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kklamp's review
5.0
I started this book and couldn't put it down. I have read books by this author before and this one did not disappoint. From beginning to finish, I couldn't wait to find out what would happen and develop next in the character's relationships.
kaylakaotik's review
5.0
The main thing I want to say about Somewhere Out There may be spoiler-y (honestly, I'm not sure if it is or not, so better safe than sorry), so other than that I'll be brief.
This was a wonderful book that I found incredibly hard to put down. I loved the multiple POVs and felt that each of the women had a truly unique voice. The writing was superb and full of emotion. I certainly recommend this book.
* This book was received from Atria Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. *
This was a wonderful book that I found incredibly hard to put down. I loved the multiple POVs and felt that each of the women had a truly unique voice. The writing was superb and full of emotion. I certainly recommend this book.
Spoiler
I appreciated the ending to Somewhere Out There. While I enjoy "everything is rainbows and sunshine" endings just as much as the next person, I also really love the endings that aren't so perfect. It's not that I don't think this book doesn't have a happy ending (it absolutely does in its very own way), it's not the gloriously happy reunion that a person may wish for. The ending truly felt authentic for the story and the characters. The alternative wouldn't have felt as realistic and would have been disappointing for me.* This book was received from Atria Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. *
lediamond4's review
3.0
If I'm being honest, I was wavering between giving this book 2 or 3 stars. I rounded up because overall I did enjoy it and it was an easy read. I liked the plot and all of the characters and cared about all of them and the things that happened to them. I felt happy for them, sad, frustrated, etc. My main complaint was unfortunately the writing. It felt very heavy on the exposition at times, taking me out of the story every time. There were also times when the character would be in the present and recall something that would happen in the past and the two timelines blurred in a clumsy fashion. For the most part, the story dragged out a little bit, but I also felt like the ending was a little rushed and abrupt. It would have certainly benefitted from some editing. I would still be interested in reading another book by the same author but overall I probably wouldn't recommend this one if you're looking for something more than an easy, fairly enjoyable read.
cleonardodavinci's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
thebookishlibrarian's review
In the 1980s, a young woman named Jennifer was declared an unfit mother and sent to jail after she was caught stealing food from a supermarket while she left 4-year-old Brooke and 6-month-old Natalie in the car they lived in together.
Now, 35 years later, Natalie is married with two children, and the desire to find her birth mother is ignited when her daughter has to create a family tree for a school assignment. Natalie’s adoptive parents never liked to talk about her life before she was adopted.
Brooke was less fortunate than her sister, and grew up in countless foster homes until she aged out of the system. She never forgot her mother or her little sister and always wondered what happened to them all those years ago.
Fans of Jodi Picoult will love this novel about two sisters torn apart and their journey as they try to reconnect once again.
Now, 35 years later, Natalie is married with two children, and the desire to find her birth mother is ignited when her daughter has to create a family tree for a school assignment. Natalie’s adoptive parents never liked to talk about her life before she was adopted.
Brooke was less fortunate than her sister, and grew up in countless foster homes until she aged out of the system. She never forgot her mother or her little sister and always wondered what happened to them all those years ago.
Fans of Jodi Picoult will love this novel about two sisters torn apart and their journey as they try to reconnect once again.
joannelw's review
3.0
Mooi verhaal maar had best iets korter gekund. En het 'misverstand' zag je al van verre aankomen en zorgde ervoor dat ik het karakter Brooke nog vervelender vond. Die scène had echt niet gehoeven en is de reden dat ik het afrond naar beneden, 3.5 ster
renflew's review
5.0
I am a huge Amy Hatvany fan and this book did not disappoint, I raced through it in a day.
As with all her books the storyline is a tough one - two sisters given up for adoption by their young mother, and the very different paths their lives take. I always find her characters very real, like they could be someone I know and she handles the tough subject matter very well. I like the fact that the story isn't fully wrapped up with a big bow on it at the end. Highly recommend.
