There was an awful lot to like about this book. I enjoyed the school that Max and Babette created. I think that every kid could find a way to learn in an atmosphere like that. I also appreciated the seriousness of Duncan’s past experiences and how they shaped his perspective in his new school.
I thought that the journey of Sam was less successful. A major part of her character was not mentioned until later in the story. Then it all of a sudden became this huge part of her. It felt a little contrived. I would have appreciated it more if that had been a bigger issue in the beginning as well. As a result, I didn’t feel like I got a good grasp on her until more details were shared.
It was as if sections of the book got moved around in editing, and something that should have been earlier was moved to later. The subplot of Max and Babette’s daughter, Tina, and her son Clay also wasn’t fully recognized throughout the story. It was in the beginning and then a catalyst for the climax near the end. But that’s it.
I guess it all felt a little disjointed overall. The pieces were all there; I just wish they had been put together a little bit tighter. Still, I liked Duncan’t journey the most and would love to have worked for a principal like him when I was teaching. Rounded up to four stars for the unique climax that was a little screwball but a lot of heart.
Full disclosure: I could not completely relate to any characters in this book. But I still really enjoyed the story. It created an interesting and unique dichotomy for me. Let’s start with what I liked.
I could totally get behind the “hitting rock bottom to rebuild” setting that propels Bree. I found her tribulations to be amusing as she navigated reinventing herself and trying to be a better person. I did also like how she learned more about herself and others around her during her journey.
I also did feel for her at times, and understood her reluctance to part with sentimental items, especially those that reminded her of her mother. In today’s world where everything needs to be picture-perfect, old things are often shunted aside for shiny, new things…and I think that’s just wrong. This is where Bree was conflicted, and where I understood her the best. Deep down she knew what was right, she just didn’t know how to access it and got distracted
I appreciated Trey. Of any of the characters, I think I could probably identify with him most, especially his attitude toward commercialism and social media. I could get behind someone who just wanted to be able to live without having to have every second documented. At times, this caused interesting tension between him and Bree.
And the social media aspect is where I just couldn’t relate. The whole influencer/non-influencer/collaborator thing is so shallow to me. I find the whole thing (in real life) to be just phony. The emphasis on followers (regardless of whether they’re real or not) and buying them to “boost” yourself seems ridiculous.
Given that, however, I think the author captures the whole movement perfectly from start to finish. Bree’s journey ultimately shows her the importance of real-life connections and experiences, and how dangerous living in the virtual social media world can be.
And perhaps that’s the point – it’s time to refocus on real people, not virtual, fake images.
Kristin Rockaway is a native New Yorker with an insatiable case of wanderlust. After working in the IT industry for far too many years, she traded the city for the surf and chased her dreams out to Southern California, where she spends her days happily writing stories instead of software. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with her husband and son, and planning her next big vacation.
Thanks for stopping by my stop on the HTP 2020 Summer Reads Blog Tour for Women’s Fiction & Romance. Be sure to check back throughout the summer for more reviews!
Based on the description, I thought this book had an interesting concept. Not to mention that I have read a lot of crime and psych thrillers lately, so a novel about three sisters whose fates change and who have to figure out new lives sounded appealing.
While the premise remained interesting, the book as a whole did not live up to my expectations. I liked the set-up (a sick girl asks her grandmother to read her a story). It reminded me of The Princess Bride (one of my all-time favorites).
I also liked how each of the sisters had a distinct personality as well, with Livvy as the dreamer, Georgie as the fighter, and Evey as the practical one. These fit the stereotypes of where kids often fall in age-order (youngest to oldest). I thought the author did an admirable job of creating events in each girl’s life that illustrated their character traits.
In addition, I appreciated how each of the girls found their path in life and how each path differed, but how they all realized that money wasn’t everything. That was a good lesson that was well-illustrated.
However, there were times when I felt like the author did not know where to go with the story. The action flipped back and forth between each of the girls multiple times, making it sometimes challenging to keep up with who the focus was on at the time.
Some extra characters and events seemed to have no purpose other than to stretch the story. I understand that there had to be conflict along the way, but some things muddied the plot and were unnecessary to the general development.
The other thing that struck me right from the beginning was poor grammar in a few parts. It almost seemed as if an editor missed parts of the manuscript. For example, there was one section at the beginning written in the past perfect tense, which led to multiple uses of the word “had.” It was awkward and clunky…and the English teacher in me was dying inside.
There was a unique twist at the end that I guessed early on. But there were a lot of uneven parts which made it difficult for me to get through smoothly. Better editing and some tightening of the plot would improve this story significantly. As a whole, the book was just okay.
A (late) middle-aged woman married for 29 (not 30!) years decides to leave her empty nest and pursue…well, she’s not exactly sure at first. I’m pretty sure that the premise of this book is relatable to any woman who has been married for more than a decade or two.
When Kay does something, she does it in a big way. She blindsides her husband, co-workers, and adult children with her decision. Some of them are more understanding than others. I could empathize with her for most of the book, but there were a few parts where she was downright unlikeable.
