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kncunnin's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
shellocopter's review against another edition
4.0
I really with goodreads allowed a 0.5 scale, I would give it a 3.5. Alice has been very hit or miss for me, and I think it is because she writes about sad topics but not the over the top sad. Her down to earth topics sometimes do not fully pull me in, but other times feel so relatable and fulfilling of a read. This one bordered the line for me, but I think is an excellent book to explore the different ways that grief impacts the human soul.
knit_and_purl's review against another edition
3.0
After a car accident that leaves her best friend comatose, Shelby has a nervous breakdown and needs to learn to live again. An emotional, occasionally sad story about a girl who slowly learns that she can't continue to punish herself for something that really wasn't her fault. Throughout her journey, she receives anonymous postcards from someone who tells her not to be afraid to live.
Although I enjoyed it overall, I found Hoffman's writing style a bit choppy and the pacing odd. We skip across months, sometimes years, without really knowing what happened during those times, so I had a bit of trouble figuring out exactly how old Shelby was by the end of the story. A minor detail, but it helps me identify with the characters.
Although I enjoyed it overall, I found Hoffman's writing style a bit choppy and the pacing odd. We skip across months, sometimes years, without really knowing what happened during those times, so I had a bit of trouble figuring out exactly how old Shelby was by the end of the story. A minor detail, but it helps me identify with the characters.
sp3cia1j's review against another edition
4.0
I received an advanced copy of this book courtesy of NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
Once I started reading this book, I tore through it in just two days. It sucks you in immediately, and the writing is simple, but just hypnotizing enough to keep you turning the (virtual) pages.
Although this story is about many things, the story that resonated with me the most is the relationship between Shelby and her mother. It brought me to tears many times, and although Sue might not have been the most well developed character, I didn't even care.
I did really love this book and would recommend it to anyone, but I do have a small qualm about Shelby. Contrary to what the beginning of the book would lead you to believe, she was a little too pure and genuine and "perfect" for much of the book. I was expecting her to do more things wrong or for her past to haunt her more. But again, small qualm.
Once I started reading this book, I tore through it in just two days. It sucks you in immediately, and the writing is simple, but just hypnotizing enough to keep you turning the (virtual) pages.
Although this story is about many things, the story that resonated with me the most is the relationship between Shelby and her mother. It brought me to tears many times, and although Sue might not have been the most well developed character, I didn't even care.
I did really love this book and would recommend it to anyone, but I do have a small qualm about Shelby. Contrary to what the beginning of the book would lead you to believe, she was a little too pure and genuine and "perfect" for much of the book. I was expecting her to do more things wrong or for her past to haunt her more. But again, small qualm.
kelseyrictor's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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
4.25
daggersanddragons's review against another edition
4.0
One winter's night Shelby is driving with Helene, her best friend, and suddenly loses control of the car causing them to have an accident of which only one of them walked away. Suffering from survivors guilt Shelby turns within and closes herself off to everyone and everything. She smokes weed to stop her hand tremors brought on by anxiety but also to escape reality which has now become a nightmare for her. She can't deal with the fact that her best friend is in a coma whilst she walked away with nothing more than a hairline fracture.
Shelby is but a mere shell of who she used to be, she hardly even recognizes herself. She punished herself by cutting off all her hair and not caring about her appearance at all. Feeling like she didn't deserve anything good in the world. For why should she enjoy life when her best friend couldn't even breathe on her own?!
Soon after the accident her Guardian Angel sent her postcards with suggestions for her life. Shelby grew attached to these postcards and the anonymous person who sent them feeling as though they were the only one to understand her and see her when she was all but invisible to everyone else.
Eventually after moving away from home, new beau in tow, and wandering around aimlessly feeling like she was a nobody who deserved nothing, she found a job at a pet store. She rescued two dogs from a homeless boy and rescued another who was ferociously abused. As time went on, little by little, she did heal. She made a friend at the pet store, Maravelle, who became her best friend. She went to school and graduated and is going to become a veterinarian. Last but not least she met the anonymous person who sent her all those postcards and after hearing his grief story, understood why she felt so seen by him. They naturally became a couple because obviously they were meant to be.
In the end she got her closure after not seeing Helene for 10yrs when she got the courage to visit her in her childhood home. Shelby finally forgave herself after all this time for something that was never her fault.
Shelby is but a mere shell of who she used to be, she hardly even recognizes herself. She punished herself by cutting off all her hair and not caring about her appearance at all. Feeling like she didn't deserve anything good in the world. For why should she enjoy life when her best friend couldn't even breathe on her own?!
Soon after the accident her Guardian Angel sent her postcards with suggestions for her life. Shelby grew attached to these postcards and the anonymous person who sent them feeling as though they were the only one to understand her and see her when she was all but invisible to everyone else.
Eventually after moving away from home, new beau in tow, and wandering around aimlessly feeling like she was a nobody who deserved nothing, she found a job at a pet store. She rescued two dogs from a homeless boy and rescued another who was ferociously abused. As time went on, little by little, she did heal. She made a friend at the pet store, Maravelle, who became her best friend. She went to school and graduated and is going to become a veterinarian. Last but not least she met the anonymous person who sent her all those postcards and after hearing his grief story, understood why she felt so seen by him. They naturally became a couple because obviously they were meant to be.
In the end she got her closure after not seeing Helene for 10yrs when she got the courage to visit her in her childhood home. Shelby finally forgave herself after all this time for something that was never her fault.
irishlassofcork's review against another edition
4.0
I received this as an ARC through Netgalley. I first read an Alice Hoffman book 15 years ago when I found Practical Magic on a display at my local library and fell in love with the book. In this book, we have Shelby, a former popular pretty girl turned into a broken shell after a horrific car accident. I, first of all, found this to be very different from other Alice Hoffman books I’ve read. While there are some dark elements in other works, I feel like this hit more psychologically than I was expecting. It was hard for me as a reader to get through all the pain and confusion, but I think that just shows the masterfulness of how Shelby’s emotions and situation were written. If it were easy to read, the emotions wouldn’t have seemed as true. The little tip of fantasy through an ‘angel’ was a nice touch and I did find the turn of who this ‘angel’ was sort of ironic. I really enjoyed watching Shelby come out of the darkness though and that it was realistic as it came piece by piece and not magically all at once. She was a very human, relatable character. Overall, I believe this was very well done and I look forward to reading more by the author in the future.
bink_64's review against another edition
4.0
Shelby and Helene are high school seniors when an accident alters their lives forever. Shelby lives with guilt and has a mental breakdown. This book starts out very dark, with scenes of suicide attempts, drug use, rape and I really, really wanted to put it down and walk away. However, it was somewhat like a wreck drawing me in and I really wanted to find out what happens with Shelby. Could she overcome all of the trauma and obstacles in her life to become a whole, healthy person again. There are bright spots in the book but there is so much sadness and dysfunctional family drama that it weighs heavy on you.
cherryghost15's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book, but it might not be for everybody.
The omniscient narrator worked well.
This story is a flowing tale of trauma and loss, pain and growth, friendship and love, uncertainty and faith.
The angel aspect actually was wonderfully intriguing.
Do something
Be something
Free something
Save something
Leave something
Love something
Remember someone
Trust someone.
The omniscient narrator worked well.
This story is a flowing tale of trauma and loss, pain and growth, friendship and love, uncertainty and faith.
The angel aspect actually was wonderfully intriguing.
Do something
Be something
Free something
Save something
Leave something
Love something
Remember someone
Trust someone.