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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
I didn’t hate this book, but I wouldn’t say I loved it either. It was an easy and quick read for me, but it failed to deliver any big plot twists or shock value (maybe except for that final scene, involving the Fishers. This pulled at my heart strings).
Given the novel took place in much of the same setting, I found that Moyes did an exceptional job at keeping the story quick paced and entertaining. The characters all had their own personality and it truly helped to make it the light read it was. I didn’t love Jess’ character and actually found her really rude in the beginning, and because of that I completely failed to understand why Ed was so willing to help.
In the end I did feel that everything tied together a little TOO neatly, if that makes sense, but this is what made it such a light read. Nothing heavy or somber, yet the realist in me always struggles to relate to these stories.
I did love the idea of a ‘dysfunctional’ family and loved hearing from all of their point of views. It was a refreshing family story, intertwined with a romance that makes it all the more easy to digest.
The romance, however, failed to draw me in. I felt that they fell for each other way too quickly to be realistic - Moyes really laid it on thick with the “there is a hole in my life without it him” and “I can’t live without her” drama both Ed and Jess spewed into the final chapters. They only spent 4 days together!
In the end, I got it, but the lead up was ruined for me by a small (but significant) factor - she constantly calls him Mr Nicholls!
Why!? They are friends, they sleep in a car together, he offers her financial help and they are brought closer by a series of strange, yet exciting events. Naturally and SURELY these events would cause people to speak on a first name basis?
This completely jarred the romance and actually really felt like she was making a point about their social status. Like really - what does it matter that she is a cleaner and he some rich employer? I’m not against it, but it was difficult to bring them closer when she continuously called him Mr Nicholls instead of Ed. How can you love someone that you clearly still can’t see as an equal?
I did rate the novel 3 out of 5, and in all honesty maybe I’m being harsh. It was a light and bubbly read, and well written, but perhaps just not for me.
Given the novel took place in much of the same setting, I found that Moyes did an exceptional job at keeping the story quick paced and entertaining. The characters all had their own personality and it truly helped to make it the light read it was. I didn’t love Jess’ character and actually found her really rude in the beginning, and because of that I completely failed to understand why Ed was so willing to help.
In the end I did feel that everything tied together a little TOO neatly, if that makes sense, but this is what made it such a light read. Nothing heavy or somber, yet the realist in me always struggles to relate to these stories.
I did love the idea of a ‘dysfunctional’ family and loved hearing from all of their point of views. It was a refreshing family story, intertwined with a romance that makes it all the more easy to digest.
The romance, however, failed to draw me in. I felt that they fell for each other way too quickly to be realistic - Moyes really laid it on thick with the “there is a hole in my life without it him” and “I can’t live without her” drama both Ed and Jess spewed into the final chapters. They only spent 4 days together!
In the end, I got it, but the lead up was ruined for me by a small (but significant) factor - she constantly calls him Mr Nicholls!
Why!? They are friends, they sleep in a car together, he offers her financial help and they are brought closer by a series of strange, yet exciting events. Naturally and SURELY these events would cause people to speak on a first name basis?
This completely jarred the romance and actually really felt like she was making a point about their social status. Like really - what does it matter that she is a cleaner and he some rich employer? I’m not against it, but it was difficult to bring them closer when she continuously called him Mr Nicholls instead of Ed. How can you love someone that you clearly still can’t see as an equal?
I did rate the novel 3 out of 5, and in all honesty maybe I’m being harsh. It was a light and bubbly read, and well written, but perhaps just not for me.
There's more to this book than the cover and the summary on the back. I got invested in the family and their hardships were pretty real. Glad I didn't dismiss it based on the back cover, which reads as pretty poor single mom meets rich handsome jerk, makes him nice, and they fall in love. The story is less predictable than that.
I enjoyed this book. It was interesting and kept me reading, although it's not a book I'd go back to read again or really remember in a few months time.
That's not to say it wasn't good, it was, I enjoyed my time reading it and I'm sure many will really like this book. For me though, much like with Jojo Moyes last book Me Before You I didn't necessarily connect with or love the characters, I think that statement is more true of this book actually.
While I liked the dynamic between Jess, her young ten year old daughter Tanzie and her step son Nicky, and while I especially liked Nicky and Tanz, I can't say I really enjoyed Jess all that much. And Ed was much the same, I waffled quite a bit with liking his character.
Also, like Moyes's last book, the love story was lacking a bit. I didn't necessarily believe the connection between Jess and Ed and thought things wrapped up too quickly, too neatly after the climax.
Full review at Truth About Fiction
That's not to say it wasn't good, it was, I enjoyed my time reading it and I'm sure many will really like this book. For me though, much like with Jojo Moyes last book Me Before You I didn't necessarily connect with or love the characters, I think that statement is more true of this book actually.
While I liked the dynamic between Jess, her young ten year old daughter Tanzie and her step son Nicky, and while I especially liked Nicky and Tanz, I can't say I really enjoyed Jess all that much. And Ed was much the same, I waffled quite a bit with liking his character.
Also, like Moyes's last book, the love story was lacking a bit. I didn't necessarily believe the connection between Jess and Ed and thought things wrapped up too quickly, too neatly after the climax.
Full review at Truth About Fiction
It took me ages to finish it but that was my own laziness, we’d all love an Ed in our lives though
And I finally finished a book. I'm starting to like this author. She elevates romantic relationships somehow between unlikely characters. And anyone who respectfully writes about nerdy math girls has my vote.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Perhaps a strong 4.5, so I am rounding up to five stars. Another great Jojo Moyes novel :-)
I liked this book. I didn't love it, but I liked it a lot. 3.75 because I give crazy review scores like that.
Loved this book, it was just what I needed to read. The characters are rich and oddly relatable. Adding more Jojo Moyes to my queue right now