Reviews

Free Love by Tessa Hadley

beachburgmom's review against another edition

3.0

An interesting story about the 1960’s movement to sexual exploration and changes in political and social views. Phyllis who paints the picture of a perfect housewife decides after having a young houseguest to dinner and an impromptu kiss to leave her family and life style to become his lover. The story follows the struggle of her children, her much younger lover, her husband, his past discretions and a change in the world through the 60’s sexual revolution.
I found the story to be over descriptive at times and dragging at points …….I was pleasantly surprised with the twist . Overall it was a good read just not for me a great read. That being said I would still recommend it to a friend or book club. It would be a great book to discuss.
I received a free copy from NetGalley, all opinions are my own

becky_bo0p's review against another edition

emotional inspiring reflective slow-paced

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

5.0

giulss__'s review against another edition

lighthearted reflective medium-paced

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

4.25

syndierella's review against another edition

adventurous lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

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

4.0

lizbren05's review against another edition

reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

debi_g's review against another edition

The spirit of this book is similar to the 1999 Diane Lane /Viggo Mortenson movie A Walk on the Moon.

There certainly are elements common to other works by Hadley, yet I was surprised by some of the secrets characters held and choices they made.

kathryn14's review against another edition

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

1.0

Inner monologue whilst reading:
"dull dull dull dull dull oh. Does that mean that he's ... EW. dull dull. Thank goodness that's over."

1/10 - I feel even this is generous; I literally fell asleep whilst reading it. Twice.

kelbi's review against another edition

5.0

I really loved this book. Engrossing. Interesting subject. Also great evocation of the late ‘60s

bbboeken's review

2.0

From the blurb this sounded interesting --or else I wouldn't have bought the book to begin with: "one woman's sexual and intellectual awakening in 1960s London". There isn't much of the latter though. The story comes across as tedious and dull, and the plot is really contrived and seems to have gotten its inspiration from an improbable soap or telenovela. It's really just a woman having a midlife crisis, rather than an(y) awakening.
This was my first Hadley, and I won't be reaching for another one anytime soon I'm afraid.

noahd's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

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

4.0