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cimmalex's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I had no idea this book was based in the Hudson Valley, NY and name dropped so many towns and businesses I know (shout out Upstate Films), so that hit close to home, literally. I’m not usually an adult fiction reader, but I liked the cover and the book held my attention pretty much up until the end. I started getting annoyed by the last like 3 or 4 chapters. Like many other reviews have said across the board, I agree that too many “hot button topics” were crammed into this book. I mean I think she mentioned every single one. This is a generational story, so maybe that’s why? But… whew.
Porter was by far the most annoying character to me, and I think it’s very lazy the cheese maker is named Porter. I just have to get that out there. She is almost 40 years old and thought her high school boyfriend belonged to her and no one else (including his wife) because she “had him first”? What kind of mentality is that? Insane behavior from this one throughout the whole book. Very wild.Especially the whole relationship with her high school ex that kept reappearing to be fwb even though he was married with kids and another on the way. Her high school ex’s wife coming down on Porter’s neck two chapters before the end of the book was exactly what this character needed though. A swift kick in the ass/someone metaphorically grabbing her by the shoulders and shaking her
Porter was by far the most annoying character to me, and I think it’s very lazy the cheese maker is named Porter. I just have to get that out there. She is almost 40 years old and thought her high school boyfriend belonged to her and no one else (including his wife) because she “had him first”? What kind of mentality is that? Insane behavior from this one throughout the whole book. Very wild.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Car accident, Pregnancy, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Transphobia, Violence, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, and Dysphoria
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Infertility, Dementia, Abortion, and Outing
taraaleitz's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
3.25/5⭐️ for me…
A little disappointed. I really wanted to love this book because This Time Tomorrow was soooo good, but this one fell a little flat for me. I liked that there were many characters to focus in on, but the whole book was ultimately based around poor communication between characters and/or poor choices. I loved how different each of the characters lives were and that there was diversity in the ages of the characters—making it a little interesting, but it didn’t feel like there was truly any real plot. Halfway through the book, I re-read the synopsis and I felt as though I already knew everything the synopsis talked about.
There was no true “climax” and this wasn’t a book where I was eagerly anticipating the next thing. A slower read for me.
A little disappointed. I really wanted to love this book because This Time Tomorrow was soooo good, but this one fell a little flat for me. I liked that there were many characters to focus in on, but the whole book was ultimately based around poor communication between characters and/or poor choices. I loved how different each of the characters lives were and that there was diversity in the ages of the characters—making it a little interesting, but it didn’t feel like there was truly any real plot. Halfway through the book, I re-read the synopsis and I felt as though I already knew everything the synopsis talked about.
There was no true “climax” and this wasn’t a book where I was eagerly anticipating the next thing. A slower read for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy
Moderate: Death, Car accident, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content and Abortion
thenageler's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity and Pregnancy
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Death, Drug use, Infertility, Miscarriage, Car accident, Abortion, and Outing
annorabrady's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-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
I was recommended this book as one that you'd like if you like Schitt's Creek. While it doesn't have the humor of a sitcom, it does have realistic family relationships and each member is fleshed out into their own person, as in Schitt's Creek. They also have catalysts that push them out of their comfort zone and into a place where their relationship with family and friends become healthier and more fulfilling.
There are mentions of miscarriages and abortions, as well as plots about people being outed against their will (handled well but they still exist) so precede with caution if those are triggering to you.
My biggest problem with the story was Porter's storyline.I just feel that someone who is capable of making the life-changing decisions of going through the process of becoming pregnant through a fertility clinic so she can raise a baby alone is also someone who should be able to stop being someone else's "other woman." Especially since she was more than capable of understanding and siding with her best friend who found herself on the other side of that situation with her husband. And then to talk to her best friend about it, expecting her best friend would have any reaction except absolute anger at the betrayal?
There are mentions of miscarriages and abortions, as well as plots about people being outed against their will (handled well but they still exist) so precede with caution if those are triggering to you.
My biggest problem with the story was Porter's storyline.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Medical content, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Deadnaming, Death, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Car accident, Death of parent, Outing, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Minor: Dementia and Abortion
faraway_'s review
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Infertility, Infidelity, Transphobia, Car accident, and Pregnancy
Minor: Drug use, Abortion, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
saskiahill's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Infidelity, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Infertility, Miscarriage, Abortion, Lesbophobia, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Deadnaming, Transphobia, Blood, and Outing
adoseofcozy's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
This wasn't supposed to be my first completed book of 2023, but I had to finish it before a book club meeting. So, I sadly had to sit The Priory of the Orange Tree aside so I could focus on this one. I'm sad to say that my first read of 2023 was rather disappointing.
While it does present some great topics, this one just wasn't for me. It was okay, overall, but I had some issues with it. The writing was okay, the story was okay, the characters were okay...everything was just okay. I felt like maybe the issue was that the author was just trying to do too much. I didn't feel like I really knew any of the characters, or connected with any of them. The first bit of the book I was trying to keep all of the characters straight because the book jumps around from one character to another. Also, all of the "adults" were incredibly immature. The most mature character was a 13-year-old girl.
If you like domestic dramas that let you observe the chaos of a dysfunctional family then try this one out, if it sounds interesting. I will say that I probably wouldn't have been able to get through this if I didn't have the audiobook, because I would have wanted to put the book down and not pick it up anymore.
I read this for a book club and the majority though it was just okay or didn't enjoy it at all. I feel like I will forget this story and these characters in a couple of months, if that. Nothing was super memorable for me. It's an entirely character-driven story that will be entirely forgettable for me, unfortunately.
While it does present some great topics, this one just wasn't for me. It was okay, overall, but I had some issues with it. The writing was okay, the story was okay, the characters were okay...everything was just okay. I felt like maybe the issue was that the author was just trying to do too much. I didn't feel like I really knew any of the characters, or connected with any of them. The first bit of the book I was trying to keep all of the characters straight because the book jumps around from one character to another. Also, all of the "adults" were incredibly immature. The most mature character was a 13-year-old girl.
If you like domestic dramas that let you observe the chaos of a dysfunctional family then try this one out, if it sounds interesting. I will say that I probably wouldn't have been able to get through this if I didn't have the audiobook, because I would have wanted to put the book down and not pick it up anymore.
I read this for a book club and the majority though it was just okay or didn't enjoy it at all. I feel like I will forget this story and these characters in a couple of months, if that. Nothing was super memorable for me. It's an entirely character-driven story that will be entirely forgettable for me, unfortunately.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Infertility, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Car accident, Abortion, and Pregnancy
etopp's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Car accident, Abortion, Death of parent, Pregnancy, and Outing
chrissi_'s review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Car accident
serendipitysbooks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-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
4.0
All Adults Here is a warm-hearted family story about the Strick family. They’ve all got their flaws and secrets, plus issues with each other. But they are fundamentally good people who do their best to support each other and you can’t help rooting for them. I could especially relate to Astrid reflecting on the ways her parenting contributed to the adults her children became. There two LGBTIQA+ storylines which I wasn’t aware of turned out to be high points for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Homophobia, Transphobia, and Car accident