much about you (and what I knew before you were published I actually forgot), but something about you kept catching my attention. I am so glad you did, because you were a phenomenal, unique story. The three distinct narrators gave you such narrative tension. The triplets were so entwined, so a part of each other, but also so distinct. Your story was also intriguing. You kept leading me to believe that the problem had been solved, that everyone was getting what they wanted and the happy ending was coming, but then another hit would come for the girls. You kept surprising me with your twists and turns. But the best part about you, by far were Mab, Monday and Mirabelle. I loved that I not only got to see inside their heads, but also from each other's perspective. It created an interesting shift, because I got to see how each girl thought and felt, but also how she was perceived by those closest to her. I am going to have to check out more of Laurie Frankel's books because I loved her writing that much.
I have been wanting to pick you up for months. I didn't really know much about you (and what I knew before you were published I actually forgot), but something about you kept catching my attention. I am so glad you did, because you were a phenomenal, unique story. The three distinct narrators gave you such narrative tension. The triplets were so entwined, so a part of each other, but also so distinct. Your story was also intriguing. You kept leading me to believe that the problem had been solved, that everyone was getting what they wanted and the happy ending was coming, but then another hit would come for the girls. You kept surprising me with your twists and turns. But the best part about you, by far were Mab, Monday and Mirabelle. I loved that I not only got to see inside their heads, but also from each other's perspective. It created an interesting shift, because I got to see how each girl thought and felt, but also how she was perceived by those closest to her. I am going to have to check out more of Laurie Frankel's books because I loved her writing that much.
After loving Laurie Frankel's This Is How It Always Is, I jumped at the chance to read this book. However, this one just didn't do it for me. Despite an interesting subject, I just could not get fully invested in the characters. This could possibly be because it took me a while to distinguish the separate characters and their personalities and POVs just blended together so I spent more time just trying to keep them straight.
PROS
* Love that Laurie tackles hard but very real issues
* Enjoy that she keeps her characters real and captures their ages (teens feel like teens, adults feel like adults ... if that makes sense)
* Love that she deals with real life issue and problems (disabilities, community, family dynamics, corporations, etc.)
* Switching who tells the story in each chapter to get a different POV
CONS
* The three main characters having multiple names. Although it was explained, I had to keep reminding myself who's who
* Normally listening to an audiobook helps when there are different perspectives, this time it actually confused me more. Maybe this book is better when read
* Mirabel communicates through an AAC device. The audiobook really captured what that is like because of the robotic sound, but hearing Mirabel's inner thoughts read normally threw me off. I mean, it was an awesome way to show that just because she can't communicate through speech she is just like everyone else in her mind, but when listening it became a distraction
* I thought the intention of the subject was great, but sometimes there was a lot of words and not much happening with them
Overall, this one just wasn't for me; but can't wait to see what's next from this author.
ARC provided by NetGalley and Macmillan Audio in exchange for an honest review.
PROS
* Love that Laurie tackles hard but very real issues
* Enjoy that she keeps her characters real and captures their ages (teens feel like teens, adults feel like adults ... if that makes sense)
* Love that she deals with real life issue and problems (disabilities, community, family dynamics, corporations, etc.)
* Switching who tells the story in each chapter to get a different POV
CONS
* The three main characters having multiple names. Although it was explained, I had to keep reminding myself who's who
* Normally listening to an audiobook helps when there are different perspectives, this time it actually confused me more. Maybe this book is better when read
* Mirabel communicates through an AAC device. The audiobook really captured what that is like because of the robotic sound, but hearing Mirabel's inner thoughts read normally threw me off. I mean, it was an awesome way to show that just because she can't communicate through speech she is just like everyone else in her mind, but when listening it became a distraction
* I thought the intention of the subject was great, but sometimes there was a lot of words and not much happening with them
Overall, this one just wasn't for me; but can't wait to see what's next from this author.
ARC provided by NetGalley and Macmillan Audio in exchange for an honest review.
I was really excited to read this one because This is How It Always Is was probably my favorite book of 2020. But...I went in knowing absolutely NOTHING about this book. I didnt even read the synopsis. It was a little bit of a slow starter but as the story went on I really started to fall in love with the characters and I loved the ending...it really made me smile.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Enjoyable read with three complex and interesting lead characters!
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism
Moderate: Cancer, Chronic illness, Death of parent
9/10. One, Two and Three (aka Mab, Monday, and Mirabel) are unforgettable characters with their own distinct narrative voices. It was lovely to be in each of their heads in turn and whoever I was with in the moment I thought was my favorite. This book tackled difficult topics and handled them with clarity and wit that didn’t diminish the gravity. I’ve watched “Dark Water”, but hadn’t come across these issues in reading either fiction or non-fiction yet. It’s certainly difficult and maddening to read about… yet I’d be interested in reading more.
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes