caslater83's review against another edition
5.0
Read this!!
The beginning didn't feel strong and I struggled to keep going. But I kept on reading! I am so glad that I didn't give up. The girls are wonderful characters who see world from different points of view. Edie, Maggie, and Willa had a hard childhood filled with grief and loss. But as they grow up, they become stronger women with dreams, goals, and wishes. They have learned hard lessons and are driven to make the best out of their lives.
A great book for book clubs!!! Read and enjoy.
The beginning didn't feel strong and I struggled to keep going. But I kept on reading! I am so glad that I didn't give up. The girls are wonderful characters who see world from different points of view. Edie, Maggie, and Willa had a hard childhood filled with grief and loss. But as they grow up, they become stronger women with dreams, goals, and wishes. They have learned hard lessons and are driven to make the best out of their lives.
A great book for book clubs!!! Read and enjoy.
ljstrain28's review against another edition
4.0
I do believe I felt all the feelings during this book.
nadeenbeckett's review against another edition
5.0
Fascinating story of a family living through the trials of World War I and The Spanish Flu Pandemic-which all happened at the same time. This family lives in a funeral parlor in Philadelphia and people are dying by the thousands. Loved this unique look at an historical event I knew little about.
staceyjl's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
rjwilliams911's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
medium-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
5.0
findyourgoldenhour's review against another edition
4.0
I love historical fiction, especially about times in history I know little about. After finishing this book and reading the Author’s Note at the end, I found myself wondering why the Spanish Flu Pandemic of 1918 hasn’t been used as a backdrop for more storytelling: 50 million people died worldwide, and it was an equal opportunity disease, killing young and old, poor and wealthy alike. As the author says in her note at the end, it’s not just one story, but millions of stories, of parents and brothers and sisters and children, just like us.
Anyway, back to the book. It’s really almost two novels in one: the first part is about this young family moving to Philadelphia, how the flu and World War I impacts their lives, and the immediate aftermath. The second part is all new story lines as their lives continue. Both are compelling and kept me turning the pages; I cared about the characters and wanted to know how things would turn out for them.
This book isn’t for the squeamish. The family runs a funeral home, and there is a lot of talk of handling dead bodies, particularly during the height of the flu outbreak. At times it seems macabre, but I think that’s just because we aren’t used to reading about the logistics of funeral homes so openly discussed. It’s not overly done, just be forewarned going in.
Toward the end there was a little bit of over-the-top coincidence to make the storyline work, but you’ll probably forgive the author because ultimately, it works.
Anyway, back to the book. It’s really almost two novels in one: the first part is about this young family moving to Philadelphia, how the flu and World War I impacts their lives, and the immediate aftermath. The second part is all new story lines as their lives continue. Both are compelling and kept me turning the pages; I cared about the characters and wanted to know how things would turn out for them.
This book isn’t for the squeamish. The family runs a funeral home, and there is a lot of talk of handling dead bodies, particularly during the height of the flu outbreak. At times it seems macabre, but I think that’s just because we aren’t used to reading about the logistics of funeral homes so openly discussed. It’s not overly done, just be forewarned going in.
Toward the end there was a little bit of over-the-top coincidence to make the storyline work, but you’ll probably forgive the author because ultimately, it works.
annaup's review against another edition
4.0
So compelling and so interesting. I loved learning about the pandameic flu and while parts of it felt like a romance I still was grateful for the historical context. Quick reward . Imagine Little women meets a terrible plague coming to town. Why does everyone seem so happy at the end?
egmartin's review against another edition
4.0
3.75/5
Loved the premise and overall plot. It especially hit home considering we’re all living in a global pandemic that has taken so many lives. What I didn’t love was the writing; it wasn’t bad or great, just okay.
Loved the premise and overall plot. It especially hit home considering we’re all living in a global pandemic that has taken so many lives. What I didn’t love was the writing; it wasn’t bad or great, just okay.
brigitte_grote's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed the first half of this book and then the second not as much, but it still ended well. The characters were well developed and I felt committed to them as I read their stories. I really enjoyed reading about the flu epidemic after experiencing our pandemic and could easily picture what life was like during that time.