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heyitskirst_'s review against another edition
4.0
This book was absolutely heartbreaking and beautiful at the same time. I loved seeing the family navigate through their grief as well as the friendships and relationships that formed throughout this book. Will defo read more by this author
hollyarchi's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
book_diva2020's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
lucyp747d4's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
rebeccareads02's review
5.0
I picked this book up during the weekly food shop and went into it completely blind. This was a 5 ⭐️ read for me and it’s a book I will likely re-read. Many reviews have said it was predictable, but don’t we all love a predictable story sometimes? I loved the characters, I loved the relationships, the humour the heartbreak. One minute I was laughing the next there were tears streaming down my face. This book taught me a larger lesson, that whilst life can be cruel and unexpected tragic events can occur life is what you make it and things can always improve. I cannot wait to see what Sarahs next book is about.
roisinmarie_'s review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Some books make you emotional, whether for good reasons, bad reasons, or both, and this book did this for me. Any book that touches me in that way will forever be five stars. I have had experiences of being ill myself, and visiting people in the hospital, and close family members dying, and this book brought it all back for me (not that it's ever far away). It brought it back in a heartwarming way though as well as heartbreaking, which I didn't expect.
I cried at so many things. I obviously cried for Doug and Emmy, every time they visited Emmy in the hospital, when Ted got upset, when Beth got upset. These are all upsetting things, but this book made it seem okay. I always think of the quote that goes something like 'grief is just love left behind', and that grief is proof of how much you loved that person. That love and energy still stays in the universe, it just needs to be channeled differently. Beth showed that love by 'stepping up' and taking care of Polly and Ted, and visiting Emmy in the hospital and helping everyone with their grief, and her own, all during an existential crisis of character and career. Every character dealt with their new way of life differently, and whilst this book isn't groundbreaking or extremely plot-heavy, it is a lovely read about how life continues during excruciating events, and that there is joy in little moments. The way Beth's relationship grew and developed with Polly and Ted was wonderful, and many plot points in this book raised interesting points without being the focus. I also loved Beth and Jory's friendship and relationship, and am very happy with how they were left at the end of the book. I also absolutely adored Albert and found his story of old age and loneliness so touching. Every text in capital letters he sent made me smile so wide but also have tears in my eyes, which if you know me, are always my emotions in a nutshell.
If you are looking for an emotional book that will leave you crying but smiling, this is a perfect book.
I cried at so many things. I obviously cried for Doug and Emmy, every time they visited Emmy in the hospital, when Ted got upset, when Beth got upset. These are all upsetting things, but this book made it seem okay. I always think of the quote that goes something like 'grief is just love left behind', and that grief is proof of how much you loved that person. That love and energy still stays in the universe, it just needs to be channeled differently. Beth showed that love by 'stepping up' and taking care of Polly and Ted, and visiting Emmy in the hospital and helping everyone with their grief, and her own, all during an existential crisis of character and career. Every character dealt with their new way of life differently, and whilst this book isn't groundbreaking or extremely plot-heavy, it is a lovely read about how life continues during excruciating events, and that there is joy in little moments. The way Beth's relationship grew and developed with Polly and Ted was wonderful, and many plot points in this book raised interesting points without being the focus. I also loved Beth and Jory's friendship and relationship, and am very happy with how they were left at the end of the book. I also absolutely adored Albert and found his story of old age and loneliness so touching. Every text in capital letters he sent made me smile so wide but also have tears in my eyes, which if you know me, are always my emotions in a nutshell.
If you are looking for an emotional book that will leave you crying but smiling, this is a perfect book.
emilymarven's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
amberb41's review
5.0
I love this book. I read it for my book club and I think it is my favourite so far. I listened to the audio version, the performance was amazing, the voices and accents spot on. It made me laugh, it made me cry, I didn't want it to end. My only wish is that Emmy would have woken up and told Beth how wonderful she did. I understand why the author left it as it was, open endings are generally better, but one still can hope.
birrrdo's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
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? Yes
4.5