Quinn is surrounded by women with broken hearts. Between her mother, her aunt, and her grandmother, Quinn hears nothing but cautionary tales. Then she gets dumped and starts to wonder if there really are no good men. It doesn't help when Quinn discovers that her selfish, womanizing father has stolen more from the women in his life than their hearts.
Quinn joins forces with the stepsisters she's never met and sets out to right her father's wrongs. Somewhere along the way, she ends up mending her own heart as well.
Quinn joins forces with the stepsisters she's never met and sets out to right her father's wrongs. Somewhere along the way, she ends up mending her own heart as well.
-Fantastic Fiction
I loved this book. I must admit that it started out pretty slow, but it was so worth its weight in knowledge and wisdom. I have only ever read one Deb Caletti book, and I admit that it doesn't really stick out in my mind, that is to say it was neither extremely dynamic nor incredibly dull. I now know why all of her books remain on my book list! I think it is perfect for all ages, and I have already recommended it to my Maj (which I don't do often, because I know she doesn't read as much as I would like her to, and if she does not like the first page of a book, she will not read it). I really hope that she chooses to read this one.
So what gives it a 4½ rating, when I already mentioned that it commenced rather sleepily? I'm not really sure if it's just one of those books that specifically spoke to me, or what, but I found it so emotionally enriching, and just completely relevant to my life right now, and really just spoke to me. I understand that this is not the most helpful way to explain, but I cannot really put into words how much this book spoke to me, and seemed like the most accurate portrayal of love and family, and everything really. I recommend it to every woman, though I think that if you are too young, you may not truly understand the messages, and need to read it a second time after you have lived a little more. It just seems like one of those messages that your mom tells you, "you don't understand now, but you will later" that seemed to frustrate the heck out of me while growing up, but I totally just get now.
This was a very teen romance-ish book, but also dealt with various family dynamics, and every generation was involved, which is why I cannot stress enough that every woman, young or old, should read this book. The portrait of love is just amazing, and something I think everyone should know and hear at least once.
Spoiler Alert: Don't read after this point if you don't want to know specific book details!
So as aforementioned, the book did start out pretty slowly. We are introduced to Quinn, the main protagonist and her family. Her mother, aunt, and grandmother, all single, and weary of men altogether. Quinn has a younger sister, and of course a father, but her parents are divorced. She also has a boyfriend, but we can tell right off the bat Quinn is definitely wanting more from that relationship.
So Quinn's father definitely contributes to pretty much all the plot lines going on in the book. He is selfish, a womanizer, and is pretty much horrible to his children, but not in a physical way. Just constantly cutting them down very subtly, just enough for Quinn to want more and more from him, which just made me hate him even more. So basically Quinn is at her father's one day (who is quasi-famous for being in a band, but always lies to make himself look better), and after he tells her that he doesn't think he is going to pay for her to go to college (even though he is filthy rich), Quinn is in his living room and notices all the little nick-nacks that her father has always had, are in fact not his, like he has been boasting whenever he has company over. They actually all belong to his ex-girlfriends and wives, that he has treated in the same way he treats his daughters (like trash, but just not enough for them to really realize how horrible he is).
So Quinn decides to contact her half-sister Frances Lee, whom she has only met once, and go on a "karmic road trip" to return all of these posessions that their father has stolen from the various women in his life. I thought this was epic, because we got to see all of these women, along with the three daughters that this man neglects, and what this man did to them. It was truly eye-opening, and I loved it. Of course, along the way, Quinn meets Jake, a guy who looks like trouble and seems to fit her mother's criteria for the "wrong guy" to a tee. Of course they fall in love, predictably, but in such a wholesome and true way, that it makes me smile when I think about it.
Of course the girl's journey has some bumps along the way, but in the end, they become closer than ever, and realize truly how horrible their father is, especially Quinn who is just constantly vying for his affection and love, despite that he is just too selfish to give it.
What I found truly remarkable about the book were the passages from each woman in the book, explaining love, what it means to them, and how they came to the realization, and grew to be the remarkable women that they are. At first, the passages were a tad confusing, because they jump back and forth between all women (which there are lots), and I wasn't completely sure of who was who at first. But then I realized that it didn't really matter; the messages were the important things to know. Whether that woman was talking about Quinn's father or not, or abusive guys, or nice guys that weren't right for them, I think that it truly conveyed messages to all women about love, and what it means to share that with the right someone, and respect yourself.