I'm going back to see if I've missed any of her other books.
As with all her books the storyline is a tough one - two sisters given up for adoption by their young mother, and the very different paths their lives take. I always find her characters very real, like they could be someone I know and she handles the tough subject matter very well. I like the fact that the story isn't fully wrapped up with a big bow on it at the end. Highly recommend.
I'm going back to see if I've missed any of her other books.
krys72599's review
4.0
Not an actual spoiler but you might be able to interpret a little too much…
I loved the premise of the story:
A young mother, a young single mother, feels trapped, forced into a corner, forced to make the worst decision of her life. She decides to give up her children, hoping with every fiber of her being that they’ll have a better life having been adopted than they would living in a car with her.
Years later, the sisters find each other. The mothers hope it then if they would be adopted together, but that didn’t happen. As the girls, as sisters, decide to find their mother, things don’t happen the way they anticipate.
I will say, I was totally involved in the story, all the way to the last chapter, all the way to the ending. But it left me wanting so much more. The author wrapped up the concussion with a not so neat little bow. I SO wanted a different ending!
I loved the premise of the story:
A young mother, a young single mother, feels trapped, forced into a corner, forced to make the worst decision of her life. She decides to give up her children, hoping with every fiber of her being that they’ll have a better life having been adopted than they would living in a car with her.
Years later, the sisters find each other. The mothers hope it then if they would be adopted together, but that didn’t happen. As the girls, as sisters, decide to find their mother, things don’t happen the way they anticipate.
I will say, I was totally involved in the story, all the way to the last chapter, all the way to the ending. But it left me wanting so much more. The author wrapped up the concussion with a not so neat little bow. I SO wanted a different ending!
aovenus's review against another edition
4.0
This book was on my to-read list for a long time. I wish I picked it up sooner. It's very different than the topics I normally come across. Even though it was a depressing topic, the author did a good job adding elements that made the situation lighthearted and hopeful. I wish the ending was more gracefully done though, but overall it was an engaging and powerful book.
mmeggann's review
3.0
If I had to describe this book in one word, it would be 'bland.'
With that being said, it's not a bad book. I actually really did enjoy it and would even recommend it to others if they expressed interest. It's a fresh take on the "closed adoption" story, and it's not like anything I've really ever read.
But my one complaint is that it easily could have been condensed to a short story. The alternating perspectives added further insight and a glimpse into the characters that, although linked, possessed very differing personalities. It was multi-dimensional, it was interesting...it was just a bit blah.
Overall, would I recommend this book to others? You know what? Probably. It really was pretty good. I just can't get over the fact that I was a couple of times tempted to just skim to the interesting parts. I know I'm holding writers to a high standard of constant entertainment. Sorry about that.
What did I think?: I thought this was a good book but it was a bit drawn out for my taste. The characters were well done, and I have very little to complain about.
Who should read it?: Is there an audience for adoption stories out there? If so, those people. Otherwise, I say that if you read the description and are tempted, give it a shot.
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With that being said, it's not a bad book. I actually really did enjoy it and would even recommend it to others if they expressed interest. It's a fresh take on the "closed adoption" story, and it's not like anything I've really ever read.
But my one complaint is that it easily could have been condensed to a short story. The alternating perspectives added further insight and a glimpse into the characters that, although linked, possessed very differing personalities. It was multi-dimensional, it was interesting...it was just a bit blah.
Overall, would I recommend this book to others? You know what? Probably. It really was pretty good. I just can't get over the fact that I was a couple of times tempted to just skim to the interesting parts. I know I'm holding writers to a high standard of constant entertainment. Sorry about that.
What did I think?: I thought this was a good book but it was a bit drawn out for my taste. The characters were well done, and I have very little to complain about.
Who should read it?: Is there an audience for adoption stories out there? If so, those people. Otherwise, I say that if you read the description and are tempted, give it a shot.
WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM