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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
~3.5 stars
This is one of the better lighthearted yet still discussing serious matters family misadventures I’ve read. I felt like I got a good understanding of each of the Feldmans and enjoyed watching everything unfold and then figure out how to cope and face their own demons.
CW: fat shaming (brief one line that made me grimace), cancer, addiction, boss-employee age difference relationship,
This is one of the better lighthearted yet still discussing serious matters family misadventures I’ve read. I felt like I got a good understanding of each of the Feldmans and enjoyed watching everything unfold and then figure out how to cope and face their own demons.
CW: fat shaming (brief one line that made me grimace), cancer, addiction, boss-employee age difference relationship,
Spoiler
death of a parent
funny
hopeful
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
3.5 stars
I liked Last Summer at the Golden Hotel better but this was entertaining. It’s a very similar story - an emotionally distant family are forced to share space and in doing so, all their calamitous secrets rise to the surface, eventually bringing them all together. But this is a story that Friedland does well, so to that extent, I don’t mind at all reading the same basic story in different settings.
I only like Golden Hotel better because … well, it was funnier, frankly. In this book, there’s a certain ironies but comparatively fewer laugh out loud moments. (The nose hair thing was the one that got me, really.) In Golden Hotel, there’s ironies but also some really good quips and humorous catastrophes and such.
All in all, I liked this but I think The Last Summer at the Golden Hotel did it better.
I liked Last Summer at the Golden Hotel better but this was entertaining. It’s a very similar story - an emotionally distant family are forced to share space and in doing so, all their calamitous secrets rise to the surface, eventually bringing them all together. But this is a story that Friedland does well, so to that extent, I don’t mind at all reading the same basic story in different settings.
I only like Golden Hotel better because … well, it was funnier, frankly. In this book, there’s a certain ironies but comparatively fewer laugh out loud moments. (The nose hair thing was the one that got me, really.) In Golden Hotel, there’s ironies but also some really good quips and humorous catastrophes and such.
All in all, I liked this but I think The Last Summer at the Golden Hotel did it better.
3.5 stars. Story was interesting but really none of the characters were at all that likeable.
Cute beach read. Didn’t enjoy ~half of the characters, but it did make me feel empathy for people that are being a bit nasty because they are hurting themselves. I also enjoyed the observation about the elephants in the room that you don’t talk about with family.
adventurous
emotional
funny
reflective
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
Started out slow, hence the 3 star rating, but the ending was good.
What a fun book! I recently went on a cruise, so this book about a dysfunctional family (aren't we all!) on a cruise was just the perfect summer read. I usually read either thrillers or literary fiction and some historical fiction, so this is not my normal go-to type of book. I felt connected to each of the family members and I will definitely be recommending this book.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
I received this book in exchange for an honest review.
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes