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Marshmallows for Breakfast
When Kendra Tamale returns to England from Australia she rents a room from Kyle, a divorced father of two, and begins a new job. She's looking forward to a fresh start and simple life.
Kyle's five-year-old twins, Summer and Jaxon, have other ideas and quickly adopt Kendra as their new mother - mainly because she lets them eat marshmallows for breakfast. Kendra eventually becomes a part of their lives, even though she's hiding a painful secret that makes her keep everyone - especially children - at arm's length.
Then Kendra bumps into the man who shares her awful secret, and things fall apart: she can't sleep, she can't eat, she's suspended from work, and the kids are taken away by their mother. The only way to fix things is to confess to the terrible mistake she made all those years ago. But that's something she swore never to do . . .
Kyle's five-year-old twins, Summer and Jaxon, have other ideas and quickly adopt Kendra as their new mother - mainly because she lets them eat marshmallows for breakfast. Kendra eventually becomes a part of their lives, even though she's hiding a painful secret that makes her keep everyone - especially children - at arm's length.
Then Kendra bumps into the man who shares her awful secret, and things fall apart: she can't sleep, she can't eat, she's suspended from work, and the kids are taken away by their mother. The only way to fix things is to confess to the terrible mistake she made all those years ago. But that's something she swore never to do . . .
440 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2007
152 people are currently reading
3835 people want to read
About the author
Dorothy Koomson
50 books3,251 followersHello, my name's Dorothy Koomson and I'll try to make this bit that's all about me as interesting as possible.
I wrote my first novel called There's A Thin Line Between Love And Hate when I was 13. I used to write a chapter every night then pass it around to my fellow convent school pupils every morning, and they seemed to love it.
I grew up in London and then grew up again in Leeds when I went to university. I eventually returned to London to study for my masters degree and stayed put for the following years. I took up various temping jobs and eventually got my big break writing, editing and subbing for various women's magazines and national papers.
Fiction and storytelling were still a HUGE passion of mine and I continued to write short stories and novels every spare moment that I got. In 2001 I had the idea for The Cupid Effect and my career as a published novelist began. And it's been fantastic. In 2006, third novel, My Best Friend's Girl was published. It was incredibly successful - selling nearly 90,000 copies within its first few weeks on sale. Six weeks later, it was selected for the Richard & Judy Summer Reads Book Club and the book went on to sell over 500,000 copies. Oh, there I go again, this is meant to be about me, not my novels.
Okay, back to me. I recently spent two years living in Sydney Australia, and now I'm back in England. But I can't say for how long I'll be in the UK for because I've been well and truly bitten by the travel bug
I wrote my first novel called There's A Thin Line Between Love And Hate when I was 13. I used to write a chapter every night then pass it around to my fellow convent school pupils every morning, and they seemed to love it.
I grew up in London and then grew up again in Leeds when I went to university. I eventually returned to London to study for my masters degree and stayed put for the following years. I took up various temping jobs and eventually got my big break writing, editing and subbing for various women's magazines and national papers.
Fiction and storytelling were still a HUGE passion of mine and I continued to write short stories and novels every spare moment that I got. In 2001 I had the idea for The Cupid Effect and my career as a published novelist began. And it's been fantastic. In 2006, third novel, My Best Friend's Girl was published. It was incredibly successful - selling nearly 90,000 copies within its first few weeks on sale. Six weeks later, it was selected for the Richard & Judy Summer Reads Book Club and the book went on to sell over 500,000 copies. Oh, there I go again, this is meant to be about me, not my novels.
Okay, back to me. I recently spent two years living in Sydney Australia, and now I'm back in England. But I can't say for how long I'll be in the UK for because I've been well and truly bitten by the travel bug
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 505 reviews
June 10, 2012
This was a tricky one. It started off good, however, by the middle of the book I was very upset with the main characters.
They were so whiny and just emotionally inept and couldn't handle almost anything.
I felt the author really missed the mark with this one. Good story concept, but bad characters. I won't even say bad
characters so much as they were just unrealistic in how they handled their emotional lives.
They were so whiny and just emotionally inept and couldn't handle almost anything.
I felt the author really missed the mark with this one. Good story concept, but bad characters. I won't even say bad
characters so much as they were just unrealistic in how they handled their emotional lives.
February 22, 2010
I forced myself to complete this one, but I would not recommend it to others...too many great books out there to spend valuable minutes reading this one. I kept thinking Kendra was going to shed her victim mentality (which she rightly desrved, but it got old and irritating a few chapters in)and embrace the good people around her. She never did; she continued to wallow selfishly throughout and then tried to play the "I'm sacrificing my life and no one realizes my gift" card.
July 19, 2015
Na momente jako tužno, ali svakako predivno. Volim način na koji Dorothy piše, način na koji vodi radnju. Jako kvalitetno i vrijedno čitanja.
