fishpantspeacock's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
jasmineflower1's review
3.0
**This was gifted to me in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinion are my own**
I've never read anything by Corie before and I was definitely intrigued by her writing and the way these short stories were written.
I also don't really read short stories very often but when I do, I've always enjoyed them. I'm still a little on the fence about how I truly feel about this book. I do like her writing style; it's easy to read and each story flowed but I just couldn't really relate to any of the characters!
I had a hard time figuring out who the story was about in relation to each story because there are overlap of characters. It also jumped around in time a fair bit so that also made it a bit harder to relate to. I didn't really like the "main" character (the one who showed up the most in the stories) and I found some of the content a bit cringe, but also somewhat relatable because I'm sure most women have been in a moment where we're like "That could have ended way worse than it did".
Overall, none of the individual stories really stuck with me or made me want to learn more about them.
I would definitely be open to trying out Corie Adjmi's other works, and while I finished it, I don't know if it was entirely a win for me.
I've never read anything by Corie before and I was definitely intrigued by her writing and the way these short stories were written.
I also don't really read short stories very often but when I do, I've always enjoyed them. I'm still a little on the fence about how I truly feel about this book. I do like her writing style; it's easy to read and each story flowed but I just couldn't really relate to any of the characters!
I had a hard time figuring out who the story was about in relation to each story because there are overlap of characters. It also jumped around in time a fair bit so that also made it a bit harder to relate to. I didn't really like the "main" character (the one who showed up the most in the stories) and I found some of the content a bit cringe, but also somewhat relatable because I'm sure most women have been in a moment where we're like "That could have ended way worse than it did".
Overall, none of the individual stories really stuck with me or made me want to learn more about them.
I would definitely be open to trying out Corie Adjmi's other works, and while I finished it, I don't know if it was entirely a win for me.
morganschmidt232's review
4.0
This was a sweet book. 12 short stories about women. it delivered just that, a looking glass into 12 strangers lives. it was short and sweet. a great refresher from the cheesy smut I was reading. I do recommend this book to friends if you want to open your eyes a bit and get out of lala bookland.
cartermon4's review
challenging
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
blu_6420's review
3.0
I enjoy reading short stories.
The book does have a sort of melancholy feel to it, with all the women having somewhat undesirable lives, something bringing them down while somehow all of them always try to look through to the end and see something.
There were some times I felt connected to the narrator (first person book). But sometimes I was just almost annoyed, internally tiny shouting STOPPPPP, GET AWAAYYY, COMMUNICATE YOUR NEEDS, FUFILL YOUR DESIRES, instead of just moving along, and sometimes I think that happens in real life too. Have you felt that you could have said something? Maybe said something differently? Taken the chance you didn't take? I don't know. The book itself read quickly but would I reread? Probably not.
2.5 stars
The book does have a sort of melancholy feel to it, with all the women having somewhat undesirable lives, something bringing them down while somehow all of them always try to look through to the end and see something.
There were some times I felt connected to the narrator (first person book). But sometimes I was just almost annoyed, internally tiny shouting STOPPPPP, GET AWAAYYY, COMMUNICATE YOUR NEEDS, FUFILL YOUR DESIRES, instead of just moving along, and sometimes I think that happens in real life too. Have you felt that you could have said something? Maybe said something differently? Taken the chance you didn't take? I don't know. The book itself read quickly but would I reread? Probably not.
2.5 stars
stwo3389's review
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
bitofabookworm's review
4.0
A selection of short stories that are all loosely interwoven - more specifically this book is a series of snapshots of life, particularly focusing on the main female in various relationships; the role they play and how they are treated/ whether they are happy or respected within their home life and how that lives out in real terms.
The writing is brilliant, and the author is very good at characterisation. I actually felt like some of these stories could have been stretched out further, or given a deeper connection with each other to make stand alone stories of their ow - I have certainly been left wondering about a couple of the women/ families.
Brilliant short book, great if you're looking to get out of a reading slump.
Thanks to NetGalley for sending me this copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
The writing is brilliant, and the author is very good at characterisation. I actually felt like some of these stories could have been stretched out further, or given a deeper connection with each other to make stand alone stories of their ow - I have certainly been left wondering about a couple of the women/ families.
Brilliant short book, great if you're looking to get out of a reading slump.
Thanks to NetGalley for sending me this copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
heidirgreen's review
3.0
Not a bad collection, but one that would benefit from a really brutal edit. The stories definitely link, but not enough to keep a solid thread going throughout. At times I didn’t understand the point of certain stories - slice of life is fine, but the overall collection lacked depth so I was left feeling a bit ‘meh’. I liked the author’s writing though so will keep an eye out for future works.
Thank you to NetGalley and She Writes Press for giving me the opportunity to read and honestly review this title.
Thank you to NetGalley and She Writes Press for giving me the opportunity to read and honestly review this title.