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lurker_stalker's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 rounded up
I ended up liking this one quite a bit. Jess was a bit too much in the beginning but she became more believable for me later on. I liked Lena almost completely but her interactions with her mom - after 10 years of the same - weren't believable either. But I loved Maggie. She was perfect.
By the time the book was wrapping up, I was mostly satisfied. It was a nice romance but there were a few things that bugged me. There seemed like there was too much going on. Too many things that could have grown to be bigger plot devices or story arcs but were just dropped in to enhance what was already there but didn't get the coverage they probably deserved. Like Jess's body image issues. There were some bits of information that we got over and over and some repeated words and phrases that stood out but those are things that bother me and not a lot of other people...
This was my first Zett book and I enjoyed it enough to try more. Because Hoopla and my public library are awesome!
I ended up liking this one quite a bit. Jess was a bit too much in the beginning but she became more believable for me later on. I liked Lena almost completely but her interactions with her mom - after 10 years of the same - weren't believable either. But I loved Maggie. She was perfect.
By the time the book was wrapping up, I was mostly satisfied. It was a nice romance but there were a few things that bugged me. There seemed like there was too much going on. Too many things that could have grown to be bigger plot devices or story arcs but were just dropped in to enhance what was already there but didn't get the coverage they probably deserved. Like Jess's body image issues. There were some bits of information that we got over and over and some repeated words and phrases that stood out but those are things that bother me and not a lot of other people...
This was my first Zett book and I enjoyed it enough to try more. Because Hoopla and my public library are awesome!
jcurry447's review against another edition
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
me2342's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
aljj's review against another edition
hopeful
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
I liked the scenes at play. It had phases and was nice to listen to throughout. It also has a strong start. That said, the kid feels like a plot device and nothing more.
fsi's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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? Yes
4.75
jennabeebs79's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Dr. Jess Riley's life is thrown for a loop when post-pregnancy heart failure causes her to have to reevaluate everything she's come to know. Jess is brash, abrupt, no-nonsense, and downright rude to almost everyone she comes across. She and Lena get off on the wrong foot due to Jess's lack of interpersonal skills. However, Jess's icy and rude demeanor is softened by her beautiful daughter Ella. Their interactions are so heartwarming and shed light on what a compassionate soul Jess truly is.
Lena is a delight! She's calm, patient, compassionate, hard-working, and doesn't take any crap from Jess. As the two spend time together, conversations allow both women to bridge the chasm that had formed.
Jess's character arc is a highlight for me. I loved learning about who she is deep down as the layers are peeled back. What I think is so fantastic is that Jess isn't perfect and makes some questionable choices whose outcomes help shape her character development.
The pacing of the relationship development between Lena and Jess is perfect. Their move from enemies to friends to lovers happens naturally and it's clear as day how important they are to one another.
Jess's mom Maggie is an integral piece to the storyline. I enjoyed her relationships with both Jess and Lena and honestly, without her support, Lena and Jess might not have had their happily ever after.
Lori Prince does a fantastic job with the narration of this story. She has an incredible way of infusing so much depth and emotion into her performance that I couldn't stop listening.
Heart Failure by Chris Zett is a beautiful story about overcoming past heartache and allowing someone in. It's about communication, honesty, vulnerability, and family and goes to show that everyone is worthy of love.
Lena is a delight! She's calm, patient, compassionate, hard-working, and doesn't take any crap from Jess. As the two spend time together, conversations allow both women to bridge the chasm that had formed.
Jess's character arc is a highlight for me. I loved learning about who she is deep down as the layers are peeled back. What I think is so fantastic is that Jess isn't perfect and makes some questionable choices whose outcomes help shape her character development.
The pacing of the relationship development between Lena and Jess is perfect. Their move from enemies to friends to lovers happens naturally and it's clear as day how important they are to one another.
Jess's mom Maggie is an integral piece to the storyline. I enjoyed her relationships with both Jess and Lena and honestly, without her support, Lena and Jess might not have had their happily ever after.
Lori Prince does a fantastic job with the narration of this story. She has an incredible way of infusing so much depth and emotion into her performance that I couldn't stop listening.
Heart Failure by Chris Zett is a beautiful story about overcoming past heartache and allowing someone in. It's about communication, honesty, vulnerability, and family and goes to show that everyone is worthy of love.
gayanyway's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
carmelstrawberries81's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a true love story about finding love and understanding what one really loves and wants from live. Sometimes, it's okay to take a break from your career to continue to live the life you really want. One or two spicy scenes, but the character development was amazing.
catbartram89's review against another edition
5.0
Another fabulous book by Chris, the relationship between Jess (Dr Riley) and Lena starts off rocky, but when they stop being enemies and become friends they hit it off! I enjoyed the story and the narrating by Lori was fantastic, she kept me engaged the whole time and I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience!
Highly recommended
Highly recommended