April 26, 2016
Zanimljiva priča o Kendri, koja se, progonjena vlastitim demonima prošlosti, nađe u središtu životne drame privlačnog stanodavca Kyla, koji ostaje sa dvoje djece nakon što ga je napustila supruga. Malo po malo, ali baš malo po malo, raspetljava se jedna po jedna od priča koje je Koomson zapetljala u ovom romanu. Tu ide moja prva zamjerka, roman je mogao biti kraći barem za stotinu stranica, bespotrebno razvlačenje otkrivanja jedne po jedne tajne, inače karakteristično za Koomson, u ovom romanu mi je bilo pretjerano. Druga zamjerka ide glavnoj junakinji, opet je tu snažna crnkinja, toliko savršena, toliko moralno i karakterno ispravna, da mi kao takva nije uspjela izazvati potpuno suosjećanje sa svojom životnom pričom. Ljudski je griješiti, donositi pogrešne odluke, ali Kendra to ne radi, ona sve radi na vlastitu štetu, uskraćuje si ljubav, odriče se prijateljstva, svega onoga što je u zapravo u životu najvažnije kako bi zadovoljila neka moralna načela. Po meni bespotrebno, malo nesavršenosti bi mi bilo puno simpatičnije i bliže. Od do sada pročitanih romana Dorothy Koomson moram reći da mi se ovaj najmanje dopao, ali zbog svih ovih ranije pročitanih, a i zbog toga što je ona ipak autorica koja se dotiče i analizira neke velike društvene probleme, kao što su nasilje nad ženama, alkoholizam, sudbina djece u razorenim brakovima i slično, dajem ovom romanu solidnu četvorku. Preostala su mi još dva njena prevedena romana za čitanje, Laku noć ljepotice i Posljednja kap, pročitat ću ih naravno, jer ipak i dalje vjerujem u Koomson i njenu vještinu da napiše dobar roman.
August 28, 2019
Temas muito fortes que nos fazem reflectir.
As personagens estão muito bem conseguidas como é hábito desta autora.
As histórias que se entrecruzam despertam o nosso interesse.
Facilmente nos sentimos enredados da trama, tentando unir as várias pontas soltas. Somos confrontados com situações complexas, dúbias e vivemos um turbilhão de emoções.
Mas... (pois é, um "mas" vem geralmente precedido de alguma desilusão) existem várias situações que me pareceram pouco plausíveis de acontecer. Até o culminar do enredo me surpreendeu por tanta abnegação.
Contudo, senti que os temas foram tão bem retratados - alcoolismo, os traumas de quem assiste esses estados, os abusos sexuais, a impotência em reagir, a vergonha, etc etc etc - que valeu a pena!
As personagens estão muito bem conseguidas como é hábito desta autora.
As histórias que se entrecruzam despertam o nosso interesse.
Facilmente nos sentimos enredados da trama, tentando unir as várias pontas soltas. Somos confrontados com situações complexas, dúbias e vivemos um turbilhão de emoções.
Mas... (pois é, um "mas" vem geralmente precedido de alguma desilusão) existem várias situações que me pareceram pouco plausíveis de acontecer. Até o culminar do enredo me surpreendeu por tanta abnegação.
Contudo, senti que os temas foram tão bem retratados - alcoolismo, os traumas de quem assiste esses estados, os abusos sexuais, a impotência em reagir, a vergonha, etc etc etc - que valeu a pena!
June 27, 2016
Com personagens tão interessantes e dramas tão realistas, é uma pena que Dorothy Koomson não tenha preenchido e rematado melhor este Pedaços de Ternura; da forma como sabemos que consegue.
Enquanto os adultos tentam lidar com os seus problemas da melhor forma que sabem (sem, no entanto, garantirem os melhores resultados), os gémeos Summer e Jaxon vivem no meio do turbilhão provocado pelo divórcio dos pais, servindo muitas vezes como arma de chantagem e sofrendo imenso com isso. Não é, portanto, de estranhar que se agarrem tanto e tão depressa a uma completa desconhecida, Kendra, que se esforça por combater os próprios traumas do passado. Tal como Kendra, percebemos que a história desta família é bem mais complexa do que parece a início e que o final feliz pode demorar algum tempo a chegar.
Gostei muito das cenas de interacção com as crianças, acho que constituem a melhor parte do livro; Koomson consegue espelhar muito bem nos seus comportamentos os problemas da família e as falhas dos pais. Custou-me um bocado a acreditar no romance de Kendra e Will; como nunca o 'vemos' no presente e temos apenas um breve relato sobre o passado, a relação parece fantasiosa, muito pouco concreta e torna-se difícil dar-lhe importância. Além disso, fiquei também um bocadinho desiludida com o final que a escritora escolheu para Kendra.
