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midwifereading's review against another edition
3.0
This is a cute, light, simple read. I enjoyed it as a break from my normal picks, and am glad I picked it up.
jansbookcorner's review against another edition
4.0
Interesting premise and development of story. This is a lighter read, but it will make you think about life - what's important and how we should live day by day. Quick and enjoyable.
alatinaandherbooks's review against another edition
1.0
To predictable, it started out good it was a good story idea but then it just dragged out and was way too predictable. I got it as a first reads on Amazon and let's just say those books aren't always worth getting even free!
If you don't like
Predictable cheesy dragged out books don't not read this.
If you don't like
Predictable cheesy dragged out books don't not read this.
almondcookies's review against another edition
1.0
You know those books that reel you in from page 1? Those amazing page tuners that you don't want to put down? Well, this book is NOT one of them. The first 50 pages are tediously slow, and coupled with how dislikable both of the main characters are, it was a struggle to get through.
Let's start with Hannah. She is, self centered and irrational. Her first partner, Simon, even wrote a novel with a character based off her and described her as impertinent and egocentric. A fundamental issue I have with her character is she does whatever she feels like is right in the moment, without caring about either the wishes of those around her, or her own long term goals. An example of this is how she doesn't care about her partner's wishes.
Me Before You, is another novel that also features a terminally ill love interest (Side note: A brief tribute is also made to this book within Your Perfect Year!). The main character, Louisa, finally accepts her partner's decision even though she doesn't agree with it. Louisa did the selfless thing and supported her partner through she herself was in pain. Hannah, in stark contrast, forces her will down her partner's throat to the extent he decides it's better to commit suicide without telling her.
Her actions immediately after he commits suicide can arguably be excused as she's grieving. But she grieves the way she lives, without care for the bigger picture and only considering her emotions at that moment in time. For example, when she essentially threw away Simon's Mustang even though it could have been a good cash injection for her NEW business which she supposedly cares so much about. Once again, this can arguably be excused as she may not have thought about it in the moment. However, after her business partner points this out, she still steadfastly refuses to consider it.
As for Jonathan, I thought his journey to appreciating and moving on in life was handled relatively well but I had an extreme dislike for the pacing of his story and of his character. Let's start with his character - The idea of being wealthy and having no idea how to manage his business (or much about it at all, for that matter) was really irritating. Especially as he doesn't seem to be interested in learning either! It's only when his CEO resigns that he wakes up and realises he doesn't know what to do. But even his struggle after the resignation isn't discussed at all, just a throw away line here and there about how the business is 'failing'. Subsequently, I don't understand how Jonathan could just randomly appoint Leopold (his hobo friend) as CEO without any consideration if he's properly qualified or not. I thought owning this company was a major part of what made up his character, but it seems this was just a plot point to move things along.
Johnathan is brash (please see the horrid rejection letter he sent Simon) and is far happier burying his head in the sand, avoiding problems until they come up and bite him in the behind.
This is evidenced in two major occasions:
1. Continuously attempted to dodge his CEO when asked for feedback and guidance when the company started going downhill. Did he honestly think that avoiding the problem would go away? This really screams 'spoilt rich kid who has no concept of responsibility'. (Side note, I have had multiple bosses and managers like this. As a subordinate, all I wanted to do was resign too, so I'm extremely proud and glad that the CEO had the courage to quit from such a terrible boss!)
2. Dodging Hannah's questions about how Simon's manuscript was. - I have extreme problems with this because he planned to tell her it was another reader who turned it down, not himself. I understand he doesn't want to face the repercussions of his actions but for goodness sake don't push it on someone else!! He who passes the sentence should swing the sword!
Not just Jonathan does this, but his father, the secretary too! Instead of coming right out and admitting to all the skeletons in the closet, they wait for shit to hit the fan first. This would be great for character development, and it would have been great to see Jonathan gradually develop because of it, but instead it's placed at 97% of the way into the book. There is no chance to see how he tackles several revelations and develops from it! After finding out about his mother I would want to see how he copes with it. For me, that's more important than the superficial romance he had with Hannah.
Let's talk about the genre of this book. I wouldn't call it a chicklit, and please don't expect romance. The actual romance is rushed and honestly, not very interesting. The interesting part of this book is how Hannah copes and handles the aftermath of Simon's suicide, how it impacts her and people close to her. I think this is a topic that's really not discussed enough, and it was quite refreshing to read about it! That's a real, powerful thing.
However, in stark contrast, we have characters like Leopold. - Randomly finding a hobo in a recycling bin and inviting him to stay at your house? Unbelievable but not beyond the realms of reality. The same hobo finding Simon's Mustang and selling it? Well.
In conclusion, I felt this book had a lot of potential, and it was due to the hope of character development that I managed to finish the whole thing. However, dislikable characters, bad pacing and focus on the wrong things really ruined it for me. It was not my cup of tea, but of course, it may appeal to others.
Let's start with Hannah. She is, self centered and irrational. Her first partner, Simon, even wrote a novel with a character based off her and described her as impertinent and egocentric. A fundamental issue I have with her character is she does whatever she feels like is right in the moment, without caring about either the wishes of those around her, or her own long term goals. An example of this is how she doesn't care about her partner's wishes.
