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ctorretta's review against another edition
3.0
Ok… I had to sit and think about how I was going to do this review. So, let me take this one thing at a time.
Firstly, the cover seems lackluster but it does have a significance with the story. That red sweater means so much and honestly I didn’t even notice it until I started doing this review!
The plot was interesting. It also tugged at my heart strings. There are so many emotional ups and downs in this that you almost need to take a breather to be able to continue reading. But there was something else, the point of view kept changing, which normally I don’t have an issue with, but in this case, the pov would change and so would the tense. All of a sudden you would be in a memory of a person and then in yet another memory further into their past! It could get a bit convoluted and I had to do a few double takes to get my thoughts back to what was going on. Definitely took away from the story, for me. However, I understand the different points of view because there is just TOO much going on for any one person to know everything. Plus the fact that everyone keeps lying to each other doesn’t help, but it is art imitating real life so I just kind of tried to go with it. I did find myself trudging to the end hoping somewhere there was going to be happiness for someone out there! Anyone please!! Just ONE of them! But I’ll talk about the ending in a minute.
As for the characters, each one of them has their own reasons for being who they are. None are perfect, which of course makes them perfect! They all have to learn to grow and trust each other and so much happens to get them to that point! Grace was definitely my favorite! That girl has her stuff together! And then to be thrown into a relationship as a step-mother of two kids! Whew… it would throw anyone for a loop. I normally take the sides of the kids but for some reason I just wanted Grace to come out of this on top.
Now, the ending… after ALL of the drama, the crying and aches and pains that these people go through, I was hoping for something. SOMETHING! I don’t know. It just seemed so … meh to me. It’s not that it isn’t worth the read, exactly… it just felt like you were taken on a roller coaster and just kind of let off without a last hoorah! I hope that makes sense!
I have to say, I did read quite a few Goodreads reviews while trying to wrap my head around doing my own review, and there are quite a few out there and I can see where the people that gave this higher ratings are coming from, all I know though, was this wasn’t for me. BUT don’t let that stop you! The emotional turmoil and characters in this are brilliant and it’s definitely worth reading!
Firstly, the cover seems lackluster but it does have a significance with the story. That red sweater means so much and honestly I didn’t even notice it until I started doing this review!
The plot was interesting. It also tugged at my heart strings. There are so many emotional ups and downs in this that you almost need to take a breather to be able to continue reading. But there was something else, the point of view kept changing, which normally I don’t have an issue with, but in this case, the pov would change and so would the tense. All of a sudden you would be in a memory of a person and then in yet another memory further into their past! It could get a bit convoluted and I had to do a few double takes to get my thoughts back to what was going on. Definitely took away from the story, for me. However, I understand the different points of view because there is just TOO much going on for any one person to know everything. Plus the fact that everyone keeps lying to each other doesn’t help, but it is art imitating real life so I just kind of tried to go with it. I did find myself trudging to the end hoping somewhere there was going to be happiness for someone out there! Anyone please!! Just ONE of them! But I’ll talk about the ending in a minute.
As for the characters, each one of them has their own reasons for being who they are. None are perfect, which of course makes them perfect! They all have to learn to grow and trust each other and so much happens to get them to that point! Grace was definitely my favorite! That girl has her stuff together! And then to be thrown into a relationship as a step-mother of two kids! Whew… it would throw anyone for a loop. I normally take the sides of the kids but for some reason I just wanted Grace to come out of this on top.
Now, the ending… after ALL of the drama, the crying and aches and pains that these people go through, I was hoping for something. SOMETHING! I don’t know. It just seemed so … meh to me. It’s not that it isn’t worth the read, exactly… it just felt like you were taken on a roller coaster and just kind of let off without a last hoorah! I hope that makes sense!
I have to say, I did read quite a few Goodreads reviews while trying to wrap my head around doing my own review, and there are quite a few out there and I can see where the people that gave this higher ratings are coming from, all I know though, was this wasn’t for me. BUT don’t let that stop you! The emotional turmoil and characters in this are brilliant and it’s definitely worth reading!
shays's review against another edition
3.0
Disclaimer: I received a free review copy of this book at ALA Midwinter 2013. All quotes are based on an uncorrected text.
After basically raising her younger brother, Sam, Grace McAlister never wanted children of her own. But when she meets Victor Hansen, she decides that she wants to give him a chance, even though he has two children with his ex-wife, Kelli. The kids live with their mother, and Grace figures that she can handle two weekends a month with Ava and Max. But shortly after Grace and Victor become engaged, Kelli dies unexpectedly, and under questionable circumstances, leaving Grace wondering whether or not she can be a full-time parent to two grieving children.
When her parents divorced, Ava Hansen found herself thrown into unexpected responsibilities supporting her emotionally unstable mother, and helping her take care of her younger brother, Max. She hopes that someday her father will come back to her family, but those hopes seem silly when her father moves in with Grace. When Kelli dies, information comes to light that causes Ava to question how well she knew her mother, and hints at hidden tragedies in her past. Ava struggles to reconcile herself to a relationship with Grace, while being forced to both grieve for her mother, and question their bond.
