Member Reviews
Didn't love the mid life self discovery. Didn't love the neighbor interactions. This just wasn't a good fit for me or my humor.
I would not cal this “outrageously funny” — in fact, i’d call it outrageously infuriating. Might be my personal experience bias here, but being that I’ve lived through the nightmare of a construction site next to your house causing problems and not being up to board standards, this was extremely frustrating to read!
There were some great lines here, but I wasn’t too happy with how things wrapped up, particularly with Kathleen and Tom. All of my issues with the book are about the plot, and not the writing. It was a really well written debut, but the story line wasn’t for me.
It takes place in a beach town, but definitely not a as much of a lighthearted beach read as I expected!! Didn’t leave that satisfied feeling at the end, either. Just more frustration.
From the description, I expected to really enjoy this book. Unfortunately it was a bit too meandering, and though I somewhat enjoyed the voice of main character Kathleen (who wouldn't have felt out of place in a Fannie Flagg novel) by about 35 percent of the way through I was wondering when something would happen that would make me feel like continuing to read was worth my time.
I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
A novel about starting over later in life and, in the process, finding your way back to certain people.
I tend to enjoy stories about starting over unexpectedly, as I like the concept of figuring yourself out all over again. Unfortunately, "Save What's Left" didn't really do it for me. I really struggled with all of Kathleen's decisions - most of which were never fully fleshed out. It felt too much like she made a bunch of bad choices and then tried to get someone to do something about them. Just not my cup of tea.
I really, really wanted to like this book. I didn't care for it. I didn't like the characters much. I don't think any of them had any redeeming qualities. And, frankly, Kathleen was the worst. Tom, Josie and Rosemay weren't far behind. I got so tired of the long drawn out emails to Supervisor White that I stopped reading them. I finally started just skimming the book, then jumped ahead to see if I felt it was worth continuing to read, then just gave up.
I couldn't understand Kathleen's decision to purchase a house she had never seen. Even if the pictures on the web looked great, when she saw the house, she should have sued the realtor for false advertising, lying, etc. And who orders a white couch for a house on the beach, has it delivered before they arrive without making arrangements to have it taken inside. Her friend Jose lived there, surely she could have asked her for help. The premise was good, it just didn't live up to it - in my opinion.
Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy of this book. Kathleen is shocked when her husband decides to leave her and go on a world cruise, so she sells everything and moves to a small beach town to start over. Well, living the beach life is not what she expected at all.
A quick, funny read for the summertime! While I enjoyed the reading experience, I don't know that the characters will stick with me long-term though.
This is an interesting story of a small beach town and the politics that goes along with it. Kathleen is the protagonist who after a long-term marriage finds herself looking for a new beginning. For many years her friend Josie has sent her a Christmas card from a picturesque beach town where she lives. Kathlee answers an ad for a beach cottage and moves there. It is not what she expected. Her neighbors are cantankerous, the select board is impossible to deal with and her closest neighbor is building a huge square house next to her thus blocking her view. This neighboring house is nicknamed "The Sugar Cube." Very funny, yet sad story of trying to start over.
I had a hard time connecting with Kathleen. It was really hard for me to get past all the arguing and bickering to enjoy the book.
“Save What’s Left” by Elizabeth Casatellano
Something Different
Well, the story was well written. It was billed as outrageously funny, but not sure what is wrong with me, as the story never tickled my funny-bone. Actually, I did get rather bored, like you do with a comic that is not making you laugh. I do hope you find the humor. Happy Reading ! !
NOTE: This review expresses my honest opinion.
I received an ARC of this story from the publisher via NetGalley
This is a humorous book about finding yourself, the hard way. Rather like being pulled backwards through a knothole and finding you sort of enjoy the pain.
Kathleen’s husband announces one morning that he must go find himself. His first step is to take a cruise around the world.
Kathleen moves to the east coast to find herself. She has visions of being able to look out her window and see the ocean and the sand and the beauty. What she actually finds is that she has purchased a shack, sight unseen. The shack is next to what is becoming a McMansion. And McMansions are against city code.
But, unfortunately, no one in the city cares. Kathleen does her best to let the city know what is happening on her street. And NO ONE CARES.
There is humor about Kathleen’s attempt to get someone, anyone, to enforce the rules. Evidently, the rules do not apply in this case. After some study, it appears the rules do not apply, ever.
The book made me laugh.
I do have a complaint. After a time, I felt so much of this was repetitious. I had hoped for a little less of the same written complaints.
Ms Castellano is a new to me author. I like her humor. She is a master at creating the exact atmosphere of a hamster running on a broken wheel.
She is a talented author and I did enjoy the book.
I received this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I am voluntarily writing this review and all opinions are completely my own.
A quick, quirky story about starting over and the good and bad of the unknown. Kathleen's husband decides he wants a divorce after 30 years to travel the world. Kathleen, with nothing left besides a house full of old furniture, decides its time for her to start over as well by buying a beach house, sight unseen. She packs herself up from Kansas City and relocates to the East Coast where she is met with grumpy nosy neighbors and headaches. Can Kathleen learn to fit in? Is this the new start in life she hoped for?
This book was full of humor, antics and self discovery. Thanks to Netgalley and Vintage Anchor for the ARC.
This is a crazy rendition about a woman whose husband leaves for a world cruise without her, begins a divorce, and moves to an Eastern coastal town. She becomes immersed in town business and antics with her aged neighbor, Rosemary. Their deeds are nuts and delightful. Anyone over fifty will relate.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
It’s surprising how the year round residents of a resort town have a different view from the tourists. Kathleen, newly separated from her husband Tom, is a little of both. Although she is a resident, having bought a cottage, sight unseen, she has never been to Whitley, on Long Island. She is a woman of the Midwest!
Gradually, she learns the ins and outs of local politics and real estate issues, and, over the course of time, settles in to a new life as a year- rounder!
This book was funny. I couldn’t put it down. The characters were relatable and the twist was not predictable. A good read!
This book is your perfect summer read. While it’s not about romance or dreamy vacation it is more about a women who finds herself in a new town in a beach house she bought unseen. Nothing seems to be going in her favor. Her husband after 30 years decides he doesn’t want to be married anymore and books a 6 months cruise. Kathleen sells the house and everything. She does keep her husbands collection of vintage radios out of spite but also feels the time spent finding them they deserve a home. It’s just a wild ride of this lady embarking on a new beginning in a new town. It’s funny in a sitcom kind of way as the way things begins to u fold just seem so comical. I enjoyed this story and thought it was a great fun read. Many thanks to Vintage Anchor, Anchor and NetGalley for the digital review copy of this novel. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
I really enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone looking for a quick read.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Vintage Anchor for this Advanced Reader Copy, in exchange for my honest review.
I was excited to read this book based on the description. It seemed like a quirky story about a woman starting over.
The story is about Kathleen, who finds herself divorcing after 30 years and moving herself from Kansas to a beach town. She finds herself intwined with small town politics and fighting her neighbors who are building a ridiculous house.
The story was quirky, and funny, but seemed to get a little lost. Kathleen becomes one of those complaining town members and loses some of her likeability throughout the story. I will admit that I enjoyed the sarcastic humor but over all the story was just okay for me.
The writing was nice and read easily. I hope that this author continues to share her talent.
This book is about a woman whose husband decides to leave her out of the blue. She decides to move across the country to fulfill her dream of buying a beach house. Her dream turns into a nightmare when the new neighbors start building a giant house. This book is humorous but just not my cup of tea.