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carissadruann's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
katielzg's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Cancer, Death, and Death of parent
marissabrad24's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
jailpez's review against another edition
4.0
Heartfelt and discusses family issues from a mother’s perspective. Love that it involves so much of PR culture.
cassies_books_reviews's review against another edition
5.0
Wow I could not put this book down, I had so many different emotions while reading this. I understood Libby on so many levels I have felt the same emotions she was feeling , and as a mom we have the habit of putting on the face that everything is ok while internally were falling apart.
The book is narrated by Libby, she’s at the doctors awaiting her cancer results, thirteen years ago she was diagnosed and then beat cancer going on ten years now. The doctor tells her she’s cancer free she doesn’t jump for joy she feels depressed she recently lost her father and she just feels let down. Her husband Shiloh is being distant, her teen daughters are never happy and have constant attitudes and one of the twins is learning to live with a recent diabetes diagnoses, Libby’s brother Paul’s marriage is falling apart. Libby feels alone and when she goes to call her dad she remembers she can’t anymore. Libby decides the family could use a vacations she books a trip to Puerto Rico, it’s where she and Shiloh fell
In love. The trip doesn’t go to plan and it’s disaster after disaster especially when they get stuck in a hurricane. Maybe the hurricane will bring them closer and Libby will face all the issues she’s been burying inside. I’m giving this book five stars. I wish I could meet Libby she’s a friend I would love to share a glass of wine with, she’s human and I felt such a connection to her story!
The book is narrated by Libby, she’s at the doctors awaiting her cancer results, thirteen years ago she was diagnosed and then beat cancer going on ten years now. The doctor tells her she’s cancer free she doesn’t jump for joy she feels depressed she recently lost her father and she just feels let down. Her husband Shiloh is being distant, her teen daughters are never happy and have constant attitudes and one of the twins is learning to live with a recent diabetes diagnoses, Libby’s brother Paul’s marriage is falling apart. Libby feels alone and when she goes to call her dad she remembers she can’t anymore. Libby decides the family could use a vacations she books a trip to Puerto Rico, it’s where she and Shiloh fell
In love. The trip doesn’t go to plan and it’s disaster after disaster especially when they get stuck in a hurricane. Maybe the hurricane will bring them closer and Libby will face all the issues she’s been burying inside. I’m giving this book five stars. I wish I could meet Libby she’s a friend I would love to share a glass of wine with, she’s human and I felt such a connection to her story!
keepingyouonread's review against another edition
4.0
Libby is declared cancer-free but worries she’s not happier about the news. She decides to book her family a spontaneous trip to Puerto Rico but the trip is hit by numerous snags and Libby wonders if the forced family fun was really a good idea.
What I liked: The blurb on the back of the book, combined with the cover had me thinking this was more of a romance, it’s not. It’s very good but it’s more women’s fiction. I connected to Libby’s feelings dealing with an illness especially the first chapter and the dread she felt before an appointment. I liked that all of the characters’ problems were things normal people could go through - death, illness, marital problems.
The scenes in Puerto Rico connected with me – my husband and I traveled there a few years ago and just like in the book, we went to a bio bay and a tropical storm brushed the island.
The characters all had growth over the course of the novel but the growth felt realistic – no one had a complete 180 in their behavior.
What didn’t work for me: The pacing at the end felt a little slow to me.
Fans of close-ended stories, may not like that a few storylines are not completely tied up. I found the ending satisfying but left room for a sequel.
Who should read it: Fans of women’s fiction and those looking for a deeper beach read.
What I liked: The blurb on the back of the book, combined with the cover had me thinking this was more of a romance, it’s not. It’s very good but it’s more women’s fiction. I connected to Libby’s feelings dealing with an illness especially the first chapter and the dread she felt before an appointment. I liked that all of the characters’ problems were things normal people could go through - death, illness, marital problems.
The scenes in Puerto Rico connected with me – my husband and I traveled there a few years ago and just like in the book, we went to a bio bay and a tropical storm brushed the island.
The characters all had growth over the course of the novel but the growth felt realistic – no one had a complete 180 in their behavior.
What didn’t work for me: The pacing at the end felt a little slow to me.
Fans of close-ended stories, may not like that a few storylines are not completely tied up. I found the ending satisfying but left room for a sequel.
Who should read it: Fans of women’s fiction and those looking for a deeper beach read.
bfth23's review against another edition
3.0
Sequel to Life and Other Near-Death Experiences. It's good, but not as good as the origina. Still novels by Camilla Pagan are better than most.