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kourtneysuzanne's review against another edition
4.0
A gorgeous story about grief and sadness and healing and the depth of family. I loved all the characters. I even felt that the smaller characters were well-developed.
Cheers to whiskey and ribbons
Cheers to whiskey and ribbons
niaforrester's review against another edition
5.0
C'est finis! I loved this book, and this author's voice. She marries contemporary dialogue and modern relationships with literary prose in a way that worked really well. And the subject matter ... I don't know what it is lately, but I've been reading a lot of books about pain, and loss, and how that can tear families apart, or bring them closer together. This one is of the 'bring them closer together' variety, but in the most unconventional way. I sense a biblical influence here, and I don't mean just the direct references to church, and to God. (I don't want to say more, because that might give something away)
I also have to say that I'm really digging the device of having the present-day action occur over a very short period of time, but having the story unfolding through inner monologue and retrospectives. Done well, it gives a certain moodiness and melancholy to a novel that might otherwise be just boring, and maudlin if unfolding in real time. I think this author produced something that was neither boring nor maudlin, introducing us to rich, layered characters, exposed through the points of view of other rich, layered characters. My favorite was Eamon, as a portrayal of a man who earnestly, honestly just wanted to do the right thing for those he loved. I mourned his loss, dreading every page that got us closer to his death. And I loved Dalton, for his steadfastness to the idea of family, though he believed himself to have been deprived of one for much of his life.
This has been such a great year for books for me. I'm stoked to move on to the next one, whatever it may be. 'Whiskey & Ribbons' is one of those books to look forward to, if you haven't yet read it -- it made me excited at the talent that's out there, and hopeful about what's to come.
Highly recommended.
I also have to say that I'm really digging the device of having the present-day action occur over a very short period of time, but having the story unfolding through inner monologue and retrospectives. Done well, it gives a certain moodiness and melancholy to a novel that might otherwise be just boring, and maudlin if unfolding in real time. I think this author produced something that was neither boring nor maudlin, introducing us to rich, layered characters, exposed through the points of view of other rich, layered characters. My favorite was Eamon, as a portrayal of a man who earnestly, honestly just wanted to do the right thing for those he loved. I mourned his loss, dreading every page that got us closer to his death. And I loved Dalton, for his steadfastness to the idea of family, though he believed himself to have been deprived of one for much of his life.
This has been such a great year for books for me. I'm stoked to move on to the next one, whatever it may be. 'Whiskey & Ribbons' is one of those books to look forward to, if you haven't yet read it -- it made me excited at the talent that's out there, and hopeful about what's to come.
Highly recommended.
chrisiant's review against another edition
2.0
Read it on a train ride. Enh? It was enough to hold my attention but a little obvious at times, and one of the main character relationships was too much talking without any progress.
claraurorar2's review against another edition
4.0
The kind of writing that makes you jealous. Oh so beautifully written. I cried a bit too much but I cry a bit too much often and this is a crying book. And I mean that in a good way. The audiobook with 3 different voices really helped with the change of narrator and dates.
ksoanes's review against another edition
4.0
The story of the three main characters unravels slowly, alternating between each of their viewpoints, and differing timelines. The book explores grief, family, love, among other themes in a way that is not overly sentimental or contrived. I enjoyed the book.
heres_the_thing's review against another edition
4.0
WOW. This was an incredible, engrossing novel. It is a heartbreaking story of grief and love, in all its forms.
gmdudley4's review against another edition
4.0
I am deeply conflicted about this book. On one hand, this novel is an intimate tale of friendship, family, grief, and messy love. I loved that the story was told through three distinct characters and hinged on the death of a major character. However, I am thinking about how much more powerful the work could have been if it had focused on grief instead of making a "romance" between two of the characters. I was much more intrigued by Dalton's family background, Evi's grief and healing, and Eamon's excitement about fatherhood. But I guess that may have been a different book entirely. The story line was less convincing during the present-day scenes. It is a worthy debut novel and presents a compelling foundation. I would recommend it to a friend.
catladyjenna1's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
larrythelemon's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
kevinhendricks's review against another edition
4.0
A story of grief and love, exploring three interconnected lives after a husband is killed in the line of duty and his pregnant wife and best friend cope with the loss.