DNF: Young Widows Club by Alexandra Coutts

Young Widows Club by Alexandra Coutts

Published: November 10, 2015

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux [BYR]

Format: via NetGalley

Rating: DNF

Synopsis

First came love, then came marriage, and then...

For seventeen-year-old Tam, running off to marry her musician boyfriend is the ideal escape from her claustrophobic high-school life on the island, and the ultimate rebellion against her father and stepmother. But when Tam becomes a widow just weeks later, the shell-shocked teen is forced to find her way forward by going back to the life she thought she’d moved beyond—even as her struggle to deal with her grief is forcing her to reinvent herself and reach out to others in ways she never imagined.

My Thoughts

Oh I hate doing this but this is a DNF for me. I was intrigued by the synopsis but as I got into it I didn’t so much. The story of Tam who wed young then to have her husband die had potential but sadly I didn’t really like or connect with Tam. She had problems of her own after her mother died she left home and met her soon to be husband and connected with his family. I thought Tam was immature granted she is only 17 but given her life circumstances you think she would’ve grown up a lot but she wasn’t a likeable character to me. So I gave up less than half way not knowing or caring what happened next.

Mini Review: Until I Found You by Victoria Bylin

Until I Found You by Victoria Bylin

Published: May 6, 2014

Publisher: Bethany House Publishers

Format: via NetGalley

Rating: DNF

Synopsis

When Kate Darby swerves off a mountain road to avoid hitting a California condor, she ends up trapped in her car, teetering on the edge of a cliff. Terrified, she breathes a prayer that changes her life: "God, if you're real, I want to know you."

It's Nick Sheridan who comes to Kate's rescue. Nick is handsome, confident, and seems to develop a habit of rescuing her, but Kate is in town only until her grandmother recuperates from a stroke. She's not planning to fall in love with one of the locals.

Nick Sheridan is a reformed veteran of life in the fast lane, a new Christian, and a travel writer. When he sees a car dangling on the edge of a cliff, the daredevil in him jumps into action. He doesn't expect to be swept off his feet by the car's occupant. He's made a vow: no dating for a year. And it's a vow he intends to keep in spite of his attraction to Kate Darby.

My Thoughts 

I really wanted to like this more than I did but sadly I didn’t. While I’m not the biggest fan or romance this was just too cheesy for me. I found this read just very typical of what romance novels tend to be. I couldn’t get into the storyline and none of the characters really spoke to me. Needless to say I didn’t finish this, maybe it’s just me but this one just wasn’t the one for me.

One of the Few...

The Girls from Corona Del Mar by Rufi Thorpe

Published: July 8, 2014

Publisher: Knopf

Format: Edelweiss

Rating: DNF

Synopsis

A fiercely beautiful debut blazing with emotion: a major first novel about friendships made in youth and how these bonds, challenged by loss, illness, parenthood, and distance, either break or sustain.

Mia and Lorrie Ann are lifelong friends: hard-hearted Mia and untouchably beautiful, kind Lorrie Ann. While Mia struggles with a mother who drinks, a pregnancy at fifteen, and younger brothers she loves but can't quite be good to, Lorrie Ann is luminous, surrounded by her close-knit family, immune to the mistakes that mar her best friend's life. Until a sudden loss catapults Lorrie Ann into tragedy: things fall apart, and then fall apart further-and there is nothing Mia can do to help. And as good, kind, brave Lorrie Ann stops being so good, Mia begins to question just who this woman is and what that question means about them both. A staggeringly arresting, honest novel of love, motherhood, loyalty, and the myth of the perfect friendship that moves us to ask ourselves just how well we know those we love, what we owe our children, and who we are without our friends.

My Thoughts

What can I say? I RARELY and I mean rarely do not finish a book. I don’t like starting something and not finishing it which means I end up reading some books I hate. So this year I vowed never to waste my book reading time reading books that I don’t truly like. Which leads me to The Girls from Corona Del Mar, I had some really high hopes for this one. I mean I had even picked this as one of my WOW’s a few months back. Well I tried and hence this is why it's one of the few DNF books ever.

I just didn’t feel that connection I’m looking for in a book. The storyline didn't lure me in nor did I click with any of the characters, I so wanted to but no such luck. Maybe some of you can give it a try, maybe you can see something I couldn’t but for me I’m off to find a read that will make me want to pass more than 30 pages.

DNF: How to Love by Katie Cotugo

How to Love by Katie Cotugno
Published October 1, 2013
Format: E-ARC provided by Edelweiss
Publisher: Balzer+Bray
Rating: DNF

Synopsis

Before: Reena Montero has loved Sawyer LeGrande for as long as she can remember: as natural as breathing, as endless as time. But he’s never seemed to notice that Reena even exists…until one day, impossibly, he does. Reena and Sawyer fall in messy, complicated love. But then Sawyer disappears from their humid Florida town without a word, leaving a devastated—and pregnant—Reena behind.

After: Almost three years have passed, and there’s a new love in Reena’s life: her daughter, Hannah. Reena’s gotten used to being without Sawyer, and she’s finally getting the hang of this strange, unexpected life. But just as swiftly and suddenly as he disappeared, Sawyer turns up again. Reena doesn’t want anything to do with him, though she’d be lying if she said Sawyer’s being back wasn’t stirring something in her. After everything that’s happened, can Reena really let herself love Sawyer LeGrande again?

In this breathtaking debut, Katie Cotugno weaves together the story of one couple falling in love—twice.

My Thoughts

I really debated if I should even write a review for this book, for the sole reason I simply didn’t finish it. It really did pain me since I always finish things I start. Even if I don’t like something I usually just push through it and be done with it.

I was so pumped up wanting to read this book when I first heard about. Then I saw so many people talking about it and saying so many amazing things that I was like yes I can’t wait!

So why couldn’t I finish? Honestly I just couldn’t connect with the characters, plain and simple. Do you know the thing that bugged me the most? Sawyer! I honestly didn’t and couldn’t see what Reena saw in him. He seemed like a guy who was toying with her when he wanted. Granted I only read halfway through the book but I hated him so much. I couldn’t for the life of me see what she saw in him. I just couldn’t buy into their "love story."

Maybe in the future I will revisit it and see if I can finish it. I might be one the few who didn’t get it but this is just my opinion.