Scan barcode
rosemwood's review against another edition
3.0
This is a very, very slow read. I wanted to put it down a couple of times but decided to keep going. About halfway through it picked up for a minute then again at 3/4 of the way through and of course the last couple of chapters. It wasn't a bad book but it isn't one I will read again.
cemoses's review against another edition
2.0
This book is very slow and I can like slow books where not much happens. While the ending does have little punch it would have been better as a short story.
br3nda's review against another edition
2.0
This is sad story with lots of complicated layers but once I figured out the direction it was heading it became difficult for me to read. I pushed through the story to get to the ending.
Unfortunately, I found it unbelievable! And some of the plot was a bit uncomfortable to read. Secrets kept by mothers and fathers making relationships between siblings difficult and inappropriate. It just didn't feel real to me.
The author writes well but the plot just did not do it for me. I hope to read more from this author in the future though.
Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow & Custom House for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
melkelsey's review
3.5
Book 114
I listened to The Good Daughters by Joyce Maynard. Two girls raised in very different families connected only by the fact that they were born in the same hospital on the same day. The twist is obvious, but it was enjoyable to listen to it play out.
I listened to The Good Daughters by Joyce Maynard. Two girls raised in very different families connected only by the fact that they were born in the same hospital on the same day. The twist is obvious, but it was enjoyable to listen to it play out.
kstaysgold's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
robinhigdon's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the story until the end. Then I had to say, "Give me a break!" Two babies get switched in the hospital when it is time to go home. one mother KNOWS it is not her baby and says as much to her husband. the husband insists they take the baby they were given. Like in, let's not rock the boat and the wife goes along with it. I mean are you kidding me?
tangiblehope's review against another edition
4.0
Loved this book. I couldn't put it down and while I suspected I knew the ending, it took a bit of a twist. Now I'm looking forward to reading Maynard's other books!
meli65's review against another edition
2.0
What a dumb book. It wasn't poorly written, per se, but its plotting was totally obvious -- just an overall disappointment.
kiterature's review against another edition
2.0
Following the lives of two anything- but- ordinary girls, this novel is filled with family secrets, explorations for identity, romance, and love. This heartfelt tale, traveling with the two girls from two extraordinarily different families, Dana -- earthy, intelligent, and strong, and Ruth – whimsical, artistic, and beautiful, as they struggle to find their place in the world is focused on how two people so different can have such a common bond. As the characters discover a secret twist into their lives that is blatantly obvious to the reader at the beginning, the want to continue is present as they discover their roots and who these “birthday sisters”, born on the same day, really are. Although the themes of loyalty and love ring true, this book was nothing but cliche. Nothing new was brought forth to entice the reader, and ultimately left me with a feeling of apathy.
rachelmichelson's review
2.0
One thing this book isn't, is subtle. Within a few chapters, I figured out the big twist and figured the author did this on purpose, because she wanted the reader to understand why the choices were made. Nope. Further, she creates one character to be the champion of the good guy and turns out, even he is an ass.
Also, I just didn't get the sense that the author was that comfortable with her characters. I know writers talk a lot about, characters speaking to them and choosing their directions. That said, the so-called sexy scenes were just painful to read. They came across more annoying, than filled with passion. At the least, written by someone who never experienced that sort of passion first hand but thought this is what it would be like. It was odd and uncomfortable at best. Think cheesy soap opera material.
But my biggest gripe about this book was the author use of the 'm-dash'. Seriously, almost every other sentence had a dash. It was SO distracting, that i found myself skipping sentences just so i didn't have to interrupt another freakin' dash.
If you are looking for a super quick read that doesn't take a lot of brain power--check out this book.
Also, I just didn't get the sense that the author was that comfortable with her characters. I know writers talk a lot about, characters speaking to them and choosing their directions. That said, the so-called sexy scenes were just painful to read. They came across more annoying, than filled with passion. At the least, written by someone who never experienced that sort of passion first hand but thought this is what it would be like. It was odd and uncomfortable at best. Think cheesy soap opera material.
But my biggest gripe about this book was the author use of the 'm-dash'. Seriously, almost every other sentence had a dash. It was SO distracting, that i found myself skipping sentences just so i didn't have to interrupt another freakin' dash.
If you are looking for a super quick read that doesn't take a lot of brain power--check out this book.