amilabell's review against another edition
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
miriamberger's review against another edition
3.0
I love this author but this book was not as good as her other books which I have loved. The characters and story fell flat for me and Elisabeth was so unlikeable. Started out great about the struggles for working women, wives, and then it just didn’t work. Barely a 3. More like 2.75. I was so looking forward to a new book by the author.
elliemcc11's review
3.0
Thanks to Netgalley & publishers for a review copy.
Having read other books by the author, I was keen to read her next novel. Unfortunately, whilst I liked this book however I wasn't blown away by it.
The story centered around two females, both at different times in their life. Sam, a university/college student, and Elisabeth who had recently moved from Brooklyn to a small town university. Sam met Elisabeth when she went to work as a babysitter for Elisabeth's young son.
We follow their lives as they interconnect and become close friends, perhaps even crossing the boundary of employee/employer friendships. Sam has a relationship with an older ("creepy") man and Elisabeth offers advice - (I loved the fact he was British; some of the comments and descriptions made me smile - have to say I've not met a Clive who is in his early 30s but maybe I'm just not posh enough - ha ha!). Elisabeth had her son via IVF and has struggled with life in a new town, without the support network she's used to and is also experiencing her own family struggles. The story revolves around their intertwined worlds, however there is also an underlying story of corporate greed. I get that it gave a focus and explanation for certain behaviours but I'm just not sure it quite worked for me.
Overall I was engaged throughout the storyline, it was well written and the characters were well developed, however I found the ending a bit disappointing and a little sudden. Some matters were addressed in the epilogue but it left me with quite a few questions.
Having read other books by the author, I was keen to read her next novel. Unfortunately, whilst I liked this book however I wasn't blown away by it.
The story centered around two females, both at different times in their life. Sam, a university/college student, and Elisabeth who had recently moved from Brooklyn to a small town university. Sam met Elisabeth when she went to work as a babysitter for Elisabeth's young son.
We follow their lives as they interconnect and become close friends, perhaps even crossing the boundary of employee/employer friendships. Sam has a relationship with an older ("creepy") man and Elisabeth offers advice - (I loved the fact he was British; some of the comments and descriptions made me smile - have to say I've not met a Clive who is in his early 30s but maybe I'm just not posh enough - ha ha!). Elisabeth had her son via IVF and has struggled with life in a new town, without the support network she's used to and is also experiencing her own family struggles. The story revolves around their intertwined worlds, however there is also an underlying story of corporate greed. I get that it gave a focus and explanation for certain behaviours but I'm just not sure it quite worked for me.
Overall I was engaged throughout the storyline, it was well written and the characters were well developed, however I found the ending a bit disappointing and a little sudden. Some matters were addressed in the epilogue but it left me with quite a few questions.
hannahcfarley's review against another edition
3.0
I greatly enjoyed reading Friends and Strangers as it laid out the most ordinary of circumstances but revealed a much deeper inner-working of characters and events. There are several characters that relate to almost every kind of person I know, and I happen to be one of them. Having this relation to the main character kept me intrigued and drew me in deeper to the book. With all the other characters, I enjoyed reading about how each person has deeper struggles than what we see on the surface.
J. Courtney Sullivan does a great job of accurately writing about each character, not allowing any of them to be unrealistically "perfect" and unafflicted. She creates a realistic world that allows all kinds of people to relate to and see what others may be going through.
This book was entertaining and mature in a way that keeps the reader attentive.
J. Courtney Sullivan does a great job of accurately writing about each character, not allowing any of them to be unrealistically "perfect" and unafflicted. She creates a realistic world that allows all kinds of people to relate to and see what others may be going through.
This book was entertaining and mature in a way that keeps the reader attentive.
jcarsrud's review
3.0
I enjoyed the story, but didn’t love any of the characters, so it took me for-ev-er to finish! Sam was pretty awesome and the father in law, but the rest were just so so.
baruss666's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
jenna0010's review
lighthearted
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? No
2.75
The story of two women whose lives intertwine. A story of coming of age and setting boundaries.
koberoi's review
emotional
reflective
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
4.0
lilyanaibanez's review
5.0
I loved this book so much and tore through it. I am not sure where I first heard about it but I checked it out from the library in December of 2022 and read it in like 2 night shifts. As someone who grew up with the influence of lots of amazing babysitters and has babysat for many families in college, I loved the storytelling of womanhood, mentorship, boundaries, and ultimately what it means to love. I honestly didn't expect a lot from this book but it ended up being one of my favorite fictions from 2022.
kakovac's review
2.0
Not worth it for the length, as nothing innovative was being made. One of the two protagonists was extremely unlikable, which may sway my review more than most.