Heart Like Mine gets off to a rocky start, with a melodramatic and slightly contrived meet-cute scenario for Victor and Grace as Hatvany introduces the characters in the lead up to Kelli’s death. Similarly, Ava is established as a teenage stereotype by showing her being embarrassed by her mom and bullied by her peers, in a crude caricature of school life. After getting to know Grace for the rest of the book, I still felt by the end that her behaviour in the opening chapter was out of character. That being said, after Kelli dies, both Grace and Ava crystallize and the story takes off. Grace and Ava become equally sympathetic, even when they are at odds with one another, particularly because there are strong parallels between the two characters.
The story is comprised of sharp, uncomfortable edges where the characters try to fit the pieces of a broken family together into a new whole. There are ups and downs, but mostly downs, though Max’s character provides wonderful moments of comic relief. I also found myself particularly moved by the scene in which Grace and Victor laugh together for the first time after Kelli’s death, giving us a brief glimpse of normalcy in the otherwise tumultuous situation. Kelli’s chapters, which are flashbacks that Hatvany added to the book in a later draft, brought her character and her back story to life in a way that Grace and Ava’s investigations never could. One perspective I did miss in all of this was Victor, who connects the three POV characters, but never gets to speak for himself.
Unlike many comedy movies in which a childless woman (usually an aunt) finds herself unexpectedly caring for children, Grace and Victor’s situation is entirely plausible. And even more fortunately, this book is not one in which Grace miraculously discovers that children were the magical ingredient missing from her otherwise perfect life. Her love for Victor and her determination to help the family through this period of grief rang true where a sudden rush of maternal feeling would have struck a false note. Her character is all the more admirable because she genuinely struggles with the situation, but perseveres anyway. Although Heart Like Mine got off to a rocky start, it is ultimately a touching and realistic portrayal of grief, love and family that builds to a solid finish.
From http://shayshortt.wordpress.com/2013/03/19/heart-like-mine/
After basically raising her younger brother, Sam, Grace McAlister never wanted children of her own. But when she meets Victor Hansen, she decides that she wants to give him a chance, even though he has two children with his ex-wife, Kelli. The kids live with their mother, and Grace figures that she can handle two weekends a month with Ava and Max. But shortly after Grace and Victor become engaged, Kelli dies unexpectedly, and under questionable circumstances, leaving Grace wondering whether or not she can be a full-time parent to two grieving children.
When her parents divorced, Ava Hansen found herself thrown into unexpected responsibilities supporting her emotionally unstable mother, and helping her take care of her younger brother, Max. She hopes that someday her father will come back to her family, but those hopes seem silly when her father moves in with Grace. When Kelli dies, information comes to light that causes Ava to question how well she knew her mother, and hints at hidden tragedies in her past. Ava struggles to reconcile herself to a relationship with Grace, while being forced to both grieve for her mother, and question their bond.
Heart Like Mine gets off to a rocky start, with a melodramatic and slightly contrived meet-cute scenario for Victor and Grace as Hatvany introduces the characters in the lead up to Kelli’s death. Similarly, Ava is established as a teenage stereotype by showing her being embarrassed by her mom and bullied by her peers, in a crude caricature of school life. After getting to know Grace for the rest of the book, I still felt by the end that her behaviour in the opening chapter was out of character. That being said, after Kelli dies, both Grace and Ava crystallize and the story takes off. Grace and Ava become equally sympathetic, even when they are at odds with one another, particularly because there are strong parallels between the two characters.
The story is comprised of sharp, uncomfortable edges where the characters try to fit the pieces of a broken family together into a new whole. There are ups and downs, but mostly downs, though Max’s character provides wonderful moments of comic relief. I also found myself particularly moved by the scene in which Grace and Victor laugh together for the first time after Kelli’s death, giving us a brief glimpse of normalcy in the otherwise tumultuous situation. Kelli’s chapters, which are flashbacks that Hatvany added to the book in a later draft, brought her character and her back story to life in a way that Grace and Ava’s investigations never could. One perspective I did miss in all of this was Victor, who connects the three POV characters, but never gets to speak for himself.
Unlike many comedy movies in which a childless woman (usually an aunt) finds herself unexpectedly caring for children, Grace and Victor’s situation is entirely plausible. And even more fortunately, this book is not one in which Grace miraculously discovers that children were the magical ingredient missing from her otherwise perfect life. Her love for Victor and her determination to help the family through this period of grief rang true where a sudden rush of maternal feeling would have struck a false note. Her character is all the more admirable because she genuinely struggles with the situation, but perseveres anyway. Although Heart Like Mine got off to a rocky start, it is ultimately a touching and realistic portrayal of grief, love and family that builds to a solid finish.
From http://shayshortt.wordpress.com/2013/03/19/heart-like-mine/
rfwads's review against another edition
4.0
This is the first book I've read by Amy Hatvany's and I loved it! I found it to be a quick read and couldn't put it down. I loved reading Grace, Ava, and Kelli's points of view and enjoyed how the chapters tied into each other. I really enjoyed the storyline as well and could really relate to Grace. Overall I would highly recommend this book to others.
