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3.18 AVERAGE
3.18 AVERAGE
3.5 stars!
This book left me with very controversial opinions so I think it's better point it in the form of a list.
Strengths:
— The writing is light and even poetic
— I was really interested in the plot of the two families
— I got attached to most of the characters, especially Mattie, Quinn and Emma
— I found Mattie's story very interesting
— The reading was kinda immersive, I even wanted to work on the farm with Matthew
— I loved Jamie ):
Negative points:
— I didn't like what happened to Quinn and even though it was a turning point for the book, I think she deserved better
— The writing, although good, is in third person and never warned which of the brothers was narrating so sometimes it can be a little confusing
— I know Sasha and Ray are not related by blood but they literally have the same sisters, for me it was super weird that they were attracted to each other so even though I liked some of the interactions, I couldn't buy that part of the romance and what they do in the end yet, for god's sake....
This book left me with very controversial opinions so I think it's better point it in the form of a list.
Strengths:
— The writing is light and even poetic
— I was really interested in the plot of the two families
— I got attached to most of the characters, especially Mattie, Quinn and Emma
— I found Mattie's story very interesting
— The reading was kinda immersive, I even wanted to work on the farm with Matthew
— I loved Jamie ):
Negative points:
— I didn't like what happened to Quinn and even though it was a turning point for the book, I think she deserved better
— The writing, although good, is in third person and never warned which of the brothers was narrating so sometimes it can be a little confusing
— I know Sasha and Ray are not related by blood but they literally have the same sisters, for me it was super weird that they were attracted to each other so even though I liked some of the interactions, I couldn't buy that part of the romance and what they do in the end yet, for god's sake....
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The story is told from the perspectives of many members of a large blended family, which diluted the emotional impact and the reader's connection to any of the characters. A tighter focus on the Ray and Sasha and their unique relationship to their sisters and each other would have been more interesting. The over-the-top nature of the climactic scene and an abrupt ending also weakened a book that had potential but was ultimately disappointing. The novel also includes racist descriptions of people of colour which should have been edited out given how recently it was published.
Surprisingly good story after a lack luster beginning.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
2.5? this book felt like a rough draft, a lot of the ideas were incomplete and i spent a good part of my time trying to figure out the characters and what all this meant. there are stories where the author masterfully writes from multiple perspectives and there are books where it does nothing but confuse the heck out of the reader. i'm not sure if ann brashares was conflicted while writing this or trying to write an amazing poetic book that made it come up short. i expected a lot more that's for sure.
*I received this from NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review*
I'm usually a fan of Ann Brashares. I've read and enjoyed the Sisterhood books and The Here and Now. While I wouldn't count her as one of my favorite writers, she's always been an author I'll pick up the new book and I usually enjoy it.
This book, I had issues with, which was really disappointing because I was pretty excited by the premise. So I'm going to start with the positive points and then go into my negatives.
I did like that it wasn't entirely predictable, there were actually some parts which really shocked me.
There were some well-written emotional scenes, although I did take issue with some of the emotion, which I'll discuss further later.
The premise was great, it had me excited to read it and I liked the title.
For the negatives, there are a few more.
The characters, and I mean all of the characters, felt underdeveloped. You never really got to know any of them, which really bothered me. Even Sasha and Ray, who were supposedly meant to be the main characters, never really got any depth to them. Making it hard to root for them.
The narrative felt really choppy and hard to follow. There were too many perspectives. I would have loved to of seen this book simply from Ray and Sasha's points of view, which would have allowed their characters to get more depth.
Following on from this, I really felt like Ray and Sasha needed to be focused on a lot more. They were meant to be the main characters and love interests, yet you barely got to know them or see much of their relationship develop. Not only did we not get to know them, it seemed like they didn't know each other either, yet the book plays it off that they get really close/fall for each other. This being over the course of meeting a couple of times, where they hardly speak. Granted there are some emails between them, but never really about much and definitely not getting to know each other enough to end up where they wound up.
The emotion. I said I'd touch on this again from the negative point of view and this is it, there were moments that were emotional, but sort of unnecessary. It seemed completely out of the blue and kind of emotion for emotion's sake. I think there were better ways to inject emotion into the story, which would have worked better.
The ending also seemed really rushed and almost unfinished, which was really disappointing.
Overall I enjoyed the premise and think it had great potential. The characters were just ok and needed more depth. The whole book needed more fleshing out and fewer perspectives.
It just wasn't the book for me.
