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Meu Amor, Meu Segredo
RICHARD AND JUDY SUMMER BOOK CLUB PICK 2018
'This big, clever, tender and twisty love story reminded me of One Day & The Time Traveler's Wife ' Erin Kelly, author of He Said, She Said
****
Robbie and Emily they have been together for decades. Now, their joints are creaking and their eyesight is failing - but their love for each other is as fresh and fierce as the day they first met. They have had children and grandchildren, lived full and happy and intimate lives.
But they have been keeping a secret since the day they met, when their lives changed forever. Over the years, the sacrifices and choices they made have sealed their fates together.
Did they do the right thing? Read their story, and you decide.
The perfect thought-provoking page-turner for anyone who has enjoyed Celete Ng's Little Fires Everywhere and Gail Honeyman's Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine .
****
Readers can't stop talking about TOGETHER
'A bold, breathtaking and truly compelling love story, one that will stay with me for a long time' Lisa Jewell, author of Then She Was Gone
'Julie Cohen's writing is powerful, moving and truly beautiful' Joanna Cannon, author of The Trouble with Goats and Sheep
'It takes a lot to tempt me from crime, but this is one of the most beautiful and heartbreaking stories I've read' Emma Flint, author of Little Deaths
'Complex, compelling and beautiful, Together is the kind of novel that will stay with you forever' Rowan Coleman, author of The Summer of Impossible Things
'Cleverly-plotted and stunningly written, Julie Cohen's Together is a page-turner with real emotional punch' Catherine Isaac, author of You, Me, Everything
****
A poignant, surprising love story told backwards over five decades, with a devastating secret at its heart.
'This big, clever, tender and twisty love story reminded me of One Day & The Time Traveler's Wife ' Erin Kelly, author of He Said, She Said
****
Robbie and Emily they have been together for decades. Now, their joints are creaking and their eyesight is failing - but their love for each other is as fresh and fierce as the day they first met. They have had children and grandchildren, lived full and happy and intimate lives.
But they have been keeping a secret since the day they met, when their lives changed forever. Over the years, the sacrifices and choices they made have sealed their fates together.
Did they do the right thing? Read their story, and you decide.
The perfect thought-provoking page-turner for anyone who has enjoyed Celete Ng's Little Fires Everywhere and Gail Honeyman's Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine .
****
Readers can't stop talking about TOGETHER
'A bold, breathtaking and truly compelling love story, one that will stay with me for a long time' Lisa Jewell, author of Then She Was Gone
'Julie Cohen's writing is powerful, moving and truly beautiful' Joanna Cannon, author of The Trouble with Goats and Sheep
'It takes a lot to tempt me from crime, but this is one of the most beautiful and heartbreaking stories I've read' Emma Flint, author of Little Deaths
'Complex, compelling and beautiful, Together is the kind of novel that will stay with you forever' Rowan Coleman, author of The Summer of Impossible Things
'Cleverly-plotted and stunningly written, Julie Cohen's Together is a page-turner with real emotional punch' Catherine Isaac, author of You, Me, Everything
****
A poignant, surprising love story told backwards over five decades, with a devastating secret at its heart.
344 pages, Paperback
First published July 13, 2017
677 people are currently reading
4940 people want to read
About the author
Julie Cohen
61 books571 followersJulie Cohen (also writing as Julie Mae Cohen) is an award-winning, bestselling author and a popular teacher of creative writing. She was born in Maine in the USA, and currently lives in the UK with her family and a terrier of dubious origin.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 824 reviews
November 6, 2017
Having read and enjoyed Dear Thing by Julie Cohen, I was looking forward to reading this new one, especially with such a gorgeous cover and having read some positive reviews. It started well and I was thinking this would be a great love story about Robbie and Emily. From the moment Robbie walks out the door, leaving Emily a letter and a rose, the story spools backwards. This interesting technique didn’t work for me. The longer it moved backwards filling in the gaps of this couple’s story, the less interested I became. I never liked Robbie at any point and I liked him even less as the story went back. This was supposed to be a great love but I was never convinced about that love at all. It seemed to me the person Robbie loved most was himself and getting what he wanted.
As the story spiralled backwards toward the secret that shaped their lives, I had a sneaking suspicion I knew where it was heading. Surely not! It would be so hackneyed and a plot already done to death in books and TV soaps. I read on hoping I was wrong. Sadly, I wasn’t.
This is a story about two people, who ended up getting their life together and in the process hurting a lot of other people. I was extremely disappointed. I know I am going to be going against popular opinion here, as a lot of other people have seemed to like this book. But I wasn’t one of them. My one star is for the gorgeous cover. I expected so much more.
As the story spiralled backwards toward the secret that shaped their lives, I had a sneaking suspicion I knew where it was heading. Surely not! It would be so hackneyed and a plot already done to death in books and TV soaps. I read on hoping I was wrong. Sadly, I wasn’t.
This is a story about two people, who ended up getting their life together and in the process hurting a lot of other people. I was extremely disappointed. I know I am going to be going against popular opinion here, as a lot of other people have seemed to like this book. But I wasn’t one of them. My one star is for the gorgeous cover. I expected so much more.
September 16, 2017
5★
“‘We’re the only people left alive who know it.’
‘Yes,’ she said. ‘Yes. Just you and me.’
‘Then we’re free,’ he said. ‘Finally, you and I are free.’”
I’m not a great fan of romance novels. I like character and plot and tension that isn’t just flutterings of “be still my foolish heart”. There is plenty of weak-kneed shock and overwhelming compulsion to flout the rules (and current commitments), but there’s quite a story here as well.
We meet Robbie and Emily in Maine in 2016 as they celebrate their 43rd anniversary and are now facing Robbie’s increasing forgetfulness. He’s a life-long sailor, and many passages in the book use sailing terms and analogies to great advantage. You don’t need to know beans about sailing to appreciate how Robbie describes his failing memory:
“It was like the fog that came in silently and out of nowhere, and socked you in so solid you couldn’t see a single thing, not even your own sails. . . . You were in waters you knew like the back of your hand, but you couldn’t tell where you were.”
Emily absorbed his world, just soaked it up as she spent time around the boats and workshop.
“He’d built this boat. He hadn’t said so, but she could feel Robbie in the curve of the bow, the blunt end of the stern.”
The author works her way back in time to Emily’s medical school days in Cambridge when she and Robbie first crossed paths accidentally a couple of times in a couple of days. They both felt an instant attraction, but he’s sailing a yacht around the world for an American businessman (Robbie is American), and she, of course, is studying hard for her degree, to be a good English doctor like her adored father.
