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leahsbooks's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to libro.fm for providing me with an ALC of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
I honestly wasn't sure what to expect from this relatively short audiobook from an author I've never read anything by, but I definitely was blindsided by the way that this story made me laugh, as well as how the characters stole my heart, especially in such a short period of time.
Laurie is a young woman, working and enjoying her last summer before college, when a lot of things change how she views the world. Her mother works collecting fees at a parking garage, while instilling a love of books in Laurie. Her father works as a mechanic, and Laurie frequents the garage, since her car is often in need of maintenance. In addition to working part-time at a local bakery, Laurie has taken on caring for a neighbor's foul-mouthed and difficult child, Cindy, and teaching her the joys of learning how to use her imagination. Then Laurie gets a job at a restaurant, and things in her life start to change, slowly at first, then quickly.
As Laurie begins a romance with a young man named Roman who is studying to be a veterinarian, she begins to see class differences between Roman and herself, and seeing everything through a new set of eyes. And while it's true that some maintenance is often required for her car, she starts to realize that maintenance isn't only for cars, but is often needed for people and relationships as well, especially when her loved ones and relationships close to her start to break down as well, whether it is due to class differences, health issues, family problems, or something else entirely.
The author uses humor perfectly in this story, but at the same time addresses more serious issues, such as death, child neglect, class issues within society, finances, the pressure that young adults face, and stress. This is the kind of book that will definitely sit with me for far longer than the 5.5 hours it took me to listen to it, and I can easily see myself returning to it again and again. Special shout out to Hillary Huber for doing such a beautiful job with narrating this wonderful story.
I honestly wasn't sure what to expect from this relatively short audiobook from an author I've never read anything by, but I definitely was blindsided by the way that this story made me laugh, as well as how the characters stole my heart, especially in such a short period of time.
Laurie is a young woman, working and enjoying her last summer before college, when a lot of things change how she views the world. Her mother works collecting fees at a parking garage, while instilling a love of books in Laurie. Her father works as a mechanic, and Laurie frequents the garage, since her car is often in need of maintenance. In addition to working part-time at a local bakery, Laurie has taken on caring for a neighbor's foul-mouthed and difficult child, Cindy, and teaching her the joys of learning how to use her imagination. Then Laurie gets a job at a restaurant, and things in her life start to change, slowly at first, then quickly.
As Laurie begins a romance with a young man named Roman who is studying to be a veterinarian, she begins to see class differences between Roman and herself, and seeing everything through a new set of eyes. And while it's true that some maintenance is often required for her car, she starts to realize that maintenance isn't only for cars, but is often needed for people and relationships as well, especially when her loved ones and relationships close to her start to break down as well, whether it is due to class differences, health issues, family problems, or something else entirely.
The author uses humor perfectly in this story, but at the same time addresses more serious issues, such as death, child neglect, class issues within society, finances, the pressure that young adults face, and stress. This is the kind of book that will definitely sit with me for far longer than the 5.5 hours it took me to listen to it, and I can easily see myself returning to it again and again. Special shout out to Hillary Huber for doing such a beautiful job with narrating this wonderful story.
kelly_e's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Title: Some Maintenance Required
Author: Marie-Renée Lavoie
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 2.75
Pub Date: July 5, 2022
T H R E E • W O R D S
Tender • Mundane • Quirky
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Laurie is in her last year of high school, working part time at a restaurant, while also looking after Cindy, her neglected potty-mouthed little neighbour. Her father works at a garage, where a budding romance changes Laurie's understanding of class difference, and opens her eyes to a more complicated world. Close with her mother, Laurie often finds herself swept away in books, and she takes time to travel the world with Cindy without even leaving their home. Some Maintenance Required is a reminder that everyone needs a little maintenance every now and then.
💭 T H O U G H T S
I picked this one up during a Canadian author readathon because I'd previously enjoyed this author's work. This is a coming-of-age story focusing on everyday life, where not a whole lot actually happens. The writing style is frank and to the point. The mother/daughter relationship felt sincere. But it's been a few months since I read it and I honestly don't recall much of what it was even about, likely because it wasn't about much other than transitioning into adulthood where the world around you becomes changed.