I really cannot convey into words how amazing this book was, and the amazing writing of Deb Caletti. She is obviously amazing, and I cannot wait to read more of her stuff!
Fulfilled--Cheers & Enjoy♥
I loved this book. I must admit that it started out pretty slow, but it was so worth its weight in knowledge and wisdom. I have only ever read one Deb Caletti book, and I admit that it doesn't really stick out in my mind, that is to say it was neither extremely dynamic nor incredibly dull. I now know why all of her books remain on my book list! I think it is perfect for all ages, and I have already recommended it to my Maj (which I don't do often, because I know she doesn't read as much as I would like her to, and if she does not like the first page of a book, she will not read it). I really hope that she chooses to read this one.
So what gives it a 4½ rating, when I already mentioned that it commenced rather sleepily? I'm not really sure if it's just one of those books that specifically spoke to me, or what, but I found it so emotionally enriching, and just completely relevant to my life right now, and really just spoke to me. I understand that this is not the most helpful way to explain, but I cannot really put into words how much this book spoke to me, and seemed like the most accurate portrayal of love and family, and everything really. I recommend it to every woman, though I think that if you are too young, you may not truly understand the messages, and need to read it a second time after you have lived a little more. It just seems like one of those messages that your mom tells you, "you don't understand now, but you will later" that seemed to frustrate the heck out of me while growing up, but I totally just get now.
This was a very teen romance-ish book, but also dealt with various family dynamics, and every generation was involved, which is why I cannot stress enough that every woman, young or old, should read this book. The portrait of love is just amazing, and something I think everyone should know and hear at least once.
Spoiler Alert: Don't read after this point if you don't want to know specific book details!
So as aforementioned, the book did start out pretty slowly. We are introduced to Quinn, the main protagonist and her family. Her mother, aunt, and grandmother, all single, and weary of men altogether. Quinn has a younger sister, and of course a father, but her parents are divorced. She also has a boyfriend, but we can tell right off the bat Quinn is definitely wanting more from that relationship.
So Quinn's father definitely contributes to pretty much all the plot lines going on in the book. He is selfish, a womanizer, and is pretty much horrible to his children, but not in a physical way. Just constantly cutting them down very subtly, just enough for Quinn to want more and more from him, which just made me hate him even more. So basically Quinn is at her father's one day (who is quasi-famous for being in a band, but always lies to make himself look better), and after he tells her that he doesn't think he is going to pay for her to go to college (even though he is filthy rich), Quinn is in his living room and notices all the little nick-nacks that her father has always had, are in fact not his, like he has been boasting whenever he has company over. They actually all belong to his ex-girlfriends and wives, that he has treated in the same way he treats his daughters (like trash, but just not enough for them to really realize how horrible he is).
So Quinn decides to contact her half-sister Frances Lee, whom she has only met once, and go on a "karmic road trip" to return all of these posessions that their father has stolen from the various women in his life. I thought this was epic, because we got to see all of these women, along with the three daughters that this man neglects, and what this man did to them. It was truly eye-opening, and I loved it. Of course, along the way, Quinn meets Jake, a guy who looks like trouble and seems to fit her mother's criteria for the "wrong guy" to a tee. Of course they fall in love, predictably, but in such a wholesome and true way, that it makes me smile when I think about it.
Of course the girl's journey has some bumps along the way, but in the end, they become closer than ever, and realize truly how horrible their father is, especially Quinn who is just constantly vying for his affection and love, despite that he is just too selfish to give it.
What I found truly remarkable about the book were the passages from each woman in the book, explaining love, what it means to them, and how they came to the realization, and grew to be the remarkable women that they are. At first, the passages were a tad confusing, because they jump back and forth between all women (which there are lots), and I wasn't completely sure of who was who at first. But then I realized that it didn't really matter; the messages were the important things to know. Whether that woman was talking about Quinn's father or not, or abusive guys, or nice guys that weren't right for them, I think that it truly conveyed messages to all women about love, and what it means to share that with the right someone, and respect yourself.
I really cannot convey into words how amazing this book was, and the amazing writing of Deb Caletti. She is obviously amazing, and I cannot wait to read more of her stuff!
Fulfilled--Cheers & Enjoy♥
Wow, nice review! I really want to read this book now! It sounds like something very wholesome and pure, and like you said, about so much more than just this specific man. Every girl needs to learn that at some point in their lives, and though they don't always listen to their mothers tell them, it seems like this book is pure and sincere enough to get them second guessing things. :)
ReplyDelete