laurenbeetea's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Misogyny
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, and Death of parent
samburkhouse's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Grief, Alcoholism, and Death of parent
Moderate: Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Infidelity, Vomit, Gun violence, Body shaming, Car accident, and Medical content
mariakureads's review against another edition
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I liked Reid's 'Daisy Jones & The Six' that I decided to give this one a try and saddened to admit I'm not a fan.
It's ok. I'm not going to like all the books I read but honestly as the book wore on, I didn't like a single character and couldn't connect with any honestly to care enough about what happened to them as the book switched back n forth between past and present tense, especially Mick. A deadbeat dad, if I ever read one.
Mick is entitled and the cliché rich rock star that leaves his wife and kids that when he decided he wants to come back, is too late to be any kind of father figure and he's not wanted or needed. These kids grew up without him just fine as Nina, the oldest of the bunch, stood up and became the parent that she didn't want to be in order to make ends meet.
I feel for Nina, I do, but there were so many times that her character was just so meh and allowed herself to be touched and fondled all because she didn't want to "cause a scene" that I gave up on her growing a spine and when she does, kudos because she does, it's towards the last 20 mins of the audiobook and I was done.
But the thing that bothered me the most of this entire book, and I do mean the entire book, is Reid's choice of using the phrase "he said" or "she said" throughout the entire book! OMG there are other ways to go about phrasing this and have read it and heard it in other books. I seriously got annoyed about how many times throughout the book the phrase appears that honestly I could have turned it into a drinking game. It got annoying quick and nothing against Julia Whelan, who narrates this because she was great, but seriously it was grating.
It's ok. I'm not going to like all the books I read but honestly as the book wore on, I didn't like a single character and couldn't connect with any honestly to care enough about what happened to them as the book switched back n forth between past and present tense, especially Mick. A deadbeat dad, if I ever read one.
Mick is entitled and the cliché rich rock star that leaves his wife and kids that when he decided he wants to come back, is too late to be any kind of father figure and he's not wanted or needed. These kids grew up without him just fine as Nina, the oldest of the bunch, stood up and became the parent that she didn't want to be in order to make ends meet.
I feel for Nina, I do, but there were so many times that her character was just so meh and allowed herself to be touched and fondled all because she didn't want to "cause a scene" that I gave up on her growing a spine and when she does, kudos because she does, it's towards the last 20 mins of the audiobook and I was done.
But the thing that bothered me the most of this entire book, and I do mean the entire book, is Reid's choice of using the phrase "he said" or "she said" throughout the entire book! OMG there are other ways to go about phrasing this and have read it and heard it in other books. I seriously got annoyed about how many times throughout the book the phrase appears that honestly I could have turned it into a drinking game. It got annoying quick and nothing against Julia Whelan, who narrates this because she was great, but seriously it was grating.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Infidelity, Alcoholism, Drug use, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
katherinek's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Car accident, Violence, Sexual content, Blood, and Fire/Fire injury
lekutches's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The plot thickened towards the end. I didn’t realize the timeframe went back 30+ years. The author did a nice job creating relatable moments, considering the fame involved.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Car accident, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Abortion, and Addiction
sudatot's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Infidelity, Death of parent, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, Alcoholism, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcohol, Car accident, Emotional abuse, Pregnancy, Chronic illness, Drug use, Terminal illness, Vomit, and Sexual harassment
ramavill's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Honestly, the book was beautiful. It felt like “a day in my life;” you’re following a 24hr span of present day, and you’re getting a backstory of the generation before, leading up to present day time.
i loved the characters and each of their stories. June has my whole heart, as well as, Nina. No family is perfect, and Nina has done her absolute best to make hers happy. I didn’t feel like there was any climax to the story, maybe in part 2, but nothing that really smacked you in the face lol, and i heard that had bothered people. It didn’t bother me tooo much, it felt like a story was being told to me. It was a beautiful memory
i loved the characters and each of their stories. June has my whole heart, as well as, Nina. No family is perfect, and Nina has done her absolute best to make hers happy. I didn’t feel like there was any climax to the story, maybe in part 2, but nothing that really smacked you in the face lol, and i heard that had bothered people. It didn’t bother me tooo much, it felt like a story was being told to me. It was a beautiful memory
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming and Alcoholism
Minor: Death of parent and Sexual content
abbeyroad1410's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book was immaculate; I'd consider it one of the best books I've read in 2023 thus far.
