A review by sierablane
Eight Hundred Grapes by Laura Dave

medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.25

I don’t ever read reviews before I start a book (I usually check them out halfway through or if I keep thinking/seeing something and wonder if anyone else has, too), but man do I wish I had even just peaked at the reviews before this read. To be fair, I think I would’ve loved this book a couple of years ago but today? Everything felt so flat. The characters, the plot, the problems - I mean how many times can one person rinse and repeat a missed connections type thing? I didn’t really like any of the characters, but I am a sucker for a happy ending. Though I find it funny that the author chose to ignore how the Ford family’s happy ending was at the cost of like 3-5 other people’s chance at what they thought would be happiness… I guess that falls in line with the fact that it seems the entire family just will not consider how their actions are or will be affecting those around them