The only reason that I didn't rate the book five stars, was because of the ending. I felt there were questions left unanswered, including more information on Kelli and Rebecca, Ava and Grace's relationship, and Victor and Grace's relationship. I definitely think there could have been a sequel and hope that someday there is.
****
Told through Grace, Ava, and Kelli's points of view, Heart Like Mine takes us through the journey of grief and loss and how someone continues life after a loved one is gone.
Grace is a career-driven, 36 year old, who never wanted kids. She is newly engaged to Victor, who has two kids of his own. When tragedy hits, she goes from being a weekend stepparent to a 24.7 stepmom. As she struggles to find her place within the family and juggling life as a working parent, she also struggles with her relationship between Ava and Max.
At 13, Ava, daughter of Kelli and Victor, is struggling with the loss of her mom. She wants answers and doesn't understand how Kelli could be gone. She is also having a hard time adjusting to life with her dad and Grace. Her feelings towards Grace are a roller coaster. One minute she likes her and the next she doesn't. She doesn't want to betray her mother, and every time she feels herself getting close to Grace and opening up, she feels she is losing what she has left of her mom.
Kelli's story shares with readers the heartache and pain she has struggled with since the age of 14. Growing up in a religious household, with older parents, Kelli always felt like an outcast. At 14 she made one mistake that cost her big time and left her on her own. As Kelli gets older and has a family of her own, she continues to struggle with the past and some might say she dies of a broken heart.
The only reason that I didn't rate the book five stars, was because of the ending. I felt there were questions left unanswered, including more information on Kelli and Rebecca, Ava and Grace's relationship, and Victor and Grace's relationship. I definitely think there could have been a sequel and hope that someday there is.
****
Told through Grace, Ava, and Kelli's points of view, Heart Like Mine takes us through the journey of grief and loss and how someone continues life after a loved one is gone.
Grace is a career-driven, 36 year old, who never wanted kids. She is newly engaged to Victor, who has two kids of his own. When tragedy hits, she goes from being a weekend stepparent to a 24.7 stepmom. As she struggles to find her place within the family and juggling life as a working parent, she also struggles with her relationship between Ava and Max.
At 13, Ava, daughter of Kelli and Victor, is struggling with the loss of her mom. She wants answers and doesn't understand how Kelli could be gone. She is also having a hard time adjusting to life with her dad and Grace. Her feelings towards Grace are a roller coaster. One minute she likes her and the next she doesn't. She doesn't want to betray her mother, and every time she feels herself getting close to Grace and opening up, she feels she is losing what she has left of her mom.
Kelli's story shares with readers the heartache and pain she has struggled with since the age of 14. Growing up in a religious household, with older parents, Kelli always felt like an outcast. At 14 she made one mistake that cost her big time and left her on her own. As Kelli gets older and has a family of her own, she continues to struggle with the past and some might say she dies of a broken heart.
courtneymarie928's review against another edition
5.0
I honestly really enjoyed this book, and I wanted it to keep going!! They could've gone a little further into the final resolution! Great read, though! The feelings were so real :)
dreesreads's review against another edition
3.0
Not really my kind of book--I heard about it from somewhere.
Not a bad story, just too beach-read Jodi Picoult-like for me. I think Picoult fans might really like this, and it would be fine for teens as well (actually, with 2 teen narrators and a too-simplistic story line and resolution, it seems more like a YA/teen book to me). But for teens, not tweens.
A very quick read.
Not a bad story, just too beach-read Jodi Picoult-like for me. I think Picoult fans might really like this, and it would be fine for teens as well (actually, with 2 teen narrators and a too-simplistic story line and resolution, it seems more like a YA/teen book to me). But for teens, not tweens.
A very quick read.
howifeelaboutbooks's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting book about families coming together into something new. Grace has dedicated herself to her job at a battered women's shelter, and never had much time for relationships, until she met Victor. Victor owns a restaurant and has custody of his two children on weekends, but doesn't want anymore - which is a relief to Grace, because she's never wanted kids. Kelli, Victor's ex-wife, keeps the kids during the week and desperately needs their affection, and even their help with remembering household chores like paying the bills. When Kelli is found dead, the kids come to live with Victor and Grace full-time, something neither adult is prepared for. On top of that, everyone is trying to figure out how Kelli died, without telling the others what they know. Told from the perspectives of Grace, Ava, and occasionally Kelli herself, this book will make you re-think your views on all things motherhood and family.
adrianna80's review
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.5
Easy read but a tinge too sweet of an ending
vfosslay's review against another edition
3.0
This book was similar to a Jodi Picoult novel. I enjoyed the multiple narrators and getting each of their perspectives about the story. I also loved that it was set in Seattle.
jessford's review against another edition
4.0
This is a great story. There is happiness and heartbreak throughout, but I love how it's told from the three main characters' perspectives. You really get to know Grace, Ava and Kelli.