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4.09 AVERAGE
4.09 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
This was a quick read and it was sweet. Grief and loss can be a hard thing to write about, so I appreciated a book that was fully about that from start to finish. I didn’t love the main character and I also didn’t love the writing style. It was like she was using too many phrases that belong in parentheses without using the actual parentheses. I just didn’t like the constant asides and exclamation points. I was emotional at the end. It’s probably worth the read, but not one of the first ones I would suggest if someone was asking me for book recommendations.
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
maybe more like a 3.5?
I feel very torn about this book. I started it a couple times and just couldn't continue it because I found it a bit too... bland? But then I pushed through it because I liked the idea of it, reading about grief and the life lessons of losing your best friend, but it just lacked... a lot.
I read a review on GoodReads about this that said this book was more about "a self absorbed woman going through a mid life crisis who also happens to be caring for her friend in hospice", and that couldn't have been defined it better for em. Everything was just about her, even the sentimental and emotional moments that should have beeen given to her friend who is losing her life to cancer. I ended up highlighting quotes in this book in both yellow and red – yellow for quotes I enjoyed and thought were beautifully put (I have 5 of those), and red for sentences that were so self-absorbed that made me cringe (I have 20+ of those).
Halfway through the book I did understand the point though – the idea that losing someone is about yourself in the end too. And most people, if not all, think more about the effect that loss is gonna have in ourselves, than the actual problems the person is feeling directly. So I see where this story is coming from, and I do like the way it was portrayed (if the character was meant to be that insufferable). There was absolutely no character growth on Ash's part at all though, so that just made me hate her (and the book) even more.
Overall, though, the story was just plain boring? I think it was lacking a linear storyline, and I just couldn't get attached to a lot of the characters. It also introduced way too much content in way too random of a way (like Edi's dad appearing like 70% into the book??). Wouldn't reread it but it was a little quick story about grief, kinda forgettable tbh
I feel very torn about this book. I started it a couple times and just couldn't continue it because I found it a bit too... bland? But then I pushed through it because I liked the idea of it, reading about grief and the life lessons of losing your best friend, but it just lacked... a lot.
I read a review on GoodReads about this that said this book was more about "a self absorbed woman going through a mid life crisis who also happens to be caring for her friend in hospice", and that couldn't have been defined it better for em. Everything was just about her, even the sentimental and emotional moments that should have beeen given to her friend who is losing her life to cancer. I ended up highlighting quotes in this book in both yellow and red – yellow for quotes I enjoyed and thought were beautifully put (I have 5 of those), and red for sentences that were so self-absorbed that made me cringe (I have 20+ of those).
Halfway through the book I did understand the point though – the idea that losing someone is about yourself in the end too. And most people, if not all, think more about the effect that loss is gonna have in ourselves, than the actual problems the person is feeling directly. So I see where this story is coming from, and I do like the way it was portrayed (if the character was meant to be that insufferable). There was absolutely no character growth on Ash's part at all though, so that just made me hate her (and the book) even more.
Overall, though, the story was just plain boring? I think it was lacking a linear storyline, and I just couldn't get attached to a lot of the characters. It also introduced way too much content in way too random of a way (like Edi's dad appearing like 70% into the book??). Wouldn't reread it but it was a little quick story about grief, kinda forgettable tbh
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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:
Yes
emotional
funny
reflective
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
emotional
sad
emotional
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
TW: cancer, death, grief, caregiving for a sick loved one(seems like a silly trigger until you have to do it and a book brings up all the feels)
This story was so beautiful and incredibly sad. It’s been extremely thought provoking and such a quick read.
This story was so beautiful and incredibly sad. It’s been extremely thought provoking and such a quick read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Grief
emotional
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:
Yes
This book so beautifully encapsulates grief, and I am a mess for it