We jump a bit back and forth in time, but it’s not confusing, as it’s quite obvious from the storyline where we are and why. Her family has disowned her, he has a bitter first wife who moved away with his son and cut off all contact, so Emily and Robbie have been together alone much of the time. We are reminded often that “their love could only last if silence held it together in certain places.”
The story moves between England and Florida and Maine, and there are just enough characters for us to sympathise both with their family situations and with their desire to commit to each other and be together. He has flashbacks to Vietnam while she feels guilt for not practicing medicine in third-world countries where she could make such a difference.
It’s a compelling story, beautifully told. It comes full circle and the gaps are eventually filled in.
You’d think the obstacles in their way, the hurdles, and the complications would make their getting together impossible. You’d think. You’d be wrong. Whether others could overcome these as they did will be the subject of much discussion, I imagine. But no spoilers here!
Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Australia for the preview copy from which I’ve quoted, so quotes may have changed.
“‘We’re the only people left alive who know it.’
‘Yes,’ she said. ‘Yes. Just you and me.’
‘Then we’re free,’ he said. ‘Finally, you and I are free.’”
I’m not a great fan of romance novels. I like character and plot and tension that isn’t just flutterings of “be still my foolish heart”. There is plenty of weak-kneed shock and overwhelming compulsion to flout the rules (and current commitments), but there’s quite a story here as well.
We meet Robbie and Emily in Maine in 2016 as they celebrate their 43rd anniversary and are now facing Robbie’s increasing forgetfulness. He’s a life-long sailor, and many passages in the book use sailing terms and analogies to great advantage. You don’t need to know beans about sailing to appreciate how Robbie describes his failing memory:
“It was like the fog that came in silently and out of nowhere, and socked you in so solid you couldn’t see a single thing, not even your own sails. . . . You were in waters you knew like the back of your hand, but you couldn’t tell where you were.”
Emily absorbed his world, just soaked it up as she spent time around the boats and workshop.
“He’d built this boat. He hadn’t said so, but she could feel Robbie in the curve of the bow, the blunt end of the stern.”
The author works her way back in time to Emily’s medical school days in Cambridge when she and Robbie first crossed paths accidentally a couple of times in a couple of days. They both felt an instant attraction, but he’s sailing a yacht around the world for an American businessman (Robbie is American), and she, of course, is studying hard for her degree, to be a good English doctor like her adored father.
We jump a bit back and forth in time, but it’s not confusing, as it’s quite obvious from the storyline where we are and why. Her family has disowned her, he has a bitter first wife who moved away with his son and cut off all contact, so Emily and Robbie have been together alone much of the time. We are reminded often that “their love could only last if silence held it together in certain places.”
The story moves between England and Florida and Maine, and there are just enough characters for us to sympathise both with their family situations and with their desire to commit to each other and be together. He has flashbacks to Vietnam while she feels guilt for not practicing medicine in third-world countries where she could make such a difference.
It’s a compelling story, beautifully told. It comes full circle and the gaps are eventually filled in.
You’d think the obstacles in their way, the hurdles, and the complications would make their getting together impossible. You’d think. You’d be wrong. Whether others could overcome these as they did will be the subject of much discussion, I imagine. But no spoilers here!
Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Australia for the preview copy from which I’ve quoted, so quotes may have changed.
September 10, 2019
Opinião em vídeo em: https://youtu.be/OgF3ReRI3AQ
Este livro é um livro sobre uma história de amor avassaladora, é o género de histórias que preenche o coração e os sonhos de quem acredita no amor para a vida toda.
Mas não é só sobre amor que fala, fala sobre várias questões sociais, tais como, Demência, álcool, divórcio, depressão pós parto, adopção, infertilidade, tudo temas que nos fazem pensar, a autora foca mais uns que outros.
A leitura é intensa e nunca descobrimos o segredo tão bem guardado pela história, só mesmo nas páginas finais. Afinal talvez haja mais que um segredo, mas o segredo final deixa nos de boca aberta.
É um livro para ler sim.
Boas leituras!!!
Este livro é um livro sobre uma história de amor avassaladora, é o género de histórias que preenche o coração e os sonhos de quem acredita no amor para a vida toda.
Mas não é só sobre amor que fala, fala sobre várias questões sociais, tais como, Demência, álcool, divórcio, depressão pós parto, adopção, infertilidade, tudo temas que nos fazem pensar, a autora foca mais uns que outros.
A leitura é intensa e nunca descobrimos o segredo tão bem guardado pela história, só mesmo nas páginas finais. Afinal talvez haja mais que um segredo, mas o segredo final deixa nos de boca aberta.
É um livro para ler sim.
Boas leituras!!!
July 23, 2022
Well this wasn't what I expected at all. This book has sat on my kindle since 2017 and when I picked it up this week I was expecting a fluffy read. I really shouldn't judge a book by its cover!
This story is told backwards. We meet Robbie and Emily in their eighties, the first chapter is Robbie's last day, following on from that each section of the book takes us back a decade or two. It's not until the very last chapter that we can see how their lives have played out, how the domino effect really started.
I enjoyed this a lot, it felt like watching a film in reverse. Great concept, I'd pick up more titles from this author as I enjoyed her characters and writing style.
Easy five stars from me.
This story is told backwards. We meet Robbie and Emily in their eighties, the first chapter is Robbie's last day, following on from that each section of the book takes us back a decade or two. It's not until the very last chapter that we can see how their lives have played out, how the domino effect really started.
I enjoyed this a lot, it felt like watching a film in reverse. Great concept, I'd pick up more titles from this author as I enjoyed her characters and writing style.
Easy five stars from me.
June 24, 2017
I don't really do love stories.
This one I did.
Told backwards and utterly compelling first word to last (sob fueled) moment.
Review nearer publication.
This one I did.
Told backwards and utterly compelling first word to last (sob fueled) moment.
Review nearer publication.
July 16, 2018
Beware... spoilers ahead!!
I originally gave this book a 4 star rating (the same as its average rating) and then two weeks later I was lying there at half 2 in the morning thinking about how much of it bothered me. I don't know what I was thinking with 4 stars, and I also don't know why everyone else seems to think it's worthy of that.
