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miranda_is_reading's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Wow, I really loved this book and found a lot of different ways to relate to each Riva family member. This book is heavy on generational trauma.
Part 1 was interesting getting to know the Riva children in present day, while also learning of their parents pasts. It was really well done to explain the family history. I liked each Riva kid in their own way, but mostly related to Hud and Nina. The struggles Mick put his family through were awful and I struggled to like him. He really reminded me of my grandfather. June was likable in the start, but it was sad to watch her mentally decline. You grieve her with her children.
Part 2 is present day and where the “action” takes place. We know a fire is going to happen, but when, where and how it starts is the suspense. Does anyone get hurt or die? We need to find out! There’s a lot of people introduced in this part making it a bit confusing at times. I think there’s so many people introduced causing the reader confusion tactfully though? It kind of conveys how out of hand and all over this party really was. The ending was good, but emotional. I would love a follow up book of the Riva kids in the future to see how their lives turned out further down the road! I’ve gathered there’s some crossover of character in some of the authors other book, so I’m looking forward to reading those!
I will totally recommend this book to others, especially if they like historical fiction type books.
Part 1 was interesting getting to know the Riva children in present day, while also learning of their parents pasts. It was really well done to explain the family history. I liked each Riva kid in their own way, but mostly related to Hud and Nina. The struggles Mick put his family through were awful and I struggled to like him. He really reminded me of my grandfather. June was likable in the start, but it was sad to watch her mentally decline. You grieve her with her children.
Part 2 is present day and where the “action” takes place. We know a fire is going to happen, but when, where and how it starts is the suspense. Does anyone get hurt or die? We need to find out! There’s a lot of people introduced in this part making it a bit confusing at times. I think there’s so many people introduced causing the reader confusion tactfully though? It kind of conveys how out of hand and all over this party really was. The ending was good, but emotional. I would love a follow up book of the Riva kids in the future to see how their lives turned out further down the road! I’ve gathered there’s some crossover of character in some of the authors other book, so I’m looking forward to reading those!
I will totally recommend this book to others, especially if they like historical fiction type books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Alcoholism, Death, Death of parent, Alcohol, Drug use, and Infidelity
Moderate: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Addiction
Minor: Blood, Violence, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Car accident, Eating disorder, Fire/Fire injury, Abortion, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Cursing, and Pregnancy
marleen02's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Outing, Abandonment, Gun violence, Alcoholism, Blood, Cursing, Car accident, Chronic illness, Fire/Fire injury, Death of parent, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Pregnancy, Sexism, and Violence
emilyandthewhippet's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Sexism, Pregnancy, Gun violence, Sexual content, Grief, Alcoholism, Abandonment, Addiction, Death of parent, Drug use, Alcohol, Death, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, Misogyny, and Vomit
bobinsbooknook's review against another edition
challenging
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The perfect way to kick off the summer! I really enjoyed this story and the writing style ,as usual,was perfection. TJR really knows how to immerse the reader in!
I will say unlike her other books which I have read, I did find this one to be far more character heavy over a continuous plot but did enjoy the backstory plots from part 1 a lot.
As the plot does flitter back between past and present - though both still interesting - did become a bit slower paced and a little harder to keep track of characters subplots at times.
I loved each character it their own right and it’s great to get some more depth to characters I’ve come to know from her other books. I especially loved Nina and watching her develop throughout the struggles of her past.
The only reason I can’t rate this a 5 is I wish the fire foreshadowing which gripped me at the start held a bit more weight in the end of the book but still a fantastic read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment and Drug use
Minor: Death of parent
danimylove's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Death of parent, Alcoholism, and Abandonment
gologel's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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
5.0
I think I've found my favourite kind of book. I loved the characterization (of family), the way the author can describe complex emotions with simple sentences, how she depicts the relationships, traumas, errors and hopes of each character.
At one point I was worried too many side characters were going to be involved, but then they didn't take up many pages and actually brought in a broader view over the happening, which I liked.
There really is nothing I could critique on that book that bothered me more than for a few seconds. A great piece of humans being unhumane and humane, about what can be forgiven and what can not be forgiven and how, at the end of the day, we all are looking for to be seen.
At one point I was worried too many side characters were going to be involved, but then they didn't take up many pages and actually brought in a broader view over the happening, which I liked.
There really is nothing I could critique on that book that bothered me more than for a few seconds. A great piece of humans being unhumane and humane, about what can be forgiven and what can not be forgiven and how, at the end of the day, we all are looking for to be seen.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Alcoholism
daniela_cruz's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Mais um livro fantástico, Taylor Reid Jenkins is not missing
FUCK MICK REVA
In the words of Kendrick: I hate the way that you walk, the way that you talk
Este homem causou tanto sofrimento a tanta gente pelo simples motivo de não saber amar.
Apesar de algumas personagens não terem o desenvolvimento que eu pretendia gostei em geral do livro ainda que por vezes quisesse passar mais tempo nas histórias secundárias
In the words of Kendrick: I hate the way that you walk, the way that you talk
Este homem causou tanto sofrimento a tanta gente pelo simples motivo de não saber amar.
Apesar de algumas personagens não terem o desenvolvimento que eu pretendia gostei em geral do livro ainda que por vezes quisesse passar mais tempo nas histórias secundárias
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Alcoholism
diadoodle's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Alcoholism, and Abandonment
pamfletcher's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I appreciated how the story was told with alternating timelines and seeing the past and how it tied to the present. I liked all of the main characters, some of the side characters I found didn’t add to the story much and were a bit distracting. I also enjoyed the reflection on parenting, its impacts and how parents behaviors impacted the kids through the 3 generations. June’s story was so tragic and her falling into alcoholism while still trying to be a good mom, I enjoyed the nuances of how she tried her best, even though she was still dealing with her grief from her husband leaving.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Car accident, and Abandonment
graceev's review against another edition
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Fire/Fire injury, Addiction, Grief, Infidelity, and Death of parent
Moderate: Physical abuse