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pam2375's review against another edition
3.0
This was just OK to maybe I liked it. It seemed a bit too sappy and chick litty for my taste. (I realize litty is not a word).
If you are a person that is in to chick lit, then I think that this book will be quite enjoyable for you.
If you are a person that is in to chick lit, then I think that this book will be quite enjoyable for you.
beastreader's review against another edition
5.0
Grace has had bad luck when it came to dating men. It seems however that her luck changed when she met Victor. Victor is a gentleman. Grace is falling hard for Victor. So much that she is willing to consider settling down with him and becoming a step mom to his two children, Max and Ava. Luckily for Grace Max and Ava live with their mother, Kelli.
Grace’s world gets turned upside down when Kelli unexpectedly dies. Now Grace must quickly step up and learn to be mom.
I have never read any books by this author. However, after reading this book I would put Amy up there with Jodi Picoult. Heart Like Mine is a most definite must read book!
I liked the back and forth voices of the three women involved in this book. I was able to step into each of their shoes and see and feel what they were feeling and experiencing. If I had to pick a favorite I would not be able to as I could relate to all of them.
I read the questions in the back of the book for discussion there was one question that I found interesting and that was “Heart Like Mine is narrated by the three women in Victor’s life-but we never hear from him directly. As a group, discuss your impressions of Victor. How does each narrator present a different side of him?”
So I will attempt to answer this question. In regards to Victor and him not really having a voice in this book, I thought that he was a kind guy that really loved his family. This is saying something when an author can still draw me the reader into a character that may be secondary in the story and has little interaction throughout the book. To answer the second part of the question about how does each narrator present a different side of Victor, I found that his daughter, Ava loved her father but felt he did not really understand her and what she was going through with the loss of her mother. He could not really cope with the stress.
Grace on the other hand portrayed Victor as the man she loved but wished he would let her be more of his equal. She kind of got brushed aside in the beginning when Victor was dealing with his children and did not lean on Grace for support.
Kelli portrayed Victor as her escape from her past life. He was her protector. Her perfect life that she had made up and worked so hard for all came crashing down when they divorced.
Grace’s world gets turned upside down when Kelli unexpectedly dies. Now Grace must quickly step up and learn to be mom.
I have never read any books by this author. However, after reading this book I would put Amy up there with Jodi Picoult. Heart Like Mine is a most definite must read book!
I liked the back and forth voices of the three women involved in this book. I was able to step into each of their shoes and see and feel what they were feeling and experiencing. If I had to pick a favorite I would not be able to as I could relate to all of them.
I read the questions in the back of the book for discussion there was one question that I found interesting and that was “Heart Like Mine is narrated by the three women in Victor’s life-but we never hear from him directly. As a group, discuss your impressions of Victor. How does each narrator present a different side of him?”
So I will attempt to answer this question. In regards to Victor and him not really having a voice in this book, I thought that he was a kind guy that really loved his family. This is saying something when an author can still draw me the reader into a character that may be secondary in the story and has little interaction throughout the book. To answer the second part of the question about how does each narrator present a different side of Victor, I found that his daughter, Ava loved her father but felt he did not really understand her and what she was going through with the loss of her mother. He could not really cope with the stress.
Grace on the other hand portrayed Victor as the man she loved but wished he would let her be more of his equal. She kind of got brushed aside in the beginning when Victor was dealing with his children and did not lean on Grace for support.
Kelli portrayed Victor as her escape from her past life. He was her protector. Her perfect life that she had made up and worked so hard for all came crashing down when they divorced.
tiffanywang29's review against another edition
4.0
I got this book at a yard sale, simply because it was only 50 cents, had a nice title, and was in fairly good shape (this was before I got caught in the rain and had to stuff it up my sweatshirt). Surprisingly, I enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would. I won't say that any of the ideas are really different or special (it strikes me as more of the YA books that I read as a middle schooler/9th grader with more of an adult-ish twist), but it was indeed poignant. Grace, Ava, and Kelli were all sympathetic characters, and all fairly likable in their own ways; I was again surprised at how attached I felt towards them.
