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makay_reads's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
purplesky02's review against another edition
3.0
The premise, that three friends get to go back 10 years and relive the year they turned 40, interested me. The way they go back is a little hokey, but okay. I found all three main characters to be not very likable. I enjoyed it, but I felt like the book could've been a little better. I am a sucker for time travel books.
agsmith07's review against another edition
5.0
If you could repeat one year of your life, what would you do differently? When she was forty, Jesse had a one night stand that resulted in the conception of her son Lucas. At first she didn’t confide the truth to her husband – who loved the boy from the start. But eventually it did come out and the two divorced. When Gabriella was forty, she was too busy writing best-selling novels to have a baby, which she now regrets. And Claire’s life was full of messy complications and sacrifices, due to dealing with her rebellious teenage daughter. She paid little attention to the man she loved - and he got away. Now the three women get the “chance” to go back and fix their mistakes, but what will that do to the futures?
This book was incredibly well written and plotted, despite the implausibly of the time twist. For the record, though, I enjoy books that take you to an alternate reality via “time travel” of some means. I’ve had my own what-if fantasies about different choices I could have made in the past and it’s what makes the characters so relatable. Their regrets are universal – even if I couldn’t exactly relate to their individual predicaments. There are many lessons to learn for the women about grief, loss, and keeping secrets. There are many nuggets of wisdom throughout the story. This was a favorite, “The thing Gabriella is that you never really get over losing someone or something you love. But the world keeps on moving and you have to also, or you’ll get lost. Learning to accept things and move on isn’t a weakness, It’s strength.”
Great read. Highly recommend.
This book was incredibly well written and plotted, despite the implausibly of the time twist. For the record, though, I enjoy books that take you to an alternate reality via “time travel” of some means. I’ve had my own what-if fantasies about different choices I could have made in the past and it’s what makes the characters so relatable. Their regrets are universal – even if I couldn’t exactly relate to their individual predicaments. There are many lessons to learn for the women about grief, loss, and keeping secrets. There are many nuggets of wisdom throughout the story. This was a favorite, “The thing Gabriella is that you never really get over losing someone or something you love. But the world keeps on moving and you have to also, or you’ll get lost. Learning to accept things and move on isn’t a weakness, It’s strength.”
Great read. Highly recommend.
booklover28's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
tashaseegmiller's review against another edition
5.0
Liz and Lisa merge together a friendship story with various family dramas and the hopeful wishing of second chances. I was pulled into this story very quickly, and soon found myself torn on how the surreal experience of reliving a year would turn out for the three women featured in this novel. I related to their joys and agonies, longings and broken hearts, wanting each of them to heal but uncertain which way I wanted that healing to take place. I will definitely read more of Liz & Lisa's books.
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
3.0
The Year We Turned Forty by Liz Fenton and Lisa Steinke is a novel about three women who get a chance to relieve the year they turned forty. Claire, Jessica, and Gabriella are getting ready to turn fifty and have gone to Vegas to celebrate. They meet the celebrity magician, Blair Wainright who gives them a wonderful opportunity. He offers to let the three of them go back exactly ten years and relieve that year again. The three of them have to agree on the choice (it is all for one and one for all). At the end of the year they have to decide to stay there or go back to the future (I couldn’t resist). There are some conditions (of course). Can they make the right choices this time? Join Claire, Jessica, and Gabriella on their journey. Is it possible to change the past to improve your future?
The Year We Turned Forty started out pretty good, but then it started slowing down. It got bogged down in should I or shouldn’t I thoughts and discussions (they went on for pages). I found Gabriella to be the most annoying (though it was hard to like any of the characters). The one thing I liked in the book was the Gilmore Girls reference. The Year We Turned Forty had an interesting concept. What would you do if you could change your life? Would you really be able to change it? Sometimes you can try too hard. I give The Year We Turned Forty 3 out of 5 stars. It was an adequate book (it could have been more). I was hoping for something unpredictable or different instead of cliché.
I received a complimentary copy of The Year We Turned Forty from NetGalley (and the publisher) in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.
The Year We Turned Forty started out pretty good, but then it started slowing down. It got bogged down in should I or shouldn’t I thoughts and discussions (they went on for pages). I found Gabriella to be the most annoying (though it was hard to like any of the characters). The one thing I liked in the book was the Gilmore Girls reference. The Year We Turned Forty had an interesting concept. What would you do if you could change your life? Would you really be able to change it? Sometimes you can try too hard. I give The Year We Turned Forty 3 out of 5 stars. It was an adequate book (it could have been more). I was hoping for something unpredictable or different instead of cliché.
I received a complimentary copy of The Year We Turned Forty from NetGalley (and the publisher) in exchange for an honest evaluation of the novel.
mbenzz's review against another edition
4.0
Fantastic book!!! The characters got a little irritating towards the end, and I wanted to throat-punch Gabriela and Jessie more than a few times, but overall, a really good story. This would be absolutely perfect for book clubs. So much to dissect and discuss.
jess523's review against another edition
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
kittey2ng's review against another edition
2.0
For some reason I still kept wanting to read this book to find out what happened so it could have been better. Some reviews said it was hilarious but I didn't think it was funny. Cliched but still kept wanting to read!
ericabelinda's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
3.0