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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
lighthearted
fast-paced
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Infidelity, Death of parent, Abandonment
Moderate: Drug use, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Alcohol, Sexual harassment
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Many thanks to my friends at @berkleypub and @prhaudio for the free #gifted copies of this book.
When Christa’s father turns up out of the blue after going missing decades before, she is thrust out of her quietly satisfying life into a stress filled media frenzy.
This premise and the fact that I adored the Bookish Life of Nina Hill had me eager to get my hands on this book.
One thing is certain: Waxman has a way with zany characters! Christa, a scientist that studies snails, was living her best solitary life amongst the marine life on a remote island. (Introverts unite!) So, it was no surprise that she was a completely and totally awkward character, particularly in social circumstances. Her thought process, sometimes noted in the footnotes, often had me in stitches.
Brimming with family drama, the dysfunction in this family was oftentimes comical. But occasionally the antics went beyond the realistic into the absurd. Still, it kept the storyline interesting and juicy.
The title is spot on for this read. Christa’s growth throughout the book is its strengths. With a focus on leaving the past behind, I appreciated the way Christa evolved into herself and found her voice. And by the end, she had definitely come out of her shell.
The Bookish Life of Nina Hill is my favorite read by Waxman. But this book continues to show Waxman’s talent for writing warm storylines that entertain.
🎧 With dual narration from Jesse Vilinsky and Jonathan Todd Ross, the audiobook was a treat to listen to. Vilinsky’s portrayal of Christa felt genuine and vibrant, adding to the eccentricities written into her character. Vilinsky’s depiction was engaging and kept me fully tuned in to the story. The “In the News” segments were adeptly portrayed by Jonathan Todd Ross, making them feel authentic to an actual broadcast. (Watch out Lester Holt!)
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
I haven’t read a Waxman book in awhile and I’ve missed her. And this one was really fun.
Christa is a scientist working on a remote island halfway across the world from her family in LA. And then her mom calls to tell her that her famous father Jasper, presumed dead for the last 25 years has been found.
Christa heads home and is picked up by Nate, a family friend who has only gotten more handsome over the years. And they go to her mom’s house where here sisters are already gathered to figure out what to do next. Since Jasper has yet to contact the family.
This is a great book about family and forgiving. It’s about how obnoxious and intrusive the media is and how little some of those people care about anything but money. It’s got a hint of romcom but to me, the best part of this book was getting to know Christa. She’s a great character and the story is told like she’s standing next to you and telling it firsthand. She has a great voice and I think she and I could be friends