Enquanto os adultos tentam lidar com os seus problemas da melhor forma que sabem (sem, no entanto, garantirem os melhores resultados), os gémeos Summer e Jaxon vivem no meio do turbilhão provocado pelo divórcio dos pais, servindo muitas vezes como arma de chantagem e sofrendo imenso com isso. Não é, portanto, de estranhar que se agarrem tanto e tão depressa a uma completa desconhecida, Kendra, que se esforça por combater os próprios traumas do passado. Tal como Kendra, percebemos que a história desta família é bem mais complexa do que parece a início e que o final feliz pode demorar algum tempo a chegar.
Gostei muito das cenas de interacção com as crianças, acho que constituem a melhor parte do livro; Koomson consegue espelhar muito bem nos seus comportamentos os problemas da família e as falhas dos pais. Custou-me um bocado a acreditar no romance de Kendra e Will; como nunca o 'vemos' no presente e temos apenas um breve relato sobre o passado, a relação parece fantasiosa, muito pouco concreta e torna-se difícil dar-lhe importância. Além disso, fiquei também um bocadinho desiludida com o final que a escritora escolheu para Kendra.
August 15, 2024
Реална оценка 3.5★
Харесах темите, които са в основата на книгата - алкохолизъм и травмите след тежко насилие (не искам да навлизам в подробности, защото ще е спам).
Освен това страшно много ми хареса идеята, че не кръвта прави семейството, а лоялността, любовта и отдадеността.
На мен лично ми допада стила на писане на Дороти Кумсън. Това е 3тата или 4тата нейна книга, която чета. И ще продължавам ☺️
Харесах темите, които са в основата на книгата - алкохолизъм и травмите след тежко насилие (не искам да навлизам в подробности, защото ще е спам).
Освен това страшно много ми хареса идеята, че не кръвта прави семейството, а лоялността, любовта и отдадеността.
На мен лично ми допада стила на писане на Дороти Кумсън. Това е 3тата или 4тата нейна книга, която чета. И ще продължавам ☺️
January 12, 2016
"Pedaços de Ternura" foi o primeiro livro que li da inglesa Dorothy Koomson, mas decerto não vai ser o último.
Kendra Tamale regressa a Inglaterra, o seu país natal, vinda da Austrália, fugindo mais uma vez da nuvem negra que tem pairado sobre a sua vida. No seu regresso, aluga uma casa a um recém-separado que tem a seu cargo um par de gémeos muito especial, Summer e Jaxon, ambos com seis anos de idade. E é aqui que Kendra, que tenta ao máximo resguardar-se do envolvimento sentimental devido a traumas e desilusões passadas, abre o seu coração perante a simplicidade e a honestidade das crianças.
Com uma história aparentemente sem nada de muito original, Dorothy Koomson tece um enredo baseado nas relações humanas, lida com o efeito de problemas como o alcoolismo ou a violação e fala sobre encontrar o nosso caminho pelo meio das dificuldades e das adversidades. As personagens são, acima de tudo, extremamente realistas... É quase impossível, numa ou noutra altura da nossa vida, não termos já sentido determinada emoção por elas sentida ou não termos reflectido sobre determinado tema que as aflige/atormenta.
Neste livro, a autora aposta nas emoções e em transmiti-las ao leitor, o que, na minha opinião, consegue quase na perfeição: por várias vezes, emocionei-me com determinadas passagens do livro tal a sensação de realismo transmitida. Decerto não é nenhuma obra-prima, mas gostei imenso e fiquei ainda mais curiosa para ler "A Filha da Minha Melhor Amiga".
Kendra Tamale regressa a Inglaterra, o seu país natal, vinda da Austrália, fugindo mais uma vez da nuvem negra que tem pairado sobre a sua vida. No seu regresso, aluga uma casa a um recém-separado que tem a seu cargo um par de gémeos muito especial, Summer e Jaxon, ambos com seis anos de idade. E é aqui que Kendra, que tenta ao máximo resguardar-se do envolvimento sentimental devido a traumas e desilusões passadas, abre o seu coração perante a simplicidade e a honestidade das crianças.
Com uma história aparentemente sem nada de muito original, Dorothy Koomson tece um enredo baseado nas relações humanas, lida com o efeito de problemas como o alcoolismo ou a violação e fala sobre encontrar o nosso caminho pelo meio das dificuldades e das adversidades. As personagens são, acima de tudo, extremamente realistas... É quase impossível, numa ou noutra altura da nossa vida, não termos já sentido determinada emoção por elas sentida ou não termos reflectido sobre determinado tema que as aflige/atormenta.
Neste livro, a autora aposta nas emoções e em transmiti-las ao leitor, o que, na minha opinião, consegue quase na perfeição: por várias vezes, emocionei-me com determinadas passagens do livro tal a sensação de realismo transmitida. Decerto não é nenhuma obra-prima, mas gostei imenso e fiquei ainda mais curiosa para ler "A Filha da Minha Melhor Amiga".
