machelriller's review against another edition
4.0
I did not expect to love this so much but my heart feels so warm and fuzzy now.
djreads's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-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
_sarah_reads_'s review against another edition
3.0
I find Terry McMillan's novels so comforting. They feel very familiar. She's my go-to when I want something safe and purely enjoyable.
This was a perfect book to read between an epic work of science fiction and a beautiful, tragic memoir. A palate cleanser, if you will.
This was a perfect book to read between an epic work of science fiction and a beautiful, tragic memoir. A palate cleanser, if you will.
thequeenvey's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
3.5
My experience reading this book was interesting and a little disappointing. The book was written in 2016 so reading it in 2023 I figured certain topics would be addressed differently than they are now. I really I didn’t like the biphobia and I feel like the DL man is a recurring thing in her books. I know it’s probably from personal experience but I think we knew better ways to approach the topic in 2016. I also didn’t like the constant slut shaming and body shaming in the book. Georgia and her friends interactions had me thinking are y’all really friends? Also, TOO MANY characters to keep track of to the point I stopped caring about her reaching out to past lovers. The ending felt rushed and I didn’t believe in the chemistry. If it wasn’t a book club pick I don’t think I would’ve read it but overall I’m glad I did.
totally85's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
erin_oriordan_is_reading_again's review against another edition
5.0
This is the first book I've ever read by Terry McMillan and now that I know how spectacularly talented she is, I'm a little sad about that. She's a writer with the magical gift of making me believe that she's writing about people, not characters. This isn't a straightforward romance novel but it is written in a really clever way that makes it more realistic but just as much fun. Of all the characters, I felt that Wanda was the most like me, but it was impossible not to love the protagonist, Georgia. And when Georgia fell in love, I fell in love with her beau, too.
McMillan's main characters are African-American women, but if you're not African-American and/or not female, please don't let that stop you from reading this wonderful writer. Honestly, she could be writing about fictional Japanese businessmen and she'd make them seem real and fascinating.
I received a copy of this book from BloggingForBooks.com in exchange for this review.
McMillan's main characters are African-American women, but if you're not African-American and/or not female, please don't let that stop you from reading this wonderful writer. Honestly, she could be writing about fictional Japanese businessmen and she'd make them seem real and fascinating.
I received a copy of this book from BloggingForBooks.com in exchange for this review.
literatehedgehog's review against another edition
3.0
Entertaining, humorous story of a fifty year old woman figuring out what's next - like a slightly more filling, satisfying romantic comedy.
Having the author narrate the audio book has its pros and cons - on the one hand, you hear exactly how she intended dialogue to be inflected. On the other hand, it's harder to distinguish the characters. Part of this is the writing itself does not do enough to distinguish characters, in addition characters having lengthy, not entirely realistic whole blobs of conversation. (Frankie, the daughter, I'm looking at you, who even talks like you?! Are you real?!?! Hell no). I wasn't surprised by any of Georgia's decisions - but I'm going to take that as I understood her as a character, not as a flaw in predictable romantic comedy writing.
Having the author narrate the audio book has its pros and cons - on the one hand, you hear exactly how she intended dialogue to be inflected. On the other hand, it's harder to distinguish the characters. Part of this is the writing itself does not do enough to distinguish characters, in addition characters having lengthy, not entirely realistic whole blobs of conversation. (Frankie, the daughter, I'm looking at you, who even talks like you?! Are you real?!?! Hell no). I wasn't surprised by any of Georgia's decisions - but I'm going to take that as I understood her as a character, not as a flaw in predictable romantic comedy writing.
ashlit's review against another edition
2.0
Lacking a memorable climax! #snoozefest I did think Georgia was personable & found myself rooting for her.