So Grace, a single woman resolved not to have children, yet dating a divorced man with two kids. This isn't a problem until his ex-wife Kelli dies, leaving him (and by extension, Grace) with the responsibility of caring for them full time. You see her constant insecurities with these kids, but (at least for me) you find yourself rooting for her. Honestly, she does a pretty darn good job for the most part. Reflecting, though at the end of the book, I realize the enormous change between her first encounter with the kids after Kelli dies and her final exchange with Ava at the end of the book.
Although she is extremely unstable and technically dead in the present, Kelli was somehow also a likable character. Hatvany does a really good job revealing Kelli's entire story while only picking certain scenes to illustrate in detail. We end up adventuring through Kelli's entire past, telling a complete story. I also appreciate that Hatvany leaves no questions about Kelli's death-we see it from her perspective, so we know exactly what happens.
For me, Ava's perspective was the most frustrating, which strangely means that Hatvany did a great job portraying a hormonal 13-year-old. She hates Grace for trying to replace her mother, but Grace is really good to her, but then she also feels guilty for liking Grace. Her emotions are mostly spot on for a grieving, angry girl. I will say that some of her escapades with Bree, her best friend, are fairly unlikely and are obviously things that would only happen in a fiction book. Yet the underlying emotions are there, and that's what drives the book.
Grace and Victor's relationship really shouldn't have lasted. For everything that Grace was as a person, she should not have stood for everything she had to deal with, except for the sake of the kids. Victor treated her very badly after Kelli died, and I can see how that Grace couldn't leave (honestly, in real life, if she did, the kids probably would have ended up in foster care or something because he could not take care of them). He's fiercely protective of his children, but can't actually take care of their basic needs. Grace does this all for them, and then he takes it all for granted. The one time they do get in a real fight, they unrealistically make up way too quickly and honestly quite awkwardly. It just isn't realistic. Regardless, like I said earlier, this book relies heavily on the characters' emotions rather than the actual events.
Pretty much every character in the book has some kind of parent issue. Grace's father was absent. Victor's dad left when he was five. Ava and Max's parents divorced and then Kelli died. Kelli's parents were the stereotypical "strict parents create sneaky kids," but they were also extremely cold after Kelli's mistake. Bree's parents are divorced and she hates her dad's girlfriends. I think Melody and maybe Diane have parent problems too... Anyways, I didn't have that much a problem with this, other than sometimes I forgot whose situation was what, especially at the beginning, when the setting was still being developed. Unfortunately, in a society where something like 50% of marriages do indeed end up in divorce, many of these problems are prevalent in a harsh reality.
In a final note, something that really struck a chord with me was the deep attachment Ava and Max had with Kelli. Ava especially could barely see past Kelli's faults, and every time Grace did something motherly that made Ava angry, I wanted to scream at her and compare what the two women would have done in that situation. Hatvany made a great stylistic decision in writing from Kelli's point of view, because if not for that, she would have been an absolutely despicable, weak character. As bad of a mother she was, she loved her children fiercely, and her background reflects why. For the three main characters, Hatvany really effectively wove a story that showed where they started to get to where they ended, and it was beautiful.
So Grace, a single woman resolved not to have children, yet dating a divorced man with two kids. This isn't a problem until his ex-wife Kelli dies, leaving him (and by extension, Grace) with the responsibility of caring for them full time. You see her constant insecurities with these kids, but (at least for me) you find yourself rooting for her. Honestly, she does a pretty darn good job for the most part. Reflecting, though at the end of the book, I realize the enormous change between her first encounter with the kids after Kelli dies and her final exchange with Ava at the end of the book.
Although she is extremely unstable and technically dead in the present, Kelli was somehow also a likable character. Hatvany does a really good job revealing Kelli's entire story while only picking certain scenes to illustrate in detail. We end up adventuring through Kelli's entire past, telling a complete story. I also appreciate that Hatvany leaves no questions about Kelli's death-we see it from her perspective, so we know exactly what happens.
