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Reads like a 75 year old man imagined what a 35 year old woman’s life might be like

Overall
3 out of 5 stars
Performance
3 out of 5 stars
Story
3 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 03-16-25

Performance: I liked the readers voice and the voices she did for the various characters. But she played much of the text with excessive melodrama.

Story: The general setup and hook is cute. Woman moves back to small town, becomes plucky business owner, develops inter generational friendship with lovable former teacher. Basic plot with the big estate sale is interesting. But so much of the characterization of the protagonist feels really off.

It’s like my elderly dad sat down and tried to imagine what a young woman thinks and feels. The main character’s reactions to developments with her work, her potential love interest, and her housemate often seem odd, like she Freaky Friday’d with Walter Matthau.

For a book that often references people having sex, the protagonist is quite judgmental and prudish about it. The women her age that she encounters are all written as hostile or judged by her to be spoiled and whiny. At some point she goes so far as to wish that one of these women seek advice from her elderly male friend, because teaching high school math basically makes his a psychologist. At which point said man tells said young woman that she is being a “brat”, that she should smile more, and that she should give her father a hug.

There’s almost no discernible buildup or chemistry with the main love interest. I wanted to care about them, but it was hard to develop interested in such wooden, one dimensional interaction.

Overall promising plot setup with disappointing character delivery.

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Love Mary Jane Wells voice

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 02-11-24

Mary Jane Wells has the most lovely voice and gives another great performance across all characters. Manda Collins has written another solid escape novel featuring highly likable characters,

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Delightful in every way!

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 11-05-23

Great characters, compelling plot, strong beginning, middle and end. I went on to enjoy the other 3 books in the series!

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Just lovely storytelling

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 08-10-23

I can’t put my finger on what exactly I enjoyed most about this book. Nothing about it was particularly showy. Maybe it’s that I liked all of the characters, which is so rare for me in books. Everyone is relatable and likable. There decisions make sense. The storytelling is taught - nothing drags. And for an epic that spans centuries and multiple narrators, it flows together and makes sense, which is no easy feat. Strong recommend.

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The writing is so good

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 07-31-22

I’ve actually went back and registered to this book a year after I’d initially read it - a rarely for me - because I just missed this with. The characters make some decisions that were hard to swallow at times. But they grew throughout the book, and in retrospect they make sense. It’s like life - it can be rough sometimes. As a therapist, I appreciate it when people bring stories including mental illness into the light, because the they usually just surround us in silence.

What absolutely shines about this book is the protagonist’s razor sharp wit, which makes me long to live next door to her. She can bag on the executive homes any time she likes. Her Fleabag-style rapport with her sister is so compelling. If you can deal with the regular bursts of sadness and trauma, the characters will win you over and wit will make it all worth it.

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One of Liane’s best

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 01-17-22

Liane Moriarty is consistently one of my favorite writers. I found this book really satisfying - interesting, relatable characters and an interesting story that stuck the landing. I think Liane’s writing has continued to build strength and depth over the years, and this book shows it. Reader Caroline Lee is wonderful as ever. This book was a treat to read.

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Incredible performance & strong story

Overall
5 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Story
5 out of 5 stars

Reviewed: 11-24-20

Carey Mulligan is the best reader I’ve ever heard. Would have been a wholly different book to read without her. A surprisingly thought provoking story - a light and easy touch on the multiverse that has left me contemplating my own life. I’ve recommended this book and performance to many friends. A satisfying beginning, middle & end.

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