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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
An enjoyable read, albeit superficial. There was potential to further develop the issues and themes that surfaced throughout the story but the author never got into the meat of it to provide any satisfying or meaningful resolutions by the end of the book.
This was a fun summer read! Family dynamics can be such a fun theme, and having everyone stuck on a boat together for a week is really going to make it fun.
I wish the book had been a little more of the cruise and less of the set up but I completely understand needing to create the tension of the novel.
I wish the book had been a little more of the cruise and less of the set up but I completely understand needing to create the tension of the novel.
This was one of those books where it feels like you’ve been listening to it for hours but then you look at your progress and there are still 7 hours left. It took me a really long time (like only 1.5 hours left) to care about any of the characters, but I don’t regret reading it.
A fun read!
For most of the time, my feelings toward the characters waffled between annoyance and pity. But I was highly compelled to read because I needed to watch the slow-motion train wreck of each of these characters' insecurities, mistakes, and secrets - which were mostly the characters' own faults at being horrible communicators/taking their relationships for granted - collide in the middle of the cruise trip. It's certainly the case that the family is experiencing first-world problems, which is something the book nods to often, though I would have loved to see the perspective of one of the non-Western, far-from-their-family ship workers (in addition to/instead of Julian's perspective) to really hone in on this. But, this is more a wish than a flaw in the book.
Beyond this, the biggest issue I had was the ending. It was too neat, and I felt like the conflicts were too easily resolved. But the overall message of the importance of family (even when they suck) was well delivered in this enjoyable, funny, and page-turning read.
Thanks to Goodreads giveaways and the publisher for the free ARC!
For most of the time, my feelings toward the characters waffled between annoyance and pity. But I was highly compelled to read because I needed to watch the slow-motion train wreck of each of these characters' insecurities, mistakes, and secrets - which were mostly the characters' own faults at being horrible communicators/taking their relationships for granted - collide in the middle of the cruise trip. It's certainly the case that the family is experiencing first-world problems, which is something the book nods to often, though I would have loved to see the perspective of one of the non-Western, far-from-their-family ship workers (in addition to/instead of Julian's perspective) to really hone in on this. But, this is more a wish than a flaw in the book.
Beyond this, the biggest issue I had was the ending. It was too neat, and I felt like the conflicts were too easily resolved. But the overall message of the importance of family (even when they suck) was well delivered in this enjoyable, funny, and page-turning read.
Thanks to Goodreads giveaways and the publisher for the free ARC!
Fun premise, slightly off in execution, but good pacing and dialogue.
A fun summer read! This family drama is full of humor, and everyone has a secret they are keeping. Three generations of Feldmans are forced to take a cruise together, the narration switching between the characters to tell the story. I found myself identifying with Elise as the tale unfolds (minus the shopping addiction):
"The cruise was reinforcing how fluid her life was at this point: She was a child and a parent and neither role felt totally second skin. The labels were fungible, especially for her and Mitch, the only ones in the group sandwiched between generations - serving both roles simultaneously, feeling powerless in each position. They were the bread, the peanut butter, and the jelly, and it was exhausting."
Pick up this book, it's perfect for summer/vacation reading.
"The cruise was reinforcing how fluid her life was at this point: She was a child and a parent and neither role felt totally second skin. The labels were fungible, especially for her and Mitch, the only ones in the group sandwiched between generations - serving both roles simultaneously, feeling powerless in each position. They were the bread, the peanut butter, and the jelly, and it was exhausting."
Pick up this book, it's perfect for summer/vacation reading.
This was cute, but nothing too special or interesting. Just normal family drama stuff.
I really enjoyed how this book took a trial that every single family member was going through and how they were all interwoven together. You start with a brother and sister dynamic that isn't the best between not just one set of siblings but two. You add to that a marriage that harbors secrets and parents that feel unwanted and kids and that feel unwanted and money issues and addiction and sickness and you watch all that drama come to a head on a cruise ship where they can't escape their demons or each other. I found it both entertaining and fascinating and highly recommend it.
Another book with a lot of hype that isn't entirely deserved or undeserved - a fun read, definitely a good one for a vacation/beach situation - that doesn't have too much of a lasting impact.