I'm struggling with how to rate this book. On the one hand, I loved the concept of this book, as well as the themes. And I really enjoy Poston's proseI'm struggling with how to rate this book. On the one hand, I loved the concept of this book, as well as the themes. And I really enjoy Poston's prose. On the other, I got annoyed with the FMC. And I thought the story was a bit too predictable. Had I not already figured it out, the reference to Meet Joe Black completely gave it away. So 3 stars....more
Mixed feelings about this book. I agree with several other reviews that this would be better as a play or a Netflix series. As a book . . . well, I'llMixed feelings about this book. I agree with several other reviews that this would be better as a play or a Netflix series. As a book . . . well, I'll just say I think maybe something has been lost a bit in translation. I think that if I could read it in Japanese, instead of this translation, it would be better. Having lived in Japan, a Japanese to English translation is tough. And the English translation, well, I thought it felt simplistic and overexplained. Weirdly specific details are highlighted and nearly everything the characters feel is said or thought. But I like the concept....more
I was reading a different book but this one kept interrupting me. The red door on the cover just too tempting to keep ignoring. I had been ignoring thI was reading a different book but this one kept interrupting me. The red door on the cover just too tempting to keep ignoring. I had been ignoring this book because I didn't care for her YA book The Girl the Sea Gave Back. But the red door kept calling to me. (Don't you hate it when books get fussy and demanding that you read them?) And so I finally put down the other book and picked this one up just to shush it. I thought I’d read a couple of chapters then go back to my other book.
That was a few hours ago and now I’ve finished this one and wondering what the heck just happened.
I will admit that despite my dislike of the other book of hers that I read, Ms. Young certainly made up for it in this one. Maybe the difference is that one was set in an entirely fiction fantasy place and this one, while Jasper, NC doesn't exist, (at least not where it is in this book. There actually is a Jasper, NC over on the eastern side of the state near Morehead City, about 5.5 hours east of Asheville, whereas this Jasper is supposed to be north of Asheville, nearish the TN border.) the area she describes, in the Blue Ridge Mountains, are quite real.
I don't know what the difference is, but either way, I enjoyed this one far more.
She has crafted a beautiful, emotionally compelling story. The characters here feel authentic. And the time travel element, while a bit convoluted as most time traveling stories are, worked for me. (Honestly, as long as it makes sense for the purposes of the story, I really don't try to think about it all that much.) The one thing that I thought she might explore more is how and why the curse came to be. I mean if you're going to call it a curse, then that presumes that someone placed it upon the Farrow family. Curses just don't pop out of nowhere. I think that's the one main flaw with this story. Where did the curse come from? Where did the locket come from? Where did the rules, like the 3 times rule, come from?
This one wasn’t on my #wyrdandwonder TBR, but I’m also not very good at following my own rules. Besides, this book was being cranky because I had been ignoring it. Sometimes the books know best & in this case, it was right. I did enjoy this story. 3.75 stars rounded up....more
Normally I love a good magical realism romance and there were things I did love about this story, but the MC Gemma was not one of them.
Once again, I Normally I love a good magical realism romance and there were things I did love about this story, but the MC Gemma was not one of them.
Once again, I realize the issue is likely that I'm not the right age demographic. I'm too middle-aged to sympathize with 20-something Gemma. Mostly, I found her obnoxiously self-centered and oblivious. And she came across as much younger than someone in their mid to late twenties. She was too in her own problems to see the wicked obvious clues and it just irritated me.
Dax, on the other hand, was adorable. He is what a best friend and partner should be. However, I couldn't understand his motivation for standing by and watching Gemma for FOUR years with Stewart. He also felt a little flat, not greatly developed. Some of that stems from the fact this is a first POV from Gemma's point of view, which is clearly skewed (as demonstrated by her obliviousness in the alternate timeline).
I though more could have been developed with Gemma's Aunt, who mostly seemed to exist to provide the basis for the alt-reality timeline jump.
