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disabledbookdragon's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
shareen17's review against another edition
3.0
A modern day rewrite of Daddy Longlegs (not Emma, as one might think). I think this book would fall under Christian fiction, although it's handled lightly enough that I don't think that would need to deter anyone who doesn't normally read that genre.
alidottie's review against another edition
5.0
My friend who gave me this book told me I would like it. I gave it to my mother to read last time she visited and she liked it. Why am I so surprised how much I liked it? I think it was partially being totally blindsided on what it was about! I just didn't see this story coming, so I think I will let anyone who reads this have the same gift and I hope you will like it too. Sweet with an edge and absolutely clean like an Austen novel.
lielos99's review against another edition
5.0
This was such a sweet book. I enjoyed it a lot, and could relate to the main character, and loved how much it showed a realistic introvert and book lover. So so sweet and I loved it all.
sararothwell's review against another edition
4.0
A fun, happily-ever-after novel following Sam, a girl, who bounced through many foster homes in her young life. It’s an insightful presentation of her journey to self discovery written in letter form to an anonymous Mr. Knightley. Sam is such a relatable character and it’s fun to see her from her own point of view rather than the narrator’s! A very fun quick read! *Contains references to violent child abuse.
christinajcraig's review against another edition
4.0
Sappy, covert Christian romance novel about a 24 year old woman trying to find herself. I will be honest and say that I liked it enough to read it in a morning.
fogisbeautiful's review
3.0
Okay, let me explain. I'm giving this three stars, not because of the plot or the story or the format, but purely because of the writing itself. The plot was intriguing and I would have liked the format I think... if it hadn't be for the jarring sensation in the first several letters of the book, the feeling that the author couldn't decide if she was writing letters or a novel. I don't know if this was supposed to be another symptom of the protagonist's many neuroses (which occasionally felt a little contrived as well, as if the author was trying too hard to create conflict and consequently felt a little unnatural), or if the author honestly just didn't quite know when she started the book whether she was writing a novel or a novel-in-letters. It seemed to get better as the book went on, but that could have just been me getting sucked into the story (which, as I said, was an excellent premise). Some of the characters seemed a bit flat and unnecessary (Cara, Father John, Kyle, a few others), but other characters (and I'm counting the protagonist, Alex, the Muirs, and especially Ashley in this category) seemed surprisingly well thought-out. Basically, it was difficult getting into the book at first because it read a little bit like mediocre fanfiction, but it improved as the book went on. My only other complaint is that the ending seemed a bit anticlimactic, but that could be because I guessed who Mr. Knightley was way too early :)
In short, all I can say is I liked the premise and most of the characters (even some of the flat ones), but the writing made it a little difficult to get into at first. Try it, you might like it :)
In short, all I can say is I liked the premise and most of the characters (even some of the flat ones), but the writing made it a little difficult to get into at first. Try it, you might like it :)
angmander's review against another edition
3.0
Light, easy read. The twist-ending (if you would even call it that) was predictable, but I wasn’t too upset by it. This book has clean language and romance. It felt especially appropriate for teenagers and young adults. *Very* reminiscent of Daddy Long Legs.
amlibera's review against another edition
3.0
This book... man. I gave it four stars but really probably 3.5.
Here's the thing. I didn't buy into it for even a minute, it's a fairy tale but there is also a falseness to it somehow even the Chicago detail feels both very specific and off somehow. Having said that, I couldn't put it down. I ate it all in one gulp like a giant chocolate chip cookie (not sure that's the metaphor but still that's the feeling).
Here's the thing. I didn't buy into it for even a minute, it's a fairy tale but there is also a falseness to it somehow even the Chicago detail feels both very specific and off somehow. Having said that, I couldn't put it down. I ate it all in one gulp like a giant chocolate chip cookie (not sure that's the metaphor but still that's the feeling).
melanie_books's review
4.0
Sam connects really well with people...if they are fictional. As a kid who grew up in the foster care system, she found solace in her books but now as an adult, she has a habit of hiding behind her beloved characters. When she is given a grant to pursue journalism, she holds up her end of the bargain: monthly letters to the head of the foundation: Mr. Knightley. She tells him all about her life - the present and the past - as well as her relationships with her classmates & friends, her boyfriend, and Alex Powell, a well-known author she admires.
I was looking for a fluffy book to read and this fit the bill perfectly. However, while remaining a light-hearted ode to Daddy Long Legs, Dear Mr. Knightley had an unexpected depth to it. The characters were interesting and multi-layered. Sam, in particular, had tremendous character growth as she waded through how her life experiences had shaped her and the not-so-healthy coping mechanisms she relied on. A fun and quick read...that surprised me!
I was looking for a fluffy book to read and this fit the bill perfectly. However, while remaining a light-hearted ode to Daddy Long Legs, Dear Mr. Knightley had an unexpected depth to it. The characters were interesting and multi-layered. Sam, in particular, had tremendous character growth as she waded through how her life experiences had shaped her and the not-so-healthy coping mechanisms she relied on. A fun and quick read...that surprised me!