The Jetsetters: A Novel Paperback – March 30, 2021

The story is told through all fours perspectives which really created connections between the characters and myself. I found I was feeling what they were feeling, I was experiencing their confusion and joy at times. The story is beautiful written and the characters really came to life for me on the page. I really wanted the funny story that it was suppose to be, i didn’t find much humor in the book, it was very good but it wasn’t comical. Some heavy topics were discussed like suicide, and alcoholism. I felt like alcoholism was spot on in her story telling, she really gave me a glimpse into the feelings and the turmoil that the character felt. I loved every second of the beginning and middle of the book, the ending was lacking for me though and is where it lost a star from me. I was still left questioning a lot, I’m not opposed to books that leave me wanting more, those are the best books! But this one had me questioning a lot of what made the characters who they are and who they were. I felt it was rushed, just when i felt the characters were having break throughs and were going to really mend the pieces of they’re family, the chapters bounced back and forth so quick between characters and nothing was really answered. Characters who had had big moments that changed they’re lives and there person, didn’t have the break throughs i thought they should have had with each other, they had personal ones but didn’t really understand each others. Your left to infer that the family mended, the symbolic meaning of a picture is meant to close the story, I didn’t feel like it was done. I really enjoyed the book though, it had me engaged the whole time I was reading it. I will be reading more books by Amanda Eyre Ward in the future, I feel she has a way of telling an engaging story.

I felt like there was too much going on with this story. The characters don't connect with each other - and I get why - but the ending did not follow and there was no clear explanation of build up to the change. It was written segmented and stayed that way for me. I was bothered that people wouldn't show up for meals or to leave port and apparently nobody noticed. Just not happy readIng. However you kept readIng because the writing is good and you want to know what happens. Would have been better with less attempts at suspense. Either tell us what the telegram is it don't but stop teasing us with small plot lines.

I’ve been reading Amanda Eyre Ward for fifteen years. She always offers surprising and interesting takes on contemporary issues. She writes with an assured voice and addresses thought provoking and timely issues. Her newest Jetsetters is no exception. It’s a compulsively readable take on a dysfunctional and estranged family forced together in the hot house of a cruise. As a Reese Witherspoon selection, she’s sure to gain new fans and followers. Well deserved.

While the story was ok, the writing was not. There’s a TON of dialogue in this book, but the ONLY word the author could come up with when writing the conversations was SAID. I read 1-5 books per week, am over age 50, but I have NEVER read such awful writing. She could have used Google-“words to use in place of SAID”-550 examples. On page 254, she finally used “pronounced” & “trilled” but then went back to the overuse of SAID.The editor failed this author.The other annoying thing the author did at the beginning of the book was name-drop high dollar brands. Over & over. There are better ways to describe the wealth of people.These things are perhaps more noticeable on the audible addition. Hearing the same word ad nauseum is like nails on a chalkboard.

Overall, I enjoyed this book.BUT, I think that the publishers made some mistakes with the cover and summary blurb. Like many other readers, I picked up this book thinking that it was going to be fairly light-hearted and have some humorous moments with a sprinkle of drama. Friends, this book is a cocktail of HEAVY topics with a cute little umbrella in the glass.Once you get past that, the novel is quite good. The characters are fairly complex and all are haunted by demons of the past. Though he is not a character present in the novel, their volatile father/husband and the impact of his relationship with his wife and each of his children is really strongly felt throughout the novel and it isn't very pretty.I would recommend this book to those looking for a heavy, thoughtful read, and to those who really like to read about complicated family relationships.I would NOT recommend this book to anyone sensitive to or triggered by mental health, abuse, or addiction issues. I guess that to give a warning like that may seem like a spoiler, but I really think it was a bit irresponsible of the publisher to not include something to indicate that this book could be triggering to readers.

What at first glance would seem to be a light hearted book about a grown family traveling on a cruise turns out to be a poignant book about love. The characters struggle to find love and to resolve their childhood memories. The characters show depth and emotion. There are moments of humor and many of struggles to find their true selves. I didn’t give the book four stars because I did feel at times it was a bit too erratic jumping from character to character for narration. It felt like there should be a bit more in each of the stories The family dynamics did feel very realistic and their struggles felt real. It was just the flow and a desire for more depth in storylines that made me wish for a bit more

This book was a bit slow to start, but quickly picked up the story and then it was all hands on deck. A good read that kept me turning the pages.

I think I’ll give this a 3.5. It wasn’t amazing or even great but I enjoyed reading it and thought the characters and scenes of the cruise and Europe were fun and entertaining. I wouldn’t say it’s 100% light hearted though with a bit of family drama, divorce, alcoholism, suicide, etc in the mix. It’s a tough book to review but it was a quick read and less dark than my normal which I liked.

This is an enjoyable read but I found myself having to persevere to finish the book. It was not the best book I’ve read this summer and the ending was abrupt and left me feeling unsatisfied.

I was a little let down by the book and very shocked it was part of Reese’s book club. The characters are very 2 dimensional with very predictable stories. Easy to read but wouldn’t recommend it .

Told from the points of view of 3 siblings and their mother, this book talks of their past family history and their relationships with each other in the present day. Each of them is misunderstood and in reality they all really love each other but it takes a trip to Europe and some dysfunctionality to actually bring them to realise that. Whether or not you enjoy the book, you're definitely going to want to visit Europe after this one.

Ich habe das Buch zwar bis zum Schluss gelesen... Es hat mir aber so gar nicht gefallen.Die Charaktere sind finde ich eher 'flach' - alle haben Probleme und können schlecht damit umgehen - aber diese eher anstrengende Art der Autorin auf die Probleme einzugehen ist eher schwierig...Mir hat aber auch die Story an sich nicht gefallen...Wer kann denn an so wunderschöne Orte der Welt reisen... Und was macht man dort? Trinken und am Strand baden? Da wird kein Klischee ausgelassen.Da hätte ich mal lieber zu einem anderen Buch greifen sollen. Das war 'verschwendete' Zeit. Schade.

I felt let down by this book. The story held great promise. But I found it a struggle to read. I didn't warm to any of the characters. Each one was looking for something in their lives that was missing. And each one blamed an over bearing father and husband for what was lacking. I thought this premise was weak, given that they'd had years to move on. Well written and the historical/touristy aspects were described well.