Pages

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Deep Down True- Bookish Thoughts #25


What Deep Down True is about:
Newly divorced Dana Stellgarten has always been unfailingly nice- even to telemarketers-but now her temper is wearing thin. Money is tight, her kids are reeling from their dad's departure, and her Goth teenage niece has just landed on her doorstep. As she enters the slipstream of post-divorce romance and is befriended by the town queen bee, Dana finds that the tension between being true to yourself and being liked doesn't end in middle school... and that sometimes it takes a real friend to help you embrace adulthood in all its flawed complexity.


Why I wanted to read it: I read Juliette's debut novel, Shelter Me (my review here), and really enjoyed it. I noticed that she had a new book out and wanted to read it.


Source: Public Library

  • The book started out slowly for me and I wasn't too sure that I was going to keep reading it. It could have been my mood at the time but for whatever reason I had a hard time connecting to the story. About 60 pages in though, something changed and I was a bit more invest into the main protagonist's story. 
  • Dana was a character that I liked and sometimes wanted to throttle. I understood how uncertain she was of her own strength having relied on her ex-husband for so long to provide for her and their family. I really liked her more when she realizes that she may be divorce, she may be over forty, but she's still desirable and worth loving!
  • The way the author wrote the kids in the story felt pretty authentic and I thought she got the teen angst, the adolescent fears, and the way divorce impacts the children spot on.
Even though the story ends a bit predictably, it was still a good read. I didn't like it near as much as Shelter Me, but I was satisfied.  This book would make a great beach read, easy summer reading pick, or even a book club choice as there is plenty to talk about: divorce, infidelity, eating disorders, financial problems, insecurities, and finding love again.

Bookish Thoughts #25
© 2012, 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. 

19 comments:

  1. I love the bit in the blurb about being nice even to telemarketers! This does sound like a good read and I love the cover - I want that porch!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Like you, I enjoyed Shelter Me so I appreciate your review. Looks like a lot was packed into this novel!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I actually love characters that make me want to throttle them - they seem so real to me. The book sounds like it's worth a read.

    ReplyDelete
  4. I might have a hard time getting through this one too! Thanks for the honest review Staci!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Even though it wasn't as enjoyable as Shelter Me, it still sounds nice for an afternoon at the pool.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have this book on my Kindke I'm sure. I just love the cover. I'm glad it was a pretty good read for you.

    ReplyDelete
  7. The premise has been done before but I always seem to enjoy books where women have to comeback from some devastating loss. Have you seen The Client List on TV yet? It's almost the same story except to make money she gives "special favors" while giving massages. It's so cheesy! I love it! It has Jennifer Love Hewitt who plays it with an accent, which is hilarious enough.

    ReplyDelete
  8. I've got Shelter Me on my long list of want to read books. Sounds like I should choose that one over this one.

    ReplyDelete
  9. The question is, would I make it to 60?

    ReplyDelete
  10. This one sounds interesting. I might pick it up.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Sometimes predictable is okay, especially when you finish a book feeling satisfied. Glad you ended up enjoying it despite the slow start.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I have this one so I am glad to hear you enjoyed it after the slow beginning. Good to know it would make a good, summer beach read!

    ReplyDelete
  13. Sometimes I'm okay with a slow beginning and sometimes I'm not. It would really depend on the author's writing and characters. If they are worth it then I don't mind the plot pacing.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I've got Shelter Me on my TBR mountain, think I might stick to reading it first :)

    ReplyDelete
  15. This does sound like an easy read with a good ending. Love the cover too.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Even if a book is just satisfying, that can be enough for me. Sounds like Shelter Me is the better one to start with though.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hmmm, I couldn't get into Shelter Me (audio version), so I doubt I'll give this one a passing glance (although that cover is lovely!).

    ReplyDelete
  18. I don't mind predictable sometimes when the outcome is one that makes me happy! Great review!

    ReplyDelete

Hello Friends!! I want to take this moment to say thank you. Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog and thank you for leaving me a comment.

* Because of the excessive spam I have decided not to allow anonymous users to comment.

Happy Reading!