A REVIEW.
The NSW coastline was one I explored on numerous occasions as a child, though family holidays never took us that far North. The descriptions of the Byron Bay area allowed me to picture the story as it unfolded and due to intrigue, I Googled an Eastern States map to fully comprehend how they could just duck up to the Gold Coast for the day. If I ever get back East, it may be an area I’d check out thanks to the descriptions used throughout the story.
There were so many aspects of this story that I loved, from the age of the main character (the same age as me), to the entire story line from start to finish and mostly being given an insight into a world I knew nothing about. I felt myself nodding on a few occasions agreeing with Aimee, I found her to be a relatable character and I could feel the emotion she would create using her “dead pan” responses, it felt as though I was right there.
The story line itself left me asking a few times ‘would that really happen?’ but then I concluded that, yeah, it probably could, stranger things have happened in real life news, than what unfolded in the story. The pace of the story moved along at a good speed and loved that the lives of all the main characters were tied off neatly and I wasn’t left wondering ‘what about?’.
My favourite characters would have to be Aimee and her niece Freya. I could relate a little to both. The interactions that they share show a strong family connection and that Aimee would do anything for her niece. Then add Rob into the mix with her various witty one liners and you aren’t left being bored. I feel that Aimee does well to navigate the drama that life has thrown her way and I’d like to hope that should I ever come across what she does, I’d have the same strength, determination, and weigh up all the options and not just take the easy way out, but to carry through with the tough decisions.
My favourite emotion raised from this story was of a ‘you go girl’ nature. For Aimee, the story could have taken very different turns along the way, however, the direction that Weir sent her was one that was believable and kept the story on a lighter and brighter walkway, and on a few occasions, I found myself saying ‘Aww, poor Aimee’. The title of the story itself drew me in, along with the bright colours used for visual captivation of the cover, however, once I begun reading, these points became null and void.
The writing style I found to be easy and clear. I didn’t have to re-read lines for understanding or clarity. The visual language used throughout the story made it easy to picture the scenes unfolding and I loved the fact that it often left me feeling as though I was watching a show rather than reading a book, not always easily achieved.
Would I read another book by this author? Absolutely. Especially if it is written along the same easy reading style as The Hemsworth Effect. Well Done, Weir!
Comments