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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
The writing style of this book reminded me of Eva Ibbotson- its very gentle and careful little book. If you need a book to remind you of the tender bond between women in families, read this book.
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not gonna lie, the main reason I wanted to read this was because it partially took place in Michigan, in which I was born and raised and loved. I started reading it during a trip to northern Michigan as well, so I was biased from the start. That being said, I really enjoyed the story itself about the rise of an actress and her telling her story to her kids, and the angle of her dating a famous actor. There’s a lot of themes and lessons that can be hit on with life under the spotlight, but I liked that it eventually just led to Lara wishing for a more simple life and having her own kind of happy ending. The family dynamics and interactions were well written too from all aspects. And I felt the ending was perfect to wrap everything up.
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I loved this book. I mainly read it, but I listened to a few chapters and I now want Meryl Streep to read every audiobook ever
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I thought there were really good moments in this book. I will say that the story is very heartwarming and comfortable. The idea of a mother telling her daughters the story of her life and sharing details about the beautiful things she lives through. However, I felt like there was not real character development between the young version and the older version of the protagonist. They just seemed like different people. And I did find some of the situations to seem super misogynistic. Lara's decision to stop her successful career to be a stay at home mom is lowkey preaching trad wife. And although the overall idea is "comfortable" it lacks nuance, acknowledgement of privilege or any real depth.
slow-paced