This book was just not for me. I knew pretty quickly I’d have DNFed it if I was reading it on my own. But for book clubs I always finish a book, even if I’m skimming by the end. And I was definitely skimming.

Family dramas rooted in realism are a hard sell for me to start with, but this one had lifetime movie/soap opera energy. Very melodramatic. That can make for a compelling read, so I think I get the high rating here, but it makes me completely disengage. I can’t fall into a story when I feel like it’s ridiculous. It reminded me of The Heart’s Invisible Furies, though at least in that book it feels more intentionally over the top and well structured. With this story, I was getting more frustrated all the time because yet another dramatic thing or crazy coincidence happened.

I also struggled with the frame for this story. It’s hard for writers to turn off their writerly voice when someone else is supposed to be speaking. Every time Ella’s recording would be transcribed for us I was like, no. This is not a person who is unwell, struggling to narrate her story to her kids. The same thing happens a lot in stories with letters and journals, and it’s hard for me to get past it. We also got more than she could possibly know in the narrative of her past, so I was like, is she saying this? Is this extra from the author?

Lastly, I’d say the writing style wasn’t for me. Sentimental and flowery without really saying anything.

Unfortunately, not a success for me!

Best worst quote:
“Elly’s breasts were just beginning to bud when she finally realized that she and the shells had been meant to find one another. And this was her first understanding of her destiny.”