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tpteacher's review
3.0
De los Santos writing is good, as always, but I just couldn’t get into this one. I loved the Love Walked In series but this paled in comparison. For some reason I wasn’t able to connect with the characters and the plot didn’t intrigue me at all.
mdpbernal's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.25
rachbreads's review against another edition
3.0
Not a bad read, but nothing life changing. This book reminded me a lot of Little Fires Everywhere except without that extra layer of social commentary and finesse that Celeste Ng brought. I think I was supposed to feel emotional at these huge reveals but I felt like I didn't know the characters well enough to care very much. It was a good story with well thought out twists, but the characters were not super compelling.
cook_memorial_public_library's review against another edition
4.0
Recommended by Jane. Check our catalog: https://encore.cooklib.org/iii/encore/search/C__Si%27d%20give%20anything%20de%20los%20santos__Orightresult__U?lang=eng&suite=gold
k5tog's review
5.0
I really enjoyed this story that is based on Zinny/Ginny and the secrets that have affected her life - and how their revelations have changed everything.
sscovino's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed it a lot, until the end. It was not what I wanted. I expected a nicely wrapped package not a thorny problem package
iffles's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars. I used my "let kindle decide" method of attempting to tap my finger between the 4th and 5th star and see what it picks, and the kindle gods spoke that it should get 5 stars, which I'm fine with, but please know this is not the best Marisa de los Santos book I've read.
That being said, it was still great and I couldn't put it down.
The life Ginny has crafted for herself - dependable, if a bit boring, husband, a daughter she adores, her friends at the dog park, and a family she keeps at arm's length - all comes crashing down when her husband loses his job because of a scandal. As her world comes crashing down - and as she deals with getting her teenage daughter through this - she has to deal with her past that lead her to crave this carefully constructed not-exciting life. Whatever happened to the Zinny of the past - the free-spirited, adventurous, optimistic girl, and her circle of close friends?
As the book alternates between Ginny and the present and her diary entries from her senior year in high school, you start to understand the events the led to Zinny evolving into Ginny, but there are still some secrets to be revealed and friendships to heal.
Overall, I loved this book. There were times I felt there was a lot going on, and some unnecessary plot points, but really, that's life, right? You can't control what's happening and when. And I adored Zinny, and still loved Ginny. Believe me, I understand how one event can shape your life and change who you are. I also thought the portrayal of friendships here were real. I think we've all done something to unintentionally hurt our friends - even things we thought were right at the time, and that it's not always easy to work through.
Mostly, like with all of Marisa de los Santos's books, I just loved the characters. I wanted to be part of the circle of friends. I wanted to meet Avery - Ginny's daughter - because she was growing into a strong young woman that I think I'd admire. I think you'd like them, too.
That being said, it was still great and I couldn't put it down.
The life Ginny has crafted for herself - dependable, if a bit boring, husband, a daughter she adores, her friends at the dog park, and a family she keeps at arm's length - all comes crashing down when her husband loses his job because of a scandal. As her world comes crashing down - and as she deals with getting her teenage daughter through this - she has to deal with her past that lead her to crave this carefully constructed not-exciting life. Whatever happened to the Zinny of the past - the free-spirited, adventurous, optimistic girl, and her circle of close friends?
As the book alternates between Ginny and the present and her diary entries from her senior year in high school, you start to understand the events the led to Zinny evolving into Ginny, but there are still some secrets to be revealed and friendships to heal.
Overall, I loved this book. There were times I felt there was a lot going on, and some unnecessary plot points, but really, that's life, right? You can't control what's happening and when. And I adored Zinny, and still loved Ginny. Believe me, I understand how one event can shape your life and change who you are. I also thought the portrayal of friendships here were real. I think we've all done something to unintentionally hurt our friends - even things we thought were right at the time, and that it's not always easy to work through.
Mostly, like with all of Marisa de los Santos's books, I just loved the characters. I wanted to be part of the circle of friends. I wanted to meet Avery - Ginny's daughter - because she was growing into a strong young woman that I think I'd admire. I think you'd like them, too.
heyhannahrae's review against another edition
5.0
This was not my favorite de los Santos... but I still loved everything about it! The intersection of stories was cleverly done; I liked the pattern of chapters.
davidup_15's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book is written in maybe the most beautiful, lyrical, poetic style I have ever seen, but it manages to never be grading at all. The characters are perhaps a little cliched, but their lust for life is endearing, and their love for each other seems to jump off the page. The central mystery of the book is extremely compelling, and built up wonderfully, as is the secondary storyline of Avery coming to terms with what her father has done. The ending was also simply wonderful. I wasn't spellbound by every second of this book, but I was deeply invested, and will definitely remember the experience.