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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
Loved this story of 2 people finding each other when dealing with loss. The storyline 9f the mother in law also was really well done as felt so real. At one point in the book I wanted to stop and Google Brody to see what he looked like, but remembered he was fiction. This book leaves you with happiness in your core. Audio was perfect performance!
emotional
hopeful
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:
Yes
This gave me vibes of PS I Love You. It was so bittersweet and poignant. I cannot imagine the pain Anna was feeling when she lost her one true love. No one can understand the pain she was going through and then Brody came along and understood how she was feeling. The connection between them made my heart smile.
This was a beautiful read, thank you Fiona and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC!
This was a beautiful read, thank you Fiona and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC!
My judgment on this book may be clouded by the fact that maybe books in which the protagonist is grieving may not be for me.
I was so frustrated with Anna's wallowing and stagnant life. And because of this I really find Anna to be an unlikeable character. I didn't really like any aspect of her personality. For one she was a doormat. She let Gail snub and mistreat her with no pushback with the excuse that Gail is grieving. However, grieving does not give you a free pass to treat people like trash (which is what Anna is guilty of later in the book). But I thought she was plain dumb to bring a date to her sister in law's birthday party if she was trying to keep the peace. Because a blind person could see that is a recipe for disaster. I really wanted to yeet her off The Shard after Brody poured his heart out to her and she whimped out and ran away after she was the one that wanted to meet and move their relationship beyond just talking on the phone. She went right back to wallowing in grief.
Gabby was an annoying caricature of what people visualize a Brazilian woman to be (seemingly a close character trope of a Latina woman). The narrator's accent and intonation was horrible. And seemingly benign phrases came off as confrontational and accusatory (but maybe they were supposed to be?). Plus Gabby's meddling was exceedingly maddening. She pushed so far beyond the boundaries. There is wanting to get your friend out of the house, and then there is blindsiding your friend with a setup. Then when Anna is ready to move on she rains all over the parade, and inserts herself (yet again) into the situation and gives Anna information she wasn't ready to know yet about Brody.
I am glad we get Brody's POV in this story. I found him much more likable. I am glad that Brody didn't wallow in his failed declaration to Anna, but continued to move on and rebuild his life and make progress (which I guess was the point of their communication "break").
Overall I was unsatisfied with this book because of Anna herself. And, the ending was abrupt in my opinion. I would have liked to have an epilogue.
I was so frustrated with Anna's wallowing and stagnant life. And because of this I really find Anna to be an unlikeable character. I didn't really like any aspect of her personality. For one she was a doormat. She let Gail snub and mistreat her with no pushback with the excuse that Gail is grieving. However, grieving does not give you a free pass to treat people like trash (which is what Anna is guilty of later in the book). But I thought she was plain dumb to bring a date to her sister in law's birthday party if she was trying to keep the peace. Because a blind person could see that is a recipe for disaster. I really wanted to yeet her off The Shard after Brody poured his heart out to her and she whimped out and ran away after she was the one that wanted to meet and move their relationship beyond just talking on the phone. She went right back to wallowing in grief.
Gabby was an annoying caricature of what people visualize a Brazilian woman to be (seemingly a close character trope of a Latina woman). The narrator's accent and intonation was horrible. And seemingly benign phrases came off as confrontational and accusatory (but maybe they were supposed to be?). Plus Gabby's meddling was exceedingly maddening. She pushed so far beyond the boundaries. There is wanting to get your friend out of the house, and then there is blindsiding your friend with a setup. Then when Anna is ready to move on she rains all over the parade, and inserts herself (yet again) into the situation and gives Anna information she wasn't ready to know yet about Brody.
I am glad we get Brody's POV in this story. I found him much more likable. I am glad that Brody didn't wallow in his failed declaration to Anna, but continued to move on and rebuild his life and make progress (which I guess was the point of their communication "break").
Overall I was unsatisfied with this book because of Anna herself. And, the ending was abrupt in my opinion. I would have liked to have an epilogue.
slow-paced
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was a sweet story about two people with horrific tragedies that are trying to find their way through the grief. I felt connected to the characters. The story seemed to drag a bit about a third of the way through, but I kept reading and became more engaged in the story. I was also left wanting a little more at the end. I think an epilogue would've been great to give the reader a little more about what happens next.
Great romance that explores mental health (depression, anxiety, and agoraphobia) and grief.