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crimsynn's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
darquedreamer's review against another edition
5.0
Watching Glass Shatter is breathtakingly beautiful and heartbreaking. It is a story of life, loss, and secrets. For those looking for a gripping family drama full of laughter, tears, and jaw dropping moments, look no further!
When I read the synopsis for this one, I knew I had to get my hands on it. I knew I would fall in love with the story, but I could not have expected how deeply this one would affect me. James has done a phenomenal job with his beautiful writing. I laughed, and cried, and was full of emotion the entire time!
The plot was so full of life and suspense. There were so many unpredictable moments that fit so well in the story. There were so many family secrets revealed, and new feelings explored. The story was exciting, unique, happy, and sad all at once! I really loved how well written it was, and how the plot was laid out in separate scenes involving each brother, and each brother and their mother, Olivia.
The characters felt real. They each offered secrets, flaws, and a variety of emotions. They also felt natural and made the Glass family come to life through the pages. Each character added depth to the story and really drove it home!
I have to point out my favorite character. Olivia’s sister, Diane, was one that stood out for me. She was strong, loving, and beautiful! I felt like she held the family together and shined above the rest! She was so accepting of everything, and had her own obstacles to overcome throughout the story.
Anything that can make you laugh and cry all in the same sitting deserves a 5 star rating! This was such a strong, character driven story full of lyrical writing and depth. It was unpredictable and emotional, and offered beauty, heartache, and a story of self discovery for each of its characters. It wasn’t just about the one “big” secret Olivia found out about after the death of her husband. It was about learning what secrets each family member harbored in the separate paths each of their lives took as they grew older and grew apart. It was about learning how to become a family again through adversity and change.
When I read the synopsis for this one, I knew I had to get my hands on it. I knew I would fall in love with the story, but I could not have expected how deeply this one would affect me. James has done a phenomenal job with his beautiful writing. I laughed, and cried, and was full of emotion the entire time!
The plot was so full of life and suspense. There were so many unpredictable moments that fit so well in the story. There were so many family secrets revealed, and new feelings explored. The story was exciting, unique, happy, and sad all at once! I really loved how well written it was, and how the plot was laid out in separate scenes involving each brother, and each brother and their mother, Olivia.
The characters felt real. They each offered secrets, flaws, and a variety of emotions. They also felt natural and made the Glass family come to life through the pages. Each character added depth to the story and really drove it home!
I have to point out my favorite character. Olivia’s sister, Diane, was one that stood out for me. She was strong, loving, and beautiful! I felt like she held the family together and shined above the rest! She was so accepting of everything, and had her own obstacles to overcome throughout the story.
Anything that can make you laugh and cry all in the same sitting deserves a 5 star rating! This was such a strong, character driven story full of lyrical writing and depth. It was unpredictable and emotional, and offered beauty, heartache, and a story of self discovery for each of its characters. It wasn’t just about the one “big” secret Olivia found out about after the death of her husband. It was about learning what secrets each family member harbored in the separate paths each of their lives took as they grew older and grew apart. It was about learning how to become a family again through adversity and change.
kreinard's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 Stars
When I first started this book I felt it was way too wordy for my liking. Every description of every object or thought or scene seemed over the top somehow. As the book progressed, however, this seemed to dissipate and give way to a more natural flow in the descriptions. I did have an issue with the amount of typos in the book as well. It got to the point where I was able to read just fine, but it was distracting for a grammar freak like myself. The timeline also seemed a bit fuzzy. With how the chapters were laid out it was hard to keep track of what was happening when and several times I felt like it wasn't plotted out quite right.
On to the book itself. The plot was intriguing, the characters pretty relatable and the pace was just right. I hated the mother, however. Her, as well as the rest of the family, went from having way too many boundaries and walls built up between them to being boundary-less and over-involved (which could be my psychology background kicking in and realizing that's super unhealthy). During Olivia's "Summer Revelations" talk with her sons, I was literally cringing and had to put it down a few times just to make it through.
All in all I think it was a pretty solid debut. I was kept interested and intrigued by the personalities and secrets that all of the brothers held, even more so than by the big revelation about Olivia and Ben's son. It could have used some polishing and more realistic character development, but still one that I was glad to have picked up.
**I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
When I first started this book I felt it was way too wordy for my liking. Every description of every object or thought or scene seemed over the top somehow. As the book progressed, however, this seemed to dissipate and give way to a more natural flow in the descriptions. I did have an issue with the amount of typos in the book as well. It got to the point where I was able to read just fine, but it was distracting for a grammar freak like myself. The timeline also seemed a bit fuzzy. With how the chapters were laid out it was hard to keep track of what was happening when and several times I felt like it wasn't plotted out quite right.
