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Hindsight
The universe has sent Juliette a sign. She wishes it had been an email instead...
Juliette’s career is on fire, her marriage and family are in melt-down, and a red-hot goddess wants her husband. But those are the least of her worries when she wakes up on her lounge room floor in the year 1961.
Without any of her modern conveniences — nanny, housekeeper, surgically attached mobile phone, designer wardrobe, and intravenous lattes — Juliette is just over fifty years out of her comfort zone. But as she takes on the role of a 1961 housewife, with gritted liberated teeth, she discovers an unexpected truth: slower doesn’t mean boring, at home doesn’t mean dull, and priorities don’t mean sacrifices.
As she finds unexpected friendships, a resuscitated love life, tragedy and triumph, Juliette begins to wonder if she really wants to return home after all.
Juliette’s career is on fire, her marriage and family are in melt-down, and a red-hot goddess wants her husband. But those are the least of her worries when she wakes up on her lounge room floor in the year 1961.
Without any of her modern conveniences — nanny, housekeeper, surgically attached mobile phone, designer wardrobe, and intravenous lattes — Juliette is just over fifty years out of her comfort zone. But as she takes on the role of a 1961 housewife, with gritted liberated teeth, she discovers an unexpected truth: slower doesn’t mean boring, at home doesn’t mean dull, and priorities don’t mean sacrifices.
As she finds unexpected friendships, a resuscitated love life, tragedy and triumph, Juliette begins to wonder if she really wants to return home after all.
249 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2013
1 person is currently reading
336 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Belle
33 books30 followersSarah Belle is a busy mother of four boys and teacher who also enjoys writing Romantic Comedy in her spare time.
Her debut novel, 'HINDSIGHT' was released by Escape Publishing on July 1st, 2013 and her second novel, 'MISS SPELLED' on Sept 1st, 2014. Sarah has sinced self-published these books, with another on the way. She has also contributed to three short-story anthologies, Summer Daze, Winter Heat and Spring Fling (these anthologies free on Amazon!).
Sarah's style of writing is witty and humorous, heart warming and touching and always with a dash of magic.
Her debut novel, 'HINDSIGHT' was released by Escape Publishing on July 1st, 2013 and her second novel, 'MISS SPELLED' on Sept 1st, 2014. Sarah has sinced self-published these books, with another on the way. She has also contributed to three short-story anthologies, Summer Daze, Winter Heat and Spring Fling (these anthologies free on Amazon!).
Sarah's style of writing is witty and humorous, heart warming and touching and always with a dash of magic.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 28 reviews
July 2, 2013
My main motivation for wanting to read this book was the absolutely breathtaking cover. Yes, I’m shallow like that. Many times I’ve been persuaded to read a book solely based on the beauty of its cover. The synopsis also had me curious, and now that I’ve finished it, I can tell you that the title suits the story perfectly and appropriately. I couldn’t have given it a better title had I been offered a million dollars.
Juliette is a character I loved and loathed all at the same time. She had her strengths and weaknesses, but because the story is told from her point of view, her voice is obviously the strongest and most important. What I loved about her was how her character developed and how she ended up being a completely different person at the end of the story than the person she was at the start. I have to admit, though, that I quite liked the career-driven Juliette we meet early in the book, as I could in some ways relate to her. I couldn’t identify much with the person she is in 1961, as I for the life of me can’t imagine what it must be like to be a housewife / stay-at-home mom, especially in a time before modern conveniences. I don’t think I would be able to adapt so well to the sixties or seventies if I had to go back to the past for nine months. She coped remarkably well.
Imagine going to hospital to give birth and your husband is told to go home until he receives a phone call from the hospital informing him how the birth went. No, no, no. That won’t fly with me. I can’t fathom giving birth without my husband by my side. If anything, Hindsight made me look at my life, take stock of my blessings and thank the heavens that I’m alive in the twenty-first century with pre-packaged frozen dinners, cell phones, disposable diapers, top loader washing machines and gender equality. The author brings the sixties back to life in this humorous and often touching novel of self-discovery and finding the true meaning of family, friends, and forgiveness. Although Juliette’s self-doubt irritated me at times, she is quite a complex character who throws herself into her career to avoid having to deal with the pain of loss and disappointment. Her life changes drastically when she wakes up in 1961, is told that she has no career, but has extended family and a best friend for whom she’d give her life. Her work (“women’s work” her husband tells her) is now inside the house as opposed to working outside the house to supplement their income. And here is where the laughs start as Juliette knows nothing about being a housewife and blunders her way through burnt toast, cloth diapers, laundry, ironing and running a household.
Hindsight is a wonderfully light but meaningful read similar to some of Sophie Kinsella’s books. I think a lot of women will be able to relate to Juliette in one way or another as she discovers that home is really where the heart is. Questioning her motivations for her career choice, battling her personal demons and accepting her imperfections, is a journey the reader is made a part of. A host of lovable characters accompanies Juliette on this journey in which she learns to find a healthy balance between her career and her family. The ending was a little too convenient for my taste, but overall this is a really terrific book and I can’t wait to read more from this author!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Juliette is a character I loved and loathed all at the same time. She had her strengths and weaknesses, but because the story is told from her point of view, her voice is obviously the strongest and most important. What I loved about her was how her character developed and how she ended up being a completely different person at the end of the story than the person she was at the start. I have to admit, though, that I quite liked the career-driven Juliette we meet early in the book, as I could in some ways relate to her. I couldn’t identify much with the person she is in 1961, as I for the life of me can’t imagine what it must be like to be a housewife / stay-at-home mom, especially in a time before modern conveniences. I don’t think I would be able to adapt so well to the sixties or seventies if I had to go back to the past for nine months. She coped remarkably well.
Imagine going to hospital to give birth and your husband is told to go home until he receives a phone call from the hospital informing him how the birth went. No, no, no. That won’t fly with me. I can’t fathom giving birth without my husband by my side. If anything, Hindsight made me look at my life, take stock of my blessings and thank the heavens that I’m alive in the twenty-first century with pre-packaged frozen dinners, cell phones, disposable diapers, top loader washing machines and gender equality. The author brings the sixties back to life in this humorous and often touching novel of self-discovery and finding the true meaning of family, friends, and forgiveness. Although Juliette’s self-doubt irritated me at times, she is quite a complex character who throws herself into her career to avoid having to deal with the pain of loss and disappointment. Her life changes drastically when she wakes up in 1961, is told that she has no career, but has extended family and a best friend for whom she’d give her life. Her work (“women’s work” her husband tells her) is now inside the house as opposed to working outside the house to supplement their income. And here is where the laughs start as Juliette knows nothing about being a housewife and blunders her way through burnt toast, cloth diapers, laundry, ironing and running a household.
Hindsight is a wonderfully light but meaningful read similar to some of Sophie Kinsella’s books. I think a lot of women will be able to relate to Juliette in one way or another as she discovers that home is really where the heart is. Questioning her motivations for her career choice, battling her personal demons and accepting her imperfections, is a journey the reader is made a part of. A host of lovable characters accompanies Juliette on this journey in which she learns to find a healthy balance between her career and her family. The ending was a little too convenient for my taste, but overall this is a really terrific book and I can’t wait to read more from this author!
I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
January 3, 2018
I have to admit, I wanted to read Hindsight completely because of the cover. I took one look at that gorgeous cover, and was sucked in immediately. I knew I had to read it, even though I knew nothing about the plot. I'm glad that the cover did draw me in. Even though I didn't even read the synopsis of the book, I ended up loving it.
