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ggleigh's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
reillywilmit's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jenkopp's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mollycarter7's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jenniferwallini's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
A lovely book that doesn't put it's characters on the easy (unrealistic) route, but instead makes them more human by subjecting them to the full human experience. The book is no doubt better for it. A sweet love-letter to the Midwest and its people, and all that makes it special and universal at the same time.
allykonkol19's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
laurenscholle's review against another edition
3.0
the end was sort of satisfying but the time jumps and different povs were a little confusing. cute book overall.
booklady_katie's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars—5 rounded up here.
This is a two-for-one sort of post, as I’m not only reviewing this delightful book, but I got to meet the author yesterday! It was so great to hear him talk about his books & share a little bit about his life as well.
While my main reason for originally picking this book up was because of the cover & title alone, what was on the inside delivered 100%! Such a heartwarming novel and so beautifully written. I can’t wait to read the rest of your books, J. Ryan! This one takes place in Minnesota, which is close & similar enough to Wisconsin, that it felt so relatable in many ways.
The relationships depicted in this story have lots of depth, are complicated, tragic but also beautiful. You will probably find yourself frustrated with the stubbornness of Florence, be rooting for Mariel & Ned, and get warm fuzzies from getting to know Julia toward the end. Don’t wait too long to read this one!
This is a two-for-one sort of post, as I’m not only reviewing this delightful book, but I got to meet the author yesterday! It was so great to hear him talk about his books & share a little bit about his life as well.
While my main reason for originally picking this book up was because of the cover & title alone, what was on the inside delivered 100%! Such a heartwarming novel and so beautifully written. I can’t wait to read the rest of your books, J. Ryan! This one takes place in Minnesota, which is close & similar enough to Wisconsin, that it felt so relatable in many ways.
The relationships depicted in this story have lots of depth, are complicated, tragic but also beautiful. You will probably find yourself frustrated with the stubbornness of Florence, be rooting for Mariel & Ned, and get warm fuzzies from getting to know Julia toward the end. Don’t wait too long to read this one!
rachellarson2019's review
3.0
3 stars overall but 4.5 stars for Minnesota nostalgia in general and lake town nostalgia specifically.
If you are from MN or lived there, the towns mentioned and the culture in general is very specific and well represented. The ups and downs of local restaurants, in this case a supper club, how chains came in over the years and then died out, and the resurgence of more localized farm to table/healthier options is very familiar to my experience living in MN for most of my childhood and adult life. That part of the book was excellent.
The threeish generations of women represented (Florence, Mariel, and Julia, plus Betty who we don’t get to hear from, just see her life from the outside) were represented a little unevenly. I also found it odd that we got a first person narrative from Ned for a few years of his life and then only see him from other character’s perspective for the remainder of the book. I understand a little bit, because it would have been a much longer book if each of the characters had been developed and represented in a way that would have been more detailed in interesting. This book was shorter and readable on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
I’m particular, I wish Julia would have had more detail and development and I also thought it was odd how Ned and his sister seemed so close and then she just disappears from his life and the story almost completely.
Bottom line: if you do or have lived in Minnesota you should read it just for the Minnesota details and lake nostalgia, but if you don’t or haven’t, I don’t think the characters or overall story are that worth the read.
If you are from MN or lived there, the towns mentioned and the culture in general is very specific and well represented. The ups and downs of local restaurants, in this case a supper club, how chains came in over the years and then died out, and the resurgence of more localized farm to table/healthier options is very familiar to my experience living in MN for most of my childhood and adult life. That part of the book was excellent.
The threeish generations of women represented (Florence, Mariel, and Julia, plus Betty who we don’t get to hear from, just see her life from the outside) were represented a little unevenly. I also found it odd that we got a first person narrative from Ned for a few years of his life and then only see him from other character’s perspective for the remainder of the book. I understand a little bit, because it would have been a much longer book if each of the characters had been developed and represented in a way that would have been more detailed in interesting. This book was shorter and readable on a lazy Sunday afternoon.
I’m particular, I wish Julia would have had more detail and development and I also thought it was odd how Ned and his sister seemed so close and then she just disappears from his life and the story almost completely.
Bottom line: if you do or have lived in Minnesota you should read it just for the Minnesota details and lake nostalgia, but if you don’t or haven’t, I don’t think the characters or overall story are that worth the read.