September 6, 2013
The candy pink, white and blue cover of this novel seems to suggest it is a light chick lit read, which was what I expected. You couldn’t be more wrong. Although there are some elements of that, this novel covers some serious issues. No, I’m not going to tell you what they are as that would give too much of the plot away. Suffice to say, Kendra Tamale is looking for a new start, after having left Australia and returned to England and her old job. She rents a room and, before she realises quite how it happens, she is drawn into the lives of Kyle, her landlord, and his twin children, Summer and Jaxon. So you think you know where the story’s going. You’d probably be wrong.
There are secrets in Kendra’s life that are hinted at. We don’t fully find out about these until towards the end of the book. Kyle has his own share of problems with a wife Ashlyn, who has abandoned the children. All the member of the family have been trying to deal with these problems, or not, according to their natures. Summer is a chattered and screamer. Jaxon resorts to silence. Kyle and Ashlyn refuse to recognise or deal with the problem appropriately.
I found Kendra or Kendie, as the children call her, to be a caring and strong young woman. She had to be, to handle things the way she did. She is one who acts on what she believes, even if she doesn’t always manage to go about it the right way or make the right choices for her. Summer and Jaxon are the type of kids that easily twin around your heart. They have suffered so much and no matter what choice adults make they look likely to suffer more.
An enjoyable and thought provoking read. Be prepared to laugh, shed a few tears and get angry at the characters.
One thing that annoyed me was the continual referring to the navy-green eyes of the children. Once was enough to get the message. But that is a relatively minor quibble.
Prior to this I had not read any of this author’s books. Funnily enough I realised afterwards I have picked up another of hers from the library but will read a few others by different authors before I get into that one. I really enjoyed this book until the end. I’d have liked a bit different ending. But in a way, given the personality of Kendra, perhaps couldn’t have ended any differently.
There are secrets in Kendra’s life that are hinted at. We don’t fully find out about these until towards the end of the book. Kyle has his own share of problems with a wife Ashlyn, who has abandoned the children. All the member of the family have been trying to deal with these problems, or not, according to their natures. Summer is a chattered and screamer. Jaxon resorts to silence. Kyle and Ashlyn refuse to recognise or deal with the problem appropriately.
I found Kendra or Kendie, as the children call her, to be a caring and strong young woman. She had to be, to handle things the way she did. She is one who acts on what she believes, even if she doesn’t always manage to go about it the right way or make the right choices for her. Summer and Jaxon are the type of kids that easily twin around your heart. They have suffered so much and no matter what choice adults make they look likely to suffer more.
An enjoyable and thought provoking read. Be prepared to laugh, shed a few tears and get angry at the characters.
One thing that annoyed me was the continual referring to the navy-green eyes of the children. Once was enough to get the message. But that is a relatively minor quibble.
Prior to this I had not read any of this author’s books. Funnily enough I realised afterwards I have picked up another of hers from the library but will read a few others by different authors before I get into that one. I really enjoyed this book until the end. I’d have liked a bit different ending. But in a way, given the personality of Kendra, perhaps couldn’t have ended any differently.
November 19, 2015
Marshmallows for breakfast!!! Yummy!!!
March 21, 2020
“Evil grows when good people do and say nothing.”
“If I had a girl, I’d want her to know that she can be anything she wants and that she doesn't have to rely on her looks or clothes or hair or make-up to define who she is or to get respect from other people. I’d want her to know she has a right to be respected or noticed because she was born. I’m not talking about all the girl power nonsense, I’m talking about my girl growing up knowing she has the right to be treated decently simply because she was born.”
“If I had a girl, I’d want her to know that she can be anything she wants and that she doesn't have to rely on her looks or clothes or hair or make-up to define who she is or to get respect from other people. I’d want her to know she has a right to be respected or noticed because she was born. I’m not talking about all the girl power nonsense, I’m talking about my girl growing up knowing she has the right to be treated decently simply because she was born.”
November 5, 2020
I had really wanted to read something by this author and the title attracted me. I absolutely appreciated the way she treated Gabriella and Kendra issues, Kendra’s relationship with the kids and with their father as well. And the other issue related to Kyle. I will definitely read more by this author.
January 23, 2014
I feel bad giving two stars when I did think the story line was reasonably good and maybe deserved three. I picked up this book from the library as I had watched the TV dramatisation of Ice Cream Girls and found that story quite powerful.
The main problem I had was the plot was so slow moving. The book needed a massive condensing job! I have no problem with books where very little happens but you can enjoy the main character's voice. With this book, however, it was hard sympathising with Kendra until you knew her whole history, which was revealed painfully slowly.
