I listened to the audiobook version and Marin Ireland’s Sally was my favorite. While I thought all the readers were expressive in their delivery - her tone and delivery of why she would make preserves or her dream to only need to clean up after herself was great.

I did like the book overall and did not expect the ending to end as it did - I would say it was a hero’s journey, but I am not sure who the hero is… other than Ulysses :)

sad kid & friends solve mystery of missing toddler

Most of the grownups on this street are terrible

I struggled to like any of the characters in this book… I guess I was sympathetic to Nella, but most of the rest of the characters I found frustrating.

I think another review mentioned a lot of the drama in all the storylines could be avoided if people would have just spoken up / been honest… I agree 100%.

Also, James is a grown up, if he drank the eucalyptus - why would Caroline be immediately held accountable for that?

Got the kiddo excited about this series again - so I call it a win!

I feel like I am still missing what happened that caused Naomi to forget what she liked about Nicholas to begin with… or why they got engaged so quickly. It felt a little to me that the story just jumped into the middle - and from that perspective it seemed like someone engaged against their will. She comments repeatedly “how did we meet?” which also confused me - does she have amnesia? Has she been concussed?

6 word review: broken-hearted teen shouldn’t make life choices

(For real - I spent a lot of this book wondering why she was so stubborn about loving her hometown)

I liked the overlapping stories and characters but I think I could have done with less Richard Burton

Quan really is a supportive big brother

5 word review: Frenemy friendships are crazy drama

6 word review: Jane Austen stories are comfort food

Also, I guess I should read Persuasion.