Reviews

Late Bloomers by Deepa Varadarajan

ninawilson49's review

hopeful medium-paced

3.25

hawley's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful medium-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

4.0

melissaw12's review against another edition

funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

triplebriiii's review against another edition

I can see how this book can be for some people but it was not for me. I either need to like my MCs (or even the side characters) or the book needs some sufficient plot that is not solely character driven to hold my attention. 

Every single one of these characters is insufferable in one way or the other (though the daughter is the fucking worst). I stuck it out until I got to the son's POV bc I was like "maybe I'll like him! maybe he's secretly gay and his wife is a beard that's what the mystery about his relationship is about" but sadly no

he's just unhappy with his marriage and reminiscing about a former relationship 🙄🙄🙄

.

Parts of this are interesting, and I can definitely see how folks can connect with this one, but like I said, not for me. I deal with conservative, judgemental, and hypocritical people enough in my real life I don't need to read about them in a litfic context. 

Also the fact that one of the, supposedly likeable, side characters literally called another character a "balding fatty" and that was treated as just, okay and acceptable????????? (and also not even the only instance of fatphobia in this book and I only made it 21% in..................................)

jenamlani's review

funny inspiring lighthearted 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

sheenarani17's review

emotional funny hopeful reflective

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

rebeccap's review

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

3.0

isabellabaker's review

lighthearted fast-paced

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

3.25

novelvisits's review

2.0

Thanks to #randomhousetrade for an ARC of #LateBloomers.⁣⁣⁣ 2.5 stars

I really dislike when it feels like I’m doing a takedown of a book, especially by a debut author, but sometimes it just can’t be helped.

micklesreads's review against another edition

emotional funny reflective medium-paced

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

3.5

There were moments of humor and love here for sure. There are some pacing issues, though, and some of these characters were really hard to root for. I honestly would have loved this if it was just Lata's story; as a character, she felt the most whole and complex. Having the perspective rotate between the four family members made them all feel underdeveloped, but this wasn't bad overall.