"Good Company" by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney

Good Company by Cynthia D'Aprix Sweeney
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This will be a book that I choose to read in physical form, after listening. While I liked the narrators and was drawn in to the story, I think there will be more for me after holding the book in my hands and reading it.

The characters were pleasant and the dynamics and plot were good. But it didn't blow me away and I honestly didn't feel any spark or redeeming spirit behind Flora and Julian's relationship.

Maybe a second-go-round will be enlightening.

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"Girl A" by Abigail Dean

Girl A by Abigail Dean
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was well done. It's a sobering topic and the story leans into it completely, so there aren't many moments of joy or humor to lift the reader. The reader is pulled back and forth through time -- into the "House of Horrors," and then the present or not-so-distant past. It works, though. The slow build to the worst days of their childhood kept me enthralled and the sections of the book dedicated the each sibling's story was a good way to tell it.

I did not see the twist coming and really, it didn't impact the story that much for me; it was a bit anticlimactic. Lex's relationship with her other sister was more interesting for me, and that had an ending that satisfied me quite a bit.

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"That Summer" by Jennifer Weiner

That Summer by Jennifer Weiner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've changed my mind.....now THIS is my favorite Jennifer Weiner book.

I devoured "That Summer" in a day. There is a nod to "Big Summer" in here, but it is a very different book and I feel like the author has entered new territory.

There are large, important topics tackled in this story about two Dianas - sexual assault (let's just call it what it is - rape), family dynamics, homosexuality, teenage angst and more. There is Diana A, or "Daisy" as her husband has renamed her; and Diana B, whose identity has also been taken away but in a very different way. Both Daisys' inner voices becomes louder throughout the book and by the end they are able to speak up for themselves, for teenaged daughters and for friends.



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