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kyrstin_p1989's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
Golly. Kristin Hannah plays for keeps, doesn’t she?! This book is beautiful, just like everything else she’s written that I’ve read. I laughed, I cried, I connected with the characters. Even though I can’t imagine having this kind of relationship turnaround with my own mother, it was lovely to see in this novel. I think the ways that the characters interact with one another is so realistic and written so beautifully. I like the idea that all the people in our lives have secrets and stories that live inside them, make them who they are, and yet, we may not ever know those stories especially without asking our loved ones to be open and vulnerable with us about everything, even the really tough stuff. Amazing read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, Suicide attempt, Abandonment, and Classism
fkshg8465's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
Rounding up to five. Started out like any Kristin Hannah book - a nice set up for a big struggle. Well, this one had a few that jerked me open. Surprisingly, it had less to do with Nora and Ruby and more to do with Eric and Dean (so grateful LGBTQ people have more rights now and that dreaming for family is so much more attainable in today’s world - at least more so than even in 2006 even the book was published).
All the relationships and conflicts ran parallel with parts of my own life (minus the fame). I think this is what’s so brilliant about Kristin Hannah. Somehow, she knows me so well, though she wouldn’t know me from boo. By the end, I was a puddle of mess, but I think that had more to do with all the memories of my mother’s life of valor and her undignified loss to cancer.
The only thing I thought was unrealistic was that her house was already set up to accommodate someone getting around a kitchen in a wheelchair. From what I know, almost everyone living in a wheelchair has had to redo large portions of their house, especially the kitchen. But heck, I suppose that’s why it’s called creative license.
All the relationships and conflicts ran parallel with parts of my own life (minus the fame). I think this is what’s so brilliant about Kristin Hannah. Somehow, she knows me so well, though she wouldn’t know me from boo. By the end, I was a puddle of mess, but I think that had more to do with all the memories of my mother’s life of valor and her undignified loss to cancer.
The only thing I thought was unrealistic was that her house was already set up to accommodate someone getting around a kitchen in a wheelchair. From what I know, almost everyone living in a wheelchair has had to redo large portions of their house, especially the kitchen. But heck, I suppose that’s why it’s called creative license.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Terminal illness, Grief, Car accident, Abandonment, Alcohol, and War
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