khairun_atika's review against another edition
3.0
This story encapsulates the themes I enjoy reading about in YA novels. It is a coming of age story, with a focus on family relationships, mother-daughter dynamics, grief and forbidden love. Delilah Hannaford returns to her mother's childhood home upon the demise of her grandmother, and learns about her family's history. Secrets are revealed, and what Delilah discovers differs from what she had spent her whole life thinking and knowing. Delilah herself is filled with so many doubts and insecurities, with how her reputation had spiralled because of some mistakes. Delilah struggles in her relationship with her mother, which strains further as the family's secrets are unearthed. This is also a story about moving on and letting go - about not letting the past affect our desires for the future.
kricketa's review against another edition
4.0
there's a lot going on, but for the most part this was a sweet, fun romance. kind of weird reading it right on the heels of "saving june" since there are a lot of similarities. will review more after book club!
lumos_libros's review against another edition
4.0
I love to read about things that I can relate to because I feel like it's someone validating my experience in life. I guess I had the urge to read something like this. Though this really doesn't relate to my personal experience I know it will speak some truth to others who had to grow up without a father or mother, and have to figure out why things have to be always so hard?
Delilah has hit a pretty sucky time in her life. Her mom is always working and doesn't seem to have time to answer Delilah's questions. As of late her grades are slipping, she has a "non-boyfriend", she no longer has any real friends, and to boot she accidentally stole some lipstick. Needless to say her life at the moment doesn't feel magical. Her summer plans change drastically when her mother announces that her grandmother just died and that they are going to spend the summer in Vermont. They haven't been there for eight years and there are some skeletons in the closet to deal with when they get there.
I absolutely adored all the characters. I felt like I was there with them, and that they were showing their true selves to me. I can feel Delilah's frustration at her mom for keeping secrets. The dynamic between her mom and aunt was pitch perfect. Not a perfect relationship, and one with lots of tension but that's how real relationships are like. They are broken but try to build back bridges while they are in the home where they grew up together. There were so many things involved in this story, but I want to keep quiet and promote to read this book. Though I could guess what the secret was, it is a juicy one and the real foundation of the book is Delilah's life changing summer. Delilah learns about her heritage, her family, and how to fall in love.
The last couple of weeks have been kind of hectic for me. Nothing bad, just busy and I was thinking of how I didn't have enough time to read and wondered why it was so important to me. I never thought I read to escape, but in a sense that rings true. For a little while I want to read about someone else's struggles and problems. I want to root for somebody else, and see things from a perspective other than my own. This book definitely offered that and that's a mark of excellent storytelling.
Delilah has hit a pretty sucky time in her life. Her mom is always working and doesn't seem to have time to answer Delilah's questions. As of late her grades are slipping, she has a "non-boyfriend", she no longer has any real friends, and to boot she accidentally stole some lipstick. Needless to say her life at the moment doesn't feel magical. Her summer plans change drastically when her mother announces that her grandmother just died and that they are going to spend the summer in Vermont. They haven't been there for eight years and there are some skeletons in the closet to deal with when they get there.
I absolutely adored all the characters. I felt like I was there with them, and that they were showing their true selves to me. I can feel Delilah's frustration at her mom for keeping secrets. The dynamic between her mom and aunt was pitch perfect. Not a perfect relationship, and one with lots of tension but that's how real relationships are like. They are broken but try to build back bridges while they are in the home where they grew up together. There were so many things involved in this story, but I want to keep quiet and promote to read this book. Though I could guess what the secret was, it is a juicy one and the real foundation of the book is Delilah's life changing summer. Delilah learns about her heritage, her family, and how to fall in love.
The last couple of weeks have been kind of hectic for me. Nothing bad, just busy and I was thinking of how I didn't have enough time to read and wondered why it was so important to me. I never thought I read to escape, but in a sense that rings true. For a little while I want to read about someone else's struggles and problems. I want to root for somebody else, and see things from a perspective other than my own. This book definitely offered that and that's a mark of excellent storytelling.
jerrica's review against another edition
4.0
Another one in Brianna's Book Club. Very enjoyable read, loved the writing style, could've used a little less predictable plot.
willablaise's review against another edition
5.0
I loved Fixing Delilah. It surprised me in every way possible, and the described the problems that families run into, and the ones that split them apart.
michelle_pink_polka_dot's review against another edition
4.0
Definitely a Contemporary Romance fan's dream book.
