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salimah's review against another edition
1.0
What an incohesive, insulting wreck of a story fronted by an emotionally inconsistent, immature protagonist. This is the kind of book that gives people the idea that anyone can write and get it published... because how hard could it really be if this passed muster?
The heroine of this story is under the impression that her mother dying of cancer when she was a child is license to act like a complete asshole for the rest of her life. The story starts with her getting a double dose of devastating news, and so a lapse or two in processing judgment could be forgiven, but she never ever, not once, has an epiphany about the ways she's contributed to some of the deeper dissatisfaction she feels with her life. Or the ways she's let herself and others down.
And when one of the two central relationships of her adult life crumbles, not once after giving herself a reasonable amount of time to freak out, does she ever give that relationship its due consideration--or the person she was in the relationship with a moment of grace or compassion. She seems to be under the impression that she is the only one who's allowed to grieve. The author spends a lot of time convincingly painting the picture of a marriage that was filled with abiding, if incomplete love. But never once does the author allow her main character to realize that the underlying compassion her erstwhile husband always showed her (and continues to try to show her) merits something other than the abject cruelty she leveraged at him at every turn.
Everything in the aftermath of the devastating blow actually undermines any claims that she ever loved her husband at all.
So, we're supposed to believe that her new love interest is the real deal--that she is, in fact, capable of love when she can't even talk to the person she purported to love most in the world until circumstances force her hand?
That she'd confide in the wife of her former husband's best friend--a woman she admitted she was only friends with because she was her husband's best friend's wife--but never confides that truth to the man she spent nearly 20 years with? If I were the new guy, I'd look at that as a roadmap for how she'll react when things ultimately get difficult for them. Of course, the book ends before there's anything other than a bright outlook on the horizon.
You know what would have been a compelling story with the same catalyzing events in place? The heroine and her husband working through her diagnosis and his realization together with compassion, grace, and honesty while they each figured out how to move forward, separately, without totally undermining the very real love we were told (repeatedly) they'd had.
I can only assume the author found her protagonist's behavior acceptable since there was nothing to indicate that the reader was invited to do anything other than be on her side. I've read other books by Pagan and her heroines are often shocked by a realization--or a departure--and then they dig in their heels like petulant children, refusing to make decisions/face facts, while simultaneously doing untold damage to others. This heroine is by far the worst of the lot.
The heroine of this story is under the impression that her mother dying of cancer when she was a child is license to act like a complete asshole for the rest of her life. The story starts with her getting a double dose of devastating news, and so a lapse or two in processing judgment could be forgiven, but she never ever, not once, has an epiphany about the ways she's contributed to some of the deeper dissatisfaction she feels with her life. Or the ways she's let herself and others down.
And when one of the two central relationships of her adult life crumbles, not once after giving herself a reasonable amount of time to freak out, does she ever give that relationship its due consideration--or the person she was in the relationship with a moment of grace or compassion. She seems to be under the impression that she is the only one who's allowed to grieve. The author spends a lot of time convincingly painting the picture of a marriage that was filled with abiding, if incomplete love. But never once does the author allow her main character to realize that the underlying compassion her erstwhile husband always showed her (and continues to try to show her) merits something other than the abject cruelty she leveraged at him at every turn.
Everything in the aftermath of the devastating blow actually undermines any claims that she ever loved her husband at all.
So, we're supposed to believe that her new love interest is the real deal--that she is, in fact, capable of love when she can't even talk to the person she purported to love most in the world until circumstances force her hand?
That she'd confide in the wife of her former husband's best friend--a woman she admitted she was only friends with because she was her husband's best friend's wife--but never confides that truth to the man she spent nearly 20 years with? If I were the new guy, I'd look at that as a roadmap for how she'll react when things ultimately get difficult for them. Of course, the book ends before there's anything other than a bright outlook on the horizon.
You know what would have been a compelling story with the same catalyzing events in place? The heroine and her husband working through her diagnosis and his realization together with compassion, grace, and honesty while they each figured out how to move forward, separately, without totally undermining the very real love we were told (repeatedly) they'd had.
