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3.47 AVERAGE
3.47 AVERAGE
An enjoyable quick summer read. While I did figure out what was going one and found it predictable, I still really enjoyed it overall.
Comedy of errors that relies heavily on coincidence. Predictable fluff.
This book was fantastic. It has the perfect amount of funny and serious. I sort of knew where it was going on some parts, but man was I off with others. I got to the end and almost screamed when it just ended. I guess it is going to be a series, because there is no way it can end like that. I will be looking into the next one right when I finish writing this, let's hope it comes out soon.
Update: Next one (Revenge, Ice Cream, and Other Things Best Served Cold) comes out May 5th 2015.
Update: Next one (Revenge, Ice Cream, and Other Things Best Served Cold) comes out May 5th 2015.
DNF around page 60 ish. Main character annoying and I’m not in the mood for her drama or lies
To sum it all up: This is a story all about revenge.
When I started this I did not realize this was a first in a trilogy.
Ugh...
I didn't really like Gemma because of what she did to Hallie when she was younger. Neither of them are particularly like-able.
When I started this I did not realize this was a first in a trilogy.
Ugh...
I didn't really like Gemma because of what she did to Hallie when she was younger.
Spoiler
It was so obvious that Hallie was terrorizing Gemma through out the summer.
I’ve had Broken Hearts, Fences and Other Things to Mend by Katie Finn on my to-read list for quite some time now, just waiting for me to read it. Now that I’ve finally found time to read it, I’m kicking myself for having waited so long! This book was full of drama and is a perfect read to pass the time. I can’t wait to read the second book now!
Gemma did some pretty horrible things to her best friend, Hallie, when she was eleven years old, and she’s regretted doing them every since. When Gemma is sent to stay with her dad in the Hamptons for the summer, Gemma thinks she’s going to have a fun summer being lazy at the beach. What she doesn’t expect is to see Hallie again, five years later. But when Hallie mistakes her for someone else, Gemma takes it as the perfect opportunity to make amends for the things she did before. Unfortunately, things don’t go quite as expected.
Gemma was a pretty interesting character. She was likeable, but a bit naïve. I was actually pretty shocked to read all the things that she did when she was eleven, and some of the things she did throughout the story were pretty shocking as well. This goes for Hallie too, she was super mean. There are SO many lies in this story; I don’t know how they kept them straight for so long.
This is one of those really great books to read in the summertime. It’s full of drama and suspense, it’s like watching a train wreck; you just can’t seem to look away. Also, it’s super rare when a book makes me feel uncomfortable, and this book totally did. Not in a bad way, but in that sick to your stomach, I totally can’t believe that happened kind of way. It’s intense!
Overall; Broken Hearts, Fences and Other Things to Mend was a highly addictive read. I could not put it down. Now that I’ve finished it, I can’t wait to start Revenge, Ice Cream and Other Things Best Served Cold, which luckily, I can start right away. I’m ready, bring on even more drama!!
(Read this review and more at Pretty Bookmarks)
Broken Hearts left me wanting more but was predictably frustrating.
Broken Hearts started off great: it had a good premise, a sympathetic and relatable main character and it has its adorable and funny moments. And while Broken Hearts is enjoyable, it was also predictable. By the second incident between Gemma and Hallie, it was kind of obvious what was going on but Gemma is frustratingly dense and oblivious to Hallie’s schemes. I find it hard to believe that Gemma genuinely thought she could get away with merely a haircut before trying to befriend Hallie again. I’m not sure if it was the author’s intention, but the way that some of Hallie’s reactions were written helped with the predictability and you could tell that she’s up to something.
But Katie Finn knows how to end a story.
Despite knowing what was going to happen, I still thought that the ending was powerful. Hallie’s schemes were brought to the surface, Gemma’s pretence comes to a halt and it gears you up for the next instalment that will certainly be filled with drama and revenge plots.
Gemma does make a good main character. I feel that she’s sympathetic enough for people to like her because she just wants to be a better person, despite going about it the wrong way. I do feel some emotional attachment to Gemma and undoubtedly want to see her succeed in befriending Hallie again.
