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3.77 AVERAGE
3.77 AVERAGE
This book is a long journey, but it needs to be, since it's a book about people who are grieving and stuck in place. And there aren't going to be quick remedies for that, but there will be a progression, one which is believably laid out by the author over the course of slightly more than a year.
The book opens with Anna, who lost her husband a couple of years previously and is still sheltering under the numbness. After one particularly low evening, Anna calls her late husband's old phone number. A number she's held on to just so she can call and hear his voice on the message. Except this time there's no reassuring voicemail recording. Someone actually picks up. Thus begins the slow development of a new friendship that offers Anna the listening ear and patient advice that she's been unknowingly yearning for.
Like me, you might not always be able to relate to exactly how these characters are acting. Like me, you might occasionally feel frustrated by the things they do or don't do. In a way, the reader becomes an extra member of the concerned friends brigade. Wanting to see the grieving person move forward a little sooner, but ultimately forced to recognize that grief takes unique pathways, and that the person will probably get to where they need to be in the end.
Although the subject matter was serious, I wouldn't say this was a hard or tragic book to read. It was poignant but not exhausting. The premise strained my credulity ever so slightly, not the strangers becoming friends over the phone idea, but that it would take Anna SO long to realize that she was the one who had been doing all the talking. It seemed like quite a one-sided friendship for a while. But what did sell me on the book was the concluding section. The emotional progress and the ultimate payoff were quite satisfying.
The writing was really good. Although it's a contemporary book, it felt fairly timeless because its focus was rightly on the character's internal worlds.
Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow and Custom House for this advance review copy.
The book opens with Anna, who lost her husband a couple of years previously and is still sheltering under the numbness. After one particularly low evening, Anna calls her late husband's old phone number. A number she's held on to just so she can call and hear his voice on the message. Except this time there's no reassuring voicemail recording. Someone actually picks up. Thus begins the slow development of a new friendship that offers Anna the listening ear and patient advice that she's been unknowingly yearning for.
Like me, you might not always be able to relate to exactly how these characters are acting. Like me, you might occasionally feel frustrated by the things they do or don't do. In a way, the reader becomes an extra member of the concerned friends brigade. Wanting to see the grieving person move forward a little sooner, but ultimately forced to recognize that grief takes unique pathways, and that the person will probably get to where they need to be in the end.
Although the subject matter was serious, I wouldn't say this was a hard or tragic book to read. It was poignant but not exhausting. The premise strained my credulity ever so slightly, not the strangers becoming friends over the phone idea, but that it would take Anna SO long to realize that she was the one who had been doing all the talking. It seemed like quite a one-sided friendship for a while. But what did sell me on the book was the concluding section. The emotional progress and the ultimate payoff were quite satisfying.
The writing was really good. Although it's a contemporary book, it felt fairly timeless because its focus was rightly on the character's internal worlds.
Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow and Custom House for this advance review copy.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
1.5 ⭐️
Ohhhh this book. I honestly really, really disliked so many things about this book but for some reason still decided to see it through. It took forever. So, Anna’s husband Spencer died a little while back and she hasn’t recovered. She’s trying to move on but is having a hard time, she at times calls Spencer’s phone number to speak her heart, and one time she does someone answers. His name is Brody, and he’s been through his own heartbreak. The rest of the book follows the two of them as they chat and get to know each other, going through life and trying to overcome their grief.
So, I didn’t like the narrator at all, at allllll. I didn’t like the change of voice for the different characters, especially Gabby, the accent seemed so silly and made her character sound stupid. There should’ve been a male narrator for Brody, that would’ve helped. On the topic of Brody, I found him annoying, so stuck in his own grief and just boring. I realize he was struggling with a mental illness and grief but it overlook the entire story. Anna herself was naive, boring and overly forgiving. Maybe it’s because I’m not in the same situation but this book gave me Lydia Bird vibes, in the way that the grief was too much. I can appreciate that the book is about dealing with grief but it was too much, it was so sad and so cheesy and just went on forever about the same feelings and thoughts and not moving on. I Hated, capital H, Spencer’s family, especially Gayle or Gail, what an absolutely horrible character. I in no way understand why Anna was still “apart” of the family and attending things, especially when they treated her like complete shit, that drove me nuts. The best parts of the book were when Anna stood up for herself against her mother in law. I thought the catfish storyline was so unnecessary, just everything ugh. The ending was just what it was, it was so cheesy I couldn’t stand it honestly. This book was a total and complete miss for me, I do not understand why the reviews are so high, it was completely tedious to read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the free preview in exchange for an honest review.
Ohhhh this book. I honestly really, really disliked so many things about this book but for some reason still decided to see it through. It took forever. So, Anna’s husband Spencer died a little while back and she hasn’t recovered. She’s trying to move on but is having a hard time, she at times calls Spencer’s phone number to speak her heart, and one time she does someone answers. His name is Brody, and he’s been through his own heartbreak. The rest of the book follows the two of them as they chat and get to know each other, going through life and trying to overcome their grief.
So, I didn’t like the narrator at all, at allllll. I didn’t like the change of voice for the different characters, especially Gabby, the accent seemed so silly and made her character sound stupid. There should’ve been a male narrator for Brody, that would’ve helped. On the topic of Brody, I found him annoying, so stuck in his own grief and just boring. I realize he was struggling with a mental illness and grief but it overlook the entire story. Anna herself was naive, boring and overly forgiving. Maybe it’s because I’m not in the same situation but this book gave me Lydia Bird vibes, in the way that the grief was too much. I can appreciate that the book is about dealing with grief but it was too much, it was so sad and so cheesy and just went on forever about the same feelings and thoughts and not moving on. I Hated, capital H, Spencer’s family, especially Gayle or Gail, what an absolutely horrible character. I in no way understand why Anna was still “apart” of the family and attending things, especially when they treated her like complete shit, that drove me nuts. The best parts of the book were when Anna stood up for herself against her mother in law. I thought the catfish storyline was so unnecessary, just everything ugh. The ending was just what it was, it was so cheesy I couldn’t stand it honestly. This book was a total and complete miss for me, I do not understand why the reviews are so high, it was completely tedious to read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the free preview in exchange for an honest review.
It was interesting as it taught me some life lessons but I could not wait to the book to be over. She kept going on, and on, about how he was not Spencer. Get over it! Her friend was annoying too.
This book was a NetGalley advance copy. I have to say right up front.....sometimes I think it’s all about the timing when it comes to how much I enjoy a book.
I thought this was going to be a light hearted rom-com (yes.....I am guilty of reading a book by its cover)and it was much more serious and deep than I was expecting. I was looking forward to an easy, funny listen. This book made me sad for most of it.
I thought this was going to be a light hearted rom-com (yes.....I am guilty of reading a book by its cover)and it was much more serious and deep than I was expecting. I was looking forward to an easy, funny listen. This book made me sad for most of it.
emotional
inspiring
fast-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
emotional
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death