If I would have read the synopsis of Hindsight first, I probably wouldn't have even wanted to read the book. It's definitely not my usual type of read. Chick-lit is one of my least favorite genres. However, I ended up loving the book. It wasn't your typical chick-lit book. There were plot twists that I didn't guess beforehand. The characters were actually interesting, and had their own fleshed out personalities. They weren't the flat, boring, cookie cutter characters that are in most chick-lit books.
The only thing I didn't like about the book was the way that it ended. I don't want to go into too much detail because I don't want to ruin it for those that haven't read it, but I thought that there could have been so much more. To me, it felt like a very abrupt ending. I wanted to know how things turned out in the alt-universe. I was bummed that there was no answer to that, and it just kind of left the reader hanging.
Other than the abrupt ending, I loved Hindsight. It took the genre of chick-lit and put a fresh, new spin on it. It actually made me enjoy my least favorite genre, which I didn't think was possible. It made the genre interesting and relevant again. It was also a perfect introduction to a new-to-me author, Sarah Belle. I will definitely be reading more of her backlog of books in the future.
If I would have read the synopsis of Hindsight first, I probably wouldn't have even wanted to read the book. It's definitely not my usual type of read. Chick-lit is one of my least favorite genres. However, I ended up loving the book. It wasn't your typical chick-lit book. There were plot twists that I didn't guess beforehand. The characters were actually interesting, and had their own fleshed out personalities. They weren't the flat, boring, cookie cutter characters that are in most chick-lit books.
The only thing I didn't like about the book was the way that it ended. I don't want to go into too much detail because I don't want to ruin it for those that haven't read it, but I thought that there could have been so much more. To me, it felt like a very abrupt ending. I wanted to know how things turned out in the alt-universe. I was bummed that there was no answer to that, and it just kind of left the reader hanging.
Other than the abrupt ending, I loved Hindsight. It took the genre of chick-lit and put a fresh, new spin on it. It actually made me enjoy my least favorite genre, which I didn't think was possible. It made the genre interesting and relevant again. It was also a perfect introduction to a new-to-me author, Sarah Belle. I will definitely be reading more of her backlog of books in the future.
February 17, 2014
This book has become one of my comfort books over the past couple of months. Which is a little odd because I haven't been a fan of time-travel romance in recent years.
Whether or not I'm gonna dig time travel now, I'm definitely a huge fan of this book. There's something so real and so sweet about Sarah Belle's writing style that sucked me in the minute I looked at the first page.
Maybe its the fact that I moved to Saudi Arabia and experienced a very real "time travel" back to to the 50s/60s, living in an expat compound but I could relate to the heroine Juliette so much. The secondary characters are amazing, making everything so convincingly three dimensional. Loved them!
I have this massive thing against spoilers so I don't want to go into the plot but I really would encourage anyone who wants a warm book that will give you that roller coaster laugh-cry thrill to give this one a go. It was worth it and I can't wait until Ms. Belle's next one because I'm getting to the stage where I almost know Hindsight off by heart.
Whether or not I'm gonna dig time travel now, I'm definitely a huge fan of this book. There's something so real and so sweet about Sarah Belle's writing style that sucked me in the minute I looked at the first page.
Maybe its the fact that I moved to Saudi Arabia and experienced a very real "time travel" back to to the 50s/60s, living in an expat compound but I could relate to the heroine Juliette so much. The secondary characters are amazing, making everything so convincingly three dimensional. Loved them!
I have this massive thing against spoilers so I don't want to go into the plot but I really would encourage anyone who wants a warm book that will give you that roller coaster laugh-cry thrill to give this one a go. It was worth it and I can't wait until Ms. Belle's next one because I'm getting to the stage where I almost know Hindsight off by heart.
July 1, 2013
Juliette is a very successful PR agent, running her own business. She recently received a very lucrative contract from Big Al, a sports agent who handles over 50 football stars and now it’s Juliette’s job to promote them and clean up their messes and sweep them under the carpet. Receiving this new contract has come at a cost though – Juliette’s husband Chris is fed up with her working all the hours in the day and she’s let her children down time and time again by missing birthdays and events. When Juliette works through her son Ethan’s school concert, Chris tells her to leave by morning and not come back. Attacking the vodka, Juliette falls and hits her head….
….And wakes up in 1961. Many details are still the same – she’s the same age, she’s married to Chris, they live in the same house. But Juliette is a 1960′s housewife. Her days are filled with cooking, cleaning, sewing and washing. She doesn’t work, she barely escapes the house. Her modern technology is gone, so are her miracles of plastic surgery, extensive hairdresser treatments, the best make up and fillers money can buy and her wardrobe full of stylish clothes. Instead Juliette finds herself living a simple, frugal life that revolves around her home and family.
At first it’s almost a nightmare – why on earth does Chris expect her to rise at some ungodly hour and prepare his breakfast when he’s a grown man perfectly capable of cooking two pieces of bread? But as Juliette spends more and more time in this 1960′s lifestyle, she begins to see the benefits, not just at home but in her newfound wider community too. Her street is a friendly one with neighbours popping over to help, always there when you need them. Basic tasks may be harder, but things are simpler and there’s a warmth and satisfaction from spending time with family. Juliette begins to wonder if she didn’t get it wrong in her real life…and that maybe, she might want to stay in this new one.
I knew I wanted to read this desperately as soon as I read the synopsis. I love stories like this and I was really looking forward to being able to get stuck into this one. Juliette is the absolute consummate workaholic – she’s always late home, dashing off from family get togethers and missing out on things to solve the next big PR crisis. She’s driven to work, determined to prove herself and not repeat a cycle of failure. She’s not adept at saying no so she’s never really been able to get the work-life balance right. Since starting her own business and watching it take off, Juliette has been working more and more. The contract of Big Al’s is a demanding one and her devotion to it ends in her husband Chris ending their marriage.
When Juliette wakes up in 1961, it’s a different world. I am a stay at home mother, but I found that I could really connect with Juliette because I’m not particularly what you’d call domestic. I don’t like cooking, in fact my husband does almost all cooking. My idea of hell is putting wet clothes through a wringer and spending all day making a casserole to serve when the man gets home from work and then spending the rest of the night doing the dishes and making his lunch for tomorrow. Many things are different in 1961, there’s little equality of labour in the home and the Chris of 1961 leaves any and all parenting and domestic chores to a very inept Juliette. There are very few cars, very few phones, only black and white television and Juliette is forced to suffer through a much simpler wardrobe and beauty routine. Her “fall” into 1961 explains her memory loss to the people in her life there but each time Juliette forgets something or says something outrageous (perhaps totally acceptable in 2013 but not 1961) people mutter ominously about the notorious Kew Asylum. Juliette has to adjust to this new, strange life quickly or perhaps find herself incarcerated as a lunatic.
It’s a learning curve for Juliette in 1961 and she makes a lot of mistakes. It takes her a while to settle into the different routine, to be the one at home instead of out at work all day. But she finds that it has its own rewards in that she has the time to make real friends and connect with her husband and members of their family. She learns to slow down, just breathe and realise that you don’t have to work all the hours under the sun to be considered a success. That there are other ways in which you can enrich your life and be rewarded and not fear that you will be a failure. This to me was interesting – as a mother, there’s always the work/stay at home debate and for some, working is an achievement they cannot give up (or cannot afford to) but often it does come at a cost. And vice versa, staying at home to be a mother can mean missing out on a lot career and achievement wise. There are no real right or wrong answers, just what’s right or wrong for the individual, which is something Juliette begins to learn as she spends longer and longer in the 1961 life. There are other ways that she can feel accomplished and that working 18 hours a day doesn’t need to define her as someone who will not fail. The fact that she has children and a husband who love her and want her to spend time with them is not a hindrance to her success as a person.
Sometimes funny and sometimes sad and endearing, this is a greatly balanced and well written read that makes you think about what is important to you in the long run in life.
….And wakes up in 1961. Many details are still the same – she’s the same age, she’s married to Chris, they live in the same house. But Juliette is a 1960′s housewife. Her days are filled with cooking, cleaning, sewing and washing. She doesn’t work, she barely escapes the house. Her modern technology is gone, so are her miracles of plastic surgery, extensive hairdresser treatments, the best make up and fillers money can buy and her wardrobe full of stylish clothes. Instead Juliette finds herself living a simple, frugal life that revolves around her home and family.
At first it’s almost a nightmare – why on earth does Chris expect her to rise at some ungodly hour and prepare his breakfast when he’s a grown man perfectly capable of cooking two pieces of bread? But as Juliette spends more and more time in this 1960′s lifestyle, she begins to see the benefits, not just at home but in her newfound wider community too. Her street is a friendly one with neighbours popping over to help, always there when you need them. Basic tasks may be harder, but things are simpler and there’s a warmth and satisfaction from spending time with family. Juliette begins to wonder if she didn’t get it wrong in her real life…and that maybe, she might want to stay in this new one.
I knew I wanted to read this desperately as soon as I read the synopsis. I love stories like this and I was really looking forward to being able to get stuck into this one. Juliette is the absolute consummate workaholic – she’s always late home, dashing off from family get togethers and missing out on things to solve the next big PR crisis. She’s driven to work, determined to prove herself and not repeat a cycle of failure. She’s not adept at saying no so she’s never really been able to get the work-life balance right. Since starting her own business and watching it take off, Juliette has been working more and more. The contract of Big Al’s is a demanding one and her devotion to it ends in her husband Chris ending their marriage.
When Juliette wakes up in 1961, it’s a different world. I am a stay at home mother, but I found that I could really connect with Juliette because I’m not particularly what you’d call domestic. I don’t like cooking, in fact my husband does almost all cooking. My idea of hell is putting wet clothes through a wringer and spending all day making a casserole to serve when the man gets home from work and then spending the rest of the night doing the dishes and making his lunch for tomorrow. Many things are different in 1961, there’s little equality of labour in the home and the Chris of 1961 leaves any and all parenting and domestic chores to a very inept Juliette. There are very few cars, very few phones, only black and white television and Juliette is forced to suffer through a much simpler wardrobe and beauty routine. Her “fall” into 1961 explains her memory loss to the people in her life there but each time Juliette forgets something or says something outrageous (perhaps totally acceptable in 2013 but not 1961) people mutter ominously about the notorious Kew Asylum. Juliette has to adjust to this new, strange life quickly or perhaps find herself incarcerated as a lunatic.
It’s a learning curve for Juliette in 1961 and she makes a lot of mistakes. It takes her a while to settle into the different routine, to be the one at home instead of out at work all day. But she finds that it has its own rewards in that she has the time to make real friends and connect with her husband and members of their family. She learns to slow down, just breathe and realise that you don’t have to work all the hours under the sun to be considered a success. That there are other ways in which you can enrich your life and be rewarded and not fear that you will be a failure. This to me was interesting – as a mother, there’s always the work/stay at home debate and for some, working is an achievement they cannot give up (or cannot afford to) but often it does come at a cost. And vice versa, staying at home to be a mother can mean missing out on a lot career and achievement wise. There are no real right or wrong answers, just what’s right or wrong for the individual, which is something Juliette begins to learn as she spends longer and longer in the 1961 life. There are other ways that she can feel accomplished and that working 18 hours a day doesn’t need to define her as someone who will not fail. The fact that she has children and a husband who love her and want her to spend time with them is not a hindrance to her success as a person.
Sometimes funny and sometimes sad and endearing, this is a greatly balanced and well written read that makes you think about what is important to you in the long run in life.
June 30, 2013
This book opens with Juliette feeling like she's hungover and trying to get her surroundings but something if off, Linoleum floors, old vintage furniture and well dressed family then she looks and realizes she's wearing flats instead of expensive stilettos. After talking with her family she finds out she is in 1961.
After the first chapter the readers are brought to present day where Juliette is a successful PR owner and is working hard but neglecting her family in the process. Chris her husband is not happy with this woman who is his wife but misses more engagements with the family than humanly possible. She is hardly ever at home except to sleep.
Juliette begins to wonder if Chris is going to leave her for wanting to be a successful business women. Whether their relationship can be fixed at this rate the main character is being pulled in too many directions.
Juliette spends 1 year in 1961 where she learns about herself and her family and all the ups and downs she has been missing. At the end of 1961 a mother of a new baby Juliette is brought back to the present. Where she has five things she wants to accomplish to get her life back on track.
One ditching her company to her competitor convincing her to buy Juliette's company. Two reconnecting with her husband and kids and making right with the new Juliette, Three connecting with her mother in law and giving her the love and attention she neglected. Four reminding Anya that her husband is not for sale, and to back off, which works out as it is done at school where other mothers are around and Juliette warns them to protect their husbands from the lying Anya, and Five visiting her mother's grave and realizing that her mother was sick and that it didn't mean she didn't love her.
What an incredible journey Juliette goes on to getting back on track and learning that sometimes family is more important than working yourself into a grave to escape a traumatic event in life.
After the first chapter the readers are brought to present day where Juliette is a successful PR owner and is working hard but neglecting her family in the process. Chris her husband is not happy with this woman who is his wife but misses more engagements with the family than humanly possible. She is hardly ever at home except to sleep.
Juliette begins to wonder if Chris is going to leave her for wanting to be a successful business women. Whether their relationship can be fixed at this rate the main character is being pulled in too many directions.
Juliette spends 1 year in 1961 where she learns about herself and her family and all the ups and downs she has been missing. At the end of 1961 a mother of a new baby Juliette is brought back to the present. Where she has five things she wants to accomplish to get her life back on track.
One ditching her company to her competitor convincing her to buy Juliette's company. Two reconnecting with her husband and kids and making right with the new Juliette, Three connecting with her mother in law and giving her the love and attention she neglected. Four reminding Anya that her husband is not for sale, and to back off, which works out as it is done at school where other mothers are around and Juliette warns them to protect their husbands from the lying Anya, and Five visiting her mother's grave and realizing that her mother was sick and that it didn't mean she didn't love her.
What an incredible journey Juliette goes on to getting back on track and learning that sometimes family is more important than working yourself into a grave to escape a traumatic event in life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2013
Loved this book! I knew it involved time-travelling from the premise and I must admit, I did wonder whether I was going to like that aspect. Dr Who is about the only time-traveller I'll tolerate but, nonetheless, Hindsight intrigued me so I thought I'd give it a go. Well, I'm so glad I did. Not only is this book hilarious in places - and I mean laugh out loud on occasions, it also made me cry - I won't tell you when and why, you'll have to read it to find out. And it didn't just make me well up once, it did it twice - woah! Extremely well written, it deals with a lot of serious issues too - the idea that women can have it all in today's world, a hard-hitting career, a demanding family, time for herself (as if!) is challenged - at some point something's gotta give, but what? That's the dilemma modern-day Juliette faces, it takes a trip back in time to help her realise what's important in life and that there's such a thing as balance. With that trip back to the 1961, come other issues - people who should have been in modern-day Juliette's life, but for some reason aren't. Enough said on that already - I don't want to spoil any surprises and this book did surprise me. Like I said, I loved it.
