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4.4 AVERAGE
4.4 AVERAGE
This is such a heart warming and emotional story. It is a story all about second chances and new beginnings. I loved the main character and how relatable she is. You can feel he journey she goes on through each and every page of this book and, as the reader, it felt like you were with her every step of the way.
I really enjoyed the fact that the book wasn’t quite what I thought it was going to be. The author has created a lasting and touching story that I really felt I connected with. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and can’t wait to read more from this author.
I really enjoyed the fact that the book wasn’t quite what I thought it was going to be. The author has created a lasting and touching story that I really felt I connected with. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and can’t wait to read more from this author.
More Than was a thoroughly enjoyable read. What I appreciated most was that our plus-size main character evolved slowly and her changes became more about finding her own happiness rather than improving for someone else's view of her. It was also refreshing to have her weight loss journey take place in a healthy and sustained way as opposed to books in which transformations happen more rapidly and on a greater scale. There was just enough whimsy in the pursuit of a message from beyond the veil from her deceased husband to keep the book light, not frivolously so, and the resolution of the story was perfectly balanced. Could this be a beach read? Absolutely. However, it also has the teeth to be a friendly book club offering and a book that I have spent time thinking about throughout the days since reading it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Peggy’s husband passed away years ago, leaving her to raise their twins on her own. Her favorite pastime, and maybe her only one, is watching the TV show Messages from Beyond, about a medium who connects loved ones with those they have lost.
Peggy’s doctor tells her she’s obese. On top of that, her children give her a gift card to an exercise class, and she’s bewildered. Peggy finds the silver lining, though. If she can get herself back in shape, maybe she can appear on her favorite show and talk to her husband.
And with that goal in mind, she’s off.
Peggy’s difficulties with weight were so relatable. There were moments when I laughed and definitely teary ones, too. More Than is a quick and uplifting read. It brings all the heart and inspiration, too.
I received a complimentary copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
Peggy’s doctor tells her she’s obese. On top of that, her children give her a gift card to an exercise class, and she’s bewildered. Peggy finds the silver lining, though. If she can get herself back in shape, maybe she can appear on her favorite show and talk to her husband.
And with that goal in mind, she’s off.
Peggy’s difficulties with weight were so relatable. There were moments when I laughed and definitely teary ones, too. More Than is a quick and uplifting read. It brings all the heart and inspiration, too.
I received a complimentary copy.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com
Peggy Moriarty is a widow with twins. 14 years ago, her husband passes away in a plane crash and her life changed. She has spent the last 14 years focusing solely on raising her twins, never taking on a job outside of the home. Her life revolves solely around her children. Lo and behold, they are now 18 years old and getting ready to head off to college and Peggy must figure out what to do with herself.
This is a tough book for me to review. I was a single mom for 5 years and I know how hard it can be. But it was really difficult to connect with and like Peggy through most of the first half of the book. She clearly has no real friends having spent the last 14 years truly just devoting herself to raising her kids. This isn't a bad thing necessarily, except Peggy is one of the most judgmental people I've ever encountered in a book. Every single person she meets, she's rude to or has a less than kind thought about. She's rude to everyone and it really makes it difficult to like her or even root for her.
About halfway through the book, she begins to show some promise of changing but she still judges people unfairly. Perhaps the author is trying to note that this is just human nature (we all have first impressions and that sort of thing), but it was too much. It's hard to like a book when you can't stand the main character for most of it.
Alas, it wasn't a terrible story. It's typical chick-lit where there is no real "plot" persay, except a woman finding herself, her courage, etc. While I didn't like Peggy much, I did like Henry a lot because he just seemed so genuine to me. Carmen is a saint for even wanting to be friends with someone who is so nasty to her at the beginning. You have to love Roni too because she says what we all wish we could say out loud.
Overall, it's an okay book if you don't want to go deep into anything.
I received a free copy of this book from the author and BookSirens in exchange for an honest review.
This is a tough book for me to review. I was a single mom for 5 years and I know how hard it can be. But it was really difficult to connect with and like Peggy through most of the first half of the book. She clearly has no real friends having spent the last 14 years truly just devoting herself to raising her kids. This isn't a bad thing necessarily, except Peggy is one of the most judgmental people I've ever encountered in a book. Every single person she meets, she's rude to or has a less than kind thought about. She's rude to everyone and it really makes it difficult to like her or even root for her.