I can only assume the author found her protagonist's behavior acceptable since there was nothing to indicate that the reader was invited to do anything other than be on her side. I've read other books by Pagan and her heroines are often shocked by a realization--or a departure--and then they dig in their heels like petulant children, refusing to make decisions/face facts, while simultaneously doing untold damage to others. This heroine is by far the worst of the lot.
wiinnnie's review against another edition
2.0
Not a huge fan of the dialogue that was exchanged between the characters. People don’t talk like that in real life, and it was annoying to read unrealistic dialogue over and over again, especially between Libby and Paul.
There were moments of humor but other than that, I thought the book was trying too hard at some points to be witty and funny. Characters, including the main character herself, were underdeveloped and flat. Overall, I thought the book was underwhelming. It did not strike me as deeply as I would have imagined, especially for a book centered around the journey of living life after knowing you have cancer.
There were moments of humor but other than that, I thought the book was trying too hard at some points to be witty and funny. Characters, including the main character herself, were underdeveloped and flat. Overall, I thought the book was underwhelming. It did not strike me as deeply as I would have imagined, especially for a book centered around the journey of living life after knowing you have cancer.
novahkiin's review against another edition
4.0
I was recommended this while perusing the shelves at my local library one day, by the librarian who hosts the book club at said library. Since I had no idea what the book was, I had no idea what I was going into, aside from the knowledge that it was humor and adult, somewhat outside of my comfort zone as a YA reader. Regardless, I took the plunge, and I’m glad I did.
From the start, this book had some pretty funny dialogue and prose. The main character, Libby , had a strange sense of humor that was clearly portrayed in her person through her actions, and I really enjoyed the fact we were seeing it all through her eyes. There were moments where I was holding my head and wondering what on earth was going through her head, despite technically being in there with her, and she did have some erratic decision-making and problem-solving skills, but it definitely only added to the humor of having her as the main point of view.
I didn’t always agree with Libby’s decisions, and I got frustrated with her on more than one account, but I think it worked in her favor this time, which rarely happens with me and characters that frustrate me. All the frustration just made me want to read more so I could see where the decisions got her, and her humor over whatever did happen helped to make it worth the time it took to read that far.
All-in-all, if you’re looking for an adult read with lots of humor surrounding it, I definitely suggest this one. I want to read more from this author at some point, too. If you’ve ready any of her other books, please let me know what you thought of them!
From the start, this book had some pretty funny dialogue and prose. The main character, Libby , had a strange sense of humor that was clearly portrayed in her person through her actions, and I really enjoyed the fact we were seeing it all through her eyes. There were moments where I was holding my head and wondering what on earth was going through her head, despite technically being in there with her, and she did have some erratic decision-making and problem-solving skills, but it definitely only added to the humor of having her as the main point of view.
I didn’t always agree with Libby’s decisions, and I got frustrated with her on more than one account, but I think it worked in her favor this time, which rarely happens with me and characters that frustrate me. All the frustration just made me want to read more so I could see where the decisions got her, and her humor over whatever did happen helped to make it worth the time it took to read that far.
All-in-all, if you’re looking for an adult read with lots of humor surrounding it, I definitely suggest this one. I want to read more from this author at some point, too. If you’ve ready any of her other books, please let me know what you thought of them!
mannieiman's review against another edition
4.0
Its weird because this book didn't catch my interest at first, but towards the end it hooked onto my feelings and sent me on a whirlwind of emotions. The ending made me tear up. Probably not amazing to others, but it resonated with my past.
jess31790's review against another edition
4.0
As a cancer survivor, I usually avoid books about it. I nearly abandoned this one after the first page, but something told me to stick with it. I'm glad I did! Such a fun read.
brb_reads's review against another edition
3.0
Somewhere between 3 and 3.5 stars. It was interesting enough to keep me reading, but not great. More like a beach read. Did like the ending, however.
bookmama2014's review
5.0
I really liked this book. I am loving Camille Pagán as an author recently and this one did not disappoint!!!
tobia's review
3.0
2,5*
The main character was not very likable in my opinion and rather judge mental and one dimensional.
It was not a light fluffy read but also didn’t carry any deep conversations on the topic.
And while it picked up slightly towards the end I somehow predicted the outcome and was just waiting for it.
For me it was a bit too shallow.
The main character was not very likable in my opinion and rather judge mental and one dimensional.
It was not a light fluffy read but also didn’t carry any deep conversations on the topic.
And while it picked up slightly towards the end I somehow predicted the outcome and was just waiting for it.
For me it was a bit too shallow.