You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.37 AVERAGE
3.37 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Such an annoying book, not even a fun summer read, you will want to throw the book across the room when she goes on so many dates with a man she hates and complains about all the time! Not worth the time.
I’m actually quite annoyed about this.
As an absolute JW stan from when I was younger, this book had such potential to do the characters justice but it did nothing of the sort. It’s as if nothing happened between the end of the original books and the start of this one? JW aged them all by about 20 years, stuck a YA pregnancy in there and called it a day. I found some of the original characters quite insufferable and we definitely didn’t get enough of the RIGHT characters.
The writing has not seemed to have evolved at all with the writer’s audience, the addition of more mature themes being the only factor that can classify this as an adult novel. I predicted the entire plot arc from the beginning which obviously wasn’t ideal.
Two stars are for (1) Alice being a legend and (2) the African elephants.
Sad :(
As an absolute JW stan from when I was younger, this book had such potential to do the characters justice but it did nothing of the sort. It’s as if nothing happened between the end of the original books and the start of this one? JW aged them all by about 20 years, stuck a YA pregnancy in there and called it a day. I found some of the original characters quite insufferable and we definitely didn’t get enough of the RIGHT characters.
The writing has not seemed to have evolved at all with the writer’s audience, the addition of more mature themes being the only factor that can classify this as an adult novel. I predicted the entire plot arc from the beginning which obviously wasn’t ideal.
Two stars are for (1) Alice being a legend and (2) the African elephants.
Sad :(
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Started off as warm and nostalgic as reminded me of the books I read by Jacqueline Wilson as a kid, and I related to the book emotionally. However, the momentum in the book was slow which ultimately let it down for me.
I connected with the main character more than I expected, especially her emotional reactions. Jacqueline Wilson’s writing is both comforting and readable, and for a while I couldn’t put the book down.
But as the story went on, it started to feel repetitive and directionless. While I appreciate a quiet, character-driven book, this one lacked the development and depth I was hoping for. Some conversations also felt a bit outdated. Writing was slow overall, especially from the halfway point.
The ending I had predicted from the start, and I much prefer a book that keeps me guessing throughout. The thoughts you think are going to happen right at the start at the book, ultimately happens.
I think there was a lot of opportunity for different avenues for this book to be taken. Ultimately, I felt the ending was quite “safe”.
Overall, a cosy read, just not one that I would choose to reread.
I connected with the main character more than I expected, especially her emotional reactions. Jacqueline Wilson’s writing is both comforting and readable, and for a while I couldn’t put the book down.
But as the story went on, it started to feel repetitive and directionless. While I appreciate a quiet, character-driven book, this one lacked the development and depth I was hoping for. Some conversations also felt a bit outdated. Writing was slow overall, especially from the halfway point.
The ending I had predicted from the start, and I much prefer a book that keeps me guessing throughout. The thoughts you think are going to happen right at the start at the book, ultimately happens.
I think there was a lot of opportunity for different avenues for this book to be taken. Ultimately, I felt the ending was quite “safe”.
Overall, a cosy read, just not one that I would choose to reread.
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It was such a pleasure to rejoin the world of Ellie, Nadine and Magda after so many years. Picking up this book felt comforting and like wearing an old favourite jumper in winter. It was written in the style that only Jacqueline knows how, and I liked it a lot. I'm very glad I read it.
That being said, the story and writing just needed a bit more. It was like Ellie was still a teenager, and not a 40 year old woman. I wish there was more about Lottie, about how her friendship with Nadine and Magda had evolved over the years - they still spoke to each other like gossipy teenage girls and I think it just needed some more depth. The Girls series was one of my favourites growing up and I think the girls themselves just deserved a little bit more.
That being said, the story and writing just needed a bit more. It was like Ellie was still a teenager, and not a 40 year old woman. I wish there was more about Lottie, about how her friendship with Nadine and Magda had evolved over the years - they still spoke to each other like gossipy teenage girls and I think it just needed some more depth. The Girls series was one of my favourites growing up and I think the girls themselves just deserved a little bit more.
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
tense
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
lighthearted
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated