Rating:  Summary: Disappointing Review: To start things out, I have to say I haven't read anything so horribly immature since I was in the third grade. I doubt anyone would have the gall to publish this book if it weren't for the fact that Ahern is the Prime Minister's daughter. The writing is forced and boring, the sub-plots just plain stupid, and the characters disgustingly stereotypical. Most of the chapters seemed to be 'fillers'. I was disappointed because Cecelia had a good idea and managed to ruin it with bad writing. I can't even tell you how many times she compared a person in shock to a goldfish. I should have known better, considering I heard about it from an article that only mentioned the book in two sentences. Perhaps it's just because I'm used to reading literature, but this book was nothing more than chick lit, and bad chick lit at that.
Rating:  Summary: Perfect mix of humour and emotion Review: I was amazed to read that this is the first novel of Cecelia Ahern, because it was amazingly well written. Great approach of the different feelings of the main character. Simply I book I just couldn't put down and which you can easily add to your favourites.
Rating:  Summary: Hi-Schoolish Review: Interesting premise, lousy book. I "slogged" through this book waiting for it to get better. It didn't. The book was disjointed, and the characters were underdeveloped. The author spent a lot of time "telling" and not "showing." The dialogue was amateurish. I started counting how many times the word sarcastically was used to describe a conversation. Too bad. With a little polish, this could have been a great book.
Rating:  Summary: A must read for any book lover! Review: I heard about this book from a friend, and picked it up thinking it would be a good entertaining book to pass time. So, I picked it up and then put it down when I was done! Although I can't relate to the character, oftentimes the writing reminded me of others I had lost, relating to my friends and family, and just sucked me in. Most enjoyable was the banter between Holly and her friends, and the lingo from native UK. What I found most surprising, is that someone as young as Ms. Ahern could write with such depth, and put this kind of life experience in to words, writing with what one would assume is the is the knowledge of someone who has lived much longer and experience so much more. Bravo, and keep them coming!
Rating:  Summary: Smooth Reading Review: This book is certainally not a Stephen King novel, but it kept my attention so well, I couldn't put it down. Everyone can relate to at least one of the lead character's feelings, emotions and personal tradgedies. It made me feel a little better to know that others have felt the same way, and can continue on with their lives. Fiction boarders on non-fiction in this novel. Great easy reader!Keep 'em coming Cecelia!
Rating:  Summary: Absolutely Absorbing Review: I found this book to be truly absorbing and looked foward to reading it each night. It was an amazing story about love, family and truly finding oneself. It examines love, lost, growth and the nature of the human spirit. It proves that love is forever immortal. This is a book that will open your heart and teaches the understanding of grief. I have already reccommended this book to a few of my friends, and would highly reccommend it to everyone else. I am highly anticipating her next novel.
Rating:  Summary: A Truly Heartwarming Story Review: This book was great, from beginning to end. At times, it was pretty predictable, but that made the story no less heartwarming. I felt like I was right there with the characters and I totally empathized with them. Anyone who loves a good happy read, this was a great book.
Rating:  Summary: Surprising and Insightful Review: Many have described the book content... what I would like to let you know is that this book, although (as you might have read here elsewhere) may be a little amateurish at times regarding the writing, is one of the best stories I've ever read (and I read quite a bit). Not only does it remind you of what life is all about, how life should be lived, how much people around us are worth, and how pre-judging someone could be one of our biggest mistakes in life... but it portrays it in a common, every-day kind of way that will keep your mind coming back to the book even after days of having finished it. The way the plot wraps around you (both intellectually and emotionally), touching and reflecting in many aspects of your own life, may be surprising and at the same time insightful. I would recommend this read to anyone... it teaches in a beautiful way just how much personal independence, self respect, and the love of oneself-as-one-is permit us to love and be loved fully.
Rating:  Summary: A sweet tear-jerker Review: Do you ever feel the need to cry, but aren't able to? If so, this book is great for that purpose. A husband, Gerry, dies at a very young age, leaving his wife, Holly, to face the rest of her life alone. Before Gerry died, he sent his wife an envelope to be recieved after he is dead. The envelope contains 10 smaller envelopes with short messages written inside, one for each month of the year following his death. Each note gives Holly some instructions on how to keep herself moving forward. Most of the book is in real time- Holly dealing with the aftermath of Gerry's death, with some flashback scenes of Gerry preparing the notes. These scenes are so tear-wrenchingly sad and sweet (but not sappy), all at once. They really moved me. I also liked the ending- not to give anything away- but I thought it was going to end with all the loose ends tied up, happy ending-like, which felt wrong for the story, but thankfully the book ended more as a beginning for Holly.
Rating:  Summary: AWFUL!! Review: I can't imagine this book would have been published if the author wasn't the daughter of the Irish PM. In a nutshell, it's terrible! Truly awful writing, hackneyed plot, just plain BAD. I'm glad I checked this out from the library and didn't pay for the book. Sorry, but there's nothing here I can recommend.
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