auntblh's review against another edition
4.0
This was a cute story with an ending that tugged at my heartstrings.
hillarya's review
3.0
I received an ARC through NetGalley. It's the story of a young girl that loses her mother before she could even know her. Her dad doesn't know how to have a relationship with his daughter since his wife died, so the girl finds love in the worst of places. Except for the time she meets Arthur. An old man that visits his wife at the cemetery. It is a sweet story. Towards the end you think something big is going to happen, but nothing every really does. I loved Arthur and most especially Priscilla. If it weren't for their characters I probably wouldn't have liked the book at all. They are endearing. I only recommend picking this one up if you like old, cute people and if you have nothing exciting to read.
kwray1972's review
5.0
A delightful story of the connection between different generations. I fell in love with all of the characters and was enamored with the love that grows between them.
yelolab_greatdane's review
5.0
What a great summer read! Arthur really makes you think about how precious life is and how we have to honour those close to us. He reminds us to be open to new experiences and take things day by day. Opening your heart and home can lead to the best memories - those where friends become family.
bluenicorn's review
2.0
This was recommended by a very lovely lady, who said it was a book full of kind people being kind. And... I guess that is true- the characters are all pretty nice to each other. Also of note- the whole group really enjoyed this book. That's... probably a sign that they needed something "nice." And that's... like, about all that happens- some nice people are nice to each other.
Oh, and a woman gets pregnant in a manner that is impossible. I know that I sometimes get bogged down in the details, but this was, like, the sort of stuff that people who never had sex ed classes believe, and I find that kind of troubling. (Stop reading now if you are uncomfortable with sexual terms.) Seriously- she states that they never had intercourse, because they were waiting until she turned 18. When she tells him that she is pregnant, he says that it's impossible, and she states "...remember that time you came on me...?" Like, I thought the storyline was going to be one of her being convinced she was pregnant when she wasn't- but it kept going, and I thought, wait... are we really supposed to believe this? And we were! Whaaa? Like, the author is old enough to know better- this is not how babies are made.
Aside from that part that I know isn't essential to the story, but just bothers me ALOT, the story just felt kind of schmaltzy and capitalizing on the last thousand or so "old man befriends other people and finds out there's still more to life at the end" sort of stories that have come out in the last few years. For a book group with seniors, though, I highly recommend- they loved it.
Oh, and a woman gets pregnant in a manner that is impossible. I know that I sometimes get bogged down in the details, but this was, like, the sort of stuff that people who never had sex ed classes believe, and I find that kind of troubling. (Stop reading now if you are uncomfortable with sexual terms.) Seriously- she states that they never had intercourse, because they were waiting until she turned 18. When she tells him that she is pregnant, he says that it's impossible, and she states "...remember that time you came on me...?" Like, I thought the storyline was going to be one of her being convinced she was pregnant when she wasn't- but it kept going, and I thought, wait... are we really supposed to believe this? And we were! Whaaa? Like, the author is old enough to know better- this is not how babies are made.
Aside from that part that I know isn't essential to the story, but just bothers me ALOT, the story just felt kind of schmaltzy and capitalizing on the last thousand or so "old man befriends other people and finds out there's still more to life at the end" sort of stories that have come out in the last few years. For a book group with seniors, though, I highly recommend- they loved it.
toystory242's review
3.0
*3.5 stars*
Okay this is certainly not the best book I’ve ever read—the pacing could often be off and it’s definitely not something I usually pick up, but this book is so quick to read and honestly like SO heartwarming???! My grandmother got this for me and this is just like the perfect book for a grandparent to get a grandchild is just has a lot of GOOD VIBES OKAY. I read this super quickly and was very charmed by it, even if the story isn’t groundbreaking.
Basically, this was like a watered-down version of Up but in the best way.
Okay this is certainly not the best book I’ve ever read—the pacing could often be off and it’s definitely not something I usually pick up, but this book is so quick to read and honestly like SO heartwarming???! My grandmother got this for me and this is just like the perfect book for a grandparent to get a grandchild is just has a lot of GOOD VIBES OKAY. I read this super quickly and was very charmed by it, even if the story isn’t groundbreaking.
Basically, this was like a watered-down version of Up but in the best way.
jesstele's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
ms_aprilvincent's review
3.0
This is a short, sweet, feelgood story of three lost people finding each other and making their own family.
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I could feel my emotions being manipulated as I read it, but I didn't mind. Sometimes you need something that takes you out of all the trash the world loves to pile on.
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I thought some of the backstory could have been better explored, and one particular plot line seems improbable at best, but I guess suspension of disbelief can account for a lot.
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Overall, a pretty good temporary escape from negativity, but not especially groundbreaking or memorable.
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I received this book as a digital arc from netgalley.
boleary30's review
5.0
A very touching book about the end of life and the beginning of life and the joys and sorrows of everything in between.