savncheese's review against another edition
3.0
Wow. I feel like I wasn't expecting how off the rails this story was going to go.
Obviously, I knew it would be a 'stranded' situation from skimming the synopsis, but holy shit. Every single relationship imploded from very deep issues that pre-date the story. But somehow it miraculously gets worked out in a couple of chapters?? mmkay.
I started out thinking that Lis was going to be my fave -- the bisexual manic pixie dream girl of the island. I was excited for her story, but ended up being disappointed how she was more or less pigeonholed in that character trope. The character I didn't expect to love as much as I did was Glenn -- the other half of an ending marriage and an avid birder. He was just so easy to love idk. He gave the best advice and worked to change his situation in the face of such a rude ex that was keeping him chained to her without listening to him.
I listened to the audiobook of this one and I have to say I kind of wish every chapter had noted who was speaking, with all the different narrators it was hard to keep track of who was who and I think that would've helped the experience.
Obviously, I knew it would be a 'stranded' situation from skimming the synopsis, but holy shit. Every single relationship imploded from very deep issues that pre-date the story. But somehow it miraculously gets worked out in a couple of chapters?? mmkay.
I started out thinking that Lis was going to be my fave -- the bisexual manic pixie dream girl of the island. I was excited for her story, but ended up being disappointed how she was more or less pigeonholed in that character trope. The character I didn't expect to love as much as I did was Glenn -- the other half of an ending marriage and an avid birder. He was just so easy to love idk. He gave the best advice and worked to change his situation in the face of such a rude ex that was keeping him chained to her without listening to him.
I listened to the audiobook of this one and I have to say I kind of wish every chapter had noted who was speaking, with all the different narrators it was hard to keep track of who was who and I think that would've helped the experience.
madeincanada82591's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
zarahzoe's review against another edition
2.0
Are people really out there being absolutely devastated over their parents impendigt divorce when they're in their mid-thirties? I don't believe it. Overall this book is about motherhood, impending motherhood, and queerness.
Honestly most of the people in this book are some kind of awful, and they could really benefit from just talking to each other. Especially Julia, who thinks of herself as such a great person and is just... Not? Also there are like six POVs and imo that's just to much and takes away from every one of them.
In conclusion this book was kinda nice but also kinda bad, very predictable, and all over the place. Meh.
Honestly most of the people in this book are some kind of awful, and they could really benefit from just talking to each other. Especially Julia, who thinks of herself as such a great person and is just... Not? Also there are like six POVs and imo that's just to much and takes away from every one of them.
In conclusion this book was kinda nice but also kinda bad, very predictable, and all over the place. Meh.
canra's review
emotional
funny
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? It's complicated
3.75
usernamegenerator's review against another edition
The book has about 9 POVs. Too many stories, and none of them done particularly well. It’s a shame, I really loved the concept.
I would like to know if the book had any sensitivity readers. I got a bit uncomfortable with some of the scenes with an Aboriginal character written by a white author, and there were some other bits in the first half that veered into ED territory.
I would like to know if the book had any sensitivity readers. I got a bit uncomfortable with some of the scenes with an Aboriginal character written by a white author, and there were some other bits in the first half that veered into ED territory.
eleeeeleelee's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
katreadsalot's review against another edition
5.0
This was my choice for 2022 Readers Weekend and it was absolutely amazing. It was the perfect bookish vacation that was so much more. I loved reading about each character's struggles, and seeing the relationships that emerged - the parent-child relationships, the romantic relationships, the friendships, that were so much more whole and fulfilling. I also loved how the natural world around the characters shaped the story and provided such a beautiful setting.
glelchuk's review against another edition
emotional
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
svenja135's review against another edition
emotional
slow-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? Yes
3.0
amandablocho's review
1.0
Uhg, I hate how much I disliked this book. I would have DNFd it but I needed it for a challenge and that also makes me sad. I expected this to be a fun LGBTQ+ romance and it really was not that much of that. Sure there were LGBTQ+ relationships and characters but I didn’t really like them. The novel had somewhere in the realm of 9 POVs, didn’t like being in any of their heads and it just felt so damn long.
It is very difficult for me to critique this because it tries to jam so much into it. Queer relationships, lesbians sorting out having a baby, parental expectations, parents separating after 30+ years of marriage, finding yourself in your later years, Australian colonialism, white fragility, Australian indigenous people, cheating partners, it’s just so much! And I unfortunately didn’t connect with the writing. Im sure others will like this novel, but I can’t recommend it.
It is very difficult for me to critique this because it tries to jam so much into it. Queer relationships, lesbians sorting out having a baby, parental expectations, parents separating after 30+ years of marriage, finding yourself in your later years, Australian colonialism, white fragility, Australian indigenous people, cheating partners, it’s just so much! And I unfortunately didn’t connect with the writing. Im sure others will like this novel, but I can’t recommend it.