“It's always very easy to declare that other people are idiots, but only if you forget how idiotically difficult being human is.”
This was a story abou“It's always very easy to declare that other people are idiots, but only if you forget how idiotically difficult being human is.”
This was a story about a lot of things - a rabbit, the economy, two police officers, a father and son, a bank robber, Stockholm, a bridge, a banker. The list goes on, and I feel like I know each of them like a friend. Fredrik Backman's ability to create stories around characters that all have personalities that are relatable is one of his best writing qualities.
The storyline can't really be spoken about without giving away spoilers, but suffice it to say it was one of the best whodunnit books I've read for a long time.
My favourite character was Zara, her character development - in so much that it was, just got me with every line. Each phrase that she spoke was so thought-out by the author, and for her tone to be so consistent the whole book shows Backman's writing is always intentional.
I felt this story was well-paced, it's point of view changes were all at the right times, and the dialogue in the interviews was hilariously good. It was visual yet not overly descriptive - I believe there is a series, but I honestly feel like I've watched it already due to the excellent writing.
I thought this was a fun ride, and the most enjoyable Australian crime thriller I've read in a while.This would be a 3.5 for me if that was available.
I thought this was a fun ride, and the most enjoyable Australian crime thriller I've read in a while. I like the setting - a small town in Tasmania, it's just the right mix of creepy and beautiful. I thought the local Hungry Man story was a great backdrop, and the group of characters was fun and varied.
The Hungry Man story of 1985 still haunts Limestone Creek and I think the author did well portraying what it's like to live with that story hanging over a town. The only problem was that it then became overshadowed by a whole subplot that didn't need to have a place in the story and that I'm still not sure where it came from.
The characters while fun and varied, there were just too many of them with too much focus. Even though the story revolved around three points of view - none of those characters felt totally real to me, and within their points of view the other characters had too much attention so there were a few chapters where I forgot we were even looking from a character's perspective.
Having said that - I really liked Con, Murphy and Gabby. I felt like they all had just the right mix of honesty, dishonesty and forgetfulness that all good crime thrillers are based from. I thought Con was the good outsider with a dark history that makes it hard for locals to like him in Tasmania. I thought Gabby was an energetic sidekick that was a good balance to Con. Murphy was just awesomely portrayed in every sense.
I liked the way teenage girls were represented and how their minds worked, it was both a scathing look at social media and showed how powerful a platform it can be for those who feel like they don't have a voice.
What I really liked was that the author got major points for including powerful women characters without drawing attention to that or making it a focus of the story - they were normal people being their normal selves in normal positions. He did the same thing with the indigenous perspective throughout the story, it was a part of the plot in a completely normalised way and I loved the elements that it brought.
A few of the reviews had said you will either be satisfied with the ending or hate it - I sort of fell in the hated it column because I am a grudge-holder and wanted more justice for that brat! But it made sense and was neatly done.
I couldn't put it down, the writing was easy-to-read and had just the right depth for that type of genre. I hope there is a next instalment to see if some of those annoying bits get smoothed out now we know the characters....more
I have never read anything more boring. I didn't get beyond half way, because I couldn't stand reading one more dead-end conversation Cal had with anyI have never read anything more boring. I didn't get beyond half way, because I couldn't stand reading one more dead-end conversation Cal had with anyone or hear more of his inane monologues. It was so bad, I don't even care what the mystery ended with because it wouldn't have been worth it to keep reading anyway. Wow. ...more
To be clear, you really have to suspend your disbelief for the entirety of this story - but when you do, it's a great ride!
I wasn't keen to read this,To be clear, you really have to suspend your disbelief for the entirety of this story - but when you do, it's a great ride!
I wasn't keen to read this, it was a book club pick that I have put off for a month or so believing it would be too silly to be plausible. However, the author did really well with a storyline that could have really been awful.
I enjoyed the mystery, and I liked the idea that was behind Aiden waking up in the different bodies to relive the same day eight times to discover the murderer of Evelyn. It was filled with interesting plot changes and the never-ending question of who he could trust throughout. I liked that the influence of the mind and body of the person he woke up in played a part in what he could do with that person - a clever twist on behalf of the author that added a fun element to the twisting plot.
