amandabshero's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Death
msnyderk's review against another edition
4.0
I was first attracted to this book because of the plot line. A book about a family keeping the death of a sister secret so the other sister could get through the end of her high risk pregnancy and bed rest. The family story around this was so well written. I loved visiting the Jersey shore, everything so familiar to me from my youth. I found the writing to be powerful in its quietness and I liked the ending probably more as a writer than I do as a reader. Overall, a really good read! Looking forward to more from this author.
mkduds's review against another edition
4.0
Audiobook review. I enjoyed this so much that I read it in two days! The characters were endearing and easy to root for. I loved that this author found a way to honor her family’s story though this book. Highly recommended.
ckfoster's review against another edition
5.0
Hands down the best book I’ve read this year. The premise of this book is truly unique (yet real according to the author’s note- not a spoiler).
andreanourse's review against another edition
4.0
(thank you to Netgalley & the publisher for the free eARC)
I am a sucker for both historical fiction and deeply-layered family drama. Boy, did this book deliver!
I loved the different POVs, especially Anna and Stuart. Despite each only receiving limited page space, these two were the stand out characters for me. They were the most authentic.
Esther and Joseph were admirable as the family matriarch and patriarch, but I didn’t agree with the decisions they may. And Isaac was just a giant POS.
I am a sucker for both historical fiction and deeply-layered family drama. Boy, did this book deliver!
I loved the different POVs, especially Anna and Stuart. Despite each only receiving limited page space, these two were the stand out characters for me. They were the most authentic.
Esther and Joseph were admirable as the family matriarch and patriarch, but I didn’t agree with the decisions they may. And Isaac was just a giant POS.
lindsaysmeldrum's review against another edition
4.0
With just the right balance of heart and heartbreak, I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the Adler family!
Young and charismatic Florence is a talented swimmer, on the cusp of her dream to swim the English Channel, when she dies during a training swim. Her sister Frannie is on bed rest for a difficult pregnancy, so their mother decides to keep the news from her. Everyone in the family rallies together to prevent another tragedy, demonstrating what it means to be family.
I love the unique concept of this book, and that it was inspired by Beanland's own family history. She brought to life the perfect cast of characters to tell this story. I loved each one of them, except for Isaac, but only because his character was so well done that he was easy to dislike. Through backstory, we learn enough of each character to understand who they are, and why they make the choices they make.
This was a really pleasant and heartwarming story to read, perfect for a cozy weekend in, or a day at the beach.
Young and charismatic Florence is a talented swimmer, on the cusp of her dream to swim the English Channel, when she dies during a training swim. Her sister Frannie is on bed rest for a difficult pregnancy, so their mother decides to keep the news from her. Everyone in the family rallies together to prevent another tragedy, demonstrating what it means to be family.
I love the unique concept of this book, and that it was inspired by Beanland's own family history. She brought to life the perfect cast of characters to tell this story. I loved each one of them, except for Isaac, but only because his character was so well done that he was easy to dislike. Through backstory, we learn enough of each character to understand who they are, and why they make the choices they make.
This was a really pleasant and heartwarming story to read, perfect for a cozy weekend in, or a day at the beach.
mindfullibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
This title has stuck in my head since the book released in 2020, but for some reason I didn't get around to reading it until I was compiling a list of books about swimming for my newsletter this month. I'm SO glad I remembered it, despite it not being about swimming in quite the way I thought it would be. This is a story ultimately about family, secrets, and grief, set in 1934 Atlantic City. It's also a story of being Jewish in America at a time that Nazis were overtaking Europe and the United States was making it increasingly difficult for Jews to immigrate. The narration of the audio version was wonderful, and I think it definitely added to my immersion in and enjoyment of this story. The fact that it is based on the author's family just added to my appreciation!
Source: Scribd audio
Source: Scribd audio
notesonbookmarks's review against another edition
4.0
I listened to this in a single day and apparently didn't read the premise because I was BLINDSIDED.
jcbrynn's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
atirandomness's review against another edition
2.0
Wow. What a nasty family.
This is based on a true story according to the author so maybe that's why she seems to think the decisions this family made were heroic and selfless but in reality, they're a pretty shitty group of people. A lot of bad (borderline cruel) decisions made by very unlikable people and they all build up to... nothing really. Just skips to the happily ever after and we're all supposed to ignore the boatload of loose ends dangling in the wind. Actions have consequences and I don't have much patience for stories that pretend otherwise. And the fact that I disliked almost every character didn't help much either. So yeah, 2 stars for the potential but very poor execution. The book should have focused on Anna and Stuart and to hell with the Adler's.
This is based on a true story according to the author so maybe that's why she seems to think the decisions this family made were heroic and selfless but in reality, they're a pretty shitty group of people. A lot of bad (borderline cruel) decisions made by very unlikable people and they all build up to... nothing really. Just skips to the happily ever after and we're all supposed to ignore the boatload of loose ends dangling in the wind. Actions have consequences and I don't have much patience for stories that pretend otherwise. And the fact that I disliked almost every character didn't help much either. So yeah, 2 stars for the potential but very poor execution. The book should have focused on Anna and Stuart and to hell with the Adler's.