Reviews

Don't Forget to Write by Sara Goodman Confino

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marilynw's review against another edition

funny medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Don't Forget to Write by Sara Goodman
Narrated by Helen Laser

Marilyn Kleinman can't stand to have her life constricted by her domineering Jewish father who expects her to marry and marry well, preferably to someone he's picked out for her. When there is a bit of an accident while Marilyn is making out with the rabbi’s nerdy son in front of the whole congregation, and Marilyn refuses to marry this guy she doesn't know and would never marry, getting sent away to live with her great-aunt Ada for the summer seems to be the lessor of two evils. Aunt Ada is OLD, there will be no problem slipping out of the house for fun and games while staying with a stodgy old lady.

But Aunt Ada is no pushover, she's a powerhouse, mover and shaker, a rule maker, and seems to have eyes in the back of her head. It's pretty much impossible to get away with anything around Aunt Ada and even when Marilyn thinks she is doing so it doesn't seem to be the case. Plus, Aunt Ada is actually fun and she also encourages Marilyn to not settle for anything she doesn't want whether it's an arranged marriage or a career (the only "career" her father will allow is housewife and mother). Marilyn learns that she has a lot in common with Aunt Ada and that's a reason to feel proud.

Marilyn goes from seeming like an air headed rebellious party girl to so much more. Living with Aunt Ada turns out to be a huge blessing in disguise. Marilyn can't stand to go back to her father's home, to being in his parental prison, to toeing his line. Her summer is full of fun and mistakes but it's also shown her there are so many more choices to make, so much more world to see, yet she can't do it if she's homeless and penniless, and when it comes time to return home, Aunt Ada says she has to go.

I thought I wouldn't like Marilyn with her lack of acknowledgement of just how lucky she is to grow up in a well to do family where she doesn't have the worries of so many other people. But Marilyn is funny and stands up for herself when it comes to the idea of living the life of her mother, a woman Marilyn thinks is unhappy and unfulfilled. The story is very good and Marilyn has backbone, I soon learned that Marilyn is no pushover and she also pays attention and learns some very important life lessons. I've now heard two of this author's books and I look forward to more.

A KU audiobook

vronilapi's review against another edition

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4.0

Un peu long par bouts, mais j'ai aimé overall. On s'attache vraiment aux personnages. Super lecture d'été

maddiemo's review

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emotional hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

sbsd05's review against another edition

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funny relaxing 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? No

4.5

kvalks11's review against another edition

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3.0

Spoiler

3.2 Was fine. Read if you like rom coms, beach reads, chick lit. Fun/fast read. My main complaints: were two scenes that were way too made-for-tv for my taste (spoilers: bar scene and funeral), most everything was a bit too predictable), & I think twice Dan’s character could have been quicker to debate/defend/jump in if he were really a match.