On to the book itself. The plot was intriguing, the characters pretty relatable and the pace was just right. I hated the mother, however. Her, as well as the rest of the family, went from having way too many boundaries and walls built up between them to being boundary-less and over-involved (which could be my psychology background kicking in and realizing that's super unhealthy). During Olivia's "Summer Revelations" talk with her sons, I was literally cringing and had to put it down a few times just to make it through.
All in all I think it was a pretty solid debut. I was kept interested and intrigued by the personalities and secrets that all of the brothers held, even more so than by the big revelation about Olivia and Ben's son. It could have used some polishing and more realistic character development, but still one that I was glad to have picked up.
**I received a free copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
maeclair's review against another edition
5.0
Olivia Glass has the ideal life with five wonderful grown sons, grandchildren, and a successful husband. It all begins to crumble when her husband, Ben, dies in an automobile accident. Worse than facing life without him, is the letter he left behind, explaining that one of their children isn’t really hers. When her baby was born dead, Ben switched the infant with a different child the birth mother wanted to adopt out. But which of her five sons?
Determined to unearth the truth before sharing it with her children, Olivia decides to visit each son in their home. This is where Cudney weaves a tangled web, family drama at its best. As the book progresses, Olivia is confronted by shock after shock, realizing each son has kept a personal secret from her and others. Five brothers, five secrets.
Each brother is thoroughly fleshed out with his own particular strengths and weakness. Olivia’s character becomes clear through her actions and how others see and interact with her. There are explosive moments, heart wrenching moments, touching moments, splashes of humor. As a reader, you’ll feel frustration, melancholy, joy and contentment. The author deftly pulls multiple heartstrings in this tale of a family imploding, only to come out stronger in the end. And let’s not forget, that among these five men, one is not really Olivia’s son.
A thoroughly satisfying read!
Determined to unearth the truth before sharing it with her children, Olivia decides to visit each son in their home. This is where Cudney weaves a tangled web, family drama at its best. As the book progresses, Olivia is confronted by shock after shock, realizing each son has kept a personal secret from her and others. Five brothers, five secrets.
Each brother is thoroughly fleshed out with his own particular strengths and weakness. Olivia’s character becomes clear through her actions and how others see and interact with her. There are explosive moments, heart wrenching moments, touching moments, splashes of humor. As a reader, you’ll feel frustration, melancholy, joy and contentment. The author deftly pulls multiple heartstrings in this tale of a family imploding, only to come out stronger in the end. And let’s not forget, that among these five men, one is not really Olivia’s son.
A thoroughly satisfying read!
kilosmom7's review against another edition
read the first three pages and was incredibly bored. I will not waste my time on another boring ass book. Sorry Cudney!
marjma2014's review against another edition
5.0
https://mjmallon.com/2020/09/10/book-review-watching-glass-shatter-by-james-cudney-perceptions-of-glass-1-book-review-mystery-fiction/
I loved this. Fantastic family drama, strong female characters, so moving it made me cry! Enjoyed the characterisation of all the 5 brothers. All so different and engaging. Great characters, and dialogue. Interesting look at how shocking secrets exist in families and how circumstances can alter how we deal when they are revealed. The story line elaborates on many important concerns within the family dynamic: vulnerabilities, mistakes made and forgiven, pressure to succeed, the far reaching consequences of drug dependency, 'coming out,' and accepting a love one's different lifestyle choices and learning to forgive a husband's decision. To cope with the most terrible heartbreak and be strong. The beginning and end are powerful. My recommendation 5 stars read this!
I loved this. Fantastic family drama, strong female characters, so moving it made me cry! Enjoyed the characterisation of all the 5 brothers. All so different and engaging. Great characters, and dialogue. Interesting look at how shocking secrets exist in families and how circumstances can alter how we deal when they are revealed. The story line elaborates on many important concerns within the family dynamic: vulnerabilities, mistakes made and forgiven, pressure to succeed, the far reaching consequences of drug dependency, 'coming out,' and accepting a love one's different lifestyle choices and learning to forgive a husband's decision. To cope with the most terrible heartbreak and be strong. The beginning and end are powerful. My recommendation 5 stars read this!
