Reviews

The Optimist's Guide to Letting Go by Amy E. Reichert

cherjbb_55's review against another edition

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4.0

Three generations of women, separated by the lies they tell each other to survive. When the matriarch is felled by a stroke and rendered speechless, is it too late to make things right with her daughters.? Too late to tell the truth about her past...their past...so that they are free to make life decisions which will set them free? Is it too late for them to learn from her mistakes? Is it too late for her daughter to mend her broken relationship with her child? This was an excellent read about missed opportunities and what a mother will do for her children.

mindfullibrarian's review against another edition

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5.0

Thanks to the publisher for this review copy!

Oh, how I adore Amy E. Reichert's books - ADORE. I am a born and bred Wisconsin resident and can't get enough of her domestic (and foodie!) fiction set on the eastern side of my home state. While each story is completely different, they all have her signature style and sense of home that I have come to depend on in her novels. This newest title is one of my favorites of hers - mothers and daughters and a town I know well and a little historical family intrigue thrown in as well. Oh, and LOTS of grilled cheese talk and yummy food truck action. If you like family fiction, move this one to the top of your summer TBR pile!

heather425's review against another edition

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3.0

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

This story is all about family secrets and dealing with grief. I really enjoyed the interaction between the two sisters Gina and Victoria. I wish there had been more of their story together. I also thought the author handled the topic of grief and how everyone reacts differently well.

I don't want to talk too much about the story because it's a layer of well kept family secrets that unravel pretty quickly. I did not like the ending. I felt Lorraine deserved a better fate than what the author gave her. I was left with hope for the other characters to move on and have fulfilling lives even after all their losses.

auntbopp's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful reflective relaxing sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

mmdebish's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad 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? It's complicated

4.5

andreapicaza's review against another edition

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emotional 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? Yes

2.5

kathyv's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad medium-paced

3.0

mcorbs2011's review against another edition

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5.0

I truly loved this book! The characters were relatable and so endearing with their flaws and hidden strengths. Another fantastic book by Amy E. Reichert.

helen_moore_reads's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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

5.0

kleinerbuechernerd's review against another edition

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4.0

Die Kapitel sind immer im Wechsel aus der Sicht von Gina, ihrer Tochter May und ihrer Mutter Lorraine geschrieben. Alle drei sehr sympathisch und leicht neurotisch veranlagt: Gina mit ihren To-Do Listen, ohne die sie absolut verloren ist, Lorraine mit ihrem Hang alle Probleme mit Kokosöl lösen zu wollen und stets darauf bedacht, wie alles von außen und der Gesellschaft aus wirkt und May einfach in ihrer typischen Teenager-Art alles zu zerdenken. Die drei wirken dadurch sehr nahbar, weil nicht perfekt, und vor allem so herrlich normal und durchschnittlich.

Am Anfang war es noch ein wenig anstrengend mit den leicht chaotischen Gedanken der drei mitzukommen, aber nach etwa 6 Kapiteln (also zwei je Protagonistin) war ich dann super drin und konnte mich ganz auf die Geschichte einlassen. Amy E. Reichert hat es geschafft die drei Generationen mit ihren eigenen Problemen und Sichtweisen gut in den dreien zu porträtieren. So bekommt man im Laufe der Geschichte auch immer wieder einen anderen Blickwinkel, das ist sehr erfrischend und erinnert daran, dass man manchmal auch selbst für sich vielleicht die Dinge etwas von außen betrachten sollte.

Ich fand die kurzen Reisen in die Vergangenheit zu Lorraine und Joe sowie auch Gina und ihrem verstorbenen Ehemann sowohl in Ginas als auch Mays Sichtweise super emotional und musste nicht nur einmal mit den Tränen kämpfen. Ich konnte mich extrem gut in die drei Frauen und ihre Situationen und Emotionen hineinversetzen. Es hat mich auch sehr glücklich gemacht, wie sie im Laufe der Geschichte wieder ein Stück weit zueinander finden und das Buch mit einem positiven und optimistischen Ausblick abgeschlossen wird. Ich selbst habe das Buch mit einem Lächeln wieder zurück ins Regal gestellt.