Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

The Secret Sunshine Project by Benjamin Dean

4 reviews

lokisflyting's review

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25


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asourceoffiction's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-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

5.0

This beautiful book just exudes joy from beginning to end. I always love a sprayed edge, but never before have they had any impact on the reading of a book. Here I only had to glance at the stunning rainbow edge and it would uplift me. Which is also a great parallel with what's inside those pages.

The story is simple, and not unpredictable, but it's the characters that pulled me in and kept me so engaged throughout. I knew how I hoped it would end, but there were sufficient surprises that I wasn't bored for a second. I didn't want it to finish but I couldn't put it down long enough to make it last. Bea and Riley's relationship is beautiful, and the friends and family that help them navigate their summer in St Regent's Vale are the most wonderful group.

Rita provides a great counterpoint to Bea's plans, and I felt tense whenever she appeared in the story. She's a clever villain with nuance and complexity. And while she never fully redeems herself I did feel like there might be hope for her by the end.

And speaking of the end, well, I just wept tears of joy throughout the last 50 pages. That's really all you need to know. Get it. Read it. Be joyful.

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that_bookworm_guy's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring reflective relaxing fast-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? It's complicated

5.0

Wow.

I read this book quickly because I just couldn’t put it down. I’ve read Benjamin Dean’s first book, Me, My Dad, and the end of the Rainbow, last year and I loved that book. So I had high hopes when starting this one. I really wasn’t disappointed at all. I loved every single page of this book. It’s a fun filled book that also deals with some hard topics such as the death of a parent, grief, as well as coming out. They are done in a way that isn’t too hard hitting but also allows the characters to feel and understand their griefs and feelings. 

Overal, a brilliant book for people of all ages to read and enough

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19becky97's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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? No

5.0


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