August 4, 2013
I found the beginning of this book quite annoying, with everyone telling Juliette how bad a mother and wife she really was and how she put work first, which was true, but very repetitive. Once she went back in time to the 60's however, I really started to enjoy the story and had some laugh out loud moments and some sad moments and really got involved with the characters. I am glad I persevered through the beginning as this was a really good story. Be careful what you wish for, and work out what really is important in your life.
August 18, 2016
A delightful story about a working mother who cannot fulfill the needs of her clients or her family. It takes the threat of the 'other' woman to help her work out her priorities. The fun twist is that she also goes back in time to when a woman knew her place and that has its own challenges. A great read that working women will be sure to enjoy.
July 11, 2013
It has been ages since I’ve read any chick lit, but I’m reminded after reading Hindsight how much I enjoy it every once in a while. It seems I’m always reading British chick lit, and the lingo was much the same in Hindsight with it being set in Australia and from an Australian publisher, which was comfortable to me. I enjoyed the book quite a bit, though it had a slow start for me.
Juliette was a career woman completely focused on her job and her image and prancing around in heels that she can barely function in. I hated her. I thought she was shallow, petty, and completely oblivious to the world around her. At the same time, I felt bad for her because her life was falling apart due to her selfish decisions, but she had no idea how to stop making them.
After a particularly horrifying night, she drowned her misery in vodka and woke up with the worst hangover… until she opened her eyes and realized she wasn’t hung over at all. She was in 1961. She was married to the same man and had the same family, though with some slight changes. She was a 1960’s housewife. Unfortunately, Juliette didn’t arrive in her new life with the same set of skills, so she was diagnosed with amnesia after a fall and monitored closely by doctors, friends, and family. She needed help figuring out who unfamiliar people were, how to cook, clean, and function overall in the new environment without the luxury of technology or money, both of which ruled her life in the present.
Thought Juliette was horrible in her modern life, I enjoyed her humor after she woke up in 1961. Her language and terrible housekeeping skills were unfit for the times and she had a ton of things to adjust to. If she didn’t watch her language, she knew there was a strong possibility of being sent to the asylum, so she kept a lot of hilarious thoughts to herself and attempted to adjust. It was quite funny. She was still petty and ridiculous, but as she started to realize how hard it was to just be a housewife and mother, she gained a lot of respect for herself and others and stopped being petty and shallow.
I loved seeing Juliette’s transformation in the book. I wasn’t sure I was really connecting with her, but her and her story wormed their way into my heart and I ended up loving the book. The overall message to stop, pay attention to the people around you, and learn to love yourself and your family was amazing and well executed through Juliette’s adventure.
The entire time she was adjusting to life in 1961, she wondered what was happening with her modern life. Did time stop the minute she left or was it going on without her? How long would she be stuck in 1961? Was she really stuck at all or was this her place all along? I wondered if she’d get to go back and make things right and how on earth she would manage to do that if given the chance. I loved how the ending worked out.
One thing I appreciated about the story was the way it handled the issue of being a mom and a working woman. I was afraid of the messages it would convey and wondered if it would be pushing any kind of anti-feminist or feminist message or anything like that due to the fact that she ended up a time period where women really couldn’t do much else besides stay at home. Instead of making the reader choose between the two lifestyles, the message wasn’t about how staying home instead of working is the right thing to do always, but that it was the right thing to do for Juliette in her current situation, even temporarily, and there were very specific reasons for that.
I also love how the book dealt with self worth. Juliette was overcompensating in her modern life by overworking in an attempt to find self worth. In 1961, that wasn’t an option and she was forced to learn how to love herself and find value in the things she did. I think all women, and everyone else for that matter, struggle with that. While the expectations for men and women are different this day and age, there are expectations nonetheless and we struggle with whether or not we are doing what we are supposed to, how are we being defined, and how what we do defines us in ways we may not want.
I definitely recommend Hindsight to those who love chick lit or find themselves in the mood for a heartwarming story that’s also humorous. It was a great read and I will definitely read more from the author in the future!
Review originally published at Love, Literature, Art, and Reason Book Review Blog
Juliette was a career woman completely focused on her job and her image and prancing around in heels that she can barely function in. I hated her. I thought she was shallow, petty, and completely oblivious to the world around her. At the same time, I felt bad for her because her life was falling apart due to her selfish decisions, but she had no idea how to stop making them.
After a particularly horrifying night, she drowned her misery in vodka and woke up with the worst hangover… until she opened her eyes and realized she wasn’t hung over at all. She was in 1961. She was married to the same man and had the same family, though with some slight changes. She was a 1960’s housewife. Unfortunately, Juliette didn’t arrive in her new life with the same set of skills, so she was diagnosed with amnesia after a fall and monitored closely by doctors, friends, and family. She needed help figuring out who unfamiliar people were, how to cook, clean, and function overall in the new environment without the luxury of technology or money, both of which ruled her life in the present.
Thought Juliette was horrible in her modern life, I enjoyed her humor after she woke up in 1961. Her language and terrible housekeeping skills were unfit for the times and she had a ton of things to adjust to. If she didn’t watch her language, she knew there was a strong possibility of being sent to the asylum, so she kept a lot of hilarious thoughts to herself and attempted to adjust. It was quite funny. She was still petty and ridiculous, but as she started to realize how hard it was to just be a housewife and mother, she gained a lot of respect for herself and others and stopped being petty and shallow.
I loved seeing Juliette’s transformation in the book. I wasn’t sure I was really connecting with her, but her and her story wormed their way into my heart and I ended up loving the book. The overall message to stop, pay attention to the people around you, and learn to love yourself and your family was amazing and well executed through Juliette’s adventure.
The entire time she was adjusting to life in 1961, she wondered what was happening with her modern life. Did time stop the minute she left or was it going on without her? How long would she be stuck in 1961? Was she really stuck at all or was this her place all along? I wondered if she’d get to go back and make things right and how on earth she would manage to do that if given the chance. I loved how the ending worked out.
One thing I appreciated about the story was the way it handled the issue of being a mom and a working woman. I was afraid of the messages it would convey and wondered if it would be pushing any kind of anti-feminist or feminist message or anything like that due to the fact that she ended up a time period where women really couldn’t do much else besides stay at home. Instead of making the reader choose between the two lifestyles, the message wasn’t about how staying home instead of working is the right thing to do always, but that it was the right thing to do for Juliette in her current situation, even temporarily, and there were very specific reasons for that.
I also love how the book dealt with self worth. Juliette was overcompensating in her modern life by overworking in an attempt to find self worth. In 1961, that wasn’t an option and she was forced to learn how to love herself and find value in the things she did. I think all women, and everyone else for that matter, struggle with that. While the expectations for men and women are different this day and age, there are expectations nonetheless and we struggle with whether or not we are doing what we are supposed to, how are we being defined, and how what we do defines us in ways we may not want.
