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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Loved the characters in this book. It was a bit of a slow burn but worth it.
3.5 At first, I really enjoyed the richly depicted inner lives of the characters as they were trying to figure out what it means to love and be loved. I was rooting for most of the characters—wanting them to expand and grow and connect in the ways they yearned for—but the route the author takes them on ultimately felt melodramatic, a bit saccharine, and too neatly tied in a bow. They felt less real to me by the end. Bummer.
This story had a few things going for it — family dynamics that change with different circumstances, the thread of forgiveness — but there were serious issues with it, namely, generally continually unlikeable characters, unrealistically mature and complex child and teen characters (pet peeve of mine), and the whole time you’ll be wondering…why is Marley here? She has basically no reason to become entrenched in this family and then by the time she does have a reason I had such little sympathy for her.
Also a detail that may drive you as crazy as it drove me…the sons Baylor Waylon and Shay are referred to throughout as “Bay” “Way” and “Shay Baby”…come on. At around 70% I really couldn’t wait for it to end.
Also a detail that may drive you as crazy as it drove me…the sons Baylor Waylon and Shay are referred to throughout as “Bay” “Way” and “Shay Baby”…come on. At around 70% I really couldn’t wait for it to end.
Such a fantastic story! I was so sucked into this family and all it's secrets, highs and lows. I loved how it was written and I would love to read more by Burns.
A beautiful and gripping family story. Don't read it for the mystery since there is really not much to it. It's much better as the story of a dysfunctional family (and one person who attaches herself to this family, for better or worse). My favorite part was the econd half when there were POV's for the other two brothers. The main character's POV is honestly kind of boring because she's just too perfect.
3.5 stars, rounding up. As much as I loved this family drama, I struggled a bit with Elise’s character. I appreciated the relationship between Marley and Elise, but it felt underdeveloped. It was based on a couple of interactions at the beginning that felt too quick and slight to be as influential as they ended up being. It seemed that some parts needed more development, which would have really knocked this book out of the park.
