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3.44 AVERAGE
3.44 AVERAGE
I couldn't finish this because because the writing style just wasn't working for me. I know that I can't speak as to whether it was bad or good, but it did feel like something I would write and I'm not an author in any way, shape, or form.
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I think I will always be drawn to books about books and book clubs since I’m such a bibliophile. I really wanted to like this one but unfortunately that wasn’t the case.
Karissa and her 8 year old daughter, Macy, have moved 50 miles away from their home since Karissa’s husband, Mark, cheated on her with her best friend and next door neighbor. Both Karissa and Macy are scared to start over, but their new neighbors are friendly and Karissa has gotten a job working for a small publication company. Soon enough both have made friends and Karissa starts a book club with her neighbors and the sister of one of them. They books they read are self help and nonfiction and each finds something within the pages to help them grow as a person and better their lives.
While real books and authors are mentioned, the books Karissa’s book club reads are all fictional. Each chapter opens with a quote from one of the book club reads which means the quotes are not actually self help quotes but advice Ms. Roberts either gives to others or has been given. Regardless I felt like it wasn’t really needed since the reader not only hasn’t read the book from which the quote came but can’t ever read it since it doesn’t exist. I appreciate Ms. Roberts attempt to make this book more realistic, but it just added to the annoyance factor for me.
I normally enjoy books with multiple character voices but this jumps from character to character without any discernible difference that all it adds is a level of confusion.
Taking place over a year thing I enjoyed was the character development. With the exception of one rushed character, the development that take place amongst the others is actually quite interesting.
With the way this is written, I find it hard to believe that Ms. Roberts has nearly 50 books on her repertoire. WIth such dull writing and insipid characters (despite their great development) this read like a novice writer wrote it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an advanced copy of this. The Best Life Book Club hit the shelves on May 7th.
Karissa and her 8 year old daughter, Macy, have moved 50 miles away from their home since Karissa’s husband, Mark, cheated on her with her best friend and next door neighbor. Both Karissa and Macy are scared to start over, but their new neighbors are friendly and Karissa has gotten a job working for a small publication company. Soon enough both have made friends and Karissa starts a book club with her neighbors and the sister of one of them. They books they read are self help and nonfiction and each finds something within the pages to help them grow as a person and better their lives.
While real books and authors are mentioned, the books Karissa’s book club reads are all fictional. Each chapter opens with a quote from one of the book club reads which means the quotes are not actually self help quotes but advice Ms. Roberts either gives to others or has been given. Regardless I felt like it wasn’t really needed since the reader not only hasn’t read the book from which the quote came but can’t ever read it since it doesn’t exist. I appreciate Ms. Roberts attempt to make this book more realistic, but it just added to the annoyance factor for me.
I normally enjoy books with multiple character voices but this jumps from character to character without any discernible difference that all it adds is a level of confusion.
Taking place over a year thing I enjoyed was the character development. With the exception of one rushed character, the development that take place amongst the others is actually quite interesting.
With the way this is written, I find it hard to believe that Ms. Roberts has nearly 50 books on her repertoire. WIth such dull writing and insipid characters (despite their great development) this read like a novice writer wrote it.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an advanced copy of this. The Best Life Book Club hit the shelves on May 7th.
lighthearted
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 received an e-galley of The Best Life Book Club by Sheila Roberts from Harlequin Trade Publishing via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
We love a book about new friendships, book clubs, the publishing industry, and new chances at love - and that is exactly what I got in The Best Life Book Club. I really enjoyed reading this story about Karissa as she navigated her life after a big betrayal. I will say that there were characters that annoyed me in the story - but it seemed quite intentionally written that way so It's not a big factor into what I thought of the story in general.
We love a book about new friendships, book clubs, the publishing industry, and new chances at love - and that is exactly what I got in The Best Life Book Club. I really enjoyed reading this story about Karissa as she navigated her life after a big betrayal. I will say that there were characters that annoyed me in the story - but it seemed quite intentionally written that way so It's not a big factor into what I thought of the story in general.
After her husband leaves her for her best friend and neighbor, Karissa is distraught, but determined to make a better life for heroes fan her daughter Macy. She is cautious of trusting people and making new friends after the betrayal, but her neighbor Alice finds a way into her heart, bringing along Margot and Josie. The four decide to start a book club. Each has things in their life they need to overcome, and having a crew and books to light their way, they each begin to face their issues.
This is such a beautiful book about the joy and value of great friendships! While each of these ladies had something to face and/or tackle in their lives, the bond of their friendship helped them through it every step of the way! I really enjoyed that Karissa worked at a publishing house and fun that comes with that, including terribly mean authors. Overall this was just a wonderful feel good book about a very unique set of women in a book club! What could be better?
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The Best Life Book Club by Sheila Roberts is a story about a fresh start, trust, friendship, and feeling better about yourself. I have been reading Sheila Roberts novels for seventeen years, and this is the first story by Ms. Roberts that I did not find to be an enjoyable reading experience. The point of view switches between the characters. The switch is abrupt (can change from one paragraph to the next). The bouncing around can give you whiplash (and it can be hard to tell who is currently speaking). It is also hard to keep the women and their journeys straight. With the various storylines and characters, I found there to be plot holes and missing details. The romance between Karissa and Edward felt forced and rushed. Personally, I wish the story had focused on the women and their journeys. I did not feel that romance was needed. I liked seeing the women come together. They encouraged and helped each other. Together they created something special. I enjoyed the book discussions and the book references. I can tell the author is familiar with Gig Harbor, Washington based on her beautiful descriptions. The depictions allowed me to visualize the town. The Best Life Book Club had an ending that will leave you smiling. Better times were ahead for the Karissa, Alice, Margot, Josie, and young Macy.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The Best Life Book Club follows Karissa, a newly divorced mom, who started a brand new life in a new town with a new job. Realizing her neighbors are other really fabulous women, they decide to make their own book club to build all of their best lives!
This was a really sweet, fun read!
The characters were lovable and I felt like they organically found each other. The book club supported each other through it all and I enjoyed watching their relationships grow stronger! Loved that they had a “group project” (no spoilers) that really tied these ladies together by the end.
The ending felt a little rushed, but it didn’t stop me from enjoying the book!
This would make a great light vacation read. It’s a feel good story about found friendships and sticking close to each other through all of life’s joys and challenges.
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Read if you love…
found family
the power of friendship
book clubs
brooding MMC
finding your joy
This was a really sweet, fun read!
The characters were lovable and I felt like they organically found each other. The book club supported each other through it all and I enjoyed watching their relationships grow stronger! Loved that they had a “group project” (no spoilers) that really tied these ladies together by the end.
The ending felt a little rushed, but it didn’t stop me from enjoying the book!
This would make a great light vacation read. It’s a feel good story about found friendships and sticking close to each other through all of life’s joys and challenges.
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Read if you love…
found family
the power of friendship
book clubs
brooding MMC
finding your joy
DNF'd at 15%
This one had such a promising concept with a newly single mom starting to work in publishing and the neighbors being kind of interesting. I just couldn't get into the writing style.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.
This one had such a promising concept with a newly single mom starting to work in publishing and the neighbors being kind of interesting. I just couldn't get into the writing style.
Thanks so much to NetGalley and publisher for the opportunity to read and review.