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pumpkinchai's review against another edition
4.0
Oh my goodness that ended fast and, well, kind of underwhelming. But I guess family can be underwhelmingly normal, too. I liked Laura. She was quirky but responsible and mature. I liked Caroline's complexity as well. Just not enough.
barbarak's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-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
5.0
lennareem's review against another edition
1.0
I wanted an easy read, and this was recommended to me by a friend, with the caveat that it was an old-lady novel from Target. I should have taken that more seriously, along with "old-lady novel for women who don't like to think/know how." (No offense, Allison). I believe I got to page 30 before wanting to vomit on myself & the book and then eating my vomit to only re-vomit again. Yep. That good.
My problem with this book, and others in its genre is this: it's recycled, carefully yet poorly calculated garbage. The story line seemed intriguing enough, but I couldn't get past the 8th grade canned dialogue or the "strategically" placed symbols or foreshadowing. I put this novel in the same category of The Secret Life of Bees, as it seems like both writers sat down with a "How to write novels for dummies" handbook and went at it with blind rage, intent on finally writing a novel after their children were raised and they had time on their hands for themselves. If you want to do something for yourself in your 40s or 50s, take up painting or zumba.
So I suppose my poor rating for this book is a reflection of this book and others of this genre (old lady novels from Target I guess is a good enough name for them) more than this actual novel, because I didn't, nor do I want to, finish.
Phew. Glad that's finally off my chest.
My problem with this book, and others in its genre is this: it's recycled, carefully yet poorly calculated garbage. The story line seemed intriguing enough, but I couldn't get past the 8th grade canned dialogue or the "strategically" placed symbols or foreshadowing. I put this novel in the same category of The Secret Life of Bees, as it seems like both writers sat down with a "How to write novels for dummies" handbook and went at it with blind rage, intent on finally writing a novel after their children were raised and they had time on their hands for themselves. If you want to do something for yourself in your 40s or 50s, take up painting or zumba.
So I suppose my poor rating for this book is a reflection of this book and others of this genre (old lady novels from Target I guess is a good enough name for them) more than this actual novel, because I didn't, nor do I want to, finish.
Phew. Glad that's finally off my chest.
caitlinnf's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
tshoxenreider's review against another edition
4.0
Really good - one of her darker books, but still excellent writing, as always.
mythyagain's review against another edition
4.0
An interesting work of fiction centered on family secrets and the healing process. Three adult siblings face that although growing up in the same house, they experienced their mother very differently. One sister reveals that she was abused several times throughout her childhood but the parents kept it hidden from the other two siblings. The ending is touching and *could be* realistic.
hikereadbeer's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
3.0
sunbear98's review against another edition
4.0
I like books about family relationships and especially sisters and mothers and daughters. This one was not as good as say Anne Tyler, but still really held my attention.
kerry_connors's review against another edition
2.0
Eh. I feel for Caroline, but it was very soul-sucking. And why would Laura go back home when her mother just arrived after an important change in the family. I didn’t feel deeply invested in any of the characters. I felt like the writing wasn’t very deep, like do I really need just a list of what Caroline is wearing each time we see her? It could have been more.