So while the story does flow, I just never did like Gemma, which wasn't helped by the fact that I wasn't the narrator. She had a weird cadence and pacing....more
A sweet, albeit predictable, no spice romance. Did I know who “the one” was from nearly the beginning? Yes. Did it ruin the story for me? No. I liked A sweet, albeit predictable, no spice romance. Did I know who “the one” was from nearly the beginning? Yes. Did it ruin the story for me? No. I liked Amy’s journey. A thirty-something, feeling a bit lost, a bit like life is passing her by. I totally relate to that. And despite the somewhat juvenile antics at the wedding, I thought it was believable. I liked that the magical realism part was just treated as a normal part of life—it made it feel more real that way.
As many others have pointed out, New Adult has some serious “13 Going on 30” vibes. The story starts off slow, taking nearly a fourth of the book to gAs many others have pointed out, New Adult has some serious “13 Going on 30” vibes. The story starts off slow, taking nearly a fourth of the book to get to the time travel/magical jump forward. I ended up skimming most of it and never lost the thread.
The first 25% shows 23-year-old Nolan as a self-centered, career-driven to the detriment of everything and everyone else. When the story finally gets to 30-year-old Nolan, there is obvious confusion before the inevitable metaphysical transformation occurs. Nolan at 30 has achieved success and everything he thought we wanted but has lost everyone he loved. Like Scrooge (because I’m reading this at Christmastime), Nolan realizes the error of his ways and sets about to right the wrongs.
Overall, the story is fluffy and sweet, if not a bit saccharine at times. The sex scenes, or what constitutes sex scenes, are merely vague hints of sex. These scenes are as immature as Nolan. Nolan is really the only character that’s been fleshed out in any way and really, he’s just a younger Scrooge-like character. Drew and CeeCee come across as one-dimensional stereotypes. Both of their backstories/baggage are revealed, but in a rather rushed, last minute way. Sadly, neither of them really go beyond printed words on a page for me. The other characters (Jessie/Jesssalynn, Nolan’s mom, dad, and CeeCee’s James) are just window dressing. Jessie, in particular, could have been a great character had they been fleshed out more. As they were, Jessie was a one-dimensional way to demonstrate Nolan’s selfish and self-centered behavior. A bit more development of all the characters, including Nolan, would have made this a solid 4-4.5 read. As is, this is a soft pick at a mediocre 3 stars.
I did appreciate that the Corgi’s name was Milkshake—that was super cute....more
An interesting magical realism holiday story that doesn’t neatly tie-up at the end, which I appreciate because it makes it feel more authentic. Which An interesting magical realism holiday story that doesn’t neatly tie-up at the end, which I appreciate because it makes it feel more authentic. Which is kind of funny to say about a story that has magical realism.
At first, I admit it was hard to like Eva. She’s selfish, self-centered, and totally focused on what she wants (her store to open). But that’s clearly by design, as the author starts allowing Eva’s story to come through. Despite not liking Eva, I never wanted to stop reading the story. Typically if I’m struggling to connect with a character, that’s when I usually want to put the book down. But there was something about Eva that you can see in between the lines that makes you keep reading.
The magical realism was well done and seamlessly worked in the story. It’s a bit of A Christmas Carol, a bit of Groundhog Day. It gave me all the feels and I found myself tearing up several times.
A beautiful story about loss, grief, family, and life.
Trigger Warnings: miscarriage & lots of grief/loss...more
This is a melancholy, unsettling book. It left me with more questions than answers.
You'll never know what it’s like here.
That's pretty much how I felThis is a melancholy, unsettling book. It left me with more questions than answers.
You'll never know what it’s like here.
That's pretty much how I felt when reading this book. Is the story speculative fiction? Magical realism? Female dystopian? Folk horror? A bit of all of the above? Maybe. Kind of. I'm not sure.
I was that strange visitor from Elsewhere in this surreal, particular world.
