Friday, January 30, 2015

Review: Walking on Trampolines by Frances Whiting

22609591Release date: February 3rd 2015
Publisher: Gallery Books
Purchase: Amazon


Synopsis via Goodreads:

From the day Annabelle Andrews sashays into her classroom, Tallulah ‘Lulu’ de Longland is bewitched: by Annabelle, by her family, and by their sprawling, crumbling house tumbling down to the river.


Their unlikely friendship intensifies through a secret language where they share confidences about their unusual mothers, first loves, and growing up in the small coastal town of Juniper Bay. But the euphoria of youth rarely lasts, and the implosion that destroys their friendship leaves lasting scars and a legacy of self-doubt that haunts Lulu into adulthood.

Years later, Lulu is presented with a choice: remain the perpetual good girl who misses out, or finally step out from the shadows and do something extraordinary. And possibly unforgivable…

It’s not how far you fall, but how high you bounce.


*Publisher Approved via Netgalley




Walking on Trampolines was quite a story. Lulu's interesting life journey certainly lived up to the name. Sure it had it's far from perfect moments, but I still  liked the delivery of how strong and valued a friendship could be, as well as how something that happened in your teen years can impact your adult years. 

The opening chapter brought forth a shocker, with a best friend's betrayal. But once I got into the story it became clear that Lulu--even though she was drunk and that still didn't justify her actions-- had been betrayed prior. I honestly couldn't understand why she would even allow these people back in her life after what they did to her as a teen. No wonder Annabelle couldn't stay mad at her. I guess you can call it karma. That aside, I don't agree with them keeping Josh in their lives, no matter as a friend or husband. What tha hell. That part didn't rub me right, but hey, people deal with things differently and if they want to forgive and forget and keep him around, then whatever rocks their boat. 

As for the plot and my overall feelings about the story, it swayed between three and four stars throughout. I felt like it was good for the most part, with the great writing and the way in which the author established the characters. I liked Lulu's friends, minus Annabelle, but Duncan in particular. He was a wonderful inclusion. The things he said and did for Lulu showed the kind of person he was and I loved the impression he made on her and others when he was being himself. 

The mom and dad were... different. Not the average parents you read in books. For one, Lulu called them by their names, like Annabelle did with hers. Both families were alike in some ways, and not so much in others. Lulu's mom had some unique issues. I'd never read about a woman giving her dresses names. That was crazy, yet interesting. Harry, Lulu's dad, was an impeccable man. He took care of his family along with Lulu, while his wife battled the troubles in her head. I liked how Harry pushed Lulu to leave the comfort of her home and go out and find her own life. It's not often that fathers are present in books so Harry's character was a delight. 

Like I said, it's a great story with lucid writing and thought-provoking moments. However, the reason why my feelings were up and down throughout is because of a few things. The first issue I had right off was the fact that Lulu would take us back in time, and there wouldn't always be a warning of these transitions. So at times I'd be confused as to where she was in time. Another thing is that it became somewhat draggy from the middle towards the end. Following the passing of a very well-liked character, I didn't expect the story to carry on the way it did. I wanted a lot of things to wrap up and for Lulu to move on but it seemed like it was taking forever. Finally, she did, but then something terrible happened again and it made me want to stop reading altogether. But then had a change of heart when I saw that things were starting to conclude and Lulu was going to move on after all. 

So, overall, Walking on Trampolines is worth a read. You'll feel like you're on trampolines while reading this one for sure, but if you don't mind a steady pace with a character going back down memory lane or a mother who names her dresses according to her moods, then this one might interest you. 



3 comments:

  1. This sounds interesting, I am not sure how I feel about feeling like I am on a trampoline - but I still might take it on!
    Missie @ A Flurry of Ponderings

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Lol it's just a reference to how the story was with Lulu going back and forth. Hope you like it.

      Delete
  2. So the story has sort of flashbacks??? I only like them when they have some relevance to the story.
    I see that despite the little issues you could enjoy the story... 4 stars is a lot
    Ruty @Reading...Dreaming

    ReplyDelete

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