Reviews with content warning for Grief - Lessons in Chemistry

This book manages to be frustrating, whimsical, and somber all at once. If you’re like me, many parts of this book will have your fists clenched in anger. Best rest assured, your fists will uncurl (mostly anyway) by the end of this book (although most of the sweet here is counterbalanced by bitterness, in a true lesson in chemistry)

At first I wasn’t sure about the writing style. It was captivating enough but when we started getting 6:30’s point of view, I wasn’t sure what to expect. Thankfully I stuck with it and the writing sucked me in and I really enjoyed this book.

I’m very late to this party but I’m really glad I picked this book up!

Content Warnings

vatodd's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful informative inspiring 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? It's complicated

4.5

I enjoyed it. I think the plot was a bit over complicated. It felt like the story was often more about Calvin than Elizabeth and I think that was a disservice.

The Calvin parents mystery/reveal felt unnecessary and shoehorned because maybe the editors didn't think people would be interested in Elizabeth alone and I think that was wrong. I think focusing too much on Calvin and his struggles overshadowed Elizabeth and the theme of women being undervalued

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good_names_dont_exist's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

bites_of_books's review against another edition

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dark informative mysterious reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

This book was a gift from one of my best friends and I breezed through it!

Narratively there were a couple of things that seemed a bit forced, things that took me out of the story because they were presented in a way that just didn't fully work for me. That being said, I think the characters were really unique and interesting with really complex motivations. I liked the outspoken main character who sticks to her values and doesn't let romance or anything else get in the way of the things that matter most to her.

All in all this is a story of a chemist who happens to be a woman in the 1950s and all the obstacles that she must overcome to reach her goals. On the way she finds love, family, and friends, which was quite satisfying to read about. However, it's not an easy read there are difficult topics that are pretty hard to read so do check content warnings before reading!

Content Warnings

miranda_is_reading's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

I really enjoyed this book. While traveling I brought it with me and so many people commented on it that had also read it. There was one lady who told me she hadn’t cared for it compared to all the raves I was hearing. So as I continued reading I kept waiting for the ball to drop. But, the story kept me pulled in wanting to know what was going to happen next.

My only flaw with the book, being a designer, is that the cover design (US) doesn’t fit the book at all. I know they say don’t judge a book by its cover, but knowing how design still sends a message and subconsciously influences people I was shocked to start reading this and realize it isn’t primarily a romcom type book at all. And romcom is the vibes the design totally gives in my opinion.

Beyond that this story was captivating to me. I loved the main character, Elizabeth, and all she stands for. I love how people around her could see her as stubborn, when she was just living authentically and in truth. I also enjoyed the ties to religious discussion in the book.

I can’t wait to watch the Apple TV show of the book and hope they stayed as true as possible to it.

Content Warnings

bethvance's review against another edition

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emotional funny informative sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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