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Canadian Jen's Reviews > Hello Beautiful
Hello Beautiful
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So, here I sit in a bit of a conundrum. On the onset, given all the shining star reviews this one had, I thought I would feel the same glow. I didn’t. It wasn’t until I started the dreaded skim that it picked up -three quarters through. Napolatino, you took too long to get leverage. My expectations were sky high. This was my first with you and I felt a bit like a parachuter plummeting down -Until I got to page 300….
This is a story about sisters. 4 of them. What pulls them together and what threatens to pull them apart.
There were some eye rolling moments: ‘contented in every cell of her body’. Ok I get it. Do you need to point this out more than once? Less telling more showing please.
Also the time period seemed off. This read as though it took place in the 60’s rather than the 80’s.
Perhaps it didn’t stand a chance on the heels of my last one that shook me. Or maybe I just had built this author up too much given all the hype.
It could just be another case of it’s me, not you…It wouldn’t be the first time.
If you’re up for a nice but slow story, then I can recommend. Do look to other reviews as they sparkle.
3.5
This is a story about sisters. 4 of them. What pulls them together and what threatens to pull them apart.
There were some eye rolling moments: ‘contented in every cell of her body’. Ok I get it. Do you need to point this out more than once? Less telling more showing please.
Also the time period seemed off. This read as though it took place in the 60’s rather than the 80’s.
Perhaps it didn’t stand a chance on the heels of my last one that shook me. Or maybe I just had built this author up too much given all the hype.
It could just be another case of it’s me, not you…It wouldn’t be the first time.
If you’re up for a nice but slow story, then I can recommend. Do look to other reviews as they sparkle.
3.5
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Reading Progress
Comments Showing 1-50 of 147 (147 new)
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Fran
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May 01, 2023 04:28AM
Jen...Happy reading!
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Love seeing that you're reading this, Jen!
thanks Fran & Cheri :D
I've heard such good things about this one! Enjoy!
Southern Lady Reads wrote: "I've heard such good things about this one! Enjoy!"TY SL :)
I agree with your assessment! I'd expected to like this one more than I did. For me, the ending was the most disappointing. Fair and balanced review, Jen!😊
I didn't feel the glow of this either. I thought I was reading a different book than everyone else. Great review, Jen! I hope you next book is a winner.
I've heard this from other friends as well! Honest, fair review Jen! 💗
Terrific review, Jen! Sorry you didn't enjoy it more. 💖
Very generous considering. I'm in "the dreaded skim" portion heading for page 300. I don't know why I don't toss it. Taken in small doses with other very good books in between is keeping it alive, just barely.Thanks for the virtual "buddy read" experience 😅
It didn’t work for me, either! You are not alone! 💖
Wonderful Jen. I picked this up for all the early glowing reviews as well, but am seeing similar reviews now - I have yet to get to it. Hopefully my reading will not be affected by all the reviews.
Good and useful review, Jen! I have been wondering about this one - but you have very much helped me make a decision. Thanks!
I adored this book! Favourite so far this year. I wish it had worked for you. ❤️
Sujoya wrote: "I agree with your assessment! I'd expected to like this one more than I did. For me, the ending was the most disappointing. Fair and balanced review, Jen!😊"Glad to know I'm not alone! TY Sujoya 😁
Debra wrote: "I didn't feel the glow of this either. I thought I was reading a different book than everyone else. Great review, Jen! I hope you next book is a winner."Thanks Debra - that connection was the thing for sure!
Holly wrote: "I've heard this from other friends as well! Honest, fair review Jen! 💗"Thanks Holly. It's tough being an outlier. But given the message of this story, I need to be true with myself 😊
Julie wrote: "Terrific review, Jen! Sorry you didn't enjoy it more. 💖"Thanks Julie!
Cathrine ☯️ wrote: "Very generous considering. I'm in "the dreaded skim" portion heading for page 300. I don't know why I don't toss it. Taken in small doses with other very good books in between is keeping it alive, ..."You didn't toss it because you have hope! It did get better but still heavy on the tells. When you mentioned where you were at I actually considered dumping it too. 8 pages skimmed and it picked up. Was it worth? I don't know - I'm glad I know the ending.
Jayme wrote: "It didn’t work for me, either! You are not alone! 💖"We are a small crowd but united 😁
Ian M. Pyatt wrote: "Wonderful Jen. I picked this up for all the early glowing reviews as well, but am seeing similar reviews now - I have yet to get to it. Hopefully my reading will not be affected by all the reviews."You may adore it, Ian. Many did. I haven't read any of her other stories but am hoping to. Although, I think I need to adjust my expectations.
I loved Dear Edward so I have high hopes! 🤞🏼🤞🏼
Hmmm, been eyeing this one, too. Just goes to show, everyone has their own taste, but I get that it's rough when you feel like the outlier on a popular read.
