jhenry's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.25
ermykneeandwheezy's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
rachlloyd's review against another edition
Reminds me of the Dreamhouse in all the best ways.
viwilliams's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
birdabouttown's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
Story of 4 college friends told through rotating POV, as they go from graduation to mid-30s.
lostwanderer's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.5
melissann42's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
2.5
The structure of this really didn't work for me. It's the story of four best friends from college and their lives in the ten years that follow. Each year is told from one person's perspective, and because of this, much of each chapter is spent recapping the last three years from that person's pov. This causes a disconnect in almost everything that happens, and I just didn't care about the characters all that much because of it. In short, there is too much recapping and not enough of being in the moment.
I also didn't like how certain things were vaguely implied and danced around, but not addressed until way too late in the story. It felt like the author was trying to avoid it actually affecting the characters other than as a plot device.
The only thing that kept this from being a flat 2 star rating for me were some of Rachel's musings on life and relationships toward the end.
I also didn't like how certain things were vaguely implied and danced around, but not addressed until way too late in the story. It felt like the author was trying to avoid it actually affecting the characters other than as a plot device.
The only thing that kept this from being a flat 2 star rating for me were some of Rachel's musings on life and relationships toward the end.
Moderate: Addiction, Death, and Rape
jenembklyn's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-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
3.75
Enjoyed the structure with each year from the perspective of a different friend. I didn’t feel the relationships/friendships were all that great - the argument when they were skiing and then how they kind of abandoned Nate just didn’t feel authentic . A fun NY book though!