I enjoyed this a lot more than I anticipated. I'm not sure about this rating, I may change it (I think it's a bit inflated by the sheer difference between my expectations vs. actual reception). I loved the narration on the audiobook, and I felt deeply invested in these characters, and so heartbroken by the endless cycles they found themselves in. Unlike Conversations with Friends, I found the characters interesting and engrossing, their relationships flawed in a very human way, and their conversations and interests believable. The ending had me a little devastated, and all I wanted was for both of them to just open up and learn and grow and finally find happiness. But I guess that's not the point. On the whole, I was pleasantly surprised. 

This was,,, boring. I am disappointed but how much I didn't enjoy it. It was so traditional in terms of gender roles and all of the characters were flat. What happened here?!!

This was good. I felt like there was some lack of character development in Tariq, and that Ruby's character wasn't very consistent. I feel like a lot of these feelings should either have been alluded to more instead of stated simply because there weren't enough pages to fully explore them; or this novella should have been a full novel. The dynamics between the characters were complex and interesting, but there were too many characters with too much going on between them for the whole thing to feel complete. There were also some typos? Which I thought was weird. Maybe I got my hands on an early version or something, I don't know.

This was SO good. Unbelievable how she manages to make conversations that are so theologian in essence so much more - these conversations we’re worldly, engaging, complicated, and thought provoking. I absolutely loved listening to this, as if I was in the room with them. 

i liked this! definitely a different narrative which was nice to say. 

I should have read this in one sitting but I didn’t. I feel like a lot went over my head. I would like to reread. Kincaid’s voice is gorgeous and this essay was devastating. Really makes you think about travelling and the ethics of it. 

This was a nearly perfect book. There was something missing that makes this not a favourite, but regardless, I loved every second and always looked forward to picking it up. Granados' writing is so fluid and organic - it feels as if Isa is dictating your own thoughts. Never has an inner monologue seemed so seamless and coherent as in Happy Hour. I think it's brilliant and fun and reflective in ways I wasn't expecting. The introspection wasn't forced or awkward or misplaced. It was the exact kind of introspection that you feel daily in the moments between minutes. I absolutely loved this. I can't even put my finger on what it was that kept me from being completely obsessed with this. I don't think she could have done anything different. 

This was soooo drama and so enjoyable. I will read anything Ferrante writes. I am obsessed with her. This was no exception. Very unexpected ending, she really subverted my expectations. Thank you Elena!