I really learned a lot reading this book. I鈥檓 shamefully light on my history knowledge; especially history of most other countries. So I was fascinateI really learned a lot reading this book. I鈥檓 shamefully light on my history knowledge; especially history of most other countries. So I was fascinated to read so much about the Chinese civil war and the years that followed. I鈥檓 sure this is pretty common knowledge, but I truly had no idea about Japan invading China, Taiwan鈥檚 connection with mainland history and all that involves. So this story was as much a history lesson as an unfolding of a beautiful story of family, love, regret, renewal, migration and a bunch of other things.
I took my time to write this review because I sat with it enjoying what I read for a few days after. I love how the author changed the names of characters based on where they were located. It really drove home their displacement. How every piece of them, even their names, had to change based on powers beyond their control. Their desire to fit in and make a new life in these new spaces, but the uphill battle it always became.
Suchi鈥檚 journey was especially moving to me. How the light in her soul went out and it took a lifetime to turn back on. There were times that I (and the other characters) wanted to shake her, but everything she鈥檇 been through was such a clear path to who she was that you knew it wouldn鈥檛 help. She needed to see who she was on her own journey back to herself and let all of her guilt go.
I loved this one. The pacing, the prose, the characters鈥uch a lovely read. ...more
I loved this! Started it as an audiobook (since I wanted to be true to the medium of the characters, after all) but I only listen to audiobooks when dI loved this! Started it as an audiobook (since I wanted to be true to the medium of the characters, after all) but I only listen to audiobooks when driving or cooking, so that meant hours of time without the book. So I went and rented the book from the local library to make up for lost time. Such a great decision, I loved it!...more
A serious blow to my liking a book is when 1. the reason for starting a fake relationship being absolutely absurd and 2. when I can't see why the charA serious blow to my liking a book is when 1. the reason for starting a fake relationship being absolutely absurd and 2. when I can't see why the characters love each other. Unfortunately, this book had both. I saw the fake relationship coming from the start, but it was just such an absurd lie to stay at what is, let's get into it, a TERRIBLE resort.
I LOVE me a sapphic resort trip. And I'll be damned if they told me I couldn't attend the big formal unless I participated in *90%* of the events. 90%?! That's absolutely insane! I'm on vacation! And I'm a person who likes doing activities on vacation, but pulling me out of my lawn chair to participate in some damn Olympics so I can go to a party that the OWNERS INVITED ME TO would make me irate! Also, one of the events was building a gd bookcase on a beach? Y'all got me doing free labor in the sand? What kind of relaxing vacay is this? Take me to the party beach, PLEASE.
I thought that maybe the need to attend so many events was to give us more forced proximity, showing us all the times they were forced to work together, forced to see each other's character and struggle as they toiled through these events each time, but no. The games were kind of just this thing operating faraway in the background where, I am assuming they spent a lot of time connecting while doing them, but the reader didn't even hear about them? Instead, we got a fade to black and two days later they're horny from a glance.
The hot scenes were delightful when they finally arrived, but even that fell flat when I felt no real connection between these two characters. There was so much I was left to wonder. Like, I don't understand why Caroline was hired at all? Could this not just be an email to every one involved? A whole PI sent to a private island? Again, the forced proximity was suuuuper forced in a way that took me out of the story.
Also, what was the deal with the marriage? At the beginning, it seemed like Basil's wife left her at the altar because she wanted to work on their honeymoon. Then it seemed like she not only wanted to work on the honeymoon, but changed the entire trip so she could network during it. THEN she started being suspicious that she was being cheated on? But also, none of this is addressed at all. It's just a wild insecurity theory that keeps popping up, and I thought maybe the two of them would connect on their past heartaches, they would find connection in the similarities and fall in love, and again, it just was this thing humming along in the background as they furtively glanced at each other.
I will say, I did enjoy the ending. I think if I had any real investment in these characters, my heart would've melted. I loved how traditionally rom-com it was. The author really nailed that. I just wish I knew their love more. ...more
Cute for a story, but this moved at such super warp speed that I was not as smitten as I usually am with Jimenez鈥檚 characters. Still a joy, obviously,Cute for a story, but this moved at such super warp speed that I was not as smitten as I usually am with Jimenez鈥檚 characters. Still a joy, obviously, by my rating. I just enjoy the slower burn she usually gives us that had to be (understandably) sped up for the sake of being short. The forced proximity was creative, though. Really really loved the ending. No spoilies, but I did a little fist pump. ...more
I hate to cut this to pieces because I鈥檓 not really the target audience. I wanted to step out of my comfort zone and read a mystery and this was descrI hate to cut this to pieces because I鈥檓 not really the target audience. I wanted to step out of my comfort zone and read a mystery and this was described as 鈥渃ozy鈥�. I love 鈥渃ozy鈥� games, so I figured why not. Unfortunately this one missed me. Focused a lot on all the delicious foods the characters ate, which was cute, but I really just wanted to know who did it and that part felt like it moved really slowly. And I was supposed to enjoy the journey, but I didn鈥檛. Not because the story was bad, I just think I realize I鈥檓 not a mystery person. ...more
Towards the end, I was worried the saddest effing ending possible was going to happen and I held my breath, but it did not. Definitely cried. From theTowards the end, I was worried the saddest effing ending possible was going to happen and I held my breath, but it did not. Definitely cried. From the moment I heard about this book, I thought, 鈥測ou want me to read a book about a sentient octopus?! Ugh.鈥� And then after Marcellus鈥檚 second diary entry I thought, 鈥渙h this octopus is gonna BREAK me.鈥� ...more
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