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3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
The book didn't make a whole lot of sense but I finished it to see if it would get better. It didn't, and the ending was predictable. Maybe I'm too old for these books?
Not for me. Although I did like the style of writing, I just felt that nothing happened.
Really liked this one! All of the characters were great, though some could be annoying at times. It was an easy, enjoyable read.
This was an ok story. A bit predictable but good story about friendship and loss. Recommended for high school.
A Gatsby-esque and poignant tale of an aspiring artist who gets caught up in the world of the tragic, larger-than-life Buchanan family when she befriends Julia Buchanan, the family's troubled middle daughter. This is a book filled with memorable, flawed characters, lovely turns of phrase, and atmospheric details that draw the reader into the world of the Buchanans until they can practically smell the salt air and taste the champagne. The author's careful use of past tense only heightens the inevitable tragedy of the book and brings a sense of nostalgia to the entire book. Recommended for fans of [b:We Were Liars|16143347|We Were Liars|E. Lockhart|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1402749479s/16143347.jpg|21975829] and tales of troubled families.
Working-class Charlotte hears wealthy Julia puking outside her dormitory window. Thus begins their friendship, where they stay at Julia's mansion for vacation, talk a lot about Julia's deceased sister, and... the book was at least 300 pages, so something else must have happened, right? Not really. Charlotte spends a lot of time wistfully describing Julia's family, and there is a very clearly telegraphed "secret" about the death of Julia's sister. But really, the biggest problem here is that nothing happens, for many pages.
Are you looking for a perfect WE WERE LIARS read-a-like, but with a more straightforward plot and less unreliable narrator? Only told from the outsider perspective looking in to the privileged, wealthy, east-coast family with SECRETS? Even down to mysterious deaths and a fire?!? And DOGS!!!!
I realize I sound more sarcastic than I mean to, and honestly I think this is one of those things that happen when two similar books come out at the same time. It's unfortunate but EVEN IN PARADISE is going to be compared to WE WERE LIARS and sadly, found a little wanting. It's a solid book and had nice moments. But I found the conflict at times a little forced and the B plot a little underdeveloped. I would still recommend it for those WE WERE LIARS read-a-likes but with a disclaimer.
pg 357 "I wish for the same thing I've hoped for since the beginning. I wish for a life so brave, so unpredictable, so full of unexpected joys and unforgettable love that no box could possibly contain all my memories."
I realize I sound more sarcastic than I mean to, and honestly I think this is one of those things that happen when two similar books come out at the same time. It's unfortunate but EVEN IN PARADISE is going to be compared to WE WERE LIARS and sadly, found a little wanting. It's a solid book and had nice moments. But I found the conflict at times a little forced and the B plot a little underdeveloped. I would still recommend it for those WE WERE LIARS read-a-likes but with a disclaimer.
pg 357 "I wish for the same thing I've hoped for since the beginning. I wish for a life so brave, so unpredictable, so full of unexpected joys and unforgettable love that no box could possibly contain all my memories."
Even in Paradise is such a heartbreaking story, and I won't lie I shed some tears reading the last chapters. It's about this fierce female friendship, romance and a girl falling in love with a family. I loved this book but I feel like there was something missing, but this may be just me. Anyhow after reading this beautifully written book I'm left out with a feeling of emptiness and heartbreak. I can't really do a review right now, I need to gather my thoughts, but I utterly recommend it.
“Even knowing, as I do now, that grace, power, and, yes, love can hide the darkest elements of the human heart, I would do it all again.”
Full review at: Calloway Books
“Even knowing, as I do now, that grace, power, and, yes, love can hide the darkest elements of the human heart, I would do it all again.”
Full review at: Calloway Books
I know it's quite a simple book, but... Julia and Charlie broke my heart, showing me how beautiful and scarred people can be... Even in paradise.
*Spoiler*
I hope they can find each other again with time.
*Spoiler*
I hope they can find each other again with time.