A review by mixedreader
No Reservations by Sheryl Lister

emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Reading this book felt like I was binge watching a season of Girlfriends— that comfort of friendship with levels of drama that are reined in just enough to feel relatable. The premise of the novel is that one woman of a friend group passes away, leaving the other three a vacation to Jamaica to continue the promise of committing to their friendship and each other. However the majority of the novel following the unraveling and rethreading of each of the women’s personal lives. Heartache abounds, and there are several twists that are sometimes predictable but well-plotted. Once I adjusted to the exposition heavy dialogue, I did dive deeply into Lister’s characters, all which she imbues with a believability that shows how much she cares for this story. I was a little held back by a small detail of one character  who at first is given a body positive storyline and love interest, but towards the end of the book, the topic of her health/weight comes back when it seems unnecessary. Each of the women deal with grief in their own ways, and I did appreciate that Lister has each character reflect on their loss individually, thinking of how their friend would advise them through important stages of their life. No Reservations is a book that feels like your fave comfort show, which I think makes it a wonderful bridge between heavy readers and reluctant readers—a great book to gift to a friend, sibling or parent.
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