Scan barcode
A review by binreads
The Catch by Alison Fairbrother
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
This book really makes you think of how your actions will affect people when you have left this life.
I thought it was interesting to have our main character, Ellie, try and chase down the people from her father's past to understand who he really was and why he made certain life decisions. I find that we like to see people in the best light, especially our parents, but in the end, they are just human who make complex mistakes.
I struggled to the very end to like the main character, Ellie. She's 24 years old and yet her actions are of someone who is extremely naïve and in the end I believe that doesn't learn from her actions. Maybe she did get that from her father after all.
Spoilers ahead discussing the relationship between Ellie and Lucas.
So...does she end up with Lucas?! I hated that we didn't get a solid confirmation from that. I truly don't understand how she finds out about all these sad and practically unforgivable things her father did to the people in his life and yet, she still thinks it's okay to stay with a man where their relationship is built on an affair/lies.
Am I the only one who didn't think Lucas even loved her? He lusted over her the entire time. There was no depth between their interactions. It was all about s*x, he constantly was telling her how beautiful she was in moments where she was trying to be serious. If he really loved her, he would've made the decision to leave his wife on his own terms, not Ellie having to bring it up or for a coworker to tell his wife. He would've let it drag and drag on if it was up to him. And how thoughtless of him to bring her to a home that is covered in his wife's things???
To be honest, as a man who is almost 40 years old, is almost old enough to BE her father, I feel like he preyed upon her naivety and age. I wouldn't believe a word he says, he never once seemed sincere. I am happy for Mina for getting out of that situation even though she's not even in the book except for other people mentioning her. I was seriously hoping for them to finally interact, whether it be Ellie fessing up or them meeting be accident.
The whole relationship between Lucas and Ellie is riddled with Ellie's daddy issues. The constant comparisons she makes between her father and Lucas is bizarre considering this is a man she's sleeping with, and I don't understand how she never really puts the dots together earlier.
I really enjoyed the side characters like Van, Colette and Jane. Larry's story broke my heart wide open.
TW: Eating disorder, body dysmorphia mention
I find that the relationship between Ellie and her mother is also very complex. Especially how it relates to the mentions of eating habits, body dysmorphia, fatphobia etc. As someone who has dealt with these issues myself, it's hard for me to fully judge either Ellie or her mother for their own issues.
Overall, I wish things ended differently. I wish our protagonist could've truly learned from the mistakes of her father and applied it to her own life.
I thought it was interesting to have our main character, Ellie, try and chase down the people from her father's past to understand who he really was and why he made certain life decisions. I find that we like to see people in the best light, especially our parents, but in the end, they are just human who make complex mistakes.
I struggled to the very end to like the main character, Ellie. She's 24 years old and yet her actions are of someone who is extremely naïve and in the end I believe that doesn't learn from her actions. Maybe she did get that from her father after all.
Spoilers ahead discussing the relationship between Ellie and Lucas.
Am I the only one who didn't think Lucas even loved her? He lusted over her the entire time. There was no depth between their interactions. It was all about s*x, he constantly was telling her how beautiful she was in moments where she was trying to be serious. If he really loved her, he would've made the decision to leave his wife on his own terms, not Ellie having to bring it up or for a coworker to tell his wife. He would've let it drag and drag on if it was up to him. And how thoughtless of him to bring her to a home that is covered in his wife's things???
To be honest, as a man who is almost 40 years old, is almost old enough to BE her father, I feel like he preyed upon her naivety and age. I wouldn't believe a word he says, he never once seemed sincere. I am happy for Mina for getting out of that situation even though she's not even in the book except for other people mentioning her. I was seriously hoping for them to finally interact, whether it be Ellie fessing up or them meeting be accident.
The whole relationship between Lucas and Ellie is riddled with Ellie's daddy issues. The constant comparisons she makes between her father and Lucas is bizarre considering this is a man she's sleeping with, and I don't understand how she never really puts the dots together earlier.
I really enjoyed the side characters like Van, Colette and Jane. Larry's story broke my heart wide open.
TW: Eating disorder, body dysmorphia mention
I find that the relationship between Ellie and her mother is also very complex. Especially how it relates to the mentions of eating habits, body dysmorphia, fatphobia etc. As someone who has dealt with these issues myself, it's hard for me to fully judge either Ellie or her mother for their own issues.
Overall, I wish things ended differently. I wish our protagonist could've truly learned from the mistakes of her father and applied it to her own life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Death of parent, Death, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Infidelity, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Miscarriage and Animal death