Olive Days
A Novel

I really liked this book, fell into it quickly and become completely immersed. The writing is excellent, the characters flawed and real, the southern California setting rendered so artfully, you can smell the ocean's briny tang and feel the warm autumn winds. I was rooting for Rina and Will and thei......more

I felt like this book was well written but I just could not get behind the plot. Nothing about it made any sense and nothing about Rina’s characterization made any sense and the various details were simply not true to the life I know. I am a sucker for any book about Orthodox Jews but this book was......more

Mesmerizing, so well crafted, a complete surprise. Stayed up late to finish which I rarely do. This one will stay with me.......more

I needed some time to digest this book. I usually speed read, but Rina’s character arc required me to put it down to think. She is morally gray and utterly real. I am writing this review to process my thoughts. There were times when I connected with Rina, and others when I felt like I was watching fr......more

I find books about Orthodox Jews fascinating. The problem for me is that I disliked every one of the characters, including the main character, Rina. Sometimes that’s not the kiss of death for a book, but in this case it was overpowering every other consideration. The writing itself is very good on a......more