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readingwithgoose's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Rape, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Blood
twoweeeeks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic friendship, Gun violence, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Car accident, Death of parent, Misogyny, Sexual content, Abandonment, Toxic friendship, Blood, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Bullying
Minor: Homophobia
gaby_readsss's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Garden Spells was an interesting book.
I didn’t know what to expect when I first picked this book; I chose it because I adored Other Birds and had to read more books by this author.
I enjoyed this book for the most part. However, I kept expecting for something bad to happen so I couldn’t fully “relax” and enjoy the more “lighthearted” aspects in the story. I think knowing the backstory of Sydney and her abusive husband made me uneasy and I was expecting him to show up at any time.
The side characters weren’t my favorite. I didn’t like Emma’s character and her whole family to be honest. She had zero personality other than being good in bed, which I thought was odd. In the end when she called Sydney and tried to warn her I did like her a little bit.
Tyler was also giving me creep vibes at the beginning and I was fully expecting him to be a serial killer or something lmao. Also the fact that he’s still “friends” with his ex was a red flag to me.
My favorite characters were Sydney, Bay, and the apple tree! <3
At its core, this is a book about family and I thought the magical realism aspect added a nice touch to the story. I loved the descriptions of the garden, how all the different flowers are meant to do something to the person who consumes them, and the magic each of the Waverley women each have. This was very a unique read and the house felt so whimsical and “homey”.
I’m not sure how to rate this book yet but I’m between 3.75 and 4 stars.
I think that if I were to reread this book, I would enjoy it more knowing how everything unfolds.
I didn’t know what to expect when I first picked this book; I chose it because I adored Other Birds and had to read more books by this author.
I enjoyed this book for the most part. However, I kept expecting for something bad to happen so I couldn’t fully “relax” and enjoy the more “lighthearted” aspects in the story. I think knowing the backstory of Sydney and her abusive husband made me uneasy and I was expecting him to show up at any time.
The side characters weren’t my favorite. I didn’t like Emma’s character and her whole family to be honest. She had zero personality other than being good in bed, which I thought was odd. In the end when she called Sydney and tried to warn her I did like her a little bit.
Tyler was also giving me creep vibes at the beginning and I was fully expecting him to be a serial killer or something lmao. Also the fact that he’s still “friends” with his ex was a red flag to me.
My favorite characters were Sydney, Bay, and the apple tree! <3
At its core, this is a book about family and I thought the magical realism aspect added a nice touch to the story. I loved the descriptions of the garden, how all the different flowers are meant to do something to the person who consumes them, and the magic each of the Waverley women each have. This was very a unique read and the house felt so whimsical and “homey”.
I’m not sure how to rate this book yet but I’m between 3.75 and 4 stars.
I think that if I were to reread this book, I would enjoy it more knowing how everything unfolds.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, and Rape
Minor: Blood, Death of parent, and Gun violence
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