michaelajay's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this story! I enjoyed following their lives and I think Holly depicted the average couple of married life and the struggles we can go through of questioning our lives.
kaitlynmccully's review against another edition
4.0
I Give My Marriage A Year was an absolute page-turner. Usually I am not one to enjoy third person novels, but this one was a major exception. I found myself being absolutely drawn in by the humour, writing style and characters. The chapters which revisit Lou & Joshes young love are absolutely incredible, they gave me goosebumps.
I will say, I struggled to like Lou. Her character felt mean, manipulative & cynical. Her voice never felt logical to me, and she was spiteful of her husband who - in my opinion - did not do anything near as bad as she did. I am NOT usually one to side with a man on a good day, however, I felt Josh was a lot more understanding and likeable as a character. I thought maybe as I got further into the book, I would find myself warming up to Lou, however that just never happened. In fact, by the end of the novel, I found myself rooting for divorce.
Wrainwright has a fantastic voice and has conveyed Australian life immaculately. I grew up in Broken Hill and her descriptions of my small hometown were incredible. Her writing authentically portrayed young love, married love, questionable love, and gave me an incredible journey along the way. I would recommend to anyone.
I will say, I struggled to like Lou. Her character felt mean, manipulative & cynical. Her voice never felt logical to me, and she was spiteful of her husband who - in my opinion - did not do anything near as bad as she did. I am NOT usually one to side with a man on a good day, however, I felt Josh was a lot more understanding and likeable as a character. I thought maybe as I got further into the book, I would find myself warming up to Lou, however that just never happened. In fact, by the end of the novel, I found myself rooting for divorce.
Wrainwright has a fantastic voice and has conveyed Australian life immaculately. I grew up in Broken Hill and her descriptions of my small hometown were incredible. Her writing authentically portrayed young love, married love, questionable love, and gave me an incredible journey along the way. I would recommend to anyone.
taylordepuydt's review against another edition
3.0
Really good writing. I just really disliked the characters, they were all pretty crappy to each other. I hate seeing relationships like Annabelles with Josh continuing just because 'they are family' no that is not okay to treat anyone like that. I just wanted to see them divorce and finally sort their own shit out.
ceeves117's review against another edition
3.0
This book is a dumpster fire.
They’re both awful people that deserve each other.
They’re both awful people that deserve each other.
yasdnilr's review against another edition
4.0
Thanking Netgalley, Pan Macmillan (OG MVPs)and Holly Wainwright for being so kind as to allow me to read this the day before publication in exchange for an honest review, that I’m not really good at writing.
Because I loved it and I read it all in one day. I don’t ordinarily read these kinds of books. And when they’re Australian, I get kind of annoyed that they don’t reflect my reality. But this book is soooo Sydney. I haven’t read a book this Sydney since Big Man’s Barbie and I didn’t even live here then.
They meet in Newtown (at The Bank of all places). They go out to the Hopetoun to see experimental music (my husband tells me he was more than likely doing sound that night
Because I loved it and I read it all in one day. I don’t ordinarily read these kinds of books. And when they’re Australian, I get kind of annoyed that they don’t reflect my reality. But this book is soooo Sydney. I haven’t read a book this Sydney since Big Man’s Barbie and I didn’t even live here then.
They meet in Newtown (at The Bank of all places). They go out to the Hopetoun to see experimental music (my husband tells me he was more than likely doing sound that night
hannah_rosem's review against another edition
5.0
A super interesting read about long-term relationships. I found Lou and Josh to be fairly unlikeable (Lou considerably more so) which I think made the story feel more authentic. The pacing was really great and I like that we simultaneously get to see their relationship develop and devolve through the dual timelines. A great and unique read!
bridgetgoldthorp's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
kimmygee's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
moonagle's review against another edition
3.0
I guess the fact that by the end of this book I didn't care whether the marriage survives is a testament to the fact that this wasn't really my jam.
kokonatsu's review against another edition
4.0
3.5-4 mostly because I spent a big chunk of this book thinking he deserves better. I'm not married or close to it (I'm closer to the character of Gretchen), but I know the family situation is a common problem. Kids are the responsibility of both parents.