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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I so wanted to like this book. The premise was interesting, there were moments where the story really shone and I was so excited to keep reading, but it was so bogged down by Madeleine's point-of-view chapters.
Even suspending disbelief that in 1999 women were expected to sit at home and twiddle their thumbs while their husbands were the sole breadwinners, Madeleine's bad attitude isn't doing anything for her. Feeling as though her choices were forced by her family is so incredibly childish. She speaks to her mother like a toddler throwing a temper tantrum, not a grown woman who has found herself in an unhappy marriage. She spends the entire book blaming her situation on everyone but herself, only to decide in the end that she should forgive her mother, because things were complicated.
Margie's chapters were more fun, and more believable, but even those took quite some time to pick up the pace.
It was a quick read, with sweet spots that I really enjoyed, but overall it just did not work for me.
Even suspending disbelief that in 1999 women were expected to sit at home and twiddle their thumbs while their husbands were the sole breadwinners, Madeleine's bad attitude isn't doing anything for her. Feeling as though her choices were forced by her family is so incredibly childish. She speaks to her mother like a toddler throwing a temper tantrum, not a grown woman who has found herself in an unhappy marriage. She spends the entire book blaming her situation on everyone but herself, only to decide in the end that she should forgive her mother, because things were complicated.
Margie's chapters were more fun, and more believable, but even those took quite some time to pick up the pace.
It was a quick read, with sweet spots that I really enjoyed, but overall it just did not work for me.
Inspiring yet predictable. Frustratingly unoriginal but still a good story that I read in one day.
This was drawn out, frustrating, and then concluded too tidily and unsatisfactorily. I preferred Margie's story over the other character, and even though I just finished this book two minutes ago, I cannot remember her name. Hmph.
*Received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for a review*
And I wish I hadn't. The author was probably aiming towards a breezy, feelgood novel but sadly, this book has no redeeming elements. No plot, two whiny self-deprecating protagonists, lacklustre writing; worse yet is the gall to call it historical fiction just because one character is aimlessly traipsing through 1920s Paris. The exploits (or lack thereof) of both women, explained in great and unnecessary detail, are mind-numbingly boring. Behind a flimsy veneer of meaningfulness is really insipid chick-lit. Certainly not a story that needed to have been told.
And I wish I hadn't. The author was probably aiming towards a breezy, feelgood novel but sadly, this book has no redeeming elements. No plot, two whiny self-deprecating protagonists, lacklustre writing; worse yet is the gall to call it historical fiction just because one character is aimlessly traipsing through 1920s Paris. The exploits (or lack thereof) of both women, explained in great and unnecessary detail, are mind-numbingly boring. Behind a flimsy veneer of meaningfulness is really insipid chick-lit. Certainly not a story that needed to have been told.
I would actually give this one 3.5 stars. I liked the story of Margie better than the story of Madeline for most of the book. Madeline goes to her Mom's house to help her get it ready to sell and finds her grandmother Margie's journals. Madeline then starts on a journey to find out more about her grandmother and she starts to see some things in her own life through a different perspective.
This was probably more of a 3.5 but I gave it a 4 because I enjoyed the descriptions of Paris so much.
Predictable but delightful. A simple story of two women looking for their path forward in life, but lifetimes apart.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes