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A review by ehoffman563
Goodbye Earl by Leesa Cross-Smith
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
Thanks to #Netgalley for the ARC ebook.
Like other readers, I expected this to be a dark comedy in line with the song/lyrics by The Chicks. While there were loose similarities, the plot focused more on the friendship between four girls/women from high school to early 30s: Rosemarie, Ada, Caroline, and Kasey (RACK). Rosemarie moves away after high school and travels the world. She has a semi-open relationship with both Esme and Leo. Ada runs the family business and married her high school sweetheart - they now have 4 sons together. Caroline went to pastry school and runs the local bakery. She recently married the town's rich kid. Kasey left for New York the night of graduation and is returning for the first time with a lot of secrets of her own.
Growing up in a small town is hell - I personally don't understand why people stay or return. But, this book tries to make the point that it's the people there who will support you through thick and thin that make all of the difference.
The beginning was slow, the middle sped along, and the ending was really not my style. I didn't care for some of the tropes that were included Rosemarie's cancer was not necessary. Nor was Caroline's pregnancy. The small town religious aspects also weren't my style and didn't really seem appropriate in the plotlines. 2/5 stars.
Like other readers, I expected this to be a dark comedy in line with the song/lyrics by The Chicks. While there were loose similarities, the plot focused more on the friendship between four girls/women from high school to early 30s: Rosemarie, Ada, Caroline, and Kasey (RACK). Rosemarie moves away after high school and travels the world. She has a semi-open relationship with both Esme and Leo. Ada runs the family business and married her high school sweetheart - they now have 4 sons together. Caroline went to pastry school and runs the local bakery. She recently married the town's rich kid. Kasey left for New York the night of graduation and is returning for the first time with a lot of secrets of her own.
Growing up in a small town is hell - I personally don't understand why people stay or return. But, this book tries to make the point that it's the people there who will support you through thick and thin that make all of the difference.
The beginning was slow, the middle sped along, and the ending was really not my style. I didn't care for some of the tropes that were included
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Rape, Violence, and Murder