Almost Love

by Louise O'Neill | Women's Fiction |
ISBN: 1784298875 Global Overview for this book
Registered by Lamilla of Мінск / Minsk, Minsk Belarus on 11/24/2019
Buy from one of these Booksellers:
Amazon.com | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon DE | Amazon FR | Amazon IT | Bol.com
This book is in a Controlled Release! This book is in a Controlled Release!
12 journalers for this copy...
Journal Entry 1 by Lamilla from Мінск / Minsk, Minsk Belarus on Sunday, November 24, 2019
Paperback, new.

"Almost love" is a contemporary story on devastating effects of unrequited love. I was shocked how true to life O'Neill description is! It was not a pleasant read, but deeply touching one. I must note that the book blurb is a bit misleading - I disagree with "abusive relationship" label

Let me know what you think about the book

Journal Entry 2 by Lamilla at Мінск / Minsk, Minsk Belarus on Monday, December 9, 2019
This is my choice for FAVOURITE BOOK OF 2019 ROUNDABOUT
https://www.bookcrossing.com/forum/20/564357

It is not my favourite book of the year (not even the second place), but I rated it 5 stars and it is light and available in English.

Travelling order:
Icila (France) - done
Billbooks (Australia) - done
mathgirl40 (Canada) - done
mcsar (Canada) - done
valpete (USA) - done
originalslicey (USA) - skipped
dark-draco (UK) - done
earthcaroleanne (UK) - done
Cross-patch (UK) - done
greenbadger (UK) - done
estelle1806 (Ireland) - done
Fifna (the Netherlands)
dutch-book (the Netherlands)
back to Lamilla

Journal Entry 3 by wingIcilawing at Nantes, Pays de la Loire France on Thursday, December 12, 2019
The book is here, thank you Lamilla.

Journal Entry 4 by wingIcilawing at Nantes, Pays de la Loire France on Friday, January 3, 2020
Everything changes and nothing changes...

Journal Entry 5 by wingIcilawing at Nantes, Pays de la Loire France on Thursday, January 16, 2020

Released 4 yrs ago (1/17/2020 UTC) at Nantes, Pays de la Loire France

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

On its way to Billbooks in Australia. Have a nice time.

Journal Entry 6 by Billbooks at Malvern East, Victoria Australia on Wednesday, August 12, 2020
Finally journaled I'm on my reading path again time to get this read and moveed on thaanks Ludmilla

Journal Entry 7 by Billbooks at Malvern East, Victoria Australia on Sunday, September 6, 2020
. Sorry Ludmilla IO had trouble with this book. I'd read a few pages put it don dip into another book try this again it just didn 't get me in and I found the main protaganist extremel;y annoying aqnd unsympathetic. shall pass onto Mathgirl40

Journal Entry 8 by wingmathgirl40wing at Waterloo, Ontario Canada on Saturday, October 3, 2020
This book has arrived in Canada!

Journal Entry 9 by wingmathgirl40wing at Waterloo, Ontario Canada on Saturday, October 24, 2020
Reading this book was a roller-coaster ride. I really struggled for the first half of the book, as it was, in so many ways, an unpleasant experience. Yet, like the proverbial train-wreck, I had a hard time tearing my eyes from it and ended up reading the second half rather compulsively (appropriate, as one of the themes is the obsessive behaviour of the main character). I can't say I enjoyed this novel at all, but I think the story will stay with me for a long while.

Journal Entry 10 by wingmathgirl40wing at Waterloo, Ontario Canada on Saturday, October 24, 2020

Released 3 yrs ago (10/24/2020 UTC) at Waterloo, Ontario Canada

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

This book is on its way to mcsar now.

Journal Entry 11 by wingmathgirl40wing at Waterloo, Ontario Canada on Saturday, October 24, 2020

Released 3 yrs ago (10/24/2020 UTC) at Waterloo, Ontario Canada

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

This book is on its way to mcsar now.

Journal Entry 12 by wingmcsarwing at Richmond, British Columbia Canada on Friday, November 6, 2020
The book is here. I will start reading soon.

Journal Entry 13 by wingmcsarwing at Richmond, British Columbia Canada on Monday, November 16, 2020
It was a tough read, but I really "enjoyed" the book. Yes, the protagonist is not a nice person; but that is part of the point, isn't it? I appreciate books with anti-heroes. I find the book quite compelling. It is definitely one that leaves me ruminating.

Journal Entry 14 by wingmcsarwing at Richmond, British Columbia Canada on Thursday, November 19, 2020

Released 3 yrs ago (11/20/2020 UTC) at Richmond, British Columbia Canada

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

On its way to valpete.

Journal Entry 15 by valpete at Walnut Creek, California USA on Wednesday, November 25, 2020
Received!

Journal Entry 16 by valpete at Walnut Creek, California USA on Monday, December 7, 2020

Released 3 yrs ago (12/7/2020 UTC) at Walnut Creek, California USA

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

I'm not quite sure what to say about this book. There are so many layers to understanding the protagonist's life choices. Sarah is certainly unlikeable; the story is intense and uncomfortable. A good Roundabout book! Sending it across the Pond to the next Roundabout reader.

Journal Entry 17 by wingdark-dracowing at Ledbury, Herefordshire United Kingdom on Tuesday, December 15, 2020
Received ... thank you 😀

Journal Entry 18 by wingdark-dracowing at Ledbury, Herefordshire United Kingdom on Friday, January 22, 2021
I can't actually believe that I got to the end of this book. Because I really, really, really didn't like Sarah. I can't say that I managed to find an ounce of sympathy for her or the situation that she found herself in. Within the first few pages she turns up to a parent/teacher meeting (she's the teacher!), hungover from a night out drinking and taking drugs, is horrible to her father, and nasty to her boyfriend ... and that was the point that I decided I didn't actually care about what happened to this character. Even when I found out about her past and why she has issues with her father, I couldn't raise an ounce of compassion.

