Reviews

Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells

mamareadstuff's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful reflective medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I loved the exploration of nuance. I know it's a popular almost classic novel, but it was my first time reading it, and I loved the way it didn't gloss over the pain and trauma, didn't harbor there for too long, didn't forgive the trauma but was able to move beyond it. Beautiful and heartwrenching and aching and glorious glorious friendships.

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meessmeeth's review against another edition

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emotional funny sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

bee_phe's review against another edition

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5.0

oh my god it made me openly weep in public

mbenzz's review against another edition

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2.0

I was really not impressed by this book. After reading both of them I think Little Altars Everywhere was MUCH better. Ya-Ya dragged on and was sorta boring. There were some good parts though, like all the flashbacks of Vivi in her younger days, but Sidda just annoyed me in this book.
Everything that is wrong in her life is instantly blamed on her mother. She may not of had the best childhood...but it wasn't awful, and Vivi is surely NOT the root of all her problems. It just gets old after a couple hundred pages of her whining and self-doubt. I definitely recommend Little Alters, and if you want to know why Vivi is the way she is, then Ya-Ya as well, but it takes a lot to get there.

miasiner13's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

jess_mango's review against another edition

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3.0

This is one of those books that every woman and their sister AND their mother has read. It would constantly come up as a potential book club selection back around 2000. Somehow, I eneded up with 2 copies of it on my shelves. I read one, thought it was okay, and gave both copies away. It was a fun enough read, but probably not something that I would ever read again.

arrrjae's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

courte's review against another edition

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emotional reflective medium-paced

3.0

alexandrias_library's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective relaxing sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

book_concierge's review against another edition

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5.0

I read both [b:Little Altars Everywhere|6697|Little Altars Everywhere|Rebecca Wells|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1428535264s/6697.jpg|851747] and this book in sequence. I really enjoyed them, but they are at times heart-wrenching and difficult to read. They definitely should be read in sequence because the second (this one) explains much of Vivi's behavior and reminds us that while we are all products of our up-bringing, we are also all capable of changing patterns, of overcoming our trials and of forgiving (not necessarily forgetting) our parents for their less-than-perfect love.