latenight_pageturner's review
TBH, I need to stop "hate-reading" books and just put things down when I lose interest. Anyways, thanks Netgalley for the eARC. This book had a lot of potential. The first chapter was really interesting - it started in the present and ended on a cliffhanger then spent several (several too many) chapters in the past., The overall relationship - which was really a fling that ended on good terms (in the sense that there was no animosity between the two when they first parted ways) - was just sort of bland. This would have been better as a short story. I don't know if anyone else got this vibe though, but Aiden seemed kind of annoyingly persistent in the beginning when he wanted to start hooking up with Orla.. I don't know, it just didn't sit well with me.
sterialm's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
thebookconfessions's review
3.0
It was an okay read.
I really can't say much about this book, not something overly positive or overly negative.
It was simply okay. Some parts more interesting than others. At some point it lost my attention but it was pretty light and fun enough read to get me through.
I really can't say much about this book, not something overly positive or overly negative.
It was simply okay. Some parts more interesting than others. At some point it lost my attention but it was pretty light and fun enough read to get me through.
mikenik's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-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
4.0
becca_becca2000's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-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
4.0
mpr2000's review
5.0
Have you fulfilled the dreams you had planned for your life? Orla had a five year plan, but now, after the years have passed she is not sure all the sacrifices she has done were worth it. Meeting an old flame will make her re-considering all her life and dreams… was the sacrifice of their love worth it? Maybe now they will have the chance to repair it… ready?
This is one of those books that I couldn’t stop reading, I started it before going to sleep and I finished it the same night, I think that this lock-down makes me want to read happy endings, a story where the troubles and problems they have could be repaired, and they can find what they were looking for.
I feel really connected with this story, Orla and Aiden are real, they don’t pretend to be perfect or to be redeemed of their faults, they simply want to be accepted. Orla loves her job, but finding Aiden again will make her re-think about her priorities, maybe it’s time to try to be happy instead of only having the perfect job? Aiden has travelled around the world for years, now he wants to find a place to call home. Will Orla be part of this dream?
I really don’t want to say too much about the story, the chemistry between the two characters is there on every page, you can almost touch it! But, there’s not only fire, there’s friendship and love for nature… But the eternal question will pop all the time, is the love between them worth taking the risk for all they have? You’ll have to read the book if you want to know the answer, of course!
This is a book I loved and will be on my top ten this year, a beautiful love story with real characters and emotions. Ready?
This is one of those books that I couldn’t stop reading, I started it before going to sleep and I finished it the same night, I think that this lock-down makes me want to read happy endings, a story where the troubles and problems they have could be repaired, and they can find what they were looking for.
I feel really connected with this story, Orla and Aiden are real, they don’t pretend to be perfect or to be redeemed of their faults, they simply want to be accepted. Orla loves her job, but finding Aiden again will make her re-think about her priorities, maybe it’s time to try to be happy instead of only having the perfect job? Aiden has travelled around the world for years, now he wants to find a place to call home. Will Orla be part of this dream?
I really don’t want to say too much about the story, the chemistry between the two characters is there on every page, you can almost touch it! But, there’s not only fire, there’s friendship and love for nature… But the eternal question will pop all the time, is the love between them worth taking the risk for all they have? You’ll have to read the book if you want to know the answer, of course!
This is a book I loved and will be on my top ten this year, a beautiful love story with real characters and emotions. Ready?
lieketw's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
mystikai's review
4.0
The synopsis of The Five Year Plan reeled me in and the first chapter was great, Orla, a journalist received a surprise invitation to her ex-boyfriend Aiden’s (now a famous wildlife photographer) event to interview him. She hadn’t seen him in five years since they split and she was quite nervous to see him again as they hadn’t had any contact since. So brings her co-worker who also happens to be a huge fan of Aiden. Things get a bit awkward and Orla leaves, there is then a bit of a cliff hanger that leads on to the next chapter which if I’m honest seemed more page filling than anything meaningful, so go back to five years ago to when they were together and where it ended.
I felt the book was too long for the actual story and could have been cut by a fair few pages. The beginning and end were great but the middle just felt like I was pulling myself through just to get it read and I almost didn’t finish it, I’m glad I stuck through it though as the end did redeem it.
Sadly not the book for me but I am sure many will love it.
I felt the book was too long for the actual story and could have been cut by a fair few pages. The beginning and end were great but the middle just felt like I was pulling myself through just to get it read and I almost didn’t finish it, I’m glad I stuck through it though as the end did redeem it.
Sadly not the book for me but I am sure many will love it.
cityofstarlight_library's review
4.0
Cheers Netgalley/publisher for sending me the book.
A cheesy, fluffy read to brighten up your isolating days. (yes it is rather cheesy but I'm literally living for all the cheese right now. Give it all to me pls)
Well, this was cute! If you like slow-burn romances, nature, animals, the english countryside and sassy irishmen, you'll like this. I read this pretty quick considering it's quite a long book. This book involves a lot of camping, otters (you learn a lot about them and YAS I love otters), friendship, family and it talks a lot about spontaneity. Taking chances and doing what you love.
I actually took something away from this as I'm someone who is very into planing where I want to be in the future and this book nails that it's not all it's cracked up to be. Because honestly? It isn't always. People and opportunities come into your life and sometimes your ambitions are not always as great as they were five years ago. Burgess definitely demonstrates this through Orla's experiences.
I recommend you let this book take you out of your isolation (not literally, stay at home) and to go camping by the river, watching otters, talking about the future under the stars with a nature photographer. We need to escape what's going on right now!
The only downside, as I said, was that it felt a little too long. I think around 60% I was like 'okay, these conversations are going on for ages' or 'just get to the end now pls' but it was still enjoyable. Trust me, if I was bored, I'd DNF this. The characters were likeable enough for me to carry on and I wanted to see where it went.
Oh and I wish Orla would be quicker and better at making decisions. She'd um and ahh about something for so long when we all know what she's going to do. But who am I to talk, I can never make decisions.
TFYP is romantic, sweet, full of ambition and passion for what means the most to you. Very adorable.
A cheesy, fluffy read to brighten up your isolating days. (yes it is rather cheesy but I'm literally living for all the cheese right now. Give it all to me pls)
Well, this was cute! If you like slow-burn romances, nature, animals, the english countryside and sassy irishmen, you'll like this. I read this pretty quick considering it's quite a long book. This book involves a lot of camping, otters (you learn a lot about them and YAS I love otters), friendship, family and it talks a lot about spontaneity. Taking chances and doing what you love.
I actually took something away from this as I'm someone who is very into planing where I want to be in the future and this book nails that it's not all it's cracked up to be. Because honestly? It isn't always. People and opportunities come into your life and sometimes your ambitions are not always as great as they were five years ago. Burgess definitely demonstrates this through Orla's experiences.
I recommend you let this book take you out of your isolation (not literally, stay at home) and to go camping by the river, watching otters, talking about the future under the stars with a nature photographer. We need to escape what's going on right now!
The only downside, as I said, was that it felt a little too long. I think around 60% I was like 'okay, these conversations are going on for ages' or 'just get to the end now pls' but it was still enjoyable. Trust me, if I was bored, I'd DNF this. The characters were likeable enough for me to carry on and I wanted to see where it went.
Oh and I wish Orla would be quicker and better at making decisions. She'd um and ahh about something for so long when we all know what she's going to do. But who am I to talk, I can never make decisions.
TFYP is romantic, sweet, full of ambition and passion for what means the most to you. Very adorable.