danicamidlil's review against another edition
2.0
This was a clear case of the book not living up to the quality of the cover art. I love the picture. The hope and wonder on her face is sweet as pie or waffles. The story though was meandering with random off-shoots which never ended up going anywhere: She was going to learn hockey...nothing. The old lady was having false memories...nothing. Her parents spent a LONG time lost at sea...AND nothing. I think the author was confused about what the book was supposed to be about so she tried many different ideas out and then only wrapped up a couple of them.
lisabisa01's review against another edition
3.0
Loved the recipes tucked between the chapters. Story was corky but cute.
jyu's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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? It's complicated
5.0
so beautifully written. my favorite type of story.
a_meek_writer's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? No
4.25
danilanglie's review against another edition
4.0
Well, that was just such a cute re-read. I had remembered exactly three things about this book: 1) the protagonist waiting for her parents to come back from a shipwreck; 2) her sweaters getting eaten by mothballs or something like that; 3) recipes at the end of each chapter.
I had forgotten the shape of this book, the many interesting and funny side characters. I liked the rhythm of it, how each chapter told a little anecdote from Primrose and also built up the circumstances of her life around her. I hate it when people say things like "this book wouldn't be written today" but part of me wonders if that holds true for this one. Because it's bright and whimsical and in the end, Primrose's parents miraculously turn up after being gone for months. And yet it grapples with Primrose's denial and grief, it features scenes in which she is imperiled and nearly killed TWICE. It's written for a middle-grade sort of audience, which is why frankly I think I was expecting it to either be MORE whimsical and absurd, or to be more grounded and to end with Primrose accepting the sad truth that her parents were dead.
I don't know, I like that this book took the subject matter seriously and had a fun ending where everything worked out for the best. Maybe sometimes that's all we need! Plus now I wanna make lemon sugar cookies.
I had forgotten the shape of this book, the many interesting and funny side characters. I liked the rhythm of it, how each chapter told a little anecdote from Primrose and also built up the circumstances of her life around her. I hate it when people say things like "this book wouldn't be written today" but part of me wonders if that holds true for this one. Because it's bright and whimsical and in the end, Primrose's parents miraculously turn up after being gone for months. And yet it grapples with Primrose's denial and grief, it features scenes in which she is imperiled and nearly killed TWICE. It's written for a middle-grade sort of audience, which is why frankly I think I was expecting it to either be MORE whimsical and absurd, or to be more grounded and to end with Primrose accepting the sad truth that her parents were dead.
I don't know, I like that this book took the subject matter seriously and had a fun ending where everything worked out for the best. Maybe sometimes that's all we need! Plus now I wanna make lemon sugar cookies.