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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.
sweet_dee_reads's review against another edition
4.0
This was a really good one!! I just love reading Camille Pagán’s books and this one was no exception! I love the setting of Puerto Rico and appreciated the look at how much the hurricanes affect the islands. I laughed, cried, and really enjoyed this one!!
fullybooked_kel's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer
megs2kool's review against another edition
4.0
This book kept me intrigued right from the start. While I did find the main character, Libby, to be really annoying at times, I loved the descriptions of Puerto Rico and the combination of loveliness and devastation that happened there after hurricane Maria. Milagros was a wonderful character who knew just how to say the right things at the right time. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
crolovr's review against another edition
5.0
In DON'T MAKE ME TURN THIS LIFE AROUND we see the return of Libby from LFE AND OTHER NEAR DEATH EXPERIENCES. But this book can be read as a stand alone. (But don't miss out on the first book)
It is Libby's 10 year cancerversary but she doesn't feel like celebrating. Her father died 6 months ago, her twin daughters are constantly fighting, one has been diagnosed with diabetes and her husband is stressed. Libby decides they need to go to Puerto Rico on vacation and visit their friend Milagros. The vacation was one disaster after another and just when Libby thinks things couldn't get worse, a tropical storm hits. But the tropical storm is just what Libby and her family needed to put their lives in perspective.
I read this book in one night. The characters are relatable, especially Libby. The description of Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria is heartbreaking. I laughed, cried, and looked at life optimistically. I think everyone will learn at least one life lesson from this book. This book is the perfect beach read and I highly recommend putting it in your beach bag this Summer
Thank you to @camillepagan @lakeunionauthors and @suzyapprovedbooktours for a copy of this wonderful book.
It is Libby's 10 year cancerversary but she doesn't feel like celebrating. Her father died 6 months ago, her twin daughters are constantly fighting, one has been diagnosed with diabetes and her husband is stressed. Libby decides they need to go to Puerto Rico on vacation and visit their friend Milagros. The vacation was one disaster after another and just when Libby thinks things couldn't get worse, a tropical storm hits. But the tropical storm is just what Libby and her family needed to put their lives in perspective.
I read this book in one night. The characters are relatable, especially Libby. The description of Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria is heartbreaking. I laughed, cried, and looked at life optimistically. I think everyone will learn at least one life lesson from this book. This book is the perfect beach read and I highly recommend putting it in your beach bag this Summer
Thank you to @camillepagan @lakeunionauthors and @suzyapprovedbooktours for a copy of this wonderful book.
bookanonjeff's review against another edition
5.0
Return To Vieques. As it turns out, this book is a sequel to Life And Other Near Death Experiences. I didn't know that going in, but I've read a couple of Pagan's other books and had to read this one too. (And yes, I *have* Life already, I just haven't *read* it yet. :D) But this is a "sequel" in that it follows some of the same characters years later, rather than being an "immediate aftermath" type sequel. So in that sense, think of it more along the lines of Nicholas Sparks' The Wedding ("sequel" to The Notebook, years later) or maybe the new Saved By The Bell reboot (which I haven't seen yet, but have seen the premise of). In other words, not knowing the first tale might have *slight* detriments here as far as getting the full potential impact of certain scenes, but overall this book is closer to being a standalone book rather than a "you MUST read this other book first" type.
Within this tale itself, you get a strong look at what life in the Caribbean (and, technically, nearby Atlantic) can do for a "mainlander" - but also a view of what life there is *really* like, specifically in the aftermath of storms like Irma and (specifically used in the text) Maria. Potential real world spoiler sentence: And we're back: Overall, this book is what I've come to expect from Pagan: Tackling solid, hard hitting issues with enough humor to be enjoyable and enough heart to be heart wrenching. So read it, enjoy it, and consider the possibilities. Very much recommended.
Within this tale itself, you get a strong look at what life in the Caribbean (and, technically, nearby Atlantic) can do for a "mainlander" - but also a view of what life there is *really* like, specifically in the aftermath of storms like Irma and (specifically used in the text) Maria. Potential real world spoiler sentence:
Spoiler
(Indeed, it seems that Pagan uses a fair amount of real life observation, as she herself is married to a Puerto Rican native and they regularly go back with their kids to Vieques - much as the characters in the book do - and were there during a storm as she was writing this book.)sharondblk's review against another edition
3.0
More like 2.5. this is nearly a very good book, but it's mainly the main character being depressed, and her kids bickering. it's full of stereo-types about pessimists and optimists and it was just a bit of a drag. There is a whole lot in here designed to move the plot along that makes absolutely no sense . And when I start fact checking a novel, you know I'm annoyed. . Anyway, the message was good - about toxic positivity and communication and stuff, but it was quite heavy handed.