The Three Reasons Review is a simple way to get your thoughts out there about a book. The reasons are as follows complete with fancy button:
Teaser Synopsis: Three female friends face midlife crises in a no holds-barred exploration of sex, marriage, and the fragility of life. As one woman's marriage unravels, another one's rekindles. As one woman's family comes apart at the seams, another's is reconfigured into something bigger and better. In this story of connections and disconnections, one woman's up is another one's down, and all three of them will learn the meaning of friendship, betrayal, and forgiveness before it is through.
I've been a HUGE fan of Hopkins' writing from her very first YA book. I wanted to read this because I was curious if I would like an adult novel written by her.
2.) Reasons you liked or disliked this book
I didn't dislike this book, but I can honestly say that I wasn't overly impressed with it. I guess I can handle angst in teens way better than in adults. I really didn't make a connection with any of the three women in this book, and I'm sad to admit that the verse got a bit boring and stale at various times throughout the story. I also felt that at times it just wandered and was "out there" if you know what I mean? Like, she was trying to go uber deep on some sort of emotional level and I was just not feeling it. I also felt that it was too long and too wordy. Lose about 100-150 pages and get rid of the nonsense verse and it would have worked so much better for me.
3.) Reasons you are recommending this book
I would recommend this book if you are a fan of Ellen's work, but I honestly believe that it just wasn't to the caliber that I've grown accustomed to in her YA works.
Rating: 7/10
Published: October 18, 2011
Publisher: Atria Books
Genre: Fiction
* Uncorrected ARC
Source: Atria Galley Promotion
Disclaimer:Thank you to Atria Books for sending me a review copy. I was not compensated for my review. My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist.They are my personal reflections based solely on MYexperience while reading this novel.
© 2011, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
I am planning on reading this soon. I have never read anything by this author before. Thanks for the honest review.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's just my age, but I couldn't imagine enjoying this one...LOL Thanks for sharing your thoughts Staci.
ReplyDeleteI've never read this author before. Sounds like this isn't the one I should start with given the characters' angst...I also tolerate it better in YA novels than with adult characters.
ReplyDeleteBummer it wasn't as good as you wanted.. from the synopsis, it sounded promising! :):):):):):):):):):):)
ReplyDeleteVerse novels are my simple pleasure. I was excited to see an adult verse novel. I have only read Crank, enjoyed the story but not the verse style so much.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate your honesty, that is how I felt about Crank, I actually wished it wasn't in verse.
Oh, I had hoped that this one might appeal to me...and I am disappointed that she is continuing the "verse" style, which really doesn't do it for me.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a YA fan, so I probably wouldn't enjoy those, either. I did read Identical, which was a mirroring verse format...I actually really hated it!
So I can cross this one off my list! Glad you liked it a little, though; and I guess you don't mind the verse.
Now there's a cover I would probably want to cover up to take out in public! :--)
ReplyDeleteI've never tried Hopkins' work, but I've become a fan of books written in verse recently, so I want to give this book a try.
ReplyDeleteI don't think this would be a book I'd like just from the teaser - just not my kind of read. Or maybe I've read too many that sound similar. In any case I enjoyed your review (I like that format too!).
ReplyDeletePerhaps not then..but the name sounds familiar, I might just have seen her ya books. Shall check tomorrow
ReplyDeleteHmmm.... I am on the fence.
ReplyDeleteI've got a couple of her YA books sitting somewhere lol. I think I'll start with them and not this one ;)
ReplyDeleteYour review was honest and clear as always, love that!
I was offered this book by a blogger friend but I declined. 500+ pages of emotional stuff can be a little too much.
ReplyDeleteRight after reading the summary I thought, "Not another book about middle-aged women falling apart. Come on, girls. Grow up." It didn't speak to me and I passed.
ReplyDeleteAt first when I saw you talking about YA I had to look at the book cover again, but I see that it's an adult book. I would hope so! Too bad you didn't really like it, but you did an awesome review as usual!
ReplyDeleteI just started this one and I have to agree with you. With her YA books I was immediately drawn into the story and with this one I find I can put it down. I still want to read it to see what happens but it doesn't seem to have the same spark for me.
ReplyDeleteI don't know why I was thinking YA when I saw that cover too! This doesn't look like the book for me.
ReplyDeleteI didn't even know this book existed. I have read her YA books, but I am actually thinking I wouldn't like this one. Maybe when I finish the other books she has that I haven't read, but otherwise I am in no rush...
ReplyDeleteHopkins is an author that I've always wanted to try but obviously I better start with her YA novels first. I've been looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this one because it sounded interesting when I first heard about it but now..not so much. Thanks for the honest review Staci!
ReplyDeleteYou know, I've never read Hopkins! A huge gap in my YA reading. I think I'll start with one of her others, though.
ReplyDeleteI've enjoyed many by Hopkins, but mainly only in audio. The verse doesn't appeal to me in the written form. I think I'm going to pass on this one in both formats.
ReplyDeleteI still have not read this one. i got it at BEA. So behind...
ReplyDeleteI just saw another review on this one. I haven read any books by this author. I hate when they get too wordy. More pages does not make a better book!
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