I definitely recommend Hindsight to those who love chick lit or find themselves in the mood for a heartwarming story that’s also humorous. It was a great read and I will definitely read more from the author in the future!
Review originally published at Love, Literature, Art, and Reason Book Review Blog
June 21, 2013
Juliette is married to a wonderful husband and has two lovely children. She lives a good life with a successful career, a nice home, a nanny, a housekeeper, a keen fashion sense and fake boobs. What else could a woman ask for? The problem is that she is a workaholic and tends to put her family in second place to her work. When there are important family events, she is usually late if she even decides to show up at all. Her husband supports her career but is fed up with her absence so he tells her she has to leave before she hurts their children even more. On top of that, there’s another woman in the neighborhood after her husband! Sad and upset, Juliette drowns her sorrows in alcohol, faints, bangs her head and wakes up in 1961.
In 1961, she’s a housewife to the same husband and kids (plus an additional surprise). There are no luxuries of cell phones, microwaves, washer and dryers, etc. Her family is no longer in the upper class and she quickly learns that there are many unjust social/economic issues that her family faces. With all this, I loved how Juliette overcame her new environment with humor. It’s not easy transitioning from modern times to using a toilet in her backyard. She also has no car, no job, takes public transportation, has to learn to clean, wash clothes, cook, prepare lunches and basically take care of her family in ways that she didn’t in present time.
When I first started reading this book, I didn’t really like Juliette because she starts off as a very shallow & materialistic person. Her time warp transforms her. She learns to slow down and really enjoy the moment. She had some issues with her parents that she avoided in present time but in 1961 she learns to deal with them. She also learns to trust people as well as make friends and reconnect with her family.
“After less than a week, I’ve really connected with these people, my family. They are honest, warm, funny people who take joy in the simple things of life – good company and lots of laughter. There’s nothing fancy here tonight – no complicated meals or expense bottles of wine, no pretensions, no quasi-intellectual of conversations, no fighting, no egos. It’s a welcoming back to the real world for me. I like it.”
I loved reading the process of Juliette rediscovering herself and appreciating what’s really important in her life.
“…my life takes on a new calmness. There is no urgent need to achieve, to please…
…the entire situation isn’t so scary and for the first time ever, I am learning to enjoy the moment, to have fun again, to laugh and love and truly live in the present.”
This might sound cliché but Hindsight really does remind us to enjoy the simple things in life and remember to “stop and smell the roses.” This book had me reflecting on my own life balance of a professional career, a husband and two young children. I will remember to set down my electronical devices more often (even my Nook) and spend some extra time with my family. Overall, I really enjoyed this debut novel by Sarah Belle. I hope there will be plenty more books by her in the future.
3.5 Stars
*ARC provided by Escape Publishing – Harlequin Enterprises Australia via Netgalley
In 1961, she’s a housewife to the same husband and kids (plus an additional surprise). There are no luxuries of cell phones, microwaves, washer and dryers, etc. Her family is no longer in the upper class and she quickly learns that there are many unjust social/economic issues that her family faces. With all this, I loved how Juliette overcame her new environment with humor. It’s not easy transitioning from modern times to using a toilet in her backyard. She also has no car, no job, takes public transportation, has to learn to clean, wash clothes, cook, prepare lunches and basically take care of her family in ways that she didn’t in present time.
When I first started reading this book, I didn’t really like Juliette because she starts off as a very shallow & materialistic person. Her time warp transforms her. She learns to slow down and really enjoy the moment. She had some issues with her parents that she avoided in present time but in 1961 she learns to deal with them. She also learns to trust people as well as make friends and reconnect with her family.
“After less than a week, I’ve really connected with these people, my family. They are honest, warm, funny people who take joy in the simple things of life – good company and lots of laughter. There’s nothing fancy here tonight – no complicated meals or expense bottles of wine, no pretensions, no quasi-intellectual of conversations, no fighting, no egos. It’s a welcoming back to the real world for me. I like it.”
I loved reading the process of Juliette rediscovering herself and appreciating what’s really important in her life.
“…my life takes on a new calmness. There is no urgent need to achieve, to please…
…the entire situation isn’t so scary and for the first time ever, I am learning to enjoy the moment, to have fun again, to laugh and love and truly live in the present.”
This might sound cliché but Hindsight really does remind us to enjoy the simple things in life and remember to “stop and smell the roses.” This book had me reflecting on my own life balance of a professional career, a husband and two young children. I will remember to set down my electronical devices more often (even my Nook) and spend some extra time with my family. Overall, I really enjoyed this debut novel by Sarah Belle. I hope there will be plenty more books by her in the future.
3.5 Stars
*ARC provided by Escape Publishing – Harlequin Enterprises Australia via Netgalley
August 27, 2013
This story surprised me. It skillfully address so many issues in a woman's life...it made me laugh and cry and nod and just experience every emotion a woman can feel.
I didn't like it at first--well, I didn't like the heroine. I'm all for women being in positions of power and wholeheartedly agree we shouldn't have to give our lives up just because we have the vaginas...but if you're not going to pay any attention at all to your children--don't have them. This lady has two kids, never sees them, and doesn't know how to change a diaper.
But...therein lies a moral and I discovered it as I kept reading. A woman doesn't have to give up her life...she just has to have different priorities for a while. And some folks have a hard time managing that. But what really drives us to succeed? As with Juliette, is there an underlying issue?
Juliette's current life...she's all work, no play and one could say just leaves everything up to her husband as far as childrearing. It's rather ironic really when she travels back to 1961 when all that was considered "woman's work" and she finds the roles drastically reversed. She realizes how much she's taken for granted and how much she's missed.
I'm not going to recap the entire blurb. It's Australia, time travel back to 1961, motherhood, and marriage. Suffice to say, this is a novel, but I read it in a day--not because it's short, it's just that good. I was on the edge of my seat. I felt as though I was learning things along with the heroine--changing cloth nappies, using a clothing wringer. I fell in love with her 1961 family, friends, and children. I sorta wanted her to stay there, but then that would have left the modern day story unresolved and it would have made it seem like the heroine had time traveled away from her problems.
I burst out laughing so often I'm glad I read this at home. I'm sure someone would have put me in the psych ward that Juliette feared so much.
"As if the undies weren't bad enough, I trip and stagger in the tiny bathroom, trying to outrun the small, furry creature that has crawled onto my lap and decide to live there...Holy mother of God! There's so much pubic hair that it could be braided into dreadlocks. I could shear it like a sheep and make a jumper out of it."
I bit my nails. I honestly wasn't sure things were going to be set right in modern time--after all she'd left behind a husband who'd kicked her out with a "replacement" woman waiting in the sidelines. How was she going to get out of that mess?
Full review here: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2013/...
I didn't like it at first--well, I didn't like the heroine. I'm all for women being in positions of power and wholeheartedly agree we shouldn't have to give our lives up just because we have the vaginas...but if you're not going to pay any attention at all to your children--don't have them. This lady has two kids, never sees them, and doesn't know how to change a diaper.
But...therein lies a moral and I discovered it as I kept reading. A woman doesn't have to give up her life...she just has to have different priorities for a while. And some folks have a hard time managing that. But what really drives us to succeed? As with Juliette, is there an underlying issue?
Juliette's current life...she's all work, no play and one could say just leaves everything up to her husband as far as childrearing. It's rather ironic really when she travels back to 1961 when all that was considered "woman's work" and she finds the roles drastically reversed. She realizes how much she's taken for granted and how much she's missed.
