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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
belvaw's review against another edition
2.0
This book was not my cup of tea. In my opinion, there was too much "business" talk and not enough substance in the plot. I think it also leaned heavily toward all the negative issues in life, and not enough in positive rewards. It was almost a form of birth control for me as the children seemed to be portrayed constantly in a negative light. And the arguing....it seemed all everyone did was argue, making the characters unlikable. The story line was a nice concept but it totally missed the mark for me and I can't see myself recommending this one. Sorry, just not an enjoyable read for me. I was provided a digital copy of this book courtesy on NetGalley.
berlylovestoread's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Complicated
- Loveable characters? Complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Complicated
3.0
If you can get past the mother being so caught up in her own feelings and ride it out 'til they communicate this turns out to be a good contemporary fiction about family, business & love, too.
rozrodgers's review against another edition
3.0
I recieved this book as a Goodreads Giveaway. This book was typical for Barbara Delinsky. It is a feel good story of a mother and daughter. The story line was engaging and kept you reading. I got a little tired of the physical perfection of every person in the story but other than that, I enjoyed it.
efirer's review against another edition
5.0
A good one for Delinsky fans. I enjoyed the changing relationship between mother and daughter, as well as the growth of each to realize what they wanted from life. Although somewhat predictable, it was a comfortable read with like able main characters.
jacquiwonders's review against another edition
1.0
Cliche and just could not find sympathy for any characters - did not like them at all! Story plot wanders around and no progression of characters apart from the cliche changes of their circumstances affecting their decisions. Predictable and poorly written. Utterly disappointed with the book.
lisalibrarian3's review against another edition
3.0
I started out thinking I wasn't going to be able to finish this one. But once I surrendered to the fact that it was a totally predictable domestic fiction/love story/happy ending/escape from reality story, I actually enjoyed it!
janellet24's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars.
I really wanted to like this book, but I really struggled with it. FIrst of all, it took me much longer than usual to actually get into this book compared to other books by this author and of this genre. But what really bothered me was the relationship between Caroline and Jamie. At the beginning of the story, we are told over and over again how close they are. The phrase "best friends" is even mentioned. Then, when various events happen (Caroline learns that the executive director of their home improvement show wants Jamie to replace her as host and Jamie's dad, Caroline's ex husband, dies suddenly in a car accident) the dynamic of their relationship changed, and not for the better. I understood that Caroline was upset with Jamie for not disclosing the fact that they wanted to replace her as host. She as upset that Jamie was not open and honest with her. But when Jamie's dad and his wife die and she takes over as the sole parent of their 2 year old son and her half brother, it really bothered me that Caroline was not supportive. If they were as close as the author stated various times early on and throughout the novel, Caroline would have been there for Jamie in a heartbeat, knowing that she was suddenly a mom to a 2 year old and had just lost her dad. She kept saying that she was waiting for Jamie to call her, but I just feel like for as good of a mom as she was presented to be, she would have been there for Jamie without receiving a phone call from her.
I also felt like there was a lot of drama for one story. Sudden death, broken engagements, both mother and daughter falling in love with new people, issues with the family business... it all came across as somewhat disjointed and unbelievable to me.
I really wanted to like this book, but I really struggled with it. FIrst of all, it took me much longer than usual to actually get into this book compared to other books by this author and of this genre. But what really bothered me was the relationship between Caroline and Jamie. At the beginning of the story, we are told over and over again how close they are. The phrase "best friends" is even mentioned. Then, when various events happen (Caroline learns that the executive director of their home improvement show wants Jamie to replace her as host and Jamie's dad, Caroline's ex husband, dies suddenly in a car accident) the dynamic of their relationship changed, and not for the better. I understood that Caroline was upset with Jamie for not disclosing the fact that they wanted to replace her as host. She as upset that Jamie was not open and honest with her. But when Jamie's dad and his wife die and she takes over as the sole parent of their 2 year old son and her half brother, it really bothered me that Caroline was not supportive. If they were as close as the author stated various times early on and throughout the novel, Caroline would have been there for Jamie in a heartbeat, knowing that she was suddenly a mom to a 2 year old and had just lost her dad. She kept saying that she was waiting for Jamie to call her, but I just feel like for as good of a mom as she was presented to be, she would have been there for Jamie without receiving a phone call from her.
