Certain Girls: A Novel by Jennifer Weiner
|
List Price: Our Price: $4.22 You Save: $10.78 (72%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $0.01 (click here) Category: Book See more book details and other editions |
|---|
Book Reviews of Certain Girls: A Novel
Book Review: Wishy Washy
Summary: 2 Stars
I was pretty disappointed with this book. I kept debating whether I should just stop reading and go to something else, but felt guilty at the thought of abandoning a book. Joy's character was pretty unlikable, so I didn't enjoy having to be in her point of view every other chapter. I found myself repeatedly wanting to smack her through the pages of the book. I also felt that nothing was happening in this book. The story wasn't going anywhere so I didn't enjoy reading it. Stop after Good in Bed, and forget about this sequel.Book Review: I should have listened to the reviews shared here
Summary: 2 Stars
I have just finished reading this book and I feel like I want to throw it against the wall. I was unprepared for the final chapters of this novel and they left me feeling like I had been attacked. You go through the journey with Cannie and Joy and you are immersed in their journeys. So immersed are you in their little saga, that you are gut-punched at the end. I couldn't read past chapter 37.It was unnecessarily tragic and sad. I should have listened to the other reviews.I am either selling or giving away my copy.Book Review: Doesn't finish as a fun read
Summary: 2 Stars
I bought this for a plane ride to Hong Kong and after finishing left it on the plane to ruin some other person's vacation. I love Jennifer Weiner and had expectations of what to expect that were true for much of the book... Not to be critical of Jennifer Weiner, but when I want a tear jerker or a serious book she is not who I buy. I felt at the end of it like I did after seeing the movie "Seven" that it had not been worth my time or emotion (though to be fair there were no beheadings in "Certain Girls")Book Review: Disappointed
Summary: 2 Stars
I was very disappointed with this novel. There were way too many biblical references. I found it quite boring and I actually zoned out at times. I had to force myself to finish it in order to get my money's worth.Book Review: Give this one a miss unless you like feeing broken hearted
Summary: 1 Stars
Don't read this if you want no spoilers. The plot has already been given away in later reviews but I'll try to be careful. This book infuriated and irritated me for several reasons.
First, the multiple point of view did not work in this book. She should have had a chapter heading with Candace or Joy at top because I had trouble every time POV switched figuring out who was talking. I would have to reread the beginning of the chapter several times and this was annoying.
Second, the hideous thing Weiner did on page 344 was mean, manipulative, and not at all necessary. Yes, she certainly jerked some tears out of me but they felt like they were forced at gunpoint because the event she used to produce them didn't fit with the book at all. It was just purely manipulative and wrong. A cheap shot and a cheap trick rolled into one. Peter is beloved and did not deserve what Weiner did to him. To deprive him of experiencing the fruit of their efforts was just mean. It ruined the end. Just ruined it. I couldn't be happy about Charlie in any way.
And don't get me started on Joy. OK, I'll start anyway. What a brat. Spoiled, rotten brat. It made me sick how Candace sucked up to her and accepted any amount of bad behavior from her. It was obvious that she had been a good mother and her snotty little daughter was using her feelings to crucify her at will. She should have had a knot jerked in her tail long before the little stunt she pulled with the white credit card. No telling how much her little California tantrum cost and then Cannie takes her shopping for the dress she wanted? But says she is not rewarding bad behavior. How does she figure that? Especially when Candace was right: spaghetti straps, bangles and beads is way too old for a thirteen year old. Talk about mixed messages. Candace says she doesn't want Joy to have a big expensive party that obscures the meaning of the event then buys her a designer dress that she will wear once. I just shook my head so many times at what this kid got by with.
Joy somewhat redeems herself by the end but by that time the book has so gone off the rails you don't really care. The book has slapped you in the face one time too many.
Not well done Weiner, not at all. I wish I had never read this one.