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michreadsmanybooks's review against another edition
5.0
Fixing Delilah is an amazing novel that centres on one of my favourite topics addressed in literature: family. Aside from loving well developed and three dimensional characters, one aspect I most enjoy is discovering the relationship that the characters share. I love knowing their story through and through, seeing their bond displayed firsthand or lack thereof. I love discovering why or how their relationship came to be in its current state and watching as the pieces either continue to unravel furthermore or slowly heal, mended back together for the first time or once again.
All of these traits and characteristics present themselves in Fixing Delilah as family and the inevitable secrets that come with it is one of the main focuses of this novel.
Character wise, I absolutely loved each and every one, flaws and all. Delilah had such a strong voice. From the first page I already had a very good grasp of who she was and what she was all about. I think that she was extremely realistic in everything she thought or did and just a fantastic protagonist through and through. I don't find myself disliking many protagonists when reading and usually am fond of and sympathize with the majority but not many of them stand out and command the same attention much like Delilah.
The supporting cast of characters were all very wonderful as well. You have sweet and adorable Patrick, Claire, Delilah's workaholic Mom as well as her eccentric aunt Rachel and so on. I loved the complex dynamic that each character shared with one another and how it was represented and addressed. The bond shared between characters was special and multifaceted regardless of being friendly, tumultuous, or somewhere in between. The Hannaford family is one filled with many secrets (like many families in real life) and I enjoyed uncovering all of the harboring details that many of the characters had tried to suppress and tackle on their own.
Aside from a great plot and remarkable characters, the physical writing in this book (which I'll call pen-to-paper, i.e., the words themselves) is beautiful. Sarah Ockler loves imagery and she definitely knows how to utilize it, showcasing it in its full potential. Much like her magnificent debut novel Twenty Boy Summer, I felt as if I were in Red Falls with Delilah and her family. Every aspect in Fixing Delilah was so vivid, so crystal clear in my mind that the majority of this novel played out in my head like a movie does onscreen.
Overall: You must read this book. It is beautifully constructed, filled with wonderful characters, realistic situations and moments that we can all relate to in some way or another. I think that Sarah Ockler writes some of the best contemporary YA, her books reminding me very much of the lovely Sarah Dessen. Both authors write in a similar style but overall for me, what I find so alike is the ways that their novels make me feel; inspired, happy, excited and like anything is possible.
All of these traits and characteristics present themselves in Fixing Delilah as family and the inevitable secrets that come with it is one of the main focuses of this novel.
Character wise, I absolutely loved each and every one, flaws and all. Delilah had such a strong voice. From the first page I already had a very good grasp of who she was and what she was all about. I think that she was extremely realistic in everything she thought or did and just a fantastic protagonist through and through. I don't find myself disliking many protagonists when reading and usually am fond of and sympathize with the majority but not many of them stand out and command the same attention much like Delilah.
The supporting cast of characters were all very wonderful as well. You have sweet and adorable Patrick, Claire, Delilah's workaholic Mom as well as her eccentric aunt Rachel and so on. I loved the complex dynamic that each character shared with one another and how it was represented and addressed. The bond shared between characters was special and multifaceted regardless of being friendly, tumultuous, or somewhere in between. The Hannaford family is one filled with many secrets (like many families in real life) and I enjoyed uncovering all of the harboring details that many of the characters had tried to suppress and tackle on their own.
Aside from a great plot and remarkable characters, the physical writing in this book (which I'll call pen-to-paper, i.e., the words themselves) is beautiful. Sarah Ockler loves imagery and she definitely knows how to utilize it, showcasing it in its full potential. Much like her magnificent debut novel Twenty Boy Summer, I felt as if I were in Red Falls with Delilah and her family. Every aspect in Fixing Delilah was so vivid, so crystal clear in my mind that the majority of this novel played out in my head like a movie does onscreen.
Overall: You must read this book. It is beautifully constructed, filled with wonderful characters, realistic situations and moments that we can all relate to in some way or another. I think that Sarah Ockler writes some of the best contemporary YA, her books reminding me very much of the lovely Sarah Dessen. Both authors write in a similar style but overall for me, what I find so alike is the ways that their novels make me feel; inspired, happy, excited and like anything is possible.
black0star's review against another edition
3.0
I was really annoyed with this book. It had way too much drama for my liking.
