elisabeth1st's review
4.0
Thank you to Goodreads and Harper Collins Publishing for an advance copy of this book!
Every woman needs a 'Nina' in her life! This whimsical story of a dude ranch for divorcees in the 30s is a sweet comical depiction of how the elite separated back in the day. The characters, especially the two main women, are a refreshing and entertaining suave for the pandemic weary soul.
Every woman needs a 'Nina' in her life! This whimsical story of a dude ranch for divorcees in the 30s is a sweet comical depiction of how the elite separated back in the day. The characters, especially the two main women, are a refreshing and entertaining suave for the pandemic weary soul.
metchap's review
funny
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
thain's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed the intriguing premise of a ranch near Reno for women seeking quickie divorces in the 1930s and found the setting and most of the secondary characters entertaining.
Ward, who worked there as a sort of cowboy escort, tells the story in his old age to an unnamed visitor whose identity is not revealed until the end. The narrative is too complex to really be someone speaking, but while usually one can gloss over the authenticity of this format, the way he constantly breaks the fourth wall to address the visitor makes this impossible.
It was an interesting choice to make the narrator a man rather than one of the women, but he was the only main character I liked. Three-time divorcee Nina had a Mean Girl/cooler-than-thou vibe, while Emily, the love interest, faded into the background and her awful brat of a daughter did something that upset me, as an animal lover, more than anything else in the book.
Overall a good concept somewhat lacking in execution.
Ward, who worked there as a sort of cowboy escort, tells the story in his old age to an unnamed visitor whose identity is not revealed until the end. The narrative is too complex to really be someone speaking, but while usually one can gloss over the authenticity of this format, the way he constantly breaks the fourth wall to address the visitor makes this impossible.
It was an interesting choice to make the narrator a man rather than one of the women, but he was the only main character I liked. Three-time divorcee Nina had a Mean Girl/cooler-than-thou vibe, while Emily, the love interest, faded into the background and her awful brat of a daughter did something that upset me, as an animal lover, more than anything else in the book.
Overall a good concept somewhat lacking in execution.
carriecart's review
funny
sad
medium-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
gailcooksandreads's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this Currently Reading Podcast Indie Press List pick from Tattered Covered Bookstore in Denver, CO. Well-composed, light and fun historical fiction taking place during the late 1930's that doesn't center around WWII. The audiobook was so well done, and the ending gave me chills. I'm surprised I liked this so much as it is fairly character driven, but as it is so well paced and cleverly structured, it really worked for me. Hope to read more by this author. A rare book set in Nevada if you're doing a 50 States challenge.
Content Warnings
Minor: Grief, Animal death, Infidelity, and Death of parent
jennicourn's review
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
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
4.25
mlirwin's review
4.0
Got this as a Goodreads giveaway and its definitely a book I'd suggest buying if you're in the market. Completely predictable and yet, very much worth the read. Great if you like 1930's historical fiction, especially about events that are little talked about. The Nevada Dude Ranches are fascinating and I need to learn more about them honestly.
phenixsnow's review
2.0
Mixed feelings. I kept reading this thinking in the next chapter certainly something big would happen, but not a whole lot happened at all. It was almost like reading one of those interviews they do with someone from a reality TV show to get the inside scoop on a show that aired years ago that almost no one cares about anymore. The story is told from the perspective of Ward, now in a nursing home, and he's telling the story of his time, 50 years earlier, as a ranch hand on a dude ranch for women who wanted get legal Nevada residence in order to get divorced.
It was okay. The whole thing kind of fell flat for me.
It was okay. The whole thing kind of fell flat for me.
mistiann13's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0