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karly_ackley's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I know this came out in 2008, so I’m definitely late to the game (to be fair I was 9), but wow this book blew me away. I haven’t been moved by a book in this way in I don’t even know how long and I know it’s one I’m going to be thinking about for a long time.
I think what really hit me was how realistic and raw it was. We saw from the perspective of both girls/women and we really got to learn them and how they became who they are. They are flawed and messy and real and I fell in love with them both.
For anyone wanting to read about friendship and hardship and navigating life, I cannot recommend this enough! Also I feel like I have to call my mom now, idk.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Rape, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: War
emilyacv's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
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
5.0
Okay wow. This is womanhood!! This is female friendship! A story told through alternating perspectives of two best friends spanning decades. You see them fall in love, fight, thrive, struggle, learn hard lessons, and discover what truly matters at the end of the day: love. But love can take different forms and mean different things! That’s what I love about this book… it shows how two people can want different things and fill their cup in different ways, and yet the grass always seems greener on the other side. In the end, there isn’t one “right” choice. We see each best friend look at the other’s life and wonder if they made a mistake in their own. But at the end, Kate tells us that she’s satisfied. Looking back on her life, she remembers only love. The hard moments will never cancel out the love she shared with her friends and family. Thank you to this book for a reminder of what really matters <3 and a reminder to hug your besties
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer and Sexual assault
Moderate: Addiction, Drug use, and Death of parent
vannahcabana's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This book follows the friendship journey of Tully and Kate. Covering decades of their lives, it shows their path of ups and downs. I wouldn’t consider this an “easy read” as it’s more of an emotional rollercoaster. I don’t really cry reading books but this one definitely made me tear up in the last few chapters with its focus on family and friendship. I’ve never read a Kristin Hannah book, but I will certainly be looking for more of her books!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Sexual content, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Drug use and Alcohol
bxnnny's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
this was a touching story about two very different girls who become best friends and go through the trials of life together into womanhood. at times, the story could get repetitive, particularly during tully's parts, and at other times, i felt like i was getting whiplash by how quickly the story moved forward. i kept anticipating when and what the big betrayal would be and it would never be what i thought it was going to be. issues would be brought up throughout the story but they would each ultimately be resolved by the next chapter and we'd be moving on to the next thing. that being said, i could appreciate the book moving so quickly considering the size of the book.
i really did not like tully. i felt sympathy for her at the beginning because i knew she had a troubled relationship with her mother, but as she grew up and became more and more selfish and ungrateful and emotionally stunted, i couldn't stand her. i feel like she had more potential but ended up just being extremely annoying and unlikeable and her sections of the story because repetitive fast. i was way more invested in kate's story and really just wanted her to be able to have the life she hoped for. but, alas...
i would say i overall enjoyed the book and shed some tears in those final chapters. BUT it could definitely be cliché and cheesy and over-the-top at times, it moved comically fast, and the big betrayal was... underwhelming.
i really did not like tully. i felt sympathy for her at the beginning because i knew she had a troubled relationship with her mother, but as she grew up and became more and more selfish and ungrateful and emotionally stunted, i couldn't stand her. i feel like she had more potential but ended up just being extremely annoying and unlikeable and her sections of the story because repetitive fast. i was way more invested in kate's story and really just wanted her to be able to have the life she hoped for. but, alas...
i would say i overall enjoyed the book and shed some tears in those final chapters. BUT it could definitely be cliché and cheesy and over-the-top at times, it moved comically fast, and the big betrayal was... underwhelming.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Addiction
alukasavitz's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Miscarriage, Rape, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Mental illness
randeerebecca's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Drug abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Miscarriage, Sexual content, Pregnancy, and Abandonment
Minor: Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, and War
michaelawatkins's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, Rape, Death of parent, and War
Moderate: Miscarriage and Alcohol
sarahfeller's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infertility, Miscarriage, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Alcohol
sarah_amy's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
4.5
Loved following the friendship of Kate and Tully over several decades. It was very easy to get attached to them and their lives and to feel like a part of their world. I missed them both when I finished the book and have listened to it a couple of times since. A lot easier to follow than the TV series as events are chronological.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Drug use, Rape, Terminal illness, Grief, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Alcoholism, Bullying, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Death of parent, and Alcohol
princessdana36's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
5.0
**sob** read with Kleenexes. I loved this book about female friendship. It was just such a great book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Medical trauma