When Hope and her aunt move to small-town Wisconsin to take over the local diner, Hope’s not sure what to expect. But what they find is that the owner, G.T., isn’t quite ready to give up yet – in fact, he’s decided to run for mayor against a corrupt candidate. And as Hope starts to make her place at the diner, she also finds herself caught up in G.T.’s campaign – particularly his visions for the future. After all, as G.T. points out, everyone can use a little hope to help get through the tough times… even Hope herself.
Filled with heart, charm, and good old-fashioned fun, this is Joan Bauer at her best. (From Goodreads)
If this Joan Bauer at her best, I’m not sure I’m going to read anything else.
Before I read this book, I read the synopsis. Then I read the book. Now I’m rereading the synopsis and I still have no clue what this book is supposed to be about. There is no real plot. The only thing driving the book forward is not strong enough to be considered a plot. Could it be pulled out and the book still survive? No. Could you replace it with something else along those lines. Easily.
The book is literally about a dying man running for mayor and waitressing. So if you’re a waitress, read this for some tips. That’s all your going to get out of it.
The characters were bland, and had no real personality. Things we found out about Hope had nothing to do with the book or anything important. For example, her name is actually Tulip, but she wanted to rename herself Hope to bring hope to people. The dumbest reason I’ve ever heard, but hey, you do you.
I’d say the best character in the book was Braverman and he was all over the place. From the first page we meet him, we’re supposed to assume that he’s this moody, kind of a jerk teenage boy, but it turns out he’s like 18 and actually a huge dork. But then later in the book, we start to get the moody side again. Pick a side and stick with it.
Also, Hope was written as a twelve year old girl and her voice stayed that way throughout the whole book, so imagine my surprise when I find out she’s actually 16.
This book, in my personal opinion, should not have been given an award. I think I wrote fanfiction with more depth when I was fifteen then this.
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