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dwoe_reviews's review
3.0
Originally posted on Dreaming With Open Eyes
I kindly received Carry You in exchange of an honest review by the publisher via Netgalley.
Carry You by Beth Thomas was a book I have never expected to be approved to, so I was even happier when I received the mail Avon allowed my to access the title.
In Beth Thomas's debut novel we follow Daisy May Macintyre's story. With 28 years of age, Daisy has gone through a lot in her life. She falls in a deep hole of depressions after her mother died of breast cancer. Time passes and she doesen't even notice it. For many months she insolates herself from the real world. Spending days hididing in her living room, stuffing her face with jaffa cakes and watching her favourite movies. To make things worse, she lost contact to her sister and step fahther, who passed away shortly after her mothers dead. Life will never be the same. Daisy thought she will never get back to her old self. Thanks god, there is Abby, her wonderful best friend. To get Daisys life back on track, she signed the two of them up to the Moonwalk, a walk round London at midnight to raise money for charity. Will she have the strength to focus on her life again? Find a job, a flat, train for the marathon and maybe to fall in love too?
The book started really slow for me. It took me nearly half of the book to get into it. I was very close to put it down for good. I'm glad I didn't. I started to enjoy the story when Felix stepped into Daisys life. Things finally started to pick up in pace and ended up quite an enjoyable read.
I felt for Daisy and the horrible things she had been through. I know how it feels to loose a close family member, so I could relate to her in that part. For the rest of the story, I found myself struggling to sympathise with her. She annoyed me and I found her quite selfish at times too. I loved Daisy's obession with Hugh Grant and his films. Made me giggle quite a few times. I don't have a heart of stone but the story has not touched me. The author just couldn't transport the emotions the characters were feeling to me.
I enjoyed the Facebook comments starting with each chapter, they were quite funny at times too.
Abby and Felix are the highlight of the book. Two wonderfully developed characters. As you already know, Abby is Daisy's best friend. Everyone should have a person like Abby in her life. Abby can be describe as Daisy's lifesaver. Without her help she would have never got out of her hole. Their friendship bond is very strong. They both care so much for each other. That's what I really liked about their friendship. Abby is funny, caring and just the best friend everyone wishes for.
Abby organizes a walking partner for Daisy because of her full time job she can't walk with her every single day. It wouldn't be a chick-lit book if there is no romance inside. There is the point when Felix is turning up. I loved him right away. He made me smile so often. and has an icredible sense of humour. Just the things you are looking for in a great man. Both of the secondary characters got their own mini-plot which I enjoyed reading about.
Beth Thomas has managed to give the novel her own personal touch with her writing style. This is a good debut novel and I’m curious to discover what else the author has in store for us in the future.
I kindly received Carry You in exchange of an honest review by the publisher via Netgalley.
Carry You by Beth Thomas was a book I have never expected to be approved to, so I was even happier when I received the mail Avon allowed my to access the title.
In Beth Thomas's debut novel we follow Daisy May Macintyre's story. With 28 years of age, Daisy has gone through a lot in her life. She falls in a deep hole of depressions after her mother died of breast cancer. Time passes and she doesen't even notice it. For many months she insolates herself from the real world. Spending days hididing in her living room, stuffing her face with jaffa cakes and watching her favourite movies. To make things worse, she lost contact to her sister and step fahther, who passed away shortly after her mothers dead. Life will never be the same. Daisy thought she will never get back to her old self. Thanks god, there is Abby, her wonderful best friend. To get Daisys life back on track, she signed the two of them up to the Moonwalk, a walk round London at midnight to raise money for charity. Will she have the strength to focus on her life again? Find a job, a flat, train for the marathon and maybe to fall in love too?
The book started really slow for me. It took me nearly half of the book to get into it. I was very close to put it down for good. I'm glad I didn't. I started to enjoy the story when Felix stepped into Daisys life. Things finally started to pick up in pace and ended up quite an enjoyable read.
I felt for Daisy and the horrible things she had been through. I know how it feels to loose a close family member, so I could relate to her in that part. For the rest of the story, I found myself struggling to sympathise with her. She annoyed me and I found her quite selfish at times too. I loved Daisy's obession with Hugh Grant and his films. Made me giggle quite a few times. I don't have a heart of stone but the story has not touched me. The author just couldn't transport the emotions the characters were feeling to me.
I enjoyed the Facebook comments starting with each chapter, they were quite funny at times too.
Abby and Felix are the highlight of the book. Two wonderfully developed characters. As you already know, Abby is Daisy's best friend. Everyone should have a person like Abby in her life. Abby can be describe as Daisy's lifesaver. Without her help she would have never got out of her hole. Their friendship bond is very strong. They both care so much for each other. That's what I really liked about their friendship. Abby is funny, caring and just the best friend everyone wishes for.
Abby organizes a walking partner for Daisy because of her full time job she can't walk with her every single day. It wouldn't be a chick-lit book if there is no romance inside. There is the point when Felix is turning up. I loved him right away. He made me smile so often. and has an icredible sense of humour. Just the things you are looking for in a great man. Both of the secondary characters got their own mini-plot which I enjoyed reading about.
Beth Thomas has managed to give the novel her own personal touch with her writing style. This is a good debut novel and I’m curious to discover what else the author has in store for us in the future.
kimelsalvador's review against another edition
5.0
A really wonderful book. Following the grieving of a woman after losing her mother doesn't seem like it would be a very uplifting thing but the help of friends standing by is an amazing thing shown. I was so glad to read the ending, giving the idea that people get what they deserve eventually, which is a great message.
This book made me laugh, sympathize and brought me close to tears and I look forward to seeing what else this author comes up with in her future books.
This book made me laugh, sympathize and brought me close to tears and I look forward to seeing what else this author comes up with in her future books.
dwoe_reviews's review against another edition
3.0
Originally posted on Dreaming With Open Eyes
I kindly received Carry You in exchange of an honest review by the publisher via Netgalley.
Carry You by Beth Thomas was a book I have never expected to be approved to, so I was even happier when I received the mail Avon allowed my to access the title.
In Beth Thomas's debut novel we follow Daisy May Macintyre's story. With 28 years of age, Daisy has gone through a lot in her life. She falls in a deep hole of depressions after her mother died of breast cancer. Time passes and she doesen't even notice it. For many months she insolates herself from the real world. Spending days hididing in her living room, stuffing her face with jaffa cakes and watching her favourite movies. To make things worse, she lost contact to her sister and step fahther, who passed away shortly after her mothers dead. Life will never be the same. Daisy thought she will never get back to her old self. Thanks god, there is Abby, her wonderful best friend. To get Daisys life back on track, she signed the two of them up to the Moonwalk, a walk round London at midnight to raise money for charity. Will she have the strength to focus on her life again? Find a job, a flat, train for the marathon and maybe to fall in love too?
The book started really slow for me. It took me nearly half of the book to get into it. I was very close to put it down for good. I'm glad I didn't. I started to enjoy the story when Felix stepped into Daisys life. Things finally started to pick up in pace and ended up quite an enjoyable read.
I felt for Daisy and the horrible things she had been through. I know how it feels to loose a close family member, so I could relate to her in that part. For the rest of the story, I found myself struggling to sympathise with her. She annoyed me and I found her quite selfish at times too. I loved Daisy's obession with Hugh Grant and his films. Made me giggle quite a few times. I don't have a heart of stone but the story has not touched me. The author just couldn't transport the emotions the characters were feeling to me.
I enjoyed the Facebook comments starting with each chapter, they were quite funny at times too.
Abby and Felix are the highlight of the book. Two wonderfully developed characters. As you already know, Abby is Daisy's best friend. Everyone should have a person like Abby in her life. Abby can be describe as Daisy's lifesaver. Without her help she would have never got out of her hole. Their friendship bond is very strong. They both care so much for each other. That's what I really liked about their friendship. Abby is funny, caring and just the best friend everyone wishes for.
Abby organizes a walking partner for Daisy because of her full time job she can't walk with her every single day. It wouldn't be a chick-lit book if there is no romance inside. There is the point when Felix is turning up. I loved him right away. He made me smile so often. and has an icredible sense of humour. Just the things you are looking for in a great man. Both of the secondary characters got their own mini-plot which I enjoyed reading about.
