renflew's review
5.0
I am a huge Amy Hatvany fan and this book did not disappoint, I raced through it in a day.
As with all her books the storyline is a tough one - two sisters given up for adoption by their young mother, and the very different paths their lives take. I always find her characters very real, like they could be someone I know and she handles the tough subject matter very well. I like the fact that the story isn't fully wrapped up with a big bow on it at the end. Highly recommend.
I'm going back to see if I've missed any of her other books.
As with all her books the storyline is a tough one - two sisters given up for adoption by their young mother, and the very different paths their lives take. I always find her characters very real, like they could be someone I know and she handles the tough subject matter very well. I like the fact that the story isn't fully wrapped up with a big bow on it at the end. Highly recommend.
I'm going back to see if I've missed any of her other books.
krys72599's review
4.0
Not an actual spoiler but you might be able to interpret a little too much…
I loved the premise of the story:
A young mother, a young single mother, feels trapped, forced into a corner, forced to make the worst decision of her life. She decides to give up her children, hoping with every fiber of her being that they’ll have a better life having been adopted than they would living in a car with her.
Years later, the sisters find each other. The mothers hope it then if they would be adopted together, but that didn’t happen. As the girls, as sisters, decide to find their mother, things don’t happen the way they anticipate.
I will say, I was totally involved in the story, all the way to the last chapter, all the way to the ending. But it left me wanting so much more. The author wrapped up the concussion with a not so neat little bow. I SO wanted a different ending!
I loved the premise of the story:
A young mother, a young single mother, feels trapped, forced into a corner, forced to make the worst decision of her life. She decides to give up her children, hoping with every fiber of her being that they’ll have a better life having been adopted than they would living in a car with her.
Years later, the sisters find each other. The mothers hope it then if they would be adopted together, but that didn’t happen. As the girls, as sisters, decide to find their mother, things don’t happen the way they anticipate.
I will say, I was totally involved in the story, all the way to the last chapter, all the way to the ending. But it left me wanting so much more. The author wrapped up the concussion with a not so neat little bow. I SO wanted a different ending!
aovenus's review against another edition
4.0
This book was on my to-read list for a long time. I wish I picked it up sooner. It's very different than the topics I normally come across. Even though it was a depressing topic, the author did a good job adding elements that made the situation lighthearted and hopeful. I wish the ending was more gracefully done though, but overall it was an engaging and powerful book.
mmeggann's review
3.0
If I had to describe this book in one word, it would be 'bland.'
With that being said, it's not a bad book. I actually really did enjoy it and would even recommend it to others if they expressed interest. It's a fresh take on the "closed adoption" story, and it's not like anything I've really ever read.
But my one complaint is that it easily could have been condensed to a short story. The alternating perspectives added further insight and a glimpse into the characters that, although linked, possessed very differing personalities. It was multi-dimensional, it was interesting...it was just a bit blah.
Overall, would I recommend this book to others? You know what? Probably. It really was pretty good. I just can't get over the fact that I was a couple of times tempted to just skim to the interesting parts. I know I'm holding writers to a high standard of constant entertainment. Sorry about that.
What did I think?: I thought this was a good book but it was a bit drawn out for my taste. The characters were well done, and I have very little to complain about.
Who should read it?: Is there an audience for adoption stories out there? If so, those people. Otherwise, I say that if you read the description and are tempted, give it a shot.
WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
With that being said, it's not a bad book. I actually really did enjoy it and would even recommend it to others if they expressed interest. It's a fresh take on the "closed adoption" story, and it's not like anything I've really ever read.
But my one complaint is that it easily could have been condensed to a short story. The alternating perspectives added further insight and a glimpse into the characters that, although linked, possessed very differing personalities. It was multi-dimensional, it was interesting...it was just a bit blah.
Overall, would I recommend this book to others? You know what? Probably. It really was pretty good. I just can't get over the fact that I was a couple of times tempted to just skim to the interesting parts. I know I'm holding writers to a high standard of constant entertainment. Sorry about that.
What did I think?: I thought this was a good book but it was a bit drawn out for my taste. The characters were well done, and I have very little to complain about.
Who should read it?: Is there an audience for adoption stories out there? If so, those people. Otherwise, I say that if you read the description and are tempted, give it a shot.
WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM
bethreadsandnaps's review
4.0
I enjoy Hatvany's books tremendously, and this one was not an exception. The characters are vivid, the plot, the dialogue, the small details she weaves throughout are all good. As she's a local author, it's nice to have a familiar setting as well. The voices of three women come through well: the struggle of a young mother who has trouble with the law and ends up relinquishing custody and her adult daughters who try to come to terms with their heritage. It's a poignant struggle, one where you can empathize with all of the characters and their emotions.
bookbitch19's review
3.0
Wish I could give a 3.5 but no half ratings in good reads. The book was pretty good and I would recommend to others, just felt it was a little bland. I was tempted at times to skim some of the interesting parts because I just couldn't get into it. Overall a good read on an interesting subject.
bougainvillea's review against another edition
3.0
This book started off great -- very tight writing and compelling narrative. Unfortunately, that level of writing was not sustained throughout.
ceuran's review
3.0
While this was definitely better than the last book I read, it wasn't nearly as good as some of the other books I've read by Hatvany.
Somewhere Out There follows the story of Jennifer, who at 20 made the tough decision to relinquish her parental rights over her two daughters, as well as Brooke and Natalie, the two daughters who she gave up. The story was sweet and had me emotional at times, but the writing in this one was very bland and straight-forward. It really toned down the emotional scenes.
It also bothered me just how understanding Natalie was - both Brooke and Jennifer were lucky for her daughter's high level of empathy. I felt it unrealistic how perfectly soothing and understanding she was. She would react to things emotionally, but then rationally calm herself down within an hour or less. It felt a bit unrealistic to me.
Those complaints aside, the story was compelling if very straight-forward and Brooke and Jennifer were both very interesting characters. If you're a fan of Hatvany I would recommend this book. If not, I would suggest Best Kept Secret or Hear Like Mine by Hatvany before this one.
Somewhere Out There follows the story of Jennifer, who at 20 made the tough decision to relinquish her parental rights over her two daughters, as well as Brooke and Natalie, the two daughters who she gave up. The story was sweet and had me emotional at times, but the writing in this one was very bland and straight-forward. It really toned down the emotional scenes.
It also bothered me just how understanding Natalie was - both Brooke and Jennifer were lucky for her daughter's high level of empathy. I felt it unrealistic how perfectly soothing and understanding she was. She would react to things emotionally, but then rationally calm herself down within an hour or less. It felt a bit unrealistic to me.
Those complaints aside, the story was compelling if very straight-forward and Brooke and Jennifer were both very interesting characters. If you're a fan of Hatvany I would recommend this book. If not, I would suggest Best Kept Secret or Hear Like Mine by Hatvany before this one.
brianajae's review
5.0
This was a sweet story and I was so excited to learn that it took place so close to my hometown! I thought it was engaging and I enjoyed reading it.
bumblebeekip23's review
5.0
It gave me feel a lot of emotions....I can’t even imagine being in this position. Told in a great way..three woman...all connected.