I'm usually a fan of Ann Brashares. I've read and enjoyed the Sisterhood books and The Here and Now. While I wouldn't count her as one of my favorite writers, she's always been an author I'll pick up the new book and I usually enjoy it.
This book, I had issues with, which was really disappointing because I was pretty excited by the premise. So I'm going to start with the positive points and then go into my negatives.
I did like that it wasn't entirely predictable, there were actually some parts which really shocked me.
There were some well-written emotional scenes, although I did take issue with some of the emotion, which I'll discuss further later.
The premise was great, it had me excited to read it and I liked the title.
For the negatives, there are a few more.
The characters, and I mean all of the characters, felt underdeveloped. You never really got to know any of them, which really bothered me. Even Sasha and Ray, who were supposedly meant to be the main characters, never really got any depth to them. Making it hard to root for them.
The narrative felt really choppy and hard to follow. There were too many perspectives. I would have loved to of seen this book simply from Ray and Sasha's points of view, which would have allowed their characters to get more depth.
Following on from this, I really felt like Ray and Sasha needed to be focused on a lot more. They were meant to be the main characters and love interests, yet you barely got to know them or see much of their relationship develop. Not only did we not get to know them, it seemed like they didn't know each other either, yet the book plays it off that they get really close/fall for each other. This being over the course of meeting a couple of times, where they hardly speak. Granted there are some emails between them, but never really about much and definitely not getting to know each other enough to end up where they wound up.
The emotion. I said I'd touch on this again from the negative point of view and this is it, there were moments that were emotional, but sort of unnecessary. It seemed completely out of the blue and kind of emotion for emotion's sake. I think there were better ways to inject emotion into the story, which would have worked better.
The ending also seemed really rushed and almost unfinished, which was really disappointing.
Overall I enjoyed the premise and think it had great potential. The characters were just ok and needed more depth. The whole book needed more fleshing out and fewer perspectives.
It just wasn't the book for me.
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The main characters are talking like they're in love with the other when they've never even met. I also hated the word choice of "whiskers" for facial hair trimmings.
It really rides that “it’s technically not incest” line. Did not enjoy the romantic-flavored turn the inner monologues took.
3.5 stars
I’ve been a fan of Ann Brashares since her first Sisterhood book came out back in 2001. So, when I found out she had another YA novel coming out I knew I had to read it.
The Whole Thing Together is a story of family, love, loss, and overcoming your past. Told in third person, we get a close up glimpse at each member of the family.
Ray and Sasha, though they share three sisters, have never met. They share a room, but not at the same time, in a house that is split between their parents. Ray’s mom, Lila, was once married to Sasha’s dad, Robert, and once they divorced, the house was spilt, giving equal time to both of their families. Sasha and Ray have been sharing more than sisters though, they’ve shared books and toys growing up, they even share a job. But neither of them could have expected what would happen when they finally meet.
Though there is much focus on Ray and Sasha, this story is so much more than that. It is also about Emma, the eldest, Quinn, the sweet flowerchild, and Mattie the youngest of the three daughters of Robert and Lila. It’s also about Robert and Lila and what brought them to feel the way they now do for one another. And most importantly, how they will react and treat each other when the unthinkable happens.
Featuring family, a slow burn romance, and redemption, The Whole Thing Together is a heartfelt story from a forever favorite.
I’ve been a fan of Ann Brashares since her first Sisterhood book came out back in 2001. So, when I found out she had another YA novel coming out I knew I had to read it.
The Whole Thing Together is a story of family, love, loss, and overcoming your past. Told in third person, we get a close up glimpse at each member of the family.
Ray and Sasha, though they share three sisters, have never met. They share a room, but not at the same time, in a house that is split between their parents. Ray’s mom, Lila, was once married to Sasha’s dad, Robert, and once they divorced, the house was spilt, giving equal time to both of their families. Sasha and Ray have been sharing more than sisters though, they’ve shared books and toys growing up, they even share a job. But neither of them could have expected what would happen when they finally meet.
Though there is much focus on Ray and Sasha, this story is so much more than that. It is also about Emma, the eldest, Quinn, the sweet flowerchild, and Mattie the youngest of the three daughters of Robert and Lila. It’s also about Robert and Lila and what brought them to feel the way they now do for one another. And most importantly, how they will react and treat each other when the unthinkable happens.
Featuring family, a slow burn romance, and redemption, The Whole Thing Together is a heartfelt story from a forever favorite.