staci64's review against another edition
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
3.75
mckristin's review against another edition
Just unbearably sad. I found myself not wanting to pick it up again.
rileyzuckert's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-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? It's complicated
4.0
theshaggyshepherd's review against another edition
5.0
Florence Adler Swims Forever // by Rachel Beanland
"What did she want?" - "To swim forever."
Florence Adler Swims Forever is a family-focused novel by Rachel Beanland. Florence and Fannie Adler may be sisters but their lives so far have turned out rather differently. While one is focused on family life and is expecting a new baby, the other has dedicated her life to competitive swimming. With everybody together for the summer, life in the small apartment above the family-owned bakery is already tight but their father agrees to take in a mysterious girl from Germany, adding even more stress to the equation. When tragedy strikes and their mother's biggest priority becomes protecting Fannie from losing another baby, everyone shows how far they are willing to go to protect those they love, even at the risk of more heartbreak and loss.
For a reason that I cannot explain, I have avoided reading this book for a while. I could not put my finger on it but I just always felt that the time was not right yet and that I had to wait. A couple of days ago, I finally decided to dive in and I have not been able to stop thinking about it until I finished a few minutes ago. I was surprised when something very defining already happened at the beginning of the book and was not sure what other big finale could be worked towards, but it almost is the lack of a dramatic buildup that kept me so captivated the entire time. The events of this book are based on a true story and Beanland did a fantastic job of writing this story in a way that made you feel like the entire story could be happening right here, right now. It almost felt like I was following along with the happenings in my own community. I am obviously struggling for the correct words but if you are a fan of novels that keep you wondering what happened to the characters after the book is finished, then this is the right read for you. I honestly cannot believe that this is the author's first novel!
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
"What did she want?" - "To swim forever."
Florence Adler Swims Forever is a family-focused novel by Rachel Beanland. Florence and Fannie Adler may be sisters but their lives so far have turned out rather differently. While one is focused on family life and is expecting a new baby, the other has dedicated her life to competitive swimming. With everybody together for the summer, life in the small apartment above the family-owned bakery is already tight but their father agrees to take in a mysterious girl from Germany, adding even more stress to the equation. When tragedy strikes and their mother's biggest priority becomes protecting Fannie from losing another baby, everyone shows how far they are willing to go to protect those they love, even at the risk of more heartbreak and loss.
For a reason that I cannot explain, I have avoided reading this book for a while. I could not put my finger on it but I just always felt that the time was not right yet and that I had to wait. A couple of days ago, I finally decided to dive in and I have not been able to stop thinking about it until I finished a few minutes ago. I was surprised when something very defining already happened at the beginning of the book and was not sure what other big finale could be worked towards, but it almost is the lack of a dramatic buildup that kept me so captivated the entire time. The events of this book are based on a true story and Beanland did a fantastic job of writing this story in a way that made you feel like the entire story could be happening right here, right now. It almost felt like I was following along with the happenings in my own community. I am obviously struggling for the correct words but if you are a fan of novels that keep you wondering what happened to the characters after the book is finished, then this is the right read for you. I honestly cannot believe that this is the author's first novel!
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
jbuvalentine's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
staci64's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Some have said it’s the perfect summer read. Why? Because of swimming? Swimming was just a sub, sub-plot. This is about a Jewish family in New Jersey that experienced a tragedy and how they handled it. That and it touches on the beginnings of WWII and what Jews in Europe were facing, although that too was a sub, sub-plot. I’m sorry, I wasn’t an English major. I don’t know the technical term. I really enjoyed the author’s writing.
annelisegordon's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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? No
4.0
livrad's review against another edition
5.0
I was hooked by the premise of this book: Florence Adler, who is training to swim the English Channel, drowns one morning. Her sister, Frannie, is in the hospital, trying to keep from going into preterm labor. To keep Frannie's baby safe, the family decides to pretend Florence is still alive and not tell Frannie the news. How will they cope with their own grief, keep the news under wraps, and what will Frannie's reaction be once she finally finds out about the lies?
This was even more of a lure once I found out it is based on a true story from the author's family. That bit of truth and the gorgeously detailed picture of 1934 Atlantic City made the book shine. This was one of those reads that I missed when I was doing anything else.
This was even more of a lure once I found out it is based on a true story from the author's family. That bit of truth and the gorgeously detailed picture of 1934 Atlantic City made the book shine. This was one of those reads that I missed when I was doing anything else.
jeanneelyse's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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? It's complicated
3.5
kaitemistry's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0