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pepper1133's review against another edition
2.0
I have very mixed feelings about this book . . . generally I like Weiner's work very well because she really does capture the anxieties of modern women pretty spot-on. But the philosophy behind this book seems to be that true joy for today's women should come from embracing traditional femininity in the form of motherhood and cooking. And yes, I know that people who know me will argue, correctly, that I too take great joy in these things too, but they are not the only things that satisfy me. Really a bit disappointing for a Weiner book.
tangledinwordsandyarn's review against another edition
4.0
I thought this was a very well written, and entertaining novel that included fidelity, addiction, parenting, relationships centered on a mother and her two adult children. The main theme of finding themselves was executed well. The only negative I can think of, is that the pop cultural references (especially ones where celebrity scandals are not named, just alluded to) will grow stale as the years pass.
lilisayshi's review against another edition
5.0
This book was delightful, of course, but it was a little unrelatable in that it was a TON of money that allowed these women to do this. But I just love Jennifer. So much.
lauracrawford823's review against another edition
3.0
I really got into some of the characters storylines, but the ending felt rushed and not thought through. Still an enjoyable read.
bookluver1's review against another edition
4.0
A fun, not too serious book. The author interwines the life of a mother and two daughters through various trials. She wraps it up nicely. It was just what I needed after a super serious read.
sar_19's review against another edition
Took a little while to get into, but I loved the relationships of the 3 generations of women. Good listen.
carka88's review against another edition
2.0
I would agree with another reviewer who said some books are hard to rate-- enjoyable enough to read but don't leave a lasting impression
sheamaryfitz's review against another edition
3.0
I would give this novel a 3.5. I liked it all the way up until the ending. At first, I didn't think I would like it very much when I thought it was just about Sylvie. I'm sorry, but I'm just not interested in a 50-something politician's wife whose husband cheated on her. But, luckily, Lizzie and Diana's stories were told as well, which I think is why I enjoyed the book so much. I think I identify as a mix between Lizzie (who's my age and doesn't know what she wants to do with her life) and Diana (an overachiever who excelled academically because she wasn't good at anything else and wanted to be noticed).
This book reminded me a lot of Emily Giffin's Heart of the Matter, which I just read a few months ago. It's strange, because while both novels are about infidelity, I felt completely opposite on how I wanted each story to end. With Giffin's book, I wanted the main character to take her husband back; it seemed like the right thing to do given the circumstances. But in this, I didn't want Sylvie to take Richard back, which is why I wasn't a fan of the ending (not that it is set in stone she will, but come on, we can all tell that's how it's going to go). I think it's interesting how your idea of infidelity can change from case to case, from novel to novel, and even within a novel itself. For instance, I didn't judge Diana too much for cheating on her husband, but I didn't like Richard because he cheated on his wife. Is it a double standard? Or is it the reason for cheating that allows us to pass judgement or not? I guess the reason I thought it was okay for Diana was because she didn't love her husband, and I thought (and so did she) it was a mistake that she married him in the first place.
In any case, I read this one in two days. It was definitely one of those novels you pick up and don't want to put down until you finish it. And, as always, anything that makes me think is a good book in my opinion.
This book reminded me a lot of Emily Giffin's Heart of the Matter, which I just read a few months ago. It's strange, because while both novels are about infidelity, I felt completely opposite on how I wanted each story to end. With Giffin's book, I wanted the main character to take her husband back; it seemed like the right thing to do given the circumstances. But in this, I didn't want Sylvie to take Richard back, which is why I wasn't a fan of the ending (not that it is set in stone she will, but come on, we can all tell that's how it's going to go). I think it's interesting how your idea of infidelity can change from case to case, from novel to novel, and even within a novel itself. For instance, I didn't judge Diana too much for cheating on her husband, but I didn't like Richard because he cheated on his wife. Is it a double standard? Or is it the reason for cheating that allows us to pass judgement or not? I guess the reason I thought it was okay for Diana was because she didn't love her husband, and I thought (and so did she) it was a mistake that she married him in the first place.
In any case, I read this one in two days. It was definitely one of those novels you pick up and don't want to put down until you finish it. And, as always, anything that makes me think is a good book in my opinion.
kpiter01's review against another edition
2.0
Ehh, I didn't have a book to read, this was on the shelf. I flew through it, and didn't feel like it was a waste of my time, but wouldn't tell you to rush out and get it.
khoerner7's review against another edition
5.0
I love Jennifer Weiner books and this one was equally great. It about the wife of a Senator caught in a sex scandal. Mainly it is about how she and her adult daughters figure out how to make changes and move on with their lives.