emirandres's review against another edition
3.0
Este libro nos cuenta la historia de la familia Glass, conformada por Ben, Olivia y sus cinco hijos. Cuando Ben muere en un accidente de tránsito, deja en su testamento una carta donde le cuenta a su esposa que uno de sus hijos nació muerto y que él hizo un cambio en la clínica con una chica que quería dar el suyo en adopción. A partir de allí comenzará la búsqueda de esta mujer, donde al mismo tiempo Olivia tratará de acercarse más a sus hijos y así poder transitar el duelo todos juntos, sin embargo, descubrirá que sus cinco hijos guardan más secretos de lo que ella creía. Con una prosa sencilla y llevadera el autor crea sus personajes meticulosamente, haciendo unir poco a poco las piezas. Los dramas familiares son mi debilidad y éste libro no decepcionó. Puede que se vuelva un poco genérico en su último acto, pero aún así se disfruta bastante...
brinchen's review
3.0
3 Stars
Check out this review and others on 5171 Miles Book Blog
**I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.**
The Glass family lost his patriarch, Benjamin Glass, to an unexpected death. Before Olivia, Benjamin's widow, and her five sons get ready for the opening of the will, Olivia receives a letter from her late husband, confessing a shocking secret that will not only shatter the life of one of her sons but the life of the entire family.
Determined to figure out which son Benjamin is referring to in the letter, she decides to spend a week with each of her sons during the course of the summer. Olivia will soon find out that Benjamin is not the only family member with a shocking secret.
Watching Glass Shatter is definitely a different kind of story. I had a hard time placing the book in a certain genre: it was dramatic, funny, sad, shocking. It had all of it and them some.
Another difference are the characters in this story. It not only focuses on one, but six different people. Olivia and her sons, Teddy, Matt, Zach, Caleb, and Ethan, are all the main characters.
Each one of the characters is different from the next and I really enjoyed getting to know every single one of them in their respective chapters. My favorite people in this book were probably Caleb and Ethan, especially Caleb. I had a big laughing out loud moment when Olivia visited his son for the first time in his house in Maine.
Speaking of Olivia. She was probably the character I disliked the most. Let me tell you why: she was shallow, uptight, demanding, arrogant, self-centered, controlling, small-minded, selfish, snobbish, a perfectionist, and someone who wanted things her way - and only her way. She was so busy being the chairwoman of too many charities that she lost the focus on her sons. Each of them was struggling with something major and life-changing but she just didn't see it. What kind of mother doesn't know what's going on in their children's life?
Olivia changed for the better in the course of the story which I was glad about, but she will remain a really unlikable character in my eyes.
As I mentioned earlier, the focus was on all six people. Every character was given their own chapter in which his, or in Olivia's case her, story was told. Although it was great getting to know them, there was something missing, which was probably due to the fact that the chapters were oftentimes cut too short and the reader wouldn't learn about certain things that happened. Let's take the visit to one of her sons as an example: we would only read about her arrival day, but the events happening after that wouldn't be mentioned at all, they would only shortly be mentioned at the end of the chapter, or as a recall in the beginning of the next. I prefer experiencing the events while reading, instead of reading about it in retrospect.
I'm pretty sure this is 'picky-Sabrina' speaking, but I didn't quite understand the fuss about Benjamin Glass being the so-called 'patriarch' of the family. I don't know why, but all of the family members saw him as a leader: "This team needs its coach". I honestly don't agree with it. I think that all family members should be put on the same level and be treated as equals, especially since all five sons were adults. There shouldn't be one 'guy' or one 'woman' who holds together the family. I think everyone should play the same part. I also think that everyone is responsible for their own actions. The death of Benjamin Glass was not the trigger for his sons' secrets and their struggle with life, although Olivia liked to see it that way. Plus, I think that Benjamin Glass didn't do a good job with playing the 'patriarch'. With keeping a major secret from his wife and his family, didn't make him a leader in my eyes. Plus, all of the sons were keeping their own big secrets. Wouldn't a happy and intact family have no secrets at all?
Unfortunately, I had a hard time getting into the story. In the beginning of the story the sentences were too wordy and had one too many adjectives to describe things and situations. I had to look up a lot of translations for words I didn't know, which really distracted me from what was going on, which made me reread several passages over and over again.
I also think that some of the conversations between the characters were too formal. It seemed staged, unnatural, and not how actual people would interact with each other.
James Cudney's debut was a decent read. There were things I really liked and enjoyed, whereas other things I didn't like as much, which is why I gave Watching Glass Shatter a solid 3-star rating.
**********
Review to come!
Check out this review and others on 5171 Miles Book Blog
**I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.**
The Glass family lost his patriarch, Benjamin Glass, to an unexpected death. Before Olivia, Benjamin's widow, and her five sons get ready for the opening of the will, Olivia receives a letter from her late husband, confessing a shocking secret that will not only shatter the life of one of her sons but the life of the entire family.
