This is based on a true story, what actual history there is, was included, the rest was very natural and believable…sign of a good author. For one minThis is based on a true story, what actual history there is, was included, the rest was very natural and believable…sign of a good author. For one minute I thought the time on the island was going to get too long and boring, but it didn’t. I liked it, but I’m not shouting this from the roof tops....more
25% in and I called it. This is full of all my least favorite things, namely teenagers being extremely dramatic. I probably could have muscled through25% in and I called it. This is full of all my least favorite things, namely teenagers being extremely dramatic. I probably could have muscled through if it was just their story…maybe. But the way it was told, jumping between the story unfolding in real time and then ahead to the big juicy exposé interviewing all the people…I would not have watched that show, I don’t need to listen to hours of it in my ear....more
If I had read this 15 years ago when it was written it would have been 5 stars for sure, but it was still interesting and helpful. I would say this woIf I had read this 15 years ago when it was written it would have been 5 stars for sure, but it was still interesting and helpful. I would say this would be super helpful for those in the dating world. 3.5 stars...more
4.5 stars for importance and impact. Knowledge is power and regardless of your own status with having or not having children I believe every single pe4.5 stars for importance and impact. Knowledge is power and regardless of your own status with having or not having children I believe every single person should read this....more
The Girl is a female version of all the coolest characters you know…a little Sherlock, Jason Bourne, Ethan Hunt, etc etc. So it was fun to have the taThe Girl is a female version of all the coolest characters you know…a little Sherlock, Jason Bourne, Ethan Hunt, etc etc. So it was fun to have the table turned that way a bit. The writing was great, the mystery clipped along and had a great ending. BUT I will not read the next ones due to the heavy subject matters he likes to incorporate, namely sexual abuse against women. It was not necessarily graphic (just talking about the murders and what happened, not as they happened) but it was more than I preferred and then there were a few scenes described as they were happening. Lots of people love this book and they’re not wrong I’m just very much turning into a ...more
**spoiler alert** So I got pulled in to this “click bait” type of book, which is kind of annoying because it’s just playing your emotions the whole ti**spoiler alert** So I got pulled in to this “click bait” type of book, which is kind of annoying because it’s just playing your emotions the whole time. It is a dramatic, traumatic frustrating series of events based on miscommunications, immaturity, pride and taking the easy way out, that results in missed opportunities, broken hearts, lies and altered lives…it’s like one big regret-fest. And then Gabriel, could he be more perfect? But what about Frank could heeeee be even more perfect?? And Tessa, a cliche of epic proportions of the snooty, entitled, emotionally broken mother that just has to come with a twist of her knife. But wait, never fear here comes Frank in all his farmer glory to save the day…and the book. (Please read with a fair dose of sarcasm)
Ugh. I don’t know…it sounds like I hated it, but I didn’t, which is what’s bugging me. It kept me coming back and one of my reading rules is that if it evokes this much feeling it must be good, she did touch all the softest emotional spots—which is cheating, imho. And I did mildly guess both reveals. People are going to eat this up and I don’t blame them, because in the end it all comes full circle with redemption and healing, with the good guy winning, leaving everyone with a tear in their eye…in spite of and actually because of the literary manipulation this is. ...more
I mean it’s great—how do you dislike this? The time capsule element of it made me chuckle and she is “cheesy” but such good lessons and reminders—all I mean it’s great—how do you dislike this? The time capsule element of it made me chuckle and she is “cheesy” but such good lessons and reminders—all you need is love. Actually every GenZ’er should read it and realize that they aren’t the first generation to think the world was going to hell in a handbasket. ...more
I’m glad Shari wrote this—I think it will be very healing and ironically lucrative. I just don’t know if I’m glad I read it. At the end I just felt liI’m glad Shari wrote this—I think it will be very healing and ironically lucrative. I just don’t know if I’m glad I read it. At the end I just felt like I listened to the longest juiciest bit of gossip… 2.5ish stars rounded up. ...more
3.5 stars. Understanding how life events, whether they be traumatic or not, affect your brain and development which then in turn directly affects your3.5 stars. Understanding how life events, whether they be traumatic or not, affect your brain and development which then in turn directly affects your behavior and how you react to certain situations and “triggers” was very interesting. My problem was that the examples and stories being shared were pretty extreme cases of abuse and trauma so it was hard to make practical applications that would help me understand the people in my life…I understand that I’m very blessed to have that problem. I started enjoying it more and I was at about 65% when…poof…back to the library it went. Too bad, but not so bad that I will request to finish it. Oh well. ...more
This was surprisingly addicting—I couldn’t stop listening. I started it, thinking it was YA, but it’s not, it’s just adult without being R rated, whicThis was surprisingly addicting—I couldn’t stop listening. I started it, thinking it was YA, but it’s not, it’s just adult without being R rated, which is super nice actually. Just the right amount of fantasy for me—real world, back in the early to mid-1800’s, if I was to guess, some believe in sorcery/magic and some don’t. The characters were fun, not annoying, not super developed, but that wasn’t the point. I liked it and the narrator was awesome....more
Oh wow. Ok this is intense and profound—so many thoughts and feelings. The first half is definitely “harder” it’s very gritty as you get the story of Oh wow. Ok this is intense and profound—so many thoughts and feelings. The first half is definitely “harder” it’s very gritty as you get the story of what is going on. Luckily DK was not explicit in her description of any crimes, but there’s no need for that—they are tragic enough without the gory details.