I related to her feeling of “the path not taken.” I think that is a common theme for women who have devoted their lives to their husbands and children, only to find their own interests have been pushed aside. Once “empty nest syndrome” sets in, there is more opportunity to think about what has been missed over the years.
What kept the story interesting, and ultimately saves Kay as a redeemable character, is that her memories of certain events and people are faulty, painted with a golden tinge of fond memories instead of stark reality. She also eventually finds out that real life bears little resemblance to the life she imagined might have happened.
There is a sub-plot with her daughter, Stella, who only recently moved out of the house. At times, it seemed like those parts didn’t fit into the narrative, but about halfway through it became apparent as to why Stella’s story was important to tell alongside of Kay’s
The letters mentioned in the title are between Kay and her friend Bear (it takes a while to discern who Bear is and the importance of the character). They serve as a “point/counterpoint” to Kay’s present story.
All in all, this was a well-crafted story that emphasized the importance of not losing oneself while also moving forward and not living in the past of “what could have been.” I very much enjoyed reading it and would recommend it.
Author Bio
I have been told that I write like a tall blonde, so that’s how I’d like you to picture me.
I’ve published three novels, with one more about to be born, in January 2020. I’ve also published two non-fiction books. I work as a book coach and creative writing tutor.
Before writing books, I did a lot of different jobs. I worked in schools, shops, offices, hospitals, students’ unions, basements, from home, in my car, and up a tree. OK, not up a tree. I’ve been a sexual health trainer, a journalist, a psychology lecturer, a PhD student, a lousy alcohol counsellor, and an inept audio-typist. I sold pens, bread, and condoms. Not in the same shop. I taught parents how to tell if their teenagers are taking drugs (clue: they act like teenagers), and taught teenagers how to put on condoms (clue: there won’t really be a cucumber). I taught rabbis how to tell if their teenagers are druggedly putting condoms on cucumbers.
Throughout this, I always wrote, and always drank a lot of tea. I’m now pretty much unbeatable at drinking tea.
I cannot think of another way to describe this book other than cinematic.
Yes, movies and movie quotes are a significant part of the plot, but it is so much more than that.
Scene descriptions were incredibly detailed and created vivid pictures. Events had depth and everything had a purpose. The book as a whole was focused and entertaining.
And heartbreaking.
Confession: I had to re-read the last few chapters twice. The first time I could barely see the pages through my tears. There was so much emotion flowing through the pages that it just got to me.
More than that, however, was the empathy that I felt for Arden.
I don’t want to give the whole thing away because it unfolds beautifully, and readers should experience it on their own. But her realization that her best years might be behind her, and subsequent understanding that she might have the possibility of a better future was heartfelt, realistic, and infinitely relatable. ‘Nuff said on that before I start crying again.
I loved the unique perspective of this story – a history told through movies that were significant to the relationship. The quotes that Arden and Mac remember prove that memories stay with us even as our lives change. It is no surprise that movies guide Arden’s life, given her mother’s propensity for fantasy and image.
I could go on and on about all of the things I liked about this book, but I am honestly having a hard time finding the words because it was just so epically beautiful in every way.
Do yourself a favor and pick this one up right away.
About Fiona Collins
Fiona Collins grew up in an Essex village, and after stints in Hong Kong and London, returned to the Essex countryside where she lives with her husband and three children. She has a degree in Film and Literature and has had many former careers including TV presenting in Hong Kong, traffic and weather presenter for BBC local radio and film/TV extra. You can find her on Twitter @FionaJaneBooks.
This book spoke to me for many reasons. I’ll go into them in a bit, but first a little backstory.
My dad worked for the airlines for over 20 years, and we got to fly on his employee passes quite often. Living in California, Hawaii was a short flight across the Pacific. And yes, I do mean short; because of trade winds and routes, it was often a shorter flight to Hawaii than it was to NY or Florida. Go figure.
Anyway, I first visited the islands when I was about ten years old, and I fell in love with everything about them. The people were amazing, the culture was fascinating, and the vibe was thoroughly relaxing. Even as a kid, I got all of that.
Fast forward to college, where I was friends with a guy whose family was from Hawaii. On one of our family visits over there, he invited my cousins and me to a few of his family gatherings…including his cousin’s wedding.
That’s right: we crashed a wedding in Honolulu. I mean, I guess we were invited, but not formally. But that’s the Hawaiian way. It was an incredible evening from start to finish. You would never know that we haoles didn’t belong. I found out that that word has different meanings depending on who is speaking it. Fortunately for us, it was used in jest and everyone was gracious and welcoming.
All of those memories (and more) came roaring back to me as I read True to Me. The author perfectly captures the Hawaiian way by embodying her characters with different aspects of the culture. The protagonist, Quinn, is guided by all of them along her path of discovery, which gives her a deeper understanding of her life, both past and future.
I don’t want to reveal the plot, as several reviews do, as that’s not what I’m about. Plus, I think that readers should be able to experience Quinn’s journey right along with her without knowing what will happen next. Her decisions are more impactful that way.
Quinn’s personal growth along the way was a joy to watch. I did think that a little bit more detail of her “uptightness” would have been good, especially when it came to her relationship with Ethan. But it was all still clear enough that she was searching for something, even if she wasn’t sure exactly what that something was at times.