Some things did not really make sense to me. I could not really understand her fascination with Ashlyn, I'd become a little bit obsessed, especially considering how private Kendra liked to keep herself. I wanted to know more about some of the characters.
I would agree with other reviewers that there were too many issues tackled in the book .
The ending was poor. .
A further issue I had was with the use of the third and first person in order for us to understand how some of the characters felt - what a cop out! It could have worked better if it was in the third person throughout but certain sections focused on one person only: Kendra, Kyle, Gabrielle, Ashlyn, then maybe back to Kendra again. The fact that the author had to switch out of first person at times, such as in Chapter 34, highlights to me that too many issues were attempted to be covered in the novel.
On the plus side I did love Summer and found her spirit great. I enjoyed the early descriptions of her outfits (but why did they disappear?) It made me chuckle that she thought the summer holidays were her holidays!
I was intrigued with the sections headed up by different breakfasts/meals. I have been unable to really find a consistent link with the food and what actually happens in the section - I would be interested in whether other reviewers have been able to decipher this.
As I did gain some enjoyment from the plot I would like to read another of Koomson's novels if there was one that moved a bit quicker! Any suggestions?
The main problem I had was the plot was so slow moving. The book needed a massive condensing job! I have no problem with books where very little happens but you can enjoy the main character's voice. With this book, however, it was hard sympathising with Kendra until you knew her whole history, which was revealed painfully slowly.
Some things did not really make sense to me. I could not really understand her fascination with Ashlyn, I'd become a little bit obsessed, especially considering how private Kendra liked to keep herself. I wanted to know more about some of the characters.
I would agree with other reviewers that there were too many issues tackled in the book .
The ending was poor. .
A further issue I had was with the use of the third and first person in order for us to understand how some of the characters felt - what a cop out! It could have worked better if it was in the third person throughout but certain sections focused on one person only: Kendra, Kyle, Gabrielle, Ashlyn, then maybe back to Kendra again. The fact that the author had to switch out of first person at times, such as in Chapter 34, highlights to me that too many issues were attempted to be covered in the novel.
On the plus side I did love Summer and found her spirit great. I enjoyed the early descriptions of her outfits (but why did they disappear?) It made me chuckle that she thought the summer holidays were her holidays!
I was intrigued with the sections headed up by different breakfasts/meals. I have been unable to really find a consistent link with the food and what actually happens in the section - I would be interested in whether other reviewers have been able to decipher this.
As I did gain some enjoyment from the plot I would like to read another of Koomson's novels if there was one that moved a bit quicker! Any suggestions?
November 15, 2009
"Kendra Tamale is looking for a fresh start and a simple life when she rents a room from Kyle Gadsborough." This is from the front flap.
Well, you know that's not how things are going to go, right? Trying to hide out, after the mess she left behind in Australia, Kendra's settling down in the English village of Kent is sure to provide her with the respite she needs. Right? Wrong.
Almost immediately, she is thrust into the daily life of the single father and his adorable, yet feisty, six-year-old twins. It happens when her new landlord invites her to breakfast, and she is thrust into the midst of handling breakfast drama with Summer and Jaxon while their father takes a phone call. A very loud and obviously argumentative phone call.
Soon she is their daily go-to person, since their mother is somewhere else—oh, yeah, New York—and has some mysterious ailment.
We learn more of Kendra's dramatic story, flashback by flashback, as we also learn about Kyle and his estranged wife Ashlyn.
Thinking this was going to be a light read was very erroneous on my part, but I was pleasantly surprised. It didn't take long for me to thoroughly invest in Kendra and Kyle, as well as in the twins. The author's skill at drawing the details of the characters in such a way that we could visualize and experience them had me hooked.
By the time I turned the final page, I felt as though these characters were a part of my life. Marshmallows for Breakfast earned five stars for me.
Well, you know that's not how things are going to go, right? Trying to hide out, after the mess she left behind in Australia, Kendra's settling down in the English village of Kent is sure to provide her with the respite she needs. Right? Wrong.
Almost immediately, she is thrust into the daily life of the single father and his adorable, yet feisty, six-year-old twins. It happens when her new landlord invites her to breakfast, and she is thrust into the midst of handling breakfast drama with Summer and Jaxon while their father takes a phone call. A very loud and obviously argumentative phone call.
Soon she is their daily go-to person, since their mother is somewhere else—oh, yeah, New York—and has some mysterious ailment.
We learn more of Kendra's dramatic story, flashback by flashback, as we also learn about Kyle and his estranged wife Ashlyn.
Thinking this was going to be a light read was very erroneous on my part, but I was pleasantly surprised. It didn't take long for me to thoroughly invest in Kendra and Kyle, as well as in the twins. The author's skill at drawing the details of the characters in such a way that we could visualize and experience them had me hooked.