I’m also curious to see how and if Josh and Gemma’s relationship will take course post-revelation because I loved their interactions with each other. Too adorable.
Though predictable, Broken Hearts would make for a great beach read. They say that sequels make or break a series and I’m hoping for Katie Finn’s sake that the next book will be much better than this.
Broken Hearts left me wanting more but was predictably frustrating.
Broken Hearts started off great: it had a good premise, a sympathetic and relatable main character and it has its adorable and funny moments. And while Broken Hearts is enjoyable, it was also predictable. By the second incident between Gemma and Hallie, it was kind of obvious what was going on but Gemma is frustratingly dense and oblivious to Hallie’s schemes. I find it hard to believe that Gemma genuinely thought she could get away with merely a haircut before trying to befriend Hallie again. I’m not sure if it was the author’s intention, but the way that some of Hallie’s reactions were written helped with the predictability and you could tell that she’s up to something.
But Katie Finn knows how to end a story.
Despite knowing what was going to happen, I still thought that the ending was powerful. Hallie’s schemes were brought to the surface, Gemma’s pretence comes to a halt and it gears you up for the next instalment that will certainly be filled with drama and revenge plots.
Gemma does make a good main character. I feel that she’s sympathetic enough for people to like her because she just wants to be a better person, despite going about it the wrong way. I do feel some emotional attachment to Gemma and undoubtedly want to see her succeed in befriending Hallie again.
I’m also curious to see how and if Josh and Gemma’s relationship will take course post-revelation because I loved their interactions with each other. Too adorable.
Though predictable, Broken Hearts would make for a great beach read. They say that sequels make or break a series and I’m hoping for Katie Finn’s sake that the next book will be much better than this.
Going into BH, I knew I'd enjoy it, because it's Morgan Matson. *takes a moment to bow* But guys, I LOVED BROKEN HEARTS. LOVED. I laughed until I almost cried. I craughed. I flailed around. I despaired. I fell in love with Josh. I wanted to be awkward BFFs with Gemma (our MC.) I wanted to hug this book.
Through SO many mishaps and missed chances and revenge-y moments, BROKEN HEARTS, FENCES, AND OTHER THINGS TO MEND is a hilarious, touching summer story. Read it at the pool or at the beach, and I dare you to NOT fall for Katie Finn's adorable book. There's friendships (a positive one!), a strong hint of the most precious romance, sunshine, fun, and heartache, all in a gorgeous package. (THAT COVER THOUGH.)
I'm already dyyyyying for REVENGE, ICE CREAM, AND OTHER THINGS BEST SERVED COLD -- and after reading this, you will be too!
Through SO many mishaps and missed chances and revenge-y moments, BROKEN HEARTS, FENCES, AND OTHER THINGS TO MEND is a hilarious, touching summer story. Read it at the pool or at the beach, and I dare you to NOT fall for Katie Finn's adorable book. There's friendships (a positive one!), a strong hint of the most precious romance, sunshine, fun, and heartache, all in a gorgeous package. (THAT COVER THOUGH.)
I'm already dyyyyying for REVENGE, ICE CREAM, AND OTHER THINGS BEST SERVED COLD -- and after reading this, you will be too!
Apparently it's been almost exactly four years since I read this book... which is wild. I remembered a lot of plot points from my first read (including one from the second book, which is weird considering how I've never read that book), but it was still quite enjoyable. It felt like a reality TV show as far as quality and enjoyment level... which is to say, not super high quality, but somewhat stupidly entertaining and rather addicting. I got through these books in a day each, and just had a really fun time. If you're looking for a fun summer read (mind you, broken hearts and revenge is the series title), I definitely recommend picking this up! Otherwise, it doesn't have too much substance... so maybe pass on this one. :-) I still love Morgan Matson and I'm excited to see what her next book is, but this series is not really all that similar to her other books in its writing style, so I'm not sure I would recommend this one as part of her collection.
Final note to say - the "cliffhanger" on this book was kind of ridiculous. I wasn't a fan, and I would recommend having the entire trilogy on hand to get through all at once if you plan on reading this series.
