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3.26 AVERAGE
3.26 AVERAGE
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Never Too Late by Danielle Steele
I'll be honest, I used to read Danielle Steele books a lot. But the only reason I finished this book was because I had promised a review.
Let me start with the time line. She begins by mentioning Covid, saying five years ago. Which in the reality of trading this book in February of 2024 (even with release date of March) did not add up. Which first took me out of the story. Then she mentions 9/11, which is also indicated was 25 years ago, again, no. So I'm not sure of she was just being arbitrary, but timelines for real world events big me when they aren't right.
And then the ABSOLUTE harping on the differences in the daughters. I just kinda couldn't even, we get it, they are different people, one is bubbly and optimistic and the other is soon and gloom and clearly needs more therapy sessions.
At the core, this was supposed to be a story about finding yourself after <insert trauma here>. But I did not like this book. Things went too fast for some things and could have focused more of developing each character. Pretty sure I'm done with Ms. Steele.
I'll be honest, I used to read Danielle Steele books a lot. But the only reason I finished this book was because I had promised a review.
Let me start with the time line. She begins by mentioning Covid, saying five years ago. Which in the reality of trading this book in February of 2024 (even with release date of March) did not add up. Which first took me out of the story. Then she mentions 9/11, which is also indicated was 25 years ago, again, no. So I'm not sure of she was just being arbitrary, but timelines for real world events big me when they aren't right.
And then the ABSOLUTE harping on the differences in the daughters. I just kinda couldn't even, we get it, they are different people, one is bubbly and optimistic and the other is soon and gloom and clearly needs more therapy sessions.
At the core, this was supposed to be a story about finding yourself after <insert trauma here>. But I did not like this book. Things went too fast for some things and could have focused more of developing each character. Pretty sure I'm done with Ms. Steele.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
medium-paced
I picked up this Danielle Steel book because I haven't read a book by her since my early twenties (maybe even my teens - she was a favorite of my mother, so they were always around the house for reading). Unfortunately, I'm not ready yet to read about explosions in NYC - even if they are fictional. I may never be. It just feels too real. Besides that, I enjoyed the beautiful people in beautiful places with lots of money, which I remember from Steel's books all those years ago.
I loved the journey Kezia traversed in this story. She had to figure out who she was now that she was a widow, her daughters were out of the nest, and she decided to move from San Francisco to New York City. Her old life is gone, and how she bravely forges a new life is inspiring.
I also loved the family themes and the various relationships within the families. Kate's struggles were particularly touching. She needed to resolve why her biological father had never been in her life in her own mind. The many unanswered questions weighed her down and made her unable to open up to new experiences and relationships. I loved watching her face that relationship head-on.
Never Too Late is a beautiful look at family members in transition and the bravery it takes to achieve self-actualization.
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
I have been reading Danielle Steel's books for years. I enjoy them because they are pure entertainment. I don't have to think and look for symbolism. I know I'm getting glitz, glamour, and a "happily ever after" ending. Her latest book is about a widow who moves across the country to be closer to her two daughters and start the next chapter of her life. This book is short, only 166 pages. This didn't stop the author from packing it in with many characters and their stories. However, it just didn't work for me.
I felt the book had too many characters, and their stories were not fully developed. We kept bouncing around from one person to the other. Additionally, many descriptions of them were repetitive, as if we'd forgotten who they were since they were last mentioned. I felt that we barely got to know the secondary characters, even though they kept reappearing throughout the book, apart from the main character.
****SPOILER**** Part of the story involved a terrorist plot on the 4th of July. I found this whole idea very odd in this story. While it was the reason that the main character met her love interest, the entire terrorist idea made me uneasy, and it seems like it was just lightly thrown into the story. Just as quickly as it happened, the whole matter was resolved. I felt that a plot device like this was made in poor choice, and something else could have been used in its place.
Will this stop me from requesting future ARCs of Danielle Steel's books? Of course not! I always enjoy her books as they give me a quick and entertaining escape from reality.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Delacorte Press for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
I felt the book had too many characters, and their stories were not fully developed. We kept bouncing around from one person to the other. Additionally, many descriptions of them were repetitive, as if we'd forgotten who they were since they were last mentioned. I felt that we barely got to know the secondary characters, even though they kept reappearing throughout the book, apart from the main character.
****SPOILER**** Part of the story involved a terrorist plot on the 4th of July. I found this whole idea very odd in this story. While it was the reason that the main character met her love interest, the entire terrorist idea made me uneasy, and it seems like it was just lightly thrown into the story. Just as quickly as it happened, the whole matter was resolved. I felt that a plot device like this was made in poor choice, and something else could have been used in its place.
Will this stop me from requesting future ARCs of Danielle Steel's books? Of course not! I always enjoy her books as they give me a quick and entertaining escape from reality.
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Delacorte Press for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
This feels.more like an old school Danielle Steel novel, I'm happy to say. The characters were engaging, the plot was well timed and enjoyable. Great, quick read perfect for the beach.
I received an advanced copy of this book which is currently scheduled to be published March 2024.
Kezia has recently moved to New York City to get a fresh start after her husband's passing and the subsequent sale of their home and his business. She moves into a beautiful penthouse with impressive views of the city, in close proximity to her two daughters. One night New York City is under attack from some violent explosions, and while she watches from her penthouse, she meets her next-door neighbor Sam who is a well known movie star. The two connect over the devastation and pull they both feel to help wherever they can.
Kezia enjoys this new friendship and eventually introduces her two daughters to Sam who are both in relationships that couldn't be more different from each other.
Overall, this is a quick read about embracing change and new beginnings.
Kezia has recently moved to New York City to get a fresh start after her husband's passing and the subsequent sale of their home and his business. She moves into a beautiful penthouse with impressive views of the city, in close proximity to her two daughters. One night New York City is under attack from some violent explosions, and while she watches from her penthouse, she meets her next-door neighbor Sam who is a well known movie star. The two connect over the devastation and pull they both feel to help wherever they can.
Kezia enjoys this new friendship and eventually introduces her two daughters to Sam who are both in relationships that couldn't be more different from each other.
Overall, this is a quick read about embracing change and new beginnings.
