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A Life of My Own by Lisa McKendrick
Wilhemina "Whimsy" Waterman, a freshman in college, deals with dormitory life, a new stepfather, a reluctant boyfriend, and a new love interest.
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First published January 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
September 25, 2017
I was hesitant to read this book because I loved On a Whim so much I didn't think that A Life of My Own could be as great. However, this book did not disappoint! I absolutely loved it!
July 8, 2008
Ugh. This book actually wasn't chick-lit, so I probably should have stopped reading it. It was pretty depressing in the "Wow, this is a poorly written story" kind of way. I definitely would have given it up after the first page if not for the research I was trying to accomplish.
Whining aside, an immature college freshman might enjoy this, or more likely a high school student dreaming about college. It had an extremely "coming-of-age" feel, which didn't appeal to me.
I was going to get into details, but this book really isn't worth that kind of review. In general, it was unbelievable, in need of editing, and not nearly as heart-warming as it set out to be. Granted, I am really not the target audience, so someone younger might enjoy it.
Whining aside, an immature college freshman might enjoy this, or more likely a high school student dreaming about college. It had an extremely "coming-of-age" feel, which didn't appeal to me.
I was going to get into details, but this book really isn't worth that kind of review. In general, it was unbelievable, in need of editing, and not nearly as heart-warming as it set out to be. Granted, I am really not the target audience, so someone younger might enjoy it.
March 17, 2008
I liked "On a Whim" but I loved this book. McKendrick crafts her words so well. Whimsy is so well drawn, she seems like a little sister to me. And the final message of this book, about the Good Samaritan, is something I've drawn on dozens of times in my life since reading it. Purely inspired! Thanks, Lisa, for sharing your wisdom with me.
May 15, 2013
This story transplanted me back to my self-centered teenage years and I really didn't like that. The author is a local for me. I met her years earlier while working for a bookstore and remember her discussing her writing. So I did try really hard to enjoy the struggle of the very self-centered teenager/college student.
June 10, 2009
This book was pretty good. It kept me pretty interested. About a girl and her first semester of college, trying to repair a relationship with her mom that just remarried, developing a crush, etc.
Nothing spectacular though.
Moral Note: Nothing really to mention.
Nothing spectacular though.
Moral Note: Nothing really to mention.
October 8, 2008
This is the sequel to On a Whim. I liked it, too, but not as much as the first one. This is full of fun characters, and is set at BYU, so of course it's fun to read about familiar places!
February 16, 2010
A story about a girl who goes through a bunch of changes--starting college, dealing with a roommate (not her best friend as planned), life at BYU, etc. Fun, but not as good as the first book.
July 30, 2011
BYU setting
Good lessons taught in the book.
I would have liked the story to continue, Finish some of the story lines, but I guess real life really does keep on going.
Good lessons taught in the book.
I would have liked the story to continue, Finish some of the story lines, but I guess real life really does keep on going.
May 6, 2013
I re-read this book and Jill is so blunt that it's hilarious! I also love Whimsy. I love how she is relatable (at least to me). Overall, it is funny and brilliant but it is the sequel to On A Whim
January 22, 2016
Maybe 2.5. It was just ok.
January 14, 2011
I wanted the book to continue. It was very good.
April 11, 2017
I mean, it was a cute idea. I always love books like this, because I can relate to them.
But there was no plot. No start and end goal. The character was just... living without a purpose and the story seemed like a run on sentence. It had a lot of ideas that would have been better separated so they could have had more depth. There were so many things going on, with Colin, Pudge, Whimsy's mom, And all the other characters. There was no main conflict and no resolution and no climax. It was... dull.
Whimsy and Colin's relationship was forced, and there was no good introduction to them. They were just shoved together. They had 0 chemistry. They also had very little time in the book where they were together. Very little. You hardly get to know Colin.
There was just too much going on. Too many subplots. In that way, everything was a subplot except Whimsy being hysterical.
I mean, it's a fun read, but be prepared for it to be boring a lot...
But there was no plot. No start and end goal. The character was just... living without a purpose and the story seemed like a run on sentence. It had a lot of ideas that would have been better separated so they could have had more depth. There were so many things going on, with Colin, Pudge, Whimsy's mom, And all the other characters. There was no main conflict and no resolution and no climax. It was... dull.
Whimsy and Colin's relationship was forced, and there was no good introduction to them. They were just shoved together. They had 0 chemistry. They also had very little time in the book where they were together. Very little. You hardly get to know Colin.
There was just too much going on. Too many subplots. In that way, everything was a subplot except Whimsy being hysterical.
I mean, it's a fun read, but be prepared for it to be boring a lot...
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews