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javalenciaph's review
5.0
Note: An ARC was provided by the author via LesCourt ARC Team. The full review can be read on Dog-Eared Daydreams.
I went into Sophia Soames's debut release--and the first in her Scandinavian Comfort series--with, as always, a sense of hope. The blurb held a great deal of promise, and while I thought it was going to be far more angst-ridden than it actually turned out to be, I was quite happy that this, to a certain degree, did live up to that promise. This also happened to be a REALLY long read, but I guess the fact that I read this in one sitting speaks to its being good.
As far as I'm concerned, I liked what I saw from Sophia Soames's writing. This was her first published work, and it was, indeed, an ambitious initial effort. The lighthearted moments far outweighed the darker forays into the difficulties and complexities of Jens's and Axel's lives as individuals and then later on as a couple. The bonus portion of the book, though, had me reaching for tissues, and that's a very good thing. Five stars for Little Harbour. β₯
I went into Sophia Soames's debut release--and the first in her Scandinavian Comfort series--with, as always, a sense of hope. The blurb held a great deal of promise, and while I thought it was going to be far more angst-ridden than it actually turned out to be, I was quite happy that this, to a certain degree, did live up to that promise. This also happened to be a REALLY long read, but I guess the fact that I read this in one sitting speaks to its being good.
As far as I'm concerned, I liked what I saw from Sophia Soames's writing. This was her first published work, and it was, indeed, an ambitious initial effort. The lighthearted moments far outweighed the darker forays into the difficulties and complexities of Jens's and Axel's lives as individuals and then later on as a couple. The bonus portion of the book, though, had me reaching for tissues, and that's a very good thing. Five stars for Little Harbour. β₯
yaaralony's review against another edition
I didn't like the writing style. Everthing felt too instantaneous, I want more process.
the_argumentative_bong's review against another edition
4.0
A second chance love story set in Norway, with two men and four children trying to find their places and fit into life as one big family. It is as endearing as exhausting with 450+ pages of meandering narrative with hardly any plot...inner monologues and bouts of self-doubt; and chaos. Too much chaos. I am amazed that the two adults actually got any work done with the utter confusion that their lives and family were. It was sweet and poignant but could have been shorter with no gap in the story.
I did feel the bonus scenes were unnecessary. We really didn't need to see the grief that is inevitable in life. Some things are better left unsaid.
I did feel the bonus scenes were unnecessary. We really didn't need to see the grief that is inevitable in life. Some things are better left unsaid.
kady_cordova's review against another edition
5.0
ππππ π 5 stars
π₯π₯π₯π₯ Heat Level: 4
WOW, this is an epic second-chance love story to rival The Notebook!
After 20 years apart Axel and Jens finally find each other, through tradgey and pain, they have a chance at love again. I laughed, I cried, I cringed, and Iβve stormed. From the beginning to the very end of this book, Iβve felt all the emotions. Sophia even included a bonus chapter and an second epilogue that had me in tears.
This is an wonderful story of finding the true love of your life and your place in a new family. A whirlwind adventure with a few jokes, a bit of chaos and 4 amazing children that will touch your heart and never let you go. This is such a touching love story with so much passion and love I canβt explain how wonderful this book is.
The amazing writing by (Scandinavian) Sophia shows the universality of language, love, emotions and storytelling and that it can cross countries and continents and truly reach the hearts of others (From Norway, to London, to Australia)! Thanks for creating this wonderful story Sohpia and allowing us to share the joys, love passion, and grief with you, Jens and Axel, it was an honour!
Thanks for reading π!
π₯π₯π₯π₯ Heat Level: 4
WOW, this is an epic second-chance love story to rival The Notebook!
After 20 years apart Axel and Jens finally find each other, through tradgey and pain, they have a chance at love again. I laughed, I cried, I cringed, and Iβve stormed. From the beginning to the very end of this book, Iβve felt all the emotions. Sophia even included a bonus chapter and an second epilogue that had me in tears.
This is an wonderful story of finding the true love of your life and your place in a new family. A whirlwind adventure with a few jokes, a bit of chaos and 4 amazing children that will touch your heart and never let you go. This is such a touching love story with so much passion and love I canβt explain how wonderful this book is.
The amazing writing by (Scandinavian) Sophia shows the universality of language, love, emotions and storytelling and that it can cross countries and continents and truly reach the hearts of others (From Norway, to London, to Australia)! Thanks for creating this wonderful story Sohpia and allowing us to share the joys, love passion, and grief with you, Jens and Axel, it was an honour!
Thanks for reading π!
the_argumentative_bong's review
4.0
A second chance love story set in Norway, with two men and four children trying to find their places and fit into life as one big family. It is as endearing as exhausting with 450+ pages of meandering narrative with hardly any plot...inner monologues and bouts of self-doubt; and chaos. Too much chaos. I am amazed that the two adults actually got any work done with the utter confusion that their lives and family were. It was sweet and poignant but could have been shorter with no gap in the story.
I did feel the bonus scenes were unnecessary. We really didn't need to see the grief that is inevitable in life. Some things are better left unsaid.
I did feel the bonus scenes were unnecessary. We really didn't need to see the grief that is inevitable in life. Some things are better left unsaid.
xanthe87's review against another edition
5.0
...... Wow. What a story of loss, love and family life. This book takes us on an in depth experience of the relationship between Jan's, Axel and Jan's four children. Along the way the are tears, tantrums, laughs and moments of pure adoration. Such a worthwhile read for any happy to take the time. It is a longer book, whilst the pacing of it works well overall to keep the reader engaged with the goings on in the story, of which there is a lot. Two full time jobs, a house to run, four children, a lot of attitude and a flourishing blog keeps the men plenty busy.
There were a couple of things I wasn't too sure on, how quickly the two men progressed their relationship and how much swearing the kids do, but then I'm not from Norway and they possibly have very different outlooks.
It's so easy to fall in love with the whole family, especially the children, with what they have lost, having someone new in their lives along with general day to day living. They all tug on the heartstrings but I cannot recommend reading this book enough. Easy to fall into and become absorbed in, but allow yourself a fair few hours to read it.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review
There were a couple of things I wasn't too sure on, how quickly the two men progressed their relationship and how much swearing the kids do, but then I'm not from Norway and they possibly have very different outlooks.
It's so easy to fall in love with the whole family, especially the children, with what they have lost, having someone new in their lives along with general day to day living. They all tug on the heartstrings but I cannot recommend reading this book enough. Easy to fall into and become absorbed in, but allow yourself a fair few hours to read it.
I received an ARC and am happily giving a review