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lauren_rosenbaum's review
4.0
Tiffanie DeBartolo KNOWS how to write a good book
Whilst Sorrow didn’t pierce my heart the same way HTKARS did, I absolutely fell in love with the characters, the setting, and the story. October as a character was wonderfully written.
This was a real-life story, with all of life’s complexities and difficult decisions. I remember thinking, I genuinely don’t know what I would’ve done if I was in Joe’s position. He really didn’t have it easy and I felt how lonely he was. It’s easy to push people away when you’re used to being lonely - at least then it’s your choice.
This is more than a love story, it’s a story about friendship, acceptance, and taking risks you’re unsure about because you don’t know what will happen.
*Also we stan the Tiffanie DeBartolo cinematic universe, giggled when I read Loring Blackman showed up
Whilst Sorrow didn’t pierce my heart the same way HTKARS did, I absolutely fell in love with the characters, the setting, and the story. October as a character was wonderfully written.
This was a real-life story, with all of life’s complexities and difficult decisions. I remember thinking, I genuinely don’t know what I would’ve done if I was in Joe’s position. He really didn’t have it easy and I felt how lonely he was. It’s easy to push people away when you’re used to being lonely - at least then it’s your choice.
This is more than a love story, it’s a story about friendship, acceptance, and taking risks you’re unsure about because you don’t know what will happen.
*Also we stan the Tiffanie DeBartolo cinematic universe, giggled when I read Loring Blackman showed up
simplyxkate's review
5.0
I have been waiting for Tiffanie DeBartolo's next book for YEARS. When I saw Sorrow under "Read Now" on NetGalley, I screamed, downloaded it ASAP, and then left it sit for days because I was so afraid to start it for fear that it wouldn't live up to the masterpieces that are HTKARS and God-Shaped Hole. Spoiler alert: I didn't need to be worried.
Joe Harper is a perpetual floater through life. He doesn't take chances. When things get too tough, he runs. After isolating himself from his family and friends, he takes a job with eccentric artist October Danko. As an empath, October immediately senses that Joe is holding back. She is inexplicably drawn to him and for the first time in his life, Joe wants to be brave and sees the possibility of a full life with October. Enter plot twist, which leaves Joe with a tough choice to make.
Sorrow is not your typical love story wrapped in pretty paper with a bow on top. Love often hurts and Tiffanie doesn't shy away from that in this book. What I also enjoyed about this story and about Tiffanie DeBartolo in general is that her books focus on so much more than just romantic love. Sorrow touches on the love of self, love between friends, the love of music and art and nature.
I always come away from a Tiffanie DeBartolo book feeling restored, like I just had a great chat with a friend I haven't seen in a while. I waited so long for Sorrow and now that I've read it, I can't wait to read it again.
Thank you to NetGalley and Woodhall Press for providing an ARC in exchange for a review.
Joe Harper is a perpetual floater through life. He doesn't take chances. When things get too tough, he runs. After isolating himself from his family and friends, he takes a job with eccentric artist October Danko. As an empath, October immediately senses that Joe is holding back. She is inexplicably drawn to him and for the first time in his life, Joe wants to be brave and sees the possibility of a full life with October. Enter plot twist, which leaves Joe with a tough choice to make.
Sorrow is not your typical love story wrapped in pretty paper with a bow on top. Love often hurts and Tiffanie doesn't shy away from that in this book. What I also enjoyed about this story and about Tiffanie DeBartolo in general is that her books focus on so much more than just romantic love. Sorrow touches on the love of self, love between friends, the love of music and art and nature.
I always come away from a Tiffanie DeBartolo book feeling restored, like I just had a great chat with a friend I haven't seen in a while. I waited so long for Sorrow and now that I've read it, I can't wait to read it again.
Thank you to NetGalley and Woodhall Press for providing an ARC in exchange for a review.
ladywestfall's review
3.0
I'll always be inlove with Tiffanie DeBartolo's writing. She writes with soul. No doubt. But "Sorrow" was kind of a let down for me just because I couldn't root for the protagonist, Joe. I was even thinking he didn't deserve October. The plot was a so-so. It felt like a standard romance. A bit draggy. The only unique thing about this though was how uniquely and well written the whole story was. The emotions on this book.
noodal's review
5.0
I have no real comments other than I loved this book a lot and it is easily my favorite of 2020.
amor_fati's review against another edition
5.0
The moment I finished this book tears filled my eyes. This book is art in itself. Creating art. Becoming art. Breathing art.