This book had total Sarah Dessen-vibes. Delilah felt so much like a Dessen main girl-- strained parental relationship (check!), slightly rebellious behavior (check!), touristy location setting (check!), super swoony/patient to a fault boy (check!). And I mean all of that as a compliment because Sarah Dessen creates stories that you can just sink into and become completely immersed, and this book was very much like that.
Drawbacks: I didn't LOVE Delilah. She had a tendency to be self-centered and make everything about her. It was like Patrick (the boy) and Emily (the friend) weren't allowed to have lives and problems because she was GOING THROUGH SOMETHING. There was also a lot of that kind of drama where if the characters just said 5 words, the misunderstandings wouldn't have happened-- and I tire of that. TALK PEOPLE, TALK!! USE YOUR WORDS!
In the end, I'm glad I read this, and I had a nice feeling reading it. It was like going home after I've been away for a while because books like these are my roots. I will always want to come back to stories that suck me in and aren't super plot driven. I will always want to read books that combine family and growing up. And you should too!!
OVERALL: It was so nice to read a Sarah Ockler book after so long!! This was one I had been meaning to read for years, and I'm glad I finally got to it. It had major Sarah Dessen-vibes radiating, but that's not a bad thing!! I liked getting immersed in the setting and characters, but I wished I liked Delilah just a tad more.
My Blog:
Pink Polka Dot Books
This book had total Sarah Dessen-vibes. Delilah felt so much like a Dessen main girl-- strained parental relationship (check!), slightly rebellious behavior (check!), touristy location setting (check!), super swoony/patient to a fault boy (check!). And I mean all of that as a compliment because Sarah Dessen creates stories that you can just sink into and become completely immersed, and this book was very much like that.
Drawbacks: I didn't LOVE Delilah. She had a tendency to be self-centered and make everything about her. It was like Patrick (the boy) and Emily (the friend) weren't allowed to have lives and problems because she was GOING THROUGH SOMETHING. There was also a lot of that kind of drama where if the characters just said 5 words, the misunderstandings wouldn't have happened-- and I tire of that. TALK PEOPLE, TALK!! USE YOUR WORDS!
In the end, I'm glad I read this, and I had a nice feeling reading it. It was like going home after I've been away for a while because books like these are my roots. I will always want to come back to stories that suck me in and aren't super plot driven. I will always want to read books that combine family and growing up. And you should too!!
OVERALL: It was so nice to read a Sarah Ockler book after so long!! This was one I had been meaning to read for years, and I'm glad I finally got to it. It had major Sarah Dessen-vibes radiating, but that's not a bad thing!! I liked getting immersed in the setting and characters, but I wished I liked Delilah just a tad more.
My Blog:
Pink Polka Dot Books
nykare's review against another edition
4.0
What a drama :)
But I like it... I am from drama family, that's why I could easily relate with the story.
I don't have any major comments... I liked few quotes, I liked the romance, and I felt the book. That's it. Recommend.
But I like it... I am from drama family, that's why I could easily relate with the story.
I don't have any major comments... I liked few quotes, I liked the romance, and I felt the book. That's it. Recommend.
lazygal's review against another edition
2.0
I realize I'm in the minority here - and this is probably a review-proof book for fans of Sarah Dessen - but this just didn't do it for me.
Delilah's family life was relatively typical: single, overworked parent and child who is somewhat rebellious and angry. Her "boyfriend" isn't more than a passing phase in her life. Then the news comes that Mom/Gran has died and off they go to New Hampshire and Big Family Revelations and Reconciliations. This was one closed family, with Secrets and Things Not Spoken About and Arguments Never Explained. But beyond that, it was a normal family. Finding Patrick, learning the truth about her family and growing closer to her mother didn't seem to be all the unusual, or even presented differently than other books in this genre.
However, as I said, if you love Sarah Dessen or Jodi Picault, this is definitely the book for you.
ARC provided by publisher.
Delilah's family life was relatively typical: single, overworked parent and child who is somewhat rebellious and angry. Her "boyfriend" isn't more than a passing phase in her life. Then the news comes that Mom/Gran has died and off they go to New Hampshire and Big Family Revelations and Reconciliations. This was one closed family, with Secrets and Things Not Spoken About and Arguments Never Explained. But beyond that, it was a normal family. Finding Patrick, learning the truth about her family and growing closer to her mother didn't seem to be all the unusual, or even presented differently than other books in this genre.
However, as I said, if you love Sarah Dessen or Jodi Picault, this is definitely the book for you.
ARC provided by publisher.