Reviews

Whiskey & Ribbons by Leesa Cross-Smith

catherineelkhattabystrauch's review against another edition

dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

madbirks's review against another edition

3.0

A beautiful book by a wonderful author. I initially found this author after someone recommended I read her book This Close to Okay, which she wrote after this one. While I can tell that this was her debut novel, it definitely pulled at my heart strings.

basicbsguide's review against another edition

4.0

“I can hear it coming. Healing. The train tracks leading to my heart are warmed by it. I can put my hand there and feel it hot. It is rattling towards me. Rumbling. The buzzing sound of a flickering light at the end of the tunnel. A grief train rumbling away from us. A healing train coming our way.”

The hardest part for me after losing my Mom almost five short years ago was that the world didn’t stop. I needed time to heal without life “getting in the way”. How was I going to be a mother if I no longer had a mother? Who would I call in the middle of the day for no reason at all, other than to hear their voice?

“My brother Eamon was dead and the world kept going. But not mine. Not my world. F the rest of the world. Mine stopped. Not paused. Stopped.” Leesa you are speaking to my heart and soul here. This couldn’t be a truer statement. This book explores the raw and real emotions one feels after losing someone they love. Life goes on, it must go on, for our children and for us.

Intimate, beautiful and thoughtful, this novel is something I will hold close to my heart for a long time.

shaniquekee's review against another edition

4.0

An engrossing novel about love, grief, and family told from three perspectives. The writing is lovely, the characters and complex, but softly so, with gentle layers that prevents any one person from being particularly abrasive.

betharoo's review against another edition

4.0

Between 3/4

megholo's review against another edition

3.0

This wasn’t anything remarkable, but not a bad read.

sungyena's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

sunsetmusic68's review against another edition

3.0

sad very sad

rhoetger's review against another edition

4.0

I was very impressed by this novel. Based on the synopsis, I went in thinking it would be a fluff read, but it’s not. The writing is very poetic & lyrical, making it feel like a dance. I was engrossed from the first page told from Evi’s perspective. Rounding out the story with perspectives from Dalton and Eamon (from before his death) was perfect. Each character has their story to tell about their grief and love.

I loved this, and would definitely recommend.

eandrews80's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.75

I didn't enjoy this, and I'm genuinely not sure why. It's gorgeously written, with relatable and nuanced characters, but I just never felt hooked by the story. There's no doubt that Leesa Cross-Smith is a gifted writer, but I'll wait to check out her other work until I'm craving something slow and reflective.