susandelgado's review
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
kitvaria_sarene's review against another edition
5.0
Really liked this one!
You might want to read it after "A hundred pieces of me" as there are some reoccurring characters. You can read both on their own, but reading them in order will make them that little bit better in this case!
This one has some more darkness to it than the others, though my main complaint is still that most people are just a tad TOO nice again. Even the annoying ones often are really kindhearted after all in Dillon books - and sometimes it's just a little bit too much to feel real.
Aside from that is was once again a pleasure to read, and it leaves you with a feel good smile when you finish it. :)
You might want to read it after "A hundred pieces of me" as there are some reoccurring characters. You can read both on their own, but reading them in order will make them that little bit better in this case!
This one has some more darkness to it than the others, though my main complaint is still that most people are just a tad TOO nice again. Even the annoying ones often are really kindhearted after all in Dillon books - and sometimes it's just a little bit too much to feel real.
Aside from that is was once again a pleasure to read, and it leaves you with a feel good smile when you finish it. :)
katiecatbooks's review
5.0
Womens fiction. UK. Hotel.
Story: Libby snd her husband, Jason have taken over the family hotel after Jason's father passes away. The hotel is filled with challenges including dogs, renovating and a mother in law.
Language: Formulaic Dillon with familiar characters and happy endings. Contemporary. Multiple perspectives. UK.
Characters: Libby is frustrated, moving in with her mother in law, taking over s run down hotel with no experience and a husband who is more interested in catching up with his old mates.
This book is a culmination of a year of reading Lucy Dillon's books and it was ever so worth it to meet all of the characters and places that connect in this and all of the books.
Story: Libby snd her husband, Jason have taken over the family hotel after Jason's father passes away. The hotel is filled with challenges including dogs, renovating and a mother in law.
Language: Formulaic Dillon with familiar characters and happy endings. Contemporary. Multiple perspectives. UK.
Characters: Libby is frustrated, moving in with her mother in law, taking over s run down hotel with no experience and a husband who is more interested in catching up with his old mates.
This book is a culmination of a year of reading Lucy Dillon's books and it was ever so worth it to meet all of the characters and places that connect in this and all of the books.
lynsey284's review against another edition
4.0
I loved hundred pieces of me so when i saw one small act of kindness on bookbridgr i crossed everything until it came in the post.
Whereas Lucy's previous book was more of an emotional story this is based around more of a mystery.
We have two heroines in the story Libby and Pippa and i liked them equally.
Both characters have sort of lost their way but after Libby's act of kindness together Pippa and Libby embark on a self discovery journey.
I have to mention Bob and Fido not big characters but i love dogs in a story as they provided a lot of comfort to the characters and every one of lucy's books i have enjoyed have dogs in so please Lucy continue with the pets in the stories.
One small act of kindness is just a lovely and uplifting read and shows the importance of being true to yourself and how kindness can affect people.
Whereas Lucy's previous book was more of an emotional story this is based around more of a mystery.
We have two heroines in the story Libby and Pippa and i liked them equally.
Both characters have sort of lost their way but after Libby's act of kindness together Pippa and Libby embark on a self discovery journey.
I have to mention Bob and Fido not big characters but i love dogs in a story as they provided a lot of comfort to the characters and every one of lucy's books i have enjoyed have dogs in so please Lucy continue with the pets in the stories.
One small act of kindness is just a lovely and uplifting read and shows the importance of being true to yourself and how kindness can affect people.
setaian's review against another edition
3.0
After Jason, her husband is sacked in disgrace, Libby's charmed life in London comes to an end. Together they take over their family's run down and kitsch Bed & Breakfast and immediately set about fixing it up in the hopes of attracting a more moneyed guest.
Then a young woman is hit by a car in front of the hotel and Libby is immediately on the scene. She survives but her memories are completely gone. After her hospital stay, Libby saves her from being sent to a woman's refuge and invites her to stay at the hotel until her memories return. A bond is immediately formed and the two work together to bring the hotel back from years of neglect.
I love the idea for this book. I've always enjoyed books about renovations and restorations; I love books about dogs; and I tend to read books about women who are finding the strength to move on after difficult circumstances.
So what's not to love? Well there are a few things to be honest. It feels a little overplayed. The relationships are quite melodramatic and on occasion it feels like I'm reading a book that was written 60 years ago. There was a little too much going on and I think the book would have been improved if the focus stayed on the two main women and the hotel.
It's not bad, but it didn't quite deliver. That said, there is enough good in there that I'm planning on reading another book by the same author when I get a chance.
Then a young woman is hit by a car in front of the hotel and Libby is immediately on the scene. She survives but her memories are completely gone. After her hospital stay, Libby saves her from being sent to a woman's refuge and invites her to stay at the hotel until her memories return. A bond is immediately formed and the two work together to bring the hotel back from years of neglect.
I love the idea for this book. I've always enjoyed books about renovations and restorations; I love books about dogs; and I tend to read books about women who are finding the strength to move on after difficult circumstances.
So what's not to love? Well there are a few things to be honest. It feels a little overplayed. The relationships are quite melodramatic and on occasion it feels like I'm reading a book that was written 60 years ago. There was a little too much going on and I think the book would have been improved if the focus stayed on the two main women and the hotel.
It's not bad, but it didn't quite deliver. That said, there is enough good in there that I'm planning on reading another book by the same author when I get a chance.
fuzzywuzzy's review against another edition
5.0
I expected something way different. It was good, but it was too long for things to not be revealed until the end of the book.
maxineha's review against another edition
4.0
This is the second time I’ve read this book. The first time was during my recovery from a brain injury.
