By Marc Levy
Genre Adult Contemporary
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Synopsis
When Lauren's car's breaks fail and she's in a horrible accident it leaves her body in a deep coma. But her soul is wandering around San Francisco. Arthur has just sublet a new apartment but is surprised to discover the previous occupants is still there...and only he can see her. Together Arthur and Lauren will have to learn to trust each other enough to believe the impossible and maybe fall in love.
First Sentence
The novelty clock sitting on the unpainted wooden nightstand sounded at five-thirty.
Does this one sound familiar? If you've seen Just Like Heaven with Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo then it should. This is the book that the movie is based on. I picked up this book at a used bookstore on sale because I liked the movie and had heard the book was quite different. And it was. It was much more serious than the movie. This ones much more a romance than a rom-com.
The author is French, and while I couldn't find if this one was originally in French and had been translated or not, I wondered. It had a strange feel to it and I couldn't decide if that was due to the author's style, ethnicity, or if it had been translated. Either way, it felt different. Not in a bad way just...different.
I felt like I was being held at arms length from all the characters and couldn't quite connect to any of them. When it started getting more into Arthur's past, I felt like I understood him more but he's the only one I connected with on any level.
I'm not sure why this one is a bestseller (or was). It wasn't awful, just not that great. I did love the ending though. It made me smile and sigh a little. Overall I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to those who liked the movie and are curious about the book.
Should you read it?
If you HAVE to connect to characters to enjoy a book I'd say skip this one. If not, then enjoy!
I love that movie! I watched it several times. But I would feel awful about being kept at a distance from the characters, especially characters I already love.
ReplyDeleteYeah, if you love the movie you might want to skip the book.
DeleteI didn't realize the movie was based on a book. I wonder if I'd like it. I like connecting to characters, but I don't have to all the time. Hmmm.
ReplyDeleteIt was interesting to compare them.
DeleteI remember enjoying the movie because Mark Ruffulos character was a landscape gardener! I'm so predictable. I imagine all the issues are probably to do with translation. What a shame. Still it doesn't sound like it would be a bad read.
ReplyDeleteIt wasn't bad at all. Just....different.
DeleteYou've made me want to re-watch the movie! (And maybe skip the book.) :)
ReplyDeleteLol! I know. After reading the book of like a rewatch.
DeleteThe premise sounds interesting, but it sounds like I should watch the movie and skip the book.
ReplyDeleteEither way. They're quite different.
DeleteI usually like a good Reese Witherspoon movie, but I haven't seen that one.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm not sure how popular or well known it was.
DeleteHuh, I haven't even heard of this. I am so out of touch. I liked your comment about wondering why it was a bestseller. I often feel that way about books that are bestseller. I'm thinking I don't have "bestseller" taste.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I don't think I have bestseller taste either.
DeleteThe movie sounds familiar. I'll check it out! Also, I love it when movies were based on books. And this sounds lovely to read. <3
ReplyDelete// Paper Boulevard
If they do it right that is. ;)
DeleteI've never seen the movie or read the book. It sounds like it could be a cute story but I'm not a fan of mystical relationships. I'll probably give it a skip.
ReplyDeleteI see your warning for those of us who need to connect to characters, but I'm intrigued. I DO love the movie! Perhaps this would work if I borrow from the library...
ReplyDelete