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3.91 AVERAGE
3.91 AVERAGE
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher Atria Books for a free digital version of this book to review!
I was unable to put this book down!
Rating (on a scale of 1 to 5, 5 being excellent)
Quality of writing: 5
Pace: 5
Plot development: 5
Characters: 5
Enjoyability: 5
Ease of Reading: 5
Overall rating: 5 out of 5
I was unable to put this book down!
Rating (on a scale of 1 to 5, 5 being excellent)
Quality of writing: 5
Pace: 5
Plot development: 5
Characters: 5
Enjoyability: 5
Ease of Reading: 5
Overall rating: 5 out of 5
Loved it. It’s thought provoking and a honest portrayal of the complexities of motherhood, of not being a mother and of how society’s
expectations of motherhood have changed from the 60s or rather how things remain so similar despite the passage of decades. I couldn’t put this book down I was immediately swept into the lives of the characters.
expectations of motherhood have changed from the 60s or rather how things remain so similar despite the passage of decades. I couldn’t put this book down I was immediately swept into the lives of the characters.
A sisters book that makes me switch my allegiance from sister to sister.
I was sucked into the book and went gladly.
A terrific story.
I was sucked into the book and went gladly.
A terrific story.
This book read a little like an epic - years and generations and layers of people, women specifically. It also felt like a collection of snippets of conversations and feelings shared in unexpected moments of every woman I’ve known or even read about.
Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book wasn't what I was expecting, but I liked it. I was quickly drawn in and finished it in a day and a half. The story chronicles two sisters lives starting in the 1950's and following them throughout their lives until the present day. As children, the sisters are complete opposites. One is more traditionally feminine and the other a tomboy. They each start out going down a predictable path but traumatic events shape them and alter their choices in life. The main theme is about women's roles and choices and how much things have changed yet stayed the same. I liked how the story is also essentially about losing and finding yourself multiple times over the course of a lifetime. It is probably a bit longer than it needs to be, but I didn't mind the extra details.
This book was EVERYTHING! So powerful, so emotional, so beautiful, so absorbing. I was completely invested from page 1 in these character’s lives, I did not want the book to end. This book spans five decades as we watch sisters Jo and Bethie figure themselves and the world out. From Detroit to Atlanta, from the 50s to the 2000s we watch these sisters and those they love navigate their way through this thing we call life. We see them succeed and fail, grow and stumble, love and lose, laugh and cry. Jennifer Weiner evoked every possible emotion in me with her words. I laughed, I cried, I smiled, and I shook my head. Life is hard and it is complicated. Neither Jo or Bethie had it easy, but they fought and loved their way to their best lives. This was an unforgettable book that left me with a smile on my face and a tear in my eye.
I wrote the above last night and I was going to add to it today, but I don’t think I need to. But I will say this being pride month I think this book really did a wonderful job with Jo’s struggle to truly accept herself. Of course this became easier as the country became more tolerant, but still can you imagine having to repress your true self for years and years and years? And I’m sure this was much more common than we know. I hope that one day everyone will be accepting of who people choose to love. This book really brought home how far we have come, but we still have so far to go. OK I will stop preaching! Just do yourself a favor pick this book up and read it, it is quite fabulous!
*** Big thanks to Atria for my copy of this book ***
I wrote the above last night and I was going to add to it today, but I don’t think I need to. But I will say this being pride month I think this book really did a wonderful job with Jo’s struggle to truly accept herself. Of course this became easier as the country became more tolerant, but still can you imagine having to repress your true self for years and years and years? And I’m sure this was much more common than we know. I hope that one day everyone will be accepting of who people choose to love. This book really brought home how far we have come, but we still have so far to go. OK I will stop preaching! Just do yourself a favor pick this book up and read it, it is quite fabulous!
*** Big thanks to Atria for my copy of this book ***
I love a good family saga, and this one does not disappoint. However... and maybe it's just me... the "Having a baby is my calling" aha moment at the end fell flat. It seemed like a weird life solution for the long-troubled character, and a contrived means to soften the sadness and paint a rosy future.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I absolutely loved this book. Jenifer Weiner did a beautiful job of encapsulating the trials and tribulations of being a woman, past, present and future.
I absolutely loved this book. Jenifer Weiner did a beautiful job of encapsulating the trials and tribulations of being a woman, past, present and future.
Validating on so many levels. This sweeping novel spans three generations in the lifetime of sisters Jo and Bethie Kaufman. It begins in the fifties and follows the lives of the two very different girls down two very different paths. This is a story about women. Mothers, daughters, sisters, friends and lovers - how we build each other up and tear each other down, the issues we face and how we ALL struggle with finding our place and discovering who we are. If you loved "The Hearts Invisible Furies" by John Boyn, you'll love this one.
I was very surprised to see several reviewers saying that they felt like the novel went on a bit too long and that parts 6-8 were unnecessary. I adored every page and parts 6-8 were probably my favorite and definitely pushed this book over the top into the 5 star category which is not something I dole out lightly.
Thank you to #NetGalley and Atria Books for allowing me to read an advance copy of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.
Unputdownable-ness: High
Ugly Cry Potential: High
LOL: Low
Character Development: Amazing
Originality: High
Quality of Writing: Great
Intellectual Depth: Medium-High
Emotionally Trying/Hard to Read: Medium-Low
I was very surprised to see several reviewers saying that they felt like the novel went on a bit too long and that parts 6-8 were unnecessary. I adored every page and parts 6-8 were probably my favorite and definitely pushed this book over the top into the 5 star category which is not something I dole out lightly.
Thank you to #NetGalley and Atria Books for allowing me to read an advance copy of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.
Unputdownable-ness: High
Ugly Cry Potential: High
LOL: Low
Character Development: Amazing
Originality: High
Quality of Writing: Great
Intellectual Depth: Medium-High
Emotionally Trying/Hard to Read: Medium-Low