Anna, Daniel and the Footman were all interesting characters in their own right, and I can't say anymore on any of them without going into spoiler territory - needless to say, they played various parts in loop and it was done in a way where they still were fleshed out characters.
There were glaring plot-holes, completely unexplained knowledge, and stretching of understandings to make leaps of judgment that were beyond acceptable - but, if you didn't think about it and just carried on as though of course that could happen, it actually flowed quite well considering the various crossed paths that occur. And it not only flowed, it made some type of sense and was wrapped up very neatly.
The ending could have gone so many ways, and I was happy with the way it did - although, I have to say for a mystery, the ending was fantastic as I didn't pick it, it was plausible (as plausible within the storyline as it could be), and I didn't know what would happen at all. I could have been happy with any ending, which is another tick to the author's clever writing.
Half the novel I felt I could have gone without the Plague Doctor, and I'm still a bit unsure about that whole background stuff. Having said that, it would have been hard for the story to resolve itself without that part - so, I learned to enjoy that complete bit of weirdness for the sake of continuing to enjoy the ride.
Couldn't put it down, easy writing style, great ability to twist a story where it should be so confusing you can't follow it - but you can because the author did so well at portraying it and making it accessible. You really need to be able to suspend disbelief to read, but well worth it if you want to just read along and follow a great mystery....more
I enjoyed Honeybee, although there was a lot of suspension of disbelief involved. Don't get me wrong, I like a story where I have to suspend my disbelI enjoyed Honeybee, although there was a lot of suspension of disbelief involved. Don't get me wrong, I like a story where I have to suspend my disbelief and go with it - but as it was aiming to be realistic, there were more than a few times I was drawn out of the story with the thought of, 'but it doesn't work that way'. I loved Honeybee, I liked the character and the growth. I found his lack of communication frustrating but highly believable. I really liked how Vic came into his life, and I liked the choices he made to try and keep people being nice to him. Aggie was hard to accept as a real person, but I loved her nonetheless! Their friendship was an amazing aspect of the story and I loved her parents for their understated role. I guess, the part I really struggled with was the mum's addiction problems and how they were handled and shown. I also struggled with Steve as a character because I found his whole storyline too convenient and too nice for the person he was. His knowledge of Honeybee's home and the things Honeybee knew, and the contacts Steve was supposed to have - it was all a bit silly how that ended. In the end, it was a bit of a fairytale, which doesn't take away from the gorgeous story-writing, and the quite brilliant observations around changing times and acceptance of people for who they are, but the cost of that clashing with old-views and beliefs. It was a great read, and I found it so easy to pick up and continue despite some hard passages. Another excellent Australian novel that doesn't revert to harsh landscape references to prove it's Australian-ness - yay!...more
Very happy that this instalment broke the formula of the first three of the series! I enjoyed the ride and the growth that Robin and Cormoran made, lonVery happy that this instalment broke the formula of the first three of the series! I enjoyed the ride and the growth that Robin and Cormoran made, long overdue for both and so very welcome. Cormoran and his relationships with family were covered in well-written scenarios that gave his character credibility in his feelings towards his family members. Joan's storyline was beautiful and I thought she added a depth to the overall story. I was invested in the storyline, I wanted to know what happened to Margot, and I enjoyed the time that the author took for this investigation to play out - it meant that there could be a focus on other investigations without it taking away from the main storyline or make it seem too much. I thought that the Morris storyline was well-written and had an excellent conclusion, and I found the time given to issues women face in the workplace was enough while still being exact. There were a few parts of the mystery where I thought the ending was going to be different, and I have to say that there were enough clues for the ending to make sense - but it still surprised me, which is exactly what I want in a crime novel. Loved that this series seems to be back on track, can't wait for the next one!...more
