Cátia

I decided to read this book after seeing it being recommended several times for the comfort it gives to its readers.

Overall, I liked the narrative style - the story is told through letters and telegrams. However, I always have a "problem" when stories are told this way: for me, it creates a certain distance between the reader and the characters. (I recognise that this is a me problem though).

I also was unaware of the romance. It was not exactly an unwelcome surprise, but it wasn't that well developed, I needed more scenes with them.

The end felt a little unfinished and abrupt which most likely the result of the primary author's declining health that led her niece, Annie Barrows, to do some rewriting and editing.

What I best liked about it: I hadn't even ever heard about the Channel Islands and the german occupation during World War II. I'm appreciative of the knowledge it brought me and the curiosity to know more. For this reason alone, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and its memorable characters was worth the read.

Reasons why this book didn't work for me:

• The characters felt superficial with no distinct personality.
• Not only were the storylines predictable, but they took longer than it should have to be revealed. I was just waiting for the author to get there so we could move along.
• At times nothing was happening, boring me.