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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
This book is a slow slow at the start, but quickly finds it's footing. The main character is a woman with a difficult past who has become successful, but still feels deep guilt for an action against her mother. Thought provoking, this book affirms the importance of family, whatever happens.
Highly recommend.
Highly recommend.
emotional
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:
Complicated
DNF @ 17%
I may yet attempt to read more of this story but it just really wasn't capturing me. I didn't care for the writing, the word choices or really the characters. I haven't read any other work by Joshilyn Jackson but I'd be willing to later, I just was not enjoying this book.
I may yet attempt to read more of this story but it just really wasn't capturing me. I didn't care for the writing, the word choices or really the characters. I haven't read any other work by Joshilyn Jackson but I'd be willing to later, I just was not enjoying this book.
Paula Voss was born Kali Jai. However she was born in juvenile hall so when her mother had to renounce her to her parents custody, the name on her birth certificate was Paula Voss.
Paula's mother Kai born Karen Voss, ended up in prison when Paula was a teenager. Turns out Paula turned in her boyfriend and Kai was caught in the crossfire.
Now as an adult Paula is a very successful attorney. Karen has just passed away and Paula is learning all kinds of secrets her mother had. Most importantly she had a brother that was born while she was in prison and he was placed up for adoption. She also has a sister that is currently missing.
Paula has her private investigator on the hunt and she knows he will never quit until she is found.
Paula's mother Kai born Karen Voss, ended up in prison when Paula was a teenager. Turns out Paula turned in her boyfriend and Kai was caught in the crossfire.
Now as an adult Paula is a very successful attorney. Karen has just passed away and Paula is learning all kinds of secrets her mother had. Most importantly she had a brother that was born while she was in prison and he was placed up for adoption. She also has a sister that is currently missing.
Paula has her private investigator on the hunt and she knows he will never quit until she is found.
I love Joshilyn Jackson's writing and characters, and the protagonist of her latest book is probably the best character she's developed. My only complaint was I didn't want the story to end!
Meet Paula Vauss, bad-ass divorce attorney known for representing BANKs (both assholes, no kids). To win a case, she's just as likely to grab the opposing counsel by the metaphorical balls as she is the literal ones. She's feisty, intelligent, wealthy, and rich. And terrified of commitment, lassoed to a scattered and tumultuous childhood, and proud of her bitch wardrobe. Paula is also Kali, daughter of the freewheeling, rambling Kai. Kai is gorgeous. Her looks and charm take them from town to town where she latches onto a man, takes what she needs, and clears out in the dead of night.
I loved Paula from the start. Sometimes, I think the author pushes her depravity a bit far, but I am such a fan of bitingly tough chicks. And their soft spots. We learn all of hers.
This book started out amazing. I was convinced it might be five stars for the first 30 or so pages. The prose is tight, the character development is strong, their stories unique. Later, it unwound slightly: there were too many flashback scenes, with poor transitions; Paula's inner turmoil around men was overdone; and, some pieces were hard to follow. But with a main character named Birdwine, how can you not love this book?
Favorite quotes:
"When we met, there had been a pulse, a moment when he ran a stealthy gaze over my body. It left a faint patina of some filth, sexual in nature, like a slime against my skin."
"The more money fat, the less fat clients have of any other kind. In particular, I would never say, 'Here comes Oakleigh Winkley, fat with patience.'"
"In reality, I'd been all gangly limbs and bitchiness, with a rash of pimples on my forehead and my hip near permanently cocked at an insolent angle."
"I can't see the future, but it has already started."
I loved Paula from the start. Sometimes, I think the author pushes her depravity a bit far, but I am such a fan of bitingly tough chicks. And their soft spots. We learn all of hers.
This book started out amazing. I was convinced it might be five stars for the first 30 or so pages. The prose is tight, the character development is strong, their stories unique. Later, it unwound slightly: there were too many flashback scenes, with poor transitions; Paula's inner turmoil around men was overdone; and, some pieces were hard to follow. But with a main character named Birdwine, how can you not love this book?
Favorite quotes:
"When we met, there had been a pulse, a moment when he ran a stealthy gaze over my body. It left a faint patina of some filth, sexual in nature, like a slime against my skin."
"The more money fat, the less fat clients have of any other kind. In particular, I would never say, 'Here comes Oakleigh Winkley, fat with patience.'"
"In reality, I'd been all gangly limbs and bitchiness, with a rash of pimples on my forehead and my hip near permanently cocked at an insolent angle."
"I can't see the future, but it has already started."
Listened to on audio; the actor does such a great job narrating her stories. I’ve enjoyed all of her books so far. Always a strong, sassy female character. Count on mother-daughter conflict, but love as well.
Great audio, read by the author who is a fabulous narrator, doing just enough voices to make it come alive without making your ears bleed. It's perfect example of what they call women's fiction when it features a woman--with emotional growth, some mystery to the plot but mostly an exploration of feelings and relationships through the lens of the plot. I would have liked this one even better had it not included flashbacks to the main character's childhood. They work for the story, but since I spend my life reading children's books, I'd rather my adult books just talk about adults.
This is just as wonderful as all of her other books. I read it in two days, and these days, that is unheard of. Just so beautifully written and the emotion and quirky characters make me want to live in the world Joshilyn has created. I want to meet these characters and find out how things go from here. I'm always sad to leave a world Joshilyn Jackson has created.