I'm not going to recap the entire blurb. It's Australia, time travel back to 1961, motherhood, and marriage. Suffice to say, this is a novel, but I read it in a day--not because it's short, it's just that good. I was on the edge of my seat. I felt as though I was learning things along with the heroine--changing cloth nappies, using a clothing wringer. I fell in love with her 1961 family, friends, and children. I sorta wanted her to stay there, but then that would have left the modern day story unresolved and it would have made it seem like the heroine had time traveled away from her problems.
I burst out laughing so often I'm glad I read this at home. I'm sure someone would have put me in the psych ward that Juliette feared so much.
"As if the undies weren't bad enough, I trip and stagger in the tiny bathroom, trying to outrun the small, furry creature that has crawled onto my lap and decide to live there...Holy mother of God! There's so much pubic hair that it could be braided into dreadlocks. I could shear it like a sheep and make a jumper out of it."
I bit my nails. I honestly wasn't sure things were going to be set right in modern time--after all she'd left behind a husband who'd kicked her out with a "replacement" woman waiting in the sidelines. How was she going to get out of that mess?
Full review here: http://wwwbookbabe.blogspot.com/2013/...
August 10, 2013
Juliette has without meaning to put her family on the back burner for her job. She skips family functions and dinners to work. Her husband and kids are tired of it and when faced with the choice work less or get out she may just make the wrong decision. She better hurry if she wants to keep her husband cause a woman is waiting in the shadows to snag him.She turns to the bottle one night and when she wakes up she is in 1961. She has to learn to adjust to doing all the work herself, taking care of kids, and trying to raise a family in a time when the woman stays home and the men work. She finds she has friends, family and so much more in this time. She learns much about herself in her trip back but will she want to go home when its time.
Juliette is a hard worker there is no denying that. She is a looker as well, paying good money to keep herself kept up. She does love her family but at times her own selfish needs come first. I didn't like her at first at all. When she makes the trip back in time is when she really started to shine for me. I come to like her as she shows strength, compassion, love and more in this time. She truly became someone you would want to be your friend or family.
Every so often you read a book that you want to reread over and over. One you wish you could read for the first time again and again. This is one of those books. I love this book and it is easily going into my top books read this year. When you first start reading this book you may hate or dislike Juliette. I know I did. When the book takes you back in time it changes you as well. I laughed as it was easy to picture a woman from today's times thrust into the past. The author does a great job describing the times. My husband probably thought I was ready for the loony bin awhile i was reading this book. I would laugh at times and at one point I did cry as my heart got broken. A short while later I was laughing again. That is the type of book this is. I can certainly see why Juliette at times didn't want to go back. It was a hard time back then but simpler in some ways. This book will show you what is important in life and all that comes with it. You will go through many emotions reading this and it will touch your life.
Juliette is a hard worker there is no denying that. She is a looker as well, paying good money to keep herself kept up. She does love her family but at times her own selfish needs come first. I didn't like her at first at all. When she makes the trip back in time is when she really started to shine for me. I come to like her as she shows strength, compassion, love and more in this time. She truly became someone you would want to be your friend or family.
Every so often you read a book that you want to reread over and over. One you wish you could read for the first time again and again. This is one of those books. I love this book and it is easily going into my top books read this year. When you first start reading this book you may hate or dislike Juliette. I know I did. When the book takes you back in time it changes you as well. I laughed as it was easy to picture a woman from today's times thrust into the past. The author does a great job describing the times. My husband probably thought I was ready for the loony bin awhile i was reading this book. I would laugh at times and at one point I did cry as my heart got broken. A short while later I was laughing again. That is the type of book this is. I can certainly see why Juliette at times didn't want to go back. It was a hard time back then but simpler in some ways. This book will show you what is important in life and all that comes with it. You will go through many emotions reading this and it will touch your life.
July 27, 2013
7/1/13: ARC received for honest review and blog tour. Review to come soon over at Falling In Fall!
7/27/13: See full review here http://fallinginfall.blogspot.com/201...
I rated Hindsight 3.5 leaves! I’ll be the first to admit, I’ve never read a book quite like this one before. It was a refreshing change of pace. It was a quick, light read. The story is simple, Juliette works too much. Like wayyyy too much. To the point that her husband and two kids never see her and start to hate her for how much she is missing out on their lives. Juliette is too absorbed with trying to please her boss and look a certain way from her fake boobs to her frequently colored hair and every beauty treatment in between. She manages to single-handedly ruin her home and family life in more ways than one. Then, all of a sudden, for reasons that we never really find out, she is suddenly transported to the 60’s. We assume it is so she can learn to appreciate the life she has. It is comical at times the way Juliette has to adjust to life in the 60’s where she is the classic stay at home mom. Only this version of a stay at home mom is a bajilion times harder due to the lack of technology. One thing I noticed is the never-ending drama in this book, whether it be in the present day or in the 60’s. Don’t get me wrong, I love drama; however, I hated the way Juliette handled things. Well, in the beginning at least, because halfway through her 60’s adventure, she learns the meaning of family and home. She takes her family-role a lot more seriously. Personally, it was hard for me to relate to Juliette as I am nowhere near a time in my life where I would be a mom. But, I will say I definitely did enjoy this book. The drama and the emotional roller-coaster make for a good, if not predictable, plot. The whole transporting to the 60’s thing is kind of random, but the author makes her point. I enjoyed the happily ever after, and I for sure would not want to be a woman living in the 60’s now.
7/27/13: See full review here http://fallinginfall.blogspot.com/201...
I rated Hindsight 3.5 leaves! I’ll be the first to admit, I’ve never read a book quite like this one before. It was a refreshing change of pace. It was a quick, light read. The story is simple, Juliette works too much. Like wayyyy too much. To the point that her husband and two kids never see her and start to hate her for how much she is missing out on their lives. Juliette is too absorbed with trying to please her boss and look a certain way from her fake boobs to her frequently colored hair and every beauty treatment in between. She manages to single-handedly ruin her home and family life in more ways than one. Then, all of a sudden, for reasons that we never really find out, she is suddenly transported to the 60’s. We assume it is so she can learn to appreciate the life she has. It is comical at times the way Juliette has to adjust to life in the 60’s where she is the classic stay at home mom. Only this version of a stay at home mom is a bajilion times harder due to the lack of technology. One thing I noticed is the never-ending drama in this book, whether it be in the present day or in the 60’s. Don’t get me wrong, I love drama; however, I hated the way Juliette handled things. Well, in the beginning at least, because halfway through her 60’s adventure, she learns the meaning of family and home. She takes her family-role a lot more seriously. Personally, it was hard for me to relate to Juliette as I am nowhere near a time in my life where I would be a mom. But, I will say I definitely did enjoy this book. The drama and the emotional roller-coaster make for a good, if not predictable, plot. The whole transporting to the 60’s thing is kind of random, but the author makes her point. I enjoyed the happily ever after, and I for sure would not want to be a woman living in the 60’s now.
