Scan barcode
A review by readingspells
Before My Actual Heart Breaks by Tish Delaney
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
- 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
3.5
There is a lot to like about this book. Some amainzingly rich and vivid characters. I could easily picture all of them and the place and the times it was set in. The Troubles were a powerful backdrop to this story alongside the power of the Catholic church and a patrichial society.
I loved Mary Rattigan. I wanted to rescue her, first from her vicious Mother and then from all that came next. However at times I also found her really frustating and I felt like at times she stopped evolving as a character and this is where things got tricky for me.
I totally get that some people find communication almost impossible but I am not sure it makes for a great story. Up to a point, for sure, but for me, it went on too long in this book and I found myself getting inccreasingly annoyed throughout the last 50 - 75 pages. By the end of it I had become so annoyed with Mary and John that I was no longer really rooting for them, I just wanted it to be over and I will admit I finished this book with a frustrated sigh.
However, the miscommunication, or unable to communicate, trope is one that I often struggle with and know for many people this book works and up to a point it totally did for m. I just found the ending unsatisfying and the last 50 or so pages a bit of a slog to get to that point.
I loved Mary Rattigan. I wanted to rescue her, first from her vicious Mother and then from all that came next. However at times I also found her really frustating and I felt like at times she stopped evolving as a character and this is where things got tricky for me.
I totally get that some people find communication almost impossible but I am not sure it makes for a great story. Up to a point, for sure, but for me, it went on too long in this book and I found myself getting inccreasingly annoyed throughout the last 50 - 75 pages. By the end of it I had become so annoyed with Mary and John that I was no longer really rooting for them, I just wanted it to be over and I will admit I finished this book with a frustrated sigh.
However, the miscommunication, or unable to communicate, trope is one that I often struggle with and know for many people this book works and up to a point it totally did for m. I just found the ending unsatisfying and the last 50 or so pages a bit of a slog to get to that point.