Beth Thomas has managed to give the novel her own personal touch with her writing style. This is a good debut novel and I’m curious to discover what else the author has in store for us in the future.
I kindly received Carry You in exchange of an honest review by the publisher via Netgalley.
Carry You by Beth Thomas was a book I have never expected to be approved to, so I was even happier when I received the mail Avon allowed my to access the title.
In Beth Thomas's debut novel we follow Daisy May Macintyre's story. With 28 years of age, Daisy has gone through a lot in her life. She falls in a deep hole of depressions after her mother died of breast cancer. Time passes and she doesen't even notice it. For many months she insolates herself from the real world. Spending days hididing in her living room, stuffing her face with jaffa cakes and watching her favourite movies. To make things worse, she lost contact to her sister and step fahther, who passed away shortly after her mothers dead. Life will never be the same. Daisy thought she will never get back to her old self. Thanks god, there is Abby, her wonderful best friend. To get Daisys life back on track, she signed the two of them up to the Moonwalk, a walk round London at midnight to raise money for charity. Will she have the strength to focus on her life again? Find a job, a flat, train for the marathon and maybe to fall in love too?
The book started really slow for me. It took me nearly half of the book to get into it. I was very close to put it down for good. I'm glad I didn't. I started to enjoy the story when Felix stepped into Daisys life. Things finally started to pick up in pace and ended up quite an enjoyable read.
I felt for Daisy and the horrible things she had been through. I know how it feels to loose a close family member, so I could relate to her in that part. For the rest of the story, I found myself struggling to sympathise with her. She annoyed me and I found her quite selfish at times too. I loved Daisy's obession with Hugh Grant and his films. Made me giggle quite a few times. I don't have a heart of stone but the story has not touched me. The author just couldn't transport the emotions the characters were feeling to me.
I enjoyed the Facebook comments starting with each chapter, they were quite funny at times too.
Abby and Felix are the highlight of the book. Two wonderfully developed characters. As you already know, Abby is Daisy's best friend. Everyone should have a person like Abby in her life. Abby can be describe as Daisy's lifesaver. Without her help she would have never got out of her hole. Their friendship bond is very strong. They both care so much for each other. That's what I really liked about their friendship. Abby is funny, caring and just the best friend everyone wishes for.
Abby organizes a walking partner for Daisy because of her full time job she can't walk with her every single day. It wouldn't be a chick-lit book if there is no romance inside. There is the point when Felix is turning up. I loved him right away. He made me smile so often. and has an icredible sense of humour. Just the things you are looking for in a great man. Both of the secondary characters got their own mini-plot which I enjoyed reading about.
Beth Thomas has managed to give the novel her own personal touch with her writing style. This is a good debut novel and I’m curious to discover what else the author has in store for us in the future.
kimelsalvador's review
5.0
A really wonderful book. Following the grieving of a woman after losing her mother doesn't seem like it would be a very uplifting thing but the help of friends standing by is an amazing thing shown. I was so glad to read the ending, giving the idea that people get what they deserve eventually, which is a great message.
This book made me laugh, sympathize and brought me close to tears and I look forward to seeing what else this author comes up with in her future books.
This book made me laugh, sympathize and brought me close to tears and I look forward to seeing what else this author comes up with in her future books.
toofondofbooks's review
5.0
For me, a chick-lit book is meant to be a light-hearted read with a happy ending and that’s why I love them; I know exactly what I’m getting - a book that will lift my spirits. This book was one I was unsure about. I lost my Mum to cancer five years ago and while I’m past the grief-stricken part I still miss her so much at times that it hurts. Really, properly hurts. So I didn’t know if this book would really annoy me at its potential light-hearted look at grief and easy resolution. I was SO WRONG and am so glad that I ignored my own prejudice and started reading! This book has managed to portray grief in an honest and accurate way while somehow keeping it light enough that you don’t feel in any way bogged down by it. I could totally relate to Daisy and I felt all her pain, but I was willing her on. I wanted her to start feeling better. The book has happiness in it and light-heartedness, a best friend and love interests, but it’s so touching how Daisy’s mum is always mentioned and remembered right through the story. I adored this book, and I’m sure I’ll re-read it many, many times. I feel so uplifted by it. You know when the right book finds you at exactly the right time, well this is what happened here. Thank you Beth Thomas for this beautiful, heart-felt story; I hope it finds many, many readers.
katieb94's review
4.0
Lovely story about dealing with grief and loss.