For me, Ava's perspective was the most frustrating, which strangely means that Hatvany did a great job portraying a hormonal 13-year-old. She hates Grace for trying to replace her mother, but Grace is really good to her, but then she also feels guilty for liking Grace. Her emotions are mostly spot on for a grieving, angry girl. I will say that some of her escapades with Bree, her best friend, are fairly unlikely and are obviously things that would only happen in a fiction book. Yet the underlying emotions are there, and that's what drives the book.
Grace and Victor's relationship really shouldn't have lasted. For everything that Grace was as a person, she should not have stood for everything she had to deal with, except for the sake of the kids. Victor treated her very badly after Kelli died, and I can see how that Grace couldn't leave (honestly, in real life, if she did, the kids probably would have ended up in foster care or something because he could not take care of them). He's fiercely protective of his children, but can't actually take care of their basic needs. Grace does this all for them, and then he takes it all for granted. The one time they do get in a real fight, they unrealistically make up way too quickly and honestly quite awkwardly. It just isn't realistic. Regardless, like I said earlier, this book relies heavily on the characters' emotions rather than the actual events.
Pretty much every character in the book has some kind of parent issue. Grace's father was absent. Victor's dad left when he was five. Ava and Max's parents divorced and then Kelli died. Kelli's parents were the stereotypical "strict parents create sneaky kids," but they were also extremely cold after Kelli's mistake. Bree's parents are divorced and she hates her dad's girlfriends. I think Melody and maybe Diane have parent problems too... Anyways, I didn't have that much a problem with this, other than sometimes I forgot whose situation was what, especially at the beginning, when the setting was still being developed. Unfortunately, in a society where something like 50% of marriages do indeed end up in divorce, many of these problems are prevalent in a harsh reality.
In a final note, something that really struck a chord with me was the deep attachment Ava and Max had with Kelli. Ava especially could barely see past Kelli's faults, and every time Grace did something motherly that made Ava angry, I wanted to scream at her and compare what the two women would have done in that situation. Hatvany made a great stylistic decision in writing from Kelli's point of view, because if not for that, she would have been an absolutely despicable, weak character. As bad of a mother she was, she loved her children fiercely, and her background reflects why. For the three main characters, Hatvany really effectively wove a story that showed where they started to get to where they ended, and it was beautiful.
judithdcollins's review against another edition
5.0
Wow! Amy Hatvany has just been added to my favorite author list! I love her writing style and cannot wait to start on her other books (I have ordered them all) and will pre-order her new one “Safe with Me – coming 2014 included as a sneak peak at the end of Heart Like Mine (already has me hooked).
I am so thankful you wrote this book – I could so relate with Grace, as I was in the stepmother role (and it is not an easy task) – it makes you want to run back to your independent life without all the drama. I had two sons of my own and met a man with 3 sons – his all had dyslexia (all five boys from age 7-15) – boy, do you have to be thick-skinned – there is always some sort of fighting, manipulating, other mother involved, power struggles, etc…and then to find they all want to come and live with you – it can be very overwhelming at times. It means a lot to have the husband’s support, sometimes Victor was not supporting Grace (so admire her for hanging in there).
Both Grace and Kelli had similar backgrounds and was unable to live their childhood/teen years as a normal teen; however, Kelli and Grace turned out differently. Kelli was very weak and needy and looked to others to provide her happiness instead of creating her own.
Amy does an outstanding job of speaking from Ava, Kelli, and Grace’s perspective and voice-- loved how she seamlessly tied it all together. It was brilliantly written (wish list) – Would love to see a sequel in tracking down Kelli’s child, the new relationship between sisters and brothers, and possibly Grace/Victor with a child of their own, and more from Spencer/Melody – (this could fill at least another two books). Hey, I would buy them!
Highly recommend this book and so look forward to reading more from this author. Her insight into the pitfalls of step-parenting is so realistic, as I speak from experience.
I tend to read the new ones first which hooks me on the author, and then I want to dive into everything they have written. Have read so many great reviews about Amy and lots of praise from my other favorite authors about her work. Great reading!! She speaks to the heart and does not miss a beat.