To start with I really, really did not like how the character of Robbie was portrayed, it felt like he was supposed to be likeable and I was supposed to fall in love with this 'bad boy' guy, but he was just detestable. The more I read, the more I didn't like this man who seems to be out to get whatever he wants. He was definitely the worst, but I don't feel I connected with any of the characters at all because they felt so flat.
The novel is written as though going back through time, a style I liked, to reveal this big secret at the end that's alluded to throughout the whole story. Now, I don't mind the incestuous twist (despite it being not exactly original) but it was done in such a way that it just wasn't feasible and left me feeling like "as if that would ever happen EVER". Am I expected to believe that an American man and an English woman just HAPPEN to meet on the ONE weekend they're in the same country and that they HAPPEN to fall in love but OH OH they're secretly half siblings!!!! And don't even get me started on the whole love at first sight thing. I mean... really?! REALLY!!
It also felt a little like the author tried to cram too many issues into one average sized novel. There's lots of alcoholism and child abandonment, plus fertility problems, strained family relationships, dementia, suicide etc etc. And that's all without the aforementioned incest! I kind of thought it was a bit unnecessary to try and hit everything all at once because none of it could be properly explored.
Having said all that, I did genuinely enjoy the book as I was reading it. It was compulsive and easy to flick through, so I guess that's something.
I originally gave this book a 4 star rating (the same as its average rating) and then two weeks later I was lying there at half 2 in the morning thinking about how much of it bothered me. I don't know what I was thinking with 4 stars, and I also don't know why everyone else seems to think it's worthy of that.
To start with I really, really did not like how the character of Robbie was portrayed, it felt like he was supposed to be likeable and I was supposed to fall in love with this 'bad boy' guy, but he was just detestable. The more I read, the more I didn't like this man who seems to be out to get whatever he wants. He was definitely the worst, but I don't feel I connected with any of the characters at all because they felt so flat.
The novel is written as though going back through time, a style I liked, to reveal this big secret at the end that's alluded to throughout the whole story. Now, I don't mind the incestuous twist (despite it being not exactly original) but it was done in such a way that it just wasn't feasible and left me feeling like "as if that would ever happen EVER". Am I expected to believe that an American man and an English woman just HAPPEN to meet on the ONE weekend they're in the same country and that they HAPPEN to fall in love but OH OH they're secretly half siblings!!!! And don't even get me started on the whole love at first sight thing. I mean... really?! REALLY!!
It also felt a little like the author tried to cram too many issues into one average sized novel. There's lots of alcoholism and child abandonment, plus fertility problems, strained family relationships, dementia, suicide etc etc. And that's all without the aforementioned incest! I kind of thought it was a bit unnecessary to try and hit everything all at once because none of it could be properly explored.
Having said all that, I did genuinely enjoy the book as I was reading it. It was compulsive and easy to flick through, so I guess that's something.
July 4, 2017
Love stories are not usually my thing. But I did enjoy this one as I do like this authors books.
Robbie and Emily have been married for several years. Two sons and grandchildren have blessed them in their latter years.
Robbie was a boat builder and Emily and daughter did love to spend his hard earned money. Emily was an obstetrician to both well paid jobs.
An OK life, a good life, or so it seemed.
Age has now kicked in and Robbie has developed dementia. I thought then it was going to be based on that and his deterioration however I was wrong.
There is a huge secret they both share that if it comes out will change all their lives.
This is written in a kind of reverse order, it made a good change and kept me on my toes.
I need to thank Orion Publishing group for providing my copy via Net Galley.
Robbie and Emily have been married for several years. Two sons and grandchildren have blessed them in their latter years.
Robbie was a boat builder and Emily and daughter did love to spend his hard earned money. Emily was an obstetrician to both well paid jobs.
An OK life, a good life, or so it seemed.
Age has now kicked in and Robbie has developed dementia. I thought then it was going to be based on that and his deterioration however I was wrong.
There is a huge secret they both share that if it comes out will change all their lives.
This is written in a kind of reverse order, it made a good change and kept me on my toes.
I need to thank Orion Publishing group for providing my copy via Net Galley.
September 28, 2019
9,5 de 10*
O que eu gostei deste livro! Desde o início, trágico e intenso, percorrendo as várias viagens ao passado até ao culminar do segredo. Adorei tudo! Todas as personagens, a história, as discussões morais associadas à mesma, a construção da narrativa. Tudo!
Comentário completo em:
https://abibliotecadajoao.blogspot.co...
O que eu gostei deste livro! Desde o início, trágico e intenso, percorrendo as várias viagens ao passado até ao culminar do segredo. Adorei tudo! Todas as personagens, a história, as discussões morais associadas à mesma, a construção da narrativa. Tudo!
Comentário completo em:
https://abibliotecadajoao.blogspot.co...
October 13, 2019
A minha opinião em vídeo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H79T9...
January 13, 2019
3.5 stars rounded up
Together is the first book I've read by Julie Cohen but judging by this one I won't be surprised to find myself reading some of her other titles. She certainly knows how to reel her readers into her story and she delivered a number of surprises. Despite my early guesses I was never even close.
Told in reverse chronological order we begin with Robbie, Emily's husband of some 50 years, realising his memory is failing him. Partly in order to save Emily from having to care for him but mainly to protect their life long secret Robbbie leaves a fresh flower and a love note on her bedside table and walks into the ocean and takes his own life. Naturally I was intrigued about what sort of secret could possibly require such desperate measures. It had been clear from the beginning this was a couple with an extraordinarily close relationship and love not often seen. As we worked backwards their story was fleshed out and we eventually got to see just how and where this love of theirs started.
This was a love story but it was also a story filled with a wide range of social and emotional issues including alzheimers, adoption, alcoholism, divorce, separated families, and other issues I won't mention for fear of spoiling the surprise for other readers. It certainly made me question how I would react in certain situations and generated a great discussion amongst my friends at the irl bookclub. This was a really good way to start our 2019 reading year.
Together is the first book I've read by Julie Cohen but judging by this one I won't be surprised to find myself reading some of her other titles. She certainly knows how to reel her readers into her story and she delivered a number of surprises. Despite my early guesses I was never even close.
Told in reverse chronological order we begin with Robbie, Emily's husband of some 50 years, realising his memory is failing him. Partly in order to save Emily from having to care for him but mainly to protect their life long secret Robbbie leaves a fresh flower and a love note on her bedside table and walks into the ocean and takes his own life. Naturally I was intrigued about what sort of secret could possibly require such desperate measures. It had been clear from the beginning this was a couple with an extraordinarily close relationship and love not often seen. As we worked backwards their story was fleshed out and we eventually got to see just how and where this love of theirs started.