Ann wrote: "Good and useful review, Jen! I have been wondering about this one - but you have very much helped me make a decision. Thanks!"You may really like it, Ann. Many of our GR friends do....the pacing too slow for me.
Tracy wrote: "I adored this book! Favourite so far this year. I wish it had worked for you. ❤️"Unfortunately an outlier but glad you loved it. That was my first by the author so I'm really iffy on picking up more.
Maureen wrote: "Hope your next is better Jen 🌸"TY Maureen!
Melanie wrote: "I loved Dear Edward so I have high hopes! 🤞🏼🤞🏼"And I haven't read that one - I know it is on Apple. I may just watch it :) I hope you do love this one, Melanie.
Honest review, Jen! Not every book works for everyone, but I understand how it feels when a book loved by the majority doesn't work for us. I hope you love your next one.
Teres wrote: "Hmmm, been eyeing this one, too. Just goes to show, everyone has their own taste, but I get that it's rough when you feel like the outlier on a popular read."Agreed, Teres 😊
Jen, your review is perfect! It's O.K. to be honest without feeling you need to apologize or label yourself an "outlier". I've found myself in this same situation. It seems to happen for me when I've read a ton of reviews for a book before reading it for myself. By then it's a bit like "old news" - there's nothing exciting about it because I've already read too much from others. This is why I often don't bother reading a book I feel has been "reviewed to death", so to speak.😉
Rosh [semi-hiatus] wrote: "Honest review, Jen! Not every book works for everyone, but I understand how it feels when a book loved by the majority doesn't work for us. I hope you love your next one."Thanks much, Rosh!
Jodi wrote: "Jen, your review is perfect! It's O.K. to be honest without feeling you need to apologize or label yourself an "outlier". I've found myself in this same situation. It seems to happen for me when I'..."This is a good practice, Jodi. I may need to do this myself :) I often have to wait as I don't do NetGalley and many I have to suggest to the library to order. Anyways, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I hope to catch up on her other ones still and maybe I will be delighted!
Jen CAN wrote: "Jodi wrote: "Jen, your review is perfect! It's O.K. to be honest without feeling you need to apologize or label yourself an "outlier". I've found myself in this same situation. It seems to happen f..."Dear Edward is really a lovely book. I think you'll like it!
Lisa wrote: "How did you feel about the characters?"This is a good question, Lisa. There were 3 POVs and that makes it more difficult to connect with any. They were well carved out but I wasn't invested.
Jodi wrote: "Jen CAN wrote: "Jodi wrote: "Jen, your review is perfect! It's O.K. to be honest without feeling you need to apologize or label yourself an "outlier". I've found myself in this same situation. It s..."Thanks Jodi. Glad to see the endorsement!
Sorry it didn’t work for you, Jen . I always appreciate your perspective even if we don’t agree , which isn’t very often :)
Oh dear. I've been looking forward to this one as I have the NetGalley version but really wanted to wait for the audio to come available. The waiting list is forever. But I have (had) high hopes too.
Angela M wrote: "Sorry it didn’t work for you, Jen . I always appreciate your perspective even if we don’t agree , which isn’t very often :)"We rarely differ, Angela. I'm glad you loved it!
Carol wrote: "Awe I am so sorry that this was a disappointment, Jen🩷!! Hope your next read is amazing!"Thanks Carol! I hope so too 😊
☮Karen wrote: "Oh dear. I've been looking forward to this one as I have the NetGalley version but really wanted to wait for the audio to come available. The waiting list is forever. But I have (had) high hopes too."
You may love it, Karen. The audio may be superb! I hope so
Knowing you read the McDaniel right before this one (I think?), I can see how any next read would have a hard time standing up. That said, I appreciate your thoughts on this one, Jen. Sometimes we just don’t click. I hope you find a gem next time!
Jennifer ~ TarHeelReader wrote: "Knowing you read the McDaniel right before this one (I think?), I can see how any next read would have a hard time standing up. That said, I appreciate your thoughts on this one, Jen. Sometimes we ..."Yes, Jenni! It left such an imprint that it may have been difficult for anything to follow. I am going to read her other ones as I did purchase 2 of the 3 and I hope I love them! TY
Excellent review Jen, sorry it wasn’t a winner
Thanks Maureen! Can’t have too many winners in a row ☺️
Terrific review! 💕 Hope you love your next one.
Thanks for your honesty. I've seen hits and misses with this one. I don't think it's one I'll be reading.
I'm always a little suspicious of the ones that "everyone" loves. I suspect I would feel as you do, so passing it up.
Mary Beth wrote: "Terrific review! 💕 Hope you love your next one."Thanks MB!
