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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
tense
funny
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
To say the reviews of this book are mixed would be the understatement of the century. If you are looking for characters who can claim moral superiority, look elsewhere. As for me, I found this book to be very juicy...
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I thought the premise of this book was intriguing - a politically diverse couple, one of which decides to run as a republican for congress. Yet, the book was tedious and did anyone really learn anything or grow? Honestly, I wanted Gabe to get a divorce from Ethan. Gabe tried SO hard to be proud of Ethan. To support him. And Ethan was just an inconsiderate, self-centered asshat who had no sense with how his decisions impacted his family or even cared. I felt so very bad for Gabe throughout this book.
Another story is Ethan’s sister / Gabe’s best friend and an affair she starts with a former girlfriend who happens to be married. I thought that part of the story was fine, although I think Kate could she come up with a less destructive way to change her career and Nicole could have also figured out another way to work on her marriage. It didn’t seem like she wanted to even try. Which - is fine actually.
In the end, what was the point of this book? That people of differing political beliefs can make it work? I didn’t see any “making it work”, coming together, compromising, or being empathetic to the other side. Also how many times can you say conservative this, conservative that in one book? A lot it turns out. Honestly - was this book trying to preach conservative ideals to me? I actually couldn’t tell.
Another story is Ethan’s sister / Gabe’s best friend and an affair she starts with a former girlfriend who happens to be married. I thought that part of the story was fine, although I think Kate could she come up with a less destructive way to change her career and Nicole could have also figured out another way to work on her marriage. It didn’t seem like she wanted to even try. Which - is fine actually.
In the end, what was the point of this book? That people of differing political beliefs can make it work? I didn’t see any “making it work”, coming together, compromising, or being empathetic to the other side. Also how many times can you say conservative this, conservative that in one book? A lot it turns out. Honestly - was this book trying to preach conservative ideals to me? I actually couldn’t tell.
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Homophobia
Moderate: Alcoholism, Infidelity
The plot of this novel has two separate but connected cores. In the first Gabe is horrified when his husband Ethan announces a wish to stand for Congress. Ethan is standing as a Republican and Gabe is a Democrat. The second storyline involves Ethan's sister Kate, a journalist, who resumes a relationship with her flaky ex Nicole, who is now married with two children. While both storylines were equally interesting and well- written I picked this book up solely for the Ethan-Gabe storyline. I felt all the expected issues were handled realistically but respectfully, no easy feat I'm sure. I found it a satisfying exploration of a "what if" situation that I find interesting as well as topical.
challenging
emotional
funny
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
3.75 - The transformation of Gabe and Ethan's relationship was really sad but realistic, I fear. I thought Harris did a great job at showing how easy it can be to get stuck in routine with everyday life with a partner and forget the values and morals that drew you to each other in the first place. It also accurately showed how the shift in politics and differences in couples is gradual and one's tolerance gradually increases as well. Overall, here for the family drama - especially with Kate and Nicole.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes