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librarylandlisa's review against another edition
5.0
Oh my stars... this book. I started this book after reading many YA novels and while this is not a dry book by any means, I felt I was "adulting" too hard for the first two chapters. I was wrong. This book is hilarious and really fun and very unexpected full of so much craziness and squirrels and Veblen. I have cast this book to be made into a movie in my mind and I love it so much.
For some reason this reminds me of a Woody Allen movie mixed with an episode of Modern Family or Arrested Development, and a Disney film. So awkward and strange and great at the same time. And squirrels, did I mention squirrels yet? I really enjoyed this odd little nugget of literature a lot more than I ever thought I would.
Squirrels.
For some reason this reminds me of a Woody Allen movie mixed with an episode of Modern Family or Arrested Development, and a Disney film. So awkward and strange and great at the same time. And squirrels, did I mention squirrels yet? I really enjoyed this odd little nugget of literature a lot more than I ever thought I would.
Squirrels.
keen23's review against another edition
I quit on this book. Like, nothing happened at all. For most of the book.
bronski's review against another edition
4.0
“Quirky” is definitely the best word to describe this book. It’s also charming, creative, and adorable. The plot focuses on the relationships between a couple, parents and their children, and a little bit into our relationship with nature. I loved the frequent references to medical research given my background but that may not appeal to everyone. The characters are interesting and complex, the writing was fantastic, and I wish it were a little longer.
angorarabbit's review against another edition
Context: I DNFed part way through chapter 4.
Reasons for the DNF: Unlikeable characters (everyone so far except Veblen and the squirrels), over excessive tropes, no connection to the story, reading feels like a chore, content triggers/harmful content, premise didn’t live up to expectations.
A citation to the YouTube channel Gina Lucia Reads for her checklist of 15 reasons why you should DNF. The video helped clarify my reasons for DNFing.
I would also add that the attraction between the two main characters feels unrealistic to me for this genre of fiction.and I was promised squirrels and I didn’t get nearly enough squirrels. I was also promised humour and got sexual assault in chapter 3.
Maybe this is a great book but I just can’t read anymore of it. It makes me grateful that I didn’t get a job in publishing. And for my library for allowing me to read 20% without buying it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Medical content, Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Medical trauma, and Classism
Moderate: Gore and Drug use
Manic pixie dream girl and rich bitch tropes overused.hapgood's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Delightfully unique and clever- just a bit long in the middle.
cpscott19's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content
mrs_bonaventure's review against another edition
3.0
I'm ambivalent about this book. The writing is immediate, beautiful, real and had me from the first page - but it's also darkly comic, so much so that it made me cringe a lot (maybe because it ran so very very true to mother/ daughter experience). It's a romp that races towards the conclusion the same way Austen did in Emma, but not as lightly, although with much compassion. I enjoyed it though.
kat2's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book is philosophical and hilarious, with a main character who talks to squirrels and is feeling wobbly about her upcoming wedding. With memorable and ultimately lovable characters, the novel asks why we love who we love, and how to deal with families of origin—as in “Little Miss Sunshine,” no one gets left behind. Can’t wait to read another novel by Mckenzie!
squirrelsohno's review against another edition
4.0
really picked up in the last third and I finished it in one sitting.