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3.8 AVERAGE
3.8 AVERAGE
medium-paced
I only read the book because I loved the movie. It isn't exactly the same but still a really good story. I enjoyed it. The pain of her loss felt real.
I loved, loved, loved the movie and expected to love its source material. When I picked it up, I was intrigued by what extra adventures I could enjoy with Holly and her friends. However, when I started reading it, I realised that not only is it a completely different setting but it's almost a completely different story entirely. It feels purposeless and the characters feel bland and lifeless. Almost as if they're the ideal, apologetic versions of the author's own family and friends.
The base premise of the story is very promising but the delivery is lacklustre. Very little real emotion passes through the pages and it's difficult to empathise with someone as unrealistic as this Holly seems to be. Unrealistic situations and even less realistic people drive a wedge between the reader and the story and detract from the main plot rather than complimenting it.
The base premise of the story is very promising but the delivery is lacklustre. Very little real emotion passes through the pages and it's difficult to empathise with someone as unrealistic as this Holly seems to be. Unrealistic situations and even less realistic people drive a wedge between the reader and the story and detract from the main plot rather than complimenting it.
The book is better than the movie but both are a bit lacking in something that I can't quite put my finger on.
It's an ok story but avoid the book if you've already seen the film cos so much is changed and it's quite annoying.
It's an ok story but avoid the book if you've already seen the film cos so much is changed and it's quite annoying.
I cried so much during this book thinking of what my husband would do if he passed early, but it wasn’t the next great American novel. A great light read, but not super deep - take it with a grain of salt, though, since I’ve never experienced loss like this!
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
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:
No
I picked this up while in the midst of the flu, since I didn't want anything too taxing. It's cute. Definitely a twist on a traditional girly book, as the novel begins with the protaganist's husband dead, and is about how she deals in the coming year. The best part about it is that it's set in Ireland.
Rounding up 2.5 stars to 3. I wasn't overly thrilled with this book ... too much "telling," not enough "showing." I was interested in the story, but was wearied by always being told what Holly et. al were thinking or feeling ... I wanted to be shown. As a result, I didn't get attached or emotionally involved with the characters, which I found weird for a book I expected to weep through. Especially after losing two people I was very close to in a short amount of time recently. Not a bad book, but not a great one either. So, 2.5 stars.
This book made me SOB 😭
This was so beautiful and heartbreaking. I felt so connected to Holly’s character and felt like I was experiencing all her emotions while reading this. This is filled with so much love and hope and one I think everyone should read. Such a beautiful story!
This was so beautiful and heartbreaking. I felt so connected to Holly’s character and felt like I was experiencing all her emotions while reading this. This is filled with so much love and hope and one I think everyone should read. Such a beautiful story!
P.S. I Love You is an unusual choice for me since it starts off with the protagonist dealing with the death of her husband. Those who have seen my book collection would note that I go for high drama and sweeping romances, stuff for romantics who are in love with love. I always get the ones that start with the heroine being taken by the hero not realizing that they have been falling in love in the process. I couldn't say what drew me to the book but I picked it up and brought it with me to the cashier.
The book starts with Holley Kennedy keeping to herself a few months after the death of her husband Gerry Clarke. Holly and Gerry have been together since high school and Holly's world revolved around Gerry since then. Gerry was diagnosed with a brain tumor and rounds of medical procedures have not stopped him from succumbing to the death that it brought with it.
Holly closed off to everybody, wallowing in the grief that Gerry's death brought. She had no appetite and no desire to continue with her life as it was before Gerry passed.
Ahern's storytelling style had her cutting back and forth from the present to the past, illustrating the relarionship that Gerry had with Holly, her family and their circle of friends. Through these flashbacks, the readers learn that they shared a joke called "The List" which Gerry promised Holly he would write for her so that she can cope with the loss of Gerry. As Holly realized some time in the story, of all of Gerry's promises, this was the hardest for her to accept since it meant that he was gone.
Turns out that Gerry did prepare a list for Holly some time between his medical procedures. He sent a package to Holly's parents' house which contained individual envelopes labeled from April to December with a letter to Holly that she open an envelope per month to do Gerry's list for her.
The tasks went from buying a bedside lamp (since it was always a nightly thing for them to argue who would get out of bed to close the bedroom light) to conquering her fear of karaoke to a wonderful Spanish vacation with her closest friends, to finding her dream job. In between the tasks, Holly learned more about her family and friends as well as how life continues despite the all the loss.
Ahern created compelling characters that tell about growing up, the poignancy of loss and of rediscovery. The characters are real people that they seem to jump out of the pages and at me. They are flawed and human in their reactions and in their choices.
It rocked me to the core since it made me think of the what ifs. It made me realize that I have a wealth of family and friends by me. We may not always get along but we bring value and joy to each other's lives.
The book starts with Holley Kennedy keeping to herself a few months after the death of her husband Gerry Clarke. Holly and Gerry have been together since high school and Holly's world revolved around Gerry since then. Gerry was diagnosed with a brain tumor and rounds of medical procedures have not stopped him from succumbing to the death that it brought with it.
Holly closed off to everybody, wallowing in the grief that Gerry's death brought. She had no appetite and no desire to continue with her life as it was before Gerry passed.
Ahern's storytelling style had her cutting back and forth from the present to the past, illustrating the relarionship that Gerry had with Holly, her family and their circle of friends. Through these flashbacks, the readers learn that they shared a joke called "The List" which Gerry promised Holly he would write for her so that she can cope with the loss of Gerry. As Holly realized some time in the story, of all of Gerry's promises, this was the hardest for her to accept since it meant that he was gone.
Turns out that Gerry did prepare a list for Holly some time between his medical procedures. He sent a package to Holly's parents' house which contained individual envelopes labeled from April to December with a letter to Holly that she open an envelope per month to do Gerry's list for her.
The tasks went from buying a bedside lamp (since it was always a nightly thing for them to argue who would get out of bed to close the bedroom light) to conquering her fear of karaoke to a wonderful Spanish vacation with her closest friends, to finding her dream job. In between the tasks, Holly learned more about her family and friends as well as how life continues despite the all the loss.
Ahern created compelling characters that tell about growing up, the poignancy of loss and of rediscovery. The characters are real people that they seem to jump out of the pages and at me. They are flawed and human in their reactions and in their choices.
It rocked me to the core since it made me think of the what ifs. It made me realize that I have a wealth of family and friends by me. We may not always get along but we bring value and joy to each other's lives.