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anjreading's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars. A meh love story trying to pass itself off as literary. The book averages 4.19 stars on Goodreads, and I had heard multiple book podcasters rave about it. I think this is a phenomenon that tends to occur when a man writes a love story. The writing was solid, for sure, and the story kept me entertained and wanting to know what was going to happen next, but there are too many convenient plot points as well as eye-rolling moments (especially in Huckelbridge’s writing of Sophie). Two strangers are the sole survivors of a small plane crash in French Polynesia. Sophie, a French architect, was on her honeymoon, and Barry, a New York finance guy, had quit his job to follow his dream of becoming a painter. Contrived and weirdly lacking in emotion despite the opportunities. Oh, and let’s make sure that this isn’t labeled a romance by (spoiler withheld). I liked it more while I was listening to it than I did once I finished and thought more about the book. YMMV, this may have been a case of it’s me not you.
larisajane's review against another edition
4.0
OMG. I loved this book. Such craziness. No thank you. Only four stars because she French but basically speaks in perfect English but then will randomly not know a word like "hiccup" but knows 99% of other words? Whatever. Minor detail aside, I LOVED IT. Never getting on a plane again.
jk385506's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
allen_h's review against another edition
4.0
It’s been a long time since I cried while reading a book - maybe too long.
“- he has noticed over the years that even the briefest and most incidental interactions can, with the appreciation of time, take on far richer shades of meaning. It is a realization for which he is eternally grateful.”
“- he has noticed over the years that even the briefest and most incidental interactions can, with the appreciation of time, take on far richer shades of meaning. It is a realization for which he is eternally grateful.”
sheilakay's review against another edition
3.0
Well written book but not what I was expecting, which was a light beach read about 2 people stranded on a desert island. Instead this was a slower paced, more somber tale of survival and the gradual developing of a relationship between the man and woman, who initially dislike one another. I agree with another reviewer who found it a bit pretentious in its tone. I never became invested in Sophie and Barry and could see the story was headed towards a disappointing ending, so I pretty much rushed through the last quarter of the book. I can see why people would enjoy this book but it just wasn’t for me.
stephanieelizabethbonin's review against another edition
5.0
What a beautiful story. A story so carefully shared. It hits all the marks for me. je l'ai aimé
mamacwells's review against another edition
5.0
Amazing, bittersweet, and cleverly constructed. This is one of those books that will stay with me for a long time.
lifebetweenwords's review against another edition
5.0
Loved so much and I couldn't put it down. It had a little bit of everything: adventure, survival, history, romance, humor, pathos, quiet moments, and moments of action. It made me laugh and cry and surprised me more than once. Definitely one of my favorites from the year so far.