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cupofbooksreviews's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Many thanks to NetGalley for a chance to read and review this book. I have The Handover by David M. Bennett three out of five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️
For the first half of the book, I found it quite hard to connect with the characters, writing style and the dual stories that were unfolding although there was the mystery part of the book which kept me going. I was very intrigued to find out this big secret Daisy has been keeping since she was nine years old.
As I kept reading, I started to enjoy this story a lot more and liked reading about Daisy and Nate. I loved the setting of the museum and the various lessons learnt throughout the book.
Definitely mixed emotions on how I felt throughout reading this book but overall it was an averagely enjoyable book to have read.
For the first half of the book, I found it quite hard to connect with the characters, writing style and the dual stories that were unfolding although there was the mystery part of the book which kept me going. I was very intrigued to find out this big secret Daisy has been keeping since she was nine years old.
As I kept reading, I started to enjoy this story a lot more and liked reading about Daisy and Nate. I loved the setting of the museum and the various lessons learnt throughout the book.
Definitely mixed emotions on how I felt throughout reading this book but overall it was an averagely enjoyable book to have read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Cancer, Death of parent, Death, Dementia, Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Addiction, Abandonment, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Child abuse, and Physical abuse
lids_84's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I adored this book. Definitely not the traditional boy meets girl rom com. Sure there was a lot of back story and unresolved childhood things going on, but I loved the way the story was told. Flipping between the 2 characters and at times getting retrospective stories that gave us a complete picture of what was unfolding. I found the characters endearing and I was definitely rooting for them the entire time. A really sweet read
snorple's review
1.0
Only 288 pages but felt like a total slog.
I guessed a lot of the surprises early on, the characters were really flat and no development of any of the secondary characters. The pace and writing style wasn't for me, I was speed reading the last 20% to finish as fast as possible
I guessed a lot of the surprises early on, the characters were really flat and no development of any of the secondary characters. The pace and writing style wasn't for me, I was speed reading the last 20% to finish as fast as possible
totallybookeduk's review
3.0
A bittersweet story featuring Daisy who works the evening shift as a security guard at the Manchester Museum of Social History and ate ho works the day shift. Their paths crossing once a day for the handover that Daisy insists is important.
Each harbouring struggling in their own lives, Daisy letting her past cripple her to the point where her life consists of looking after her sick mother during the day and her work at the museum in the evening. With her drunk suiter added into the mix too. Whereas Nate is attempting to be a different father to his son Ben than his own abusive father. Navigating life after his divorce as his ex introduces her new boyfriend.
The story has a similar feel to Elinor Oliphant and The Flatshare. An endearing journey as Daisy and Nate learn the importance of letting people close to them and discovering a deeper connection
Each harbouring struggling in their own lives, Daisy letting her past cripple her to the point where her life consists of looking after her sick mother during the day and her work at the museum in the evening. With her drunk suiter added into the mix too. Whereas Nate is attempting to be a different father to his son Ben than his own abusive father. Navigating life after his divorce as his ex introduces her new boyfriend.
The story has a similar feel to Elinor Oliphant and The Flatshare. An endearing journey as Daisy and Nate learn the importance of letting people close to them and discovering a deeper connection
brompton_sawdon's review
5.0
The Handover is another superb book by David M Barnett. I've read many of Davids novels now and am always blown away by the feeling of love and hope that come from reading his stories. It was a surprise therefore to find I'd missed a release of one of his books. He's an author who flies under the radar, yet his books are just pure joys to read.
This book is no exception. David has this wonderful way of seeing inside 'broken' individuals and finding joy in their lives. Things Can Only Get better is one of my favourite books. They bring happiness in the darkest of times. He bring hope to those of us who are broken by life in some way. His characters are wonderful individuals who society mocks for being different. In this case Daisy and Nate.
It's not often you come away from a book looking at world through smiling eyes. Yes it could be described at sentimental hogwash, but that'd be so far from the point. It's a very sensitive read making you believe that sometimes the good people win out through the very strength of their personalities. It's a book that give you hope that eventually you yourself will find happiness and joy.
The Handover is a book that gives you that hope. It's an uplifting piece of writing that we all need in our lives. As with all David Barnetts books it gave me hope and for those glorious days reading, a smile on my face.
This book is no exception. David has this wonderful way of seeing inside 'broken' individuals and finding joy in their lives. Things Can Only Get better is one of my favourite books. They bring happiness in the darkest of times. He bring hope to those of us who are broken by life in some way. His characters are wonderful individuals who society mocks for being different. In this case Daisy and Nate.
It's not often you come away from a book looking at world through smiling eyes. Yes it could be described at sentimental hogwash, but that'd be so far from the point. It's a very sensitive read making you believe that sometimes the good people win out through the very strength of their personalities. It's a book that give you hope that eventually you yourself will find happiness and joy.
The Handover is a book that gives you that hope. It's an uplifting piece of writing that we all need in our lives. As with all David Barnetts books it gave me hope and for those glorious days reading, a smile on my face.
rebeccavcx1's review
1.0
DNF @ 28% ☹️ I really couldn’t connect with the characters at all. I just didn’t care. All the museum stuff was boring me as well. I needed a bit of banter or just some excitement or something to keep me going but there was nothing sadly.
bexbooksandstuff's review
4.0
This was a really sweet romance, starting off slowly it kept a steady pace throughout. It was easy to read and had some fun moments.
The story covers lots of big topics too from mental health, childhood trauma, alcoholism, domestic abuse to divorce. It tells them sensitively and they all have their place.
I enjoyed Daisy's character, she has a lot of deep seated trauma that have shaped the person she is now. Throughout the story and her friendship with Nate she uncovers things about herself that she likes, as well as some quite large reveals towards the end!
Nate seemed happy go lucky to begin with but he too had past trauma which had affected him in a huge way.
The story followed their journeys well and even though they rarely interacted much as their shifts swapped over. They formed a great friendship and more.
Told in dual perspective you saw the events from both characters opinions which I always enjoy.
I recommend this one.
The story covers lots of big topics too from mental health, childhood trauma, alcoholism, domestic abuse to divorce. It tells them sensitively and they all have their place.
I enjoyed Daisy's character, she has a lot of deep seated trauma that have shaped the person she is now. Throughout the story and her friendship with Nate she uncovers things about herself that she likes, as well as some quite large reveals towards the end!
Nate seemed happy go lucky to begin with but he too had past trauma which had affected him in a huge way.
The story followed their journeys well and even though they rarely interacted much as their shifts swapped over. They formed a great friendship and more.
Told in dual perspective you saw the events from both characters opinions which I always enjoy.
I recommend this one.
yoolia3's review
1.0
this was sooo boring. romance was dead (could tell it was written by a male) and the plot was all over the place.
the ‘plot twists’ were just random and not at all gripping or shocking so yeah i’m sorry i just hated it all.
also just to note, there are themes of child abuse, domestic abuse and scenes that were borderline SA that wasn’t really addressed at all?!
the ‘plot twists’ were just random and not at all gripping or shocking so yeah i’m sorry i just hated it all.
also just to note, there are themes of child abuse, domestic abuse and scenes that were borderline SA that wasn’t really addressed at all?!
leilawoodhouse's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0