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A review by tessa_talks_books
Paradise Girls: A Novel by Sandy Gingras, Sandy Gingras
4.0
What's it about (in a nutshell):
Paradise Girls by Sandy Gringas was a lovely story that brought a tear to my eye more than once and pulled at my heartstrings the whole way through.
Initial Expectations (before beginning the book):
The cover is my favorite kind of cover – a beach scene. This one has a woman and child walking to the beach, which tells me this story is about family. The blurb tells of different states of transition ending with the word "healing," which says emotional and heartwarming. This isn't the kind of story I'm usually drawn to, and I admit the cover was what called to me.
Actual Reading Experience:
At its core, Paradise Girls reflects the many life-defining ways that grief impacts us – a teen daughter loses her father, a father loses his young adult son, wives lose their husbands, and a husband/father loses his whole family. The different relationships can change the way grief looks in each of us. I loved those reflections and how they took shape as the story progressed. It's touching, heartwarming, and ultimately authentic, drawing a tear or two from me. The characters can be hard to get to know, but that's because each is protecting that part of themselves that still feels the pain of loss. Once I realized why I didn't like the characters, I grew to accept them for who they had become. I loved the growth shown in each of them as the story progresses. I particularly enjoyed that it is not a story with a neat and tidy ending where everyone finds their happily ever after. It is a happy and satisfying ending but in a more realistic manner rather than the storybook ending.
To Read or Not to Read:
If you enjoy heartfelt stories that make you reflect and love the joy pets and children bring to life, Paradise Girls is a read you will be glad you picked up.
Paradise Girls by Sandy Gringas was a lovely story that brought a tear to my eye more than once and pulled at my heartstrings the whole way through.
Initial Expectations (before beginning the book):
The cover is my favorite kind of cover – a beach scene. This one has a woman and child walking to the beach, which tells me this story is about family. The blurb tells of different states of transition ending with the word "healing," which says emotional and heartwarming. This isn't the kind of story I'm usually drawn to, and I admit the cover was what called to me.
Actual Reading Experience:
At its core, Paradise Girls reflects the many life-defining ways that grief impacts us – a teen daughter loses her father, a father loses his young adult son, wives lose their husbands, and a husband/father loses his whole family. The different relationships can change the way grief looks in each of us. I loved those reflections and how they took shape as the story progressed. It's touching, heartwarming, and ultimately authentic, drawing a tear or two from me. The characters can be hard to get to know, but that's because each is protecting that part of themselves that still feels the pain of loss. Once I realized why I didn't like the characters, I grew to accept them for who they had become. I loved the growth shown in each of them as the story progresses. I particularly enjoyed that it is not a story with a neat and tidy ending where everyone finds their happily ever after. It is a happy and satisfying ending but in a more realistic manner rather than the storybook ending.
To Read or Not to Read:
If you enjoy heartfelt stories that make you reflect and love the joy pets and children bring to life, Paradise Girls is a read you will be glad you picked up.