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clotalksbooks's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is a tough one to review, as overall I did like it, and the narrator does a very good job. However, I did struggle a little.
The timelines shifting really confused me, and I would often forget where we were in time which made some scenes a tad confusing.
The pacing was a little jarring as well - some of the scenes we got barely any time with and I wanted a little more explanation. The day itself lasted forever and was the most infuriating part of the book. There were just too many events that happened on that day and Grace's reaction to each was a little...befuddling.
I think this may be better if I were to reread it now knowing what happens so I can pay more attention to the detail. Because despite the criticism, the characters are interesting, there is a lot of depth, and it really explores grief in an illuminating way.
I'm not a mother, but it has certainly made me reflect on my relationship with my mum.
Overall, good, but I think I would have preferred it if told linearly.
The timelines shifting really confused me, and I would often forget where we were in time which made some scenes a tad confusing.
The pacing was a little jarring as well - some of the scenes we got barely any time with and I wanted a little more explanation. The day itself lasted forever and was the most infuriating part of the book. There were just too many events that happened on that day and Grace's reaction to each was a little...befuddling.
I think this may be better if I were to reread it now knowing what happens so I can pay more attention to the detail. Because despite the criticism, the characters are interesting, there is a lot of depth, and it really explores grief in an illuminating way.
I'm not a mother, but it has certainly made me reflect on my relationship with my mum.
Overall, good, but I think I would have preferred it if told linearly.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Child death
Moderate: Sexual content and Child abuse
alienem's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Grief
Moderate: Sexual content
laheath's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This book was not what I expected, but so much more! It rotates among three time periods, 20+ years ago when Grace met her husband, 4 months ago when her life really took a downward turn, and present time when Grace is simply trying to get a cake to her daughter's 16th birthday party. Surprisingly, it wasn't difficult at all to keep up with the different time periods. It began as a familiar story of a middle-aged, perimenopausal woman who decided she was fed up with the everyday nuisances of her life, i.e., the things women are expected to put up with, and instead was going to take action rather than tolerate them anymore. There are several funny anecdotes about her standing up for herself, but as the story continues, it becomes more serious, and heartbreaking in ways that any mother could imagine. She learns more about herself and her family, and how she could have handled things differently without taking the blame for everything. As other reviews have mentioned, it did seem like the author tried to put a lot of issues into one story, but at the same time, combined with the flashbacks to the other time periods, they actually worked to explain Grace's situation. Wonderful debut and great cover!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Child death
Moderate: Cursing, Adult/minor relationship, Pregnancy, and Infidelity
Minor: Body shaming and Sexual content
readwithsabs's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Sadly this one was not for me. It was a slow long drawn out read. I had committed to 50% read before I knew I was not going to love it. I think the main reason it didn't work for me is because the author simply tried to tackle far too many sensitive themes ans in my opinion not in any great detail, therefore did not do any of them well. It was incredibly melodramatic with an unlikeable protagonist in Grace Adams and her teenage daughter Lotte. Told in present day with flashbacks to storytell how the events of Grace's past have effected her and bringing it around to her current situation.
I guess the author was trying to explore the importance of womanhood and all the nuances around being a strong woman.
I guess the author was trying to explore the importance of womanhood and all the nuances around being a strong woman.
Content Warnings
Minor: Mental illness, Sexual harassment, Infidelity, Child death, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, and Grief
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