I also felt like there was a lot of drama for one story. Sudden death, broken engagements, both mother and daughter falling in love with new people, issues with the family business... it all came across as somewhat disjointed and unbelievable to me.
crinklawunit's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 here. Another slam dunk from Ms. Delinsky. Love that she doesn't try to be something she isn't and does what she does so well.
sarakip's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book, though I did feel it moved a bit slow. This was a great story about relationships and family. I had not previously read books by this author, but have several in my library so I will add some of them to my to-be-read list. I have already recommended it to some family members.
aroundthecircle's review against another edition
4.0
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
***This review does NOT contain any major spoilers***
Main Cast Of Characters:
Theodore MacAfee- Owner of MacAfee Homes, father of Roy MacAfee, grandfather to Jamie MacAfee and ex father-in-law to Caroline MacAfee
Roy MacAfee- Father to Jamie MacAfee, ex-husband to Caroline MacAfee, husband to Jessica MacAfee, father to two year old Tad and marketing manager for MacAfee Homes
Caroline MacAfee- Mother to Jamie MacAfee, host of the public television show 'Gut It!' and master carpenter
Jamie MacAfee- Daughter of Caroline and Roy MacAfee , fiance to Brad Greer, architect for MacAfee Homes and 'Gut It!'
Brad Greer- Attorney for MacAfee Homes and Jamie MacAfee's fiance
Jessica MacAfee- Roy MacAfee's third wife, mother to two year old Tad and stepmother to Jamie MacAfee
Taddy MacAfee- Roy and Jessica MacAfee's son, Jamie MacAfee's step-brother
Dean Brannick- general contractor for 'Gut It!' and friend to Caroline MacAfee
Annie Ahl- Landscape designer for 'Gut It!' and Caroline MacAfee's best friend
Claire Howe- producer of 'Gut It!'
Brian Levitt- General Manager of the television station that hosts 'Gut It!'
Williston, MA, twenty miles west of Boston, is home to a local home improvement television show called Gut It! MacAfee Homes is the main builder in the area but they are fearing another family builder by the name of Barth may be trying to worm their way into the area.
On the morning of Jamie MacAfee's Mom's birthday her father Roy wants to meet with her at the local diner. He tells her that the television station wants to make some changes to the show to improve ratings and they want Jamie to be the new host. Jamie is an architect and appears on Gut It! with her mother Caroline, the host. Jamie decides not to tell her mother because it's her birthday and believes this change is due to her mother being middle aged! Jamie hopes she can convince her father, producer and general manager that this is not the right decision for the show. Unfortunately, Caroline does find out, but not from Jamie, and it causes a huge rift between mother and daughter.
There is an unexpected accident and Jamie's life changes forever, but she's not on speaking terms with her mother so she must handle many of these changes and challenges on her own.
The beginning of this book was a bit slow for me, but once the first major event in the story occurred the book flowed nicely. The main theme in this book is life changes for women of differing ages and how they handle what is thrown their way. Other subjects touched upon are personal growth, ageism, sexism, relationship and family issues.
***This review does NOT contain any major spoilers***
Main Cast Of Characters:
Theodore MacAfee- Owner of MacAfee Homes, father of Roy MacAfee, grandfather to Jamie MacAfee and ex father-in-law to Caroline MacAfee
Roy MacAfee- Father to Jamie MacAfee, ex-husband to Caroline MacAfee, husband to Jessica MacAfee, father to two year old Tad and marketing manager for MacAfee Homes
Caroline MacAfee- Mother to Jamie MacAfee, host of the public television show 'Gut It!' and master carpenter
Jamie MacAfee- Daughter of Caroline and Roy MacAfee , fiance to Brad Greer, architect for MacAfee Homes and 'Gut It!'
Brad Greer- Attorney for MacAfee Homes and Jamie MacAfee's fiance
Jessica MacAfee- Roy MacAfee's third wife, mother to two year old Tad and stepmother to Jamie MacAfee
Taddy MacAfee- Roy and Jessica MacAfee's son, Jamie MacAfee's step-brother
Dean Brannick- general contractor for 'Gut It!' and friend to Caroline MacAfee
Annie Ahl- Landscape designer for 'Gut It!' and Caroline MacAfee's best friend
Claire Howe- producer of 'Gut It!'
Brian Levitt- General Manager of the television station that hosts 'Gut It!'
Williston, MA, twenty miles west of Boston, is home to a local home improvement television show called Gut It! MacAfee Homes is the main builder in the area but they are fearing another family builder by the name of Barth may be trying to worm their way into the area.
On the morning of Jamie MacAfee's Mom's birthday her father Roy wants to meet with her at the local diner. He tells her that the television station wants to make some changes to the show to improve ratings and they want Jamie to be the new host. Jamie is an architect and appears on Gut It! with her mother Caroline, the host. Jamie decides not to tell her mother because it's her birthday and believes this change is due to her mother being middle aged! Jamie hopes she can convince her father, producer and general manager that this is not the right decision for the show. Unfortunately, Caroline does find out, but not from Jamie, and it causes a huge rift between mother and daughter.
There is an unexpected accident and Jamie's life changes forever, but she's not on speaking terms with her mother so she must handle many of these changes and challenges on her own.
The beginning of this book was a bit slow for me, but once the first major event in the story occurred the book flowed nicely. The main theme in this book is life changes for women of differing ages and how they handle what is thrown their way. Other subjects touched upon are personal growth, ageism, sexism, relationship and family issues.