And this is the crux of the story. Quinn is searching for the answer to a question about her family but is really looking to find herself. This is ultimately relatable, because everyone (at one time or another) has had questions about the path they are on and whether there is something more “out there.” And frankly, this is the time of year when people think it the most.
Ultimately, this is a beautiful story set in a magical place that illustrates the importance of learning how to breathe and take the time to figure out what the world is trying to tell you. Hawaiians understand the strength of ohana and how vital pono is. Everybody should take a lesson from them. Quinn did and was certainly happier for it.
Happy New Year everyone – find your path and don’t look back.
I’ll be honest: the main reason I wanted to read this book
is that I share a last name with the titular sisters. And I will admit, it was
kind of odd to see that name repeated in the book. But that uniqueness faded as
I became absorbed in the story.
Lindy left town over 17 years prior, which caused her sister,
Delia, to take over the family business – something Delia never wanted. However,
when their mother, Meredith, suffers a “brain event,” Lindy returns home. Her
return is the catalyst for long-buried secrets to surface, forcing the sisters,
Meredith, and Delia’s family to face the events that caused the family rift.
I realize that this description makes it sound like a simple
family fight that the sisters need to get over, but it is so much more than that.
The author draws so many parallels. One example is how Delia’s daughter, Brin,
looks like Lindy and acts exactly how Lindy acted at the same age. Another involves
a boy who Brin likes who is similar to a mystery boy from the past. It quickly
becomes apparent that there is something deeper and more sinister that occurred
to cause the family to split.
The descriptions of the repercussions from Meredith’s brain
event are extremely well-described, and the imagery invoked in several passages
made her experiences feel especially real. (They reminded me of dad’s health when
it began to fail). But what I liked the most about the story is that the author
didn’t get bogged down with minutiae and meaningless events; everything in the
plot had a purpose (even though some weren’t clear until the very end).
I appreciate the attention to tying events together, which
allowed the reader to draw conclusions (albeit sometimes incorrect ones) on
their own.
And about those incorrect conclusions; I especially liked
how the author planted a few details that kept me guessing up until the last
page of the book. Although this wasn’t a mystery or psych thriller, it was more
engaging than some books in those genres. It was just that well-written.
As I look over this review, I realize that the book is many
things: a family drama, a cautionary tale, a mystery…but it’s all so subtle
that it ultimately is just a superb story. Don’t miss this one.
I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book at first. What I got was a heartfelt story about family secrets and the lengths one might go to protect the people they love. I thought that everything from the characters to the plot to the setting was carefully thought out and well-described. I liked that I only got bits and pieces of the backstory as the plot progressed. The impact of the secrets that had been kept hidden coming to light was not unlike a storm crashing on the lake. The small mystery propelling the plot, and the role each of the McAvoy women played made this into a page-turner that I finished in a day. I highly recommend this compelling book. For more thoughts, please visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews. This review was written based on a complimentary, pre-release digital ARC of the book.
This book is a must-read for anybody who has spent any time on social media (so, yeah, that means that everybody should read it).
The author does a fantastic job of creating characters that are easily recognizable. I especially liked how the three main characters were all linked in one way or another. It allowed for the plot to be woven seamlessly between the three, instead of just being three perspectives.
The plot itself was fun: the three women all write “Mummy Blogs” (it’s set in Australia). Elle is the Stylish Mumma, Abi is the Green Diva, and Leisel is the Working Mum. They have each been nominated in the “Best Parenting” category of the Blog-aahs Awards (clever name).
Where the author excels is in the “unmasking” of each of the mums, and how each is not exactly what they seem to be – or at least what they put out to their followers on social media. Liesel is the one who comes closest, but Elle and Abi both have lots to hide.
Abi was especially interesting because she typified the “angry feminist” type of person who is extremely hypocritical, shooting off about “white privilege” (and finding out the person she was complaining about wasn’t white) and capitalism from her iPhone.
Elle is the worst of them, though. I can’t even begin to tell you how awful she is, and the terrible things that she does. But because she is so evil, she is so much fun to hate. Honestly, she is the stereotypical woman you know has to be lying because nobody is that perfect.
Which brings me to the main point that I took away: social media is NOT real life. People lie. They stage events and act a part. And they get so wrapped up in “clicks” and “likes” and “followers” that they have forgotten how to be decent human beings.
And that, my friends, is the state we are in today.
This is a timely novel that delivers the above message with humor but in a very pointed manner. Very well done.
I thoroughly enjoyed the premise of this book and thought that the writing was excellent. I liked how the characters were representative of the different people easily found on social media: the overwhelmed mom, the ‘appearances are perfect’ mom, and the crunchy granola mom. But the author did an excellent job of illustrating how there is always more to a story, and nobody can actually be categorized that easily. There were quite a few jaw-drop moments, including one near the end that had me yelling “NO WAY!” at my Kindle. For more insight into the stereotypical characters, visit my blog at Fireflies and Free Kicks Fiction Reviews. Thank you to Legend Press (via NetGalley) for the opportunity to read a complimentary digital ARC of this book.
