Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods

169 reviews

vtorres123's review against another edition

emotional hopeful sad

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse

Minor: Alcoholism

empheliath's review against another edition

There was SO MUCH violence against women! Domestic violence, women being beaten, imprisoned by hateful family members, kidnapped. I couldn't take it anymore. Book descriptions led me to believe this was a cozy bookshop mystery. If I'd been warned about the violent content I'd never have picked it up. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, Torture, Abandonment, and Sexism

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

heathere19's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

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

4.0

I like it, but it was not what I was expecting. I think the bookshop that is mentioned in the synopsis is more of a metaphor and theme for the story. It was the backdrop for the real story. But it was a cute little found family historical fiction. The plot gave Kate Morton vibes, but with less flowery language. Still a fun summer read. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Sexism, Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Mental illness, and Misogyny

fancyjess_party's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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? No

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Alcohol, Forced institutionalization, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Toxic relationship, Child death, Death of parent, Deportation, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Murder, Sexism, Suicide attempt, Alcoholism, Blood, Bullying, Cancer, Self harm, Grief, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, and Terminal illness

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

roxyrip's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense 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

4.5

I didn't think I was going to like this book at the beginning as much as I ended up liking it. I loved the duel timeline, the 3 POV's, and most of how it came together in the end. I didn't give 5 stars due to still having a few questions in the end that I would have liked answered.

Who was Madame Bowden? Seemed to indicate the shop/house in some way but there was no other mention of it manifesting like that before. I think this part would have been better in Martha's POV not Henry's.
What's with the mind reading scattered throughout the book? 
What happened when Shane fell down the stairs? 
Why was the bookshop hidden in the first place? 
Did Opaline search for Rose?
How was Opaline able to go back to living in and operating the bookshop after all that time?
How did Opaline's story end? I get that she mostly had a happy ending with Josef but I wanted more info on their life after he came back. 
Did Martha tell her mom about the relation to Opaline, the bookshop and who Opaline was?

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Death, Forced institutionalization, and Physical abuse

Minor: Suicide and Alcoholism