Thursday, September 30, 2021

Best Day Ever


 SPOILER ALERT! 

Good story, was a little disappointed that I seen where the story was going. Predictable what was Paul's game. And Mia what she had to go through with husband Paul was terrible.

I liked the idea that the story was within a day. The timeline aspect of it was interesting. Toward the end it came together for what Mia's role was doing while Paul focused on his idea of Best Day Ever!
If it wasn't brought up many times I wouldn't of known Mia and Paul had kids. Mostly in Paul's mind was how much he had, how many women, and what he thought he gave Mia.
A bit disappointed of how Paul got the upper hand of Buck at the end. But all worked out with Buck, Mia, and the kids.



Question is Paul Strom is an unreliable narrator at what point of the story did I realize he was telling me what he wanted me to know? Almost immediately. I believe the narrator puts across their point of view. And that's where the reader forms their views of story. I didn't know right away of Paul's actions of poisoning his wife. But as Paul droned on about how she wasn't feeling good, changing her diet. All now can see what he was doing. So I guess Paul had me there. Toward the end of book I see.

I thought of Mia just a woman who wanted someone to share her life with, have kids, and just be happy. Mia thought she had that. Being that her family had money I believe had nothing to do how she felt. If Mia knew what was happening and who Paul really was, yes she should of/probably would of made different choices with Paul.  

In Paul's mind he really did believe he was a good father and husband. I think he is trying to fool both reader and himself. He strived of having that perfect family. His own, did a number on him.

Gretchen sees a man who makes her special. It's hard to walk away from someone that plays that they need and are happy with you. For that I think Gretchen was a victim. Very hard to see pass the charade that people play.

Paul was on a downward spiral from the beginning. He really wasn't right. Caroline rejecting him just sped up the process of him doing damage around him. Almost in a childlike manner.

The idea of Paul would not be interested in Mia if her family wasn't wealthy is correct. That is what fueled him in his hunt of money and adoration for himself.

We now know Paul was abused as a child. It answers the question of why he was the way he was. But it doesn't justify his behavior. Even though we have choices we do need to follow some set of rules. And if Paul goes off, without answer for what he did, people would be in chaos. And justice wouldn't prevail. As it did for Paul at the end.

It's hard to say if I feel sorry for Paul's mother. I almost forgot about her. Since Paul does talk about his father mostly. She did go through mental and physical anguish. Its easy to say she should of stood up for herself and Paul. Again Paul punishes her for something she couldn't control..

Buck is motivated by doing good. I didn't know his background was so intense til later on. But he saw that Mia needed help, she was his neighbor and he helped her. Didn't hurt that he had feelings for her. Losing his wife is terrible and lonely. To find happiness twice, rare. Buck symbolizes the link to put right what is wrong. The knight in shining armor. He was the calm effect.

I give Best Day Ever 4
Predictable but good! There is another story in there with them all. Especially the kids. Kind of creepy that one of the boys say the same thing as his father. Best Day Ever!



 

Wednesday, September 22, 2021

The Sweeney Sisters


I believe this is a first time author for me. I don't have many sisters but I did enjoy how each sister's personality was brought out.

The first question is which of Bill Sweeney's daughters do I most resemble? I believe it is Liza. Married, children, "holding the fort down". When someone needs something done if I can do it, it gets done. Reliable!
I guess I am the glue that tries to keep family together. I certainly try to keep in touch with all. And I think each Sweeney sister did their part to hold the family together. Each softened up and thought of each other as they learnt more about themselves as well as Serena.

The sisters were guilty of suppressing and denying things in their own lives just like their father, Bill. Tricia denied that anyone could be worthy of being a Sweeney. Never seemed good enough. Always a debate. Maggie never got support. Her talent was questionable to Maggie. And Liza seemed to get the anger that her father had for her mother. Which made Liza strive more to be perfect. Perfect enough not to see what's happening around her with her own married life.

Should Bill had said, met up with Serena? Yes I believe he should of. He made it about himself that the hurt would still break his heart. And the failures were too dramatic for him. Bill should of let that up to Serena to decide what kind of person he was. And why Serena did the things she did, including her career she has.

I probably would react the same way if I met a long lost sister I didn't know about. I would consider the timing of it all like Serena, came to be around their father's death. First question would be what does she want? Even if she wanted to get to know her sisters there's got to be a reason. And for Serena being a journalist, writing a book I would be cautious.

No I don't think taking DNA test should be a cautionary tale. It opens up a lot for people. People who are looking for something. Wanting to belong. As well as medical issues. For me I don't feel the need to take a DNA test myself. I'm happy for what I know.

I didn't like what Bill did and burned Maeve's poems. It was so childlike to feel that she was so much better them he. It would of been something to be proud of. That both had their unique way of expressing themselves. What could a woman that passed do to him now. I actually thought he was a decent person in the beginning. Writers have there quirks. But at the end Bill was down right mean. So glad that the project that sisters had planned will honor their mother with the last poems she wrote.

Learning the truth about Serena I think was a positive experience for the Sweeneys. It taught them a lot of themselves and how they can change for the better.

I think Maggie became a good mother. I think she continued to flourish with her paintings. Although not the typical family. She makes it work. I think for Tricia  she takes a not so hard core life as a lawyer. But as a good lawyer that cares for the people. I think eventually she will have that life that she wanted with Raj and children. With Raj she becomes softer. Liza I believe she straighten things out with the divorce  from Whit. A hard road ahead but makes it work with her children. And eventually when th time is right she finds her way back to her true love. And as for Serena. She had the career that she wants. Book gets published. And finds herself what she really wanted to be part of a sisterhood.

I give The Sweeney Sisters 5  
When the mood strikes I might look into another book of Lian Dolan