Reviews tagging 'War'

The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods

55 reviews

nooks_cranny's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful mysterious 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

3.75

I thought it was going to be a cozy read but it turned out darker than I thought. It was a good book to pass the time, I didn’t really feel any attachment to any character aside from Madame Bowden. I would love to know more about her but that would ruin the fun and mystery. I also didn’t know I would learn tiny snippets about Irish history

especially concerning the German soldiers

.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Violence, Grief, Confinement, Abandonment, War, Pregnancy, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Murder, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Abortion

Minor: Ableism

ivi_reads_books's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

Liked the dual timeline but did not understand the attraction between any of the love interests. A lot happens plot-wise in a very short time and it didn't always make sense to me how characters acted. I would have preferred if the author explored the inner workings of the characters more rather stumbling from one tragic event to the next.
If you don't want to read about certain topics consult the trigger warnings as this book is quite dark.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence, Sexism, Mental illness, Classism, Pregnancy, Murder, Alcohol, Suicidal thoughts, Medical content, Domestic abuse, Forced institutionalization, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse

Minor: War

kay_chan's review against another edition

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

1.5

Based on the synopsis, this book was so disappointing. I was expecting a historical fiction with whimsical elements to it. What I got was 90% women's trauma, a sprinkling of magical element that wasn't explained whatsoever, and a hint of historical element when it pertains to classic books and their authors. 

I almost dnf'd this book three or four times because the topics are dark and not developed well within the characters. It was shock value for me because I wasn't expecting it and even though I managed to finish it to get to the kind of "HEA", I don't think it was worth it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Forced institutionalization, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, and Murder

Moderate: Medical trauma

Minor: War

ashleykhoffman's review against another edition

emotional mysterious 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

3.5

This book was whimsical, but also emotional. I liked how all the characters were connected. The ending left me with more questions than answers, though. It felt rushed and there was a lot I'm sure I didn't understand, which was jarring because I hadn't had any story comprehension challenges up until that point. Overall it was nice.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Torture, and War

catiebick's review against another edition

emotional mysterious 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

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Forced institutionalization, Alcoholism, and War

rosietomyn's review against another edition

mysterious reflective medium-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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Violence, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, War, Stalking, and Addiction

tnm94's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring 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? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Forced institutionalization, Misogyny, Kidnapping, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Medical trauma, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse

Moderate: War and Violence

jnobrien21's review against another edition

fast-paced

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

3.5

The premise of this book seemed cute but I had a hard time following the stories throughout, particularly with two in the present and one in the past. Even then, the two in the present didn't feel like they were set in the present. I also felt like the ending left a lot to be desired.

I don't really understand what was going on with the bookshop, and we were just left hanging without any explanation of who Madame Bowden really was.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Forced institutionalization

Moderate: Pregnancy, War, and Physical abuse

Minor: Alcoholism

griffl's review against another edition

challenging emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: War, Suicidal thoughts, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Suicide attempt, Child death, and Domestic abuse

mayab56's review

challenging emotional informative inspiring mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, Sexism, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: War, Misogyny, Child death, Mental illness, Child abuse, Pregnancy, and Suicidal thoughts