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Kristy H (1252 KP) rated Past Perfect Life in Books

Oct 2, 2019

Past Perfect Life

Elizabeth Eulberg | 2019 | Fiction & Poetry

8.0

(2 Ratings)

Book Rating

Ally Smith has a happy life in Wisconsin with her dad and her friends. Her only worry is her college applications, but that’s normal. But when Ally officially filed them, they send up a red flag due to her social security number. It seems that Ally Smith isn’t Ally Smith. Her real name is Amanda, and now her happy life is no more. Is her whole life a lie? And what’s going to happen now?

If you’re looking for a captivating and emotional read, look no further than PAST PERFECT LIFE! I won this book via a LibraryThing giveaway, and it was so enjoyable! I found this to be a totally mesmerizing book. If I could have, I would have stayed up all night and read it in one sitting (believe me, I tried. Darn responsibilities.). Ally’s voice was unique, sweet, and just so well-done. The book has a teen style, but this Mama couldn’t stop reading. I loved that it was character-driven yet there was almost a tinge of mystery. It’s emotional, funny, romantic, and completely compelling! Highly recommend! 4 stars.

Kudos

Love Me or Grieve Me

Diane Vallere

9.0 (1 Ratings) Rate It

Book

Reports of Madison Night's death have been greatly exaggerated... When a junior copy editor at...

The Real Deal: The Autobiography of Britain's Most Controversial Media Mogul

Richard Desmond

(0 Ratings) Rate It

Book

From the age of five, when he helped his deaf father negotiate advertising contracts, Richard...

The Real Deal: The Autobiography of Britain's Most Controversial Media Mogul

Richard C. Desmond

8.0 (1 Ratings) Rate It

Book

From the age of five, when he helped his deaf father negotiate advertising contracts, Richard...

Phillip McSween (751 KP) rated Instant Family (2019) in Movies

Nov 18, 2019

Instant Family (2019)

2019 | Comedy, Drama

8.6

(24 Ratings)

Movie Rating

Surprise Treat

A couple looking to foster a teenager end up taking on an entire family of three. Instant Family will give you laughs, tears, and, most importantly, insight.

Acting: 10

Beginning: 4
The movie doesn’t exactly come out of the gates swinging. You’re meeting the couple for the first time and you see what their life is like pre-kids. I understand it’s necessary, but definitely not the most fun way to get started.

Characters: 10

Cinematography/Visuals: 9
I love how director Sean Anders decided to shoot the film. It’s not your average feel-good family movie. There is a real sense of struggle here, real pain, and Anders captures this in great pockets along with the more comedic moments of being a parent. Sometimes the fun and the pain are intermixed and it makes for some beautiful scenes.

Conflict: 10
All three kids within the family pose different challenges that the parents find themselves having to adjust to, besides the challenges of just being new parents. The parental-work-life balance is real and you’re exposed to all of that throughout the duration of the movie.

Entertainment Value: 8

Memorability: 8

Pace: 5

Plot: 6
The story itself is pretty straightforward and basic. Twenty minutes in and you pretty much know how it’s going to play out. Still, that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable of a movie.

Resolution: 10
The ending…man, that ending. I’ve only watched this movie once because that damn touching conclusion. Such a great payoff.

Overall: 80
I typically don’t gravitate towards movies with Lifetime plots, but Instant Family is a winner. It heartwarming, endearing, and real from start to finish. Surprise treat of 2018.