Reviews tagging 'Infertility'

The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

235 reviews

taliatalksbooks's review against another edition

dark emotional 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? It's complicated

3.75

The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner was just as good, if not better, than I expected it to be. I tried not to let all the praise surrounding the book skew my reading experience, but I can now say it was definitely well earned (not to mention how much I LOVE the cover). Historical fiction is not a favorite genre of mine, but I loved the way this story was discovered through researching the past and filling in the pieces. I think this was a really clever framework and it made the women of this story feel as though they were interacting, even if they never could have possibly met. I love a story with a good vigilante character, and this book certainly delivered. If you haven’t had a chance to read this historical fiction gem, definitely add it to your TBR. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Infidelity, Incest, Suicide, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Murder, Miscarriage, Infertility, Gore, Death, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Sexism, Classism, Abortion, and Grief

gallexi's review against another edition

adventurous informative mysterious 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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Infidelity, Infertility, Domestic abuse, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Blood

huntress's review against another edition

dark informative reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No

1.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Sexism, Pedophilia, Suicide attempt, Death, Adult/minor relationship, Miscarriage, Blood, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Murder, Vomit, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Misogyny, Infidelity, Infertility, Grief, Medical content, Abortion, and Death of parent

lyfeistrip's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious tense fast-paced

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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Minor: Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Murder, Mental illness, Grief, Emotional abuse, Abortion, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Pedophilia, Sexual harassment, Infertility, Incest, Domestic abuse, Child death, Cancer, Miscarriage, Medical trauma, Infidelity, Vomit, Terminal illness, Suicidal thoughts, Sexism, and Death

ashley_mrose530's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

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

2.5

I didn't really care for this one. I like stories that connect to history and everything so I thought it would be good, but I could not empathize with the main character in this one at all.
I think I'm just too gay for this. The whole thing is that women are upset with men for their wrong-doings but the author tried so hard to make Caroline go back and forth about what she was going to do about her husband's infidelity: did she still want to be with him, did she still love him, etc. and all I could think is "just leave him!" He was an absolute bastard especially when

it was revealed at the end that he drank the oil on purpose to manipulate her

. I was definitely not surprised by that at all. I just had no empathy for her and her wishy-washy feelings about him.
On another note, I support women's rights, but more importantly I support women's wrongs! Nella and Eliza's story was arguably the most compelling part of this book. Poor Eliza went through so much at such a young age but I'm so glad that her mistress had her back and was willing to kill her husband in order to protect Eliza.

And then to get her first period shortly after he dies and not knowing what it was was so heartbreaking and proves how important sex ed is

.
And Nella

deciding to help her lover's wife kill him after he made both of them miscarry

was fantastic honestly. He deserved nothing less imo. I also liked seeing these two come together and

Nella almost seeing Eliza as the daughter she never got to have was cute,

but again there was a disconnect even in these parts of the story where it didn't really make me feel as strongly as it should have.
So yeah, I liked the premise of this story but the execution could have used a little more work I think.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, and Sexual assault

brogancha's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• 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

Graphic: Infidelity, Violence, Murder, Vomit, and Death

Minor: Sexual harassment, Miscarriage, and Infertility

alicynchurch's review against another edition

dark mysterious slow-paced

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

2.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death

Moderate: Infidelity

Minor: Infertility

jade62000111's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful mysterious reflective sad 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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Miscarriage, Murder, Suicide attempt, Suicide, and Terminal illness

Moderate: Death, Child death, Infertility, and Miscarriage

Minor: Vomit

melsiss14's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious reflective 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

5.0

Absolutely loved this book! Switches perspectives at great times without spending too much time away from any character. I found myself very invested in each story and how they connected. Really beautiful story of healing and self fulfillment. It had enough mystery and intrigue to make it a page turner, and enough emotion to make me reflect long after finishing the book. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Abortion, Infertility, and Miscarriage

mariamj's review against another edition

adventurous challenging inspiring mysterious reflective sad fast-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? Yes

4.0

The beginning was a bit slow but when it picks up, it  picks up! This book was such a pleasure to read. I love the historical accuracy of the events that occurred in this book and I love that the story behind the apothecary. Looks truly can be deceiving and the truth was bittersweet. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, Child death, Miscarriage, and Murder

Moderate: Infertility, Blood, Vomit, Terminal illness, Classism, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Alcoholism and Alcohol