This was a love story but it was also a story filled with a wide range of social and emotional issues including alzheimers, adoption, alcoholism, divorce, separated families, and other issues I won't mention for fear of spoiling the surprise for other readers. It certainly made me question how I would react in certain situations and generated a great discussion amongst my friends at the irl bookclub. This was a really good way to start our 2019 reading year.
April 26, 2018
Quick review thoughts:
I really loved it, such a beautiful read with emotions that crept up on me. About a married couple who overcome huge obstacles to be together, one of which is not truly revealed until the end and made the story even more thought provoking. It's about a love so very deep. A love that lasts a life time.
Book Club read - most of our group thoroughly enjoyed this one-
I really loved it, such a beautiful read with emotions that crept up on me. About a married couple who overcome huge obstacles to be together, one of which is not truly revealed until the end and made the story even more thought provoking. It's about a love so very deep. A love that lasts a life time.
Book Club read - most of our group thoroughly enjoyed this one-
July 23, 2017
I received a copy of Together along with an envelope stating that it should only be opened when instructed. Needless to say, with such an intriguing package, Together didn't have long to wait on my TBR pile before curiosity got the better of me. Once I opened the book, I became lost in Emily and Robbie's story and would have raced through it at the speed of light even without the added intrigue of the mysterious envelope.
The story of Emily and Robbie is told in reverse from 2016 to 1962. Now anyone who knows me would think that I would struggle with this back to front timeline, but Julie Cohen's writing is so flawless that the story flows so effortlessly and it feels completely right to start at the end. In 2016, Emily and Robbie have been together for 54 years, although they aren't married. Robbie wakes up one morning and makes a difficult decision that will break Emily's heart, and left me wide eyed with shock. You find out early on in the book that the pair are hiding a secret, although you have no idea what it could be, and I wondered if Robbie's decision had something to do with this. I couldn't have been more wrong.
As time flips backwards, we go back through 1990 when we find out that Emily is estranged from her family, through 1975-77 when Emily and Robbie adopt their son Adam, through 1972 when they are both married to other people and back to 1962 when their eyes meet for the first time across a crowded train platform. Then finally, it was time to open the envelope containing the final few missing pages that I read in stunned silence as tears welled in my eyes.
I feel privileged to have shared such intimate moments with Emily and Robbie. They haven't had a smooth ride in their life as the drove down several rocky roads but what they did have was each other. When reading Together, we are asked whether we think this is a great love story or a story about great love. I can't choose one over the other so in my opinion, it is both.
Together is completely mesmeric and totally unique in its telling of this beautiful love story. I urge you to read this book, even if it's not your usual genre. A beautiful captivating story of love against the odds. It's certainly not your traditional love story of moonlight and roses, more warts and all under the microscope on the front page of the newspaper. With shocks at the beginning and the end, read it and weep; I certainly did.
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
The story of Emily and Robbie is told in reverse from 2016 to 1962. Now anyone who knows me would think that I would struggle with this back to front timeline, but Julie Cohen's writing is so flawless that the story flows so effortlessly and it feels completely right to start at the end. In 2016, Emily and Robbie have been together for 54 years, although they aren't married. Robbie wakes up one morning and makes a difficult decision that will break Emily's heart, and left me wide eyed with shock. You find out early on in the book that the pair are hiding a secret, although you have no idea what it could be, and I wondered if Robbie's decision had something to do with this. I couldn't have been more wrong.
As time flips backwards, we go back through 1990 when we find out that Emily is estranged from her family, through 1975-77 when Emily and Robbie adopt their son Adam, through 1972 when they are both married to other people and back to 1962 when their eyes meet for the first time across a crowded train platform. Then finally, it was time to open the envelope containing the final few missing pages that I read in stunned silence as tears welled in my eyes.
I feel privileged to have shared such intimate moments with Emily and Robbie. They haven't had a smooth ride in their life as the drove down several rocky roads but what they did have was each other. When reading Together, we are asked whether we think this is a great love story or a story about great love. I can't choose one over the other so in my opinion, it is both.
Together is completely mesmeric and totally unique in its telling of this beautiful love story. I urge you to read this book, even if it's not your usual genre. A beautiful captivating story of love against the odds. It's certainly not your traditional love story of moonlight and roses, more warts and all under the microscope on the front page of the newspaper. With shocks at the beginning and the end, read it and weep; I certainly did.
I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.
March 12, 2018
It's not often that I rate a book with less than three stars because as a translator myself, I fully appreciate the amount of work that goes into producing a novel. Nevertheless, this book is so dreadful that I cannot bring myself to give more than two stars. So here are the reasons:
1. It started off quite promisingly, and the style was reminiscent of an Anne Taylor family saga.
2. The structure, while innovative, is also the novel's downfall. Travelling backwards means so much is lost just to maintain the style.
3. It's jam-packed with heavy topics, each of which would merit exploration in a novel of their own: suicide by an Alzheimer's sufferer, infidelity, alcoholism, parental abandonment, illegal adoption and to cap it all, incest! Unfortunately, stuffed in together in one book, and yet only given a superficial treatment, all this amounts to was a wasted opportunity. The characters are one-sided at best and the plot laughably predictable.
Two things to close with: In the Acknowledgements section at the end, Cohen thanks her agent and editor for their support. If I were her I would sack both of them for their misguided advice. I just cannot comprehend why one or both of them didn't tell her that adding that ridiculous shocker at the end was going too far?
I'm quite cross with myself that I've wasted three weeks of my life on this second-rate novel. I urge anyone out there who might be considering reading it not to do the same!
1. It started off quite promisingly, and the style was reminiscent of an Anne Taylor family saga.
2. The structure, while innovative, is also the novel's downfall. Travelling backwards means so much is lost just to maintain the style.
3. It's jam-packed with heavy topics, each of which would merit exploration in a novel of their own: suicide by an Alzheimer's sufferer, infidelity, alcoholism, parental abandonment, illegal adoption and to cap it all, incest! Unfortunately, stuffed in together in one book, and yet only given a superficial treatment, all this amounts to was a wasted opportunity. The characters are one-sided at best and the plot laughably predictable.
Two things to close with: In the Acknowledgements section at the end, Cohen thanks her agent and editor for their support. If I were her I would sack both of them for their misguided advice. I just cannot comprehend why one or both of them didn't tell her that adding that ridiculous shocker at the end was going too far?
I'm quite cross with myself that I've wasted three weeks of my life on this second-rate novel. I urge anyone out there who might be considering reading it not to do the same!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 11, 2018
Een uitgebreidere recensie is te vinden op Marieke's Books.
Vanaf de eerste bladzijde zat ik middenin het verhaal. Robbie en Emily zijn geweldig samen en je voelt de liefde tussen die twee. Echt heel erg knap gedaan, want hun liefde voelde enorm natuurlijk aan.
Het verhaal zit apart in elkaar. Het bestaat uit 5 delen welke zich allemaal in een ander jaar afspelen. Het eerste deel speelt zich af in 2016, dus de tegenwoordige tijd. In de verdere delen gaan we terug in de tijd, totdat we in 1962 zijn aanbeland. Ik vond deze manier erg vernieuwend. Ik kan me niet herinneren ooit een boek gelezen te hebben gelezen waarin het verhaal terug in de tijd ging. Maar het levert wel extra nieuwsgierigheid voor het einde. Wat is er zo veel jaren terug gebeurd, wat ervoor gezorgd heeft dat Robbie en Emily zo zijn als dat ze in 2016 zijn.
Ik ben uitgeverij de Fontein heel erg dankbaar voor dit boek. Wat een pareltje! Dit verhaal had ik echt voor geen goud willen missen. Robbie en Emily heb ik echt in mijn hart gesloten, wat een geweldige personages.
Vanaf de eerste bladzijde zat ik middenin het verhaal. Robbie en Emily zijn geweldig samen en je voelt de liefde tussen die twee. Echt heel erg knap gedaan, want hun liefde voelde enorm natuurlijk aan.
Het verhaal zit apart in elkaar. Het bestaat uit 5 delen welke zich allemaal in een ander jaar afspelen. Het eerste deel speelt zich af in 2016, dus de tegenwoordige tijd. In de verdere delen gaan we terug in de tijd, totdat we in 1962 zijn aanbeland. Ik vond deze manier erg vernieuwend. Ik kan me niet herinneren ooit een boek gelezen te hebben gelezen waarin het verhaal terug in de tijd ging. Maar het levert wel extra nieuwsgierigheid voor het einde. Wat is er zo veel jaren terug gebeurd, wat ervoor gezorgd heeft dat Robbie en Emily zo zijn als dat ze in 2016 zijn.
Ik ben uitgeverij de Fontein heel erg dankbaar voor dit boek. Wat een pareltje! Dit verhaal had ik echt voor geen goud willen missen. Robbie en Emily heb ik echt in mijn hart gesloten, wat een geweldige personages.
August 21, 2019
Das geheime Glück hat mich zu allererst mit seinem wunderschönen Cover angesprochen. Es ist aber auch inhaltlich schnell zu einem Favoriten geworden unter den Liebesgeschichten der letzten Jahre in meinem Buchregal. Julie Cohen war eine für mich neue Autorin und sie besticht durch eine leicht zu lesende und flüssige Schreibweise, die sprachlich manchmal schon ins poetische geht ohne kitschig zu werden.
Die Geshichte von Robbie und Emily wird hier rückwärts erzählt und beginnt mit dem Schluss. Eines Morgens steht Robbie auf und macht wie gewohnt Kaffee für seine noch schlafende Frau Emily, schreibt ihr dann einen Brief und verlässt das Haus in der Absicht nicht mehr wieder zu kommen. Warum er das tut? Aus Liebe- und um ein Geheimnis zu schützen, dass die beiden seit 50 Jahren hüten.
Wir springen nach dieser Szene nicht zurück ins Jahr 1962 wo alles begann... nein, in mehreren Stationen des Lebens der zwei wird ihr Weg rückwärts erzählt. Das hält einen Spannungsbogen aufrecht und man kann nur so durch die Seiten fliegen. Erst ganz am Ende des Buches versteht man die Reaktionen der Beiden, die Reaktionen der Familienmitglieder und so manches, was einem vorher Fragezeichen bereitet hat.
Die Protagonisten wachsen einem sehr ans Herz und sind sehr facettenreich. Die Nebenfiguren blieben für meinen Geschmack eher zu blass. Das geheimnis der beiden ist für mich ab dem letzten Viertel vorhersehbar gewesen, die Umsetzung der Enthüllung hat mir allerdings sehr gut gefallen. Ich würde das Buch bedenkenlos jedem empfehlen, der eine Liebesgeschichte lesen möchte, die verwoben mit einem spannenden Roman ist. 4 Sterne von mir.
Die Geshichte von Robbie und Emily wird hier rückwärts erzählt und beginnt mit dem Schluss. Eines Morgens steht Robbie auf und macht wie gewohnt Kaffee für seine noch schlafende Frau Emily, schreibt ihr dann einen Brief und verlässt das Haus in der Absicht nicht mehr wieder zu kommen. Warum er das tut? Aus Liebe- und um ein Geheimnis zu schützen, dass die beiden seit 50 Jahren hüten.
Wir springen nach dieser Szene nicht zurück ins Jahr 1962 wo alles begann... nein, in mehreren Stationen des Lebens der zwei wird ihr Weg rückwärts erzählt. Das hält einen Spannungsbogen aufrecht und man kann nur so durch die Seiten fliegen. Erst ganz am Ende des Buches versteht man die Reaktionen der Beiden, die Reaktionen der Familienmitglieder und so manches, was einem vorher Fragezeichen bereitet hat.
Die Protagonisten wachsen einem sehr ans Herz und sind sehr facettenreich. Die Nebenfiguren blieben für meinen Geschmack eher zu blass. Das geheimnis der beiden ist für mich ab dem letzten Viertel vorhersehbar gewesen, die Umsetzung der Enthüllung hat mir allerdings sehr gut gefallen. Ich würde das Buch bedenkenlos jedem empfehlen, der eine Liebesgeschichte lesen möchte, die verwoben mit einem spannenden Roman ist. 4 Sterne von mir.
May 16, 2018
Lang geleden dat ik een review over een boek geschreven heb maar bij dit boek moet dat gewoon...om iedereen aan te raden ook dit boek te gaan lezen want werkelijk waar wat een prachtig verhaal is dit! Het boek word andersom verteld, we gaan terug in de tijd zeg maar. Al vrij snel word er verteld dat Emily en Robbie een groot geheim met zich meedragen en pas op t allerlaatst word echt duidelijk wat er nu eigenlijk speelt...en ik kan je vertellen dat zie je niet aankomen...althans ik niet. Heel knap van de schrijfster om het verhaal achterstevoren te vertellen zonder in het begin al iets prijs te geven. Lezen mensen!!
