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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
FULL DISCLOSURE: I "read" this as an audiobook, and it was recommended to me. I thought it was fiction, and didn't realize it was a romance, so please take this review with a grain of salt.
This was my most disappointing/frustrating "read" this year. I was excited to read (listen to) a book that touched on several topics that I find important and/or interesting. It tried to do too much so didn't really serve any. I wish the romantic interest had been scrapped entirely so they could have treated the other subject matter better. Or if the author wanted to keep the romance, go a little lighter on other areas. Or had a stronger protagonist. She did good things but seemed not well developed. This is the first time I've read this author. Anyway, I know some folks might like it, but it actually made me super frustrated.
The dialogue and maturity of the teens didn't feel believable, and the narration of the audiobook seemed a little over dramatic. When major life events happened, there was no real attempt to share the emotional impact or the minutia of those realities.
This book touches on: the fashion industry, intellectual property theft, domestic abuse, self-employment, family business, empowerment of women, support groups, romance, attempted rape, drug abuse, motherhood, family, friendship, adoption, mixed race children, blended families, adopting dogs, death of a friend, death of romantic interest's mother, coming of age, blackmail, rekindling a first love, and probably a few more things.
EDITED TO ADD: sometimes it is OK to say someone looked at someone/something. They don't need to "regard" every damn thing in their lives.
This was my most disappointing/frustrating "read" this year. I was excited to read (listen to) a book that touched on several topics that I find important and/or interesting. It tried to do too much so didn't really serve any. I wish the romantic interest had been scrapped entirely so they could have treated the other subject matter better. Or if the author wanted to keep the romance, go a little lighter on other areas. Or had a stronger protagonist. She did good things but seemed not well developed. This is the first time I've read this author. Anyway, I know some folks might like it, but it actually made me super frustrated.
The dialogue and maturity of the teens didn't feel believable, and the narration of the audiobook seemed a little over dramatic. When major life events happened, there was no real attempt to share the emotional impact or the minutia of those realities.
This book touches on: the fashion industry, intellectual property theft, domestic abuse, self-employment, family business, empowerment of women, support groups, romance, attempted rape, drug abuse, motherhood, family, friendship, adoption, mixed race children, blended families, adopting dogs, death of a friend, death of romantic interest's mother, coming of age, blackmail, rekindling a first love, and probably a few more things.
EDITED TO ADD: sometimes it is OK to say someone looked at someone/something. They don't need to "regard" every damn thing in their lives.
I received a copy of this book in a giveaway here on goodreads. It took me awhile to read it due to the nature of the storyline. It was an emotional read. I’m glad I picked it back up.
Loved this. It was a wonderful story about a lot of really tough subjects and they were dealt with in a sensitive and compassionate way. Well written and beautiful.
Read this for Book Group-we swapped books we had recently read. The framing device was a little forced and the prose a bit purple at times, but the middle section, about childhood friends rang true. Didn’t enjoy enough to make me want to hunt down more from this author.
4th book read in 2020. ⭐⭐ The Oysterville Sewing Circle.
This book had a lot going for it - my mom recommended it to me, it's set in Washington in a small town, it deals with domestic violence, friendship, and guardianship and adoption. These are all issues of high interest to me! I was unfamiliar with this author and this book came on my radar because of the Washington state connection.
This book had a lot going for it - my mom recommended it to me, it's set in Washington in a small town, it deals with domestic violence, friendship, and guardianship and adoption. These are all issues of high interest to me! I was unfamiliar with this author and this book came on my radar because of the Washington state connection.
AMAZING! Don’t judge the book by the title and cover. I was expecting a charming little story about a small town old-fashioned women’s group…but this book is modern, adapts to the current situations many women find themselves in, and is SO GOOD!
Great story - glad to see focus on women helping women
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced