Oona Out of Order: A Novel

From the start I really didn’t care for this story. By the end I hated it. Originally I wasn’t really crazy about Oona. By the end I couldn’t stand her.Not a single likable character in the book. The men are all bad guys. Oona’s mother is a stereotype type woman—a free wheeling crazy character used all too often these days. Their relationship is bordering on the absurd. It’s frustrating to read a book when there is no one to root for. Regardless of the time travel—the “leaps” are just plain silly.I pre-ordered Oona and I read every word of so I’m giving it 2 stars because something must have made me stick with it! It’s rare that I don’t give a book 4 or 5 stars. This just wasn’t for me.

First, let me say I never wanted this book to end! The synopsis alone hooked me, and the book itself held me captivated. The idea of leaping to an unknown year in Oona’s life every midnight on New Year’s Eve, while mentally she ages chronologically, is so different from anything I’ve read.I love the way Montimore writes. The story makes me, as a reader, feel right there in New York with Oona, going through the different years and experiencing the many changes. She nails the culture and especially the music of each era Oona finds herself in. Montimore’s writing is smooth and seamless, accomplishing the difficult task of engaging the mind without trying to confuse.This book is fascinating and heartfelt. It made me laugh, it made me cry, and I couldn’t put it down. When I closed the book, I reflected on my own life. Great writing invites readers into character’s shoes, and somehow places us more firmly back in our own and Montimore did exactly that. I will be recommending this book to everyone!💜THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE MUST READ💜

The premise of this book is intriguing, and having seen the glowing reviews, I was excited to read it. Sorry, folks. I just can’t see the attraction. Oona is both selfish and thoughtless, and though she’s aware she’s living her life in random, one-year segments, she’s curiously uninterested in any kind of introspection or wondering why this might be happening. Her main goal in life seems to be having fun, no matter the consequences to her amazingly tolerant loved ones or her future self. She escapes from a man who betrays her physically, emotionally and financially, yet knowing all this, decides to enjoy the fun parts and let her future self take the pain (again). And I guess the reunion with her lost boyfriend is supposed to be the book’s emotional payoff, but really? She’s experienced a lot in the ensuing seven years. After all her exploits, are we to assume she’s still madly attracted to this callow teen? Well, apparently, because Oona has neither evolved nor grown. Oh, there are the Twin Towers. Sigh. Oh, now they’re gone. Sigh. If you’re looking for how a true master storyteller writes about time travel within one’s lifespan, read Slaughterhouse Five by Kurt Vonnegut. You’ll understand why this book falls flat.

I received an advanced reader's copy of this book through an Instagram giveaway and have been dying to review this book! I read it in a sitting, only getting up as absolutely necessary. I loved following Oona's life SO very much. While lived out of order, it was so well-written and incredibly detailed, bringing me to years I wasn't even alive in to experience and so vividly that I had to check my license. But seriously, I loved reading this and sure (SPOILER), I didn't get to find out WHY Oona lives her life out of order but the book left me incredible satisfied with the details, character development and storylines!

This is a great story about a woman living under incredibly unique circumstances, which have been touched on by other reviewers. I love how this story deals with aging, communication, family, love, and trust. As opposed to seeking out answers or fixes for problems outside of ones control, the story of Oona is one about living in the moment and accepting life for what it is, and regardless if one is living out of order or chronologically, those are important messages that are conveyed in a truly captivating manner

"...she should have been celebrating her twenty-second birthday instead of being cloistered in a house time travel built..."Oh, where do I start with this book? I loved every page. I was intrigued with Oona, her leaping, and where each year would take her. Oona was the female version of Dr. Sam Beckett (only she stayed in her body) and Madeleine & Kenzie were her Als. (Bonus points if you know what I'm referring to).Margarita Montimore crafted such a beautiful story. I felt like I was experiencing what Oona was experiencing. From partying with the Club Kids (by far my favorite part of the entire book) to her wanderlust life, I felt like I was with her on each of her adventures. I didn't want this book to end, "but everything has its time" and all good things must come to an end.If you want to be taken on an amazing ride, I promise Oona Out of Order: A Novel will not disappoint.

There's very little that I didn't love about Oona Out of Order. It's original and emotional and a book that I won't quickly get over. I could honestly talk about the book for days without end, but it would be so hard to do so without spoiling the reader.It was easy to see myself in Oona. Feeling so young but seeing an old(er) person in the mirror. The melancholy that follows you throughout life as you move onto something new. Failed relationships that leave a mark. How our mother is our mother no matter how old (or young) we are. It was clear, that regardless of time travel, we will face the things that Oona faced, though not out of order. Of course there are also moments that only a time traveler could experience which lent a bit of science fiction to the story.I definitely recommend Oona Out of Order!

I really wanted to like this story. The premise is I interesting but proved that our life story is already set and no matter how many times we leap through time we are destined to repeat the same story. I didn't care for the ending it seemed like the author was trying to tie all the loose ends into a pat finale.

This book has a great premise and a great plot; the characters need work though. More detail about the charities Oona gave to or some stories about who she helped via gofundme and why, would add a lot to her relatability and personality development. She seems to go thru her life depressed, self absorbed and shallow. Adding some joy to the writing would improve this hugely, because it is engaging. For instance, maybe describe her joy at seeing her mom young and healthy again, or Kenzie’s moms, or showing Oona’s happiness at being able to help people who really need it. Even if Oona was able to make and show support for good friends. In summary, the writing is well done, the plot is intriguing, but the characters really need work.

OONA OUT OF ORDER ticks all the boxes for a delightful debut: charming, thought-provoking, inventive, scintillating, poignant, and above all, highly entertaining. With prose that is evocative yet clear-as-a-bell, Montimore gives the readers a time travel novel for our age, with its themes of the uncertainty of the future and the need to live fully in the moment. This book could not have come at a better time and for that and many other reasons, is strongly recommended.

Plot is predictable. Characters are flat. It is like an adult-themed book written with teens in mind. There could have been so much more to delve into with regards to character development. Plus, the notion that the character has no control over her own destiny/fate is overdone and frankly, this one has a very anti-feminist angle.

There were moments of frustration and sadness and wanting to skip ahead to see where she’d land and I loved every one of these moments.

It a delightful book and it arrived in perfect condition earlier than I expected.Thanks.F.Jansen