This was a fantastic ride that was dense while being light at the same time. Despite knowing about the bombing of Darwin, the details of the attack weThis was a fantastic ride that was dense while being light at the same time. Despite knowing about the bombing of Darwin, the details of the attack were unknown to me, I found it interesting to read about that point in history. I have a deep dislike for how Australian authors describe the Australian landscape, and I often will stop reading if a book falls into dry, harsh language. Trent Dalton was able to take me on a journey through the deep bush where I felt I saw the beauty of the Australian landscape, I could see what it looked like, it was familiar, and it wasn't harsh and brutal. I loved this aspect of his writing in this story. I found the characters fantastical but real at the same time, I liked their stories and progression for all characters - even Aubrey. The fact that Bert the Shovel made an impression shows the author's talent for creating excellent characters for us to enjoy. The tale of the curse of Tom Berry was great and told in a wonderful maze of ways that really built the curse and family history. However, I felt that Longcoat Bob said exactly what Tom Berry had told in the end, so I was a little confused about the gold being stolen and the origin of the curse. I found it hard to get into, and there was one stop too many along the way to the ending that seemed forced. Apart from that, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend to anyone who enjoys a great Australian tale....more
I was excited to read this, it had great reviews and has been picked up for filming - the blurb made it sound like a gripping read in a future where cI was excited to read this, it had great reviews and has been picked up for filming - the blurb made it sound like a gripping read in a future where climate change has taken over, with a strong female lead and eccentric characters - how could you go wrong? It was possibly one of the most boring books I've read in a long time. I found nothing about this story gripping, I knew the "shock" ending by at least half way through and the main character was just un-likable. The writing style was not one that I enjoy reading, it was as though the author wanted Franny to have a mystical quality that was really profound despite the fact that she wasn't mystical, and is in fact annoying and has mental health issues that are brushed over because she's so unearthy in her ways. Two main threads of the story are based around people loving her and as I can't find the appeal in her character, the plot didn't flow for me. I found the secondary characters not well fleshed out and their entire backstory told as one long paragraph rather than through snippets of them as people. Which I think is really what I felt was the trouble - I was being told and not shown a lot of this story. There was too much backstory, too much jumping back and forth in timelines. I can see how it would make a great drama series, because there was a lot of potential that was unexplored but I found it didn't really work as a novel....more
I was so excited when I saw a new Patrick Ness in the bookshop that I even got the hardcover copy because I knew that I would want to share the book wI was so excited when I saw a new Patrick Ness in the bookshop that I even got the hardcover copy because I knew that I would want to share the book with someone after reading it. And I was right.
This Ness offering wasn't as punchy as I would have liked, I felt the ending was a little rushed and I couldn't tell if he was setting it up for a sequel or just being vague so we could draw our own conclusions - but it lacked finality.
The characters were awesome, and the world worked so well that we just don't question that there would be wastelands with dragons in them. Or that a weird religious cult would worship them - or that they would be so extreme - as that seems to go with the territory unfortunately.
The assassin was extremely well done in terms of character and development that made sense. I really enjoyed their story and how entangled it became. I liked how he drew the strands of everyone together in a way I wasn't totally expecting.
Lots of storylines going into one, but we didn't lose anything. I think it's the mark of an excellent writer to be able to have multiple characters and stories that meld together seamlessly and without anything becoming too confusing.
I did feel the ending could have been a little bit bigger - it was over so fast and then it was just done, moving on.
I couldn't stop reading this story, yet I didn't want to continue reading it at the same time. It blows my mind that this book had a popular reception I couldn't stop reading this story, yet I didn't want to continue reading it at the same time. It blows my mind that this book had a popular reception - Cathy is a terrible role model for any girl to look up to. I wanted to see her get revenge so badly, I kept going though - so guilty of liking that part. I won't be reading the rest in the series, because I just can't comprehend the appeal of whatever will come next.
SPOILER: The main reason for my dislike is that Cathy not only marries, but excuses a violently and emotionally abusive man. His actions are so far beyond what is acceptable in a relationship, and despite Cathy acknowledging that she puts men on a pedestal when they don't deserve it - it is completely unacceptable for the book to promote the idea that she brought her abuse on because she didn't care for her husband enough. There was never a time that she recognised that she should have left Julian earlier. She also accepts being raped many times. WTF?