When I opened this book and began, I knew little of Joe and October and of the trees, what I didn’t expect, but truly knew was going to happen for my soul to become part of this book. Tiffanie has this was to pull you in; with how the character speaks to you in this book, how Joe tells you his story, his faults and weaknesses it’s speaks directly to you and you feel it all. You feel the pull when October sees him. You feel the pull when you meet Cal.
This book takes you on this journey into a heart of man who belongs amongst the trees but fights what he wants over doubt. It’s feelings we can all relate to in one form of another. This is a journey of discovery. It’s about seeing connection is this pull we might not even know is happening all around us.
Tiffanie once again has given us this brilliant masterpiece, this book will stay within me forever.
When I opened this book and began, I knew little of Joe and October and of the trees, what I didn’t expect, but truly knew was going to happen for my soul to become part of this book. Tiffanie has this was to pull you in; with how the character speaks to you in this book, how Joe tells you his story, his faults and weaknesses it’s speaks directly to you and you feel it all. You feel the pull when October sees him. You feel the pull when you meet Cal.
This book takes you on this journey into a heart of man who belongs amongst the trees but fights what he wants over doubt. It’s feelings we can all relate to in one form of another. This is a journey of discovery. It’s about seeing connection is this pull we might not even know is happening all around us.
Tiffanie once again has given us this brilliant masterpiece, this book will stay within me forever.
krissyy11's review
5.0
This book!!! Tiffanie’s writing is mesmerizing. I fell in love with the characters and their flaws.
sromero0528's review against another edition
5.0
Wow
I don’t have the right words for this book review. This book is powerful and healing. It’s hard and hurts but it’s hopeful and it heals. I would give it 100 stars and recommend it a million times! A definite must read!!!
I don’t have the right words for this book review. This book is powerful and healing. It’s hard and hurts but it’s hopeful and it heals. I would give it 100 stars and recommend it a million times! A definite must read!!!
keflavin1's review
3.0
Slow-moving and predictable, but the main character October was original and intriguing.
carleneinspired's review
5.0
Find this review and others at Carlene Inspired.
I have tried to write this review several times, but I don't know how to put in words what this book meant to me. As a reader, it's a relatable story of love, loss, and life's lessons. As a human, it's a book about humanity, the art of living, and going after what you want in spite of it all. It's not even fair to call this just a romance, when Sorrow is so much more and it is apparent that Tiffanie DeBartolo put so much into it. Poignant, difficult, beautiful...there are so many words that can describe this read. It's not the rainbow and butterflies sort of love story with a tiny bit of drama the characters get through. This is main character Joe's story of life and letdowns and how they compiled into several losses that feel so great. It's the story of a man blowing like a leaf in the wind, unable to form roots like the tree he loves.
Joe isn't immediately likeable, but then again, a lot of people aren't when you peel back the layers. Joe Harper is real, his story is authentic, and in all its messiness, Sorrow is a work of art that I could not put down. Like God-Shaped Hole, Sorrow is existential literature, with Tiffanie DeBartolo's words taking Joe on a journey to figure out who he really is and what he's alive for. It's the kind of book you just have to pick up and start reading, you won't be let down.
ARC provided.
I have tried to write this review several times, but I don't know how to put in words what this book meant to me. As a reader, it's a relatable story of love, loss, and life's lessons. As a human, it's a book about humanity, the art of living, and going after what you want in spite of it all. It's not even fair to call this just a romance, when Sorrow is so much more and it is apparent that Tiffanie DeBartolo put so much into it. Poignant, difficult, beautiful...there are so many words that can describe this read. It's not the rainbow and butterflies sort of love story with a tiny bit of drama the characters get through. This is main character Joe's story of life and letdowns and how they compiled into several losses that feel so great. It's the story of a man blowing like a leaf in the wind, unable to form roots like the tree he loves.
Joe isn't immediately likeable, but then again, a lot of people aren't when you peel back the layers. Joe Harper is real, his story is authentic, and in all its messiness, Sorrow is a work of art that I could not put down. Like God-Shaped Hole, Sorrow is existential literature, with Tiffanie DeBartolo's words taking Joe on a journey to figure out who he really is and what he's alive for. It's the kind of book you just have to pick up and start reading, you won't be let down.
ARC provided.