Reviews

The Loose Ends List by Carrie Firestone

inwonderland49's review against another edition

4.0

This review was originally posted on In Wonderland

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed THE LOOSE ENDS LIST! I thought it was creative and realistic and just so darn cute! The first couple chapters I was a little skeptical because of the main character, Maddie. She acted a little too entitled for her own good. But she definitely made up for that by the end!

The concept of a "death with dignity" cruise ship is just flat out hysterical and brilliant at the same time. I don't know if these actually exist, but it does sound super interesting! I loved meeting all the characters aboard the cruise ship. Even if I did feel a little overwhelmed with the large cast of characters at times.

My favorite part of the whole story was Gram. She was flat out funny and I fell in love with her at the very beginning.

Gram thinks Dad is a weird, socially awkward freeloader and that Mom ended up with him because she has the emotional fortitude of a newborn panda. She's kind of right.

"What the hell is ass play?" Gram says. "In my day, ass play was when your husband goosed you in the elevator."

As for the romance between Maddie and Enzo, I felt it was just okay. While I loved Enzo, I just felt like they were instalove. And their romance is sweet and all, I just wish that it didn't feel so instalove-y.

All-in-all, I thought that this was a great summer read and will really hit home with a lot of people. But do expect to shed some tears by the end, you have been warned.

readingbelle's review against another edition

It has an anchor on the cover - of course I HAD to buy it.

laupoeschl's review against another edition

4.0

I thought this book was wonderfully different and bittersweet. The premise of the "'death with dignity' cruise ship" was new, and surprisingly Firestone's writing was funny. At times I was laughing out loud, then the very next minute sobering as I remembered the ultimate goal of the ship and its passengers. Maddie was relatable, and Enzo was the perfect dreamy guy to sweep you off your feet in a heartbeat. The "instalove" (as some might classify it) didn't feel forced; the instant connection between two grieving individuals felt natural and as time went on, the relationship continued to grow. I would definitely recommend for a quick summer read on the beach.

sarahjolioli's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.75

girlreading's review against another edition

3.0

I wasn't entirely sure what to expect from this but I decided to pick it up as it sounded unique to anything I've read before, and it definitely was. But I'm still not totally decided on how I felt about it. Some things I enjoyed, others not so much.

I think my favourite part of the whole book was the travel element. I really enjoyed the descriptions of each individual country. I felt as though I was travelling the world with them and loved it!

Despite it being a character driven story, I didn't find myself truly connecting with a lot of the characters. They weren't 'unlikable', I just didn't really warm to them or personally relate to them all that much. I also found the romance to be very rushed, it went from 1-100 within a page and I honestly didn't feel much for it.

There was this slightly cynical and rude humour within the families which was fun and the whole premise surround the idea of the cruise was definitely interesting!

Each individual family had their own unique story which I thought was really sweet, although it did get a little confusing at times when trying to fit each of the many characters to their name and backstory. I think Paige, Lane and Gracie were my favourites, their story was heartbreaking. :')

This was enjoyable enough but on the whole I didn't enjoy it as much as I had hoped I would.

renel's review against another edition

4.0

This is such a good book and I know this because it made me feel like crying (did not cry because eye eczema lmao) but had that teary feeling

rosiethespy's review against another edition

1.0

I really really did not like this. Maddie, frankly, sucks. And so do most of the other characters.

lucy_lowe_'s review

3.0

I enjoyed the concept and the ending but the story was so boring in the middle and for 100 pages nothing really happened

robinmara96's review against another edition

3.0

Debating whether to give it a 4.5 or 4 stars... it was hysterical, real and honest and if I wasn't in public all the time whilst reading this, I would have cried my eyes out.

tpteacher's review against another edition

4.0

What a great book! I went into it thinking it was going to be brainless fluff but it was poignant, loving and funny. I love the premise and the relationship of the family and all of the people they met. There was definitely some teenage angst and sex but despite that it was very good.