Me Before You, is another novel that also features a terminally ill love interest (Side note: A brief tribute is also made to this book within Your Perfect Year!). The main character, Louisa, finally accepts her partner's decision even though she doesn't agree with it. Louisa did the selfless thing and supported her partner through she herself was in pain. Hannah, in stark contrast, forces her will down her partner's throat to the extent he decides it's better to commit suicide without telling her.
Her actions immediately after he commits suicide can arguably be excused as she's grieving. But she grieves the way she lives, without care for the bigger picture and only considering her emotions at that moment in time. For example, when she essentially threw away Simon's Mustang even though it could have been a good cash injection for her NEW business which she supposedly cares so much about. Once again, this can arguably be excused as she may not have thought about it in the moment. However, after her business partner points this out, she still steadfastly refuses to consider it.
As for Jonathan, I thought his journey to appreciating and moving on in life was handled relatively well but I had an extreme dislike for the pacing of his story and of his character. Let's start with his character - The idea of being wealthy and having no idea how to manage his business (or much about it at all, for that matter) was really irritating. Especially as he doesn't seem to be interested in learning either! It's only when his CEO resigns that he wakes up and realises he doesn't know what to do. But even his struggle after the resignation isn't discussed at all, just a throw away line here and there about how the business is 'failing'. Subsequently, I don't understand how Jonathan could just randomly appoint Leopold (his hobo friend) as CEO without any consideration if he's properly qualified or not. I thought owning this company was a major part of what made up his character, but it seems this was just a plot point to move things along.
Johnathan is brash (please see the horrid rejection letter he sent Simon) and is far happier burying his head in the sand, avoiding problems until they come up and bite him in the behind.
This is evidenced in two major occasions:
1. Continuously attempted to dodge his CEO when asked for feedback and guidance when the company started going downhill. Did he honestly think that avoiding the problem would go away? This really screams 'spoilt rich kid who has no concept of responsibility'. (Side note, I have had multiple bosses and managers like this. As a subordinate, all I wanted to do was resign too, so I'm extremely proud and glad that the CEO had the courage to quit from such a terrible boss!)
2. Dodging Hannah's questions about how Simon's manuscript was. - I have extreme problems with this because he planned to tell her it was another reader who turned it down, not himself. I understand he doesn't want to face the repercussions of his actions but for goodness sake don't push it on someone else!! He who passes the sentence should swing the sword!
Not just Jonathan does this, but his father, the secretary too! Instead of coming right out and admitting to all the skeletons in the closet, they wait for shit to hit the fan first. This would be great for character development, and it would have been great to see Jonathan gradually develop because of it, but instead it's placed at 97% of the way into the book. There is no chance to see how he tackles several revelations and develops from it! After finding out about his mother I would want to see how he copes with it. For me, that's more important than the superficial romance he had with Hannah.
Let's talk about the genre of this book. I wouldn't call it a chicklit, and please don't expect romance. The actual romance is rushed and honestly, not very interesting. The interesting part of this book is how Hannah copes and handles the aftermath of Simon's suicide, how it impacts her and people close to her. I think this is a topic that's really not discussed enough, and it was quite refreshing to read about it! That's a real, powerful thing.
However, in stark contrast, we have characters like Leopold. - Randomly finding a hobo in a recycling bin and inviting him to stay at your house? Unbelievable but not beyond the realms of reality. The same hobo finding Simon's Mustang and selling it? Well.
In conclusion, I felt this book had a lot of potential, and it was due to the hope of character development that I managed to finish the whole thing. However, dislikable characters, bad pacing and focus on the wrong things really ruined it for me. It was not my cup of tea, but of course, it may appeal to others.
madammimreads's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
djryan's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
5.0
machster9's review against another edition
3.0
Cute story of serendipity
Not a great book, but an enjoyable tale about lives meeting by Fate/chance, and the series of events that brings them together. To be honest, I didn't much care for Jonathon; I find him boorish, pompous and not very interesting. Yet somehow, I found myself rooting for him. The story is a bit predictable, and there's nothing outstanding about the writing, but it's a quick easy read.
Not a great book, but an enjoyable tale about lives meeting by Fate/chance, and the series of events that brings them together. To be honest, I didn't much care for Jonathon; I find him boorish, pompous and not very interesting. Yet somehow, I found myself rooting for him. The story is a bit predictable, and there's nothing outstanding about the writing, but it's a quick easy read.
karinlib's review against another edition
4.0
Your Perfect Year by Charlotte Lucas was one of the books chosen by Amazon for International Book day. It was free. I liked it. It was a good book to take me away from COVID-19, unrest and the more serious books I have been reading, hence the four star rating. Pre-March, I might have rated it 3 stars. I thought the translation was fine and flowed. I had a feeling of deja-vu in places, but that was ok.
I liked that the book took place in Hamburg Germany. One negative thought, maybe a bit too long (the book is 435 pages).
I liked that the book took place in Hamburg Germany. One negative thought, maybe a bit too long (the book is 435 pages).