seele22's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? No
3.0
gamle_oslo'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? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
shortstack48's review against another edition
4.0
3.75. I really enjoyed the ending of this book and was shaking my head silently smiling at Forman once I reached it because she made me fall in love with a character I hated throughout the book. MB left her family, 2 twin 4-year-olds, a job, and took like $20,000 from their savings to leave. I get that she needed to heal post-surgery and her partner wasn't being understanding but c'mon you're just going to ditch your responsibilities without talking to your husband in person and ensuring the kiddos have supervision and are safe while you're gone? Trash. Or so I thought...
Throughout this book, Maribeth is self-aware enough to recognize her rude actions, such as leaving behind only a note and being so slow when swimming in the lanes. I appreciate that she has distain towards her anxiety-inducing behaviours at least. But as the note was not available to be read until the end, I never knew what it said. When leaving her family and reflecting on it, she said she wrote it hastily and regrets it. So I thought of her as an irresponsible parent and marital partner. Even though her husband was being rude by not giving her the space and support she needed during healing. But nearing the end of the book, it showed the letter. It was very caring and said she'd be home soon and needed to relax so that she could live through her post-surgery recovery and be there for the kids long-term. So sweet. On that front I do now love her and am happy that this leaving and bypass surgery was a scary awakening for her friend and husband to care for her and get together more. It shouldn't have had to happen but we love some plot conflict and happy endings in this house.
Then there's the whole 'kissing and falling for her doctor' thing. I like how it ended, the bond and trust they created when they both needed it, and how much better off they are for knowing and meeting each other. Because of my poly energy I was like 'choose them both!' ahaha but no I'm glad her and her husband got things out in the open and rekindled their relationship. Communication is the name of the game boyyos and if her husband was honest with her, we wouldn't be in this situation yknow what I'm sayn'. Great book! Enjoyed her getting on her feet again. The friends she met along the way (her hilarious and sweet neighbours), and was dying laughing at the lifeguard line 'Are you having a crisis ma'am' and when she thought she was having another heart attack because of spicy food lol.
Throughout this book, Maribeth is self-aware enough to recognize her rude actions, such as leaving behind only a note and being so slow when swimming in the lanes. I appreciate that she has distain towards her anxiety-inducing behaviours at least. But as the note was not available to be read until the end, I never knew what it said. When leaving her family and reflecting on it, she said she wrote it hastily and regrets it. So I thought of her as an irresponsible parent and marital partner. Even though her husband was being rude by not giving her the space and support she needed during healing. But nearing the end of the book, it showed the letter. It was very caring and said she'd be home soon and needed to relax so that she could live through her post-surgery recovery and be there for the kids long-term. So sweet. On that front I do now love her and am happy that this leaving and bypass surgery was a scary awakening for her friend and husband to care for her and get together more. It shouldn't have had to happen but we love some plot conflict and happy endings in this house.
Then there's the whole 'kissing and falling for her doctor' thing. I like how it ended, the bond and trust they created when they both needed it, and how much better off they are for knowing and meeting each other. Because of my poly energy I was like 'choose them both!' ahaha but no I'm glad her and her husband got things out in the open and rekindled their relationship. Communication is the name of the game boyyos and if her husband was honest with her, we wouldn't be in this situation yknow what I'm sayn'. Great book! Enjoyed her getting on her feet again. The friends she met along the way (her hilarious and sweet neighbours), and was dying laughing at the lifeguard line 'Are you having a crisis ma'am' and when she thought she was having another heart attack because of spicy food lol.
nevercomemonday's review against another edition
4.0
Gayle Foreman is always a pleasure. Another solid read. Thoroughly truthful with sprinkles of fun. Some aspects were left a bit unsatisfying, but overall I'd recommend, as I usually do with Gayle.
maddness22's review
emotional
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Listen I thoroughly enjoyed this book and loved the experience of the mutual empathy between the husband and wife in addition to their flawed character development, but there are so many logistical fallacies with this book. If you can look past them though and enjoy the escapist fantasy that it offers, it really is quite the delight to experience. Maribeth is wonderfully flawed and her motivations are interesting to discover. This was incredibly compelling to read.
autumnleeves's review against another edition
3.5
I love this author and her writing style, and I found the book a fast read that was hard to put down. Even with our lives being very dissimilar I related to the main character and understood why she made the choices she did. I enjoyed following along on the path she took.
mommamel11's review against another edition
5.0
I loved loved loved this! Sure it's basically a fairy tale but I liked that it was fairly plausible. For all of us who want to escape and start over a little.
agustinap's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book. A little more 'adultish' than her previous books but just as easy and enjoyable to read. As a mother of twins and also on my early 40s I was drawn to her story of packing up and leaving...sometimes I would like a getaway myself. It was a good read.