Daisy's story and the way her friends and family are involved in helping her overcome it is both great and also sad in terms of her loss.
From the very start, when we meet Daisy its clear she's gone through something devastating. The death of her mother. That and she's going to have to move out soon now her house has been sold.
Help comes in the form of her friend who says that Daisy can move in with her and Tom. It's not the best plan but Daisy spends most of her time curled up under a duvet watching Hugh Grant movies.
However, Abi turns out to be a vicious motivator. It changes everything for Daisy who now has a goal. A charity walk.
The story is not only about friendship and perseverance but also about dealing with grief. It can consume you and Carry You has the message that you shouldn't let it.
They were a few iffy bits for me here and there but I enjoyed it all the same.
Daisy's story and the way her friends and family are involved in helping her overcome it is both great and also sad in terms of her loss.
From the very start, when we meet Daisy its clear she's gone through something devastating. The death of her mother. That and she's going to have to move out soon now her house has been sold.
Help comes in the form of her friend who says that Daisy can move in with her and Tom. It's not the best plan but Daisy spends most of her time curled up under a duvet watching Hugh Grant movies.
However, Abi turns out to be a vicious motivator. It changes everything for Daisy who now has a goal. A charity walk.
The story is not only about friendship and perseverance but also about dealing with grief. It can consume you and Carry You has the message that you shouldn't let it.
They were a few iffy bits for me here and there but I enjoyed it all the same.
leahmichelle_13's review
4.0
As soon as I heard about Beth Thomas’s debut novel Carry You, I knew I wanted to read it. I thought it sounded like a pretty amazing book, and I couldn’t wait to see if it lived up to my expectations. It’s quite a chunky book, over 450 pages which seems to be a rarity these days for books to exceed 350 or 400 pages, so I knew I would be settling down with quite a time consuming novel, but after reading the first page, that didn’t bother me at all because I was hooked from the beginning. I managed to complete it in a day, which is no mean feat, but really I just wanted to see if Daisy managed to pick herself up again, if she managed to complete the Moonwalk and if her awful siblings managed to get their come-uppance!
Carry You is rather like no novel I’ve read before, or at least not any novels that I can bring to mind. It’s a rather bizarre mix of heavy and light and I really wouldn’t know where to place it if I was recommending it to someone, because it sort of straddles the line between fun and serious. What Daisy’s going through is awful, having just lost her mum, she’s not working, she’s got nowhere to live after her mother’s house was sold, and she’s also lost her step-dad Graham, and her sister isn’t talking to her, either. Of all the bad things that could happen to you, ever, Daisy rathers got them all at once, but she’s got her best friend Abby on hand to not let her sink into a deep, dark depression and Abby’s got the perfect idea – she and Daisy will to the Moonwalk, a 26 mile walk around London for a breast cancer charity. Daisy cannot say no – it’s what she lost her Mum to, after all, and Abby presents Daisy with a plan to help her train for her walk (because, apparently walking 26 miles consitutes some training – especially if you’re going to do it in sub 9 hours). But can Daisy drag herself out of her funk long enough to walk 26 miles?
If you’re looking for a fast-paced read, Carry You isn’t in. It’s a very slow-going book, spanning a month or so in total, and we hear a lot (A LOT) about Daisy’s walking training. But if you want a novel about how AWESOME your friends can be, and how one best friend really can make the difference this is the novel for you, because if you EVER are in need of a best friend, Abby would be the one I would recommend you call. Many people would have given up on Daisy – she’s sad, she spends ALL DAY EVERY DAY eating Jaffa Cakes and watching Hugh Grant films, and she’s just got nothing going for her. She’s not the most inspiring heroine I’ve ever met, but I can totally understand because if I lost a parent, I too would be devastated and would spend every day eating Jaffa Cakes (if I liked Jaffa Cakes). But Abby lights up the book! She’s forceful, she won’t just let Daisy rot and I loved her for that because their friendship was just so real, so fun, so warm. And with Abby pushing her, Daisy did begin to finally come back to life, like a flower that has gone into hibernation for winter but is starting to stretch it’s petals at the first ray of sunshine. Abby was that sunshine. There aren’t many other characters in the novel, but it wasn’t to its detriment because Abby and Daisy only needed each other.
