Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
I'm halfway through this book and it's a little disappointing so far. There are a lot of good elements to the plot but the writing is sub par. Lots of telling, not showing which leads to poor character development. The male love interest is so uninteresting. The many side characters are so much more interesting.
Update: upon finishing the book, my rating is a firm 2 stars. The plot completely stalled out about halfway through and was a slog to the end.
The author is clearly an older writer who is unsuccessfully trying to write younger characters. Some of her references are extremely dated and are not anything a twenty or early 30 year old would say or do. If the book were supposed to be set in the late 90s or early 2000s it might be acceptable. But as it is, what twenty something who is afraid of driving try to drive to the airport in LA when ridesharing is a thing? Plus, I don't know a single Robert under the age of 55 who goes as "Bob". Ugh.
Update: upon finishing the book, my rating is a firm 2 stars. The plot completely stalled out about halfway through and was a slog to the end.
The author is clearly an older writer who is unsuccessfully trying to write younger characters. Some of her references are extremely dated and are not anything a twenty or early 30 year old would say or do. If the book were supposed to be set in the late 90s or early 2000s it might be acceptable. But as it is, what twenty something who is afraid of driving try to drive to the airport in LA when ridesharing is a thing? Plus, I don't know a single Robert under the age of 55 who goes as "Bob". Ugh.
A traumatic experience leads to new friendships that morph into family. This common thread, punctuated with humor, is a Waxman staple. It works; she’s a must read! Set in the world of Nina Hill and Garden of Small Beginnings, new LA transplant Laura ducks into a book shop during a downpour. There, she meets some whimsical folks who immediately take her in. Sometimes it takes a village to raise an adult, and to gently help them adjust.
Feel good romcom about new beginnings
This is a sequel to The Bookish Life of Nina Hill. It's fine as a stand alone though. Fun story about a young woman who has come to LA for grad school after having survived a very serious car accident and having decided to become a physical therapist. She gets "adopted" by a household of quirky folks who all have their own "stuff". Great dialogue, quirky characters, delightful feel good story. Not steamy, just a little falling in love stuff.
This is a sequel to The Bookish Life of Nina Hill. It's fine as a stand alone though. Fun story about a young woman who has come to LA for grad school after having survived a very serious car accident and having decided to become a physical therapist. She gets "adopted" by a household of quirky folks who all have their own "stuff". Great dialogue, quirky characters, delightful feel good story. Not steamy, just a little falling in love stuff.
hopeful
lighthearted
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:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident
Minor: Toxic relationship
I found this book simply delightful, acknowledging that 1) the author’s writing style appeals to my sense of whimsy (I felt similarly about the initial Nina Hill book) and 2) this might have been influenced by buying the book at the actual bookstore in Larchmont Village that is listed on the dedication page. I appreciate how every character has a voice at one point, including (especially?) the animals for a sentence or two.
TW: car accidents, PTSD, driving anxiety, disordered eating, alcoholism
To be quite frank, I'm not sure how to rate this. Sadly, I did not love this as much as I did with Nina Hill, but that might be chalked up to the fact I did not relate to Laura as much as I did with Nina. I'm not saying that you have to entirely relate to the main character to rate a book highly, but perhaps because the previous was at such a level, it is difficult for the next to live up to it.
I guess I would range it from a high 3.75 to low 4 stars.
But I also do say I would like to have another installment because I just adore these characters.
To be quite frank, I'm not sure how to rate this. Sadly, I did not love this as much as I did with Nina Hill, but that might be chalked up to the fact I did not relate to Laura as much as I did with Nina. I'm not saying that you have to entirely relate to the main character to rate a book highly, but perhaps because the previous was at such a level, it is difficult for the next to live up to it.
I guess I would range it from a high 3.75 to low 4 stars.
But I also do say I would like to have another installment because I just adore these characters.
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I really enjoyed this! The characters, the plot and storylines for each character.
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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:
No
I liked this. I like the idea of al older woman renting out rooms to various characters and the communal aspect of coping with life. Set in LA it was a story of growth at all stages of life.