Reviews

It's a Wonderful Wife by Camille Pagán

julievireadsalot's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

0.5

rellimreads's review

Go to review page

2.0

Updated

Originally I DNF at 50% - This was like a depressing country song had an affair with the beginning of a Disney movie. I admit that I haven't seen "It's a Wonderful Life" in several decades... but I don't remember it proportionally being this depressing. This is less than two hours and the *entire* first hour is (almost all of this is revealed in the blurb):

1.
Bailey's parents died on Christmas Eve 20 years ago
2. The only company in town is closing down
3.
Bailey & her husband (Chris) are infertile
4.
Chris's brother is a bum whose wife left him & the kids
4b.
They live next door so Bailey gets to see daily how ignored/poor/unloved the kids are
5. Bailey walks in on her best friend & Chris having sex

Despite loving Amy McFadden as a narrator - I couldn't finish.

At the urging of another reviewer that the second half was more cheerful... I finished it. Keep in mind this entire book spans about 24 hours in present day.

Another 25% was the “if you’d never been born” portion and detailing how everything would be even worse.

Then for last 10-15 minutes of the book,
Bailey gets organized and decides to move forward. Don’t worry - two men are going to save her. Her soon to be ex will loan her the money to make payroll and the guy she’s just met 12 hours ago (yeah, they knew of each other in high school, but they haven’t seen each other in 20 years) is going to save the cannery and love her forever.

I really don’t relish bad reviews... but this was proportionally way too much negative to feel joy at the unrealistic “heartwarming” of the last 10 minutes.

mvictoriabooks's review against another edition

Go to review page

lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

2.25

tea_tales_tomes's review

Go to review page

1.0

I love a good Christmas story well told. This is not that. This is an affront to good writing and takes us back at least 50 years in terms of feminism. We have a damsel in distress and of course, the two people that come to her assistance are men. Come on. It's a no from me.

msmatta28's review

Go to review page

3.0

Quick and enjoyable

courtneylleon's review

Go to review page

3.0

2.5 rounded up

justjessreading's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

Adorable twist on a Christmas Carol. Super short and sweet. But another cheating storyline. Whats up with audible originals and this lol?

crysrowe's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

Cute audiobook, quick listen while cleaning house. Narrator was really good, and the storyline - while not anything life changing, was entertaining.

sglance9's review against another edition

Go to review page

hopeful reflective 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

4.0

livvie_'s review against another edition

Go to review page

hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

3.0