Of course, there are others characters in the book – Felix, in particular was a highlight. I sort of agreed with Abby – he pushed Daisy, and angered her and brought a bit of spark back to her and that was lovely. I absolutely loved their banter, Felix just didn’t seem to say ANYTHING that was too serious or heavy and was quick off the mark with a joke or a witty line and he really lifted the mood and I adored his and Daisy’s walks. I lived for them, in fact. I didn’t find much wrong with the book, though I did feel it was super wordy, Daisy sometimes struggled to stay in the present and her inner monologues could be quite long, but I enjoyed her narrative voice. I very much enjoyed the book. Daisy was a very sympathetic character (and whenever I was wavering about giving her a shock, Abby generally did it for me which set Daisy right) and I loved Abby. Abby should really have her own book, for being so awesome. Carry You is a very sweet read, and one that also managed to make me laugh quite a few times whilst still retaining a serious edge! I very much enjoyed it.
Carry You is rather like no novel I’ve read before, or at least not any novels that I can bring to mind. It’s a rather bizarre mix of heavy and light and I really wouldn’t know where to place it if I was recommending it to someone, because it sort of straddles the line between fun and serious. What Daisy’s going through is awful, having just lost her mum, she’s not working, she’s got nowhere to live after her mother’s house was sold, and she’s also lost her step-dad Graham, and her sister isn’t talking to her, either. Of all the bad things that could happen to you, ever, Daisy rathers got them all at once, but she’s got her best friend Abby on hand to not let her sink into a deep, dark depression and Abby’s got the perfect idea – she and Daisy will to the Moonwalk, a 26 mile walk around London for a breast cancer charity. Daisy cannot say no – it’s what she lost her Mum to, after all, and Abby presents Daisy with a plan to help her train for her walk (because, apparently walking 26 miles consitutes some training – especially if you’re going to do it in sub 9 hours). But can Daisy drag herself out of her funk long enough to walk 26 miles?
If you’re looking for a fast-paced read, Carry You isn’t in. It’s a very slow-going book, spanning a month or so in total, and we hear a lot (A LOT) about Daisy’s walking training. But if you want a novel about how AWESOME your friends can be, and how one best friend really can make the difference this is the novel for you, because if you EVER are in need of a best friend, Abby would be the one I would recommend you call. Many people would have given up on Daisy – she’s sad, she spends ALL DAY EVERY DAY eating Jaffa Cakes and watching Hugh Grant films, and she’s just got nothing going for her. She’s not the most inspiring heroine I’ve ever met, but I can totally understand because if I lost a parent, I too would be devastated and would spend every day eating Jaffa Cakes (if I liked Jaffa Cakes). But Abby lights up the book! She’s forceful, she won’t just let Daisy rot and I loved her for that because their friendship was just so real, so fun, so warm. And with Abby pushing her, Daisy did begin to finally come back to life, like a flower that has gone into hibernation for winter but is starting to stretch it’s petals at the first ray of sunshine. Abby was that sunshine. There aren’t many other characters in the novel, but it wasn’t to its detriment because Abby and Daisy only needed each other.
Of course, there are others characters in the book – Felix, in particular was a highlight. I sort of agreed with Abby – he pushed Daisy, and angered her and brought a bit of spark back to her and that was lovely. I absolutely loved their banter, Felix just didn’t seem to say ANYTHING that was too serious or heavy and was quick off the mark with a joke or a witty line and he really lifted the mood and I adored his and Daisy’s walks. I lived for them, in fact. I didn’t find much wrong with the book, though I did feel it was super wordy, Daisy sometimes struggled to stay in the present and her inner monologues could be quite long, but I enjoyed her narrative voice. I very much enjoyed the book. Daisy was a very sympathetic character (and whenever I was wavering about giving her a shock, Abby generally did it for me which set Daisy right) and I loved Abby. Abby should really have her own book, for being so awesome. Carry You is a very sweet read, and one that also managed to make me laugh quite a few times whilst still retaining a serious edge! I very much enjoyed it.