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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
This was a nice surprise. Got it on Kindle First Reads and it seemed like the least bad choice of a mediocre month. I was very wrong, it was one of the better books I've read all year. Ran the entire gamut of emotions, and was an incredibly touching read.
I'll definitely be looking into more of Nick Spalding's books in the future.
I'll definitely be looking into more of Nick Spalding's books in the future.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Enjoyed watching the characters grow through the years. Different kind of read as it focuses on living after loss, but definitely helped reflect on own life. Very cute read too
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Whenever I get KindleUnlimited, I always make sure I grab a book by Nick Spalding. They are generally pretty vulgar/crude, not really ones I'd recommend to others, but they make me laugh out loud and utterly entertain me. This latest one? There was no proFanity, and just the slightest mention of sex or anything crude. And "so, was the crowd's reception to that a little ... icy" totally made me laugh. This had a lot of serious moments too, and I really liked it.
The basic premise is that two grieving people (Ben and Alice) meet at the cemetery, and then continue to meet up annually. There's not really romance, as Alice (mourning the unexpected death of her husband) is quite a bit older than Ben. It is silly, as Ben's brother arranged outrageous costumes that he told Ben he had to wear (set it up as he was dying from leukemia) as he visits the grave.
The book doesn't have "chapters" per se, but is broken up into the annual meet-ups.
Year One THE LADY AND THE FROG
Year Two SCREAMS AND OLD WALLS
Year Three HAEMORRHOIDS AND KANGAROO HATS
Year Four SPAM AND FEATHERS
Year Five OBLONGS, NOBLONGS AND THE WORST TIME MACHINE EVER
Year Six COFFEE WITH CINZANO AND THE LOVE NINJA
Year Seven SAUCEPANS AND SPIDERS
Year Eight EMAILS AND EGGS
Year Nine THE DREAMS AND THE GHOSTS
Year Ten THE PAST AND THE FUTURE
The Final Year ENDINGS AND BEGINNINGS
Year Seven ends with Ben thinking "Fingers crossed 2020 is a much better year than 2019 was ..." and of course we all know what 2020 brought. It was interesting to see Covid addressed but not overtaking the narrative.
In each "year" section, there would be alternating POVs of Alice and Ben. Each was first person/present tense. In audio, there were two different narrators for the two POVs. As I had this from KindleUnlimited, read and listen, I had both the audio and the Kindle copy. I went primarily with the audio and thought it was well done. I love having the text for reference.
This dealt a lot with the grief both characters were feeling, how they coped and challenged each other over the years. I really liked the relationship and the progression of their lives.
Words I note: tenterhooks, plethora, nemesis, scrum (this was in a game of rugby - reminiscent of the one featured in Friends/Ross) ;)
The basic premise is that two grieving people (Ben and Alice) meet at the cemetery, and then continue to meet up annually. There's not really romance, as Alice (mourning the unexpected death of her husband) is quite a bit older than Ben. It is silly, as Ben's brother arranged outrageous costumes that he told Ben he had to wear (set it up as he was dying from leukemia) as he visits the grave.
The book doesn't have "chapters" per se, but is broken up into the annual meet-ups.
Year One THE LADY AND THE FROG
Year Two SCREAMS AND OLD WALLS
Year Three HAEMORRHOIDS AND KANGAROO HATS
Year Four SPAM AND FEATHERS
Year Five OBLONGS, NOBLONGS AND THE WORST TIME MACHINE EVER
Year Six COFFEE WITH CINZANO AND THE LOVE NINJA
Year Seven SAUCEPANS AND SPIDERS
Year Eight EMAILS AND EGGS
Year Nine THE DREAMS AND THE GHOSTS
Year Ten THE PAST AND THE FUTURE
The Final Year ENDINGS AND BEGINNINGS
Year Seven ends with Ben thinking "Fingers crossed 2020 is a much better year than 2019 was ..." and of course we all know what 2020 brought. It was interesting to see Covid addressed but not overtaking the narrative.
In each "year" section, there would be alternating POVs of Alice and Ben. Each was first person/present tense. In audio, there were two different narrators for the two POVs. As I had this from KindleUnlimited, read and listen, I had both the audio and the Kindle copy. I went primarily with the audio and thought it was well done. I love having the text for reference.
This dealt a lot with the grief both characters were feeling, how they coped and challenged each other over the years. I really liked the relationship and the progression of their lives.
Words I note: tenterhooks, plethora, nemesis, scrum (this was in a game of rugby - reminiscent of the one featured in Friends/Ross) ;)
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
sad
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Grief
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
lighthearted
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