My Life with the Walter Boys (2023– ) User Reviews

This is not as bad as the reviews make out

[TheReel14 · 7/10 · 31 December 2023]

So, i watch quite a lot of shows and mostly crime thrillers so dramas like this don't usually appeal to me. However I enjoyed this i loved the concept of a big family, the farm nice sceneries, the brothers and the sisters. This is so much better than the summer i turned pretty and honestly deserves a watch. Team Cole all the way. Love the dynamics of all the characters and chemistry between them too. I also like the adult relationships and there characters as well. Looking forward to S2 hopefully it is a bit more spicy and hope they don't take ages releasing it or are too slow with carrying on some story lines.

Stupid but weirdly enjoyable, classic trashy drama

[meemsyd · 6/10 · 23 December 2023]

This was basically a hate watch for most of the viewing experience, but by the end I was all in for a second season. So despite the people who made this making some the wackiest decisions ever, I applaud them for subverting my expectations for the main characters by the end, and making me feel invested.

Casting - completely nonsensical. Siblings that look wildly different, some look the same age as their mother, totally unexplained how a woman can have 9 kids and also 2 university degrees whilst looking 40, we were laughing about it throughout the whole show because it was so ridiculous! Like fully thought they would all turn out to be adopted as the big twist, it was so bad!

Story - could not care less about most of the secondary characters but quite liked a few of them. Most of the side plots felt like wasted time, and there were too many (and some of the acting was pretty flat). The main romantic story was full of toxic tropes but actually redeemed itself a bit - my initial "nice guy" I genuinely hated by the end, and the "bad guy" who I hated at the start I really came to feel for by the end. Like obviously a classic trope but it got me! Main character was fairly bland but likeable enough.

Elephant in the room - The main thing that bothered me throughout is that a teenage girl who's been though a really traumatic event is put into this chaotic environment and pursued by what are essentially like her brothers in this situation - I wish the family had actually looked after her (instead of just saying they did) because in real life this would be a worrying situation for a young vulnerable girl. But, it's just a story and in the end she does sort of save herself.

So, I would recommend this show only if you have a buddy to watch with, because there will be parts where you will be ripping your hair out and need someone to laugh about it with. It's totally ridiculous, but pretty entertaining.

Orphan with wealthy parents

[a-k_rossmann · 6/10 · 14 December 2023]

Where's her inheritance?

Seems if I appointed someone a guardian, I would also leave money for her upkeep, especially if I were wealthy, and aware that the family are farmers.

The uncle has it, and is keeping it as leverage?

Is he the land developer trying to purchase their land?

Is he a good guy or a bad guy?

This really annoys and frustrates me, although I love the Walter parents a lot.

Not really sure that this deserves a second season.

Since I'm only on episode 9, maybe it's all addressed in ep 10?

Guess I should finish it all and come back to leave an additional review based on the whole of it.

It's like a spin-off of the Summer I turned pretty

[jeffrapage-92221 · 7 December 2023]

So I was so looking forward to watching this series since two of the main characters are from Hallmark channel then there's the actress that played Georgie on Heartland and the boy who played farkle on girls meets world but seriously I'm three upsets in and it seems like it's a spin-off of the Summer I turned pretty Alex he's a sweet boy then there's Nathan he's sweet also but Cole seriously he is nothing but trouble why would you ship off a girl to a complete stranger family that is chaotic with a bunch of boys and only one girl when she has a uncle it makes no sense this girl lives with a bunch of chaotic people who completely forget her half the time the mom is too busy that Dad is worrying about things the boys don't like her except for maybe three of them and basically there's no chemistry between Alex and Cole and the main character so I don't know why they decided to try this Alex is whiny Cole is nothing but a pain in the butt it's based on a book so hopefully they don't decide to have another season because seriously it don't need one.

I don't like teen soap opera shows but I do like teen romance comedy shows

[AJsok2003 · 8/10 · 9 December 2023]

Ok so when Netflix gave out the trailer for this show I was very curious because of the title. I did not know this was a book until after seeing the trailer. And I thought that this was going to be a copy cat from Amazon Prime's show "The summer I turned pretty". But no this is way different and I actually liked it with different side characters getting there screen time. I really like this show and where they shot it at.

Also I enjoyed watch actress from the tv show "SUITS' I really loved that Sarah Rafferty got to have a fun and loving character to play. Also the Actor Marc Blucas which I have not seen him in a long time since Buffy the vampire slayer show. He looked really hot this show. Glad he is still around doing some acting work.

As for the teen casts in this show they really pulled it off for being first timers on a big planform like Netflix. I don't know if Netflix will give this show a season 2 because there is only 1 book. But if there will be a season 2 some day I know I will be on the look out.

Also I gave this this show an 8 because I am glad Jackie did the right thing and left to go back to New York, She did the right thing by the end of the season. Which makes me respect her.

What went wrong???

[ivonanovak · 6/10 · 9 December 2023]

This show had some potential after the first few episodes. I started watching and was like: "okay, nice story and lots of room to develop characters". I didn't expect most of them would turn out to be so annoying and predictable. Certain level of predictability is tolerable in these kinds of shows, but that level has been crossed IMO. Very disappointing altogether. No chemistry between the characters.

Alex is so annoying I started skipping scenes with him.

Cole is just simply too old to have any chemistry with Jackie, it's weird.

Will - seriously? Are we supposed to believe that Donna (sorry, Katherine) gave birth to him? Come on.

Whoever did casting here, please do better next time.

The only character I actually like at this point (8 ep) is Erin.

Scoring it high bc of the dumb "it doesn't support feminism" reviews

[sharliep · 8/10 · 17 December 2023]

Good lord I've had it with over the top feminists who find the need to only look at the surface of shows and movies to find what angers them and type about it.

"Cole is the typical toxic masculine male." Yep. But you know if you actually watch the show longer than episode one, it begins to break down most of the Walter boys, what they've been through and why they act the way they do. And wow would you believe by the final episode, Cole has really chipped away at that super cold exterior of his.

Some of the acting isn't great in places. But I enjoyed it overall. I really liked the storyline with the ranch and all the relationships going on and how uncommon bonds between some of the enemies like Erin and Jamie were formed. If you're someone looking for a show to not take too seriously and get angry over fictional characters...I mean I'd recommend it but I'm also not a raging feminist apparently.

Cute and light

[LovesMovies_ · 6/10 · 9 December 2023]

This is an easy show to watch when you want something entertaining and not too intense. Plotwise, it reminded me of The Summer I Turned Pretty - which dragged everything out too long and became less enjoyable over time.

This was the opposite in both timing and depth. The character development and relationship development only skimmed the surface. There could have also been much more plot development, and the emotion and intensity seemed rushed. This story could have easily taken more episodes or another season to tell.

In spite of those criticisms, Season 1 left lots of unanswered questions for a Season 2 and I would be happy to watch Season 2 to see how the storylines develop.

Love it, entertaining binge watch!

[kstjam · 8/10 · 26 January 2024]

I wasn't expecting much more than light fare at first, but apart from the obvious tropes and cliches, was impressed by how many marks the episodes hit, with various storylines and characters.

Jackie (Nikki Rodriguez) and Cole (Noah LaLonde) especially the latter, gave excellent performances with real emotional nuances that made the unlikely pairing and romantic tension believable.

The show touches on other themes of mental health, loneliness, friendship, navigating queer romance, native American perspectives, persons with not so obvious disabilities (deafness and epilepsy); girl empowerment and teen self-esteem. I think it's all well done and very relevant. I can't wait for Season 2!

Cringey and cliché, but binge-worthy!

[marian_91 · 6/10 · 14 December 2023]

Imagine «The Summer I Turned Pretty» meeting «The Vampire Diaries» (without the supernatural aspects), and any other movie/tv show with a love triangle that include siblings. You have a plain/average/relatable teenage girl and two «hot» brothers fighting over her.

It doesn't have the same quality as «The Vampire Diaries», or any other CW teen drama, but considering the source material, I wasn't expecting that either. The dialog and plot is very cringey and cliché.

The acting is not outstanding in any way, but it's not the worst I've seen. But then again, I'm not the targeted audience for this show.

Painful to watch

[madisonjporter · 2/10 · 12 December 2023]

I can't tell if the script is shocking or if the acting is the problem. The competing storyline's don't work cohesively and feel highly forced. I haven't read the books but I've been told that the books deliver significantly better than the tv show adaptation.

As mentioned in my review title, it has been incredibly painful to watch, which is a shame because Sarah Rafferty and Noah Lalode are actually great actors and then everyone else are absolutely horrible. This quality of "acting" gives me hope that one day even I could be the star of a crappy Netflix tv show or movie.

Goodluck to anyone who finishes the show.

one of the most organic family dramas I've seen in a ling while

[MishMash04 · 10/10 · 9 December 2023]

Im not one to compare books n their screen adaptations, all I care about is being entertained when i watch a show or a movie.

I am so glad i gave this series a chance, it had me smiling from the first episode. The characters, their relationships and chemistry all felt organic. I could see this being a real family (95% of shows streaming currently make me roll my eyes 5 mins in or half way through, and I decide to not waste anymore time on them, looking at you Obliterated!!), the circumstance felt plausible, the character's motivations and decisions felt realistic (a very head on straight kinda way). This is how I picture a family (country folk so to speak) which lives in a small close knit community with strong values and bonds would be. So even though some would argue that a family that size with those problems wouldnt be that homogeneous, it just didnt matter.

I really hope this series gets a second season not for the romance but just the good feels.

Highly recommend giving this show a chance. Very rarely do i binge and i did with this one.

Liked it way more than the bad reviews.

[anganglaz · 6/10 · 17 February 2024]

It's actually pretty okey. I was expecting it to be really bad after reading some of the reviews. Ended up watching the whole season in two days. Yes, it's a bit cheesy and weird with all the relationship drama, and twists, but somehow they make the boat float. It's not a deep show, and there is a lot of room for improvment. But ending the season I'm actually curious to see how it will play out in all the different relationships. To sum it all up, it's a good show if you just want to watch something in between shows, and not think so much whilst doing it. I have a hunch that season two will be better aswell.

They're essentially becoming SIBLINGS. I'M SO CONFUSED

[jessi-18-113342 · 3/10 · 12 December 2023]

The word I would choose is: Bizarre. So a traumatised orphaned young teen girl is adopted into a family... and it's somehow then normal that her two adoptive BROTHERS immediately develop a love triangle with her?! Like WHAT??? But seriously, how is this okay? Cos teen romances usually end well (right?)- so living in the midst of a teen love triangle is healthy for this girl? And a healthy long term situation? That the adults are okay with it is bizarre and indicative of a poorly written and weird story. And what weirdo teenagers would gain an adoptive sibling and jump straight into hooking up. She's supposed to ultimatelyately become their sister FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES, but hooking up as horny teens is A-Okay? I can't.

The family is also unrealistically large with an unbelievable number of kids (mostly boys). Like who has 8 kids of their own and 2 cousins already living with them? It's unnecessary. A family of, say, five would have had that "big" feeling but still be believable.

And on that note- those kids are definitely neglected. They get scraps of parental attention and yet everyone makes out as if THIS is the stable family the poor girl would benefit from?! The mother couldnt even stay on the first day she arrived.

Last annoying thing- the family is in financial difficulty and they mention that looking after Jackie is "another mouth to feed". As if her wealthy parents wouldn't have left allowance in their will to cover her care??

All just bizarre and annoyingly written. I still managed to binge most of it though so I guess I shouldn't be too harsh- it somehow still manages to be entertaining.

