elva_'s review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
mariagarnett's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
laurenmidna's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this so much. I’m “not a beer person”, but this book makes me want to be. The passion for brewing was contagious, and the process, which I know nothing about, was fascinatingly described. I loved Edith. I loved Diane. I loved the bond between Edith and Helen. This book made me feel cold with dread in the moments of consequences, and also squeezed my heart in times of forgiveness. It’s impossible not to relate my own relationship with my sisters to this one. It doesn’t matter if you fight, even if it’s bad. There’s always a piece of you that wants to be together again, no matter how long it takes.
devon_stangland's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
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
jostelljes's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
vfreeman2000's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.25
whitmc's review against another edition
5.0
I will read everything J. Ryan Stradal writes from now on. I loved "Kitchens" and nervously awaited his new book, really hoping he wouldn't burst my "Ryan Rocks" bubble. And it just grew bigger. Lager Queen is so enjoyable to read (especially with an IPA in hand). It's written really well, but not overly wordy, the story is not a potboiler, rather it just sits there, right next to you, and follows you around during your day while you are not reading it. I savored this book, keeping the characters with me as long as possible. And now I miss them! He does such a great job of telling the story of people's lives, and making what seems simple on its face as complex as it feels when you live that life. It's an appreciation for every day, and recognition that more often than not, it's the smaller decisions that lead us to where we are now, and it's hard to come back from those.
coltenb's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
noelle_tofigh's review against another edition
4.0
Dang, I loved this book. I loved the mid-western sensibility. I loved learning about beer. But mostly I loved the characters. Stradal is an auto-buy author for me because he writes characters you can't stop thinking about, characters you feel like you know. Edith and Helen's complicated relationship was so real to me. And I couldn't stop reading about the ways Diana worked to survive. I don't know how a man can write women so well, but this guy does.
It's a kind story. Bad things happen and sometimes people are jerks, but there is hope and redemption.
It's a kind story. Bad things happen and sometimes people are jerks, but there is hope and redemption.