Sarah Isaacson

Pulled me in

Revisado: 07-06-23

I’ve read so many thrillers that it’s difficult to get one past me. This story is so fun and so well written that I couldn’t put it down and wrapped it in two days. This satisfied me with only a couple short dips—ahead of most. I clung to nearly every word in this one. A rare treat!

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Hated protagonists sadly

Revisado: 05-03-23

I don’t read romance, but followed Julia Whelan from thrillers over here to Emily Henry. I’ve listened to all of Henry’s novels and this one was poised to be my favorite. I was sort of thinking the tension would be more like Austen’s Darcy and Elizabeth if they’d divorced prematurely. It wasn’t.

Plot, characters, and atmosphere fell short for me due to lack of tension and character motives. The first page started strong and I felt like I was there. Could almost taste it. Then as the plot unfolded, we went back and forth in time and it was just moments between the protagonists, without real conflict for me, rather more angst.

Somewhere early in the novel, the atmospheric setting suddenly disappeared and I felt stuffed into a closet between two boring people on a hamster wheel. I don’t love novels that are purely dialogue and this one felt mostly like dialogue. Not much was explored within it. Pretty straight forward. (Elmore Leonard knows layered dialogue!)

Motivations were tough to grasp (just angst?) and early on I got the sense that whatever tore the couple apart wasn’t going to be any sort of plot twist or big reveal and that was true. The characters also annoyed me. I love how Whelan does male characters voices, Winn just wasn’t compelling to me. While attachment styles and mental health were lightly explored in this novel, the characters were written behind the reader in my opinion. I found myself knowing what was next wayyy before it happened and wanting to fast forward. I also found myself wondering how much the author reads about attachment style since they’re lightly present in every single novel, and could provide clearer character motivation.

Typically her novels are full of humor and witty banter. This one missed that opportunity. As heartbreaking as it could have been (if I felt attached to the characters more), so could the laughter have soared. It felt like a 2-step dance. If we’re exploring darker depths, why not use that same rubber band to stretch the readers to a laugh—one that’s even better because we’d theoretically have been crying a moment before?

And a total side note that annoys me personally and yanked me from the story is that I know the cost of student loans, so for the protagonist to throw them down the drain with a $9.95 an hour job (yes, that’s what Montanas minimum wage is) was super annoying. Her credit was bad from student loans which means government ones maxed out and she took private loans upwards of $300K or more depending on cost of living in her state. Why not just work in a small clinic in Montana? The protagonists lack of work experience is likely why this hard turn was an option for the writer. It’s sort of a decision a 23 year old might make. Not a 32 ish year old brain surgeon who’s been in school for 12 years. Private loans don’t defer. They come due asap. I absolutely panicked for her and immediately sided with her parents, which I don’t think was the intention of the writer.
To be financially crippled for love and to enter into a marriage with another person in this state is irresponsible and terrifying. Girl, get a part time gig one week a month at a hospital in Montana for brain surgery! Those jobs exist! I have a friend there doing that and his personal construction business takes up the rest of his month. Pottery and brain surgery can coexist. I guess I’m not the demo for this. That said, I finished the book, won’t return it as I’m supporting the author and did purchase a copy for one of my bookstagram followers in a giveaway. So my 2 cents is like $30.

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Don’t judge a book by its cover

Revisado: 01-06-23

I did. I passed on this three times! I thought it was a romance. It is so much more.

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Wow

Revisado: 12-28-22

Gifting to everyone. A beautifully written novel. I can’t pinpoint why or where. I just love it.

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About time!

Revisado: 02-16-22

Mrballen took a break from YouTube to get this going and my sister and I both anxiously awaited this podcast. It has not disappointed! Love his work.

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Slower and younger read

Revisado: 10-15-21

Compared to DAISY JONES because it centers around music and the same era; however, this book takes awhile to unfold and the nuances of the characters and plot weren’t super compelling. A slower summer read. A mood. It also feels more appropriate for younger readers, new adult maybe. I’ve got 3 hours left and don’t think I’ll be finishing it.

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End payoff seems worth it

Revisado: 10-10-21

Female narrator made some choices to pause a lot which made the character seem less intelligent rather than thoughtful. Lost my patience many times, but a coworker recommended the book and said the end pays off, so I sped up to 1.3x.
The twists were fun. I would rather have read this than listened because it was too slow for me.

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Narrator sounds like she’s reading a children’s book

Revisado: 08-03-21

I’m returning this title and will seek a paperback. I’m enjoying the story, but the narrators inflections are getting on my nerves. Sounds like my grandmother reading me an illustrated children’s book. Also, I think the voice mischaracterizes the complexity of the protagonist—or she really is simple. Paperback will tell. Made it to chapter five with much irritation. Paperback.

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Twisty thriller

Revisado: 09-10-20

Read this one with my sister—we keep in touch hundreds of miles apart by selecting audible thrillers for a shared experience. My power went out during hurricane category 2 winds and I got 27 chapters down in a day. Hooked. Finished in two days. Loved it. Downloading more books by same author.

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Best of the series

Revisado: 05-23-20

This is my favorite in the sleep and relaxation series. It relaxes me completely when stressed mid-day and puts be down to sleep.

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