Publisher’s Description

Diana O’Toole is perfectly on track. She will be married by thirty, done having kids by thirty-five, and move out to the New York City suburbs, all while climbing the professional ladder in the cutthroat art auction world. She’s an associate specialist at Sotheby’s now, but her boss has hinted at a promotion if she can close a deal with a high-profile client. She’s not engaged just yet, but she knows her boyfriend, Finn, a surgical resident, is about to propose on their romantic getaway to the Galápagos—days before her thirtieth birthday. Right on time.

But then a virus that felt worlds away has appeared in the city, and on the eve of their departure, Finn breaks the news: It’s all hands on deck at the hospital. He has to stay behind. You should still go, he assures her, since it would be a shame for all of their nonrefundable trip to go to waste. And so, reluctantly, she goes.

Almost immediately, Diana’s dream vacation goes awry. Her luggage is lost, the Wi-Fi is nearly nonexistent, and the hotel they’d booked is shut down due to the pandemic. In fact, the whole island is now under quarantine, and she is stranded until the borders reopen. Completely isolated, she must venture beyond her comfort zone. Slowly, she carves out a connection with a local family when a teenager with a secret opens up to Diana, despite her father’s suspicion of outsiders.

Details

  • Rating: ☆☆
  • Genre:  Women’s Fiction
  • Length: 322 pages
  • Publisher:  Ballantine Books
  • Release Date: November 30, 2021

My Thoughts

The backdrop for this unusual book is the Covid pandemic. And the story spares no words regarding the suffering involved from having the virus, so that alone may be a game-changer for you. Plus, political thoughts are subtly tucked into this twisty story, and for, me that’s not okay. When I read fiction I want to leave politics WAY behind me.

To say this book fell short for me is putting it mildly.

It’s March 2020 in New York City and the story revolves around Diana O’Toole, an associate specialist with Sotheby’s, whose best friend is Rodney. But Covid is about to sink its teeth into her personal life, and her job is about to take an unexpected dive. 

Diana’s boyfriend, Finn, is a surgeon and she is disappointed that due to this new virus outbreak he won’t be able to go with her on their trip to the Galápagos Islands. She is sure he plans to propose to her, but with her boyfriend busy at the hospital will she go on this trip without him? 

My Concerns

This story felt a bit all over the place. And for those who have suffered through Covid or lost loved ones, this will hit close to home with vivid details.

When I finally got to the last page and closed the book I had to say, 

  • It wasn’t a memoir
  • It wasn’t a get-away-from-reality book
  • It felt depressing
  • At times it felt like a researched textbook with a plethora of details
  • It wasn’t a page-turner or a book I cared to finish, yet curiosity forced me to
  • Was the point that Covid can tamper with relationships?
  • Is it meant to be a subtle political statement? Nah, too vague.
  • We should analyze life more deeply?
  • I can guess, but my guess is that the twist in the story really didn’t warrant the ending, or how confusing the book was.

This book has some good ratings, but to me, it’s a mystery why?

Final Thoughts

I loved the character, Rodney. I like the book cover. It was unique.

I hate not to recommend a book. But even though the writing is good, I just can’t get behind this one.

My thanks to NetGalley for an ARC ebook to review. All thoughts are completely my own.

Rating

Rating: 2 out of 5.

2 Stars – Read At The Risk Of Being Disappointed

About the Author

Jodi Picoult is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of twenty-five novels, including Small Great Things, Leaving Time, The Storyteller, Lone Wolf, Sing You Home, House Rules, Handle with Care, Change of Heart, Nineteen Minutes, and My Sister’s Keeper. She is also the author, with daughter Samantha van Leer, of two young adult novels, Between the Lines and Off the Page. Picoult lives in New Hampshire with her husband and three children.

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2 Comments

  1. I always wonder about books that have such high ratings. I mean not EVERY book is actually a good one.

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