Reviews tagging 'Grief'

My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan

14 reviews

gwenswoons's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

It’s beautiful — the writing and characters are lovely, and the English academic setting is vivid painted and lovingly rendered. It is definitely not my favorite type of romance novel: so unbelievably dark with the terminal diagnosis thread running throughout, HEA notwithstanding; so I am definitely NOT likely to try the comps of Jojo Moyes and Nicholas Sparks that the blurb mentions. But if a more heart-wrenchy romance is for you it’s a good one! For me when I read romance I just truly want something that feels more constant in the hopefulness and okayness (even though I love contemporary romance that has complicated MCs, realistic backstories, et al!). Definitely glad I read this and will read other Julia Whelan — Thanks For Listening was one of my faves when I first was getting into the genre so I will totally look forward to her lighter stuff (and like, that one even has some major trauma in the female MC’s backstory, but it wasn’t so deep in the weeds depressing for as big a chunk as this one). Obviously the audio narration for both novels (by Whelan) is totally gorgeous and perfect!
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ellenwm's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective sad 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

4.25

Julia Whelan is so dang talented!!! Her writing alternates between hilariously relatable to lyrical, profound philosophies on life. A beautiful story of love, grief and found family. Oxford is a beautifully rendered setting and sort of becomes its own character, or at least a muse. I also loved how each chapter started with a snippet of verse or prose from an author that relates to the contents and the characters’ academic pursuits. Best usage I’ve seen for that technique. Be on notice, this one isn’t really a rom com, it’s a story that brings in much more of life’s ups and downs. The result is dimensional characters whose lives are much more than window dressing for their romantic pursuits. Listening to the audiobook narrated by the author was a treat! (Just like with her excellent second novel “Thank you for listening.”)
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clareasday's review against another edition

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3.0

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lmoran46's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

4.25

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kimveach's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful informative reflective sad fast-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? Yes

4.5

I loved this book.  Julia Whelan is one of my favorite narrators, and I also like her writing.  The beginning of the book seemed like a typical romance, but it had so much more than that.  It was a delightful "listen."
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daniiiileighhhh's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

I really really enjoyed this book. I think I went into it expecting something light and fun, so I was a bit taken aback when things switched to a heavier topic. It didn't stop me from enjoying the book but
Jamie's cancer reveal really took me off guard and entirely changed the vibe of what I was wanting to read at the time.
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mels_reading_log's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful sad fast-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

4.5

This book surprised me by switching halfway through from a comedy about an American’s adventures in Oxford to a romantic tragedy. I loved it, I loved the couple and the friends, I burst out laughing and their very literary conversations and cried through the confessions. I highly recommend this book.
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sofia_marie's review against another edition

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1.0

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amiefw's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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megbooks02's review against another edition

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emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No

3.5

“Maybe, once you come to realize that there are no answers, you learn to live with the questions.” 

I have conflicting feelings about My Oxford Year. I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t necessary appreciate the twist that occurred halfway through the story. I think the writing was great, but I struggled with the storyline in the second half of the book.
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