So, no - I will not be reading the rest of the series. I thought her revenge was fabulous, if a little mentally unstable. However, I liked that the mother got what she deserved. ...more
Not sure how to begin this one. I was gripped by the story - using Cathy's voice as the storytelling medium was perfect because had it been mixed betweNot sure how to begin this one. I was gripped by the story - using Cathy's voice as the storytelling medium was perfect because had it been mixed between the children, or included a voice from outside the room, I don't think it would have worked. I couldn't put it down, and sort of felt a little ripped off that the ending wasn't more in-depth. I wanted revenge for the children and I wanted to see their mother suffer. I liked the irony that the incredibly pious parents created such a vain, selfish and heartless daughter. That the version of purity in this book was so far removed from what was right, you couldn't help but feel this was a stab at religion as well as at the corruption of capitalism and it's systems. The incestuous story was handled with care, and was handled well - although I feel that the scene in the attic could have been used more. I feel this because the fallout didn't really become imagined in the way I believe it was intended to. There were some musings of Cory being a repercussion, but really that falls flat with the complete betrayal of the mother. It has certainly become iconic, and is definitely a talking point as I knew about this scene despite never having read the book until now. I certainly question why the children wouldn't run away much earlier, especially as Chris was of an age entering the room that he would know the life he was missing, and understand that his chances of a good education dimmed with every year. I think this would make an excellent book club book - a lot to agree and disagree with, and many meaty topics to be unpacked! It didn't get a full five stars from me only because I felt it went a little too long, there could have been some parts edited out that wouldn't have been missed. I also feel that the ending was rushed after such a long time coming. I know this is a series, but the lead-in to the next instalment could have been better....more
I thought the darkness of this story would stop me from reading, but if anything it kept me hooked as I hoped it ended with something bright. I couldnI thought the darkness of this story would stop me from reading, but if anything it kept me hooked as I hoped it ended with something bright. I couldn't put it down, and despite some issues I had with the language, I thought it was a brilliant way of telling this young girl's story, as she was unable to. The language - this is a personal problem that I have with a lot of Australian literature, and it really puts me off reading Australian books. The vocabulary range in Australian literature is often made to be as dry, brittle and brutal as some of Australia's landscape - and I hate it. I hate everything being likened to shit, I hate the cracking ground, I hate the flies in mouths, I hate the sticky heat. I'm so sick of reading about it as a defining part of a story. I hate the pissing, and the bony knees - Australian literature could have so much richness that doesn't have to revolve around sparse, harsh language. This book had a lot of that. What it also had was a Holden Manual, and a beautiful prose that once you were in, managed to merge parts of a car with parts of a female body. Human experience against the running of a machine and its parts. It was amazingly well done. The girl who is mute for most of the book creates us a world that tells us of her trauma through the pages of a car manual and her sabotaging of cars, particularly one. And it works so well. There is barely any dialogue, yet I didn't feel like there was too much describing - in fact, there could have been more. But the pared back writing style was a credit to the author, and sets this apart from 'Mateship with Birds'. I would recommend this story to anyone that enjoys well-written Australian literature. ...more
Set in Ireland, a view of a fracturing family told from the young son's point of view - it sounds done before. There are many books attempting to rideSet in Ireland, a view of a fracturing family told from the young son's point of view - it sounds done before. There are many books attempting to ride through adult fiction by placing us into the minds of children. This one is one of the better offerings, riding a good line between realistic children's thought patterns, while also making insightful commentary. The part that threw me off was the odd semi-sexual awkwardness between the mother and child. Our young male protagonist is twelve, so on the cusp of many developmental jumps. There is a lot of talk about his size and being mistaken for being much older - however, there doesn't seem to be a purpose to this at all. The other half of that is that if he read as a fourteen year old more than a twelve year old, it would make more sense. So, there are instances between him and his mother that feel off, her responses are off, and his feelings are off. They don't gel for me, and that made it uncomfortable sometimes. Which may have been the point, but if it was then I missed why it was important. I liked being on the edge of his mind - was he always going to end up making the decision he did with his mother, or were there moments where we went along with him not realising the crazy there? It was enjoyable, and it was interesting, and the gender roles of the time were explored well. I felt the boy had a pretty rough time, but I also felt that what he chose to do came out of nowhere, and it didn't feel real to me compared to the rest of the story. Due to this, whatever poignant point this story was trying to make, I didn't quite put it together. The blurb told me this book was a 'psycological thriller', I found it lacking that entire element. If it was meant to be a snapshot of a family going through a rough time at that period from the eyes of a boy coming of age - I'm all in, it was great. The other part didn't fit for me, mainly because I don't think a twelve year old outcast wanting to believe he has amazing powers is strange. A fourteen year old, yes - but twelve, not really. I liked it, but wouldn't read it again. ...more
It took a few chapters to feel part of this story, which I believe was intentional - the characters would want you to be on the outside looking in forIt took a few chapters to feel part of this story, which I believe was intentional - the characters would want you to be on the outside looking in for a little bit. I couldn't put it down after those first few chapters though, I was part of the Jellicoe Road war games. The idea that a bunch of teenagers would wage a war around the town for the holidays was fun and gave the whole book a purpose that was always there. I loved the idea of this story, and I thought the author did an amazing job of describing the area - the school, town and cadet camp. I could see all the boundaries, and I could feel the summer air. I loved that this story was set in a country town of Australia, but it didn't have the usual dry Australian language to describe it - that was almost my favourite part. The characters, wow. Every character had depth, a story, a part to play. Marchetta captured everything about being seventeen and having seen/lived trauma, and it was brilliant.
