findyourgoldenhour's review
3.0
I am a sucker for a book about families and all their complicated dynamics, working out how to love and live with and grow and forgive one another. The writing here is engaging and the story grabs you right from the beginning. I liked how the characters were all flawed, all trying to figure out what they were doing as they went through life, making mistakes but ultimately doing the best they can with what they've got.
Alas, that was only the first half. I started to check out toward the end of the book. It seemed like the author had a check list of every hot topic she could think of to throw into the story, and suddenly the relatable characters in a relatable story turned into a giant eye-roll-inducing cliche-fest.
Alas, that was only the first half. I started to check out toward the end of the book. It seemed like the author had a check list of every hot topic she could think of to throw into the story, and suddenly the relatable characters in a relatable story turned into a giant eye-roll-inducing cliche-fest.
sophiarabella's review
challenging
emotional
funny
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
shelf_reflect10n's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? Yes
3.75
forestgoblin's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
penelopecanosreads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.5
alisarae's review
This story is a protracted family drama set in a small town in the Northeast where everyone knows everyone's business... And if you make it to the end of the book, so will you. Though I liked the characters and the theme (we're all just trying the best we can), the author's approach of driving plot points from characters' sexuality was kind of a snore.
There are different methods to story telling, my favorite being the Southpark creators' famed distillation: this happened, and because of that this happened, and because of that... There is also the lazier: this happened and then this happened and then... But this book's structure is more like: character's misunderstood sexuality motivated this, and a different character's misunderstood sexuality motivated this other thing, and a different character's.... Etc. There are like 20 characters and all of their tenuously-connected plot points overlap only because they happen to be in the same town. That's it. There's no action-consequence dynamic. No match-strike, barn-burn. Methinks the author was trying to write realism and did it so well that she forgot to tell us an interesting story.
Food Pairing: A full chicken salad with honey mustard dressing.
There are different methods to story telling, my favorite being the Southpark creators' famed distillation: this happened, and because of that this happened, and because of that... There is also the lazier: this happened and then this happened and then... But this book's structure is more like: character's misunderstood sexuality motivated this, and a different character's misunderstood sexuality motivated this other thing, and a different character's.... Etc. There are like 20 characters and all of their tenuously-connected plot points overlap only because they happen to be in the same town. That's it. There's no action-consequence dynamic. No match-strike, barn-burn. Methinks the author was trying to write realism and did it so well that she forgot to tell us an interesting story.
Food Pairing: A full chicken salad with honey mustard dressing.
marieannb's review
5.0
I flew through this book. I hope the author would feel it a compliment that this book felt like an Anne Tyler novel, updated for our modern lives. Straub brings the domestic novel to our times and creates a messy, loving and believable family who resembles so many of our own.
sunniestories's review against another edition
2.0
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2.5 rounded down. this was so meh. it had no depth, was tedious to read, had no plot, the characters were unengaging. the cecelia/robin storyline was kind of sweet, i guess. the rest left me unmoved and after a point, i was reading just to get it over and done with.
2.5 rounded down. this was so meh. it had no depth, was tedious to read, had no plot, the characters were unengaging. the cecelia/robin storyline was kind of sweet, i guess. the rest left me unmoved and after a point, i was reading just to get it over and done with.
ebazilereads's review
4.0
This was a really charming snapshot of the complexities of family relationships. Straub focuses on Astrid, a woman in her late 60s, and her three adult children. The reader is introduced to Astrid's girlfriend, to her grandchildren, and to the friends of her children. Over time, the relationships between and among the characters become more complex and it was a pleasure to watch the unfolding of the intricacies of relationships in small towns and in families. I especially enjoyed how many LGBTQ characters there were in this book! Overall, a lovely look at the dynamics of family and community.
mollyreadsalot's review
3.0
This book was a quick, light read. Most of the characters are well developed, with many intersecting stories. The feelings and experiences of the characters are relatable. It’s not particularly thought-provoking, but it is a charming, heartwarming book.