Nikki Rodriguez 🚀

[kyleder-10591 · 10/10 · 7 December 2023]

Wow, Nikki Rodriguez delivers a fantastic performance in her first starring role in a series. So much depth in her portrayal of her character. So many moments that you can really see the wheels turning inside of her head. She really lets the audience participate in her journey. Noah Lalonde really encapsulates the bad boy vibe that you typically see in these kinds of series 👏. Ashby Gentry is the perfect casting for the guy who SHOULD get the girl, but usually has a harder time than the one who shouldn't. The supporting cast has GREAT chemistry and I see this series getting a second season and beyond. Can't wait to see these actors grow even more into their roles!

Kinda good but a cringe story line

[mattmakefashion · 6/10 · 18 December 2023]

A rich city girl orphaned when her family dies and she moved into an overly diverse family farm that magically represents every needed checkmark.

The show is actually easy to watch but the main plot is a love tryst between brothers and the new family member that has moved in. Kinda like two of the brothers fighting over the possibility of dating your sibling or your half sister. This is overly cringe as the sister decides between the socially awkward silent type or the sporty bad boy that sleeps with anything that moves.

The show rolls on with everything you would expect with an overly dramatic plot which has to cater to each of the characters struggles while the livelihood of the farm is at stake. The main character Jackie is a highlight with the rest of the acting being rather average.

Great Love Triangle

[myladynorth · 10/10 · 10 December 2023]

Great storyline but they need to make Alex look older and less youthful to really pull it off. If they dressed him less youthful, changed his hair cut and had him work out a bit, he's there. Good looking guy but they need to make him some competition for Cole.

I get it, they want to portray Alex as safe compared to dangerous Cole but they went too far.

Also Jackie looked so sophisticated in first scene and then they made her look so plain and childish too... I would like to see more NY edge to her..

Also, it is plain that Jackie comes from money yet it appears that her parents estate is not kicking in to support her. That seems unrealistic.

I had to binge the show 3 times to figure out who everyone living in the house is.

I am bored by most of the side stories going on. That of Will and Haily has no interest for me.

Other than that, I love the show.

Feel good tv show woth cliches

[mswhxnr · 7/10 · 13 January 2024]

The show does have cliche scenes like when jackie and cole talk in the rain. I just skip those parts and pretend they dont exist. But what really gets on my nerve is the actings especially jackie. Like her delivery is so annoying and she says all the lines the same and forced. They try so hard to show her character angel like but i still have yet to like her. The same goes for some others but jackies really bothers me since she's the main character. I still loved the tv show though and will watch the coming seasons. It is very fun and entertaining but can't take it too seriously. This tv show is hundred percent added to my list of feel good tv shows.

Season 2 ASAP

[jacquelineteak · 10/10 · 10 December 2023]

When I first saw it, I wasn't expecting the actors to be so good-looking, but the show was honestly amazing! And I'm totally Team Cole too, no doubt about it!

There could be some improvements, but Jacki and him together are pure gold! That kissing scene though... OMG, it was so hot when he grabbed her throat! And then when he grabbed her arm after she was about to walk away, and they started making out against the wall... I mean, who wouldn't want that, right? It's like a dream come true! And that part on the car when he said, "I can't not want you"... like, EXCUSE ME WHATTT wedding ring please And in episode 7, the rain scene where Jacki steps out of the car and Cole follows AND

HES HAIR WAS ALL WET LIKE OMG, Cole was looking fine as bro but it's the way he listens to her like the seen when he was drunk and she told him to go outside and HE LISTENED TO HER STRAIGHT WAY and straight way when he said that Di** move he knew it was wrong but the think is Alex is the more gentle and cute and sweet guy compared to Cole the sweet talker flirtet kind the

ruff ex football player with the muscles YOU WILL SEEN them THE LAST EPISODE THATS WHITE TANK OMG THE THE END OF THE BONFIRE WITH HES SHIRT OFF JUST WEARING THE JACKET OMGGGGGGGG AND I HOPE I AM PRAYING THEY DONT DO US DIRTY AND DO A SESSION 2 and 2 will be better because I need to see more walter family drama but mostly cole and Jackie ASAP. OH ALL MOST FORGOT THE TEA BOTT LIKE HOW CUTE AND THE WAY HE LOOKS AT HER LIKE OMG NO WORDS .