By the time I turned the final page, I felt as though these characters were a part of my life. Marshmallows for Breakfast earned five stars for me.
November 7, 2015
Não consigo perceber porque é este livro considerado o mais fraco e menos apreciado de Dorothy Koomson, mas assim são os gostos.
Sendo assim, está visto que adorei este livro! A delicadeza com que Dorothy Koomson tratou o trauma de Kendra, a sua forma de sobreviver e lidar (se é que o chegou a fazer) com o que lhe aconteceu quando era mais nova, comoveu-me profundamente. É claro que não nos é logo dito o que aconteceu, a informação vem aos poucos, como peças de puzzle mas só quando Kendra decide, finalmente, confiar e contar é que se conhecem todos os pormenores e não é bonito.
Também o drama da família de Kyle, devido ao alcoolismo da sua esposa e as implicações que tem no seu casamento e consequente separação, não só para o casal mas também para os filhos gémeos de 6 anos de ambos, foi outro aspeto emocionante, mais pelo efeito que tem nas crianças.
Não esquecendo a ligação forte que se formou entre Kendra e os gémeos, principalmente, mas também com Kyle e como foram essenciais na recuperação de Kendra.
Sim, emocionante é a palavra chave para este "Pedaços de Ternura".
Sendo assim, está visto que adorei este livro! A delicadeza com que Dorothy Koomson tratou o trauma de Kendra, a sua forma de sobreviver e lidar (se é que o chegou a fazer) com o que lhe aconteceu quando era mais nova, comoveu-me profundamente. É claro que não nos é logo dito o que aconteceu, a informação vem aos poucos, como peças de puzzle mas só quando Kendra decide, finalmente, confiar e contar é que se conhecem todos os pormenores e não é bonito.
Também o drama da família de Kyle, devido ao alcoolismo da sua esposa e as implicações que tem no seu casamento e consequente separação, não só para o casal mas também para os filhos gémeos de 6 anos de ambos, foi outro aspeto emocionante, mais pelo efeito que tem nas crianças.
Não esquecendo a ligação forte que se formou entre Kendra e os gémeos, principalmente, mas também com Kyle e como foram essenciais na recuperação de Kendra.
Sim, emocionante é a palavra chave para este "Pedaços de Ternura".
February 6, 2010
I read this author's previous book "My Friend's Girl," and rated it three stars, but this one was not as good. The plot involved both alcoholism and rape (a real fun-fest), but the subject matter was not the problem. The writing style here was very clinical, as if the author had read alot of information about these problems and then put it into the book without really distilling it. It comes out in the protagonist's omniscient observations about the motives of the people around her, even though she seems to be completely in the dark about her own motives. Very unnatural dialog all the way through. I contemplated not finishing it, and am not entirely happy that I persevered.
May 30, 2012
Bem. . . É o primeiro livro de Dorothy que leio impelida pelas boas opiniões que tenho lido dela e não sei porquê estava decidida a que este livro fosse um romance puro, talvez tenha sido a sinopse (que me agradou imenso) e o meu cérebro delineou automaticamente um romance implícito :D Não o sendo, pelo menos não achei, é uma história lindíssima de como acontecimentos terríveis podem acontecer, como isso mesmo nos pode envolver e quaseee, um grande quaseee, destruir e mesmo assim no último momento termos a presença de espírito de nos erguermos.
Um livro que aborda dois temas fortes...
Um livro que aborda dois temas fortes...
December 10, 2019
Esta autora apresenta-nos sempre uns dramas imensos cheios de emoção e temas importantes, mas nada agradáveis. Este foi o livro dela de que mais gostei. Kendra regressa a Inglaterra da Austrália e rapidamente se vê envolvida sem querer na vida do senhorio e seus filhos gémeos em idade escolar. Apesar de tentar manter as distâncias, envolve-se na vida daquela família e aquilo de que foge fica em segundo plano; no entanto, algo de que tinha fugido antes também lhe faz sombra. Enquanto não resolve a sua vida, acaba por ajudar aquela família. Será que se conseguirá ajudar a si mesma?? É uma personagem em negação, com a vida num impasse e que se torna um pouco irritante, apesar de simpática e bondosa.
March 29, 2020
Цялата история се разплете, въпреки въвличането на многото герои и различни съдби , типично за Дороти Кумсън. Останах някак разочарована. Очаквах нещо да се случи, като за финал, нещо пикантно да се разиграе, но за съжаление просто се сложи точка на развитието.
July 17, 2024
Neki dijelovi su mi bili neuvjerljivi (vezivanje za tuđu djecu), odricanje od ljubavi života zbog djece prijatelja, potenciranje problema silovanja kod dva lika, alkoholizam kao problem koji rastura porodicu...
Sve u svemu ocjena 4 na ukupan dojam.
