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littlemissbooklover's review
5.0
I have really enjoyed reading this, I honestly couldn’t put this down. I managed to read this in less than two hours. It is a wonderful book.
Hannah Lynn has tackled the realistic situation of Fiona’s husband leaving unexpectedly. I absolutely adored the writing style used in this book.
The plot of this book has made me both laugh and feel emotional. This is a book which deserves a lot more than five stars, I feel that five stars doesn’t show how fabulous this book is.
This is my first read by Hannah Lynn but I can 100% guarantee that it will not be the last. This is definitely a must read book.
Hannah Lynn has tackled the realistic situation of Fiona’s husband leaving unexpectedly. I absolutely adored the writing style used in this book.
The plot of this book has made me both laugh and feel emotional. This is a book which deserves a lot more than five stars, I feel that five stars doesn’t show how fabulous this book is.
This is my first read by Hannah Lynn but I can 100% guarantee that it will not be the last. This is definitely a must read book.
alejandrasqb's review
This fun fiction story deals with a topic I'm passionate about - becoming aware of how our actions affect the world (concretely plastic pollution) - but embedded into a romantic comedy story. Who knew that was even possible? I would recommend this enjoyable and easy read!
toofondofbooks's review
5.0
I’ve previously read one of Hannah Lynn’s other novels (The Afterlife of Walter Augustus) and adored it so I was delighted to get the chance to read her newest book Fiona and the Whale.
Fiona and the Whale is about a 40-something woman whose husband leaves her on the very day they wave their only son off to University. Fiona is convinced it’s all just a blip and that her husband will be back. In the days following she is struggling to fill her days and leaves the TV on 24/7, which is where she hears about a sperm whale that has got stranded in the Thames. Fiona becomes fixated on Martha the whale’s plight and this leads to many new paths opening up that Fiona couldn’t even have imagined beforehand!
I loved this book – from the opening pages I just knew this was going to be a ‘me’ book and it absolutely was! Fiona is a great character, she is so believable from the start and although some of the things she did annoyed me it never stopped me rooting for her because she was so real.
The plight of Martha was heart-breaking to read about but I really appreciated how Hannah Lynn used the story of the whale to highlight the issues of what we’re doing to our oceans and our planet with our use of plastics. This novel really made me pause for thought on more than one occasion but Lynn manages to really make a powerful point without it ever feeling like you’re being preached to. She kept me in the story and on Fiona’s side the entire time, which is a real skill when you’re showing the reality of these issues. I will think of Martha the whale next time I pick something up that’s wrapped in plastic when it doesn’t need to be and I’m sure this will help me to make better choices where I can.
I also loved the issues with food waste was tackled too. I’ve been guilty of going by use-by dates even on things like vegetables in the past because I didn’t trust my own judgement to know when things were past using. Now I know better and I do better. I could totally understand Fiona’s attitude to The Dumpster Dive cafe at first, although I’d have been a little more tactful! I loved how she learnt about what leads to food being thrown away by supermarkets, and as a result I learnt some things I didn’t know either.
Along with the issues being tackled in the novel we see how Fiona deals with her husband leaving her, and how she gradually becomes more reliant on herself and starts to find happiness on her own terms. It doesn’t happen overnight but you see her slowly starting to shine again. I adored her tenacity and spirit as she began fighting for what she believed in instead of being stuck in what she had lost. I also really enjoyed her relationship with her best friend and the way they are with each other. It was so refreshing to see such a real and honest portrayal of female friendship with the ups and downs that can come with one person making big life changes out of the blue.
Fiona and the Whale is a gorgeous quirky novel, one that really feels like it’s grounded in reality but with that little bit of Hannah Lynn magic sprinkled through it. I was really moved by some of the turns this story took, and also genuinely laughing out loud at other parts of it. I completely and utterly loved this book and I highly recommend it!
This review was originally posted on my blog https://rathertoofondofbooks.com
Fiona and the Whale is about a 40-something woman whose husband leaves her on the very day they wave their only son off to University. Fiona is convinced it’s all just a blip and that her husband will be back. In the days following she is struggling to fill her days and leaves the TV on 24/7, which is where she hears about a sperm whale that has got stranded in the Thames. Fiona becomes fixated on Martha the whale’s plight and this leads to many new paths opening up that Fiona couldn’t even have imagined beforehand!