Good teenie bopper show

[creativesbyolive · 7/10 · 7 January 2024]

I'm about to be harsh however if you're looking for a mindless teenie bopper show this is it and I enjoyed watching it despite my negative thoughts.

This show couldn't have fit in one more teenie bopper show cliche. It had everything; young girl whose family dies, ex scorned athlete , struggling family etc. There's nothing original here Netflix is clearly trying to rip off the summer I turned pretty but this is the wish app version.

The actors aren't the best, Nikki is stiff, Alex is not well suited to be a main male lead in a love triangle and Cole's X factor is a 0 on 10. The trios story line goes in circles over and over again.

Most bad acting ever

[hadiagity-45713 · 1/10 · 12 December 2023]

The people who rated this a 8, 9 or 10 are for sure part of the crew or something. There is noooo way that anyone would actually think this is a good show. The acting is super bad, too many awkward scenes. The story is nothing new and nothing exciting is going on. Don't waste your time on this. Totally not worth it!

I feel bad for the cast tho, they might have some potential if the story was better.

I have no time to spoil anything of the story, so read the other comments if you need that. Will also add that the "cute guys" are for sure not that cute. I was really optimistic in the beginning, but got bored very quickly.

Good luck to yall!

Better than other triangle teen romances

[sofiathefirst-33007 · 10/10 · 10 December 2023]

This series is much better than the summer I turned pretty In many ways. I absolutely loved the characters and the actors who portrayed them, while some people say they look to old which is some what true but also realistic as these days a lot of young people look a lot older than they are. The chemistry between Cole and Jackie is phenomenal absolutely love these two and cannot wait for season 2. Hopefully gets renewed as I need more asap. The whole small town big family is so heartwarming as you don't always see if portrayed so well and the boys being annoying brothers is so true as any who grew up with boys will know.

Mostly good!

[biddergalore · 6/10 · 11 December 2023]

I thought younger actors were all pretty good. Didn't care for the Guidance counselor actress, she was more juvenile than just happy to date her crush. I'm sure I'll get flack over this but felt Sarah Rafferty was miscast. Those big doe eyes don't translate over to pissed off mom very well. I thought they should have had a pretty but a bit more experienced mom look as actress in this part. The father was solid as was the uncle. I don't have any big gripes with the acting of the other younger actors.

The story line is believable and it holds up to the modern day farm family trials and tribulations except for Jackie's presence there.

Entertaining and worth watching.

not much to offer

[amelieesnou · 3/10 · 11 December 2023]

I watched mostly because of Sarah Rafferty. Sadly even she can't save the show. The acting is really poor. All the boys look awkward. Their gesture, facial expression seem forced.

The dad only cares about his trees. The 4 younger kids don't add anything to the show.

Nathan is trying way too hard with his love interest.

The love triangle is a second "the summer I turned pretty".

Jackie doesn't have chemistry with any of them. She moved on from the lost of her family really fast.

Between the mean girl Erin and the playboy Cole. This show is mostly just a bunch of stereotypes about American high school. No need for a second season with this acting and scenario.

Actually love this series

[mj-16585 · 10/10 · 11 December 2023]

I can't describe how good it is. It makes me want to watch it over and over again and it won't get old. Everyone says it's a spinoff of the summer I turned pretty but it's way better than that. It has much more depth and the actors are so good at there roles. Not to mention how literally everyone is so fine. If another season doesn't come out I'm suing Netflix. To put it into perspective when I eat I'll watch a movie or a tv show then when I'm done I'll watch TikTok or do something else when I'm watchigg bc this I want to continue watching until the episode is over. Also the plot is really good you can see the plot twist coming but you can't see everything else after it. Love this series.