3.75 stars. I love Monty and Daphne and how much they've grown. I loved them when they were side characters and I love them more now. SADLY I hate Araminta more. The bonus Epilogue reinforced my opinion of Araminta. Also the emotional development of the main couple was GREAT my issue is their personal stuff got wrapped up too quickly? Like they sifted through a lot and the resolution to their internal conflicts were satisfying but happened too quickly? Like, yes, everything was on a time crunch but I had 10% of the book to go and way too many arcs were getting their pretty bow tied at once. Aside from that a solid read!

4.25 In short the grandma is an icon and I wish the podcast assistant got more page-time because she kept stuff on trackkkk. I like how the episodes were "posted in real time" which meant nothing was spoiled. We got the information as the characters got them and that was great.

The twist at the end felt like a psychological thriller twist. The beginning took me a bit to plow through. The middle had me rooting for Eleanor's growth and for her to reach out more. Also how that growth allowed for more "doors to be opened" for her. I have such a love for side characters like Raymond, his mom, and I forgot which of Sammy's daughters cut Eleanor's hair but she was nice. Those side characters made me overall enjoy the book more. Eleanor herself I think has so many layered trauma responses that present like she's on the spectrum. We aren't explicitly told her diagnosis, but I think the point is you're watching someone sort through A LOT. Eleanor Oliphant isn't fine, but by the end of the book she's working towards it.