Delilah was so immature and ungrateful and cruel. I don’t see what Patrick likes about her. I was really disappointed when she didn’t confess her strong feelings for him. Instead HE made the first move again when she was running away. Like wtf is wrong with you! And when he says that he means what he said at the lake about being in love with her, she responds with “I believe you.” Um what?! I feel sorry for the guy.
I’m surprised at all the glowing 4 star reviews. I didn’t care much for this book.
Delilah was so immature and ungrateful and cruel. I don’t see what Patrick likes about her. I was really disappointed when she didn’t confess her strong feelings for him. Instead HE made the first move again when she was running away. Like wtf is wrong with you! And when he says that he means what he said at the lake about being in love with her, she responds with “I believe you.” Um what?! I feel sorry for the guy.
I’m surprised at all the glowing 4 star reviews. I didn’t care much for this book.
khairun_atika's review against another edition
3.0
This story encapsulates the themes I enjoy reading about in YA novels. It is a coming of age story, with a focus on family relationships, mother-daughter dynamics, grief and forbidden love. Delilah Hannaford returns to her mother's childhood home upon the demise of her grandmother, and learns about her family's history. Secrets are revealed, and what Delilah discovers differs from what she had spent her whole life thinking and knowing. Delilah herself is filled with so many doubts and insecurities, with how her reputation had spiralled because of some mistakes. Delilah struggles in her relationship with her mother, which strains further as the family's secrets are unearthed. This is also a story about moving on and letting go - about not letting the past affect our desires for the future.
kricketa's review against another edition
4.0
there's a lot going on, but for the most part this was a sweet, fun romance. kind of weird reading it right on the heels of "saving june" since there are a lot of similarities. will review more after book club!
lumos_libros's review against another edition
4.0
I love to read about things that I can relate to because I feel like it's someone validating my experience in life. I guess I had the urge to read something like this. Though this really doesn't relate to my personal experience I know it will speak some truth to others who had to grow up without a father or mother, and have to figure out why things have to be always so hard?
Delilah has hit a pretty sucky time in her life. Her mom is always working and doesn't seem to have time to answer Delilah's questions. As of late her grades are slipping, she has a "non-boyfriend", she no longer has any real friends, and to boot she accidentally stole some lipstick. Needless to say her life at the moment doesn't feel magical. Her summer plans change drastically when her mother announces that her grandmother just died and that they are going to spend the summer in Vermont. They haven't been there for eight years and there are some skeletons in the closet to deal with when they get there.
I absolutely adored all the characters. I felt like I was there with them, and that they were showing their true selves to me. I can feel Delilah's frustration at her mom for keeping secrets. The dynamic between her mom and aunt was pitch perfect. Not a perfect relationship, and one with lots of tension but that's how real relationships are like. They are broken but try to build back bridges while they are in the home where they grew up together. There were so many things involved in this story, but I want to keep quiet and promote to read this book. Though I could guess what the secret was, it is a juicy one and the real foundation of the book is Delilah's life changing summer. Delilah learns about her heritage, her family, and how to fall in love.
The last couple of weeks have been kind of hectic for me. Nothing bad, just busy and I was thinking of how I didn't have enough time to read and wondered why it was so important to me. I never thought I read to escape, but in a sense that rings true. For a little while I want to read about someone else's struggles and problems. I want to root for somebody else, and see things from a perspective other than my own. This book definitely offered that and that's a mark of excellent storytelling.
Delilah has hit a pretty sucky time in her life. Her mom is always working and doesn't seem to have time to answer Delilah's questions. As of late her grades are slipping, she has a "non-boyfriend", she no longer has any real friends, and to boot she accidentally stole some lipstick. Needless to say her life at the moment doesn't feel magical. Her summer plans change drastically when her mother announces that her grandmother just died and that they are going to spend the summer in Vermont. They haven't been there for eight years and there are some skeletons in the closet to deal with when they get there.
