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snowangel526's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
The narrator is 5/5, she's a fantastic narrator, that's how I bumped up the score for this book slightly.
I realized I deeply dislike the cheating in this book. No they did not cheat physically (almost), but they cheated emotionally 100%. The moment they saw each other again their significant others are now just placeholder for the other person. They were both emotionally unstable individuals who roped perfectly good people into a relationship they weren't ready for, knowing they'll never be able to give that part of themselves to their significant others.
I was positively boiling having to hear more and more of this nonsense how achingly beautiful this love is while their significant others just melted away in their mind.
Granted I felt immensely satisfied when the bff of Charlie called her the fuck out and the sister of Alex did the same. I'm sure the author know they're very flawed in this aspect and people make mistakes, you can only focus on making things better. The problem is I don't find their love believable at all. All I see are flowery descriptions of their love, but nothing concrete on how they're so wildly in love.
Another wtf moment for me is when Cam, the bff of Charlie for years, who was struggling financially to buy a new prosthetic leg for awhile (yay America) to the point of experiencing pain, she never got any support from Charlie to help buy a new leg until the very end when Charlie woke up after getting chewed out by her for being so wrapped up in her problem for years. Mind you Charlie makes 10k for 1 fucking painting and her mother is a doctor.
I realized I deeply dislike the cheating in this book. No they did not cheat physically (almost), but they cheated emotionally 100%. The moment they saw each other again their significant others are now just placeholder for the other person. They were both emotionally unstable individuals who roped perfectly good people into a relationship they weren't ready for, knowing they'll never be able to give that part of themselves to their significant others.
I was positively boiling having to hear more and more of this nonsense how achingly beautiful this love is while their significant others just melted away in their mind.
Granted I felt immensely satisfied when the bff of Charlie called her the fuck out and the sister of Alex did the same. I'm sure the author know they're very flawed in this aspect and people make mistakes, you can only focus on making things better. The problem is I don't find their love believable at all. All I see are flowery descriptions of their love, but nothing concrete on how they're so wildly in love.
gracerichards11's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-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
4.0
kn1231's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this story. The angst and longing really captured you into the story. Really enjoyed both of the leads, and it was easy to root for them to find their way back to each other. My one complaint: I listened to the audiobook version, and I wish the switches from present to flashbacks was highlighted. I’m not sure how it’s done in the book copy, but I did catch myself wondering what part of the character’s story I was in due to there being no mention of a switch. But this has nothing to do with the author I suppose, and I am definitely going to revisit this story in a few months for another listen.
catbartram89's review against another edition
5.0
This book is heartbreaking to but absolutely adorable at the same time I loved the back and forth with past and present. In the past Charlee and Alex are together but also going though a break up, and in the present Charlee is in a relationship with a man and Alex is in a relationship with another Woman, there first meet following the break up some 5 years ago, is awkward and heartbreaking
shayririx's review against another edition
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
netgyrl's review against another edition
5.0
Really loved this audio book. Use of flash backs was really good especially in the beginning. Towards the end it got a bit old. I would LOVE to see this made into a movie. It's a swoony romance.
rakhya's review against another edition
5.0
The Art of Us is a fantastic emotional journey, and a great read.
The synopsis does not seem to do the book justice, and made me pass on it on several occasions.
I am thankful for the excellent Goodreads reviews which convinced me to give it a chance.
From an emotional standpoint, this is a bumpy but worthwhile ride.
The book starts five years after Charlee and Alex have broken up, as both are getting on with their apparently stable and happy lives.
This present tense narrative thread is interspersed with flashbacks from the two women's early years, told in the past tense, which reveal the history of the relationship.
I appreciated Hughes' cleverness in using these flashbacks as anchors and cues for details and scenes, as well as a counterpoint to the events unfolding in the present time.
I loved the two leads Charlee and Alex, as well as their wonderful extended family.
Hughes has a passion and talent for depicting family dynamics, which is as evident here as in her latest[b:The Wrong McElroy|51827751|The Wrong McElroy|K.L. Hughes|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1565803119l/51827751._SX50_SY75_.jpg|72920915].
Highly recommended to anyone looking for a good romance with a lot of feelings.
The synopsis does not seem to do the book justice, and made me pass on it on several occasions.
I am thankful for the excellent Goodreads reviews which convinced me to give it a chance.
From an emotional standpoint, this is a bumpy but worthwhile ride.
The book starts five years after Charlee and Alex have broken up, as both are getting on with their apparently stable and happy lives.
This present tense narrative thread is interspersed with flashbacks from the two women's early years, told in the past tense, which reveal the history of the relationship.
I appreciated Hughes' cleverness in using these flashbacks as anchors and cues for details and scenes, as well as a counterpoint to the events unfolding in the present time.
I loved the two leads Charlee and Alex, as well as their wonderful extended family.
Hughes has a passion and talent for depicting family dynamics, which is as evident here as in her latest[b:The Wrong McElroy|51827751|The Wrong McElroy|K.L. Hughes|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1565803119l/51827751._SX50_SY75_.jpg|72920915].
Highly recommended to anyone looking for a good romance with a lot of feelings.
lujein's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-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
onlytal's review against another edition
4.0
A bit too much angst for my tastes but written well and still pushed me to root for true love.