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3.33 AVERAGE
3.33 AVERAGE
I couldn't put this book down! I got attached to four of the five major characters and wanted to see where this story was taking them. And then it got really interesting when the fifth major character became a key player. Snow is the young daughter of Taylor and Finn, who are on vacation in Italy with Lizzie and Michael, and her actions drive the last third of the story.
We know from the beginning of the story that Finn and Lizzie used to be a couple, and that Michael is having an affair and plans to leave Lizzie. But he ends up falling in love with Lizzie all over again, which makes his girlfriend's Kath's surprise appearance even more awkward that it would have been had he not regained feelings for his wife.
Michael also develops an odd and confusing relationship with Snow. I don't mean odd and confusing to me. I mean to the other characters. The end of the story will really show how odd -- actually, more than odd -- Snow really is.
While a lot of the book is serious and looks deeply into the relationships of the four people (who tell their own stories in alternating, separate chapters) there is quite a bit of comedy as well, especially from Taylor who, God bless her, doesn't mean to be funny.
If I tried to get into the story's specifics I would be giving away to many of the fun and interesting parts. That's why I'm being rather vague. But if you want to hear Delia Ephron talk about it herself, you can go to WESB.com/on-demand and click on today's "LiveLine."
We know from the beginning of the story that Finn and Lizzie used to be a couple, and that Michael is having an affair and plans to leave Lizzie. But he ends up falling in love with Lizzie all over again, which makes his girlfriend's Kath's surprise appearance even more awkward that it would have been had he not regained feelings for his wife.
Michael also develops an odd and confusing relationship with Snow. I don't mean odd and confusing to me. I mean to the other characters. The end of the story will really show how odd -- actually, more than odd -- Snow really is.
While a lot of the book is serious and looks deeply into the relationships of the four people (who tell their own stories in alternating, separate chapters) there is quite a bit of comedy as well, especially from Taylor who, God bless her, doesn't mean to be funny.
If I tried to get into the story's specifics I would be giving away to many of the fun and interesting parts. That's why I'm being rather vague. But if you want to hear Delia Ephron talk about it herself, you can go to WESB.com/on-demand and click on today's "LiveLine."
Good in a weird way
The book is hard to follow at times. The author's writing style is not for everyone. The characters felt a little flat to me for this reason. Even though they were written from different angles, everyone sounded the same. The ending made me feel some kind of way. I won't spoil it, but it wasn't expected.
The book is hard to follow at times. The author's writing style is not for everyone. The characters felt a little flat to me for this reason. Even though they were written from different angles, everyone sounded the same. The ending made me feel some kind of way. I won't spoil it, but it wasn't expected.
Could have used more more chapter from Snow's perspective.
dark
tense
fast-paced
I just can’t help it… I love books about absolutely horrible rich white people having petty problems and acting like entitled fools.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I only read this book because of the setting, a place I had visited recently and loved. Unfortunately, only half the book takes place there. In general, I would call this a bougie soap opera, a book exploring the vexed relationships between four mostly unlikable people. There's a bit of a mystery element at the end. If you liked the Sicily season of The White Lotus, this is the book for you!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Libby borrow, never finished (before trip to Sicily).
I really enjoyed this story of a holiday gone wrong - two couples, one with their 10 year old daughter, visit a little Italian island together. Every adult has a share in the narrative, sometimes showing different viewpoints of the same events, but not in a repetitive way. I enjoyed the way it all unspooled.
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Very fun, very fast-paced, voice-driven domestic thriller about two families vacationing together in Italy.