For me, I felt as though a lot may have been lost in translation, and I'd be curious to read the original French version to see if my experience was any different. It has little moments of joy, of heartache, and of hope, but I just wanted more depth as honestly not a whole lot actually happens.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• fans of translated coming-of-age stories
• readers who like this author's work
Author: Marie-Renée Lavoie
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 2.75
Pub Date: July 5, 2022
T H R E E • W O R D S
Tender • Mundane • Quirky
📖 S Y N O P S I S
Laurie is in her last year of high school, working part time at a restaurant, while also looking after Cindy, her neglected potty-mouthed little neighbour. Her father works at a garage, where a budding romance changes Laurie's understanding of class difference, and opens her eyes to a more complicated world. Close with her mother, Laurie often finds herself swept away in books, and she takes time to travel the world with Cindy without even leaving their home. Some Maintenance Required is a reminder that everyone needs a little maintenance every now and then.
💭 T H O U G H T S
I picked this one up during a Canadian author readathon because I'd previously enjoyed this author's work. This is a coming-of-age story focusing on everyday life, where not a whole lot actually happens. The writing style is frank and to the point. The mother/daughter relationship felt sincere. But it's been a few months since I read it and I honestly don't recall much of what it was even about, likely because it wasn't about much other than transitioning into adulthood where the world around you becomes changed.
For me, I felt as though a lot may have been lost in translation, and I'd be curious to read the original French version to see if my experience was any different. It has little moments of joy, of heartache, and of hope, but I just wanted more depth as honestly not a whole lot actually happens.
📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• fans of translated coming-of-age stories
• readers who like this author's work
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse and Abandonment
Minor: Death and Classism
death of partner, child neglectsabreenareads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
wanderingdogfarm's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
thesublibrarian's review against another edition
slow-paced
3.5
This is a coming-of-age story centered around Laurie as she enters her final year of high school. Very close to her mother, who loves to read, Laurie often finds herself swept away in books as well. When she befriends her neighbor, Cindy, a small child, who is neglected at home, she takes the time to travel the world with her, without ever leaving their home.
Okay, considering that I am the exact same age as Laurie, in the fact that this takes place in 1993 and she would graduate in 1994. I graduated high school in 1994. I was hoping to hear things that would transport me back to that time. Unfortunately, that never happened.
What did I like?
I appreciated the way Laurie and her mom took in Cindy. The patience they had with her was astounding. She was extremely rude with a horrible potty-mouth. Laurie and her mom took time to make sure she was well fed, was taught right from wrong and gave her a sense of belonging.
Her relationship with her mother was wonderful. They were much like friends, with respect for one another.
For someone of her age, Laurie was extremely intelligent when it came to life in general. She is a character that I can respect.
As the title suggests, Laurie will learn that we all require a little maintenance sometimes.
I listened to the audio version of this and the narrator was good, but I think this is a book better off being read physically.
Thank you to Libro.fm and Dreamscape Media for my gifted ALC in exchange for my honest review.
Okay, considering that I am the exact same age as Laurie, in the fact that this takes place in 1993 and she would graduate in 1994. I graduated high school in 1994. I was hoping to hear things that would transport me back to that time. Unfortunately, that never happened.
What did I like?
I appreciated the way Laurie and her mom took in Cindy. The patience they had with her was astounding. She was extremely rude with a horrible potty-mouth. Laurie and her mom took time to make sure she was well fed, was taught right from wrong and gave her a sense of belonging.
Her relationship with her mother was wonderful. They were much like friends, with respect for one another.
For someone of her age, Laurie was extremely intelligent when it came to life in general. She is a character that I can respect.
As the title suggests, Laurie will learn that we all require a little maintenance sometimes.
I listened to the audio version of this and the narrator was good, but I think this is a book better off being read physically.
Thank you to Libro.fm and Dreamscape Media for my gifted ALC in exchange for my honest review.