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ritatermita's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
hayleyanne226's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
4.75
mrsbooknerd's review against another edition
1.0
I had to really force myself to finish this book, I kept expecting it to rise up and meet my expectations (which based on its reputation were pretty darn high) but it kept falling short.
I just found the characters to be like parodies, they didn't seem to be properly developed but stereotyped. The ballsy and supportive best friends, the adventure seeking little sister, the flamboyant hairdresser etc. Despite them all being in their late 20s and early 30s they were all immature. I don't think the writing style helped with this, they giggled and sulked etc which painted them in this light as much as their dialogue and actions.
Some of the situations like the karaoke and lilo rescue made me cringe because they were supposed to be funny but felt like a desperate attempt.
Holly was such an odd character because while I totally sympathised with her, I found that she crossed the line into toddler-who-needs-a-nap attitude far too often. She was quite selfish as opposed to feeling like she was grieving and just needing time.
The plot also annoyed me because it felt like it was going to be this big coming of age, accepting life type book and yet 300/400 pages in Holly was still quite stagnant. Aside from her getting a new job and washing more regularly did she really develop by the end? Yet it also wasn't developed enough to show the flip side, that grief isn't something that can be tackled in a few months.
I really did not like the changing narrative voices. One sentence we were with Holly and the next some utterly random person without any transition or benefit.
The whole selling point was the notes from Gerry to Holly. But every time she opened one I was a bit disappointed. There just seemed to be something missing and they came across as anticlimactic, though I can't put my finger on why.
It just felt like it needed to be a good 100-200 pages shorter to make it less stagnant and repetitive. The premise was on point, and honestly there were some lovely moments within it as well, but I personally don't understand the hype surrounding the actual end product.
I just found the characters to be like parodies, they didn't seem to be properly developed but stereotyped. The ballsy and supportive best friends, the adventure seeking little sister, the flamboyant hairdresser etc. Despite them all being in their late 20s and early 30s they were all immature. I don't think the writing style helped with this, they giggled and sulked etc which painted them in this light as much as their dialogue and actions.
Some of the situations like the karaoke and lilo rescue made me cringe because they were supposed to be funny but felt like a desperate attempt.
Holly was such an odd character because while I totally sympathised with her, I found that she crossed the line into toddler-who-needs-a-nap attitude far too often. She was quite selfish as opposed to feeling like she was grieving and just needing time.
The plot also annoyed me because it felt like it was going to be this big coming of age, accepting life type book and yet 300/400 pages in Holly was still quite stagnant. Aside from her getting a new job and washing more regularly did she really develop by the end? Yet it also wasn't developed enough to show the flip side, that grief isn't something that can be tackled in a few months.
I really did not like the changing narrative voices. One sentence we were with Holly and the next some utterly random person without any transition or benefit.
The whole selling point was the notes from Gerry to Holly. But every time she opened one I was a bit disappointed. There just seemed to be something missing and they came across as anticlimactic, though I can't put my finger on why.
It just felt like it needed to be a good 100-200 pages shorter to make it less stagnant and repetitive. The premise was on point, and honestly there were some lovely moments within it as well, but I personally don't understand the hype surrounding the actual end product.
lyraggs's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
Una historia que toca el tema del duelo de una manera ligera e incluso cuando tenemos la narración del pasado cuando “el” (Gerry) vivía y el presente en qué Holly lleva la lista. Es tonta en ocasiones y la protagonista tiene una actitud infantil varias veces, quitándole lo pesado que son este tipo de historias.
Al final es un historia para seguir adelante pero manteniendo un toque de película romántica donde no hay tensión alta.
Consideren ese último detalle si van a leerlo, pues como dije es tonta ocasionalmente y linda en otras sin tocar el duelo a profundidad.
Una historia que toca el tema del duelo de una manera ligera e incluso cuando tenemos la narración del pasado cuando “el” (Gerry) vivía y el presente en qué Holly lleva la lista. Es tonta en ocasiones y la protagonista tiene una actitud infantil varias veces, quitándole lo pesado que son este tipo de historias.
Al final es un historia para seguir adelante pero manteniendo un toque de película romántica donde no hay tensión alta.
Consideren ese último detalle si van a leerlo, pues como dije es tonta ocasionalmente y linda en otras sin tocar el duelo a profundidad.
lizeylu's review against another edition
4.0
Very cute and wholesome, it was obviously much better than the movie.
smsienk's review against another edition
2.0
Tough read to get through
I chose this because I vaguely remembered liking the movie years ago. I struggled so hard to get through it. The characters are flat and often in likable, the dialogue is bad, and the plot feels loose and often barely there. I read at the end that the author was 21 when she wrote it, which gives a little context, but not something I would recommend.
I chose this because I vaguely remembered liking the movie years ago. I struggled so hard to get through it. The characters are flat and often in likable, the dialogue is bad, and the plot feels loose and often barely there. I read at the end that the author was 21 when she wrote it, which gives a little context, but not something I would recommend.
tartan_teapotsandbooks_croft's review against another edition
5.0
This is book is so emotional. It takes you on a journey of love and loss. Definitely one for the hankies as you will cry!
tyslady's review against another edition
5.0
Everything Ms. Ahern writes is golden.
I loved it the first time I read it and I believe that I loved it even more the second time, if that's even possible.
I loved it the first time I read it and I believe that I loved it even more the second time, if that's even possible.