brooke_review's reviews
1223 reviews

Where the River Ends by Charles Martin

3.0

I enjoyed this book - it touched my heart in my places.

SPOILERS AHEAD!
However, I found myself getting angry at the characters in the story. Yes, I know that we are supposed to be touched by the husband's love for his wife & that he grants her dying wish, but the "near-death" situations that resulted from this made me mad. If you are going to take your wife, who is near death, out into the wilderness on a river, don't allow your supplies to be stolen, your wife to nearly be raped, and the two of you to almost be drowned. Geezum.

Nearer Than the Sky by T. Greenwood

3.0

I enjoy T. Greenwood's style of writing - I typically thoroughly enjoy her books. However, I found myself becoming frustrated with "Nearer Than the Sky." I wanted to learn more of the mother's relationship with her children, and what exactly she was doing to them and why. However, the book focused more on the main character's present-day life. What was revealed of the mother and the children, however, did pull at my heart - I felt for the characters.

Also, my copy had several typos, including the misplacement of "the" several times.

Not My Daughter by Barbara Delinsky

2.0

I guess I didn't really like this book because it ended up going in a completely different direction than I thought it was going to go. I anticipated the book focusing more on the girls, the pact, and their pregnancies. Instead, we were left to crawl through the mundane details of the effects of the pregnancies on the girls' mothers. In addition, far too much time was spent on describing the wool business that these women work for. This was supposed to be a book about a pregnancy pact, not a knitting club!
Lastly, some of the plot points were a bit incredulous - I especially had trouble with the idea that (spoilers ahead ...) a women could have a child with a man, not marry him - yet continue to see him for conversation and sex throughout the years, and never have said "I love you" through the course of their "relationship" - BUT eventually profess her love and marry him once their daughter (who has a minimal relationship with him) is near grown and expecting her own child. SIGH.

Weeping Underwater Looks a Lot Like Laughter by Michael J. White

1.0

I couldn't really get in to this book. The story really didn't seem to go anywhere. In addition, the writing style (including long, descriptive sentences containing many thoughts) did not hold my attention well. None of the topics mentioned in the book were explored enough.

Fireworks Over Toccoa by Jeffrey Stepakoff

3.0

This story is beautifully written, however, one can't help but wonder if the author has seen "Titanic" and "The Notebook" one too many times.

Best Friends Forever by Jennifer Weiner

1.0

I found this book to be lacking in most areas. The plot was quite incredulous and without any depth. It obviously wanted to be funny, but sadly was not.

The Wide Smiles of Girls by Jennifer Manske Fenske

2.0

This book started off better than it finished. Learning about Mae's and March's relationship at the beginning of the book was interesting, however the large span of years between the chapters did not allow the reader to gain a strong sense of their relationship. The rest of the book really didn't go anywhere until the end. I felt that certain relationships were rushed and was somewhat disappointed that the author decided to neatly wrap everything up.

A Promise to Believe In by Tracie Peterson

2.0

This slow novel was quite boring throughout. It was another book without much of a plot. There were several story lines that would have added spice to the novel, had the author explored them. As is, this book is an unsatisfying read.

The Crazy School by Cornelia Read

2.0

This book starts off quick, grabbing you from the start, and making you think "seriously?!" However, after time too many events start to happen, and the reader is pulled in one direction and then jerked in another. The book ends in a sort of Hollywood blockbuster fashion, and seems a bit unrealistic. I would have preferred if the author had toned it down a bit and focused more on the teacher/student/faculty relationships, which were truly bizarre.

Without a Backward Glance by Kate Veitch

1.0

This book drones on and on, and forces the reader to plod through the characters' boring and fitful lives. Events happen sporadically, which normally would be a good thing, however, in this book the events are of little interest. Things happen and then are not followed up on. The book also jumps around to the various characters too often, without delving much into their lives. We are basically getting descriptions of their daily activities and simple thoughts. The author also wrote the characters in a one-dimensional sense. This book is nothing to get excited over.