February 1, 2020
Ao longo deste livro acompanhamos a bonita história de amor e de vida da Emily e do Robbie, os altos e baixos, as angústias, as incertezas, os momentos felizes e inesquecíveis.
A história começa do final para o início, e só ao longo do livro é que vamos percebendo como tudo começou. Gostei muito desta dinâmica da história e gostei muito da história da vida deles em si. A história nunca é monótona e há sempre coisas novas a acontecer ao longo dos anos. Vamos sempre percebendo partes da história ao recuar e esta parte gostei bastante.
No entanto, sinceramente, não me identifiquei com o início e com o fim do livro. 😐
May 18, 2018
Absolutely beautiful! I could not put it down.
July 12, 2017
OK guys. Confession time. "Together" is my first book by Julie Cohen. So there. I do admit, I have some of her previous books on my bookshelf, it's just that I've never succeeded to read them. However, after hearing so many brilliant things about Ms Cohen's books, it's no wonder I was so looking forward to reading "Together" and now, after reading this brilliant, unique new release I am going to make it my priority to read the other novels as soon as possible.
So we meet Emily and Robbie in 2016 in Maine and then we go backwards, to 1962 in Cambridge and it bothered me a little how the story was constructed. I didn't find the book being written backwards confusing but I had one issue. We start in present and go back in time, so it's written in a kind of reverse order, so we actually know what happened, and we are only finding out about facts and details about the characters' lives and their interweaving ways. I'll be honest, there came a moment, and it was when we were in the 1960's, that I lost my interest a little, as I had a feeling that I've read about it already, I know what's happened - but it was then that my review copy suddenly ended at such a cliffhanger that I truly came to know the meaning of the word frustrated. Luckily, I was allowed to open the envelope with the last torn away pages and continue reading, and this is when I've seen that the book couldn't be constructed in a different way. It may make us wonder but this way the things that we were asking ourselves about on the previous pages get a great clarity.
The story is not dominated by descriptions - a huge part of it is dialogues and conversations, and I have to say that they are flawless, they fly easily and effortlessly, there is nothing pushed or forced in those conversations, they just feel so realistic and honest - and let me tell you, creating such great dialogues doesn't happen a lot in the books that I read. They just feel so natural, just like conversation between me and you.
The characters of Robbie and Emily were lovely - they were full of heart and love and such love as theirs probably happens once in a hundred years. They are not only soul mates, but also friends and lovers - a unit. Robbie loved Emily unconditionally and with fierce passion but also Emily fell head over heels for him and her feelings have never changed.
This is a story about secrets, yes, but it is also a story about unbelievable love. It is a story that tugs at all the right heart - strings and makes you wonder. It's thought - provoking and a little controversial, written in a beautiful, emotional way, examining family dynamics and relationships. It shows the power of love. There are some twists and turns in the novel, with the biggest one at the end. One that I haven't seen coming. I might have had some inclinations to guess the truth but THE revelation didn't cross my mind. It is a very cleverly designed and organised plot, and suddenly everything seems to made sense and all the puzzle elements fall into their places. There are some shocking revelations but altogether the whole tone is calm and down - to - earth. You actually have to wait almost till the end to see why Emily was estranged from her family and why there were such strong feelings about this what's happened, and really, when you get to this point everything will become so clear.
I have actually read "Together" in one day. It was unputdownable, it swept me up, and guys, I am sure you're going to have such mixed feelings about this whole situation! But it is a good thing, and I love when I finish a book with my head buzzing with thoughts, wondering and examining, looking into. It was a powerful, moving read, a real must - read this summer! Highly recommended!
Copy provided by the publisher in return for an honest review.
August 18, 2023
Eine sehr berührende Liebesgeschichte, in die auch das Leben Fühlen und Denken andere Familienmitglieder und deren Probleme behutsam beschrieben werden.
Die Geschichte wird rückwärts erzählt: von 2016 bis 1962.
In jedem dieser Abschnitte und Jahre ist etwas geschehen, womit man auf dem ersten Blick nicht rechnet. Es war spannend, das Buch zu lesen, ich hab mich sehr gut unterhalten gefühlt. Ein dichtes Erzählen , ein Aufeinanderfolgen von Situationen und Schicksalsschlägen macht das Buch aus.
Das Buch hat 433 Seiten. Bis auf Seite 400 ahnt man nicht, welch grandioser Plottwist noch erscheint, der das Buch quasi nochmal komplett auf den Kopf stellt.
Danach folgen noch 2 Kapitel, und diese waren mir einfach zu wenig. Es war mir so, als wolle die autorin das Buch schnellstmöglich beenden. Ich hätte da mehr gebraucht, dann hätte ich auch gerne 5 Sterne gegeben, so sind es eben gute 4 Sterne.
Die Geschichte wird rückwärts erzählt: von 2016 bis 1962.
In jedem dieser Abschnitte und Jahre ist etwas geschehen, womit man auf dem ersten Blick nicht rechnet. Es war spannend, das Buch zu lesen, ich hab mich sehr gut unterhalten gefühlt. Ein dichtes Erzählen , ein Aufeinanderfolgen von Situationen und Schicksalsschlägen macht das Buch aus.
Das Buch hat 433 Seiten. Bis auf Seite 400 ahnt man nicht, welch grandioser Plottwist noch erscheint, der das Buch quasi nochmal komplett auf den Kopf stellt.
Danach folgen noch 2 Kapitel, und diese waren mir einfach zu wenig. Es war mir so, als wolle die autorin das Buch schnellstmöglich beenden. Ich hätte da mehr gebraucht, dann hätte ich auch gerne 5 Sterne gegeben, so sind es eben gute 4 Sterne.
November 29, 2020
3.5⭐
Romance muito bem escrito. Gostei das personagens e do facto de contar esta história de amor de frente para trás, até ao ponto em que se conheceram e se apaixonaram. A história de amor é muito bonita e o segredo que eles guardam é arrebatador. No entanto, ficam algumas pontas soltas e perguntas sem resposta, que podiam ter sido melhor exploradas. A capa é lindíssima mas, infelizmente, o livro ficou aquém das minhas expectativas.
