Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is, perhaps, Jennifer Weiner's most ambitious book to date. It is also firmly among her best. Here, Weiner writes a novel that spans the decades and follows two sisters and their mother as they grow up, fall in love, fall out of love, have children, raise children and watch their children grow up. It all felt so real and so intimate and I really grew to love the characters so much. Jo and Bethie are two characters that you will love and hate in equal measure. Both have their flaws and their good points. They both get along and hate each other in a way that only siblings really ever can. This book takes its time and lets you get to know these characters on a deep level. It is about love and loss and death and divorce and coming out and staying in and so many other topics that most books wouldn't dare touch. Trigger warning: there is a scene of sexual molestation and a rape scene (though that one is more alluded to than shown). These characters are put through a lot. And the fact that they come out of it at all is just a testament to Weiner's ability as a writer. She just has a gift with portraying women's lives and their interests. This book never once feels shallow or empty or fake. It feels incredibly authentic and witty and I am so grateful I got to spend some time with these characters. Jo reminded me of my own mother in many ways. So did Sarah. These characters won't soon leave my head or my heart. I actually cried at the end partly because of how sad it was but also because it was over. Thank You Jennifer Weiner for writing this. It was a balm for my soul.
Very interesting, the ending was kind of preachy though. They forgot they needed to add it in so they kinda just tacked it on in the end.
Story of an American family, especially the two sisters. Very enjoyable in parts, just want on a bit too long. One sister gives up her chance for happiness for the other. Definitely chick lit but that’s just the ticket sometimes.
If I was one to let myself cry at books, this one would have gotten me, like, twenty-six times. One of the most powerful depictions of a lifetime as a woman that I’ve ever read.
I absolutely adored this book - the story of two very different sisters throughout several decades. Wonderful characters - try not to cry at the end!
Eh. Sloppy editing throughout the book (timelines, history - and misspellings of "Hartford" and "Rushdie" within a page of one another) was a big detratctor. Felt like author tried to fit "everything" into the latter third of the book, after a languid (and more enjoyable) first 2/3. Used to really love her books but this was trying much too hard.
Loved following these women thru generations. Very powerful to see how struggles as women and mothers are still so similar but yet moving forward
This book was spectacular and thought-provoking. The author created such strong characters in Jo and Bethie and through them taught us how the world shapes our decision making and how choices can define (and not) the path our lives take. The only reason for 4 stars is that the first 3/4 of the book was so great and I didn't feel like the ending was as tight as the rest of the book. Regardless, I highly recommend.