autumn_moves's review
4.0
Homey, relatable
Feels like talking to a southern relative about life. V cozy, I would read it again. Now I need to buy the physical copy
Feels like talking to a southern relative about life. V cozy, I would read it again. Now I need to buy the physical copy
siobhanward's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
If you're someone who loves books about relationships (particularly family relationships) and are willing to let go of some plot for that, this is a solid read. If you're someone who needs a plot to move things along for you, then this isn't for you. I liked the idea of the book and wish there had been more focus on the plot. The idea was cool and the characters were interesting, but the heavy focus on their relationships meant that there was less room for plot and character development.
The aspects of the book where the sisters were trying to solve their sister's disappearance were fantastic, but the parts that focused on their present-day relationships with one another dragged and eventually just got repetitive. I wish this book had been better executed because it had a lot of potential, it just didn't quite get there.
The aspects of the book where the sisters were trying to solve their sister's disappearance were fantastic, but the parts that focused on their present-day relationships with one another dragged and eventually just got repetitive. I wish this book had been better executed because it had a lot of potential, it just didn't quite get there.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Child death
Moderate: Death of parent
courtnetto's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.0
Felt a little slow to get into and only really started enjoying it once I was around 60% in when I was able to finish the book quite quickly.
It is a little confusing as it jumps back and forth between the past and the present as it talks about the life of Beverly and her mother, Marylynn but also the present with Beverly’s daughters Sue Ellen, Rayanne and Savannah who are trying to find out what happened to their other sister (Savannah’s twin), Georgia. Only for it to be revealed at the end.
I don’t think I would read this book again👎🏻
“It scared her a little to know she was capable of loving a person so much, that all that love had been waiting there her whole life, like a dormant seed just aching to get out and grow up into something bigger than the cypress trees in the bayou and the pines that shot up all around her yard.”
““I can’t think with the two of you fighting. For the love of God, just . . . take a time-out!” Sue Ellen eyed me warily from the back seat, then cocked an eyebrow in Savannah’s direction. “Did she really just tell us to take a time-out? We aren’t your kids. Don’t infantilize us.””
““Actually”—Beverly placed her ring-clad hand to her stomach while her lips gave way to a euphoric grin—“I meant to tell you before, but . . . well, I guess now is as good a time as any.” Biting her lower lip, she drew in a deep breath, and Marylynn felt her heart go skittering in her chest. “It’s gonna be the three of us now.””
“while you ain’t got a pot to piss in?”
It is a little confusing as it jumps back and forth between the past and the present as it talks about the life of Beverly and her mother, Marylynn but also the present with Beverly’s daughters Sue Ellen, Rayanne and Savannah who are trying to find out what happened to their other sister (Savannah’s twin), Georgia. Only for it to be revealed at the end.
I don’t think I would read this book again👎🏻
“It scared her a little to know she was capable of loving a person so much, that all that love had been waiting there her whole life, like a dormant seed just aching to get out and grow up into something bigger than the cypress trees in the bayou and the pines that shot up all around her yard.”
““I can’t think with the two of you fighting. For the love of God, just . . . take a time-out!” Sue Ellen eyed me warily from the back seat, then cocked an eyebrow in Savannah’s direction. “Did she really just tell us to take a time-out? We aren’t your kids. Don’t infantilize us.””
““Actually”—Beverly placed her ring-clad hand to her stomach while her lips gave way to a euphoric grin—“I meant to tell you before, but . . . well, I guess now is as good a time as any.” Biting her lower lip, she drew in a deep breath, and Marylynn felt her heart go skittering in her chest. “It’s gonna be the three of us now.””
“while you ain’t got a pot to piss in?”
bethinohio's review
4.0
4.25⭐️
Call the Canaries home is a beautiful and heart-rending tale about sisters, complicated families, the grief of loss, the things that tear us apart, and the things that can bring us back together again.
I thought I knew for sure where the mystery at the heart of the story was leading, but I was wrong, and, without adding spoilers, I’ll say that I’m still processing the direction it ended up taking, and the myriad emotions thus conjured. What a story.
Thank you Laura Barrow, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.
Call the Canaries home is a beautiful and heart-rending tale about sisters, complicated families, the grief of loss, the things that tear us apart, and the things that can bring us back together again.
I thought I knew for sure where the mystery at the heart of the story was leading, but I was wrong, and, without adding spoilers, I’ll say that I’m still processing the direction it ended up taking, and the myriad emotions thus conjured. What a story.
Thank you Laura Barrow, Lake Union Publishing, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.
janahain's review
4.0
3.5 stars. It took a while to get into this book. The character development was really slow. I enjoyed the last half of the book.
allisona66's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
asevcik's review against another edition
3.0
Cute little story but very typical. Family estrange from each other due to a loss but brought back together later. It did still have some good pull on your heart string moments and some funny ones but I felt like I always knew what was going to happen.
lysh_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
michaela_arguin's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
stewartj0421's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book got off to a slow start for me. It took me a long time to connect with the characters, but by the end, I was touched by each of their individual journeys. This book is filled with tragedy, yet brimming with hope. It lays bare the most complex parts of humanity and family. In my opinion, it’s a worthwhile read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Death of parent
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Cancer, Child death, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Terminal illness, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Cursing, and Grief
Minor: Child abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Murder, Physical abuse, and Addiction