2.5 Stars
I am not sure how I feel about this book. The storytelling and the writing were done wonderfully; I was fully invested in the story and its characters. But on the other hand, it was so flipping depressing! I feel the need to warn readers not to buy a house on Mimosa Lane, everyone living there is miserable!
We have the main character, Mallory, and her misery has deep roots in a childhood spent on the streets. The other main characters are Polly and her dad, Pete. Their misery is based on the recent and tragic loss of their mother/wife. Then you have two neighbors, one who is nosy and not content in her life, feeling a little lonely and neglected, and another neighbor suffering from PTSD and miserable about the events of 9/11. You see the pattern here? I just wanted to throwh anti-depressants in everyones drinking water.
I like stories about people overcoming past traumas and finding their happily ever after, I am just not sure that I buy all that the author was selling here. From the synopsis I assumed Mallory and Pete were going to be a couple by the close of the book. Yay! What I didnt know was how recent his wife had passed away. This was the love of his life; he and his daughter are barely functioning through every day because their grief is so raw and strong. But along comes Mallory and hes ready to fall in love? Huh? Had the author made the passing of the wife not so recent, I would have been happier with the turn out. But as it is, I didnt really get it I dont think Pete, or his daughter would be so open to that relationship so soon.
Mallory is a social worker and she gives great advice to everyone, shes a veritable travelling therapist. But when it comes to her own life, she is the opposite. If anyone is in need of therapy it is her. Basically I felt like the people who should be hung up on the past (Polly and Pete) werent, and those who should be moving on (Mallory and PTSD neighbor) werent.
I dont enjoy feeling bad or sad, and I dont enjoy books that made me feel that way. While the story is well told, its still too depressing for this reader to love it.
Cherise Everhard, February 2013
Book provided by and reviewed for the Amazon Vine Program
I am not sure how I feel about this book. The storytelling and the writing were done wonderfully; I was fully invested in the story and its characters. But on the other hand, it was so flipping depressing! I feel the need to warn readers not to buy a house on Mimosa Lane, everyone living there is miserable!
We have the main character, Mallory, and her misery has deep roots in a childhood spent on the streets. The other main characters are Polly and her dad, Pete. Their misery is based on the recent and tragic loss of their mother/wife. Then you have two neighbors, one who is nosy and not content in her life, feeling a little lonely and neglected, and another neighbor suffering from PTSD and miserable about the events of 9/11. You see the pattern here? I just wanted to throwh anti-depressants in everyones drinking water.
I like stories about people overcoming past traumas and finding their happily ever after, I am just not sure that I buy all that the author was selling here. From the synopsis I assumed Mallory and Pete were going to be a couple by the close of the book. Yay! What I didnt know was how recent his wife had passed away. This was the love of his life; he and his daughter are barely functioning through every day because their grief is so raw and strong. But along comes Mallory and hes ready to fall in love? Huh? Had the author made the passing of the wife not so recent, I would have been happier with the turn out. But as it is, I didnt really get it I dont think Pete, or his daughter would be so open to that relationship so soon.
Mallory is a social worker and she gives great advice to everyone, shes a veritable travelling therapist. But when it comes to her own life, she is the opposite. If anyone is in need of therapy it is her. Basically I felt like the people who should be hung up on the past (Polly and Pete) werent, and those who should be moving on (Mallory and PTSD neighbor) werent.
I dont enjoy feeling bad or sad, and I dont enjoy books that made me feel that way. While the story is well told, its still too depressing for this reader to love it.
Cherise Everhard, February 2013
Book provided by and reviewed for the Amazon Vine Program