That said, the writing had me hooked. As Sarah self destructs, being rude to everyone around her, obsessing about a person who obviously has no real feelings for her, and basically being an 18 carot bitch, you just have to keep on reading to see how it all ends up. And I really liked the ending - there was no happy ever after, she wasn't forgiven, she has to face the consequences of her selfishness and the author cleverly leaves it all open so you can decide whether she manages to improve or not.

Released 3 yrs ago (2/9/2021 UTC) at Book Roundabout , -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Off to the next reader on the roundabout.

Journal Entry 20 by wingearthcaroleannewing at Falkirk, Scotland United Kingdom on Tuesday, February 16, 2021
Arrived today.

Journal Entry 21 by wingearthcaroleannewing at Falkirk, Scotland United Kingdom on Saturday, April 10, 2021
I complete agree with everything dark-draco has said. I really didn't like Sarah. She was so selfish and truly unpleasant, even nasty, to anyone and everyone; Oisin, Eddie, Fionn, Aisling and I had absolutely no sympathy for her. How she managed to keep her job as a teacher, I have no idea. Her relationship with Matthew was definitely abusive. Although there nothing explicitly described she mentioned bruises and, remember, not all abuse is physical.

I also didn't like they way it was written with then and now. I don't normally mind this style but it didn't work for me this time.

Journal Entry 22 by wingearthcaroleannewing at Falkirk, Scotland United Kingdom on Sunday, April 11, 2021

Released 2 yrs ago (4/11/2021 UTC) at Falkirk, Scotland United Kingdom

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

I will pop in the post box this afternoon.

Journal Entry 23 by wingCross-patchwing at Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Friday, April 30, 2021
It’s here now in sunny Leicestershire. I’ll get to it as soon as I can. It looks interesting.

Journal Entry 24 by wingCross-patchwing at Leicester, Leicestershire United Kingdom on Saturday, May 8, 2021
What have you done to me Lamilla? This book has left me thoroughly miserable. I get that it is well written and should have inspired other emotions but it has left me with few weapons to face a truly miserable wet day. Perhaps a bit of Jane Austen is called for!

Released 2 yrs ago (5/8/2021 UTC) at Book Roundabout , -- By post or by hand/ in person -- United Kingdom

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Going to the next in line.

Journal Entry 26 by winggreenbadgerwing at St Albans, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Wednesday, May 12, 2021
It's arrived, thank you!

Journal Entry 27 by winggreenbadgerwing at St Albans, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Thursday, May 20, 2021
The story follows two timelines, Sarah's present day relationship with Oisín which is being torn apart as she's repeatedly unkind to him, and her past relationship, or rather obsession, with the rich Matthew Brennan who is abusive to her. This is really well written and gripping, even though it's a bit like watching a car crash as Sarah's life falls apart. The trouble in Sarah's childhood leaving her insecure and vulnerable to abuse is handled sensitively, as is the long-term damage the abusive relationship causes. That said, I found it a really uncomfortable read and am not sure I would say I enjoyed it.

Journal Entry 28 by winggreenbadgerwing at St Albans, Hertfordshire United Kingdom on Friday, May 21, 2021

Released 2 yrs ago (5/21/2021 UTC) at St Albans, Hertfordshire United Kingdom

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Off to estelle1806.

Journal Entry 29 by wingestelle1806wing at Clonsilla, Co. Dublin Ireland on Friday, May 28, 2021
Thanks greenbadger.

Journal Entry 30 by wingestelle1806wing at Clonsilla, Co. Dublin Ireland on Sunday, June 6, 2021
A fast read. A very infuriating main character and a hard-to-digest topic. I did not like the writing style but overall I understand the point made by the author.
Thanks for sharing, Lamilla!

Journal Entry 31 by wingestelle1806wing at Voorburg, Zuid-Holland Netherlands on Monday, June 14, 2021

Released 2 yrs ago (6/8/2021 UTC) at Voorburg, Zuid-Holland Netherlands

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Travelling to the next reader on the 2019 Favourite Book Roundabout.

Please let us know when you release it again...

Journal Entry 32 by wingFifnawing at Voorburg, Zuid-Holland Netherlands on Thursday, June 24, 2021
Arrived safely, thanks estelle1806!

Journal Entry 33 by wingFifnawing at Voorburg, Zuid-Holland Netherlands on Wednesday, July 14, 2021
I'm in several minds about this book. Most of what I'm thinking has already been said: it's an unpleasant subject, Sarah is unlikable, and yet it's compelling reading. She is so unpleasant to everyone around her, but how much of that is her and how much is caused by her past experiences? People are scarred for life by abusive relationships and they in turn can end up hurting other people, maybe not physically, but still... So, no, I didn't enjoy this book as such, and it came at a time when I could have done with cheering up, but it has plenty of food for thought, so a good pick for the roundabout nevertheless. Thanks for sharing!

Journal Entry 34 by wingFifnawing at Heerenveen , Fryslân (Friesland) Netherlands on Monday, July 26, 2021

Released 2 yrs ago (7/26/2021 UTC) at Heerenveen , Fryslân (Friesland) Netherlands

CONTROLLED RELEASE NOTES:

Travelling to dutch-book.

Are you sure you want to delete this item? It cannot be undone.