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hannnaa400's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-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
3.75
ellyrarg's review
4.0
This was a lovely book, but some parts were hit and miss. I liked the breadth of this book, it wasn’t about one romantic relationship, but many different kinds of relationships. I enjoyed that, relationships between sisters and mothers and partners (both new and years long and over).
I didn’t love how two dimensional some of the characters were (aka, Gabe. It seemed his whole purpose was to be a cheap antagonist). It was tricky, because some of the other characters have such depth and are handled with thought and care.
I also felt that this book meandered, and while there was a slow flow it took its sweet time about revealing why we were there.
Still, I loved Joyce. I appreciated the death and grief exploration, and generally it was a lovely read.
I didn’t love how two dimensional some of the characters were (aka, Gabe. It seemed his whole purpose was to be a cheap antagonist). It was tricky, because some of the other characters have such depth and are handled with thought and care.
I also felt that this book meandered, and while there was a slow flow it took its sweet time about revealing why we were there.
Still, I loved Joyce. I appreciated the death and grief exploration, and generally it was a lovely read.
livres_de_bloss's review
3.0
I found this a bit saccharine and slow, truth be told.
I liked the overall story of Lorna and Joyce’s friendship and, as always, I liked the dogs. However, I found the story was too meandering and without depth. In addition, the Sam element was supremely tedious. The ending just did my head in.
Maybe I’m just not the target audience for these books. I love the dogs but having to sift through storylines that are either baby-centric or romance-centric is almost not worth it for me.
I liked the overall story of Lorna and Joyce’s friendship and, as always, I liked the dogs. However, I found the story was too meandering and without depth. In addition, the Sam element was supremely tedious. The ending just did my head in.
Maybe I’m just not the target audience for these books. I love the dogs but having to sift through storylines that are either baby-centric or romance-centric is almost not worth it for me.
professorsid's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
lykkes_laeserier's review
4.0
Enjoyable feelgood romance by Lucy Dillon.
This is my first Lucy Dillon book and I enjoyed it quite a bit. I found the main character, Lorna, engaging and her story complex and detailed enough to keep me hooked throughout. The romance was kept low key and as just one aspect of the story, which I particularly enjoyed. The main focus was on Lorna’s story both past and present, her relationship with her past and how she comes to terms with it so as not to let it determine her future.
I would recommend this book to anyone in the mood for a feelgood and cozy read. It is not a particularly challenging novel to read, nor is it dumbed down. 4/5 stars from me based on my enjoyment while reading this book.
This is my first Lucy Dillon book and I enjoyed it quite a bit. I found the main character, Lorna, engaging and her story complex and detailed enough to keep me hooked throughout. The romance was kept low key and as just one aspect of the story, which I particularly enjoyed. The main focus was on Lorna’s story both past and present, her relationship with her past and how she comes to terms with it so as not to let it determine her future.
I would recommend this book to anyone in the mood for a feelgood and cozy read. It is not a particularly challenging novel to read, nor is it dumbed down. 4/5 stars from me based on my enjoyment while reading this book.
fros86's review
4.0
A lovely story based around art, friendship, family and love. An easy read that kept me engaged throughout. It was also the story I was reading before giving birth to my daughter and so took me a little longer to finish than it usually would, but if I didn't enjoy it, I certainly wouldn't have gone back to it!! In usual circumstances, it would be a 'curl up and finish in a couple of days' kind of book ❤
crlyjn94's review
4.0
Sad and funny and happy. A book that I couldn’t put down that had me nearly in tears sometimes. The ending was guessed from the beginning but yet it wasn’t at the same time. It just felt the ending was a little bit rushed was all! Would read more from this author!
amylouwoo's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
bluelavendar's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
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
This book book falls into domestic drama category for me. It's the equivalent of watching Call the midwife, it's so warm and comforting and everything works out on the end.
The story follows Lorna who is moving back to her home town after a business venture goes awry and she looses most of her money. What she has left she uses to buy the local art gallery. The story follows her efforts to make the gallery a success as well as face her past.
I like all the characters, Lucy Dillon did an excellent job of making there flaws endearing with the exception of Sam's brother Gabriel who was easy to dislike and whenLorna is invited to dinner at the Osbornes and they have the nerve to as Lorna to coherce Joyce into leaving Rooks Hall I was outraged. The character development was good enough that I felt like I new Joyce and Lorna well enough and the Osbournes where rude strangers. Its been a while since I have been so invested in characters.
I like the wayRyan's long lost child was was explored. It gave me a new perspective, I like when a book does that. I understood why Jess felt betrayed and I remembered being a teenager and felt for Hattie as well. It made me think about the importance of trust and how multifaceted it is.
Grief is explored extensively in the book but in a more hopeful way than I have read before. I thought the experience older people being infantalised and having there autonomy taken away was betray well with Joyce. It made me feel differently about difficult older people.
The only thing I didn't like was Lorna's relationship with Sam. I think Lucy Dillon was going for a sort Pride and Prejudice sort of tension between them but I just thought that Sam was an arsehole. That Lorna had some trauma bond with him from her childhood. He never defended her when it matter he was only ever making up for it after the fact.when he didn't go to London and they got together It was super out of character for Sam, he became a different person in the last Epilogue and I just didn't want it to happen. Growth for Lorna would have been hermoving on
I thought there would be more of the dog in the book, love a book about a dog which is why I picked it up. But the Dashound is a supporting character not a main one.
It would have been 5 starts if it wasn't for the epilogue. Overall for style of fiction it was it was brilliant.
The story follows Lorna who is moving back to her home town after a business venture goes awry and she looses most of her money. What she has left she uses to buy the local art gallery. The story follows her efforts to make the gallery a success as well as face her past.
I like all the characters, Lucy Dillon did an excellent job of making there flaws endearing with the exception of Sam's brother Gabriel who was easy to dislike and when
I like the way
Grief is explored extensively in the book but in a more hopeful way than I have read before. I thought the experience older people being infantalised and having there autonomy taken away was betray well with Joyce. It made me feel differently about difficult older people.
The only thing I didn't like was Lorna's relationship with Sam. I think Lucy Dillon was going for a sort Pride and Prejudice sort of tension between them but I just thought that Sam was an arsehole. That Lorna had some trauma bond with him from her childhood. He never defended her when it matter he was only ever making up for it after the fact.
I thought there would be more of the dog in the book, love a book about a dog which is why I picked it up. But the Dashound is a supporting character not a main one.
It would have been 5 starts if it wasn't for the epilogue. Overall for style of fiction it was it was brilliant.