I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of this book (after the first few jarring chapters). ...more
**spoiler alert** I want to say that my review is going to be slightly harsher because I felt betrayed by the title.
I had this book sitting on my Kind**spoiler alert** I want to say that my review is going to be slightly harsher because I felt betrayed by the title.
I had this book sitting on my Kindle for about six months, saving what I believed to be the final instalment into this series for a time when I could focus and enjoy it.
And I did enjoy it, it was everything I remembered from the rest of the series - not a wasted chapter or sentence. It's a good ride with good character perspectives and interesting motives. The characters are there for good reason, there's good dialogue, although I am starting to tire of their captain and his intense dislike of Lottie.
I was a little annoyed that once again, Lottie's family is kidnapped, but I went with it because I thought as the last book in the series we needed that emotional edge to the story. Who had them, what were they going to do, would they live? (I knew who it was going to be from about halfway through, although it was a good ride to see if I was right)
Only to get to the end of the book and have a bit of a cliffhanger! What? But this was the FINAL betrayal - the final one, final meaning last. Why play me like this?
Anyway, I then saw that there are two new instalments released and have since bought them because I still like Lottie, Boyd and Kirby enough that I want to read the next one. I just felt like an editor should have thought more about the title of a series - I could have been reading them as they came out, but didn't bother looking because I thought the series was done....more
I found this an interesting read, I'd never read a story based in Leningrad and it was a nice change from other war settings.
The main characters of thI found this an interesting read, I'd never read a story based in Leningrad and it was a nice change from other war settings.
The main characters of the story, the two sisters, were fairly cliche. One sister out being a lone adventurer, the other feeling the weight of the family as she stayed for the family business. It followed the same tropes that come with that type of character set up.
Their mother's fairytales were the basis of the story being told, and we are from the start trying to work out why they mean so much to their mother and why she continues to tell them. Why does she sit out in her garden, why is she so angry and distant?
It starts well and familiar. However, I feel like the fairytale could have stayed a fairytale for much longer that it did. Also, ironically it's a bit of a fairytale that the daughters could suddenly take time out of their lives with a days notice to travel - which was the most unrealistic part of the story.
I wasn't impressed with the pacing, or with the ending. I really, really disliked the ending. I thought it was unnecessary and bizarre out of all the places that the story could have gone.
The meat of the mothers story was great, I found her story interesting and gripping. It kept me reading the whole time, and it was an easy read.
I'm not a fan of the family structure cliche used, I also have difficulty with stories set in war times due to the lazy nature of storytelling. Having said this, it was an enjoyable read and I found the setting and time interesting. ...more
I didn't realise that this was the debut novel of Hanya Yanagihara, I had read A Little Life two years ago, and hadn't seen this on the shelves at theI didn't realise that this was the debut novel of Hanya Yanagihara, I had read A Little Life two years ago, and hadn't seen this on the shelves at the time. The fact that this is the debut novel only makes it better for me.
I cannot understate how moved I was by this novel. There were parts where I felt my heart actually hurting, I was angry, I was confused, I was frustrated, and I was devastated. It is supreme writing to get me to feel all of those emotions, and still completely love what I've read.
