You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.69 AVERAGE
3.69 AVERAGE
A beautiful glimpse through the window on a Connecticut town with vignettes of interconnected people. I love literature like this that realistically focuses on people over plots. Just one of those where you close the book and sigh and say “life is an interesting thing.”
3.5 ⭐️Such an emotional little listen, the writing had some amazing moments and was really beautiful
You somehow connect to the characters so quickly despite it being so short. It was just a lil too sad for me but did give perspective
You somehow connect to the characters so quickly despite it being so short. It was just a lil too sad for me but did give perspective
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
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:
Yes
dark
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Was able to get through most of this on a plane ride, it's a fast read. It's a lot like his other novel, A Quiet Life, in which you follow an assortment of characters and they end up all connecting in some way. Personally, I liked that book better, but I still thought this was really good. He has a way of writing characters that you really feel for, but he doesn't end up being overly saccharine in his writing style. I'll absolutely read whatever he puts out next.
This book was beautiful. It was emotional and poignant. Joella's writing is poetic. The book holds a lot of grief, but in between there are layers of love, life and hope. I loved the way Joella weaved the lives of so many characters together that left me invested in each character and also made me feel like I was part of the town. I went through all emotions with them, I smiled at the wedding, I cried with the death, I was scared for the Cancer patient. Joella is a powerful writer and I look forward to his next book.
(ALSO bonus, Joella lives in the town I grew up (1/2 of the year) and teaches at my Alma mater: UD.... and, I now live in Connecticut.... small world
(ALSO bonus, Joella lives in the town I grew up (1/2 of the year) and teaches at my Alma mater: UD.... and, I now live in Connecticut.... small world
Beautiful and cathartic. Just what my heart needed. Joella ALWAYS delivers. Full review to come.
I love books about hope, but a lot of this story was annoyingly unbelievable or a little too perfect. Or maybe I’m just cynical. It probably won’t stick with me although I did love this line from one of the characters:
“I would do it all again. If I could go back, knowing what I know, I would do it again.”
“I would do it all again. If I could go back, knowing what I know, I would do it again.”