I am so thankful you wrote this book – I could so relate with Grace, as I was in the stepmother role (and it is not an easy task) – it makes you want to run back to your independent life without all the drama. I had two sons of my own and met a man with 3 sons – his all had dyslexia (all five boys from age 7-15) – boy, do you have to be thick-skinned – there is always some sort of fighting, manipulating, other mother involved, power struggles, etc…and then to find they all want to come and live with you – it can be very overwhelming at times. It means a lot to have the husband’s support, sometimes Victor was not supporting Grace (so admire her for hanging in there).
Both Grace and Kelli had similar backgrounds and was unable to live their childhood/teen years as a normal teen; however, Kelli and Grace turned out differently. Kelli was very weak and needy and looked to others to provide her happiness instead of creating her own.
Amy does an outstanding job of speaking from Ava, Kelli, and Grace’s perspective and voice-- loved how she seamlessly tied it all together. It was brilliantly written (wish list) – Would love to see a sequel in tracking down Kelli’s child, the new relationship between sisters and brothers, and possibly Grace/Victor with a child of their own, and more from Spencer/Melody – (this could fill at least another two books). Hey, I would buy them!
Highly recommend this book and so look forward to reading more from this author. Her insight into the pitfalls of step-parenting is so realistic, as I speak from experience.
I tend to read the new ones first which hooks me on the author, and then I want to dive into everything they have written. Have read so many great reviews about Amy and lots of praise from my other favorite authors about her work. Great reading!! She speaks to the heart and does not miss a beat.
jbarr5's review against another edition
5.0
This book starts out with the day she learns her fiance ex had died and the kids would be his responsibility. Then we learn their history of how they met and dated and became engaged.
Grace McAllister works at the womens shelter and was dating with others she met on Match.com til the day Chad was being a jerk and the owner of the Loft saw what had happened and broke in to offer his assistance, Victor Hansen.
Max and Ava are the kids and it's been over 3 years since their dad had left. Their mom Kelli works at a restaurant in the city. We hear from Ava's side in this book as well.
Kelli also has some chapters and we learn what led to her married life and onward.
Very easy to follow the characters but the order of events is all jumbled up-to me. Sometimes you are in the present, sometimes the near past, sometimes the far past.
Some things about Kelli they will never know about as they go through photo albums...but there are many clues that some seek and try to solve together..
Grace McAllister works at the womens shelter and was dating with others she met on Match.com til the day Chad was being a jerk and the owner of the Loft saw what had happened and broke in to offer his assistance, Victor Hansen.
Max and Ava are the kids and it's been over 3 years since their dad had left. Their mom Kelli works at a restaurant in the city. We hear from Ava's side in this book as well.
Kelli also has some chapters and we learn what led to her married life and onward.
Very easy to follow the characters but the order of events is all jumbled up-to me. Sometimes you are in the present, sometimes the near past, sometimes the far past.
Some things about Kelli they will never know about as they go through photo albums...but there are many clues that some seek and try to solve together..
kdurham2's review against another edition
5.0
Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings
Are you a woman who thought that children just weren't in your picture? I am one of those women, so when I read the synopsis of this Amy Hatvany book, I was immediately drawn to Grace's story and could not wait to start this one. Grace is a woman who falls in love with a man who has two children with his ex wife and as this won't spoil the book, the ex wife tragically dies and the children must move in full time to their dad's and Grace's new home.
Are you a woman who thought that children just weren't in your picture? I am one of those women, so when I read the synopsis of this Amy Hatvany book, I was immediately drawn to Grace's story and could not wait to start this one. Grace is a woman who falls in love with a man who has two children with his ex wife and as this won't spoil the book, the ex wife tragically dies and the children must move in full time to their dad's and Grace's new home.
betty816's review against another edition
4.0
I had no expectation for this book, didn't read synopsis just had to read fast for book club... I loved it!!!!
heartofoak1's review against another edition
3.0
kind of fluffy. too many loose ends and some thigns were vague (what did kelli die of? maybe it was a BROKEN heart?) nice enough story, just not for me.
daydreamer1983's review against another edition
4.0
Read this book in a day. I really liked the format and style of the book and found it hard to put down. I felt a connection with the characters and felt that the portrayal of Ava, Max, and Grace were honest and real. I recommend this book if you're looking for a good, heartfelt read.