Just like Alice in the book.l Don’t remember anything about the accident that led to my brain injury. It was 6 years ago now and I still don’t remember anything. Thankfully that was the only thing I couldn’t remember and I have made a full recovery.
I’d forgotten the plot of the book but did have a feeling about gethin which turned out to be correct.
I might have to read another book by the author now :-)
Just like Alice in the book.l Don’t remember anything about the accident that led to my brain injury. It was 6 years ago now and I still don’t remember anything. Thankfully that was the only thing I couldn’t remember and I have made a full recovery.
I’d forgotten the plot of the book but did have a feeling about gethin which turned out to be correct.
I might have to read another book by the author now :-)
greentea1's review against another edition
5.0
I have to admit, the book started out slow for me but 1/4 way in and I'm addicted.
I know this review was for paperback, but I was listening to an audio version on audible, which I kind of regret because I think i would enjoy the book in print form more.
My heart went out for both Libby and Pippa and enjoyed reading both their sides.
Also slightly bias because I'm a dog lover and loved the addition of the dog in the story, but this book is perfect for a pick me up lazy sunday kind of read.
I know this review was for paperback, but I was listening to an audio version on audible, which I kind of regret because I think i would enjoy the book in print form more.
My heart went out for both Libby and Pippa and enjoyed reading both their sides.
Spoiler
though I really didn't like Pippa's boyfriend, he sounded so annoying to begin with and I couldn't help but smile when listening to the way her and Luke connected I just couldn't bring myself to root for Luke instead. Every story about Alice and irish boyfriend just makes me wonder, WHERE IS LUKE?Also slightly bias because I'm a dog lover and loved the addition of the dog in the story, but this book is perfect for a pick me up lazy sunday kind of read.
snazzybooks's review
4.0
Book reviews and more on www.snazzybooks.com
One Small Act of Kindness strikes just the right balance: sweet without being too cloying, touching without being overly sentimental story, and featuring some really likeable characters who I'd happily read more about.
The narrative features some of the typical elements of this genre, yes, with romances and budding romances (I saw some parts coming a mile off, but again I feel that's just something that comes with the territory and I didn't mind this) but importantly it manages to avoid being overly cheesy or ridiculous. The plot is believable and has some more serious parts, but also plenty of light-heartedness mixed in there. It's well written, sweet and with a plot that moves along at just the right pace whilst still providing plenty of character development.
Without giving too much away, main character Libby seemed really lovely and a bit of a saint with what she's had to put up with, whilst Alice is suffering from memory loss and can't remember the person she was before the accident, but is equally likable as she tries to piece together the parts of her life from 'before'. Other characters enter the scene and either really charmed me (human or non-human - I loved Sir Bob) or made me want to throw things at them (but, either way, equally well written by Lucy Dillon), and made me want to continue reading on (or, in this case with the audiobook, listening on).
I enjoyed trying to piece together Alice's memories as the novel went on, and felt the amnesia part of the story was convincing (well-researched, I assume) and intriguing. I finished One Small Act of Kindness feeling satisfied and uplifted
The audiobook was well read, with a great narrator (though the Welsh accent was quite amusing; I'm not sure why seeing as I'm awful at 'doing' accents myself) and it's an ideal story to be enjoyed on audiobook. Some books, I feel, really work in audio format and some just don't, and often in that case I abandon them early on - this was really enjoyable!
The only other book I've read by Lucy Dillon (so far) is All I Ever Wanted, and I was really taken by that too [read my review here], so I think I can safely say Lucy Dillon is a winning writer for me in the 'chick-lit/ romance/ women's fiction' genres; I'll certainly be reading more by her in the future.
One Small Act of Kindness strikes just the right balance: sweet without being too cloying, touching without being overly sentimental story, and featuring some really likeable characters who I'd happily read more about.
The narrative features some of the typical elements of this genre, yes, with romances and budding romances (I saw some parts coming a mile off, but again I feel that's just something that comes with the territory and I didn't mind this) but importantly it manages to avoid being overly cheesy or ridiculous. The plot is believable and has some more serious parts, but also plenty of light-heartedness mixed in there. It's well written, sweet and with a plot that moves along at just the right pace whilst still providing plenty of character development.
Without giving too much away, main character Libby seemed really lovely and a bit of a saint with what she's had to put up with, whilst Alice is suffering from memory loss and can't remember the person she was before the accident, but is equally likable as she tries to piece together the parts of her life from 'before'. Other characters enter the scene and either really charmed me (human or non-human - I loved Sir Bob) or made me want to throw things at them (but, either way, equally well written by Lucy Dillon), and made me want to continue reading on (or, in this case with the audiobook, listening on).
I enjoyed trying to piece together Alice's memories as the novel went on, and felt the amnesia part of the story was convincing (well-researched, I assume) and intriguing. I finished One Small Act of Kindness feeling satisfied and uplifted
The audiobook was well read, with a great narrator (though the Welsh accent was quite amusing; I'm not sure why seeing as I'm awful at 'doing' accents myself) and it's an ideal story to be enjoyed on audiobook. Some books, I feel, really work in audio format and some just don't, and often in that case I abandon them early on - this was really enjoyable!
The only other book I've read by Lucy Dillon (so far) is All I Ever Wanted, and I was really taken by that too [read my review here], so I think I can safely say Lucy Dillon is a winning writer for me in the 'chick-lit/ romance/ women's fiction' genres; I'll certainly be reading more by her in the future.