Kind of a generous extra star, because this is pretty bad. I usually find it very tiresome when a character is overly hung up on an ex, and this charaKind of a generous extra star, because this is pretty bad. I usually find it very tiresome when a character is overly hung up on an ex, and this character spends the whole book comparing her husband to an old boyfriend, which is not really an even playing field. It also suffers from the format of her addressing this whole thing to her ex, because no way would he really be interested in all this detail, and it's a clumsy device when she's telling him about interactions that they had together. Once we get to the reveal at the end it makes even less sense, then finally she writes a letter to a different character that cements her as a completely awful person. Two stars because it's not offensive on any level but there was nothing good about it. ...more
A real heartbreaker. I felt so bad for everyone here, especially the mom and the youngest boy. Poor little Asa! I hope he's doing okay now. A real heartbreaker. I felt so bad for everyone here, especially the mom and the youngest boy. Poor little Asa! I hope he's doing okay now. ...more
I don't know how much this will stick with me, but I really enjoyed it. Really unusual characters and emotional storyline. Could have been a little shI don't know how much this will stick with me, but I really enjoyed it. Really unusual characters and emotional storyline. Could have been a little shorter but I'd love to read another from him. ...more
Oh god I'm not sure I can even express how much I hated this. This book should just be called, "Mommy's feelings don't matter." Nothing is more importOh god I'm not sure I can even express how much I hated this. This book should just be called, "Mommy's feelings don't matter." Nothing is more important than being a mommy! Mommy holds everyone else together, happily! Don't worry about her, no sacrifice too great for mommy! Some silly women might mistakenly think they don't want to be mommies, but they are just scared of course, and when they get a little surprise, they don't even *think* about abortion. Silly me, I must have made up a word that doesn't exist! In fact, mommy will even die on Good Friday, just in case you like your symbolism heavyhanded. And if all that isn't infuriating enough, mommy's favorite movie is Revenge of the Nerds, you know, the one where you get back at a bully by raping his girlfriend? Hilarious. ...more
This took a little while to get into but then I couldn't put it down. I *loved* Polly, one of my favorite characters lately. Really enjoyed this book.This took a little while to get into but then I couldn't put it down. I *loved* Polly, one of my favorite characters lately. Really enjoyed this book. ...more
Great character, great story. This is well done in the sense that it's a message book but still really compelling plot. Sadly, anyone who actually doeGreat character, great story. This is well done in the sense that it's a message book but still really compelling plot. Sadly, anyone who actually doesn't believe that black lives matter (!!) would never read this. ...more
This could have been ok if it were about half as long. There is really not much happening beyond an unlikable upper middle class white lady's angst abThis could have been ok if it were about half as long. There is really not much happening beyond an unlikable upper middle class white lady's angst about race, class, and privilege. That does not need 300+ pages, no sir, it does not. ...more
I like the structure of this, and I wanted to see how it turned out, but there was a lot I didn't like about it. I am kind of repelled by Hawley, who I like the structure of this, and I wanted to see how it turned out, but there was a lot I didn't like about it. I am kind of repelled by Hawley, who lost his wife very young, and builds a shrine to her and never looks at another woman again for the rest of his life. That's a trope that always bugs me and comes across very Madonna/whore. Of course he dedicates himself to being a "protective" father to his daughter; their relationship is basically one of those "stay away, boys, daddy's got a shotgun" t-shirts come to life. There was a lot of decent plot outside of that, but the father/daughter stuff was meant to be the heart of the book and it was my least favorites aspect of it. Mixed bag here. ...more
Plenty of things happen in this book, and it's pretty short. Somehow, it still manages to be incredibly boring. It's almost impressive in a way. Plenty of things happen in this book, and it's pretty short. Somehow, it still manages to be incredibly boring. It's almost impressive in a way. ...more
Rounding up. This is pretty good, but it is not going to stick with me in the long run. I thought the bits in the present day were much more interestiRounding up. This is pretty good, but it is not going to stick with me in the long run. I thought the bits in the present day were much more interesting than the past parts; unfortunately the past was by far the bulk of it. Interesting debut, I'm not sure about the hype here but I'll be curious about her next one. ...more
This is a perfect novel, exactly what I look for in a multi-generational family saga. Awesome characters, funny, sad, insightful, loved everything aboThis is a perfect novel, exactly what I look for in a multi-generational family saga. Awesome characters, funny, sad, insightful, loved everything about it. ...more
Wow, I am surprised how much I disliked this. Overwritten and sappy, Sophie's actions did not ring true, and the ending felt rushed and untrue. ReallyWow, I am surprised how much I disliked this. Overwritten and sappy, Sophie's actions did not ring true, and the ending felt rushed and untrue. Really disappointed. ...more
3 1/2. I love Lisa Jewell, but this got a little too soap opera for me as it went on. I did really really love Alice though. Awesome character, I love3 1/2. I love Lisa Jewell, but this got a little too soap opera for me as it went on. I did really really love Alice though. Awesome character, I loved how she'd made a lot of huge mistakes in her life but still trusted her instincts, it was very endearing. Not her best but I'll remember this one and always keep reading her. ...more