Member Reviews
I was fooled by the beautiful cover of this book and cannot lie I skipped a couple chapters just to read the ending and realized I never missed a thing. Although the characters were well written I had a hard time caring about them or getting invested in their lives. The fact that were so rich and entitled did not sit well. Sasha was the only character I truly enjoyed and felt for her having to deal with the Stockton family and their elitist and trivial problems. Thank you to NetGalley and Jenny Jackson for the opportunity to read this novel and get a peek into the lives of the rich and spoiled.
this was just alright - i get the moral of "not all the money in the world can buy you happiness" or money cannot take all your troubles away. Still, i felt that this was a bit shallow because it didn't do much more than that. i don't think this book did anything new with the concept, and didn't really sell me on the characters who were just different iterations of the same woman. i didn't hate it, as i think it at least deserves 3 stars but i definitely do not see it as some revelatory insight into the 'truly hard lives' of the rich and luxurious
This was a good book. But I really had to work to keep myself engaged. The MC's didn't pull me in and I wasn't invested in their stories. The story was a little slower then I would like but the writing was beautiful. Wasn't a win for me but don't let me sway you away from the novel.
There is a lot of buzz around this book and I can definitely see the appeal. However, I couldn't get into it. Characters and plot points failed to engage me as a reader. An elevated writing style was a highlight but I can't say I'll think of this book again.
It was a bit slow for me but I did love the character development. I wish there were more twists along the way.
Cute character driven novel about the Stockton family through the eyes of the two sisters and their brothers wife. There is a social commentary on wealth and privilege but also figuring out our place in the world. The writing style gave the book made it easy to sink into the lives of these women. While I enjoy character driven work this book didn’t necessarily have the depth to make it memorable.
I liked Jackson’s writing style and how quickly I could immerse myself into the lives of the uber-rich portrayed in this novel. I also loved the cover art and found it striking.
The story unfolds through the perspectives of three uber-rich women within a family. There was some attempt at discussion around social issues around wealth, privilege, etc, but they were more of passing comments rather than the characters actually reflecting on the social issues mentioned. Didn’t think there was much character development done throughout the novel, which made it a little disappointing.
Great read about a very rich (old and new money)family and many changes of attitude and beliefs are challenged and dealt with by the children born into the money. Great character developement and realistic interactions. Loved it!
This book had me hooked from the first chapter! The dynamic between the family members was unique and captured my attention. The writing was clear and had the right mix of wit, detail and description. Families are complicated, especially when they come with expectations. Seeing the characters grow throughout the story was great to read and I was definitely rooting for all of them to succeed! I am eagerly awaiting the next book by Jenny Jackson.
Pineapple Street is a book that readers will either love or hate. I loved it! It is a character-driven novel set in New York, revolving around a wealthy family dealing with their fair share of struggle.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
can someone say, RICH PEOPLE PROBLEMS?! I am obsessedddd with books like this. if you were to ask me what happens in it, I don’t think I’d able to answer because it’s just so character-driven. the entire Stockton family is their own version of problematic, but you can’t help but become so immersed in their family drama. when I tell you, I didn’t want to leave? give me a hundred sequels, I’ll read about them until they’re no more.
thank you Penguin Canada and Viking Books for my eARC!
I wasn't able to get into this, which was extremely unfortunate because I was looking forward to this storyline. The writing didn't grab be, and pushed myself through the end. Overall, the story was beautiful, but it wasn't my favourite
Loved this book! Great writing, great characterization (even if the characters weren't always likeable). A story that will definitely stick with me.
I really enjoyed this. It's a family drama involving members from a rich family in Brooklyn. There's three siblings, two spouses and the parents. The story is told from three perspectives: the two sisters and the sister-in-law. Lot of family dynamics, unspoken prejudices based on their upbringing, people learning to think of things from a different perspective.
Overall I thought it was a really great book.
This was a fun read that would have been great on vacation. It was maybe a little too long (the last 50-75 pages dragged a bit for me). I thought the premise was intriguing.
An enjoyable read with a few unlikeable characters. A tale about how the 1% lives and their sometimes, oblivion to how the rest of the world live. It took one of the Stockton children, Cord, to marry out of money to bring awareness to the story by bringing in Sasha to bring attention to reality. The Stocktons come from old money and mother Tilda is both oblivious to those who aren't as rich as much as she's oblivious to the what's really going on with her adult children - Cord, Darley and Georgianna.
