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mari1532 's review for:
Kitty St. Clair's Last Dance
by Kate Robb
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was such a fun and heartwarming read. Although there are second-chance romance elements in the plot, what gripped me most throughout was the relationship between Kitty and Jules in the diary timeline. There was so much love, admiration, and learning that happened for Jules during these interactions. Even though the conclusion of the timeline was known at the beginning of the book, I was still on the edge of my seat about how Kitty's story was going to play out. I also think that this subplot highlights one of Robb's greatest skills as a writer, portraying that life and love are messy and non-linear.
I did enjoy the romantic elements of the story between Jules and Reeve. I did get the sense that they were incredibly interested in one another from their very first scene together. However, I felt that some of the passion from the relationship was overshadowed by other aspects of the plot. I also really struggled with Jules's distrust of Reeve at certain points throughout the text. I could see why some miscommunication could occur, but I'm not sure that the turbulence these events caused added anything to the plot.
I also really struggled with Jules's relationship with her mother. I think it laid the groundwork for her tendency to trust less overall throughout the plot, but I'm not sure what this added overall. Furthermore, I did not feel that her mother redeemed herself at all in the story, so it made it hard for me to back Jules's decisions in this regard. I am not sure if Jules's mother was supposed to juxtapose with another character in the diary timeline, but overall, I just didn't like her and was a little annoyed by her appearances.
Robb's ability to write believable people living their lives, while also experiencing magical elements, is her strong suit as an artist, and in this book, both shine. I loved Jules's relationship with her best friend and her approach to her work. I also loved how Jules played things close to the vest because they were easier to handle if she was the only one in the know.
Overall, this is a fun emotional read that gave me The Last Ride and The Notebook vibes, but if Lorelai Gilmore were the protagonist. I would recommend it for a fun time.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I did enjoy the romantic elements of the story between Jules and Reeve. I did get the sense that they were incredibly interested in one another from their very first scene together. However, I felt that some of the passion from the relationship was overshadowed by other aspects of the plot. I also really struggled with Jules's distrust of Reeve at certain points throughout the text. I could see why some miscommunication could occur, but I'm not sure that the turbulence these events caused added anything to the plot.
I also really struggled with Jules's relationship with her mother. I think it laid the groundwork for her tendency to trust less overall throughout the plot, but I'm not sure what this added overall. Furthermore, I did not feel that her mother redeemed herself at all in the story, so it made it hard for me to back Jules's decisions in this regard. I am not sure if Jules's mother was supposed to juxtapose with another character in the diary timeline, but overall, I just didn't like her and was a little annoyed by her appearances.
Robb's ability to write believable people living their lives, while also experiencing magical elements, is her strong suit as an artist, and in this book, both shine. I loved Jules's relationship with her best friend and her approach to her work. I also loved how Jules played things close to the vest because they were easier to handle if she was the only one in the know.
Overall, this is a fun emotional read that gave me The Last Ride and The Notebook vibes, but if Lorelai Gilmore were the protagonist. I would recommend it for a fun time.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Sexual content, Medical content