First of all, the characterization of every member of the Riva family was amazing. Readers could track how and why their personalities developed as they did. Nina was forced to drop her boundaries to care for her siblings; Jay was a brash kid and remained so but had a self-consciousness from trauma; Hud was different from his siblings; Kit was self-discovering and had a chip on her shoulder from experiencing unfortunate events from such a young age. Not to mention, you see June go from a dreamer to someone coping with the realities of life. I am a sucker for characters that grow and make sense.
Second of all, I love that this book never condoned cheating even when you saw why the characters may choose that direction. In fact, it emphasized the victimization of those cheated on. One of my pet peeves is when a book tries to claim that because two characters love each other, it was okay for them to betray their partner. I think this novel does a great job of showing three very different circumstances of cheating and how it impacts those around those having an affair.
Third of all, I love a book that flashes back and forth. The tracking back and forth flashes really helps keep my attention and captivate me. I think it is nice to give my mind a little extra task. I also like that he helps you directly track characters decisions between time periods to see how their decisions are influenced by the past.
If I had a critique of this book, it would be that it introduced too many characters. I understand that in some ways, this was needed to show the chaos of the party and just how many people were there and how many activities were taking place. The many different perspectives also drew my attention to what the f- moments like bars of cocaine being passed out like snacks. I do think some of these scenes could have been conveyed without SO many points of view, however.
Overall, I loved this book, and I am tempted to pick up another book by Taylor Jenkins Reid on my next Barnes and Noble trip.
First of all, the characterization of every member of the Riva family was amazing. Readers could track how and why their personalities developed as they did. Nina was forced to drop her boundaries to care for her siblings; Jay was a brash kid and remained so but had a self-consciousness from trauma; Hud was different from his siblings; Kit was self-discovering and had a chip on her shoulder from experiencing unfortunate events from such a young age. Not to mention, you see June go from a dreamer to someone coping with the realities of life. I am a sucker for characters that grow and make sense.
Second of all, I love that this book never condoned cheating even when you saw why the characters may choose that direction. In fact, it emphasized the victimization of those cheated on. One of my pet peeves is when a book tries to claim that because two characters love each other, it was okay for them to betray their partner. I think this novel does a great job of showing three very different circumstances of cheating and how it impacts those around those having an affair.
Third of all, I love a book that flashes back and forth. The tracking back and forth flashes really helps keep my attention and captivate me. I think it is nice to give my mind a little extra task. I also like that he helps you directly track characters decisions between time periods to see how their decisions are influenced by the past.
If I had a critique of this book, it would be that it introduced too many characters. I understand that in some ways, this was needed to show the chaos of the party and just how many people were there and how many activities were taking place. The many different perspectives also drew my attention to what the f- moments like bars of cocaine being passed out like snacks. I do think some of these scenes could have been conveyed without SO many points of view, however.
Overall, I loved this book, and I am tempted to pick up another book by Taylor Jenkins Reid on my next Barnes and Noble trip.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity and Alcoholism
Moderate: Death of parent and Death
Minor: Alcohol, Drug use, and Sexism
aliiloue's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
4.5
this is my fave TJR book so far. it had a real emotional heart and nina has been my fave protag. mick riva is a delusional piece of shit and his kids telling him to fuck off was real fucking cathartic. each sibling felt fully realised and i loved seeing each of their stories play out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Drug use, and Alcoholism
finn_vibing's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Drug abuse, Drug use, Alcohol, Sexual content, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Minor: Abortion