Determined to figure out which son Benjamin is referring to in the letter, she decides to spend a week with each of her sons during the course of the summer. Olivia will soon find out that Benjamin is not the only family member with a shocking secret.
Watching Glass Shatter is definitely a different kind of story. I had a hard time placing the book in a certain genre: it was dramatic, funny, sad, shocking. It had all of it and them some.
Another difference are the characters in this story. It not only focuses on one, but six different people. Olivia and her sons, Teddy, Matt, Zach, Caleb, and Ethan, are all the main characters.
Each one of the characters is different from the next and I really enjoyed getting to know every single one of them in their respective chapters. My favorite people in this book were probably Caleb and Ethan, especially Caleb. I had a big laughing out loud moment when Olivia visited his son for the first time in his house in Maine.
Speaking of Olivia. She was probably the character I disliked the most. Let me tell you why: she was shallow, uptight, demanding, arrogant, self-centered, controlling, small-minded, selfish, snobbish, a perfectionist, and someone who wanted things her way - and only her way. She was so busy being the chairwoman of too many charities that she lost the focus on her sons. Each of them was struggling with something major and life-changing but she just didn't see it. What kind of mother doesn't know what's going on in their children's life?
Olivia changed for the better in the course of the story which I was glad about, but she will remain a really unlikable character in my eyes.
As I mentioned earlier, the focus was on all six people. Every character was given their own chapter in which his, or in Olivia's case her, story was told. Although it was great getting to know them, there was something missing, which was probably due to the fact that the chapters were oftentimes cut too short and the reader wouldn't learn about certain things that happened. Let's take the visit to one of her sons as an example: we would only read about her arrival day, but the events happening after that wouldn't be mentioned at all, they would only shortly be mentioned at the end of the chapter, or as a recall in the beginning of the next. I prefer experiencing the events while reading, instead of reading about it in retrospect.
I'm pretty sure this is 'picky-Sabrina' speaking, but I didn't quite understand the fuss about Benjamin Glass being the so-called 'patriarch' of the family. I don't know why, but all of the family members saw him as a leader: "This team needs its coach". I honestly don't agree with it. I think that all family members should be put on the same level and be treated as equals, especially since all five sons were adults. There shouldn't be one 'guy' or one 'woman' who holds together the family. I think everyone should play the same part. I also think that everyone is responsible for their own actions. The death of Benjamin Glass was not the trigger for his sons' secrets and their struggle with life, although Olivia liked to see it that way. Plus, I think that Benjamin Glass didn't do a good job with playing the 'patriarch'. With keeping a major secret from his wife and his family, didn't make him a leader in my eyes. Plus, all of the sons were keeping their own big secrets. Wouldn't a happy and intact family have no secrets at all?
Unfortunately, I had a hard time getting into the story. In the beginning of the story the sentences were too wordy and had one too many adjectives to describe things and situations. I had to look up a lot of translations for words I didn't know, which really distracted me from what was going on, which made me reread several passages over and over again.
I also think that some of the conversations between the characters were too formal. It seemed staged, unnatural, and not how actual people would interact with each other.
James Cudney's debut was a decent read. There were things I really liked and enjoyed, whereas other things I didn't like as much, which is why I gave Watching Glass Shatter a solid 3-star rating.
**********
Review to come!
valerielong's review
5.0
"Watching Glass Shatter" is the debut novel of James J. Cudney and it is phenomenal!
Olivia and her sons and the rest of the characters are well-rounded, developed, complex characters. There were points where I wanted to "Gibbs' slap" each of them in turn, but they're all terrific characters. I can also identify with each of them in turn as they deal with the various pressures and secrets in their lives. Zach and Caleb are my favorites. They seem to have a hidden depth to them and I want to get to know them even more than we do in this book.
The character development in this novel is wonderful. We watch several characters go from being obsessed with their own lives and their own feelings, to the exclusion of others, to reaching out and enjoying the fact that they have a family to rely on. Everyone grows to some degree, some more than others, but everyone grows and changes a little in this book and it’s fabulous to watch.
The setting descriptions were slightly wordier than I tend to like, but they worked in this book. I didn't feel as though they pulled me out of the story as setting descriptions sometimes do. I tend to prefer more basic descriptions, but the wordiness worked in this novel and it didn’t detract from anything at all.
The plot line is so dramatic and amazing. How Ben’s secret affected Olivia, how the secrets of the boys affected their relationships in the family, everything was excellent. There was just the right amount of suspense for a dramatic novel without there being too much suspense.
