A review by nhi_nguyen
The Loose Ends List by Carrie Firestone

3.0

I'm just so...disappointed. I hate to feel this way about book but it's my honest opinion. I was hoping to get a deep and moving story. This...was so not it. I really like the concept of the book. Which was why I picked it up in the first place. But...

There were several things I didn't like about this book. The first was the beginning. We start off right away and the pacing felt off to me. Everything was going by so fast. Not only that, I got introduced to so many characters. I'm not good with names in real life and in books so it was a struggle to figure out who's who because I was introduced to them way too quickly. It was overwhelming, honestly. The characters aren't that well-developed but, fortunately, that changed the more I got into the story. There was a lot of dialogue and explanations of stuff that was happening. But it felt like I was reading a textbook. I didn't feel anything for the MC because I wasn't able to read about her that much. I hope this makes sense. A lot of characters are pretty judgemental and it got annoying very quickly. I really hate talking bad about the book but I want to share my opinion.

The whole book was about tying up "loose ends", judging from the synopsis and the title of the book. But there were rarely mentions of tying up "loose ends". One was at the beginning and one near the very end. I don't know if I'm emotionless or what but I didn't feel anything when some of the passengers

Spoiler

got put to sleep. Which I found as an interesting way to die. I mean this in the nicest way possible but it sounds like putting pets to sleep. I know my dog was put to sleep (rip Tia) and I couldn't help but compare it to that. But it's a painless and peaceful way to leave the world. I've never known anyone who died like that.

It seemed like it took me forever to read this book, even though it was only two days. Since it read so much like a textbook, I felt like I was dragging through it. I almost DNF it, but I was so invested and I really wanted to know the ending so I finished the book. The ending was sweet, but not the best ending I've read to a sentimental book.

There's some stuff I have to warn you about. There are multiple references to crude and inappropriate stuff. So if you're sensitive to things like that or don't want to read about that stuff, I suggest not picking up this book.

While there were quite a few things I did not enjoy about this book, there were a few things I did like. It made me not give this book a two-star. The first was the romance. I found it was cute and honestly, the best written part of the story. Gram was definitely my favorite character. She was funny and a crazy grandmother who we all want.

Spoiler

When Gram died, I did feel for Maddie...so I'm not that emotionless afterall.

I also like the family and friendship aspect of the book. It wasn't well-done but it made the book a little bit more enjoyable.

Maybe it was because I read a book about pancreatic cancer (ironically) before I read this one. But I didn't feel any emotions I would normally feel when I read sad books. Maybe I wasted my money by getting it but the cover is gorgeous so I might keep it for that reason only.

I wanted to love it...but sadly, I was disappointed.