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3.64 AVERAGE
3.64 AVERAGE
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-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
Warm hug of a book and a good selling point for Chicago. Leaned heavily into the 2016 atmosphere of performative activism but I can forgive that
As someone who spent several years in my 20s marrying ketchups in wrigleyville I loved this book. It’s a love letter to oak park, families, restaurants and the cubs. It’s a multiple viewpoint book centered around a family and their own personal experiences/drama and they say the cubs won the World Series. As a cubs fan and a Chicagoan it was fun and great read because we all remember that day full of hope and that anything was possible even a woman president in the US.
Character driven as opposed to plot driven meant the book moved a bit slowly. The three main characters were annoying with their inaction and whining. Gretchen started out with a rock band that became a wedding band, resulting in her returning home to Sullivan’s, her family’s restaurant. Jane is Gretchen’s sister and is facing a broken marriage, while their cousin Teddy is continuing to have sex with his ex even though his ex is engaged to someone else. Set in the suburbs of Chicago, there is some politics but the reviews calling the book “woke” are missing the mark. Events of the times have a huge influence on where people live, how one’s mood can deflate. Thanks to Edelweiss for the ARC.
funny
hopeful
medium-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
I’ve been forcing myself to read outside of my comfort zones. Not a typical genre, but a welcome surprise. I love the multigenerational perspective with the restaurant culture as the unifying point. I love the inclusivity of the characters as well as different views and approaches to said diversity. A fun and light read.
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
This is such a hard one to rate and review! The characters come alive as so genuine and flawed, especially the teenager Riley whose language and mannerisms are so indicative of this generation. There are so many beautiful almost poetic lines that really resonated with me, and I thoroughly enjoyed the chapter of Gretchen’s favorite songs, especially the ode to the Cranberries (even if it seemed completely out of place). However, I never once felt compelled to pick this book up because of the almost nonexistent storyline and slow pacing. In addition, the author’s political views are so heavily woven through the book that you cannot simply skip them if they don’t align with your own. As a reader of fiction, I want to be entertained, inspired, and/or affected emotionally, not feel patronized by the condescending views of an author.
DNF -Obnoxiously "quirky" writing that makes fatphobic comments and mocks people's appearances doesn't really fly with me.
Just because someone does CrossFit with other fit people doesn't mean they cheat on their spouse?? wtf??
This was such a boring read. It was a book club recommendation and I dragged my feet the whole way through. Certainly the kind of novel for those who enjoy VERY light hearted books for funsies.