The story itself sounds absolutely fantastical - a doctor, Norton Perina, sets out on an expedition with an anthropologist, Tallent, finding what could be the secret to immortality in a lost tribe. The fallout, and the sheer amount of children Norton adopts from the country is extreme - writing it now, it seems even more fantasy than I thought when reading it.
It is the writing that takes this almost ridiculous storyline, and creates a masterpiece with it. Written as Norton's memoir, with an incredibly biased editor, it takes the story into a clinical, scientific point of view. There is no doubt that these events could take place when it is written with such realism. Norton's memoir shows him to be a terrible person, but the real question that lingers over the story is whether he is terrible enough to have committed what he is accused of. Because Norton is writing from jail, where he was convicted of a crime that we are almost at odds to know if he was capable of or not.
The descriptions of the island where Norton and Tallent discover a tribe with unnaturally long lifespans are stunning, and his account of his own actions are in their own way, stunning as well. It was impressive that the author managed to keep the tone of the memoir the entire way, because at some points it is hard to read what Norton did, even as he is writing it as if it were nothing, or necessary.
Don't skip the footnotes, they create their own little story, that then adds to Norton's.
You must read until the very end, because I still haven't gotten over the final couple of pages. I can't decide if I wanted that to happen or not, and I can't say too much more without hitting spoilers territory.
This is a brutal read, and I struggled at some points to read what was coming next. I liked feeling uncomfortable, and thought it was great that I hated Norton, even though it was his story. I like the interesting way the story was told, and I have never read anything written in that style before. Really clever and masterful writing style.
I loved this novel. Loved it. But it is not a read for the faint-hearted....more
Zac and Lark's instalment is just as delicious as I expected it to be. I found Zac's character to be an interesting choice for the author from the staZac and Lark's instalment is just as delicious as I expected it to be. I found Zac's character to be an interesting choice for the author from the start of the series. Being a kicked out of a cult is a pretty out-there backstory. Zac's emerging story is written so well, and his thoughts and misgivings are sweet and insightful. His lack of knowledge around relationships and love aren't corny or naive either, it is truthful and a little sad. His life with the Shipley's is lovely, and I liked that Isaac and Leah have more air-time in this story as well. Lark's trauma is also well-written. Bowen puts a lot of effort into her research of subject matter, and it shows in her portrayal of PTSD in Lark's life since returning from her abduction. I like an author that puts in that type of effort, as the writing reflects real knowledge, and so is that much more readable. Her old and new self war with each other, and as the story progresses we get to see so much of what it's like to live as two people after a life-changing event. May's behaviour was a little radical, and sort of came out of nowhere for me. This was the only jolting part of the book, as it was clear that at some point May will have her own instalment and this was setting up for that. There had been no conversations in the previous two books that would indicate that May's character was having the issues she was in this book. Apart from that, I enjoyed it from start to finish. ...more
Despite how sad I am at having to write this, I did not finish this book. I love, love, love the author so much - and I tried so hard to enjoy the stoDespite how sad I am at having to write this, I did not finish this book. I love, love, love the author so much - and I tried so hard to enjoy the story and keep going. Unfortunately, there were just too many things I didn't like, and couldn't move beyond. The stuff I did like - our young protagonist, she was written really well. Her understanding of things, and the thought processes were amazing. Her mother, and even step-father, were written well too. I liked the sense of the housing, where she lived, and where her grandmother lived. It was described so that I knew exactly how everything fit together. I didn't like the Britt-Marie of this story, she was grating and annoying, which made me question my like of her own novel (which I did like, but not if she was as annoying as in this story). I didn't like the constant referral to Miamas, and all the characters in it - a little bit was alright, but after awhile, it was too much and I was too confused. I also didn't connect with Granny, who was great in her outrageous qualities, but then too extreme. I liked a lot about the writing, and I loved the neighbour, but I wasn't able to get beyond the fantasy-land and real life merging together in a confusing fairy-tale language. This wasn't for me, but I would absolutely recommend any of the other books written by Fredrik Backman! ...more
I struggled to rate this book, as it had moments where I found it extremely wonderful and profound. There just weren't enough of those moments to makeI struggled to rate this book, as it had moments where I found it extremely wonderful and profound. There just weren't enough of those moments to make me like it, and I had to struggle through to the ending. This was a book club selection, as we had previously read, 'Tell the Truth, Shame the Devil' by the same author. It will make for an interesting discussion as I feel that it encompasses different target audiences in different ways, so in that respect it was good.
