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tallhousecookies's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book has all the makings of one I would enjoy: a setting I love, a concept akin to one of my favorite literary classics (The Waves by Virginia Woolf). But honestly? I listened to this book (narrated by the incomparable Julia Whelan) 2 weeks ago and I can barely tell you how it ends. I literally don't remember. The concept and beginning chapters are so strong, but the book doesn't keep up that momentum throughout. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't good either.
candaleese's review against another edition
4.0
Great read!
I started this book and thought it was just going to be one of those reads that I feel like I wasted my time but I at least checked another book off of my Goodreads challenge. But, as I read on, I found myself having my own reckoning. I asked myself if I had learned the lessons the characters had. I asked myself what I was hiding from. The best books do that— dig a way into your soul, even if for only a few days. I may not remember this book for the rest of my life. But, in this moment, it helped me ask myself some great questions.
I started this book and thought it was just going to be one of those reads that I feel like I wasted my time but I at least checked another book off of my Goodreads challenge. But, as I read on, I found myself having my own reckoning. I asked myself if I had learned the lessons the characters had. I asked myself what I was hiding from. The best books do that— dig a way into your soul, even if for only a few days. I may not remember this book for the rest of my life. But, in this moment, it helped me ask myself some great questions.
joan_anne's review against another edition
5.0
*Goodreads Giveaway*
Maybe it’s because I’m turning 40 this year and I have close ties to my college friends...this book hit me in the feels. Great story!
Maybe it’s because I’m turning 40 this year and I have close ties to my college friends...this book hit me in the feels. Great story!
writergirl70's review against another edition
5.0
I got this as an ARC giveaway, just to be on the up and up. That being said-I adored every page of it! Winn Scotch has a way in all of her books of gently nudging you to fall in love with her characters and in this book she did it 7 times. All of the characters are flawed, defensive, and often selfish-the "why me?" of turning 40 lots of people feel evolving in every scene and interaction. But here's the thing their stories are told so delicately that before you realize it you are completely on their sides, even when their behavior causes them more problems. I wanted to be friends with them, both in their carefree college days, and more importantly in their adult lives where each of them seem to realize their faults and not necessarily fix them (that would be way too cliche and this book is anything but that) but contrast them. Who they wanted to be at 20 and who they are at 40 can't help but strike a universal chord in all readers. Funny, poignant and well worth the read, it is a real thinker.
jackielk2020's review against another edition
3.0
I like cheesy summer reads but this was too much. Very predictable and sometimes things we're connected so obviously it almost made me cringe
sbayliez's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jhscolloquium's review against another edition
4.0
Allison Winn Scotch never disappoints!
In Twenty Years is a deeply satisfying exploration of college friends who reunite after being torn apart. A frenetic July 4th reunion finds them individually examining the direction his/her life has taken in the years since graduation, as well as his/her relationships not just with the other members of this once-impenetrable group, but with the significant other persons in his/her life.
The story is fast moving, and at times ridiculously hilarious. But ultimately, it is touching and poignant. Anyone who has been involved with a close group of friends for a period of years, especially during college, will wholeheartedly relate to Scotch's resonant story. In Twenty Years is athoroughly engrossing and entertaining, and is a perfect choice to thrown in your beach bag to savor on the shore or by the pool.
Thanks to NetGalley for an Advance Reader's Copy of the book.
In Twenty Years is a deeply satisfying exploration of college friends who reunite after being torn apart. A frenetic July 4th reunion finds them individually examining the direction his/her life has taken in the years since graduation, as well as his/her relationships not just with the other members of this once-impenetrable group, but with the significant other persons in his/her life.
The story is fast moving, and at times ridiculously hilarious. But ultimately, it is touching and poignant. Anyone who has been involved with a close group of friends for a period of years, especially during college, will wholeheartedly relate to Scotch's resonant story. In Twenty Years is athoroughly engrossing and entertaining, and is a perfect choice to thrown in your beach bag to savor on the shore or by the pool.
Thanks to NetGalley for an Advance Reader's Copy of the book.
niaforrester's review against another edition
3.0
A generally satisfying read. A group of college friends, separated by time, long-simmering resentments and misunderstandings reunite at the behest of the now-deceased center of their group of six (now five). It was a great execution of an ensemble cast in that no one was unbelievable, or poorly written, but having said that, they were all somewhat predictable archetypes--the Sharp-Tongued Prima Donna, Little Miss (Wants to Be) Perfect, the Hot Guy, the Devoted Boyfriend, and the Repressed Type A Ball-Busting Career Woman. Basically all of your college friends, twenty years after college. The Dead Friend rounds out the group. I liked, but did not love this book, and would recommend it for a long weekend read when you want to remain engaged with the characters but don't particularly want to feel too deeply. Nice "buddy fiction".
winona_reads1's review against another edition
2.0
I liked the story line but I didn't like the writing style for some reason
jljohasky's review against another edition
3.0
Popsugar 7/50: a book with ‘twenty’ in the title. I have a few issues with this book. It was predictable and the plot, for me, was far-fetched. Annie was annoying. Really the only character I liked was Owen.