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canadianreader 's review for:
The Oysterville Sewing Circle
by Susan Wiggs
FULL DISCLOSURE: I "read" this as an audiobook, and it was recommended to me. I thought it was fiction, and didn't realize it was a romance, so please take this review with a grain of salt.
This was my most disappointing/frustrating "read" this year. I was excited to read (listen to) a book that touched on several topics that I find important and/or interesting. It tried to do too much so didn't really serve any. I wish the romantic interest had been scrapped entirely so they could have treated the other subject matter better. Or if the author wanted to keep the romance, go a little lighter on other areas. Or had a stronger protagonist. She did good things but seemed not well developed. This is the first time I've read this author. Anyway, I know some folks might like it, but it actually made me super frustrated.
The dialogue and maturity of the teens didn't feel believable, and the narration of the audiobook seemed a little over dramatic. When major life events happened, there was no real attempt to share the emotional impact or the minutia of those realities.
This book touches on: the fashion industry, intellectual property theft, domestic abuse, self-employment, family business, empowerment of women, support groups, romance, attempted rape, drug abuse, motherhood, family, friendship, adoption, mixed race children, blended families, adopting dogs, death of a friend, death of romantic interest's mother, coming of age, blackmail, rekindling a first love, and probably a few more things.
EDITED TO ADD: sometimes it is OK to say someone looked at someone/something. They don't need to "regard" every damn thing in their lives.
This was my most disappointing/frustrating "read" this year. I was excited to read (listen to) a book that touched on several topics that I find important and/or interesting. It tried to do too much so didn't really serve any. I wish the romantic interest had been scrapped entirely so they could have treated the other subject matter better. Or if the author wanted to keep the romance, go a little lighter on other areas. Or had a stronger protagonist. She did good things but seemed not well developed. This is the first time I've read this author. Anyway, I know some folks might like it, but it actually made me super frustrated.
The dialogue and maturity of the teens didn't feel believable, and the narration of the audiobook seemed a little over dramatic. When major life events happened, there was no real attempt to share the emotional impact or the minutia of those realities.
This book touches on: the fashion industry, intellectual property theft, domestic abuse, self-employment, family business, empowerment of women, support groups, romance, attempted rape, drug abuse, motherhood, family, friendship, adoption, mixed race children, blended families, adopting dogs, death of a friend, death of romantic interest's mother, coming of age, blackmail, rekindling a first love, and probably a few more things.
EDITED TO ADD: sometimes it is OK to say someone looked at someone/something. They don't need to "regard" every damn thing in their lives.