July 31, 2013
An ARC was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. To view the full review, visit: http://fallinginfall.blogspot.com
I rated Hindsight 3.5 leaves! I’ll be the first to admit, I’ve never read a book quite like this one before. It was a refreshing change of pace. It was a quick, light read. The story is simple, Juliette works too much. Like wayyyy too much. To the point that her husband and two kids never see her and start to hate her for how much she is missing out on their lives. Juliette is too absorbed with trying to please her boss and look a certain way from her fake boobs to her frequently colored hair and every beauty treatment in between. She manages to single-handedly ruin her home and family life in more ways than one. Then, all of a sudden, for reasons that we never really find out, she is suddenly transported to the 60’s. We assume it is so she can learn to appreciate the life she has. It is comical at times the way Juliette has to adjust to life in the 60’s where she is the classic stay at home mom. Only this version of a stay at home mom is a bajilion times harder due to the lack of technology. One thing I noticed is the never-ending drama in this book, whether it be in the present day or in the 60’s. Don’t get me wrong, I love drama; however, I hated the way Juliette handled things. Well, in the beginning at least, because halfway through her 60’s adventure, she learns the meaning of family and home. She takes her family-role a lot more seriously. Personally, it was hard for me to relate to Juliette as I am nowhere near a time in my life where I would be a mom. But, I will say I definitely did enjoy this book. The drama and the emotional roller-coaster make for a good, if not predictable, plot. The whole transporting to the 60’s thing is kind of random, but the author makes her point. I enjoyed the happily ever after, and I for sure would not want to be a woman living in the 60’s now.
I rated Hindsight 3.5 leaves! I’ll be the first to admit, I’ve never read a book quite like this one before. It was a refreshing change of pace. It was a quick, light read. The story is simple, Juliette works too much. Like wayyyy too much. To the point that her husband and two kids never see her and start to hate her for how much she is missing out on their lives. Juliette is too absorbed with trying to please her boss and look a certain way from her fake boobs to her frequently colored hair and every beauty treatment in between. She manages to single-handedly ruin her home and family life in more ways than one. Then, all of a sudden, for reasons that we never really find out, she is suddenly transported to the 60’s. We assume it is so she can learn to appreciate the life she has. It is comical at times the way Juliette has to adjust to life in the 60’s where she is the classic stay at home mom. Only this version of a stay at home mom is a bajilion times harder due to the lack of technology. One thing I noticed is the never-ending drama in this book, whether it be in the present day or in the 60’s. Don’t get me wrong, I love drama; however, I hated the way Juliette handled things. Well, in the beginning at least, because halfway through her 60’s adventure, she learns the meaning of family and home. She takes her family-role a lot more seriously. Personally, it was hard for me to relate to Juliette as I am nowhere near a time in my life where I would be a mom. But, I will say I definitely did enjoy this book. The drama and the emotional roller-coaster make for a good, if not predictable, plot. The whole transporting to the 60’s thing is kind of random, but the author makes her point. I enjoyed the happily ever after, and I for sure would not want to be a woman living in the 60’s now.
August 4, 2013
Juliette is a PR guru who was so completely focused on her job that she neglected her family. She even broke her promise to her young son and missed his stage performance and that was the last straw for her husband, Chris, whom she was sure she was going to lose to Anya, the woman who was after her husband. Torn by everything that happened, Juliette took to drinks and ended up in a minor accident at her own home and she awoke in 1961, in the same place with the same husband and kids but under a lot of different circumstances.
The time-travelling element is what attracted me to look up on this book. Imagine Juliette's surprise and horror at waking up to a different time, in the year 1961 where many advanced technologies are not available. I enjoyed following Juliette's journey and experience how her character developed from the start to the end of the book as she recognized and reformed her priorities. Of course there are lots of drama in the book--like a love rival Anya who wants to snatch Chris away to keep the plot interesting. The idea of going back in time but with the same family is pretty unique and there are little surprises here and there in the past. When Juliette returned to the present, everything changes. She understood why she was what she were and worked on improving herself as a mother and wife. Somehow, I felt that her travel to the past is deeply connected to the present which worked out well.
Hindsight is a sweet and fascinating contemporary romance read which you shouldn't miss if you are in for some 'time-travelling' romance.
Disclosure: I received a review copy from the publisher (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review)
The time-travelling element is what attracted me to look up on this book. Imagine Juliette's surprise and horror at waking up to a different time, in the year 1961 where many advanced technologies are not available. I enjoyed following Juliette's journey and experience how her character developed from the start to the end of the book as she recognized and reformed her priorities. Of course there are lots of drama in the book--like a love rival Anya who wants to snatch Chris away to keep the plot interesting. The idea of going back in time but with the same family is pretty unique and there are little surprises here and there in the past. When Juliette returned to the present, everything changes. She understood why she was what she were and worked on improving herself as a mother and wife. Somehow, I felt that her travel to the past is deeply connected to the present which worked out well.
Hindsight is a sweet and fascinating contemporary romance read which you shouldn't miss if you are in for some 'time-travelling' romance.
Disclosure: I received a review copy from the publisher (via NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review)
June 24, 2013
When I saw this book available on Netgalley, I knew I just had to read it as I was captivated from the cover image and when I opened it I was sure on a ride for a great and enjoyable and at sad times novel. Hindsight is first set in the modern world where Juliette is a busy working mum with two boys Ethan and Cal and her husband Chris does most of the parenting. When after a party and a coffee date, Juliette overhears one of the single mothers Anja talking about hooking up with her husband Chris and just waiting for Chris to leave his wife - Juliette. Angry, she confronts him and then falls to sleep after copious amounts of alcohol. The next morning, Juliette awakes only to find herself in the year 1961 instead of 2013 and she is a happy stay-at-home mum with not two boys but three including an older son called Will. Her Mother is alive in this alternate reality but living in an insane asylum. Can Juliette figure out what has happened and play the role of a 1960's housewife or when she starts spouting off and forgetting things - will she find herself carted off to the Mental asylum and unable to return back to the modern world . What will happen though as Juliette comes to embrace the 1960's world and she discovers herself back in modern reality ? Will she mourn for the life she's lost, the son that only she knew and loved , the best friend she made across the road ? Has Juliette been given a second chance of happiness with her family ?
Hindsight is a lovely and sweet contemporary romance and is a quick and fascinating read, in a way it reminded me of the Brendan Fraser Movie when he goes back in time mixed with the Reese Witherspoon and Tobey Maguire - Pleasantville.
Hindsight is a lovely and sweet contemporary romance and is a quick and fascinating read, in a way it reminded me of the Brendan Fraser Movie when he goes back in time mixed with the Reese Witherspoon and Tobey Maguire - Pleasantville.
October 5, 2013
Blurb from GoodReads:
Juliette’s career is on fire, her marriage and family are in melt-down, and a red-hot goddess wants her husband. But those are the least of her worries when she wakes up on her lounge room floor in the year 1961.
Without any of her modern conveniences — nanny, housekeeper, surgically attached mobile phone, designer wardrobe, and intravenous lattes — Juliette is just over fifty years out of her comfort zone. But as she takes on the role of a 1961 housewife, with gritted liberated teeth, she discovers an unexpected truth: slower doesn’t mean boring, at home doesn’t mean dull, and priorities don’t mean sacrifices.
As she finds unexpected friendships, a resuscitated love life, tragedy and triumph, Juliette begins to wonder if she really wants to return home after all.
I did not finish this book, hence the use of the Goodreads blurb.
I didn't even get up to Juliette's 1961 life, other than the prologue where she discovers she's in 1961.
I read several chapters which described Juliette's life in current times, and was completely bored with the main character, and had zero interest in reading about her mundane (in the sense of non Fantasy) life.
Whilst Belle writes well, and uses some very humorous Australian expressions and analogies, it wasn't enough to carry the story for me.
