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3.62 AVERAGE
3.62 AVERAGE
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of The Imperfects. I love a good mystery and one about a diamond is even better. Authentic characters and well researched history made this a strong read.
This was an enjoyable story of family drama involving the 137-carat diamond from the Austrian empire (a real diamond that is still missing) which incorporated some history and intrigue. It reminded me of Cynthia Sweeney's [b:The Nest|25781157|The Nest|Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1461354827l/25781157._SY75_.jpg|45630747] in which an inheritance causes all kinds of strife among its dysfunctional characters.
Spoiler
I found the ending of The Imperfects to be a little frustrating but upon further reflection have decided it was the only way it could have been resolved.Spoiler
The imperfects is half historical fiction and half contemporary. Neither half left me wanting more. The siblings were purposefully created imperfect and squabbling, but I just found them irritating. They bounced between growing up and regressing to ridiculous public fighting. I never liked any of them at all. The diamond story was interesting but not enough to carry the novel.
I had high hopes for this one. Total letdown. The present tense, paired with the breakneck POV shifts, makes for a wholly amateurish read. The CONSTANT bickering between the main characters got old about halfway through, and the constant “it’s your fault - no, it’s your fault!” eventually started to give me a headache. None of the characters are likeable. Every time I started to like one of them just the tiniest bit, a bickering match would erupt or I would be subjected to a venomous internal monologue about the other siblings or the mother. The ending - if you can even call it that! - with the diamond is deeply unsatisfying. It felt like Meyerson didn’t know where else to go with the story, so she ended it in the laziest way imaginable.
Jake was particularly insufferable, a self-pitying yet somehow self-aggrandizing loser completely unable to take responsibility for anything he ever did. Lying for MONTHS about being fired? Mining his family hardships for a script without their consent? Missing the unveiling of Helen’s grave to basically throw a tantrum? MISSING THE BIRTH OF HIS CHILD? What a fucking loser. I was able to drum up at least a little sympathy for all of the main characters at various points, but not for Jake. He does not change. He does not grow. He learns absolutely nothing. Ugh. I cannot emphasize enough how much I hated Jake. His happy ending is completely unearned. It feels like lazy writing and lazy characterization on Meyerson’s behalf. I resent Meyerson for expecting me to cheer for a character who is more stagnant than a mosquito-infested drainage pond.
I’m giving this two stars because I was really interested in Helen’s story. The way it unfolded was very satisfying. I didn’t care about the Millers, but I was invested in learning how Helen got the diamond, how she came to America, etc. I wish this had been her story instead of the Millers’ story.
(Last little thing... Helen Junior? Thanks! I hate it.)
Jake was particularly insufferable, a self-pitying yet somehow self-aggrandizing loser completely unable to take responsibility for anything he ever did. Lying for MONTHS about being fired? Mining his family hardships for a script without their consent? Missing the unveiling of Helen’s grave to basically throw a tantrum? MISSING THE BIRTH OF HIS CHILD? What a fucking loser. I was able to drum up at least a little sympathy for all of the main characters at various points, but not for Jake. He does not change. He does not grow. He learns absolutely nothing. Ugh. I cannot emphasize enough how much I hated Jake. His happy ending is completely unearned. It feels like lazy writing and lazy characterization on Meyerson’s behalf. I resent Meyerson for expecting me to cheer for a character who is more stagnant than a mosquito-infested drainage pond.
I’m giving this two stars because I was really interested in Helen’s story. The way it unfolded was very satisfying. I didn’t care about the Millers, but I was invested in learning how Helen got the diamond, how she came to America, etc. I wish this had been her story instead of the Millers’ story.
(Last little thing... Helen Junior? Thanks! I hate it.)
‘Helen is dead.’
The death of their grandmother, Helen Auerbach, forces a fractured family to reunite, at least temporarily. Siblings Beck, Ashley and Jake Miller and their mother Deborah carry the baggage of decades of betrayal, misunderstanding and resentment when they get together in their grandmother’s house after her death. Her will is clear: Helen left her house to Deborah, the balance of her estate to Beck, Ashley and Jake, with one exception: ‘My yellow diamond brooch goes to Becca’. Beck thinks that the brooch is costume jewellery and of little value.
But the brooch is far from costume jewellery: it contains a 137-carat yellow diamond that went missing as the Hapsburg Empire collapsed in 1918.
Ms Meyerson weaves an enthralling story, with elements of mystery (about both the diamond and Helen) as well as the lives of each of the members of the Miller family. And, while each member of the family dreams about the changes the sale of the diamond might bring to their lives, others are seeking to stake their claims.
‘It’s funny how similar they seem, betrayal and protection.’
The characters in this novel are very human: fallible and not always likeable. The history of the diamond is important: how did Helen end up with it? Was it stolen? Finding out the truth about the diamond leads Beck and her mother into the future, while Jake and Ashley are more focussed on problems they have currently.
And the ending? Perhaps not what some readers are expecting, but somehow entirely appropriate.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin HQ Fiction for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
The death of their grandmother, Helen Auerbach, forces a fractured family to reunite, at least temporarily. Siblings Beck, Ashley and Jake Miller and their mother Deborah carry the baggage of decades of betrayal, misunderstanding and resentment when they get together in their grandmother’s house after her death. Her will is clear: Helen left her house to Deborah, the balance of her estate to Beck, Ashley and Jake, with one exception: ‘My yellow diamond brooch goes to Becca’. Beck thinks that the brooch is costume jewellery and of little value.
But the brooch is far from costume jewellery: it contains a 137-carat yellow diamond that went missing as the Hapsburg Empire collapsed in 1918.
Ms Meyerson weaves an enthralling story, with elements of mystery (about both the diamond and Helen) as well as the lives of each of the members of the Miller family. And, while each member of the family dreams about the changes the sale of the diamond might bring to their lives, others are seeking to stake their claims.
‘It’s funny how similar they seem, betrayal and protection.’
The characters in this novel are very human: fallible and not always likeable. The history of the diamond is important: how did Helen end up with it? Was it stolen? Finding out the truth about the diamond leads Beck and her mother into the future, while Jake and Ashley are more focussed on problems they have currently.
And the ending? Perhaps not what some readers are expecting, but somehow entirely appropriate.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin HQ Fiction for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved this book so much! The time put into researching all of the historical details of this amazing story is incredible. Part historical fiction, part family saga...I couldn’t put it down! Will be hand-selling this beauty at the bookstore as soon as it’s published in May. Would also make a great book club selection! Thank you so much for the ARC and the opportunity to read this beautiful story!
dark
emotional
slow-paced