Romance muito bem escrito. Gostei das personagens e do facto de contar esta história de amor de frente para trás, até ao ponto em que se conheceram e se apaixonaram. A história de amor é muito bonita e o segredo que eles guardam é arrebatador. No entanto, ficam algumas pontas soltas e perguntas sem resposta, que podiam ter sido melhor exploradas. A capa é lindíssima mas, infelizmente, o livro ficou aquém das minhas expectativas.
April 3, 2021
Para o desafio do mês de Março, precisava de um livro com um animal na capa e vendo o que cá tinha decidi-me por este. Esta foi uma opinião difícil de escrever sem evitar spoilers, por isso sugiro a quem quer ler que não passe destas primeiras linhas, isto porque preciso muito de desabafar! É um livro que li e de que preciso muito de falar. Porque fiquei muito chateada, mesmo muito com o final! Até me sinto algo ludibriada ou mesmo manipulada pela autora.
Pensava que era um livro sobre uma história de amor, mas acaba por ser uma história com um final chocante que me chateou bastante!
A maneira de contar a história é algo invulgar, começamos do presente para o passado, mas no final apercebemo-nos que não poderia ser contada de outra maneira pois, aí está, estragaria o final. Assim sendo não fazia sentido ser contada de outra maneira. Inicialmente parece uma bela história de amor, algo trágica, com muitas adversidades, vemos os efeitos que uma doença como o alzheimer pode causar, sentimos pena pelo protagonista e criamos logo empatia pois achamos que o mesmo está a rememorar a sua vida, antes de se esquecer de vez! Desenganem-se... aqui começa a trama, adensa-se o mistério e começamos a ser conduzidos pelo caminho que a autora deseja, o da pena, admiração, altruísmo, o sacrifício pelo outro... a história de amor que teve o final feliz, o casal a ultrapassar as dificuldades e a ter a família perfeita!
O enredo continua e cada vez mais o mistério fica complicado, será que foram julgados pela traição, por ocultarem algo em relação ao filho mais novo que levou a família a julgar e a afastarem-se do casal? Ficamos a pensar que família é pouco unida... o que leva a uma maior cumplicidade e aproximação do casal, fazendo-os procurar uma nova comunidade, para não serem reconhecidos e julgados pelos seus erros.
Mas não!! Eles foram julgados pelo segredo, por optarem mesmo seguir em frente face ao mesmo, por optarem por seguir em frente quando os seus atos vão contra aquilo que é aceitável, por optarem viver a sua história de amor contra tudo e todos... muito guerra dos tronos, muito Cersei e Jaime... não consigo aceitar que se tenha passado assim.
Porque fiquei então chateada? Porque me coloquei do lado do casal, porque senti alegria pelo reencontro, tristeza pela família lhes virar as costas, orgulho por ultrapassarem as dificuldades e no final depois de todos estes sentimentos, tive que lidar com a desilusão deste final chocante!! O livro é lindo até que chega à parte em que nos é revelado o segredo e aí há que lidar com a desilusão e frustração...
Pensava que era um livro sobre uma história de amor, mas acaba por ser uma história com um final chocante que me chateou bastante!
A maneira de contar a história é algo invulgar, começamos do presente para o passado, mas no final apercebemo-nos que não poderia ser contada de outra maneira pois, aí está, estragaria o final. Assim sendo não fazia sentido ser contada de outra maneira. Inicialmente parece uma bela história de amor, algo trágica, com muitas adversidades, vemos os efeitos que uma doença como o alzheimer pode causar, sentimos pena pelo protagonista e criamos logo empatia pois achamos que o mesmo está a rememorar a sua vida, antes de se esquecer de vez! Desenganem-se... aqui começa a trama, adensa-se o mistério e começamos a ser conduzidos pelo caminho que a autora deseja, o da pena, admiração, altruísmo, o sacrifício pelo outro... a história de amor que teve o final feliz, o casal a ultrapassar as dificuldades e a ter a família perfeita!
O enredo continua e cada vez mais o mistério fica complicado, será que foram julgados pela traição, por ocultarem algo em relação ao filho mais novo que levou a família a julgar e a afastarem-se do casal? Ficamos a pensar que família é pouco unida... o que leva a uma maior cumplicidade e aproximação do casal, fazendo-os procurar uma nova comunidade, para não serem reconhecidos e julgados pelos seus erros.
Mas não!! Eles foram julgados pelo segredo, por optarem mesmo seguir em frente face ao mesmo, por optarem por seguir em frente quando os seus atos vão contra aquilo que é aceitável, por optarem viver a sua história de amor contra tudo e todos... muito guerra dos tronos, muito Cersei e Jaime... não consigo aceitar que se tenha passado assim.
Porque fiquei então chateada? Porque me coloquei do lado do casal, porque senti alegria pelo reencontro, tristeza pela família lhes virar as costas, orgulho por ultrapassarem as dificuldades e no final depois de todos estes sentimentos, tive que lidar com a desilusão deste final chocante!! O livro é lindo até que chega à parte em que nos é revelado o segredo e aí há que lidar com a desilusão e frustração...
November 10, 2019
4,5✨
Meu Amor, Meu Segredo é um livro que tem como foco um casal, Robbie e Emily, cuja relação é simplesmente linda.
É verdadeiramente difícil falar sobre ele sem dar spoilers. Posso dizer-vos que foi um livro que prendeu o meu interesse desde o primeiro ao último capítulo, visto que queria imenso chegar ao final para ver o segredo revelado.
A qualidade da escrita da autora é muito, muito boa e achei a peculiaridade temporal muito interessante. Digo isto porque o livro vai do presente para o passado gradualmente.
No entanto, senti que ficaram algumas pontas soltas por esclarecer. Não significa que desta forma perca o sentido, mas para mim teria sido mais lógico se determinados aspetos tivessem sido mais explorados. Para além disto, achei que o segredo que o casal partilhava acabou por ser previsível, pelo menos para mim, uma vez que o desvendei antes de isso acontecer no próprio livro. É precisamente por estas razões que não lhe dou as 5 estrelas. Ainda assim, quero deixar claro que o que referi não invalida a leitura, nem por sombras.
É um romance lindo, capaz de deixar qualquer um rendido e que acabou por me roubar umas lágrimas no fim.
Meu Amor, Meu Segredo é um livro que tem como foco um casal, Robbie e Emily, cuja relação é simplesmente linda.
É verdadeiramente difícil falar sobre ele sem dar spoilers. Posso dizer-vos que foi um livro que prendeu o meu interesse desde o primeiro ao último capítulo, visto que queria imenso chegar ao final para ver o segredo revelado.
