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whatjenreads's review
3.0
The author never fails to bring us an emotionally deep, insightful novel. Unfortunately, this one didn’t work for me as well as some of her other books. While I enjoyed the novel, it covers a wide range of topics without really bringing closure to any of them. The plot moves at such a fast clip that any romance involved feels inauthentic. Because I was emotionally invested, the lack of closure was a struggle for me. But as always, the author gives us amazing insights into the human heart and weaves an almost lyrical story. The writing was fantastic, unfortunately the plot fell a little short for me. My thanks to the publisher for the advance reader in exchange for my honest review.
ellen_lilac_bookfairy's review against another edition
5.0
I love de los Santos’ writing. Her descriptions are poetic; they are smooth as silk. When I read one of her books I am almost instantly transported to the characters’ world.
140 / 2020
140 / 2020
mrsbowsh's review
4.0
Like most all books from this author, this was a novel with layers of stories, parts that made me tear up and an ending that was warm. The drama is a little far-fetched and the ending tidy, but an good quick read.
checkedoutbooks's review
3.0
6/10
This is another book off the MMD summer reading guide, which I am still determined to finish even if its way past summer. Someone remind me next year not to do this to myself.
This book wasn't super memorable, I read it in August and already am over it. I think I just can't handle books in which high school secrets carry on dozens of years into the future. Especially when the secret is pretty meh. A lot of this book felt like drama for drama's sake and also the father's creepy predatory behavior was so so disturbing. I wouldn't recommend this one but if you were already planning to read it, I wouldn't tell you not to.
This is another book off the MMD summer reading guide, which I am still determined to finish even if its way past summer. Someone remind me next year not to do this to myself.
This book wasn't super memorable, I read it in August and already am over it. I think I just can't handle books in which high school secrets carry on dozens of years into the future. Especially when the secret is pretty meh. A lot of this book felt like drama for drama's sake and also the father's creepy predatory behavior was so so disturbing. I wouldn't recommend this one but if you were already planning to read it, I wouldn't tell you not to.
kendrarousseau's review
4.0
I loved this beautiful story of friendship, forgiveness and the terrible power of secrets. Marisa de los Santos drew me into the story and kept me there. I loved the way the story and the characters continued to develop until the very end. Yes, one character was “icky”, but it made sense and was fitting for the story. I thought all of the characters, likable or not, were perfectly flawed, and I appreciated the bits of mystery woven throughout.
mzlawren's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was definitely well written and the story kept me wanting to read more. Just when you think you have everything figured out, a new revelation comes. The characters were definitely lovable and I enjoyed how the author wove several different stories into one book.
karenika's review
4.0
“You really think they don’t?” asks Avery. “Not only that, but I’m beginning to believe that the bad might not take anything away from the love. I mean, it’s possible, isn’t it? They might care about us just exactly as much as we always thought.”
I've long been a fan of Marisa de los Santos. I love her storytelling and her characters. They always stay with me long after I finish the story and this one was no exception. This is the story of Ginny Beale who is very close to her brother and has a tight group of friends during high school. She ends up having a falling out with all of them. Except for one, with whom she ends up making up and staying lifelong friends.
At the very beginning of the story, she finds out her husband is part of a scandal and it unwinds her whole life. Making everything fall apart and when chance encounters cause her to realize all the misunderstandings she's lived her life with, she starts putting the pieces back together.
“Lately, I’ve been thinking about it this way,” says Gray. “They love us. And they’ve done something bad that hurt us. You’d think those facts would cancel each other out, but the crazy thing is that they don’t.”
This is a story about the insidious nature of secrets. How they have a way of breaking people, families, friendships, and lives. A way of weaving thorns through your soul and ripping you from the inside out. It's about forgiving. It's about mending. It's also about honesty and owning up to the truths of our lives.
It's a beautiful story and I loved the time I spent with it.
with gratitude to edelweiss and William Morrow for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.
I've long been a fan of Marisa de los Santos. I love her storytelling and her characters. They always stay with me long after I finish the story and this one was no exception. This is the story of Ginny Beale who is very close to her brother and has a tight group of friends during high school. She ends up having a falling out with all of them. Except for one, with whom she ends up making up and staying lifelong friends.
At the very beginning of the story, she finds out her husband is part of a scandal and it unwinds her whole life. Making everything fall apart and when chance encounters cause her to realize all the misunderstandings she's lived her life with, she starts putting the pieces back together.
“Lately, I’ve been thinking about it this way,” says Gray. “They love us. And they’ve done something bad that hurt us. You’d think those facts would cancel each other out, but the crazy thing is that they don’t.”
This is a story about the insidious nature of secrets. How they have a way of breaking people, families, friendships, and lives. A way of weaving thorns through your soul and ripping you from the inside out. It's about forgiving. It's about mending. It's also about honesty and owning up to the truths of our lives.
It's a beautiful story and I loved the time I spent with it.
with gratitude to edelweiss and William Morrow for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.
alltheradreads's review against another edition
4.0
I love the way Marisa de los Santos writes — it’s beautiful and heartfelt and a joy to read. This story is layered and well-told, with old lies and hard truths and tragedy and nuanced relationships woven together in a way that keeps you hooked. I read it in one sitting and loved how it wrapped up!
catbells_2000's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
bookedinsideout's review against another edition
I can’t believe I’m setting down a Marisa de los Santos book, and it might have something to do with the time in which I’m trying to read it, but the flowery writing is just not working for me and either of these stories could have been interesting except it’s really not getting to the point and moving way too slowly for both of them.