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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
This is a somewhat tragic tale about Jess and Joe and how their relationship came to an end because of the meddling of Jess's parents.
Jess's mother has just died and her cousin is helping her process life and start going through some of her things. Jess finds a box of cards and letters and is taken back to before the accident and when she was mentally healthy. The story is a revisiting of her life at that time and finding people from her past to help fill in some of the pieces from the time after the accident. The adventures Jess embarks on to retrace Joe's travels is a testament to her love and desire to find out what happened.
This is a lovely story that I didn't want to end. There are many hard moments especially the recounting of the accident and the profound after effects that change Jess and Joe's lives.
I look forward to reading more Debbie Johnson
Jess's mother has just died and her cousin is helping her process life and start going through some of her things. Jess finds a box of cards and letters and is taken back to before the accident and when she was mentally healthy. The story is a revisiting of her life at that time and finding people from her past to help fill in some of the pieces from the time after the accident. The adventures Jess embarks on to retrace Joe's travels is a testament to her love and desire to find out what happened.
This is a lovely story that I didn't want to end. There are many hard moments especially the recounting of the accident and the profound after effects that change Jess and Joe's lives.
I look forward to reading more Debbie Johnson
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Emotional but nice read. The ending felt to quick though! Like the story is not done yet
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
First, I really enjoy Debbie Johnson stories, they are well told and have a healthy does of reality mixed in. Her characters have real issues that are relatable.
This book was quite enjoyable, until the last chapter for me. This would have gotten a five star rating had there been a more realistic wrap up with Joe. The story was a little drawn out, ups and downs, several would be crashes with Joe either being married, or dead. Then Jess finding Joe the way she did was great, but their dialogue was just now what I would expect, it was all wrapped up too cleanly for me. I wanted one more chapter where lose ends were tied up, and the dialogue between the two were more realistic for a couple who have not seen nor spoken to each other for 17 years.
The plot and story was fun at times, I enjoyed the friendships with Michael and Belinda, and Jess finding herself after the death of her abusive parents. The summary of the story was in this passage, "There's loss all around us - you just have to try not to let it overwhelm your whole life."
Then another great passage about trauma. "When you've been through a trauma, your brain find sneaky ways to remind you of it. Probably it thinks it's protecting you, keeping you alert to potential threats. The most everyday of sounds or smells or sensations can trick you nervous system into thinking there is still danger lurking nearby."
Overall, I enjoyed this story!
The plot and story was fun at times, I enjoyed the friendships with Michael and Belinda, and Jess finding herself after the death of her abusive parents. The summary of the story was in this passage, "There's loss all around us - you just have to try not to let it overwhelm your whole life."
Then another great passage about trauma. "When you've been through a trauma, your brain find sneaky ways to remind you of it. Probably it thinks it's protecting you, keeping you alert to potential threats. The most everyday of sounds or smells or sensations can trick you nervous system into thinking there is still danger lurking nearby."
Overall, I enjoyed this story!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Car accident
Moderate: Death of parent
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Starts a little slowly but by Chapter 7 you will be walking around Sam's Club trying not to sob out loud and then you will do nothing but consume this book the rest of the day.