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charlotte_helen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
slow-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
4.5
If you like books by Beth O’Leary then you’ll love the writing of Rachel Marks. I listened to this book on audio after being drawn into it by the cover and without reading the blurb. I am so glad I did as I thoroughly enjoyed it and cannot wait to read more from this author. The narrator was fabulous and you felt emerged in the story throughout. I love how it was written from the perspective of a male primary school teacher which not only challenged stereotypes but also highlighted how everyone has flaws and struggles. It was funny whilst also tackling some challenging topics. At times the plot was predictable, however I don’t feel like this negatively impacted the book in anyway. A lovely romance read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Suicide, and Alcoholism
Minor: Abandonment
kat_isreading's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Suicide
ilikeshortchapters's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
slow-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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Mental illness, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Abandonment
readingwithkt's review
I requested this book from the publisher as I had really liked Rachel Mark's previous title, Saturdays At Noon, when I read it via Netgalley last year. I was really glad to see Marks was publishing another book and so was keen to read it before it published.
Sadly, I didn't gel with this one in the same way and eventually decided to DNF around the 50% mark.
Here's what I didn't like about it:
- I didn't buy into the character. His emotions and experiences of the world didn't feel authentic. It read as if Marks had thought "how might a man experience the world?" rather than thinking of him as a human first and foremost.
- The teaching scenes didn't sit well with me and I especially found it unbelievable that a teacher would be so unprofessional.
- Child abuse plays a prominent role in this book, which I really wasn't expecting. This isn't something I like to read about and so I often DNF when this topic comes into play.
- Some of the language used really irked me, including some throwaway comments about suicide, gender, etc.
- At one point, the father reads Harry Potter to the children. I feel like in 2021 we all know what JKR stands for and she needs no further promotion.
I think this book will have a readership. It's sadly just not me.
Sadly, I didn't gel with this one in the same way and eventually decided to DNF around the 50% mark.
Here's what I didn't like about it:
- I didn't buy into the character. His emotions and experiences of the world didn't feel authentic. It read as if Marks had thought "how might a man experience the world?" rather than thinking of him as a human first and foremost.
- The teaching scenes didn't sit well with me and I especially found it unbelievable that a teacher would be so unprofessional.
- Child abuse plays a prominent role in this book, which I really wasn't expecting. This isn't something I like to read about and so I often DNF when this topic comes into play.
- Some of the language used really irked me, including some throwaway comments about suicide, gender, etc.
- At one point, the father reads Harry Potter to the children. I feel like in 2021 we all know what JKR stands for and she needs no further promotion.
I think this book will have a readership. It's sadly just not me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Addiction, and Alcoholism
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