Helpful Score: 4
Very cute book. I found it at the beach and it was perfect... This book is funny and all about sisterhood & being 41 and living at your parents. I enjoyed every minute.
Helpful Score: 3
This is a contemporary novel set in a beach community on the eastern coast of the USA. The main character is a 41 year-old single woman who is wondering why she is still unmarried despite having had a prolific number of boyfriends. She is experimenting at being a jewelry artist while living freely in an above the garage apartment her parents own.
The supporting cast: her parents, her sister, her sister's family, a boyfriend (Noah), and her pets, have lots of personality. The problem is the main character Ginger is dull. Everyone else is rippling with interesting things about them. The dad loves to pick up junk at the dump and bring it home, the mom comes across as an ex-hippy type who is still free-love with her husband, the sister is uptight about turning 50 in the extreme, even Noah the boyfriend who is supposed to be pretty much a non-entity according to Ginger, is interesting and comes across as much deeper than the other characters give him credit for.
Ginger on the other hand is like dust in the wind: whichever way others blow her she goes. The only decisions she makes are ones that don't really propel her life in any significant manner. Maybe she is supposed to be this way, but I like a main character with more moxie. Even just a little more moxie would have helped the story.
Furthermore, I didn't think there was ever a real ah-ha moment, which I relish in a good book, and the metaphors (gifts of frogs and the idea that she lived in a FROG [finished room over garage] meant to indicate that she jumps freely from relationship to relationship when things get rough) is also lamely done.
The humor is sometimes humorous.
Overall, the story was entertaining but not riveting. I was not uncomfortable putting it down and doing other things and leaving it lay for a few days at a time, which I did too often. A really good book would not create that nonchalant response.
The supporting cast: her parents, her sister, her sister's family, a boyfriend (Noah), and her pets, have lots of personality. The problem is the main character Ginger is dull. Everyone else is rippling with interesting things about them. The dad loves to pick up junk at the dump and bring it home, the mom comes across as an ex-hippy type who is still free-love with her husband, the sister is uptight about turning 50 in the extreme, even Noah the boyfriend who is supposed to be pretty much a non-entity according to Ginger, is interesting and comes across as much deeper than the other characters give him credit for.
Ginger on the other hand is like dust in the wind: whichever way others blow her she goes. The only decisions she makes are ones that don't really propel her life in any significant manner. Maybe she is supposed to be this way, but I like a main character with more moxie. Even just a little more moxie would have helped the story.
Furthermore, I didn't think there was ever a real ah-ha moment, which I relish in a good book, and the metaphors (gifts of frogs and the idea that she lived in a FROG [finished room over garage] meant to indicate that she jumps freely from relationship to relationship when things get rough) is also lamely done.
The humor is sometimes humorous.
Overall, the story was entertaining but not riveting. I was not uncomfortable putting it down and doing other things and leaving it lay for a few days at a time, which I did too often. A really good book would not create that nonchalant response.
Helpful Score: 3
I had really looked forward to reading this book and then found myself struggling to get through it. It was just too slow moving for me. It didn't grab me from the beginning and it never got better. Disappointing.
Helpful Score: 1
I loved this book,funny!!
Helpful Score: 1
This book was painful. It was really hard for me to get through. Nothing really happens. Maybe i missed the point?
Good story. I like her witty style, but I think her "Must Love Dogs" is better.
Good beach read
Perfect summer light fare. Very well written, though, so not too lite!!
I thought it was a good book. I didn't find it hilarious but it was a fun, light read. I really liked the fact that the characters were over 40 and brave enough to follow their dreams. And, there were some moments that I think many women can relate to in their lives.
It was a funny read! Loved the dad's corky sense of humor. Great book on how life's choice change where you will end up.
This is one the best books ive read this year. Cant wait for her others.
This book is a hoot! I read this book on my annual girls week reading vacation and laugh the entire time. By the end of the week all of us girls had read the book and EVERYONE loved it!
I really liked this book. It was a quick and easy reach. Anyone who has a sister can relate to the 2 sisters in the book. There were some really funny characters and good character development. I was a little dissappointed by the ending. It felt kind of rushed and tacked on. All in all it was a pretty good book.
It's a fun easy read. I even chuckled a few times. If you're looking for something light and quick, it's a good pick.
Enjoyed this book - very easy reading!
i read this book in two days, it is very cute, the sister love/hate is very real, the family was fun, and the read was quick and light. Claire Cook is a great author, not to heavy, simple and refreshing, like an ocean breeze!
I rarely give a bad review. And I rarely do NOT finish a book I've started. However, in my opinion this was a waste of my time. No real plot, self-absorbed main character, rambling. Wasn't for me.
This is a great story. Ginger is 41 and childless by choice. I am very tired of romances ending with a kid on the way. The kids that are in the story (her nieces and nephew) in no way detract from and actually add to the story. However, the end of the book does hint at the possibility of Ginger having kids (at least she seems to be thinking about it). Too bad, but it's still a great read.
I thought this was a great book. It was a fun read and I even found myself laughing out loud a few times. The characters were quirky enought to be believable to take you on their journey.
