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A review by amym84
No Judgments by Meg Cabot
4.0
3.5
Three months ago Sabrina "Bree" Beckham fled from a traumatic situation back home to the small island of Little Bridge Island, Florida, a place where she used to vacation with her family when she was younger so it's full of fun and cherished memories.
Now, Little Bridge Island is being threatened by a Category 5 hurricane and Bree must decide if she's evacuating - as is strongly urged - or if she's hunkering down with some of the islands most seasoned residents. When Bree realizes how many residents have been separated from their animals, she knows a way she can contribute to the relief efforts, but it will mean asking for help from Drew Hartwell, her boss's nephew, and purported player around town. As they work together, Bree begins to see there's more to Drew than local gossip, but after her previous relationship, Bree doesn't think she's ready to start anything with anyone.
On it's surface, I enjoyed this cute romantic comedy-esque book from Meg Cabot. I haven't read all of Ms. Cabot's books, but the ones I've read have always been enjoyable. I liked the whole idea that Bree proposes about "No Judgments". Meaning, basically, that as an outsider no one knows someone's circumstances - like why they would leave their beloved pet alone when there's a huge storm coming in - so try to deal with people with respect and understanding and maybe even an open-mind. Such is the case with all the gossip Bree hears, and initially believes, about Drew. It speaks a lot about making mistakes, or judgments, but being decent enough to at least try to be understanding. Try to look at things from someone else's perspective.
I like Bree's determination to create a life for herself after leaving her old one behind. How starting over is not easy, and sometimes it comes with questions of the future, but it's a bold move to upend your entire life - no matter the circumstances - and thrive somewhere else. No Judgments speaks a lot to the apprehension that one feels when starting over.
But to that end we dig a little past the surface and here's where the problems for the story start.
While I understood Bree's need to leave and relocate to Little Bridge Island and assert her strength on her own terms, I don't think anyone would have begrudged her leaving for her safety what with a very dangerous hurricane looming on the horizon. Also, with the very recent Dorian storm and the devastation left in its wake, I feel like the book release wasn't the most timely. There was a little too much levity in the situation. Throwing parties and such. Just felt a bit off. I did like seeing the small community come together after the fact though. Seeing the various ways people can help out and, again, we get that message of rebuilding.
Also, I'm a little tired of the mothers who don't understand their child(ren)'s need to, you know, be happy and only want the "best" for their child, ergo you must be married to a man of worth and have children and be a successful...[fill in the blank here]. I want to read about supportive parents please. I was especially put off with the idea that Bree's mother pretty much only exacerbated the situation that caused Bree to leave in the first place. It was frustrating beyond measure and an issue which I don't think was dealt with properly. Bree's mother is a character that I've read too many times in books that are trying to be funny or quirky. It has never sat well with me while reading and I can't imagine that changing anytime soon.
But as the story goes, Bree is more than her parents or her circumstances. The theme of no judgments is reiterated throughout the book, and for the most part, Meg Cabot pulls it off nicely, except for the few times when I deem it perfectly ok to judge.
So far, it's a fairly promising start to a new series. I love the idea of the small town (in this case island) setting. I was already picking out the secondary characters that I'd love to see get their own stories next. So I can already say with certainty that I'll be reading the next book in the series.
*Copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Three months ago Sabrina "Bree" Beckham fled from a traumatic situation back home to the small island of Little Bridge Island, Florida, a place where she used to vacation with her family when she was younger so it's full of fun and cherished memories.
Now, Little Bridge Island is being threatened by a Category 5 hurricane and Bree must decide if she's evacuating - as is strongly urged - or if she's hunkering down with some of the islands most seasoned residents. When Bree realizes how many residents have been separated from their animals, she knows a way she can contribute to the relief efforts, but it will mean asking for help from Drew Hartwell, her boss's nephew, and purported player around town. As they work together, Bree begins to see there's more to Drew than local gossip, but after her previous relationship, Bree doesn't think she's ready to start anything with anyone.
On it's surface, I enjoyed this cute romantic comedy-esque book from Meg Cabot. I haven't read all of Ms. Cabot's books, but the ones I've read have always been enjoyable. I liked the whole idea that Bree proposes about "No Judgments". Meaning, basically, that as an outsider no one knows someone's circumstances - like why they would leave their beloved pet alone when there's a huge storm coming in - so try to deal with people with respect and understanding and maybe even an open-mind. Such is the case with all the gossip Bree hears, and initially believes, about Drew. It speaks a lot about making mistakes, or judgments, but being decent enough to at least try to be understanding. Try to look at things from someone else's perspective.
I like Bree's determination to create a life for herself after leaving her old one behind. How starting over is not easy, and sometimes it comes with questions of the future, but it's a bold move to upend your entire life - no matter the circumstances - and thrive somewhere else. No Judgments speaks a lot to the apprehension that one feels when starting over.
But to that end we dig a little past the surface and here's where the problems for the story start.
While I understood Bree's need to leave and relocate to Little Bridge Island and assert her strength on her own terms, I don't think anyone would have begrudged her leaving for her safety what with a very dangerous hurricane looming on the horizon. Also, with the very recent Dorian storm and the devastation left in its wake, I feel like the book release wasn't the most timely. There was a little too much levity in the situation. Throwing parties and such. Just felt a bit off. I did like seeing the small community come together after the fact though. Seeing the various ways people can help out and, again, we get that message of rebuilding.
Also, I'm a little tired of the mothers who don't understand their child(ren)'s need to, you know, be happy and only want the "best" for their child, ergo you must be married to a man of worth and have children and be a successful...[fill in the blank here]. I want to read about supportive parents please. I was especially put off with the idea that Bree's mother pretty much only exacerbated the situation that caused Bree to leave in the first place. It was frustrating beyond measure and an issue which I don't think was dealt with properly. Bree's mother is a character that I've read too many times in books that are trying to be funny or quirky. It has never sat well with me while reading and I can't imagine that changing anytime soon.
But as the story goes, Bree is more than her parents or her circumstances. The theme of no judgments is reiterated throughout the book, and for the most part, Meg Cabot pulls it off nicely, except for the few times when I deem it perfectly ok to judge.
So far, it's a fairly promising start to a new series. I love the idea of the small town (in this case island) setting. I was already picking out the secondary characters that I'd love to see get their own stories next. So I can already say with certainty that I'll be reading the next book in the series.
*Copy provided by publisher in exchange for an honest review.