Reviews with content warning for Gun violence - We Are the Brennans

Another #12BooksRecommendedby12Friends book finished!

B̷R̷I̷N̷G̷ ✨ 𝗕𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪 ✨ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷

I wasn't really sure what to expect going into this; I had gotten We Are The Brennans from BOTM (Book of the Month) a while ago, and honestly other than the family having connections to (and/or living in) Ireland, I didn't remember much about the synopsis.

It's a book about family. The family you're born into, the family you choose, and the family you sometimes have to leave. It was a somewhat weird read, because while I didn't feel myself overly emotionally attached to any of the characters of the plotlines, I couldn't put the book down?

My favorite part of the book was the multiple POV narration, and especially the way the narrators switched off. Whichever character spoke last at the end of a chapter, their quote would be repeated at the beginning of the next chapter and the POV would switch to them. It had this really neat effect of having you follow the story throughout the book in a seamless and (almost interactive?) way that I really liked.

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go start planning yet another fantasy trip to Ireland because I have wanted to go since I was maybe 6 years old? And that was 30 years ago? Sigh.

Content Warnings

ifoundcallie's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

Content Warnings

tlvz721's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful mysterious tense 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

I definitely enjoyed this book. The plot and the character development were paced well and the story kept me guessing. It had a good story line and likable characters (except for two — you know who you are! — but they were necessary to carry the story forward.) I enjoyed the family dynamic and it was explanatory enough without being bogged down with unnecessary details, which I appreciate as a reader. I would recommend this book if you’re looking for a contemporary family with complex drama and a bit of mystery.

Content Warnings

caribbeangirlreading's review

Go to review page

mysterious fast-paced

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

2.0

Content Warnings

mbedrosian's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.75

Content Warnings

amspen's review against another edition

Go to review page

Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.75

Completely average book. Every common and cliché trope in the book. Sunday was a hot mess. Her family would say she was "strong" since she came home, but she had no character development that I saw. What was her excuse to drink herself to oblivion and get behind the wheel? The twists were predictable. I rolled my eyes so many times. I also hated their mother. Just a bunch of terrible, self-obsessed people who screw each other over constantly and never learn.

Content Warnings

More...