Reviews

The Ramblers by Aidan Donnelley Rowley

alyssajcori's review against another edition

4.0

A book set in Manhattan, and on the Upper West Side no less, had a great chance of capturing my imagination. This novel rotates through the perspective of Smith, Clio, and Tate - alumni of Yale who have all had various experiences in life and love since their graduation a decade ago. Smith and Clio are best friends and roommates who have lived together since freshman year and post graduation. They bonded quickly when they supported each other through challenging times in college and their care and regard for each other continues well into their adult lives. We meet the women while Clio is struggling to develop a relationship with the shadow of her family's past hanging over her, and Smith is recovering from a devastating breakup. Tate comes on to the scene when he relocates to Manhattan to move on from his divorce.

The beautiful scenes of the city, bright and engaging characters, and focus on forgiveness (of yourself and others) made this novel a highly enjoyable read.

aeperrone's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes

4.0

rmarcin's review against another edition

3.0

This is a tale of 3 Yale graduates, now in their 30s, who each have difficulty with life, love, and their future. Enjoyable read.

kdurham2's review against another edition

4.0

Check out the full review at Kritters Ramblings

Three friends are reunited in New York and each has a personal secret that they have kept from people and through the book each of their secrets are revealed in various ways and they have to live with the repercussions of those secrets and how they affect others.

Two girls and a boy are the main characters in this book and each have chapters in the book to tell their own stories. I loved that this was different, the addition of a male main character was nice. I read a lot of books with women as main characters, so I enjoy that a man was thrown into this mix and it just gave a little more to this one.

ajreader's review against another edition

3.0

Read my full thoughts on this book and hundreds more over at Read.Write.Repeat.

This work of literary fiction feels genuine and intimate in its focus on characters who are delightfully, heart-breakingly broken.

cassiepf's review against another edition

emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

3.5

mariesreads's review against another edition

3.0

Nicely drawn characters, well-explored relationships, and skillful writing. An entertaining rom-com of a story with some good emotional meat.

cbreese's review against another edition

3.0

This book was decent, but leaves something to be desired. It focuses on three characters, where I think it could have been stronger if it focused on just one complex and interesting character, Cleo. I felt a little distant from the characters at times as I felt I couldn't relate to their experiences, which might be part of it.

heartofoak1's review against another edition

2.0

a week in the lives of three seriously over-privileged, oddly named, 30-something, Yalies. a rambling, inconclusive story that, i can only assume, is at least partially autobiographical as the author Aidan (oddly named) looks to be in her 30s and went to...Yale.

emilykeefe13's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character

3.0