Reads like fanfiction. Misunderstandings, overly-angsty characters, drama, sappiness, and predictable "twists" abound. I tend to be a pessimist and thought that the main characters was stupidly stubborn/pessimistic; one quote she said nearly made me stop reading. I did actually finish the book though, so it gets one star just for that. I might've given two stars if it had given me some "warm fuzzies" - restoring faith in humanity/humans doing good - but it missed a lot of potential in that area.
Sophie has had much misery in her life. Her parents are dead, her fiance canceled their wedding a week before, and now her ex-fiance is back and wants a second chance to explain himself. Sophie is not buying it and gives her ex, Garrett, a task she believes will never get done. She is in for a few surprises.
I liked so many things in this book. The characters are all likable and make the story so enjoyable you don't want to finish. I also found it inspiring and uplifting.
After her misfortunes, Sophie did turn her sadness into something better. She believed that her parents death was her fault, even though she was only a little girl who wanted piece of chocolate. But she eventually started a chocolate shop. After her wedding was canceled, Sophie came up with misfortune cookies - just like fortune cookies, except they taste bad and have not-so-nice fortunes. They turn out to be a huge hit. The job Sophie gives Garret is to find 100 reasons for happiness. He has to put an ad in a newspaper and the answers are sent to her P.O. Box. Happiness comes flying in.
As the story nears the end, you'll never guess where it ends up going. My husband said it sounds like chick lit, but I don't feel like it is chick lit. When I have read books I consider chick lit, those have a dumb-downed feeling. This feels very different. This book is fun, exciting, inspiring and heartwarming.
I liked so many things in this book. The characters are all likable and make the story so enjoyable you don't want to finish. I also found it inspiring and uplifting.
After her misfortunes, Sophie did turn her sadness into something better. She believed that her parents death was her fault, even though she was only a little girl who wanted piece of chocolate. But she eventually started a chocolate shop. After her wedding was canceled, Sophie came up with misfortune cookies - just like fortune cookies, except they taste bad and have not-so-nice fortunes. They turn out to be a huge hit. The job Sophie gives Garret is to find 100 reasons for happiness. He has to put an ad in a newspaper and the answers are sent to her P.O. Box. Happiness comes flying in.
As the story nears the end, you'll never guess where it ends up going. My husband said it sounds like chick lit, but I don't feel like it is chick lit. When I have read books I consider chick lit, those have a dumb-downed feeling. This feels very different. This book is fun, exciting, inspiring and heartwarming.
SWEET MISFORTUNE was the August 2015 pick in my online book club, The Reading Cove.
I'm sorry to say I thought it was very disappointing. The premise was cute, but the execution was corny and sophomoric, complete with faux tension and forced conflict. I wouldn't be surprised if a teenager had written this story.
The relationship between Sophie and Garrett was SO boring, gimmicky and shallow, not to mention barely hanging by a thread on poorly plotted themes of providence, divinity and coincidence.
I can't recommend this book and would even be hesitant to read the author again. I give it a C-.
I'm sorry to say I thought it was very disappointing. The premise was cute, but the execution was corny and sophomoric, complete with faux tension and forced conflict. I wouldn't be surprised if a teenager had written this story.
The relationship between Sophie and Garrett was SO boring, gimmicky and shallow, not to mention barely hanging by a thread on poorly plotted themes of providence, divinity and coincidence.
I can't recommend this book and would even be hesitant to read the author again. I give it a C-.
A very good novel that shows just how alike we really all are even though we think nobody knows what it's like to be "us". A great "Small World" story!
I loved this story... I will update the review after reading it again!
Chose this light quick read following the reading of Eugene Onegin by Pushkin. The story is about Sophia Maria Jones who loses her parents in an automobile accident on her ninth birthday. Like many a child, Sophia wanted something special on her birthday. She wanted to stop at her mother's favorite chocolate shop. When her father said no she kept asking. Distracted, the accident occurs and her parents and grandmother are killed. For the rest of her life Sophia carried the burden of guilt believing that she had caused the accident. As she matures she opens her own chocolate shop, falls in love again and again only to be abandoned time after time. She is convinced that she is doomed to live without love until she meets Garrett Black who adores her. However, shortly before the wedding he, too, abandons her only to reappear months later wanting a second chance. Sophia doesn't want to see her heart broken a second time so she resists day after day. As this light story unfolds one discovers that the guilt Sophia felt was shared by others. Don't look for much meaning in this tale. It isn't there and could have been told in many fewer pages. However, if you like romances you may enjoy this read.