The premise drew me in straight away. Two women who feel they have a claim to one house, refuse to meet in the middle, and live together without speaking. Loved it, could go so many places - unfortunately, the idea that Rosie had any claim to the house was ridiculous, and the drama around the two women was not as interesting as it could have been.
Really, I just absolutely loathed Rosie. I could not stand her attitude, her failure to take any responsibility for decisions she made that eroded her relationship to her father, and her caustic manner towards every other person, and her idea that she should be able to make Martha's life hell just because she lived in a house when she was little. What a brat. Unfortunately, by the time Rosie starts to become less frustrating, it's too late in the novel and I had given up on her and just wanted to see the ending.
The author struck one important issue, that I found interesting, which was that adults even in to their mid-twenties are quite immature, in comparison to previous generations (I am part of Gen Y, so this isn't meant as an insult, just a general observation).
Jimmy/SES Jesus, was the saving character, he was lovely. A well-rounded and fun character that has a clear development that is realistic and meaningful. Martha and her friends were also great additions - the whole netball team was gold!
However, there were too many characters for me to remember, and how they related to each other. The connected-ness was nice, although perhaps unnecessary in some ways. It created a wonderful sense of community, and I did feel like I was in the room with those friends when they were talking - I just wouldn't have known who they were, and who was together with who, and why that was relevant.
For me, there was too much going on, too many characters that had focus on them for no real reason, and an incredibly un-likeable main character that had no redeeming qualities for me to latch on to at all. Loved the premise, but I needed more storyline, and less stories that went nowhere that seemed to have no outcome on the story. ...more
This is the second instalment of the True North Series, and it was a lot meatier than the first one!
Jude is one of the best anti-heroes I've read in aThis is the second instalment of the True North Series, and it was a lot meatier than the first one!
Jude is one of the best anti-heroes I've read in a romance. The chemistry between him and Sophie is all the right levels of complicated, steamy, hot, and sad.
I'm used to a series like this staying in one place, so it was awesome to find that we move away from Shipley Farm, and end up following Jude to Colebury - which is representative of a lot of small towns, and I feel that drugs is an issue that certainly pervades many rural small towns here in Australia, so it was gratifying to see that issue was front and centre.
Jude is a recovering addict, and his temptations are well-written. His history in prison is one that is heard of everywhere, and shows the author is well-read on issues around drugs and prisons. The church dinner's is the perfect setting for him and Sophie to have space to connect without the town noticing.
Sophie is Jude's high school sweetheart, and it was her brother that Jude killed in a car accident while he was high, and that sent him to prison. She is also the police chief's daughter - cue the plot thickens, as he isn't a nice man at all.
The story itself sets a sweet pace, as we are treated to glimpses of their relationship when they were at high school, then we are moved back to the bleakness of both of their lives without each other after the tragic car accident. The mystery that Sophie discovers adds another layer, and yet I never felt it was too much or that it was over-written. I also like that we do get to go back to the characters of the last book at the Shipley's, and that they act as Jude's safe-haven and are ultimately his new family.
The ending was satisfying, and well-earned, but I won't spoil it! The author did well writing a second instalment to a series that I think I may love more than the first - and managed to write such a different story, I'm impressed with her writing skills and style! ...more
Jamie and Wes are my favourite couple after reading this.
I found Sarina Bowen through the True North series, and Elle Kennedy has been on my radar thrJamie and Wes are my favourite couple after reading this.
I found Sarina Bowen through the True North series, and Elle Kennedy has been on my radar through recommendations for awhile. I thought that this would be a good introduction to her too.
I was not disappointed.
The writing is fantastic, and usually I'm quite critical of collaborative writing. For some reason, I find collaborations have areas where you can see one influence, and then another - but I couldn't find that in 'Him'.
The characters are brilliant, I love each of them and what they bring individually to the story. Their differences and own stories are put together in a way that feels real enough that I could happily move with the plot.
At first, there is some dialogue that is a little bit unrealistic. I found the character Holly to be a little too over-done, and I found even throughout the book that her dialogue was lacking, and not true to the rest of the story. She is a needed character, but I wasn't a fan. She is in the first part, and this bit I found a little boring.
