A review by skudiklier
Disappoint Me by Nicola Dinan

challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

I couldn't put this book down. I didn't really know what to expect given I've never read any of Dinan's other work, and to be honest the book's tagline (especially the "trad wife" bit) felt a bit clickbaity given how the story actually happened. But I'm so glad for that because I *loved* this book. The writing was amazing and had me hooked from the beginning, and engaged fully the whole time even with the changing timelines and perspectives. I was expecting a book about messy characters being irresponsible, but instead got a deeply thoughtful and hopeful story about forgiveness. Given the title, I was wondering who would be disappointing who, but it seems like it was everyone, all the time, in ways small and big. No character in this story is flawless, and I also didn't come away hating (almost?) any of them. They're all complicated and I love what the book has to say about change and forgiveness and sticking to our morals.

Thank you to Netgalley and The Dial Press for the chance to read and review this ARC.