Scan barcode
samstillreading's review against another edition
2.0
I'm really not sure about this one. I've liked some Cathy Kelly books, but others I've thrown across the room for their simple, childish indulgence. This is the world where bad things happen but there's always a happy ending.
This book touches on Issues (yes, I did capitalise that on purpose)- we read about infidelity, sexual abuse and alcoholism but it's all in rather a light manner. Why skim over so many 'Issues' without tackling them in the face?
Another thing is the sex. We hear about women in their late 40s and 50s having sex. Yes, that's great to mention that sexual drive continues through the ages, but I really don't need that much detail please!
Now that I've got off my high horse, I should discuss the plot. Well, there's Ingrid in her 50s who has a nasty shock. She recovers. There's Ingrid's daughter's friend, who is upset because she knows nothing about her mum. She recovers. Then there's Ingrid's husband's employee who has a difficult relationship with her mum- oddly enough, she recovers. And then there's the woman who knew Ingrid's daughter's friend's mum, Ingrid's husband's employee's mum and went out with Ingrid's husband. She helps them to recover. (These people who know or are related in Ingrid have names. I've just tried to know you the six degrees of separation of this book, which unfortunately doesn't really seem to gel the way Maeve Binchy does it.)
I feel that as Ms Kelly gets older, she's raising the age of her characters. Nothing wrong with that. But unfortunately I think she will lose her younger readers- but gain their nanna.
If you're under 40, please give some of her earlier works a go. They're a lot more fun. Otherwise, buy your nanna this one and you'll be loved forever.
This book touches on Issues (yes, I did capitalise that on purpose)- we read about infidelity, sexual abuse and alcoholism but it's all in rather a light manner. Why skim over so many 'Issues' without tackling them in the face?
Another thing is the sex. We hear about women in their late 40s and 50s having sex. Yes, that's great to mention that sexual drive continues through the ages, but I really don't need that much detail please!
Now that I've got off my high horse, I should discuss the plot. Well, there's Ingrid in her 50s who has a nasty shock. She recovers. There's Ingrid's daughter's friend, who is upset because she knows nothing about her mum. She recovers. Then there's Ingrid's husband's employee who has a difficult relationship with her mum- oddly enough, she recovers. And then there's the woman who knew Ingrid's daughter's friend's mum, Ingrid's husband's employee's mum and went out with Ingrid's husband. She helps them to recover. (These people who know or are related in Ingrid have names. I've just tried to know you the six degrees of separation of this book, which unfortunately doesn't really seem to gel the way Maeve Binchy does it.)
I feel that as Ms Kelly gets older, she's raising the age of her characters. Nothing wrong with that. But unfortunately I think she will lose her younger readers- but gain their nanna.
If you're under 40, please give some of her earlier works a go. They're a lot more fun. Otherwise, buy your nanna this one and you'll be loved forever.
annebrooke's review against another edition
2.0
Lots of cliches and flat characters make this a struggle to read. So called white witch Star Bluestone is a real irritant, and the over-sentimentalised ending had me in hysterical laughter! The cover is nice though.
chrissireads's review against another edition
A touching story about a group of women who have to deal with life's tribulations. A gripping story, well worth a read!
sharyn_swanepoel's review against another edition
My first introduction to this author.... quite enjoyed it. Varied characters, interesting storyline, an easy holiday read without too much to think about.
thaissardx's review against another edition
2.0
It was a nice holiday read, but not a very good book in my opinion. Mostly because of the fact that there were waaaay too many characters, it got me pretty confused at times
pussreboots's review
2.0
Successful woman happily married to successful man must re-examine her life after husband's untimely death. With lots and lots of mundane padding.
http://www.pussreboots.pair.com/blog/2014/comments_01/once_in_a_lifetime.html
http://www.pussreboots.pair.com/blog/2014/comments_01/once_in_a_lifetime.html
samstillreading's review
2.0
I'm really not sure about this one. I've liked some Cathy Kelly books, but others I've thrown across the room for their simple, childish indulgence. This is the world where bad things happen but there's always a happy ending.
This book touches on Issues (yes, I did capitalise that on purpose)- we read about infidelity, sexual abuse and alcoholism but it's all in rather a light manner. Why skim over so many 'Issues' without tackling them in the face?
Another thing is the sex. We hear about women in their late 40s and 50s having sex. Yes, that's great to mention that sexual drive continues through the ages, but I really don't need that much detail please!
Now that I've got off my high horse, I should discuss the plot. Well, there's Ingrid in her 50s who has a nasty shock. She recovers. There's Ingrid's daughter's friend, who is upset because she knows nothing about her mum. She recovers. Then there's Ingrid's husband's employee who has a difficult relationship with her mum- oddly enough, she recovers. And then there's the woman who knew Ingrid's daughter's friend's mum, Ingrid's husband's employee's mum and went out with Ingrid's husband. She helps them to recover. (These people who know or are related in Ingrid have names. I've just tried to know you the six degrees of separation of this book, which unfortunately doesn't really seem to gel the way Maeve Binchy does it.)
I feel that as Ms Kelly gets older, she's raising the age of her characters. Nothing wrong with that. But unfortunately I think she will lose her younger readers- but gain their nanna.
If you're under 40, please give some of her earlier works a go. They're a lot more fun. Otherwise, buy your nanna this one and you'll be loved forever.
This book touches on Issues (yes, I did capitalise that on purpose)- we read about infidelity, sexual abuse and alcoholism but it's all in rather a light manner. Why skim over so many 'Issues' without tackling them in the face?
Another thing is the sex. We hear about women in their late 40s and 50s having sex. Yes, that's great to mention that sexual drive continues through the ages, but I really don't need that much detail please!
Now that I've got off my high horse, I should discuss the plot. Well, there's Ingrid in her 50s who has a nasty shock. She recovers. There's Ingrid's daughter's friend, who is upset because she knows nothing about her mum. She recovers. Then there's Ingrid's husband's employee who has a difficult relationship with her mum- oddly enough, she recovers. And then there's the woman who knew Ingrid's daughter's friend's mum, Ingrid's husband's employee's mum and went out with Ingrid's husband. She helps them to recover. (These people who know or are related in Ingrid have names. I've just tried to know you the six degrees of separation of this book, which unfortunately doesn't really seem to gel the way Maeve Binchy does it.)
I feel that as Ms Kelly gets older, she's raising the age of her characters. Nothing wrong with that. But unfortunately I think she will lose her younger readers- but gain their nanna.
If you're under 40, please give some of her earlier works a go. They're a lot more fun. Otherwise, buy your nanna this one and you'll be loved forever.
ellie_2's review
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
slow-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
2.0