The dialogue between Wes and Jamie was well-written, and I enjoyed that part of their interactions a lot. The camp was a great backdrop as it gave a location where they could have all that time together without it being weird.
I liked how the backstory was revealed to us, and that there was overlap of the backstory between the characters, and of the characters themselves. It set the scene nicely for the rest of the book, but didn't feel like a huge amount of information piled on you at once - which is impressive considering their history.
I will definitely be reading the next instalment, and I can't wait to see where they end up....more
Bittersweet is the first instalment of the True North series by Sarina Bowen. I actually read this a long time ago, but recently re-read and thought IBittersweet is the first instalment of the True North series by Sarina Bowen. I actually read this a long time ago, but recently re-read and thought I'd review it.
I'm a little new to the romance genre, and I have to admit that I was a bit of a snob towards romance before giving it a real go. However, once I found some great authors who allowed me to see some of the amazing ways the genre can be used - I'm a bit of a fan now.
I love Griff and Audrey, I like them because they are well-constructed characters, with motivations that are real and well-explained. Their story is one that I became really invested in, and I was in love with the Shipley Farm from almost the first chapter.
The author creates excellent dialogue, and I love that - I like the interactions between the characters because of their conversations, it made me feel like I was part of the group standing around and chatting. Their 'voice' is how I think, and that made me enjoy the story a lot more.
There was just the right amount of backstory given, and just the right amount of characters to know. I really liked Zara, I thought she was really well-written, and I liked that most of the female characters were strong in who they are and how they live (being a romance snob, I assumed that female romance leads would be flaky women who need a man... I'm sorry romance writers! I swear I've seen the error of my ways!).
This is an easy read, but one that makes you feel good while you read it. I really liked it, even more as a re-read, and intend to read the rest of the series....more
This wasn't my favourite in the series for a couple of reasons. The first is that the formula is just too tired by the fifth instalment I felt. LottieThis wasn't my favourite in the series for a couple of reasons. The first is that the formula is just too tired by the fifth instalment I felt. Lottie is a well-portrayed single mother, and I like her work ethic and that those around her respect that work ethic. However, she does receive a lot of help from her mother to achieve this, and is so completely ungrateful for that help that it's a little grating. I understand having issues with you parents (I have many), but when they are the reason you can have the job that you do - and a roof over your head, there's a little part of me that thinks she could be a little kinder. I've always enjoyed the POV changes in this series, but in this particular story, there were a few too many terrible chapter endings for some characters. I've never been a fan of exclamation marks - and there were so many at the ends of chapters. This may have been that she didn't quite capture the mind of a pre-teen boy very well, and so that was extra-hard to read. The mystery itself was good, as always. The way she reveals information keeps the story interesting and fast-paced. In this instance, I nearly guessed the ending - which I love as well in a crime novel, I like that the story was told well enough that you could have guessed. It's satisfying knowing that there is an ending where you could get it right if you follow all the clues, I'm not a big fan of endings that come out of nowhere and there's no way anyone could have guessed what was coming. The interactions between the characters is fantastic, and I like the dialogue that is exchanged in the office. There was a lot to like, but I didn't enjoy this one as much as the others. ...more
As I've come to understand, everything by this author is written incredibly well. For me, I liked this a little more than Beartown, simply because it As I've come to understand, everything by this author is written incredibly well. For me, I liked this a little more than Beartown, simply because it wasn't as repetitive in the points it was getting across. And there were many points to be discussed in this story. It hit on so many issues that are within society in general, in sports culture, in teenagers, in small towns, in individuals. It did all this, and did it so well. Benji was still one of the best characters I've read, and I was very pleased with his development and conclusion. However, all the characters are done well, and each one feels like someone you know - surprisingly, even Maggan Lyt has a positive light by the end. The brutal story, mixed with the realistic thoughts and actions of those involved make it hard to read at times, but it is worth getting through it. Backman has such a beautiful way of phrasing things that rings in my mind for a long time after I've finished reading. His writing style is something that makes me want to read every single thing he has ever written, and I'm on my way! Highly recommend, and can be read as a standalone, but works better having read after Beartown....more
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