Mark this one down to just not the kind of book I like to read.
prk.
Disclaimer: Whilst I read this as a judge for the 2013 Aurealis Awards, this review is my personal opinion and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of any judging panel, the judging co-ordinator or the Aurealis Awards management team.
Juliette’s career is on fire, her marriage and family are in melt-down, and a red-hot goddess wants her husband. But those are the least of her worries when she wakes up on her lounge room floor in the year 1961.
Without any of her modern conveniences — nanny, housekeeper, surgically attached mobile phone, designer wardrobe, and intravenous lattes — Juliette is just over fifty years out of her comfort zone. But as she takes on the role of a 1961 housewife, with gritted liberated teeth, she discovers an unexpected truth: slower doesn’t mean boring, at home doesn’t mean dull, and priorities don’t mean sacrifices.
As she finds unexpected friendships, a resuscitated love life, tragedy and triumph, Juliette begins to wonder if she really wants to return home after all.
I did not finish this book, hence the use of the Goodreads blurb.
I didn't even get up to Juliette's 1961 life, other than the prologue where she discovers she's in 1961.
I read several chapters which described Juliette's life in current times, and was completely bored with the main character, and had zero interest in reading about her mundane (in the sense of non Fantasy) life.
Whilst Belle writes well, and uses some very humorous Australian expressions and analogies, it wasn't enough to carry the story for me.
Mark this one down to just not the kind of book I like to read.
prk.
Disclaimer: Whilst I read this as a judge for the 2013 Aurealis Awards, this review is my personal opinion and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of any judging panel, the judging co-ordinator or the Aurealis Awards management team.
June 9, 2013
I received this copy as an Arc thanks to Escape Publishing.
Hindsight is a story about Juliette Wilde PR extreme. She is constantly working on her work, and forgetting about her family. Chris, her husband, wants her to stay at home more. There is also Anya who is her public enemy number one because she is after her husband. Things get messy for Juliette that it takes her back to 1961 where she learns that slowing down and not having superficial things is okay.
Most of the time I find myself having a hard time relating to Juliette’s type of character. I don’t know what it’s like to have my own family and have a husband demand the time from you. I also don’t know how to relate when she loves superficial things like her Stilettos. However, I did find myself feeling bad for Juliette in the end. She was told to give up her dream of being a PR, and that was something that she worked hard for. Sure, I see Chris’s point of view of how he wanted his wife around more, but it wasn’t handled right in his situation. I didn’t feel sorry for him one bit. I felt sorry for her.
I found this book at time hilarious, and I did love the twist in the middle of the book. It was nice to see Juliette become a different person through the 1961 stage, and how she had to adjust her old life style with the 1961 persona. This book is a great summer read, and would be perfect for a book club reading.
Hindsight is a story about Juliette Wilde PR extreme. She is constantly working on her work, and forgetting about her family. Chris, her husband, wants her to stay at home more. There is also Anya who is her public enemy number one because she is after her husband. Things get messy for Juliette that it takes her back to 1961 where she learns that slowing down and not having superficial things is okay.
Most of the time I find myself having a hard time relating to Juliette’s type of character. I don’t know what it’s like to have my own family and have a husband demand the time from you. I also don’t know how to relate when she loves superficial things like her Stilettos. However, I did find myself feeling bad for Juliette in the end. She was told to give up her dream of being a PR, and that was something that she worked hard for. Sure, I see Chris’s point of view of how he wanted his wife around more, but it wasn’t handled right in his situation. I didn’t feel sorry for him one bit. I felt sorry for her.
I found this book at time hilarious, and I did love the twist in the middle of the book. It was nice to see Juliette become a different person through the 1961 stage, and how she had to adjust her old life style with the 1961 persona. This book is a great summer read, and would be perfect for a book club reading.
July 6, 2020
Absolutely loved this book! Lately, I have been kinda drawn to the whole time travel theme. After reading Fast Forward, I came across this book and I knew I had to read it. I loved Jules.. well I didn't feel that way in the beginning but she really did redeem herself and that made her even more likable. Chris was a darling however the focus of the book was on Jules and I didn't mind it at all. Will, Ethan, Cal, Lily, Dash, Gran, Sylvia...and rest of all the secondary characters were so charming and I loved what they brought to the story. I cried when something truly unexpected and tragic happened like seriously teared up lol. However the HEA more than made up for everything and left me smiling! The only thing missing from the book was an extended epilogue.. I would have loved to read about their life after everything (I don’t know how to say it without spoiling) but still it was an amazing read.
February 18, 2014
I loved this book. It was laugh-out-loud funny in parts, but heartbreakingly sad in others. I cried real tears at times.
I'm a sucker for a book set in the fifties or sixties and Sarah Belle captured the mood of the 1961 beautifully.
I'm not a lover of fantasy or books with magical elements so this is not a book I would normally pick up (due to the time travel aspect) however I read a sample chapter somewhere (amazon or the Escape website - I can't remember) and I was instantly hooked.
Can't wait to read Ms Belle's next book.
I'm a sucker for a book set in the fifties or sixties and Sarah Belle captured the mood of the 1961 beautifully.
I'm not a lover of fantasy or books with magical elements so this is not a book I would normally pick up (due to the time travel aspect) however I read a sample chapter somewhere (amazon or the Escape website - I can't remember) and I was instantly hooked.
Can't wait to read Ms Belle's next book.
Read
October 6, 2013Such a fabulous book! I loved everything about it - the humor, the heart, the life lessons, & the happy ending. There were a few plot twists I didn't expect, & I teared up more than once. I also laughed out loud at many scenes. It was an easy to read, entertaining story that transported me to a different time, yet I could relate to many of the situations the character found herself in & I loved the secondary characters. I cannot wait to read more of Sarah's work!
January 16, 2015
4.5 stars!
This was the first book i was supposed to read with my sister...a sort of book club thing where we read up to certain chapters and then call each other up and talk about it. i got as far as the first "meet up" but subsequent chapters had me hooked! i literally ciukd bot put it down. it was such a beautifully told story of self discovery, what matters most, and love. the ending was simply beautiful! defintely my best read of the year 2015 and best feel good book EVER!
This was the first book i was supposed to read with my sister...a sort of book club thing where we read up to certain chapters and then call each other up and talk about it. i got as far as the first "meet up" but subsequent chapters had me hooked! i literally ciukd bot put it down. it was such a beautifully told story of self discovery, what matters most, and love. the ending was simply beautiful! defintely my best read of the year 2015 and best feel good book EVER!
July 25, 2013
Review Posted on HarlequinJunkie.com
Hindsight is a chick lit with a theme of going back in time and rediscovering yourself and maybe this has been used before but what made this story special were its lovable characters and the strong narration. Read More
Hindsight is a chick lit with a theme of going back in time and rediscovering yourself and maybe this has been used before but what made this story special were its lovable characters and the strong narration. Read More
August 10, 2016
Katharine is a judge for the Aurealis Awards. This review is the personal opinion of Katharine herself, and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of any judging panel, the judging coordinator or the Aurealis Awards management team.
August 18, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed this clever little book. The story is interwoven between modern day and 1960's Melbourne. I laughed aloud several times and even had a tear or two. I've recommended this book to many. Belle has a wonderful writers voice and I look forward to reading her future books.
February 2, 2014
Loved this novel. Highly original time travel. I will reread this someday.
September 8, 2014
Really sweet story... *sniff sniff*
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