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alohabooksandbujos's reviews
1017 reviews
Six Days in Rome by Francesca Giacco
3.0
Emelia escapes to Rome on a trip meant for two and is faced with diving into herself and analyzing her relationships, her art, and herself. A deeply self-reflective novel that inspires vulnerability and independence.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. Emelia is lovable and like a dear friend, you want to force all of her vulnerabilities out into the open so she can live to her full potential. The book is broken down into each day she spends in Rome and while I didn’t mind, it made the chapters a bit difficult to get through. Intermixed with the present day of her trip, there are plenty of flashbacks and redirection to her family, her art, and Michael. If you don’t pay attention, the transition back to present can be somewhat confusing.
Overall, I enjoyed the book. Emelia is lovable and like a dear friend, you want to force all of her vulnerabilities out into the open so she can live to her full potential. The book is broken down into each day she spends in Rome and while I didn’t mind, it made the chapters a bit difficult to get through. Intermixed with the present day of her trip, there are plenty of flashbacks and redirection to her family, her art, and Michael. If you don’t pay attention, the transition back to present can be somewhat confusing.
The Frederick Sisters Are Living the Dream by Jeannie Zusy
4.0
Separated, raising two teenage boys, and now faced with caring for her disabled sister, Maggie has a full plate. Navigating life is messy and maybe by trying to take on everyone else’s problems, she’s actually neglecting the relationships she holds.
This book was filled with deep family trauma. From an undiagnosed, handicapped sister who is fighting for her independence to the other older sister who is thought to be living the glamorous and free California life, to Maggie- the middle aged, separated, mother. The character develop of Maggie learning to let go of control and embrace her own life and individuality was heartwarming. The author does a beautiful job at showing things aren’t as they always appear and having those support networks is what keeps you going. Maggie is a lovable character and relatable in the sense of trying to put every one else’s needs first, trying to be the caretaker and peacemaker. She’s overbearing at times and neglects to open up to herself or anyone else but her growth throughout was beautiful. If you’re searching for some diverse family dynamics and hard life choices with a mix of letting go and personal growth- this one is for you.
This book was filled with deep family trauma. From an undiagnosed, handicapped sister who is fighting for her independence to the other older sister who is thought to be living the glamorous and free California life, to Maggie- the middle aged, separated, mother. The character develop of Maggie learning to let go of control and embrace her own life and individuality was heartwarming. The author does a beautiful job at showing things aren’t as they always appear and having those support networks is what keeps you going. Maggie is a lovable character and relatable in the sense of trying to put every one else’s needs first, trying to be the caretaker and peacemaker. She’s overbearing at times and neglects to open up to herself or anyone else but her growth throughout was beautiful. If you’re searching for some diverse family dynamics and hard life choices with a mix of letting go and personal growth- this one is for you.
Idiots: Marriage, Motherhood, Milk & Mistakes by Laura Clery
5.0
Laura Clery follows her first novel with a follow-up that focuses on her current day struggles and joys of motherhood, marriage, and family dynamics.
I’ve been a follower of Laura for a long time and have always laughed and enjoyed the raunch and comedic punch she puts in her videos. As a mother, her deeply moving video of postpartum depression left me sobbing and feeling seen. This novel is no different and she takes the readers through a rollercoaster of laughter, tears, and “WTF” moments. Her raw honesty and vulnerability is admirable. The way she speaks about motherhood and how her followers are helping her just as much as she helps us hits home so well. I devoured the book in an afternoon and felt like I was sitting and having coffee with a close friend.
I’ve been a follower of Laura for a long time and have always laughed and enjoyed the raunch and comedic punch she puts in her videos. As a mother, her deeply moving video of postpartum depression left me sobbing and feeling seen. This novel is no different and she takes the readers through a rollercoaster of laughter, tears, and “WTF” moments. Her raw honesty and vulnerability is admirable. The way she speaks about motherhood and how her followers are helping her just as much as she helps us hits home so well. I devoured the book in an afternoon and felt like I was sitting and having coffee with a close friend.
Any Other Family by Eleanor Brown
4.0
Families are a messy dynamic. Throw in four kids with three separate homes parenting and it’s even more messy. Siblings all adopted separately to different families but coming together as one large unit, this messy bunch has a lot of personalities and quirks to work out. When a summer vacation drops the shock of a new baby, all of the adults are faced with the challenges of facing their own demons as well as navigating a better way to communicate with this large family dynamic.
This book was a slow burn, in good and bad ways. It’s almost a slow burn romance that you want to speed up to get to all the dirty, good parts. With differing perspectives, the reader gets an inside look at all of the mothers that make up this dynamic bunch. With a leading character that you desperately want to understand but also dislike, the burn seemed to take too long. The last quarter of the book was what really got me going. I want the dirt and grit, the hard feelings, self-discoveries and everything in between. As a mother, I resonated with each character on a different level. The depth of struggles, from infertility to comparison, hits hard. A beautiful work that explores adoption, infertility, and the messy dynamics of family- whether it’s by blood or chosen.
This book was a slow burn, in good and bad ways. It’s almost a slow burn romance that you want to speed up to get to all the dirty, good parts. With differing perspectives, the reader gets an inside look at all of the mothers that make up this dynamic bunch. With a leading character that you desperately want to understand but also dislike, the burn seemed to take too long. The last quarter of the book was what really got me going. I want the dirt and grit, the hard feelings, self-discoveries and everything in between. As a mother, I resonated with each character on a different level. The depth of struggles, from infertility to comparison, hits hard. A beautiful work that explores adoption, infertility, and the messy dynamics of family- whether it’s by blood or chosen.