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kdtoverbooked's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
A slice of life story revolving a group of college friends who are going to an exclusive resort to celebrate one of them turning 30. I think it does a good job capturing the tumult that is your late 20s and early 30s. None of the characters were particularly likable. I can see how the author paired nicely with Greer Hendricks to write some great characters!
sandiet's review against another edition
5.0
**Thank you to NetGalley**
The Best of Us by Sarah Pekkanen is simply in a word.. awesome. Having just finished reading The Opposite of Me for our book club (which we had the pleasure of having Ms. Pekkanen join us via Skype to discuss with us) it was a real treat to have been able to get her latest novel through NetGalley... Thank you!
This book is about 4 couples who go away for a week to an exclusive villa in Jamaica to celebrate a birthday. During the time together we learn that these couples are not as happy as they appear (or at least one of them isn't ). With a hurricane bearing down on the island, emotions run high and soon the couples are facing their own emotional hurricanes. As a woman I found myself sympathizing with almost all of the female characters... we all have secrets of some kind or another and some we never share with others. All of the women were dealing with emotional upheaval and had a story to tell and most always it was shared with the other women and not their own husbands. The husbands were supportive and most were completely clueless about the struggles their wives were going through. Most of the women were looking for something more, either in themselves or in their relationships and it took crises for them to figure out what they were looking for was right in front of them all the time.
I am definitely a Sarah Pekkanen fan... her writing flows easily and her characters are believable. The description of the villa in Jamaica made me want to book a vacation immediately! Loved it and I look forward to reading her other books. One more note.. I find the title of the book very interesting because in my opinion the vacation brought out the worst in the characters. As with The Opposite of Me, the title plays an important part of the story...What IS "The Best of
Us"
Review can also be found at:
http://gigi02.wordpress.com/
The Best of Us by Sarah Pekkanen is simply in a word.. awesome. Having just finished reading The Opposite of Me for our book club (which we had the pleasure of having Ms. Pekkanen join us via Skype to discuss with us) it was a real treat to have been able to get her latest novel through NetGalley... Thank you!
This book is about 4 couples who go away for a week to an exclusive villa in Jamaica to celebrate a birthday. During the time together we learn that these couples are not as happy as they appear (or at least one of them isn't ). With a hurricane bearing down on the island, emotions run high and soon the couples are facing their own emotional hurricanes. As a woman I found myself sympathizing with almost all of the female characters... we all have secrets of some kind or another and some we never share with others. All of the women were dealing with emotional upheaval and had a story to tell and most always it was shared with the other women and not their own husbands. The husbands were supportive and most were completely clueless about the struggles their wives were going through. Most of the women were looking for something more, either in themselves or in their relationships and it took crises for them to figure out what they were looking for was right in front of them all the time.
I am definitely a Sarah Pekkanen fan... her writing flows easily and her characters are believable. The description of the villa in Jamaica made me want to book a vacation immediately! Loved it and I look forward to reading her other books. One more note.. I find the title of the book very interesting because in my opinion the vacation brought out the worst in the characters. As with The Opposite of Me, the title plays an important part of the story...What IS "The Best of
Us"
Review can also be found at:
http://gigi02.wordpress.com/
mbkarapcik's review against another edition
4.0
Okay, I found it. The perfect beach read which happens to take place on a beach in Jamaica. It incorporates all the elements of a fun beach read without taxing the brain: a luxurious setting, a reunion, characters who harbor secrets and hidden agendas, marriages that are shaky, storms of the literal and figurative kind and much partying. You get wrapped up in the characters’ lives without getting too serious.
Sure, there’s enough to discuss, but you won’t spend too much time on speculation and more on the fun of it all like you’re the only confidante the guests will trust with their secrets and wonder when they will blow up. Although some of the male characters could have benefited from more insight into their own personal actions, there’s enough of a story projected from the female perspectives to give you an idea of the men’s inner motivations. And, really, the story centers on the women, anyway.
Although several of the storylines tie up neatly and nicely, there are also some open endings and untold secrets kept that prevent the story from seeing too trite. I liked these characters and would revisit them again in another five years to see where they ended up but not sure if there would be enough stories to tell.
Sure, there’s enough to discuss, but you won’t spend too much time on speculation and more on the fun of it all like you’re the only confidante the guests will trust with their secrets and wonder when they will blow up. Although some of the male characters could have benefited from more insight into their own personal actions, there’s enough of a story projected from the female perspectives to give you an idea of the men’s inner motivations. And, really, the story centers on the women, anyway.
Although several of the storylines tie up neatly and nicely, there are also some open endings and untold secrets kept that prevent the story from seeing too trite. I liked these characters and would revisit them again in another five years to see where they ended up but not sure if there would be enough stories to tell.
lefttorread's review against another edition
2.0
Ugh, I didn't hate it but it wasn't really good either. A lot of the characters were unlikeable and by the end of the story nothing seemed to have been 'solved'. More should have been added to this story.
triciaralph's review against another edition
2.0
Cheesy beach read. Interesting enough to hold your interest, dull enough to not be taxing on the mind.
beastreader's review against another edition
3.0
Pauline is throwing a huge spectacular party for her husband, Dwight. She has invited all of his friends for an exotic birthday party in Jamaica. The guests include Tina and her husband Gio. Tina needs this vacation. She has not had a break from her children in a long time. Then there is Allie and her husband, Ryan. Allie is keeping a secret from Ryan. Finally there is Savannah. She arrives alone. This is due to her husband cheating on her. Everyone’s secrets come out when hurricane Betty sweeps in.
I liked the girl friendship relationship between Tina, Allie, and Savannah. However I don’t know if my friendship would be as strong as their’s if it involved infidelity. Also, I did not really feel like they were the best of friends. The way that they treated each other was kind of mean.
In fact, I felt that everyone in this book was self-centered except for Pauline. What Pauline was going through, I felt sorry for her. In addition, that she did seem kind-hearted and everyone just walked all over her.
Also, I could not believe how quickly everyone just changed right away. It was like since they were in another place they did not have to account for anything. Sorry for say but Jamaica is not like Vegas where the saying goes “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.” The ending was pretty predictable. Overall though this was not a bad book. It is a quick read.
I liked the girl friendship relationship between Tina, Allie, and Savannah. However I don’t know if my friendship would be as strong as their’s if it involved infidelity. Also, I did not really feel like they were the best of friends. The way that they treated each other was kind of mean.
In fact, I felt that everyone in this book was self-centered except for Pauline. What Pauline was going through, I felt sorry for her. In addition, that she did seem kind-hearted and everyone just walked all over her.
Also, I could not believe how quickly everyone just changed right away. It was like since they were in another place they did not have to account for anything. Sorry for say but Jamaica is not like Vegas where the saying goes “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.” The ending was pretty predictable. Overall though this was not a bad book. It is a quick read.
judithdcollins's review against another edition
5.0
This was my first Sarah Pekkanen novel and I really enjoyed it! (the front cover was a draw). I purchased the audio which was excellent! I have read all Emily Giffin and Jennifer Weiner books and she is a similar author—so would encourage fans of these authors to read this book! It was so realistic and each and every woman or man in a married relationship or single would enjoy ---especially young mothers.
I am so looking forward to reading more from this author and purchasing another audio or e-book tonight! Very sexy, funny, and will keep you laughing ---very well written! Good food, sex, romance, travel, and more!!!!
I am so looking forward to reading more from this author and purchasing another audio or e-book tonight! Very sexy, funny, and will keep you laughing ---very well written! Good food, sex, romance, travel, and more!!!!