Told from the first person POV of Vera, Elsewhere reads almost like an intense character study of a woman searching for her own truths. Filled with introspective writing, the book seems to question motherhood and identity. A short book (only 223 pages), it is divided into 5 sections with no chapters. Each section is really a section of Vera's life. (I) childhood, (II) wife/motherhood (III) leaving (IV) returning (V) reflections.
I felt there was a disconnect between the magical realism and the rest of the story. Part of the disconnect I think stemmed from the flashbacks. Part I felt there was a disconnect between the magical realism and the rest of the story. Part of the disconnect I think stemmed from the flashbacks. Part of it came from various pieces of the story just not jibbing in tone. I enjoyed pieces of it, like the Christmas market. I even liked the idea of a magical realism Christmas market. But the romance lacked as well as the character development. I felt both were unbalanced. I also felt there were a lot of wasted paragraphs, details that didn't add to the story. I ended up skimming entire pages and never lost the thread of the story.
So while an interesting concept, it didn't quite work for me. 2.5 stars rounded up....more
I started this one last year and put it down before I finished the first chapter. But I needed a time travel holiday book for a reading challenge, andI started this one last year and put it down before I finished the first chapter. But I needed a time travel holiday book for a reading challenge, and so I picked this one up again this year. Today, I finally forced myself to finish it. It‘s okay/ The story doesn‘t really take advantage of the time loop thing. The MC time loops 3x in the first 1/3 and then nothing. The time loop felt like a convenient plot device just to make certain parts of the story work. It felt like a cheap, convenient way to make the story work without actually having to deal with time loops.
I also felt the conflict was surface-level and could have been explored more. The characters and romance bits were all vanilla and boring. Honestly, I skimmed the second half of the book. I was just bored with the story. ...more
Mixed feelings because Alexis. On the one hand, I get it. On the other, I’m like girl you are 38 years old. Seriously.
I can’t say any more without spMixed feelings because Alexis. On the one hand, I get it. On the other, I’m like girl you are 38 years old. Seriously.
I can’t say any more without spoilers.
I’m also undecided about the quasi-magical realism bits. But ultimately a pick because Abby Jimenez writes a good story. So many lines cracked me up or made me tear up. Plus, lots of TPB references and there were links to the first 3 books. ...more
I couldn't get past the format. Is this a play? A novel? Something in between? Whatever it was trying to be failed for me. I found the forDNF at 25%.
I couldn't get past the format. Is this a play? A novel? Something in between? Whatever it was trying to be failed for me. I found the format distracting and irritating. So much white space that this book would be half or even a third of its size if one cut out all the wasted white spaces on each page. I get that these quotes/articles/letters/etc. are given in an order to tell the story of the death, or really the afterlife, of Willie. But there's no real story.
However, I found this book pretentious and pompous, like most arty books that attempt to dazzle with their attempt at an avant-garde style. Here, there's nothing but meaningless words. Aside from a couple of potty-mouth illiterates, all the characters sound alike. Willie is dead, in some sort of limbo along with a score of other "ghosts," none of whom seem to understand where they are. Other authors have written about the afterlife, limbo, and grief much better. Once again, I am baffled as to why this won a literary prize. Dazzle them with bullshit is apparently the key to win awards. The more "award-winning" books I read, the more I am convinced that awards are meaningless....more
I just finished this book and I almost don't know what to think. I enjoyed it. In fact, I devoured it. I picked it up from the library yesterday afterI just finished this book and I almost don't know what to think. I enjoyed it. In fact, I devoured it. I picked it up from the library yesterday afternoon and just finished it and I worked all day.
As I was reading it, I got flashes of P.S. I Love You combined with Sliding Doors and a wee bit of Love Actually (the Juliet (Keira Knightley), Peter (Chiwetel Ejiofor) and Mark (Andrew Lincoln) parts). Not quite like those stories, but reminiscent of them.
