Play Book Tag discussion

Wow, what a party! I just loved this book and thought it was great! What a read.

I have been following closely the groundswell of negativity and loss of expectations unmet, and I have personally always felt it was unfair to both an author and a book to compare it to its counterpart runaway hits. People wanted Daisy and Evelyn, and those were wonderful books, but they were different. Authors need to try new ideas and new things, and not be held up to their last single or great painting. I think people would have liked this book a whole lot more if the track of Aurora wasn't their background music.

Last year I spent the year with Taylor Jenkins Reid as my author for the year, so I can say a few things about her and her compendium of works. There is no one who does relationships and character development, the way TJR does. She has an unbelievable talent for getting into the mindset and thinking of various characters. I've heard people talk about this book suggesting it was about surfing and rich who do you know parties. That is such an understatement. This book, like all of hers, was about four (+) siblings, and their experiences of their parents, and how that has shaped who they are. Multiple storylines converge over a day, culminating in the night of the party, where the buildup sets the scene. And then when the party takes off, the incredible thing (which I bet the dissenters hated), is that not only are the main character's storylines developing, unfolding, and intertwining, but all these side never mentioned characters at the party, we get a voice to who they are, what's in their heads, and how they do and don't connect to one another. It's actually depthful and brilliant. My favorite one of these, is a man in the backyard, and his soulmate on the front steps and they never meet, And you know they are there for one another, but not yet, and not this time. Brilliantly done with the major characters as well as with the irrelevant ones. This is the art of TJR, and how she writes. This wasn't about surfing or Malibu parties, not in the least. This was about family, selfishness, self-sacrifice, bonds, trust, finding yourself, and oh yeah, there are some people who find solace and excitement in the waves. I sure did!

Amy wrote: "Wow, what a party! I just loved this book and thought it was great! What a read.

I have been following closely the groundswell of negativity and loss of expectations unmet, and I have personally a..."

What an excellent review, you hit it right on the head, I agree. Loved this book just like the others even though it wasn't the same. If all her books were the same they would become redundant. She is still my number one go-to for this genre, great voice, great author. Thanks for the review.

d.

Great review Amy. I agree that this was all about family. I loved the strong bonds between all the siblings, even when they were angry. I loved all the resolutions (and missed connections) at the end. Some were very funny. I reread the last couple chapters to experience it again.

I'm glad you mentioned the couple that never met. I didn't keep track of all the names, and I wasn't sure if they met or not.

Great review! I really liked this one as well. The siblings were so real in all their complicated family history and the vignettes of the part goers were fabulous.

Nice review! I've heard a lot of this book! and maybe it was interesting. I'm glad you enjoy this book. Thanks for your review.

You've definitely got me intrigued with this review. Thanks! I'm off to the library to check out this author.