I absolutely adored all the characters. I felt like I was there with them, and that they were showing their true selves to me. I can feel Delilah's frustration at her mom for keeping secrets. The dynamic between her mom and aunt was pitch perfect. Not a perfect relationship, and one with lots of tension but that's how real relationships are like. They are broken but try to build back bridges while they are in the home where they grew up together. There were so many things involved in this story, but I want to keep quiet and promote to read this book. Though I could guess what the secret was, it is a juicy one and the real foundation of the book is Delilah's life changing summer. Delilah learns about her heritage, her family, and how to fall in love.
The last couple of weeks have been kind of hectic for me. Nothing bad, just busy and I was thinking of how I didn't have enough time to read and wondered why it was so important to me. I never thought I read to escape, but in a sense that rings true. For a little while I want to read about someone else's struggles and problems. I want to root for somebody else, and see things from a perspective other than my own. This book definitely offered that and that's a mark of excellent storytelling.
jerrica's review against another edition
4.0
Another one in Brianna's Book Club. Very enjoyable read, loved the writing style, could've used a little less predictable plot.
willablaise's review against another edition
5.0
I loved Fixing Delilah. It surprised me in every way possible, and the described the problems that families run into, and the ones that split them apart.
michelle_pink_polka_dot's review against another edition
4.0
Definitely a Contemporary Romance fan's dream book.
This book had total Sarah Dessen-vibes. Delilah felt so much like a Dessen main girl-- strained parental relationship (check!), slightly rebellious behavior (check!), touristy location setting (check!), super swoony/patient to a fault boy (check!). And I mean all of that as a compliment because Sarah Dessen creates stories that you can just sink into and become completely immersed, and this book was very much like that.
Drawbacks: I didn't LOVE Delilah. She had a tendency to be self-centered and make everything about her. It was like Patrick (the boy) and Emily (the friend) weren't allowed to have lives and problems because she was GOING THROUGH SOMETHING. There was also a lot of that kind of drama where if the characters just said 5 words, the misunderstandings wouldn't have happened-- and I tire of that. TALK PEOPLE, TALK!! USE YOUR WORDS!
In the end, I'm glad I read this, and I had a nice feeling reading it. It was like going home after I've been away for a while because books like these are my roots. I will always want to come back to stories that suck me in and aren't super plot driven. I will always want to read books that combine family and growing up. And you should too!!
OVERALL: It was so nice to read a Sarah Ockler book after so long!! This was one I had been meaning to read for years, and I'm glad I finally got to it. It had major Sarah Dessen-vibes radiating, but that's not a bad thing!! I liked getting immersed in the setting and characters, but I wished I liked Delilah just a tad more.
My Blog:
Pink Polka Dot Books
This book had total Sarah Dessen-vibes. Delilah felt so much like a Dessen main girl-- strained parental relationship (check!), slightly rebellious behavior (check!), touristy location setting (check!), super swoony/patient to a fault boy (check!). And I mean all of that as a compliment because Sarah Dessen creates stories that you can just sink into and become completely immersed, and this book was very much like that.
Drawbacks: I didn't LOVE Delilah. She had a tendency to be self-centered and make everything about her. It was like Patrick (the boy) and Emily (the friend) weren't allowed to have lives and problems because she was GOING THROUGH SOMETHING. There was also a lot of that kind of drama where if the characters just said 5 words, the misunderstandings wouldn't have happened-- and I tire of that. TALK PEOPLE, TALK!! USE YOUR WORDS!
In the end, I'm glad I read this, and I had a nice feeling reading it. It was like going home after I've been away for a while because books like these are my roots. I will always want to come back to stories that suck me in and aren't super plot driven. I will always want to read books that combine family and growing up. And you should too!!
OVERALL: It was so nice to read a Sarah Ockler book after so long!! This was one I had been meaning to read for years, and I'm glad I finally got to it. It had major Sarah Dessen-vibes radiating, but that's not a bad thing!! I liked getting immersed in the setting and characters, but I wished I liked Delilah just a tad more.
My Blog:
Pink Polka Dot Books
nykare's review against another edition
4.0
What a drama :)
But I like it... I am from drama family, that's why I could easily relate with the story.
I don't have any major comments... I liked few quotes, I liked the romance, and I felt the book. That's it. Recommend.
But I like it... I am from drama family, that's why I could easily relate with the story.
I don't have any major comments... I liked few quotes, I liked the romance, and I felt the book. That's it. Recommend.