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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
For any of you that have seen any of my posts regarding the Modern Mrs. Darcy Book Club, you’ll know that I’ve been reading tons of books from the Modern Mrs. Darcy Summer 2020 Reading Guide. And, when I saw I Was Told It Would Get Easier on the list–after getting it from Netgalley–I moved it to the top of my reading list.
For any of you ladies with teen (or even pre-teen) daughters, I’m convinced you’ll love this. Although, I’m not sure when I started relating to the older protagonists plight–I can say that it’s refreshing and hilarious reading about the tumultuous relationships between mothers and daughters.
If you’re a teen, however, I think you’ll still enjoy this read–even though it’s not YA, because it’s told from dual perspectives of mother and daughter, I’m sure you’ll find someone to relate to!
This story wasn’t really what I thought it was. It was so much more! And the back-and-forth perspectives was refreshing!
Abbi Waxman is a delightful writer!
For any of you ladies with teen (or even pre-teen) daughters, I’m convinced you’ll love this. Although, I’m not sure when I started relating to the older protagonists plight–I can say that it’s refreshing and hilarious reading about the tumultuous relationships between mothers and daughters.
If you’re a teen, however, I think you’ll still enjoy this read–even though it’s not YA, because it’s told from dual perspectives of mother and daughter, I’m sure you’ll find someone to relate to!
This story wasn’t really what I thought it was. It was so much more! And the back-and-forth perspectives was refreshing!
Abbi Waxman is a delightful writer!
I've heard such great things about Abbi Waxman's books, but it's taken me awhile to actually try one. This one didn't disappoint.
I know I've harped on this before, but so many books hit differently to me now that I'm a parent, and this was definitely one of those. Granted, in the book Jessica's daughter is a teenager and mine can't even walk yet (though he's certainly trying to make that happen ASAP), but it wasn't hard for me to project myself into the future, worrying about Lincoln's future, sending him off to college, and wanting only good things for his life.
I actually loved that the book shifted perspectives between Jessica and her 16-year-old daughter Emily. It allowed the reader to see the ways in which they both understood each other remarkably well (more than they often thought), and the ways in which they didn't understand each other at all. I really enjoyed that, despite the bickering and the constant issues they had communicating with each other effectively, the reader was able to see the love that served as the foundation of their relationship.
I think I also appreciated the fact that we got the alternating perspectives because one of the great lies of life is that adults - and parents in particular - somehow have it all together, and have all the answers. I certainly believed that when I was a kid - my parents knew everything. Now, of course, I know they were just winging it like the rest of us, trying their best. Just like Jessica - she's trying to make choices that will benefit her daughter, even at her own expense - only to get it thrown back in her face. Everything in life is just such a fine balance, and that balance and perspective shifts at various points in your life, and its ALL challenging and scary. Waxman captured that so well, the struggles that both Jessica and Emily were confronted with at very specific moments in their life.
I will admit, towards the end of the book I felt the storyline went slightly off the rails a bit, but even that was just a blip in an otherwise excellent portrait of a mother and daughter just trying to figure things out, and realizing that it never really does get any easier - just different.
I know I've harped on this before, but so many books hit differently to me now that I'm a parent, and this was definitely one of those. Granted, in the book Jessica's daughter is a teenager and mine can't even walk yet (though he's certainly trying to make that happen ASAP), but it wasn't hard for me to project myself into the future, worrying about Lincoln's future, sending him off to college, and wanting only good things for his life.
I actually loved that the book shifted perspectives between Jessica and her 16-year-old daughter Emily. It allowed the reader to see the ways in which they both understood each other remarkably well (more than they often thought), and the ways in which they didn't understand each other at all. I really enjoyed that, despite the bickering and the constant issues they had communicating with each other effectively, the reader was able to see the love that served as the foundation of their relationship.
I think I also appreciated the fact that we got the alternating perspectives because one of the great lies of life is that adults - and parents in particular - somehow have it all together, and have all the answers. I certainly believed that when I was a kid - my parents knew everything. Now, of course, I know they were just winging it like the rest of us, trying their best. Just like Jessica - she's trying to make choices that will benefit her daughter, even at her own expense - only to get it thrown back in her face. Everything in life is just such a fine balance, and that balance and perspective shifts at various points in your life, and its ALL challenging and scary. Waxman captured that so well, the struggles that both Jessica and Emily were confronted with at very specific moments in their life.
I will admit, towards the end of the book I felt the storyline went slightly off the rails a bit, but even that was just a blip in an otherwise excellent portrait of a mother and daughter just trying to figure things out, and realizing that it never really does get any easier - just different.
On the one hand, this book definitely hits on the experience of being a teenager with a successful working mom. Even though it's been over a decade since I was a teenager, I could still see glimpses of teenage angst in Emily. I'm sure if my mom reads this book, she will find glimpses of herself in Jessica as well. However, it was also very frustrating to read much of the time, as a main part of the story is hearing the inner monologues of struggles between mother and daughter, and the same problems over and over. I found myself getting bored at times because it just felt like "Yes, I know, being a teenager is tough, and being a mom is tough, and communication is hard. How many more pages before something happens?"
I think those in the thick of it (moms with teenagers) may enjoy this book more, as it may feel like a balm to the never-ending angst of your teen. I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I think those in the thick of it (moms with teenagers) may enjoy this book more, as it may feel like a balm to the never-ending angst of your teen. I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This was cute and captured a lot of the spirit of teenagers and their parents, especially around college applications and leaving the home. But I still wished it had been a little...I don't know, meatier and had more of a clear conflict beyond teens and their grown ups.
I absolutely adored this book. I will read anything Abbi Waxman writes. The Bookish Life of Nina Hill was one of my favorite books of the past year, so I was excited to dive into her new one. A single mom and her 16 year old daughter go on a group road trip to explore college options and end up learning much more about themselves and each other. This is a great, fun read if you want something light.
Easy read about a mother and daughter on an east coast college tour.
This book has cemented me as a full fledged Abbi Waxman fan! I adored The Bookish Life of Nina Hill, so I was very excited to get my hands on this one, and it didn't disappoint. She has such a beautiful way with words and with characters, that make them so relatable and fun. I found myself laughing and nodding my head as I listened to this one on audible, and highly recommend it to anyone wanting a cute contemporary. Oh, and if you've raised or are raising a teenager, I guarantee you'll totally relate to this hilarious mother/daughter tale!!
Highly recommend. Very relatable and refreshing. Great story about both the fragility and the importance of the mother-daughter relationship during the teenage years.
Abbi Waxman is one of my favorite new authors. The first book I read from her was Other People's Houses, and I loved it too.
Abbi Waxman is one of my favorite new authors. The first book I read from her was Other People's Houses, and I loved it too.