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There are currently 21 member reviews
for Small Blessings
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Sharon R. (Deerfield, IL)
People are small blessings in disquise.
A small college community, a book shop and characters we, as readers, can immediately identify with. Ms. Woodroof takes her characters and turns them into friends that you cannot stop reading and caring about.
The book has many central characters, Tom Putnam, the small college professor who is passionate about Shakespeare and even lapses into Shakespearean thought when confronted with difficult situations. Agnes, Tom's Mother-in-law who retired to take care of her grown daughter. Russell and Iris, colleagues of Tom and Henry, the six year old boy who arrives in the small town with a birth certificate in his backpack stating Tom is his father. But I believe this book is ultimately about Rose.
Motivational speakers who are know for confronting disturbing topics will tell us that as humans we tend to ignore or tune-out people who are different or acting strangely. Some people hide or move on if things get confusing or difficult. Rose has always been one of these people. Her life "has never been a mess" and when she realizes she has talents and blessings to offer others she is forced to realize that life can be hard, but it is "OK" to be happy.
Through a series of humorous and tragic events, our friends come together in such a way that grabs us and makes us want to live in their community too. They embrace each other because they need each other and they genuinely like one another despite their insecurities and doubts about the direction their own lives are going. If you are reading for fun or escapism, beware there are subjects that are distressing and tragic - death, abandonment and alcoholism. These topics are as much a part of the story as the characters are. The frankness, humor and compassion that friends and strangers offer are small blessings.
Small Blessings is a wonderful book that will keep you thinking of the characters and how they are getting on with their lives long after the end of the book.
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Mary Q. (Greeley, CO)
Sweet Blessings
Small Blessings is, overall, predictable and a little too saccharine at times, but I enjoyed the decent and quirky characters. It's the perfect light, amusing, beachy read that so many people crave during the summer. Martha Woodroof is a good storyteller, and I liked the way the entire book was developed with an even flow. I would definitely read other books by her, and I will suggest Small Blessings to many of my friends. (I wish we weren't restricted to only 1-5 ratings. It is better than "average" in my opinion but just short of a solid 4. I settled on a 3 but my true rating would be at least a 3.5.)
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Lisa R. (Sammamish, WA)
Would make a good summer read
Well, here goes my first book review: while I would say that action packed mysteries are more of my genre, there were times that I became invested in the characters. Although it felt a bit chaotic in the beginning, theme became more interesting as the story developed, often wondering about the conclusion of the story. Would recommend as a book for vacation/summer reading.
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Judy K., Conroe, TX
Really sweet, really
This book was high octane sugar. I'm not saying it was a bad book, just not my cup of tea. The plot was somewhat contrived and the outcome never in doubt. I liked the characters, just not the story so much. Just a sweet read, if you like that kind of thing. Personally, I like a book that makes me think and has some anxious moments. This was like watching a Hallmark movie and eating Milk Duds at the same time. It wasn't badly written, just too saccharine.
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Rhonda M. (Hilton Head Island, SC)
Same old, same old
Unfortunately I did not find this book anything special. Keep in mind I am not always a big fan of fluff romantic fiction books which this definitely was. Plot was very contrived, characters very minimally developed and ending was known from page one. Saying that I did think it was a cute book, easy reading and light-hearted. The protagonist was weak too. It felt like the author had read many romance novels and had the formula down pat. Again could my views have been a bit skewed as I need more meat to my books??
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Lee M. (Creve Coeur, MO)
Wonderland
Entertaining story of Alice, as in Wonderland, (Rose) a dependable Prince Charming (Tom) and the sweetest, smartest Hero (Henry). Oh, and also includes a Good Witch (Agnes). Rife with cliches and platitudes, and a predictable plot line but stuck together with enough finesse to make it enjoyable.
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Catherine H. (Nashua, NH)
And they lived happily ever after.
Don't get me wrong, this is not a bad book but rather what I would call a "beach book". As much as I loved The Storied Life of AJ Fikry, I will not remember Small Blessings like an unforgettable book, but just glad I am done with it.