The second half you get the psychology and back story of all the characters. DK brings them to life—the good the bad and the ugly. And of course as you get to know and understand them your compassion grows even as it’s contradictory or in opposition to the compassion you feel for another character. The juxtaposition is so well done—beautiful actually.
There is so much to consider…choices, regrets, moving forward in pain, circumstances—luck & blessings, nature & nurture, forgiveness, kindness and love—women and everything that comes with being a woman…like I said there’s a lot.
On top of all that it is so well written and the narrator is fantastic. 4.5 stars, but I could not read something like this every day. Phew, I’m spent....more
God bless America! This was fun. Each chapter introduces a new member of the “Briar club” and I liked them all! I cannot believe the performance by thGod bless America! This was fun. Each chapter introduces a new member of the “Briar club” and I liked them all! I cannot believe the performance by the narrator—the voices and accents…wow, she is amazing! Anyway—I’m never really trying to figure out twists, just enjoying the ride and this one was fun…and I was surprised at the end, so win win! ...more
I loved this. I have read sooo many WWII books and I do love them, but at this point I am very picky of which ones I will read—I’m so glad I read thisI loved this. I have read sooo many WWII books and I do love them, but at this point I am very picky of which ones I will read—I’m so glad I read this one. As we follow Leah on her journey you meet lots of characters, I did not have a hard time keeping them separate, but I was also not doing a million things while I listened…in fact I would sit in my car a listen as long as possible before I had to get back to life. But I loved how these characters and their stories intertwined and touched each other in natural, yet guided ways. There is some folk lore and magical realism (two of my absolute favorite things to find in books) so let go a little of the concrete, but not enough to the fantasy level, imho. I loved Ava and her perspective and love for this beautiful, cruel world and the people that fill it up. Opposition in all things, right? Would we, could we cherish beauty and peace and love if we never knew ugly, chaos and hate? 4.5 stars...more
I literally lol’d—this guy is funny to me, but this is not a funny story, but it’s a hilarious book…but also very touching and heart wrenching! Bits aI literally lol’d—this guy is funny to me, but this is not a funny story, but it’s a hilarious book…but also very touching and heart wrenching! Bits and pieces of everyone’s heart strewn about, but somehow he keeps you laughing. Which is his greatest strength and weakness. I loved his honesty, rawness, his awakenings, transparency and learned self awareness—I would have been terrified to publish this, but so glad he (and Lauren) did. Their, and especially her, confidence and courage in doing so is admirable and I hope even more healing. I couldn’t stop listening. Author narrator is fantastic. 4.5 stars....more
Not much to say other than it was good and I enjoyed it. Also it’s a great way to learn a little bit about Tehran’s history and how it got to where itNot much to say other than it was good and I enjoyed it. Also it’s a great way to learn a little bit about Tehran’s history and how it got to where it is today….if you would like more about the Middle East I have some recommendations ...more
I am rating this series as a whole—there is no option not to not read both. The second literally starts with the next breath where the first ended. FuI am rating this series as a whole—there is no option not to not read both. The second literally starts with the next breath where the first ended. Fun to listen, great narrator. No literary masterpiece here, but the story was compelling and creative, the characters were charming and charismatic, if somewhat cliche…I’m way more of an Elm kinda gal rather than a Raven. But it for sure had me coming back to hear more…I would recommend.
My problem is that, in reality, this book would have great appeal as a YA—the love interests and banter between the sexes is perfect, but I don’t think authors want a YA book so many, like Gillig did here, add in spice (this series had only 2 spicy season, but they were pretty spicy, I cannot hand this to my 15 yo) and language. The language here was not excessive, but there is the awkward errant f-word, that feels very much like a jr high kid testing out how to sound grown up.
I hated this book. From start to finish. And I only did finish it because I wanted to be able to give it one star and be justified. Usually if it’s a I hated this book. From start to finish. And I only did finish it because I wanted to be able to give it one star and be justified. Usually if it’s a bad story but well written I will still find enjoyment in the writing and although I can tell JW could be a good writer I hated his flat, sterile style.
I do not like the Lost Generation…I don’t like WWI, Hemingway, Fitzgerald, I hate the dust bowl, prohibition, the only good thing from that time is Oh Brother, where art thou? and the mobsters!
This was the most depressing, unfulfilled, empty, apathetic, emotionally detached, misdirected, aimless, pointless, humorless set of human beings that had the misfortune of existing in each other’s lives. Hard pass!...more