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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
I've loved Jennifer Weiner for years and always just gobble up her books when they are released. This one was no different and I really enjoyed it. Her stories & characters seem so real to me, even if there are somewhat similar from book to book. Sometimes her pop culture references get a little tiring (though. her Game of Thrones one was pretty funny), but I still liked this book a lot.
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
A very conflicting review for me to write.
Things this book did well:
-Laying our how easily a ‘normal’ person can become addicted to opiates, or anything else for that matter
-Avoided too many cheesy stereotypes
-Kept me interested enough to finish the book in just 2 days
-The main character’s unlikeable personality did redeem itself a little bit in the end
-Literally the kindest and most patient husband, whom my heart hurt for the entire time
-Explaining the very real and discouraging challenges within the ‘treatment & recovery’ system for addicts (underfunded yet exorbitantly expensive rehab facilities, often staffed with incompetent and undereducated ‘counsellors’, poor amenities, repeat residents being the norm, etc)
Things I didn’t like:
-Your typical suburban privileged mommy blogger ‘can’t handle the stresses of her life’ and becomes addicted to painkillers. I had very little sympathy for her throughout the book - especially with her ‘holier than thou’ I’m-better-than-these-junkies attitude
-Possibly the most annoying child character I’ve ever encountered in fiction. I don’t particularly like kids to begin with, but the MC’s daughter was the most irritating, spoiled, whiny brat I think I’ve ever read about.
-I have watched countless loved ones struggle with addiction, one of whom died as a result. This is a very ‘light’ approach to the subject, with a happy, all-was-well ending. If you’ve seen the grips of addiction first-hand, the story may not ring very true for you. Not that I wanted it to be much heavier - just something to note. There wasn’t very much of a struggle for something as serious as addiction.
Things this book did well:
-Laying our how easily a ‘normal’ person can become addicted to opiates, or anything else for that matter
-Avoided too many cheesy stereotypes
-Kept me interested enough to finish the book in just 2 days
-The main character’s unlikeable personality did redeem itself a little bit in the end
-Literally the kindest and most patient husband, whom my heart hurt for the entire time
-Explaining the very real and discouraging challenges within the ‘treatment & recovery’ system for addicts (underfunded yet exorbitantly expensive rehab facilities, often staffed with incompetent and undereducated ‘counsellors’, poor amenities, repeat residents being the norm, etc)
Things I didn’t like:
-Your typical suburban privileged mommy blogger ‘can’t handle the stresses of her life’ and becomes addicted to painkillers. I had very little sympathy for her throughout the book - especially with her ‘holier than thou’ I’m-better-than-these-junkies attitude
-Possibly the most annoying child character I’ve ever encountered in fiction. I don’t particularly like kids to begin with, but the MC’s daughter was the most irritating, spoiled, whiny brat I think I’ve ever read about.
-I have watched countless loved ones struggle with addiction, one of whom died as a result. This is a very ‘light’ approach to the subject, with a happy, all-was-well ending. If you’ve seen the grips of addiction first-hand, the story may not ring very true for you. Not that I wanted it to be much heavier - just something to note. There wasn’t very much of a struggle for something as serious as addiction.
I wanted to like the book but from about chapter 3 and on I had to force myself to read it and finish it. I found the main character Allison well developed but other characters in the books lacked depth.
I was looking forward to a new Jennifer Weiner book. This was a huge disappointment, I couldn't finish it. Totally unlikeable characters. I hope she writes another great book. This was a total miss.
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
Recommended by Jane. Check our catalog: http://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Sall%20fall%20down%20weiner__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=pearl
This book was much better than the last couple from Jennifer Weiner, but still didn't knock it out of the park for me. Honestly, I was thinking 4 stars until the rehab scenes started. Those seemed a bit cliche and condescending. And we never really get an answer for why her husband won't go to family therapy. Even after she is out of rehab - why don't they pursue family/couples therapy then?
This story feels as though you are chatting with your mom friend, and it gets very real. As a mother there is so much familiar content, even though the main theme is something not everyone can relate to. The author really has a voice that made this story both heartbreaking and heartwarming.
fast-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
Half audio half print
UPDATE 6/6/23: rating it now, 3.5, more hefty than I expected from a “chick-lit” writer
UPDATE 6/6/23: rating it now, 3.5, more hefty than I expected from a “chick-lit” writer