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risten's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death of parent
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Cursing, Sexual content, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
teacupsandfirereads's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
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
3.0
While this book made grief readable and relatable, I felt it missed the mark otherwise. The only character we really got to know and understand was Great. One woman show? Doesn't always work. I felt no engagement with Great either, I didn't hate her, but I didn't love her. The idea of a daughter accompanying a father on a trip after his wife dies has so much potential. A great place to dive in to the ups and downs of the relationship, but it only scratched the surface. It was readable, but can't say I will highly recommend it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
Minor: Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, and Toxic relationship
kelly_e's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
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
3.75
Title: The Unsinkable Greta James
Author: Jennifer E. Smith
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Rating: 3.75
Pub Date: March 1, 2022
T H R E E β’ W O R D S
Light β’ Touching β’ Refreshing
π S Y N O P S I S
In the wake of her mother's death, wracked with grief, Greta has a breakdown on stage during a performance, one that goes viral and leads to her refusing to play again. With her career in jeopardy, her brother convinces her to accompany their father on an Alaskan cruise her parents had booked to celebrate their fortieth wedding anniversary. Greta and her father don't exactly see eye to eye, and this could be the chance to heal old wounds.
π T H O U G H T S
I was initially drawn to the distinct cover, and after reading the synopsis, was intrigued by the grief aspect. I went into it with the expectation that it'd be a highly emotional read, and it really wasn't.
What I like:
β’ Alaskan setting. The vivid imagery of Alaska and Glacier Bay really brought the natural beauty to life. I felt as though it was the ideal location to choose in order to mirror the plotline of grief. The cruise setting was something I liked in general.
β’ exploration of grief. One of the things this novel does really well is explore the concept of grief. It takes on a heavy topic is a lighthearted way that works. It offers various perspectives, demonstrating how grief journeys are different for each person, and how each must move through in their own manner.
β’ the father/daughter relationship. The tension. The healing. The relationship itself. I wish more books focused on the father/daughter relationship.
What I didn't like:
β’ the father/daughter relationship. I wanted so much more of this part of the book, and wish it had been the main focus.
β’ the romance. The relationship between Greta and Ben felt unrealistic, surface level, and wholly un unfinished. I'd have preferred if this portion of the book had been left out completely. It just didn't feel necessary and became the main plotline, which disappointed me.
β’ lack of depth. Aside from Greta, I didn't get to know the characters as much as I would have liked. I wanted more background, more communication, more of her mother. I feel there was so potential and the story just didn't go that way.
The Unsinkable Greta James is a solid exploration of grief, family and healing. It just wasn't everything I wanted it to be. I understand why it was such a hit in 2022, and still recommend it to readers.
π R E C O M M E N D β’ T O
β’ anyone in need of break from heavier plots
β’ readers who enjoyed The Float Plan and/or One Italian Summer
π F A V O U R I T E β’ Q U O T E S
"Maybe the point isn't always to make things last. Maybe it's just to make them count."
"Itβs a particularly strange kind of loss, when something you donβt think you even want gets taken away from you."
Author: Jennifer E. Smith
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Rating: 3.75
Pub Date: March 1, 2022
T H R E E β’ W O R D S
Light β’ Touching β’ Refreshing
π S Y N O P S I S
In the wake of her mother's death, wracked with grief, Greta has a breakdown on stage during a performance, one that goes viral and leads to her refusing to play again. With her career in jeopardy, her brother convinces her to accompany their father on an Alaskan cruise her parents had booked to celebrate their fortieth wedding anniversary. Greta and her father don't exactly see eye to eye, and this could be the chance to heal old wounds.
π T H O U G H T S
I was initially drawn to the distinct cover, and after reading the synopsis, was intrigued by the grief aspect. I went into it with the expectation that it'd be a highly emotional read, and it really wasn't.
What I like:
β’ Alaskan setting. The vivid imagery of Alaska and Glacier Bay really brought the natural beauty to life. I felt as though it was the ideal location to choose in order to mirror the plotline of grief. The cruise setting was something I liked in general.
β’ exploration of grief. One of the things this novel does really well is explore the concept of grief. It takes on a heavy topic is a lighthearted way that works. It offers various perspectives, demonstrating how grief journeys are different for each person, and how each must move through in their own manner.
β’ the father/daughter relationship. The tension. The healing. The relationship itself. I wish more books focused on the father/daughter relationship.
What I didn't like:
β’ the father/daughter relationship. I wanted so much more of this part of the book, and wish it had been the main focus.
β’ the romance. The relationship between Greta and Ben felt unrealistic, surface level, and wholly un unfinished. I'd have preferred if this portion of the book had been left out completely. It just didn't feel necessary and became the main plotline, which disappointed me.
β’ lack of depth. Aside from Greta, I didn't get to know the characters as much as I would have liked. I wanted more background, more communication, more of her mother. I feel there was so potential and the story just didn't go that way.
The Unsinkable Greta James is a solid exploration of grief, family and healing. It just wasn't everything I wanted it to be. I understand why it was such a hit in 2022, and still recommend it to readers.
π R E C O M M E N D β’ T O
β’ anyone in need of break from heavier plots
β’ readers who enjoyed The Float Plan and/or One Italian Summer
π F A V O U R I T E β’ Q U O T E S
"Maybe the point isn't always to make things last. Maybe it's just to make them count."
"Itβs a particularly strange kind of loss, when something you donβt think you even want gets taken away from you."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Cursing
partner deathdrsuzbark's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
A story of love, grief, and second chances
Content Warnings
Minor: Cursing
caseythereader's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
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
4.0
Thanks to Random House for the free copy of this book.
- THE UNSINKABLE GRETA JAMES is a meditation on grief and love that somehow feels both breezy and substantive at the same time.
- I read this entire book in less than 24 hours, if that gives you any indication as to how quickly it draws you in.
- This book is funny and farcical, serious and painful. I loved it very much and will be thinking about it for a long time to come.
- THE UNSINKABLE GRETA JAMES is a meditation on grief and love that somehow feels both breezy and substantive at the same time.
- I read this entire book in less than 24 hours, if that gives you any indication as to how quickly it draws you in.
- This book is funny and farcical, serious and painful. I loved it very much and will be thinking about it for a long time to come.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Vomit