About halfway through the book, she begins to show some promise of changing but she still judges people unfairly. Perhaps the author is trying to note that this is just human nature (we all have first impressions and that sort of thing), but it was too much. It's hard to like a book when you can't stand the main character for most of it.
Alas, it wasn't a terrible story. It's typical chick-lit where there is no real "plot" persay, except a woman finding herself, her courage, etc. While I didn't like Peggy much, I did like Henry a lot because he just seemed so genuine to me. Carmen is a saint for even wanting to be friends with someone who is so nasty to her at the beginning. You have to love Roni too because she says what we all wish we could say out loud.
Overall, it's an okay book if you don't want to go deep into anything.
I received a free copy of this book from the author and BookSirens in exchange for an honest review.
Diane Barnes’ ‘More Than’ follows Peggy Moriarty, a middle-aged single mother of two twin teenagers. The kids leave for school, she’s left alone, she’s unhappy and unhealthy. She joins a weight-loss boot-camp, which is the last thing she ever wanted to do. The best part about this is that the weight-loss story doesn’t encourage fat phobia or eating disorder behaviours, but encourages healthy living and self-confidence. Peggy not only develops her confidence but grows as a character. I liked the book from the beginning, even though I didn’t like Peggy at first. She starts off quite pretentious, judgemental, rude, and controlling, but the support of her new friends helps her come out of her shell. The story explores complicated feelings around grief as well as mental health and body image issues. The ending is so perfect that I cried. I couldn’t recommend this more.
This book was a very heartfelt book. I felt a connection to the main character. There were times I found myself drifting into the story while reading this. The author really drew me in and kept me hooked. I will be reading more from this author.
Meet Peggy. She lost her husband 14 years ago. She’s a mom to twins. She defines herself by those two things. Three things, if she dares to look in the mirror.
“You are obese, Mrs. Moriarty.”
Stunned. Sure she’s gained a few since her husband died, but when her kids gift her with a boot camp membership she’s insanely insulted. But she wants to make contact with Patrick on her favorite psychic “Message From Beyond” TV show - and he wouldn’t recognize her this heavy, so she decides to give it go.
I’ll admit, I didn’t like Peggy in the beginning - I wanted to shake all the sense into her - but as I read on I soon came to adore her! And her friends are a hoot... Roni is the kind of friend that helps you hide the cheat foods and when you don’t get caught, she takes you out to celebrate with wine and cake!
It’s fun story that’s full of self-discovery, and some laugh out loud moments. It was inspiring and sweet and made me want to hang out with my best friends.
And it almost made me get up and work out for the first time in months. But then I remembered I am MORE THAN my body and ate some Cheetos.
“You are obese, Mrs. Moriarty.”
Stunned. Sure she’s gained a few since her husband died, but when her kids gift her with a boot camp membership she’s insanely insulted. But she wants to make contact with Patrick on her favorite psychic “Message From Beyond” TV show - and he wouldn’t recognize her this heavy, so she decides to give it go.
I’ll admit, I didn’t like Peggy in the beginning - I wanted to shake all the sense into her - but as I read on I soon came to adore her! And her friends are a hoot... Roni is the kind of friend that helps you hide the cheat foods and when you don’t get caught, she takes you out to celebrate with wine and cake!
It’s fun story that’s full of self-discovery, and some laugh out loud moments. It was inspiring and sweet and made me want to hang out with my best friends.
And it almost made me get up and work out for the first time in months. But then I remembered I am MORE THAN my body and ate some Cheetos.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was definitely a page turner! I found myself full of emotions reading every page just rooting for Peggy to regain her confidence. Your heart strings will be tugged on as you understand her space as a struggling widow, overweight, teenage twins, and all of the cares of life, including being a stay at home mom! I love that she makes friends, even though she is nervous of them, and regains her self esteem and begins to believe in herself when she listens to her daughters sound advice. This story is very relatable, and I enjoyed every page!
challenging
fast-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
Peggy an older lady twins are going off to college. The twins end up buying her present for a workout boot camp. She’s skeptical at first but ends up committing to it. She loses weight and feels better about herself. Peggy finally moved out from her husband who passed away and she starts dating. I liked how Peggy and her daughter at first were hard to get along then later in the book they were able to communicate much better. It was a very good book.
emotional
Since losing her husband 14 years ago Peggy has devoted herself to raising her twins Grace and Greg, They have been her entire life focus and in many ways she has neglected herself to always be there for them. As they leave for college they gift her a boot camp class which upsets her greatly but eventually becomes a turning point in her life. This was an a very relatable story filled with emotion and heart.