Scan barcode
laurenellen's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
caseyreadsalotofbooks's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
blina7341's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Even though Melanie going back to her husband makes sense (character-wise) I still hated it. How do you trust someone after that? Not just the affair, but the reason he went back? Was it for her or the pregnancy? I think I’m more upset because Josh ended up loving their little family and I didn’t like him being cast aside. Peter behaved like an asshole.
Brenda annoyed me the most and it felt like things were just too easy for her, I’d rather Melanie got the ‘happy ending’ than Brenda.
Im not sure what the point was of Didi’s storyline, unless it was a way to highlight Josh’s need for affection and love? Everytime it came up it felt random.
All in all, it was my first book by Elin Hilderbrand and I liked it.
Brenda annoyed me the most and it felt like things were just too easy for her, I’d rather Melanie got the ‘happy ending’ than Brenda.
Im not sure what the point was of Didi’s storyline, unless it was a way to highlight Josh’s need for affection and love? Everytime it came up it felt random.
All in all, it was my first book by Elin Hilderbrand and I liked it.
leanneland's review against another edition
5.0
I really loved this book. The main characters all come from varied backgrounds and points in life. I found myself really curious about what happened to everyone and couldn't wait to continue reading. I appreciate the recommendation from Elin to read this one first! :)
niledhelwen's review against another edition
2.0
This is advertised as a "fun summer read" but from cover to cover it is dark and grim at best.
daydaybookbay's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
relaxing
sad
slow-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
2.25
I rated this book a 4.5 out of 10. Although not quite for me, this is not a bad story. It was slow and seemed drug out in Brenda's POV but rushed in other's. I feel like I must not be the target audience.
I found it difficult to keep the momentum going. I think this is mainly due to the fact there are no chapters; there is separation into three parts (June, July, and August) that also seemed to be random. I couldn't seem to find a good place to leave off, so I would just stop wherever.
I didn't find any of the characters particularly likeable. There was not anything that stood out as a memorable or unique character trait for anyone either. They were basic people with basic problems that were over dramatized by the characters themselves.
When Melanie started obsessing over Josh... I knew it was about to get ridiculous. If he would've made his way around and slept with Brenda too, I would've threw the book out. I thought I was going to have to.
I never felt great about Melanie and Josh's relationship. It's all hormonal, lustful, and pain driven. Melanie wants to feel wanted because her husband made her feel less. Josh is a collage student with sex on the brain regardless of who. But... we are supposed to root for them? No
But for Melanie to go back to her bs husband though... gross.
I don't know if it's because I'm younger, but the whole idea of Josh being treated like a child is ridiculous. Josh is 22 years old and shows maturity. The only immature piece I remember is when he claimed he would physically attack Paul.
There was this constant push of the women being so much older and ancient compared to Josh... really? She's 30. Trust me, most 30 year olds don't have life figured out much more than 22 year olds. An example in the book even: Walsh is a 31 year old college sophomore who could've been kick out of college for sleeping with his professor! But okay, sure.
I found it difficult to keep the momentum going. I think this is mainly due to the fact there are no chapters; there is separation into three parts (June, July, and August) that also seemed to be random. I couldn't seem to find a good place to leave off, so I would just stop wherever.
I didn't find any of the characters particularly likeable. There was not anything that stood out as a memorable or unique character trait for anyone either. They were basic people with basic problems that were over dramatized by the characters themselves.
When Melanie started obsessing over Josh... I knew it was about to get ridiculous. If he would've made his way around and slept with Brenda too, I would've threw the book out. I thought I was going to have to.
I never felt great about Melanie and Josh's relationship. It's all hormonal, lustful, and pain driven. Melanie wants to feel wanted because her husband made her feel less. Josh is a collage student with sex on the brain regardless of who. But... we are supposed to root for them? No
But for Melanie to go back to her bs husband though... gross.
I don't know if it's because I'm younger, but the whole idea of Josh being treated like a child is ridiculous. Josh is 22 years old and shows maturity. The only immature piece I remember is when he
There was this constant push of the women being so much older and ancient compared to Josh... really? She's 30. Trust me, most 30 year olds don't have life figured out much more than 22 year olds. An example in the book even: Walsh
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Infidelity, Cancer, and Pregnancy
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Abandonment, Car accident, Chronic illness, Death, Infertility, Terminal illness, Medical content, Miscarriage, Cursing, Drug abuse, Addiction, Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Stalking, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Abortion, Fire/Fire injury, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Alcohol, and Death of parent
calliemish90's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
eajohnson's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
karinlib's review against another edition
2.5 stars. I didn't rate this. I don't want to keep other people from reading this book, just because it wasn't for me. I was hoping for something different, and I really found the characters to be unlikeable.