bella613's Reviews (551)

This was an enjoyable read but it wasn't all the well planned, in my opinion. 
I like the premise a lot, but the first half of the book moved very slowly and only made me dislike the main character. I know she's grieving but she doesn't act in a relatable way. She doesn't get more likeable, and the thing that upset me most about the whole book is that

she considers raising the baby to be a second chance to be a mother, but it never even once occurs to her that its a chance to save her grandchild's life. Her focus is so intensely selfish that she never stops to consider the actual baby. And even noticing other peoples grief outside of her own, once it happens, is a novel idea for her.

Anyway, it was fairly light for a book about grieving a child. I'd like to explore more by the author because I like the style and concept, just not the layout of the plot or the characters lol.

This book kind of blew me away with how emotionally intense the writing is and how well the main character is written. 
There are also a lot of things that bothered me- for example all of the men felt like the same character to me, a very hateable pervert with no interesting characteristics. The ending made me want to cry. 
For me, it was a depressing story but the mindset and thoughts of the main character were so realistic and honest that I couldn't put it down. I relate to a feeling of having family members' hateful actions toward each other put me in the middle. (Not anything as extreme as the drama in this book, and experienced as an adult not a child) I think the heavy drama really makes it feel so real as a teen coming of age story though, because as a teen the whole of life is honestly experienced in such a light. 
This book is one I really want to discuss more deeply but I doubt anyone in my book club would want to read it. 
I think it's interesting the way growing up is portrayed as an increase of lies, but there's also a difference in how children and adults lie. There's also a certain amount of lying to oneself or not even being aware of one's own lies in this book, and some of the characters really embody lying for so long they've forgotten what the truth is. 
Another part of the book that intrigues me is how much Giovanna becomes obsessed with what she does not want to become. I'm sure this is a universally experienced behavior, but I definitely felt that extreme disgust and fear as a teenage girl and then the sort of avoidant-acceptance of it as well. The ways that she deals with her confusion and tries to gain control of herself and her life are so real and so heartbreaking. 
I do relate to the story but it also made me grateful for some of the adults in my life when I was a teenager. Not every adult is cruel, inattentive, manipulative, and lying. Not every adult is emotionally immature. I'm glad I had at least pieces from many adults to create a whole good role model at that age, and I hope to always be an adult that is honest, kind, stable, trustworthy, and supportive of kids in my life. 

I saw this at a favorite used bookstore and had to bring it home with me. 
It's quite funny and most of the scenarios are ones in which I cannot imagine ever finding myself. The ones that are extremely useful are also just complicated and/or difficult enough that I'll never be able to actually perform the given advice. Do I feel more prepared for emergencies after reading this? Not especially. My main takeaway is honestly that many of these situations will land you with broken legs even if you do everything perfectly. 

It's definitely a good read :) I'll be sure to carry a stout pole when walking near quicksand-risky areas, and aim for the gills the next time a shark attacks me. 

Its not bad but I'm not feeling this one today 🤷🏻‍♀️ 

I liked this one best of the three in the series so far! 
It's rare that I like books in a series progressively more than the last ones but that has been the case. 
This one, again, is very cheesy. Everything moved ridiculously fast but that's pretty normal for a romance novel so I can overlook it lol. Most of it is not necessarily accurate or believable, but I really like the dynamics of the relationships, and Abby's writing style is honestly addicting. 
PSA to anyone reading this: never send or open pictures on reddit dms LOL. And definitely never decide to move to someone's location because you liked their reddit post!? It will not end like this book. 
I laughed out loud when they started bashing med-surg (I was listening at work, at the hospital, and I've worked in surgery for the past 6 years) and died when they explained how travel nursing works. (It has nothing to do with surgeons and everything to do with benefits.)
I really hated Maddie at the beginning because she didn't seem like a good friend but towards the end she really came through. I think it took a bit for me to understand her personality.

I feel like we really skimmed over

the fact that his mom is in prison for embezzling money and her mom should definitely be in prison for... lots of things.

Like it was emotionally explored but I think more needs to be done, and it needs to be taken more seriously??

Anyway I found this book very entertaining and I think Abby did a great job. It was fun listening to the mini interview at the end too.

I loved this! 
Saw on libby "big library" read (normally I don't love the libby book club picks) and my interest was sparked. I'm glad I listened :) ties introspection into a theory on music and time and I really like the ideas she has.