There were parts I loved. And some parts I didn't quite love. I might have made different decisions for Lydia. But I think Ms. Silver did an excellent job with Lydia's character development. Having lost a loved one, I could empathize with Lydia. And I thought Silver spot on nailed her progression of grief, especially when combined with the two lives. And I thought it was interesting that the two lives diverged more than just with Freddie, (view spoiler)[that Elle lost the baby in one timeline, but had her fine in the other. (hide spoiler)] I wasn't clear if there was any real significance to that. If that was some sort of statement that things, like in Sliding Doors, happen in a way for a reason. Or if it was simply just a way to further highlight the difference between the real life and the dream life.
I guess my biggest issue and reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is I'm not sure I like Lydia ending up with (view spoiler)[Jonah (hide spoiler)]. It fit the story, but maybe a bit too well if that makes sense. (view spoiler)[The whole parallel with his movie script and her agreeing with the studio that the ending should be changed because people need hope and her and Jonah ending up together was a bit too hopeful, too neat when the world is not that neat. (hide spoiler)] Hopeful, yes I love a story with a hopeful ending. But hopeful in that she started over, maybe in London with someone new, someone like Kris. Then again, maybe I'm wrong. Hence my I don't know what to think ...more
After a slow start, I did become intrigued by Alice's story and how that might be resolved. But as the story continued, I realized I really didn't feeAfter a slow start, I did become intrigued by Alice's story and how that might be resolved. But as the story continued, I realized I really didn't feel a connection to the MC. And as I kept reading, I started losing interest in the story and began skimming more and more. Eventually, I just pushed through to finish it.
The potential romance between Samuel and Xanthe was intriguing but it came too late and just there just wasn't enough to make it something. Although (view spoiler)[ based on the ending and since this does seem to be the start of a series, I'm guessing it might become something more. (hide spoiler)]
While this book has mystery, romance, and a kind of magic—normally all the things I enjoy, sadly, it just didn't work for me. 2.5 stars rounded up to 3 because I liked the premise. ...more
Sarah Addison Allen's books captivate you from the first sentence. You will get swept in the story, care about the characters, and keep turning page aSarah Addison Allen's books captivate you from the first sentence. You will get swept in the story, care about the characters, and keep turning page after page, until you sadly reach the last one. You then realize how late it is, that you're hungry, probably have to pee, and at least one leg is tingling all because you haven't moved in however long it took you to finish the book. First Frost is no different. I started the book when I got home from work, only stopping once to take out my dog (the power of pitiful puppy stares is too hard to resist). But here I am a couple hours later, exhilarated from the read, whilst a teeny bit sad it's over. If Ms. Allen was a Waverley, her magic would be writing. She weaves glorious tales that seem so real, you just know if you could find Bascom, North Carolina, you could meet these wonderful characters, eat some of Claire's delicious food, have your hair styled perfectly by Sydney, and hopefully be given something important by Evanelle. And I feel that to get to Bascom, you have to find the magical entrance, same as if we could find the wardrobe to Narnia or Platform 9 and 3/4.
If you love stories that are about people with a smidge of magical realism, then you will love First Frost. Just make sure you read Garden Spells first. Then go on and get The Sugar Queen, The Girl Who Chased the Moon, and the other Sarah Addison Allen books.
***
Well, why are you still here? What are you waiting for? Get reading! ...more
I enjoyed this book, but not as much as the first three. The characters in this book weren't as fleshed out as characters in her previous books and thI enjoyed this book, but not as much as the first three. The characters in this book weren't as fleshed out as characters in her previous books and there wasn't as much magic as there was in the others (although Claire Waverley does make a brief appearance). Overall, I felt the characters were a bit flat. The depth was implied, but never fully developed. The whole "gay" best friend felt a bit clichéd and forced. And I just didn't get the beautiful conflict that existed in the other books. Here, the conflict often was rushed and the backstory was sparse. A good read, but not at the same level as Garden Spells, The Sugar Queen, or Girl Who Chased the Moon....more