I loved this book – from the opening pages I just knew this was going to be a ‘me’ book and it absolutely was! Fiona is a great character, she is so believable from the start and although some of the things she did annoyed me it never stopped me rooting for her because she was so real.
The plight of Martha was heart-breaking to read about but I really appreciated how Hannah Lynn used the story of the whale to highlight the issues of what we’re doing to our oceans and our planet with our use of plastics. This novel really made me pause for thought on more than one occasion but Lynn manages to really make a powerful point without it ever feeling like you’re being preached to. She kept me in the story and on Fiona’s side the entire time, which is a real skill when you’re showing the reality of these issues. I will think of Martha the whale next time I pick something up that’s wrapped in plastic when it doesn’t need to be and I’m sure this will help me to make better choices where I can.
I also loved the issues with food waste was tackled too. I’ve been guilty of going by use-by dates even on things like vegetables in the past because I didn’t trust my own judgement to know when things were past using. Now I know better and I do better. I could totally understand Fiona’s attitude to The Dumpster Dive cafe at first, although I’d have been a little more tactful! I loved how she learnt about what leads to food being thrown away by supermarkets, and as a result I learnt some things I didn’t know either.
Along with the issues being tackled in the novel we see how Fiona deals with her husband leaving her, and how she gradually becomes more reliant on herself and starts to find happiness on her own terms. It doesn’t happen overnight but you see her slowly starting to shine again. I adored her tenacity and spirit as she began fighting for what she believed in instead of being stuck in what she had lost. I also really enjoyed her relationship with her best friend and the way they are with each other. It was so refreshing to see such a real and honest portrayal of female friendship with the ups and downs that can come with one person making big life changes out of the blue.
Fiona and the Whale is a gorgeous quirky novel, one that really feels like it’s grounded in reality but with that little bit of Hannah Lynn magic sprinkled through it. I was really moved by some of the turns this story took, and also genuinely laughing out loud at other parts of it. I completely and utterly loved this book and I highly recommend it!
This review was originally posted on my blog https://rathertoofondofbooks.com
vikkiew87's review
5.0
I have really enjoyed reading this, I honestly couldn’t put this down. I managed to read this in less than two hours. It is a wonderful book.
Hannah Lynn has tackled the realistic situation of Fiona’s husband leaving unexpectedly. I absolutely adored the writing style used in this book.
The plot of this book has made me both laugh and feel emotional. This is a book which deserves a lot more than five stars, I feel that five stars doesn’t show how fabulous this book is.
This is my first read by Hannah Lynn but I can 100% guarantee that it will not be the last. This is definitely a must read book.
Hannah Lynn has tackled the realistic situation of Fiona’s husband leaving unexpectedly. I absolutely adored the writing style used in this book.
The plot of this book has made me both laugh and feel emotional. This is a book which deserves a lot more than five stars, I feel that five stars doesn’t show how fabulous this book is.
This is my first read by Hannah Lynn but I can 100% guarantee that it will not be the last. This is definitely a must read book.
anjana's review
4.0
I need to begin by saying I have a problem with the cover of this book. The silhouette of the leading lady in this (I am assuming it is her since the story focuses on predominantly her growth arc) is shown in such a barbie doll-like figure. At the same time, there are multiple mentions of the forty-plus character looking her age. I am more concerned about this cover because the content appealed to me otherwise, and I think the cover lowers the expectations when going in.
Now that that rant is over, I will progress to the story itself. We have overachieving and driven Fiona Reeves, who has poured her heart and soul into her company and does not spare much thought about anything on the periphery of her life including misjudging her relationship with her husband. In one swoop, her well-defined life changes completely, but as the author mentions in between, that is not the end of it. There is more change in the offing. This is, in essence, the realisation of a woman who sees the repercussions of her actions to the environment and then has to deal with the overwhelming weight of that realisation. Having made tentative steps towards lowering my own plastic usage, I know the shock described within these pages and although I do not think my efforts have been sizable ones, I will continue to make them as will Fiona. I have to admit that my bias in having gone through a similar thought process with regards to bulk shopping/ waste reduction, I could relate more to the story halfway through. The author had a unique idea to drop into the narrative multiple times in crucial stages and lay the groundwork for us to empathise with the ongoing narrative.