Sve u svemu ocjena 4 na ukupan dojam.
January 13, 2014
Mais uma vez Dorothy Koomson surpreende os leitores com um livro que pode sensibilizar muita gente.
Quando comecei a ler o livro pensei que estava a ler sobre um caso de violência doméstica e isso fez-me ficar de pé atrás. É um tema muito sensível e que me deixa fora de mim quando leio sobre ele...
Mas não era disso que se tratava. Não posso dizer que a violência doméstica seja pior ou "melhor" do que a violação mas, na minha opinião, a violência doméstica está num patamar acima no que diz respeito à violação.
Kendra é uma mulher que, de um dia para o outro, decide deixar a Austrália e voltar ao seu país natal, a Inglaterra. Desde o momento em que seja que se envolve sentimentalmente com duas crianças que ultrapassam uma situação difícil: o divórcio dos pais. Ao longo da leitura vamos entrando mais a fundo nesta família devastada e nos seus problemas.
Na minha opinião este é o livro mais fraco de Dorothy Koomson. Achei a Kendra muito chata e um pouco insegura (sim, sim ela passou por muita coisa mas mesmo assim...). Este livro tinha tudo para ser 5*, mas esta personagem estragou tudo. Gostei muito do Kyle e da Gabrielle. O primeiro porque, mesmo depois de tudo o que passou, continuou a amar a mulher (ele diz que não, mas eu sei que sim!) e, mesmo depois de separados, a acompanhou no seu retorno à vida normal. Gostei da Gabrielle porque conseguiu ultrapassar o seu passado e tornar-se uma pessoa aberta e afável que não tinha medo de falar do que lhe tinha acontecido (ao contrário da Kendra).
Quando comecei a ler o livro pensei que estava a ler sobre um caso de violência doméstica e isso fez-me ficar de pé atrás. É um tema muito sensível e que me deixa fora de mim quando leio sobre ele...
Mas não era disso que se tratava. Não posso dizer que a violência doméstica seja pior ou "melhor" do que a violação mas, na minha opinião, a violência doméstica está num patamar acima no que diz respeito à violação.
Kendra é uma mulher que, de um dia para o outro, decide deixar a Austrália e voltar ao seu país natal, a Inglaterra. Desde o momento em que seja que se envolve sentimentalmente com duas crianças que ultrapassam uma situação difícil: o divórcio dos pais. Ao longo da leitura vamos entrando mais a fundo nesta família devastada e nos seus problemas.
Na minha opinião este é o livro mais fraco de Dorothy Koomson. Achei a Kendra muito chata e um pouco insegura (sim, sim ela passou por muita coisa mas mesmo assim...). Este livro tinha tudo para ser 5*, mas esta personagem estragou tudo. Gostei muito do Kyle e da Gabrielle. O primeiro porque, mesmo depois de tudo o que passou, continuou a amar a mulher (ele diz que não, mas eu sei que sim!) e, mesmo depois de separados, a acompanhou no seu retorno à vida normal. Gostei da Gabrielle porque conseguiu ultrapassar o seu passado e tornar-se uma pessoa aberta e afável que não tinha medo de falar do que lhe tinha acontecido (ao contrário da Kendra).
February 16, 2017
Dorothy Koomson is definitely on the very top of my favorite authors list, tho I haven't really read that much by her. which says alot about her talent.
To make a long review short, the story was written so beautifully, I didn't want the story to end. The characters were very well developed and written. I just loved this book! Koomson has this way of writing that not only makes you like or relate with the characters, you alsocare for them. like right at the this second I can't help but thinking if they're okay or something bad happened. I care about them. not as book character, as persons. mostly because she writes about real problems. like killing, addicts, raping. things that really touches you and ties you with the characters and their story forever.
as a children lover myself, I over enjoyed this and I related to kendra way too much. we have a lot of similarities which made me care for her even more. and tbh, I didn't expect this ending. it was an open ending yet kinda closed. it kinda leaves you with your own hopes and imagination to decide how it goes from here. and oh, I have many many ideas!
I learned a lot from this book, mostly about dealing with kids. there was a couple of ideas Kendra did that I'mactually planning to do with my kids. on top of all, the Saturday breakfast.. I'm definitely doing this!
To make a long review short, the story was written so beautifully, I didn't want the story to end. The characters were very well developed and written. I just loved this book! Koomson has this way of writing that not only makes you like or relate with the characters, you alsocare for them. like right at the this second I can't help but thinking if they're okay or something bad happened. I care about them. not as book character, as persons. mostly because she writes about real problems. like killing, addicts, raping. things that really touches you and ties you with the characters and their story forever.
as a children lover myself, I over enjoyed this and I related to kendra way too much. we have a lot of similarities which made me care for her even more. and tbh, I didn't expect this ending. it was an open ending yet kinda closed. it kinda leaves you with your own hopes and imagination to decide how it goes from here. and oh, I have many many ideas!
