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3.25 AVERAGE
3.25 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
relaxing
medium-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:
Yes
2.5 stars
The premise of this novel was very promising, but the execution fell flat.
On the negative side - the story starts out really slow. The first half of the book dragged on, and it finally picked up toward the end. The characters were, for the most part, either boring or unlikeable (with a couple minor exceptions), or they just had personalities that were so uninteresting, it was hard to enjoy reading about them. Hanna, the main character, is like a wet blanket - and her mother is absolutely intolerable. I thought there'd be more focus on the renovation of her new home, and it was a big miss to omit more details about Fury as a character and why he is the way he is (he was one of the few interesting characters). It really irrirates me when questions are unanswered by the end of the book, and in this case, we never found out if Oliver found his 'dog book'. Such a minor thing that could've been resolved somehow. I didn't realize this book is part of a series, but maybe it'll be answered in the next book.
On the plus side - the fictional setting in rural western Ireland was lovely to read about, and I liked the idea of the mobile library truck (which was less of a plot point than I thought it would be). I liked the idea of the library bringing people together to find a solution for the problem, although Hanna was reluctant to let it happen because of her curmudgeonly ways. I also thought that said solution was creative and realistic.
Overall, this book was okay, but not great. It definitely wasn't good enough to read the next book in the series, which I understand focuses on Jazz (who has zero personality) and Hanna's ex-husband (what a jerk, not interested in reading more about him).
The premise of this novel was very promising, but the execution fell flat.
On the negative side - the story starts out really slow. The first half of the book dragged on, and it finally picked up toward the end. The characters were, for the most part, either boring or unlikeable (with a couple minor exceptions), or they just had personalities that were so uninteresting, it was hard to enjoy reading about them. Hanna, the main character, is like a wet blanket - and her mother is absolutely intolerable. I thought there'd be more focus on the renovation of her new home, and it was a big miss to omit more details about Fury as a character and why he is the way he is (he was one of the few interesting characters). It really irrirates me when questions are unanswered by the end of the book, and in this case, we never found out if Oliver found his 'dog book'. Such a minor thing that could've been resolved somehow. I didn't realize this book is part of a series, but maybe it'll be answered in the next book.
On the plus side - the fictional setting in rural western Ireland was lovely to read about, and I liked the idea of the mobile library truck (which was less of a plot point than I thought it would be). I liked the idea of the library bringing people together to find a solution for the problem, although Hanna was reluctant to let it happen because of her curmudgeonly ways. I also thought that said solution was creative and realistic.
Overall, this book was okay, but not great. It definitely wasn't good enough to read the next book in the series, which I understand focuses on Jazz (who has zero personality) and Hanna's ex-husband (what a jerk, not interested in reading more about him).
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Good Story
At first I had a hard time getting into this book. The beginning starts out very slowly. But then I began to like some of the characters and the story became more interesting.
At first I had a hard time getting into this book. The beginning starts out very slowly. But then I began to like some of the characters and the story became more interesting.
Deathly boring, unlikable characters. Could barely finish. Had the things I love, books, old cottage renovation, by the sea. Alas, was pretty terrible.
I think this book is ok but i listened to it on audio and i don’t think it worked for me despite the cool Irish brogue. It was pretty slow for about 90% of it. But i can check a box for my pop sugar prompt.
I wanted to like this book so much more than I did. I mean, overall I liked it about 3 stars’ worth. But my rating dropped from 5 to 3 stars because the main character is a TERRIBLE librarian. WTF kind of librarian doesn’t want people to come and spend time in the library? Who shames people and intimidates them and is completely unwelcoming and unwilling to host programs to bring in families and children or even adults?! We do not go into this profession wanting to keep people AWAY from the books and the library!! We dedicate our lives to spreading literacy, information literacy, and the joy of reading!! I appreciate the growth and character development of Hanna, but...wow. Talk about someone who chose the profession for ALL the wrong reasons. I spent a great deal of time cringing any time the story focused on anything library-related. It’s been a year and a half since I read the book, and that is what I remember most. I’m ambivalent about reading the rest of the series, although at least Hanna softens a bit by the end, so maybe later books would be less damaging to my profession?
What a lovely, cozy read. I was swept away to this small town in Ireland, and adored the cast of characters that were woven throughout.
I loved the mother daughter relationships - three generations of it- and the self-growth many of the characters take throughout the story (especially Mary and Hanna).
I loved the mother daughter relationships - three generations of it- and the self-growth many of the characters take throughout the story (especially Mary and Hanna).