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kerry123's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Suicide attempt
faysieh's review against another edition
5.0
I was very lucky to be invited to read this book as I had thoroughly enjoyed and left a 5 star review for Rachel Marks' previous book Saturdays at Noon.
I love the author's style of writing, full of warmth, compassion, sadness and joy. The characters are easy to get to know and fall in love with and I particularly like the fact that Mr (Noah) Carlton is a primary school teacher, working in Reception. The descriptions of his daily trials and his grumpy TA Mrs Watson are so true to life and had me laughing in appreciation.
The humour is needed because life for Noah is not exactly rosy. He only gets to see his boys every other weekend, he is still in love with his ex wife, and his pain as an adult is influenced by pain as a child which leads him to find too much comfort in the bottom of a bottle.
Whilst you know (and hope) that no matter how many wrong turns are taken, things will improve, I must admit that Rachel Marks kept me on my toes because I wasn't entirely sure this 30 year old man's life was going to work out quite as I was anticipating.
I read the book in one sitting, such was the beauty of the prose and the uncomplicated way the author allowed me to slip away from my own life and into theirs. There is such a depth of understanding of human emotion and motivation, of the barriers we erect, the lies we tell ourselves, the fear and anger of loss and rejection, that practically every sentence leaves a resonating signature on the reader's heart.
With plenty of real life issues explored, this is a drama portrayed with tenderness and plenty of humour to make the dark bits more palatable, and leave the reader inspired and hopeful rather than downcast. I was rooting for every character for many different reasons and it is because of this immediate connection I can have with Rachel Marks' funny and flawed characters, that I find her books highly engaging and a delight to read.
Read with a smile and a tear about friendship, first love, being a father, moving on, and trying to be a better person. Life is messy, unkind, beautiful and cruel, but if you keep on trying maybe, just maybe, someone or something, or a whole series of events will have you celebrating the here and now and not just waiting Until Next Weekend.
I only wish Rachel Marks could write as quickly as I read as I am now very keen to read the next book!
Thanks to the publisher for the invitation to read, to Netgalley for making it happen and Rachel Marks for her customary brilliant words.
I love the author's style of writing, full of warmth, compassion, sadness and joy. The characters are easy to get to know and fall in love with and I particularly like the fact that Mr (Noah) Carlton is a primary school teacher, working in Reception. The descriptions of his daily trials and his grumpy TA Mrs Watson are so true to life and had me laughing in appreciation.
The humour is needed because life for Noah is not exactly rosy. He only gets to see his boys every other weekend, he is still in love with his ex wife, and his pain as an adult is influenced by pain as a child which leads him to find too much comfort in the bottom of a bottle.
Whilst you know (and hope) that no matter how many wrong turns are taken, things will improve, I must admit that Rachel Marks kept me on my toes because I wasn't entirely sure this 30 year old man's life was going to work out quite as I was anticipating.
I read the book in one sitting, such was the beauty of the prose and the uncomplicated way the author allowed me to slip away from my own life and into theirs. There is such a depth of understanding of human emotion and motivation, of the barriers we erect, the lies we tell ourselves, the fear and anger of loss and rejection, that practically every sentence leaves a resonating signature on the reader's heart.
With plenty of real life issues explored, this is a drama portrayed with tenderness and plenty of humour to make the dark bits more palatable, and leave the reader inspired and hopeful rather than downcast. I was rooting for every character for many different reasons and it is because of this immediate connection I can have with Rachel Marks' funny and flawed characters, that I find her books highly engaging and a delight to read.
Read with a smile and a tear about friendship, first love, being a father, moving on, and trying to be a better person. Life is messy, unkind, beautiful and cruel, but if you keep on trying maybe, just maybe, someone or something, or a whole series of events will have you celebrating the here and now and not just waiting Until Next Weekend.
I only wish Rachel Marks could write as quickly as I read as I am now very keen to read the next book!
Thanks to the publisher for the invitation to read, to Netgalley for making it happen and Rachel Marks for her customary brilliant words.
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
sara_lemon's review
Nothing against the book.
I just stopped reading since I guess I wasn't interested anymore and I haven't picked it up again since.
Probably going to unhaul it or maybe give it another shot
I just stopped reading since I guess I wasn't interested anymore and I haven't picked it up again since.
Probably going to unhaul it or maybe give it another shot
fennabrakenhoff's review
emotional
hopeful
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
4.5
bellesbooks__'s review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
beccakateblogs's review against another edition
4.0
Until Next Weekend is an emotional, and at times heartbreaking, read with a lovely set of characters and an honest story.
Through a third person perspective but one focused heavily around Noah’s world, we gain a really thorough insight into him. I enjoyed this approach, and particularly liked learning about him through his job as a teacher. I feel like teaching, especially younger children, is still primarily women-led so this was a refreshing change to see from the opposing gender.
I really felt for Noah, despite his constant mess-up’s. You could sympathise with him and his cycle of self-loathing and missing his children. Understanding he wasn’t helping their bond but also being sad and feeling unable to stop himself being self-destructive. He was quite vulnerable and raw and I liked him as a character.
The depiction of male and female friendships, between Noah and Mimi, is well portrayed. The two characters may meet in a bar but their friendship definitely develops naturally, with Mimi helping Noah with his self improvement plan. Their natural relaxed way with each other is nice to see and a positive depiction of mixed-gender friendships.
The father-son relationship between Noah and his son’s Gabe and Finn grows so much through the timespan of the novel. This was heartwarming to read of and it definitely felt as though their bond strengthened through each chapter.
The book deals with quite a challenging topic two thirds of the way through, but does so in a respectful and well-written manner. It was quite difficult to read at times but definitely added an extra layer to Noah and gave some explanation to his behaviour.
Through a third person perspective but one focused heavily around Noah’s world, we gain a really thorough insight into him. I enjoyed this approach, and particularly liked learning about him through his job as a teacher. I feel like teaching, especially younger children, is still primarily women-led so this was a refreshing change to see from the opposing gender.
I really felt for Noah, despite his constant mess-up’s. You could sympathise with him and his cycle of self-loathing and missing his children. Understanding he wasn’t helping their bond but also being sad and feeling unable to stop himself being self-destructive. He was quite vulnerable and raw and I liked him as a character.
The depiction of male and female friendships, between Noah and Mimi, is well portrayed. The two characters may meet in a bar but their friendship definitely develops naturally, with Mimi helping Noah with his self improvement plan. Their natural relaxed way with each other is nice to see and a positive depiction of mixed-gender friendships.
The father-son relationship between Noah and his son’s Gabe and Finn grows so much through the timespan of the novel. This was heartwarming to read of and it definitely felt as though their bond strengthened through each chapter.
The book deals with quite a challenging topic two thirds of the way through, but does so in a respectful and well-written manner. It was quite difficult to read at times but definitely added an extra layer to Noah and gave some explanation to his behaviour.
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
alexi_thymic's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75