Final note to say - the "cliffhanger" on this book was kind of ridiculous. I wasn't a fan, and I would recommend having the entire trilogy on hand to get through all at once if you plan on reading this series.
Truth be told, the synopsis of this book made me a little iffy. I have a hard time getting behind books where someone fakes their identity and lies to try to make up for a past transgression. I mean, it what universe does this scenario work out for all parties. (Spoiler alert: No universe.) But when I found out that Katie Finn is a pen name for Morgan Matson, I found myself willing to give Broken Hearts, Fences, and Other Things to Mend a chance. Best decision!
The story starts out with Gemma at Target with her boyfriend, Teddy, who promptly dumps her within the first chapter. Harsh. Instead of wallowing, Gemma has convinced herself that Teddy is confused and will come back to her apologizing and they'll laugh it off. Poor, sweet, delusional Gemma. (Unfortunately for Gemma, this statement pretty much applies to her throughout the entirety of Broken Hearts, Fences, and Other Things to Mend and not just this situation.)
After returning to the Hamptons to stay with her father over the summer, Gemma finds herself face-to-face with a terrible act she committed as an eleven-year-old and a strong desire to make amends to those she wronged. However, instead of saying "Hey, can we talk about how I was an awful kid five years ago?" she jumps on the mistaken identity opportunity and runs with it.
While I liked Gemma as a whole, this is such a major flaw in this character. She re-friends Hallie and Josh under her new identity in an attempt to show them that she's not a horrible person. She was eleven and she made a huge mistake - something she regrets - and she just wants to make things okay again. How she thinks lying about it is going to help, I don't know. But it did make for a good story!
The romance with Josh is cute and innocent - with the exception of Gemma's boldfaced lie. I like Josh; he comes across very genuine and cares for Gemma and I feel bad for him. This is another instance where I wanted to shake Gemma and say "This is going to blow up in your face!" I would have liked to see more of Sophie, Gemma's best friend. Gemma kind of blows her off a bit while dealing with the whole Hamptons thing and while she does make more of an appearance in the end, I'm hoping to see more of her in the subsequent books.
Overall, Broken Hearts, Fences, and Other Things to Mend is a fun and quick read. While there were moments where I couldn't help but roll my eyes and Gemma's naivety, I'm hoping she'll wise up in Revenge, Ice Cream, and Other Things Best Served Cold.
The story starts out with Gemma at Target with her boyfriend, Teddy, who promptly dumps her within the first chapter. Harsh. Instead of wallowing, Gemma has convinced herself that Teddy is confused and will come back to her apologizing and they'll laugh it off. Poor, sweet, delusional Gemma. (Unfortunately for Gemma, this statement pretty much applies to her throughout the entirety of Broken Hearts, Fences, and Other Things to Mend and not just this situation.)
After returning to the Hamptons to stay with her father over the summer, Gemma finds herself face-to-face with a terrible act she committed as an eleven-year-old and a strong desire to make amends to those she wronged. However, instead of saying "Hey, can we talk about how I was an awful kid five years ago?" she jumps on the mistaken identity opportunity and runs with it.
While I liked Gemma as a whole, this is such a major flaw in this character. She re-friends Hallie and Josh under her new identity in an attempt to show them that she's not a horrible person. She was eleven and she made a huge mistake - something she regrets - and she just wants to make things okay again. How she thinks lying about it is going to help, I don't know. But it did make for a good story!
The romance with Josh is cute and innocent - with the exception of Gemma's boldfaced lie. I like Josh; he comes across very genuine and cares for Gemma and I feel bad for him. This is another instance where I wanted to shake Gemma and say "This is going to blow up in your face!" I would have liked to see more of Sophie, Gemma's best friend. Gemma kind of blows her off a bit while dealing with the whole Hamptons thing and while she does make more of an appearance in the end, I'm hoping to see more of her in the subsequent books.
Overall, Broken Hearts, Fences, and Other Things to Mend is a fun and quick read. While there were moments where I couldn't help but roll my eyes and Gemma's naivety, I'm hoping she'll wise up in Revenge, Ice Cream, and Other Things Best Served Cold.