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3.73 AVERAGE
3.73 AVERAGE
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Predictable, shallow repetitive. The time lines never seemed to be right. Julia would do something for weeks when really only a few days went by. She would get letters every day for weeks but then it would only be a few days for other situations. The description of Lara's home decor was done to death. I finished out of obligation to my book club but don't think I will pick up a Cathy Lamb book in the future.
Oh my! This book made my laugh and cry and at moments at the same time. The characters were so rich that when the book was done I was sad that I wouldn't get to be around them anymore.
ZERO stars
One of the worst books I’ve ever read; I finished only because I needed it for a couple of challenges.
I had heard it compared to The Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood or The Secret Life of Bees. And the book actually starts with a pretty good first sentence: I left my wedding dress hanging in a tree somewhere in North Dakota. Unfortunately it quickly goes downhill.
Julia Bennett has left her incredibly wealthy, violent, abusive fiancé on her wedding day, driving cross-country to her Aunt Lydia’s home in rural Oregon. Of course he won’t let her go so easily, but before he finds her Julia will be able to bond with Lydia’s circle of women friends who enjoy regular Psychic Nights. One of these women actually has visions of the future – all of which, of course, come true.
The characters are all one-dimensional (yes, ONE dimension, not even two). Here’s a sample description of the women, and I quote: A psychic with a twitching eye, a bald woman chasing down her guns, and a mermaid-type mother crying. The men are either tall, handsome gentle giants or mean, evil, violent abusers.
But what really irritated me was the whole “Bohemian pseudo-feminist psychobabble” thing. One Psychic Night dinner features “Cheers to Vaginas Tacos” – really? Or how about this sage advice: If you’re confused, summon the strength in your breasts, ask your estrogen for answers, demand that your femininity give you advice. I rolled my eyes so often I made myself dizzy.
Well, at least it was a quick read.
One of the worst books I’ve ever read; I finished only because I needed it for a couple of challenges.
I had heard it compared to The Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood or The Secret Life of Bees. And the book actually starts with a pretty good first sentence: I left my wedding dress hanging in a tree somewhere in North Dakota. Unfortunately it quickly goes downhill.
Julia Bennett has left her incredibly wealthy, violent, abusive fiancé on her wedding day, driving cross-country to her Aunt Lydia’s home in rural Oregon. Of course he won’t let her go so easily, but before he finds her Julia will be able to bond with Lydia’s circle of women friends who enjoy regular Psychic Nights. One of these women actually has visions of the future – all of which, of course, come true.
The characters are all one-dimensional (yes, ONE dimension, not even two). Here’s a sample description of the women, and I quote: A psychic with a twitching eye, a bald woman chasing down her guns, and a mermaid-type mother crying. The men are either tall, handsome gentle giants or mean, evil, violent abusers.
But what really irritated me was the whole “Bohemian pseudo-feminist psychobabble” thing. One Psychic Night dinner features “Cheers to Vaginas Tacos” – really? Or how about this sage advice: If you’re confused, summon the strength in your breasts, ask your estrogen for answers, demand that your femininity give you advice. I rolled my eyes so often I made myself dizzy.
Well, at least it was a quick read.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
The wedding dress left behind on a tree intrigued me.
She leaves her lousy fiance and goes home to realize life is tough everywhere, but I want an Aunt Lydia in my life (maybe toned down just a tad). And she learns to survive there with new friends and a new boyfriend.
She leaves her lousy fiance and goes home to realize life is tough everywhere, but I want an Aunt Lydia in my life (maybe toned down just a tad). And she learns to survive there with new friends and a new boyfriend.
Well, with a title like that, who could resist? I ejoyed the characters and greatly enjoyed Julia's voice. Not for the faint-hearted--Julia pulls herself above her horible and abusive childhood, but a lovely ending.
I loved this book. It made me smile and cry. The characters were wonderful and full of energy. A perfect Chick Lit read.