People should be forewarned that there is a lot of information hidden within about the state of our consumptions and I welcomed it because it increased the depth of the character and the fumbling Fiona did when she had to come to terms with them and what she could do with that information.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience and prior knowledge of the zero waste life.
Now that that rant is over, I will progress to the story itself. We have overachieving and driven Fiona Reeves, who has poured her heart and soul into her company and does not spare much thought about anything on the periphery of her life including misjudging her relationship with her husband. In one swoop, her well-defined life changes completely, but as the author mentions in between, that is not the end of it. There is more change in the offing. This is, in essence, the realisation of a woman who sees the repercussions of her actions to the environment and then has to deal with the overwhelming weight of that realisation. Having made tentative steps towards lowering my own plastic usage, I know the shock described within these pages and although I do not think my efforts have been sizable ones, I will continue to make them as will Fiona. I have to admit that my bias in having gone through a similar thought process with regards to bulk shopping/ waste reduction, I could relate more to the story halfway through. The author had a unique idea to drop into the narrative multiple times in crucial stages and lay the groundwork for us to empathise with the ongoing narrative.
People should be forewarned that there is a lot of information hidden within about the state of our consumptions and I welcomed it because it increased the depth of the character and the fumbling Fiona did when she had to come to terms with them and what she could do with that information.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience and prior knowledge of the zero waste life.
the_reader_mommy's review
4.0
I requested this book from Netgalley just because I was intrigued by its name. What was a whale doing in a book name? Was it some kind of Moby Dick? Why was the book giving me chick-lit vibes (I hadn’t read the blurb yet)? Even after reading the blurb, I was at sea. How exactly does a whale end up in the scheme of things? Or was it some figurative tool?
I was clueless. The author had a blog going for some time on this topic which I had no idea about.
Anyway, I started the book with no expectations. I was to be pleasantly surprised!
It talks about 46-year old Fiona who runs her own event management company, Omnivents. She loves what she does and is really good at it. She is especially good at figuring out ways through difficult problems and working through them. Her company works mainly in arranging corporate events, though she has now taken up a celebrity wedding as the bride is the niece of Fiona’s leading client.
Stephen is Fiona’s husband. He holds a high position at Altos Foods and is a workaholic. Fiona’s son, Joseph has just joined university.
Life goes on well for Fiona until one day suddenly, Stephen decides to move out. Fiona still braves ahead, thinking he will return.
Until she reads about the sperm whale, Martha that showed up in the Thames.
From then on, Fiona and the whale’s stories become inextricably interlinked. Fiona’s life choices change radically as well as her priorities.
Does Stephen come back to her? Does Fiona move on? Do her choices change irrevocably?
All these questions and more are answered in this book which falls in the “eco-romance” category (I couldn’t find any other word for it.
Fiona and the Whale is a fast read and good one at that. It is not your typical chicklit but it is not a serious book. A breezy read, if anything.
A few points did irk me, though they are not very major and I’d rather omit saying them at all.
All in all, a good read after a heavy book.
My rating: 4 ½ stars out of 5
I was clueless. The author had a blog going for some time on this topic which I had no idea about.
Anyway, I started the book with no expectations. I was to be pleasantly surprised!
It talks about 46-year old Fiona who runs her own event management company, Omnivents. She loves what she does and is really good at it. She is especially good at figuring out ways through difficult problems and working through them. Her company works mainly in arranging corporate events, though she has now taken up a celebrity wedding as the bride is the niece of Fiona’s leading client.
Stephen is Fiona’s husband. He holds a high position at Altos Foods and is a workaholic. Fiona’s son, Joseph has just joined university.
Life goes on well for Fiona until one day suddenly, Stephen decides to move out. Fiona still braves ahead, thinking he will return.
Until she reads about the sperm whale, Martha that showed up in the Thames.
From then on, Fiona and the whale’s stories become inextricably interlinked. Fiona’s life choices change radically as well as her priorities.
Does Stephen come back to her? Does Fiona move on? Do her choices change irrevocably?
