Take a photo of a barcode or cover
roisinmarie_ 's review for:
Stepping Up
by Sarah Turner
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Some books make you emotional, whether for good reasons, bad reasons, or both, and this book did this for me. Any book that touches me in that way will forever be five stars. I have had experiences of being ill myself, and visiting people in the hospital, and close family members dying, and this book brought it all back for me (not that it's ever far away). It brought it back in a heartwarming way though as well as heartbreaking, which I didn't expect.
I cried at so many things. I obviously cried for Doug and Emmy, every time they visited Emmy in the hospital, when Ted got upset, when Beth got upset. These are all upsetting things, but this book made it seem okay. I always think of the quote that goes something like 'grief is just love left behind', and that grief is proof of how much you loved that person. That love and energy still stays in the universe, it just needs to be channeled differently. Beth showed that love by 'stepping up' and taking care of Polly and Ted, and visiting Emmy in the hospital and helping everyone with their grief, and her own, all during an existential crisis of character and career. Every character dealt with their new way of life differently, and whilst this book isn't groundbreaking or extremely plot-heavy, it is a lovely read about how life continues during excruciating events, and that there is joy in little moments. The way Beth's relationship grew and developed with Polly and Ted was wonderful, and many plot points in this book raised interesting points without being the focus. I also loved Beth and Jory's friendship and relationship, and am very happy with how they were left at the end of the book. I also absolutely adored Albert and found his story of old age and loneliness so touching. Every text in capital letters he sent made me smile so wide but also have tears in my eyes, which if you know me, are always my emotions in a nutshell.
If you are looking for an emotional book that will leave you crying but smiling, this is a perfect book.
I cried at so many things. I obviously cried for Doug and Emmy, every time they visited Emmy in the hospital, when Ted got upset, when Beth got upset. These are all upsetting things, but this book made it seem okay. I always think of the quote that goes something like 'grief is just love left behind', and that grief is proof of how much you loved that person. That love and energy still stays in the universe, it just needs to be channeled differently. Beth showed that love by 'stepping up' and taking care of Polly and Ted, and visiting Emmy in the hospital and helping everyone with their grief, and her own, all during an existential crisis of character and career. Every character dealt with their new way of life differently, and whilst this book isn't groundbreaking or extremely plot-heavy, it is a lovely read about how life continues during excruciating events, and that there is joy in little moments. The way Beth's relationship grew and developed with Polly and Ted was wonderful, and many plot points in this book raised interesting points without being the focus. I also loved Beth and Jory's friendship and relationship, and am very happy with how they were left at the end of the book. I also absolutely adored Albert and found his story of old age and loneliness so touching. Every text in capital letters he sent made me smile so wide but also have tears in my eyes, which if you know me, are always my emotions in a nutshell.
If you are looking for an emotional book that will leave you crying but smiling, this is a perfect book.