Darley gives up her career for her husband Malcolm to raise two children and harbors a sore spot for her brother Cord who marries the middle class, artist, Sasha who were given Cord's parents' house on Pineapple Street to live in. Sasha finds it a bit like an old fashioned gaudy mansion of days of past and is scrutinized for her decisions, wanting more simplicity, by her upper class sister-in-laws and mother-in-law. Sasha tries to be friends with everyone, but her bougie sister-in-laws call her a gold digger behind her back - when clearly, she is not. In fact, her acceptance of signing a prenup (at her mother in-law's insistence) with lame defense from Cord who fluffs it off as though it was for his own protection, would have been enough to send me packing - especially when his defense was 'his family comes first', before his wife to be.
Darley's husband loses his important job and is afraid to let her parents know. Georgianna is a spoiled young woman who has no understanding about money. She falls in love with a married guy, believing he'll leave his (pregant) wife for her some day, until tragedy strikes and Georgianna falls into a crazed depression, but her family are too self-centered to even notice until she loses it at Sasha's baby reveal, and all the ugly truths start coming out.
At the end, the characters begin to recognize their flaws, apologies are made, and poor Sasha finally gets her wish for a brand new home - away from Pineapple Street.
I truly enjoyed reading this one! Jenny Jackson quickly swept me away into the story about the wealthy Stockton family.
The Stockton family live in Brooklyn Heights, NY. The family home is located on Pineapple Street. Chip and Tilda Stockton both are from old wealthy families. They have three grown children, Darley, Cord and Georgiana. The story focuses on three characters:
Darley, is the eldest Stockton daughter and she is married to Malcolm and they have two young children. Darley left her money in trust to her future children when she married Malcolm and the family has hit a recent bump in the road.
Sasha, is newly married to the only son Cord. She comes from a middle class family and is finding it hard to adjust to the Stockton's way of life.
Georgiana, is the baby of the family. At 25 she's living alone and partying with her friends. A little spoiled and unsure of herself she wants to find love.
This is very much a character driven story about the daily lives and problems of the family members. It's not particularly fast but it is intriguing. I always wanted to keep reading to find out what would happen next. I really liked the ending! 🍍
Available March 7, 2023 and onwards
I'd like to kindly thank NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada (Viking) for granting me access to this Advance Reader Copy.
"Pineapple Street" by Jenny Jackson is a stunning debut novel that has received high praise from readers and critics alike. Here are some reasons why it deserves a five-star rating:
Engaging Characters: The novel's cast of characters is a diverse and compelling group that draws the reader in from the first page. Jackson has a talent for creating complex, multi-dimensional characters that feel like real people.
Beautiful Prose: Jackson's writing style is lyrical and elegant, with rich descriptions of both the physical and emotional landscapes of her characters. Her prose is both evocative and accessible, making the novel a pleasure to read.
Nuanced Themes: "Pineapple Street" explores themes of family, love, loss, and the search for identity in a way that is both sensitive and nuanced. Jackson's approach to these weighty topics is thoughtful and thought-provoking, inviting the reader to engage with them on a deeper level.
Engrossing Plot: The novel's plot is expertly crafted, with twists and turns that keep the reader hooked until the very end. Jackson has a gift for pacing and tension that keeps the story moving along at a satisfying clip.
Overall, "Pineapple Street" is a stunning debut novel that showcases Jenny Jackson's considerable talents as a writer. Its engaging characters, beautiful prose, nuanced themes, and engrossing plot make it a must-read for anyone who loves literary fiction. If you're looking for a novel that will stay with you long after you finish reading it, "Pineapple Street" is an excellent choice.
This debut novel from Jenny Jackson is a fun glimpse into the lives of the 1%, through an extended family who lives in Brooklyn Heights. Specifically, we follow three women of the Stockton family. Sasha, who married into the family, Georgiana who is the youngest daughter and is struggling with her life’s meaning after falling head over heels in love with someone who won’t truly be hers, and Darley, the oldest daughter who gave up her inheritance when she got married and committed fully to a motherhood role.
This book isn’t wild and plot-driven, but it is funny at times and immerses the reader into this privileged life, and you feel like you have a ring-side seat complete with a big bowl of buttery popcorn.
It is a fun story to lose yourself in and I enjoyed it. The cover is stunning as well!
Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada for the electronic advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.
This book is a literary fiction story told from 3 different perspectives. It follows the lives 3 narrators. Jenny's writing is very compelling, it made me think of family dynamics. It had humor throughout which made me smile while reading. It flowed well, was an easy read that kept me coming back for more. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys women's fiction and family drama. Go read it, it's very entertaining.