All these questions and more are answered in this book which falls in the “eco-romance” category (I couldn’t find any other word for it.
Fiona and the Whale is a fast read and good one at that. It is not your typical chicklit but it is not a serious book. A breezy read, if anything.
A few points did irk me, though they are not very major and I’d rather omit saying them at all.
All in all, a good read after a heavy book.
My rating: 4 ½ stars out of 5
emandherbooks's review
5.0
This book was wonderful! It was written very well, easy language, clear storyline and believable dialogue. It was very easy to read and well paced.
Most significantly though, it had a very VERY important message which was dealt with incredibly well.
I will be recommending this book to every person I know.
Most significantly though, it had a very VERY important message which was dealt with incredibly well.
I will be recommending this book to every person I know.
booksintheskye's review
5.0
Overall, Fiona and the Whale by Hannah Lynn was a fantastic book! Even though Fiona has struggles that she has to overcome, I enjoyed the story and how Fiona deals with this hard time in her life. The pacing was fantastic and kept me wanting more. There was always a new twist to the story to keep my attention. I highly recommend this book for anyone who is looking for a great contemporary novel.
louiseog's review
4.0
Who knew that eco romance could be such fun!
I loved this book, but it did make me think.
Its about doing a little bit to try to make a difference and the more that facts and figures are spread about what we are doing to the environment in different ways like this, the better.
I loved this book, but it did make me think.
Its about doing a little bit to try to make a difference and the more that facts and figures are spread about what we are doing to the environment in different ways like this, the better.
sometimesleelynnreads's review
3.0
Disclaimer: I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Rachel’s Random Resources and Arboretum Press for this free copy.
Animal Death
**This content warning was included by the author for this tour.
I honestly don’t know what I was expecting when I read the synopsis for this book, or saw the title. I usually go into books from Rachel with an open mind, because she and her tours really get me out of my comfort zone. I don’t know why I thought that the idea of having a whale involved would be something charming and fun, but I was definitely dead wrong.
The reason why the whale is involved, why the whale is important to the story, is because of the ever prominent issue of pollution in our oceans today. Most specifically, plastic being eaten by our sea life and killing them. Besides the obvious, why is this important to the story?
One of Fiona’s son’s old plastic toys was found in the stomach of the whale. That brings back a lot of memories of when her family was happy and complete. Now, her son is grown up and out of the house, and her husband cheated on her with another woman and left her. It seems like everything is coming to a head with that realization, and it’s enough to make Fiona’s life come crashing down.
This was the kind of book that brings important issues together in a way that is relatable to just about anyone. Even if you personally haven’t gone through the heartbreak of the one you love leaving you for another person, in essence destroying your very heart and soul, you can feel empathy for what Fiona went though. And to see what she does in the aftermath of this pain, and seeing that she doesn’t just lie there and take it anymore, is uplifting and inspiring for anyone that may be thinking of letting things lie as they are.
Animal Death
**This content warning was included by the author for this tour.
I honestly don’t know what I was expecting when I read the synopsis for this book, or saw the title. I usually go into books from Rachel with an open mind, because she and her tours really get me out of my comfort zone. I don’t know why I thought that the idea of having a whale involved would be something charming and fun, but I was definitely dead wrong.
The reason why the whale is involved, why the whale is important to the story, is because of the ever prominent issue of pollution in our oceans today. Most specifically, plastic being eaten by our sea life and killing them. Besides the obvious, why is this important to the story?
One of Fiona’s son’s old plastic toys was found in the stomach of the whale. That brings back a lot of memories of when her family was happy and complete. Now, her son is grown up and out of the house, and her husband cheated on her with another woman and left her. It seems like everything is coming to a head with that realization, and it’s enough to make Fiona’s life come crashing down.
This was the kind of book that brings important issues together in a way that is relatable to just about anyone. Even if you personally haven’t gone through the heartbreak of the one you love leaving you for another person, in essence destroying your very heart and soul, you can feel empathy for what Fiona went though. And to see what she does in the aftermath of this pain, and seeing that she doesn’t just lie there and take it anymore, is uplifting and inspiring for anyone that may be thinking of letting things lie as they are.
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