125Pages

The Ramblers is one of those books that I didn’t love but I didn’t dislike. Clio is a noted ornithologist who runs birding trips in Central Park. On one of these outings she meets an older man who promptly sweeps her off her feet. Then after a grand declaration of love, she runs. She feels that she cannot be the person he expects her to be. Then we have her roommate Smith, a rich girl living to please her father and still reeling from the breakup of her engagement. Joining the ladies is Tate, an old college friend, going through a divorce, while figuring out what to do after the sale of his app for millions.

Aidan Donnelley Rowley can turn a phrase. At times her writing was poignant and full of heart. Unfortunately, at other times it made the characters come across as whiney and over privileged. The world created was vivid and I loved how the essence of a vibrant New York City came through the pages. The pacing was great, no lagging and the story moved forward at a consistent pace. The characters and the plot were where I lost the love for The Ramblers. The characters have some emotional depth and their struggles were real to them. But it is hard to read about people who treat having seemingly endless wealth no big deal and sympathize with them. Yes, money does not solve all problems and rich people can have problem too, but it makes their struggles less important to me where money can readily solve some of their issues. This is a completely personal judgment, but it does affect my liking of the characters.

The Ramblers was a book I enjoyed, but did not love. It had some great points and some crisp writing. I could tell where Aidan Donnelley Rowley was going with it, but I did not follow the whole way. All in all not a bad read, but not an amazing one.

I received this book for free from Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.