pegbw's review against another edition
4.0
I finished this book and said “how sweet”. I would even rate this 4.5 stars - heartwarming story.
abeaty11's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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
4.25
rawrdianasaur's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
ktxx22's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this. I liked that it had a vague romance and also that it dealt with grief and complicated families. I read this in a day so obviously it was compelling enough to read in a sitting basically and it made me emotional on more than one occasion. If you’re vaguely interested in cruising in Alaska you’d probably like that as well…. The one thing I side eyed hard was the authors accusation that there’s nothing going on in Columbus, OH musically and as a resident of Columbus Ohio and a fan of live music that’s a bold faced lie. Columbus has a very rich local and live music scene! But that’s a nitpicking thing.
fromsarahsbooknook's review against another edition
4.0
THE UNSINKABLE GRETA JAMES is a lovely, quiet story about family and grief and making your own way in the world. The story is heartfelt and hopeful without being syrup-y or melodramatic. I loved spending time with Greta, sorting through her family’s dynamics, and “traveling” to Alaska with her.
Greta is a professional musician who is just starting to really make a name for herself. When her mother dies suddenly, she joins her father, Conrad, on the Alaskan cruise he was planning to take with Greta’s mother to celebrate their 40th anniversary. Conrad and Greta have a strained relationship and throughout their weeklong cruise, they being to heal their relationship and process their grief together.
Despite the fact that it had a side-story featuring one of my worst nightmares (getting a stomach bug on a cruise ship), this is one of those books I wanted to hug when I finished. I loved the scenes with Preeti, Greta’s young fan that she encounters on the ship — I couldn’t help but smile at their scenes. I enjoyed the romantic storyline, but even moreso enjoyed that the romance was not the end-all for Greta. Greta had more to do than fall in love. And I adored the way Smith ended the book. Those last two chapter were just *chef’s kiss.*
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballentine Books for an advanced e-copy of this book.
Greta is a professional musician who is just starting to really make a name for herself. When her mother dies suddenly, she joins her father, Conrad, on the Alaskan cruise he was planning to take with Greta’s mother to celebrate their 40th anniversary. Conrad and Greta have a strained relationship and throughout their weeklong cruise, they being to heal their relationship and process their grief together.
Despite the fact that it had a side-story featuring one of my worst nightmares (getting a stomach bug on a cruise ship), this is one of those books I wanted to hug when I finished. I loved the scenes with Preeti, Greta’s young fan that she encounters on the ship — I couldn’t help but smile at their scenes. I enjoyed the romantic storyline, but even moreso enjoyed that the romance was not the end-all for Greta. Greta had more to do than fall in love. And I adored the way Smith ended the book. Those last two chapter were just *chef’s kiss.*
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballentine Books for an advanced e-copy of this book.
vinylbookgirl's review against another edition
5.0
It’s raw, honest & genuinely relatable.
And I absolutely loved every page of it! ❤️
And I absolutely loved every page of it! ❤️
katekate_reads_'s review against another edition
4.0
The Unsinkable Greta James really pulled me in and I was surprised to find how quickly I read it. Greta is a famous musician who has been taking some time off. Her mom passed away a few months ago and she broke down on stage after and video of it went viral. Greta’s brother convinces her to go on a cruise to Alaska with her dad and her parents’ friends.
I really appreciated the ways this book handled grief and family relationships. I just felt so drawn into Greta’s life that the book flew by and now I find myself wanting to know more about what will happen next for her.
Thank you to Ballantine and Netgalley for the free review copy.
I really appreciated the ways this book handled grief and family relationships. I just felt so drawn into Greta’s life that the book flew by and now I find myself wanting to know more about what will happen next for her.
Thank you to Ballantine and Netgalley for the free review copy.
_sarah_reads_'s review against another edition
4.0
I would normally give this book a 3 star review (meaning I liked it, I'd recommend it, but it didn't rock my world or change my perspective on life), BUT I'm bumping it up a star because Mae Whitman is such a great narrator. Definitely recommend listening to this on audio.