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jaytay03's review against another edition
4.0
unique
I usually hate books where the main character screws everything up… but the way I got attached to the main character and the creativeness of the whole story being in list-form had me hooked.
I usually hate books where the main character screws everything up… but the way I got attached to the main character and the creativeness of the whole story being in list-form had me hooked.
lamom77's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. The telling of the story through lists was very unique and oddly moving. Great writing! Loved how the author was able to develop the character throughout the book.
mbdemaine's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Main character not likable
booklover28's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
mcnewm's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
rpych2's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this book but I didn’t necessarily love it, and part of that comes down to the format. The book was a bunch of notes that the main character has written to himself about daily musings or other random things. It helped tell the story of his struggling bookstore and relationship with his wife, while also giving us a different insight into his inner thoughts. Eventually though, I just got tired of the notes because they were somewhat repetitive. There were a bunch of times where the notes were the same as previous ones with minor changes.
But I did like the story and the insights into the character’s psyche, however it’s just 3.5 stars in total for me.
But I did like the story and the insights into the character’s psyche, however it’s just 3.5 stars in total for me.
sjades's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
jmbibliolater's review against another edition
3.0
Special thanks to Netgalley and St Martin's Press for the advance copy.
I have to be honest. My hopes were high for this fictional story. 21 Truths About Love has the potential to be such a good story. Yet, it is written entirely in lists and I am not a fan.
As I read list after list, I really felt for Daniel at times....his anxieties, his failures, his worries and his fears. He follows his dream, quits his job and opens his own bookstore. However, the bookstore is not performing well. He feels as if he is living in the shadow of his wife's dead husband. His mom is not that supportive.
I enjoy Daniel's wife Jill. She loves him for him, no matter his failures. He loves her unconditionally but is also a bit insecure in his love for her. I also really enjoy Dan's friendship with Bill once Bill is finally introduce. Bill helps Daniel get out of his rut and is one of the highlights of this book.
BUT...truth be told, the lists become too much. It is too tedious. The story is told month by month and by the time I got to April, I wanted to put a pen in my eye. Although 21 Truths About Love is a super creative idea and it takes some talent to write a story in lists (thus 3 stars), it falls flat. It kills me that it has the potential to be so much more and isn't.
I have to be honest. My hopes were high for this fictional story. 21 Truths About Love has the potential to be such a good story. Yet, it is written entirely in lists and I am not a fan.
As I read list after list, I really felt for Daniel at times....his anxieties, his failures, his worries and his fears. He follows his dream, quits his job and opens his own bookstore. However, the bookstore is not performing well. He feels as if he is living in the shadow of his wife's dead husband. His mom is not that supportive.
I enjoy Daniel's wife Jill. She loves him for him, no matter his failures. He loves her unconditionally but is also a bit insecure in his love for her. I also really enjoy Dan's friendship with Bill once Bill is finally introduce. Bill helps Daniel get out of his rut and is one of the highlights of this book.
BUT...truth be told, the lists become too much. It is too tedious. The story is told month by month and by the time I got to April, I wanted to put a pen in my eye. Although 21 Truths About Love is a super creative idea and it takes some talent to write a story in lists (thus 3 stars), it falls flat. It kills me that it has the potential to be so much more and isn't.
sindri_inn_arsaeli's review against another edition
4.0
Fun read! I enjoy epistolary novels, so I thought I'd make the jump to a novel told in lists, and while it was a shift in reading style, it was a lot of fun. I enjoyed the characters, I was emotionally invested based on just a bunch of lists, and I actually felt like I understood the characters and the plot. I really loved the character of Bill Donovan. I don't want to post spoilers, especially since while I really enjoyed some moments that are big ones, I don't have much to say except how I liked them, but I will say the book did manage to surprise me! All in all, for folks who can get in to the style, I would definitely suggest this book.
rmarcin's review against another edition
4.0
Twenty-one Truths About Love is a novel written as a series of daily lists, and sometimes multiple lists in a day. Dan is insecure- as owner of a bookstore and his management of it, of his wife's love, of his ability to be a good father, about his relationship with his own father. Over the course of a few months, Dan's financial situation becomes more desperate and Dan becomes more anxious about how to resolve it.
This is a sweet, endearing novel about love, strength, friendship, and relationships. I really enjoyed the majority of the novel, and laughed at many of the observations. I recommend this quick read.
This is a sweet, endearing novel about love, strength, friendship, and relationships. I really enjoyed the majority of the novel, and laughed at many of the observations. I recommend this quick read.