All in all, I’m totally in love with this book and would put it in my top 5 books of 2017 list. It’s phenomenal, amazing, and you really need to read it! I’m hoping that James will write a sequel!
Olivia and her sons and the rest of the characters are well-rounded, developed, complex characters. There were points where I wanted to "Gibbs' slap" each of them in turn, but they're all terrific characters. I can also identify with each of them in turn as they deal with the various pressures and secrets in their lives. Zach and Caleb are my favorites. They seem to have a hidden depth to them and I want to get to know them even more than we do in this book.
The character development in this novel is wonderful. We watch several characters go from being obsessed with their own lives and their own feelings, to the exclusion of others, to reaching out and enjoying the fact that they have a family to rely on. Everyone grows to some degree, some more than others, but everyone grows and changes a little in this book and it’s fabulous to watch.
The setting descriptions were slightly wordier than I tend to like, but they worked in this book. I didn't feel as though they pulled me out of the story as setting descriptions sometimes do. I tend to prefer more basic descriptions, but the wordiness worked in this novel and it didn’t detract from anything at all.
The plot line is so dramatic and amazing. How Ben’s secret affected Olivia, how the secrets of the boys affected their relationships in the family, everything was excellent. There was just the right amount of suspense for a dramatic novel without there being too much suspense.
All in all, I’m totally in love with this book and would put it in my top 5 books of 2017 list. It’s phenomenal, amazing, and you really need to read it! I’m hoping that James will write a sequel!
rainnbooks's review
5.0
Many Thanks to the author James J. Cudney and Shalini at Digital Reads Blog Tours (https://bookreviewsbyshalini.com/category/digital-reads-blog-tours/ /) for the copy of this book. All opinions are expressed voluntarily.
The author welcomes the reader as a honorary member of the Glass family in his blurb and that’s exactly what reading this awesome book felt like, a fly on the wall watching the Glass family consisting of the mother Olivia, the aunt Diane, Theodore aka Teddy and his wife Sarah, Matthew, his wife Margaret and their children, Caleb and his partner, Zachary and his daughter, and Ethan.
Family drama is always a tricky subject, to get that perfect proportion of each and every ingredient to tease one’s palate and offer a mouth-watering delicacy can be a hard task. I therefore appreciate James J Cudney for having achieved the mix of family craziness with a touch of suspense and mystery in an admirable fashion. Each and every character in this family deserves a mention as the story unfolds thru the eyes of each member of the Glass family.
Olivia, as she is introduced is not really a likable character, in fact, even with the grief of having lost her husband, the character does not radiate any geniality. The interactions with her sister Diane show her controlling and domineering nature so it was quite a pleasure to watch her gradual acceptance of the changed circumstances and find something positive out of all the hardships she’s forced to face in the aftermath of her husband’s death.
It was the lovable Ethan who tugs at the heartstrings of a reader and conclusion of the story did leave me with whole gamut of emotions to deal with.
Exceedingly well-written, the story takes the reader for a ride teaching us the importance of family, the commitments, the pressure, the price of secrets, grief and sadness and the magnanimity of a mother.
This review is published in my blog https://rainnbooks.com/; Amazon India, Goodreads, and Twitter.
The author welcomes the reader as a honorary member of the Glass family in his blurb and that’s exactly what reading this awesome book felt like, a fly on the wall watching the Glass family consisting of the mother Olivia, the aunt Diane, Theodore aka Teddy and his wife Sarah, Matthew, his wife Margaret and their children, Caleb and his partner, Zachary and his daughter, and Ethan.
Family drama is always a tricky subject, to get that perfect proportion of each and every ingredient to tease one’s palate and offer a mouth-watering delicacy can be a hard task. I therefore appreciate James J Cudney for having achieved the mix of family craziness with a touch of suspense and mystery in an admirable fashion. Each and every character in this family deserves a mention as the story unfolds thru the eyes of each member of the Glass family.
Olivia, as she is introduced is not really a likable character, in fact, even with the grief of having lost her husband, the character does not radiate any geniality. The interactions with her sister Diane show her controlling and domineering nature so it was quite a pleasure to watch her gradual acceptance of the changed circumstances and find something positive out of all the hardships she’s forced to face in the aftermath of her husband’s death.
It was the lovable Ethan who tugs at the heartstrings of a reader and conclusion of the story did leave me with whole gamut of emotions to deal with.
Exceedingly well-written, the story takes the reader for a ride teaching us the importance of family, the commitments, the pressure, the price of secrets, grief and sadness and the magnanimity of a mother.
This review is published in my blog https://rainnbooks.com/; Amazon India, Goodreads, and Twitter.