I learned a lot from this book, mostly about dealing with kids. there was a couple of ideas Kendra did that I'mactually planning to do with my kids. on top of all, the Saturday breakfast.. I'm definitely doing this!
December 14, 2016
Achei pertinentes os dois principais temas abordados, mas este livro não me tocou como esperava que o fizesse, como os outros dois livros da autora que já li. Para mim, as crianças foram, sem dúvida, as melhores personagens criadoras nesta história e as suas intervenções aquelas que mais me cativaram. O romance de Kendra e Will (foi uma personagem muito pouco explorada a meu ver) não me convenceu, pois não teve grandes destaque na narração, percebo que podia não ser esse o principal foco da autora, mas mesmo assim, senti falta de mais detalhes para o achar credível. Só fui surpreendida no final, mas não pelos melhores motivos, pois esperava um fim melhor para a personagem principal e até mesmo para Kyle.
August 31, 2013
μολις τωρα τελειωσα το Πρωινο απο Ζαχαρη της Ντοροθι Κουμσον!Τελειο!!δεν εχω λογια..πολυ ανθρωπινο και συναμα τοσο συγκινητικο..ενα βιβλιο που μιλαει στην καρδια σου..Αγγιζει 3 ευαισθητα θεματα..την αντιμετωπιση του διαζυγιου με 2 παιδια..τον βιασμο και τον αλκοολισμο...πολυ καλογραμμενο και με ωραιους χαρακτηρες..
το συνιστω ανεπιφυλακτα!
το συνιστω ανεπιφυλακτα!
May 4, 2009
Predictable - I figured it out within 50 pages, and the story just wasn't that compelling. I had previously read a book by the same author which I had finished, but didn't care for, and I don't plan to read any further books by her.
October 19, 2024
i must admit, this book is one that i didn't really like when i first read it, but it slowly grew on me over time. i was 12 when i was first introduced to dorothy's books and i didn't start reading from the beginning of her works so some of her stories didn't hold the gravity they do now at 20, such as this one.
we follow kendra on such an important journey. from australia to england, from being kyle's neighbour to a friend, from being a strange to summer and jaxon to being a surrogate mum, from being in denial to starting the process of accepting what happened to her without the blame.
rereading dorothy's work while knowing how her style has evolved is quite surreal. i would say this is the start of the dorothy style we know and love now and dorothy's ability to tackle extremely difficult and upsetting, mostly real-life, situations has only gotten more outstanding. the topic within this book is one dorothy writes about throughout multiple books and she always does it with such delicate dignity and thorough research.
each character within this book feels so real and the depth of each character is wonderful. each relationship that is formed is done so with such a frankness and a reality. dorothy does it again, even in the past.
we follow kendra on such an important journey. from australia to england, from being kyle's neighbour to a friend, from being a strange to summer and jaxon to being a surrogate mum, from being in denial to starting the process of accepting what happened to her without the blame.
rereading dorothy's work while knowing how her style has evolved is quite surreal. i would say this is the start of the dorothy style we know and love now and dorothy's ability to tackle extremely difficult and upsetting, mostly real-life, situations has only gotten more outstanding. the topic within this book is one dorothy writes about throughout multiple books and she always does it with such delicate dignity and thorough research.
each character within this book feels so real and the depth of each character is wonderful. each relationship that is formed is done so with such a frankness and a reality. dorothy does it again, even in the past.
February 21, 2020
Around a 3.5
I liked this one better than the other title by the author I tried but t seems to me her trademark is to be quite dramatic in how things are to be presented, as if her heroines have to always reach some sort of psychological goal but then, the end of both this book and the other one felt a little weak.
The main character in this one was easier to sympathize with and that is why I liked it a little more.
I liked this one better than the other title by the author I tried but t seems to me her trademark is to be quite dramatic in how things are to be presented, as if her heroines have to always reach some sort of psychological goal but then, the end of both this book and the other one felt a little weak.
The main character in this one was easier to sympathize with and that is why I liked it a little more.
January 22, 2025
Registered on Bookcrossing - https://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/...
My Review: Really good book. The cover made me think it was a funny women's fiction story. It's a lot darker than that, but great characters and a lot of heart. The ending wasn't what I would choose for Kendra, but a riveting read.
My Review: Really good book. The cover made me think it was a funny women's fiction story. It's a lot darker than that, but great characters and a lot of heart. The ending wasn't what I would choose for Kendra, but a riveting read.
April 22, 2017
Segundo livro da autora que leio e não poderia estar mais viciada. Estou rendida à escrita da Dorothy! Um erro inocente foi um pouco melhor mas este também foi muito bom. Só pecou pelo final. Queria algo mais. Estou desejosa de ler mais obras da autora!
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