Reviews with content warning for Grief - Stora vackra liv

Reviews tagging 'Grief'

Stora vackra liv by Emily Henry

292 reviews

sydcreads's review against another edition

3.75

emotional lighthearted medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: No

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

agw622's review against another edition

5.0

challenging emotional inspiring reflective fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Even having heard spoiler free reviews of this book, I was still surprised by what all made up this book.
If you're like me and first feel in love with Emily Henry for her fun lighthearted romances, this might not be what you want, but it is such a great book. Do know though this is like 60% the unraveling of the celebrity's story the other 40% the romance.
Few things I liked
1. I love how the Male love interest is given good reasons for how he is acting in the situation they're in. I never had to go for chapters on en's asking what's his deal or just assuming he does it solely for tension.
2. I like the secondary plot being something completely different that interacted with the present plot. The main issue I had with Happy Place was the flashbacks, but with this book, they're done so well.
3. For what a lot of people will call a "silly little romance" this book actually looks at and confronts the issue of generational trauma really well.

Content Warnings

edey_books's review against another edition

5.0

emotional funny mysterious 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

This book, in my opinion, is Emily Henry’s greatest work yet. Despite some criticism I’ve seen where people say this isn’t a romance or isn’t good because of the MMC, I absolutely adored this book. It’s celebrates love in all its forms: family, friends, and blossoming romance. There are more characters in GBBL than in previous stories she’s written, but they’re all so complex and I couldn’t help but cheering for all of them. I was so invested in Margaret’s story as it unfolded with all its twists and half-truths, and I loved Alice and Hayden as they both explored their feelings and boundaries. The way that loss and grief are shown in this book really could not have come at a better time for me, and Alice’s loving but still strained relationship with her mother was also one I related to. I cried, I laughed, I yelled “what!!” at this book, and sighed so much my husband asked me what was wrong.

Content Warnings

laheath's review against another edition

3.0

emotional hopeful reflective 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

I guess when I see a new Emily Henry novel, I jump in assuming I know what to expect. I hadn't read any reviews, just the blurb, but I have to agree with other reviewers who felt that this is less of a romance and more women's fiction. Actually, there was so much mystery that the romance seemed like an afterthought. Alice and Hayden are both writers who have been invited to vie for the prize of writing the biography of Margaret, heiress turned recluse. There's initially some spark between Alice and Hayden, a little grumpy meets sunshine, rivals to lovers vibe. Unfortunately, the book then gets bogged down in telling Margaret's story, which didn't interest me until almost the last quarter of the book. Her story involves family secrets, trauma, and loss, so it was definitely heavier than the author's previous books. Alice and Hayden's relationship had potential for quite a bit more emotional development, as well as banter and tension. It seemed like a missed opportunity, but at least the story ended well.

Content Warnings

blackcatbooksmn's review against another edition

4.0

emotional funny hopeful inspiring fast-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

I loved it and I’m sobbing. (Maybe I’ll be more coherent with my thoughts later)

**Updated**

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

📚 Great Big Beautiful Life, Emily Henry

✨ Emotional. Reflective. Inspiring.

💭 Emily Henry literally never misses! Once again her characters and their stories captured my heart and my imagination. This book felt like the mosaics described in the story. Colorful, mesmerizing, unique, and sharp enough to keep you invested while still allowing escape from the ordinary. A beautiful exploration of legacy, identity, success, and the way the past shapes our future.

Content Warnings

katievannuys's review against another edition

5.0

emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective 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: Complicated

Emily Henry provides yet again… not surprised though! I loved Alice and Hayden and how their feelings evolved, but I loved the plot and theme of family even more. I thought a lot about the quote “everyone is living life for the first time” a lot while reading it! The ending surprised me so much that I cried (hard). Each character’s evolution was important and I enjoyed how the puzzle pieces fit together. Yes, it gave Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo… but it’s unique in its own way. Would totally recommend!

Content Warnings

thebruce's review against another edition

3.25

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Content Warnings

bmpicc's review against another edition

3.0

hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Listed as romance but reads like a mystery - mother child relationships - small town vibes

Having read all of Henry's other books, this was not what I was expecting. Personally, I would have preferred 2 POV's. There was a serious lack of Hayden's inner thoughts which left me felling 'meh' about the romantic relationship aspect of the story.

That being said, if it was sold to me as a mystery... well, this could be a different review.

“There’s an old saying about stories, and how there are always three versions of them: yours, mine, and the truth.”

Content Warnings