A qualidade da escrita da autora é muito, muito boa e achei a peculiaridade temporal muito interessante. Digo isto porque o livro vai do presente para o passado gradualmente.
No entanto, senti que ficaram algumas pontas soltas por esclarecer. Não significa que desta forma perca o sentido, mas para mim teria sido mais lógico se determinados aspetos tivessem sido mais explorados. Para além disto, achei que o segredo que o casal partilhava acabou por ser previsível, pelo menos para mim, uma vez que o desvendei antes de isso acontecer no próprio livro. É precisamente por estas razões que não lhe dou as 5 estrelas. Ainda assim, quero deixar claro que o que referi não invalida a leitura, nem por sombras.
É um romance lindo, capaz de deixar qualquer um rendido e que acabou por me roubar umas lágrimas no fim.
July 8, 2018
Oh dear. So many people seem to have loved this book, and to have given it rave reviews. Admittedly, the writing style is excellent, and I enjoyed the originality of a story that unfurls backwards. But (no spoilers here) the big secret that is revealed turns out to be utterly trite and stupidly predictable, while at the same time completely implausible, thus ruining what could have been an extremely good, beautifully romantic story. And once I’d found out what the main characters had been hiding, I went off them both anyway, and didn’t really care any more what happened to them. My first book by this author, and probably my last...
September 25, 2022
Adorei este livro, como é que o tinha na prateleira há ano e tal.
Ainda estou a digerir “o segredo”. Não suspeitava até quase ser revelado. É uma história marcante com personagens bem caracterizadas que certamente permanecerá comigo durante muito tempo...
Ainda estou a digerir “o segredo”. Não suspeitava até quase ser revelado. É uma história marcante com personagens bem caracterizadas que certamente permanecerá comigo durante muito tempo...
January 30, 2022
SORRY WHAT?! You're giving me this amazing love story and THAT is their big secret?!?!?!?
Ok so right until the big reveal, I absolutely LOVED this book. It is a love story told backwards, and every time jump, my heart broke a little again. The story of Emily and Robbie is very intense and very dramatic - we have love at first sight, knowing you're soulmates bladibladibla. HOWEVER, being a bit dramatic and intense myself, this was definitely not a dealbreaker and I definitely enjoyed all the sappy love declarations, and really felt with the characters.
The whole book I was thinking "ok this is going great, I'll give the book 4 stars, maybe 5, loving it", but I AM SO UPSET BY THE BIG REVEAL. It made the rest of the book feel ... weird??? and unrealistic?? I guess I'll give it three stars now, but this is a hard one to rate for me.
Here some quotes I loved when I still enjoyed their relationship:
"When you met a person you only saw the flat edges of them, their appearance and the scant facts you could glean from conversation. You never really knew them until you'd entered the sphere where they lived and been surrounded by it. And this was her chance to touch Robbie's world, the whole rounded swell of it, if only for an afternoon"
"Stop it. I told you, I don't want promises or the future or anything. I can't worry about your sincerity or whether you mean what you say right now and that you might change your mind later. And I don't want to marry you, anyway. I just want right now, the two of us, here."
Ok so right until the big reveal, I absolutely LOVED this book. It is a love story told backwards, and every time jump, my heart broke a little again. The story of Emily and Robbie is very intense and very dramatic - we have love at first sight, knowing you're soulmates bladibladibla. HOWEVER, being a bit dramatic and intense myself, this was definitely not a dealbreaker and I definitely enjoyed all the sappy love declarations, and really felt with the characters.
The whole book I was thinking "ok this is going great, I'll give the book 4 stars, maybe 5, loving it", but I AM SO UPSET BY THE BIG REVEAL. It made the rest of the book feel ... weird??? and unrealistic?? I guess I'll give it three stars now, but this is a hard one to rate for me.
Here some quotes I loved when I still enjoyed their relationship:
"When you met a person you only saw the flat edges of them, their appearance and the scant facts you could glean from conversation. You never really knew them until you'd entered the sphere where they lived and been surrounded by it. And this was her chance to touch Robbie's world, the whole rounded swell of it, if only for an afternoon"
"Stop it. I told you, I don't want promises or the future or anything. I can't worry about your sincerity or whether you mean what you say right now and that you might change your mind later. And I don't want to marry you, anyway. I just want right now, the two of us, here."
January 22, 2025
The book starts in 2016 where Robbie and Emily are already old. And then each part of the book we go back to another important time from their past until the final chapter brings us to how hey met.
I wasn't sure what to think of this way of telling the story backwards. It felt like every part wasn't fully finished, I didn't completely understand it and something was missing. I thought it could have been much better if we would see their relationship develop the normal way and this way understand the characters more and really feel for them.
But then in the last few chapters the final surprise was revealed and damn...Some might have guessed it earlier but I didn't. I understood it only a page or two before it came out. And then suddenly the whole story got together and made sense. And knowing all that made me understand the characters and their life better and care more about them. I think it was a great idea and well told, it really got me!
I wasn't sure what to think of this way of telling the story backwards. It felt like every part wasn't fully finished, I didn't completely understand it and something was missing. I thought it could have been much better if we would see their relationship develop the normal way and this way understand the characters more and really feel for them.
But then in the last few chapters the final surprise was revealed and damn...Some might have guessed it earlier but I didn't. I understood it only a page or two before it came out. And then suddenly the whole story got together and made sense. And knowing all that made me understand the characters and their life better and care more about them. I think it was a great idea and well told, it really got me!
May 12, 2021
Together was a beautifully written love story told backwards. The language and flow were perfect. I couldn’t put it down.
The story was split into different sections based on time period. Each one teaches us something knew in their story.
The story touches on a range of sensitive topics; Alzheimer’s, family relationships, alcoholism, divorce, adoption.
I’m giving this book 3 stars rather than 5 simply due to the ‘shock’ at the ending not siting well with me. I cannot say anymore without ruining it for other readers.
It was however a very thought provoking read and it will stay with me.
The story was split into different sections based on time period. Each one teaches us something knew in their story.
The story touches on a range of sensitive topics; Alzheimer’s, family relationships, alcoholism, divorce, adoption.
I’m giving this book 3 stars rather than 5 simply due to the ‘shock’ at the ending not siting well with me. I cannot say anymore without ruining it for other readers.
It was however a very thought provoking read and it will stay with me.
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