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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
I did not want this book to end. I found the characters charming and I was completely invested in their stories.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Wow
Full of northern charm, this was a rollercoaster of nostalgia (Blackpool), sadness, and laughter. So glad I finally took the time to read this.
Full of northern charm, this was a rollercoaster of nostalgia (Blackpool), sadness, and laughter. So glad I finally took the time to read this.
The rating is solely on personal preference as I had a hard time connecting with the character, but I did enjoy learning about his story.
Albert is getting ready to turn 65 and is a letter carrier for the Royal Mail in Northern England. The Royal Mail has a mandatory retirement age of 65, but Albert isn't ready to retire. In fact, his entire life has revolved around his work with the Royal Mail, because he had to suppress the most important aspect of his life for the past 40 years - that he is gay and was in love with his best friend from school, George.
As Albert navigates what his life will become post-retirement, he finally starts making friends and sharing this part of his life with them, including his co-workers. He's surprised that he is accepted - and even celebrated - for being who he is. The next step is to find George to see if there's a slight chance that they can find love again with each other.
This is a delightful story - and it was even more special for me because my husband and I read it simultaneously (on our separate Kindle apps). We could share our thoughts about Albert's adventures without spoilers, and it was so much more fun than reading it on our own! That's not to say that the book isn't enjoyable if you're reading it by yourself! On the contrary - this is a special story that is rarely told - of a 60-something man finally accepting and loving who he is, and sharing it with the world.
I loved this book (and so did my hubby). I'm grateful to have it on my virtual bookshelf to come back to when I need a pick-me-up. Five stars.
As Albert navigates what his life will become post-retirement, he finally starts making friends and sharing this part of his life with them, including his co-workers. He's surprised that he is accepted - and even celebrated - for being who he is. The next step is to find George to see if there's a slight chance that they can find love again with each other.
This is a delightful story - and it was even more special for me because my husband and I read it simultaneously (on our separate Kindle apps). We could share our thoughts about Albert's adventures without spoilers, and it was so much more fun than reading it on our own! That's not to say that the book isn't enjoyable if you're reading it by yourself! On the contrary - this is a special story that is rarely told - of a 60-something man finally accepting and loving who he is, and sharing it with the world.
I loved this book (and so did my hubby). I'm grateful to have it on my virtual bookshelf to come back to when I need a pick-me-up. Five stars.
I laughed and cried and couldn't stop reading.
While reading it felt like I had an insight into other people's lives but after reading it feels like I got to know a hand full of brave people with warm characters!
While reading it felt like I had an insight into other people's lives but after reading it feels like I got to know a hand full of brave people with warm characters!
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This one took just a bit to get into, but once it got rolling this was just the sweetest heart-warming book. I loved Albert and his character arc!
I really wanted to love this book more. There’s a lot going for it. I love a cross generational friendship, I love stories about elderly people healing and pursuing a full life, I love love!
But in the end, this story about an elderly gentlemen coming out as gay and searching for his first love just didn’t quite hit mark for me. It’s way too long, for one thing—the story could have been edited and felt much sharper. It also lacked feistiness, humor, depth, for lack of a better word—oomph! It all felt very surface level, like a Hallmark movie.
I think I just wanted all the characters to have a little bit more spice, a little more recognition of trauma and how it shapes us, a happy ending that’s happy but also a bit more…complicated?
But in the end, this story about an elderly gentlemen coming out as gay and searching for his first love just didn’t quite hit mark for me. It’s way too long, for one thing—the story could have been edited and felt much sharper. It also lacked feistiness, humor, depth, for lack of a better word—oomph! It all felt very surface level, like a Hallmark movie.
I think I just wanted all the characters to have a little bit more spice, a little more recognition of trauma and how it shapes us, a happy ending that’s happy but also a bit more…complicated?
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced