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bookish_burrow's review
challenging
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Thank you to the author for an advanced e-copy in exchange for a review.
I’ve had the pleasure of reading Ryan’s work before and there’s no doubt about how talented of a writer she is. This Expanse of Eventually is a story that focuses on Lanie and her family’s grief and the rollercoaster they all experience as they process, heal and learn to live again. It’s very clear how personable this story is to the author and it showed within the pages of this story.
I was drawn to this premise because of my own experiences of grief and I truly appreciated how Ryan showed the anger and resentment that manifested for the characters in this story. It was incredibly relatable how they felt and processed their grief, as I saw quite a bit of my own journey within them. It isn’t always discussed in media, so I appreciate that multiple expressions of grief were shown throughout the book as they all grappled with the sudden change in their life. That being said, I wish moments and dialogue between character had been expanded upon. This story was incredibly fast paced and with such a poignant plot, I wish it had slowed down to truly delve into how Lainie and Leslie felt more. I often felt like I was told how they felt and their thoughts were continually placed at the forefront without me, as the reader, drawing those conclusions from interactions with others and their environments.
Additionally, I struggled to connect with the characters which could have been due to the fact that the main characters were still in high school. Even though this wasn’t a story that hooked me in from the start, I feel it is such an important story and I hope that the person who needs it most finds it.
I’ve had the pleasure of reading Ryan’s work before and there’s no doubt about how talented of a writer she is. This Expanse of Eventually is a story that focuses on Lanie and her family’s grief and the rollercoaster they all experience as they process, heal and learn to live again. It’s very clear how personable this story is to the author and it showed within the pages of this story.
I was drawn to this premise because of my own experiences of grief and I truly appreciated how Ryan showed the anger and resentment that manifested for the characters in this story. It was incredibly relatable how they felt and processed their grief, as I saw quite a bit of my own journey within them. It isn’t always discussed in media, so I appreciate that multiple expressions of grief were shown throughout the book as they all grappled with the sudden change in their life. That being said, I wish moments and dialogue between character had been expanded upon. This story was incredibly fast paced and with such a poignant plot, I wish it had slowed down to truly delve into how Lainie and Leslie felt more. I often felt like I was told how they felt and their thoughts were continually placed at the forefront without me, as the reader, drawing those conclusions from interactions with others and their environments.
Additionally, I struggled to connect with the characters which could have been due to the fact that the main characters were still in high school. Even though this wasn’t a story that hooked me in from the start, I feel it is such an important story and I hope that the person who needs it most finds it.
fromjuliereads's review
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
**Thank you to the author for an advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**
This book primarily deals with grief and familial relationships. It has a lot of good points and could be very helpful for teenagers who have had similar experiences or are working through grief.
I think I was not the audience for this in terms of my experiences with grief, and when I read this I had recently lost someone in our family. As someone who lost someone and experienced grief as a teenager, I often find my experiences are not reflected in YA novels and have a hard time connecting to the stories of grief.
But on top of that, I struggled with some aspects of this story. Everything happened with the characters quickly, so there was no development when the driving force of the story happened. And there were some reveals that were trying to make some parallels that just didn't work for me.
I think this book could definitely be helpful and a great read for people! I just wasn't the audience for it.
This book primarily deals with grief and familial relationships. It has a lot of good points and could be very helpful for teenagers who have had similar experiences or are working through grief.
I think I was not the audience for this in terms of my experiences with grief, and when I read this I had recently lost someone in our family. As someone who lost someone and experienced grief as a teenager, I often find my experiences are not reflected in YA novels and have a hard time connecting to the stories of grief.
But on top of that, I struggled with some aspects of this story. Everything happened with the characters quickly, so there was no development when the driving force of the story happened. And there were some reveals that were trying to make some parallels that just didn't work for me.
I think this book could definitely be helpful and a great read for people! I just wasn't the audience for it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Alcohol, Child death, Vomit, and Death
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