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cassmacdonald03's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
lillimoore's review against another edition
3.0
If Mary Jane by Jessica Anya Blau and Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid could have a literary love child, this would be it. It has all the groovy vibes of the 1970s books that are all the rage right now and the setting of what is essentially a summer camp for adults on the California coast is a lovely escape. I really enjoyed the alternating timelines between 1979 and 1999 and I thought Jackie—especially the younger version of her—was a really interesting and nuanced character. Teenage Jackie was definitely the most complex and interesting character we had throughout. However, the other characters were not as much. Although I did really love both Angela and Willa, I felt like both of them and everyone else in the book could have used a little bit more development.
What this book does well: set the scene, make you feel as though you're in this magical little California summerscape, give anecdotes from the time period that make you nostalgic even for something you may not have been alive for. What I wish it had done better: character and relationship building. I wanted so much more from Graham, so that maybe I could have empathized with him and his fate. I wanted him to share more about Jane with Jackie. I wanted more from Jackie's father. I wanted more from Shane. I want to stop reading books where Nice Dudes just get totally hurt for no reason! I don't think having Jackie start the story as a single woman would have hurt anything. Paul felt totally unnecessary. I just felt like this idea was so cool and the story had so much potential, but missed the mark a little bit. However I still really enjoyed it and think you will too if you're a fan of the books I mentioned at the beginning of this review!
What this book does well: set the scene, make you feel as though you're in this magical little California summerscape, give anecdotes from the time period that make you nostalgic even for something you may not have been alive for. What I wish it had done better: character and relationship building. I wanted so much more from Graham, so that maybe I could have empathized with him and his fate. I wanted him to share more about Jane with Jackie. I wanted more from Jackie's father. I wanted more from Shane. I want to stop reading books where Nice Dudes just get totally hurt for no reason! I don't think having Jackie start the story as a single woman would have hurt anything. Paul felt totally unnecessary. I just felt like this idea was so cool and the story had so much potential, but missed the mark a little bit. However I still really enjoyed it and think you will too if you're a fan of the books I mentioned at the beginning of this review!
mooncrab's review
1.0
It sounded so good and the reviews are largely positive, so I am very disappointed in this boring book! There is too much dialogue, flat characters, totally dull reveals/twists and a painfully slow plot. It’s essence is corny, uneventful and not exciting at all. I did not feel connected to any character at any time throughout the book. They didn’t even capture the essence of Humboldt County; it truly could’ve been anywhere IMO. Overall this is a juvenile read that I trudged through and rolled my eyes at the ending. Hoping no one turns it into a movie or TV show because it is just not good.
etakloknok's review against another edition
challenging
informative
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? It's complicated
5.0
livres_de_bloss's review against another edition
3.0
I don’t think I was the target audience for this and that’s what made this “fine” for me as opposed to excellent. It might have been better suited to someone 15-20 years older than me with an interest in music.
The story had echoes of Kate Morton but I struggled with the slow pace and being unable to connect to the characters. They never felt flushed out or real to me so I had trouble caring about them.
I did enjoy the summer vibes and the cover art was lovely!
The story had echoes of Kate Morton but I struggled with the slow pace and being unable to connect to the characters. They never felt flushed out or real to me so I had trouble caring about them.
I did enjoy the summer vibes and the cover art was lovely!
deedralapray's review against another edition
5.0
Aaahhh…this was refreshing. I am hesitant to give out 5 stars, but this one was just what I needed right now. It’s a guilty pleasure of mine to read stories that center around famous people or families. I didn’t even know I liked this sub genre until recently.
I think started with Evelyn Hugo. Now that one was close to perfect.
Then came Daisy Jones and the Six. I really liked that one too, but some of those characters were just horrible people.
After that was Mary Jane. That one was just too innocent? Too ludicrous to be believable? Still I liked it.
Then Malibu Burning. And while I really liked this one, it seemed a little Kardashian to me. There was a lot of just famous-for-being-famous sake. A lot of name-dropping. A lot of characters that were mean’t to oohhh and aahhh you.
But Lady Sunshine was lovely. The contrast between Jackie and Willa’s lives was well done. Through this relationship you could see the pros and cons of city/country life, attentive/inattentive parents, fame, wealth. There were some surprises along the way, but I absolutely loved the relationship that formed between these two cousins.
Sorry to take you down my "Goldilocks" review, but this one was just right. Thanks, libro.fm!
I think started with Evelyn Hugo. Now that one was close to perfect.
Then came Daisy Jones and the Six. I really liked that one too, but some of those characters were just horrible people.
After that was Mary Jane. That one was just too innocent? Too ludicrous to be believable? Still I liked it.
Then Malibu Burning. And while I really liked this one, it seemed a little Kardashian to me. There was a lot of just famous-for-being-famous sake. A lot of name-dropping. A lot of characters that were mean’t to oohhh and aahhh you.
But Lady Sunshine was lovely. The contrast between Jackie and Willa’s lives was well done. Through this relationship you could see the pros and cons of city/country life, attentive/inattentive parents, fame, wealth. There were some surprises along the way, but I absolutely loved the relationship that formed between these two cousins.
Sorry to take you down my "Goldilocks" review, but this one was just right. Thanks, libro.fm!
itischristinew's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
nikkislix's review against another edition
4.0
Nostalgic, California-haze enveloping a female friendship and a tragedy. The descriptions of the Sandcastle and the musicians and guests was lovely. 3.5 rounded up.
smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
4.0
This was a fun summer read with lots of 70s folk vibes, a dual timeline story and a mysterious event that is slowly revealed as Jackie Pierce returns to her uncle's sprawling California estate twenty years after she spent one unforgettable summer there with her cousin Willa. Full of friendship, first loves, secrets, music and new beginnings this book was an enjoyable escape read perfect to take with you to the beach. Recommended for fans of Songs in Ursa Major, Malibu rising or Mary Jane.
CW: domestic abuse
CW: domestic abuse
staciek3's review against another edition
4.0
I'm not sure how this book landed onto my pile, but I felt like I needed a little sunshine this December, so I read it. I'm thinking that it might have been donated to my LFL, which oftentimes when I receive a highly rated book, I'll read it first, then throw it into my LFL rotation. I enjoyed the unique story line and the relationship between Jackie and Willa. It almost felt to me as if Jackie's Uncle was like a Jerry Garcia, perhaps without the particular flaws that this Uncle had. Anyway, it was an engaging read that I enjoyed, and provided some relief during my reading of Gaudy Night. Ha!