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A review by beate251
Five Days by Zoe Folbigg
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
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
3.75
Thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for this ARC.
Minnie and Jesse meet in a cafe by chance and as Minnie's therapist has just told her to make new friends, she suggests some platonic friendship dates, which is an intriguing if a little far-fetched premise. I think she actually calls them play dates, as if they were both five years old - just without any sleepovers! There are rules like no last names and Googling each other, and no exchange of phone numbers, which of course turns out to be troublesome.
The therapist also recommended running through a field as fun activity which made me immediately think of Theresa May who apparently likes to run through fields of wheat, and later they actually mention her! Made me snort in amusement.
Both of them have hangups - hers is a recent breakup and trying to get her acting career going, his is a dead dad and an unfaithful wife. Jesse, a font designer, has a 7 year old daughter who he tries to see as often as he can, and at the same time he is trying to illustrate a children's book he started with his Dad who was a popular thriller author.
There are flashbacks for both Minnie and Jesse that in my opinion could have been left out because we knew the facts already.
Their dates are fun and imaginative - they make it as far as Paris and Provence where Jesse's Mum lives. The description of the landscape including the lavender fields is very evocative and made me wish I was there.
There is lots of talk about the apparently not well-known enough Bechdel test, and also a lot of swearing. The third-act breakup is annoying but then most of the time they are.
But all in all this is an eminently heartwarming and charming story with (on the whole) likeable characters, and you can't help rooting for them to get their second chance.
Just a warning: Maybe don't read this book while you're on a plane or about to get on one. You can thank me later.
"I want my time with you."
Minnie and Jesse meet in a cafe by chance and as Minnie's therapist has just told her to make new friends, she suggests some platonic friendship dates, which is an intriguing if a little far-fetched premise. I think she actually calls them play dates, as if they were both five years old - just without any sleepovers! There are rules like no last names and Googling each other, and no exchange of phone numbers, which of course turns out to be troublesome.
The therapist also recommended running through a field as fun activity which made me immediately think of Theresa May who apparently likes to run through fields of wheat, and later they actually mention her! Made me snort in amusement.
Both of them have hangups - hers is a recent breakup and trying to get her acting career going, his is a dead dad and an unfaithful wife. Jesse, a font designer, has a 7 year old daughter who he tries to see as often as he can, and at the same time he is trying to illustrate a children's book he started with his Dad who was a popular thriller author.
There are flashbacks for both Minnie and Jesse that in my opinion could have been left out because we knew the facts already.
Their dates are fun and imaginative - they make it as far as Paris and Provence where Jesse's Mum lives. The description of the landscape including the lavender fields is very evocative and made me wish I was there.
There is lots of talk about the apparently not well-known enough Bechdel test, and also a lot of swearing. The third-act breakup is annoying but then most of the time they are.
But all in all this is an eminently heartwarming and charming story with (on the whole) likeable characters, and you can't help rooting for them to get their second chance.
Just a warning: Maybe don't read this book while you're on a plane or about to get on one. You can thank me later.
"I want my time with you."
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Cursing, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Infidelity