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chainsawheartbooks's review
- 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
4.75
A gorgeously written feminist tale set in two different eras; 1871 and 2021, and I truly found myself in love with both eras of the story.
Starting with 1871, the characters are so rich, you want to know more about them and I was sat at the edge of my seat throughout the latter half of their story.
Then we have 2021, which I struggled to get into at first, but as soon as Caroline found herself enamoured with the lost apothecary I was sold, and I kept wanting to tell her everything I knew about the past events to aid her discoveries.
Suffice it to say, I really enjoyed this book. It warmed my heart, and it was wonderful seeing how two stories, set decades apart, intertwined…and I’m not ashamed to say I shed a tear when I finished this.
Graphic: Misogyny, Murder, Vomit, Suicide, Miscarriage, Death, Infertility, Death of parent, and Grief
ballousclues's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- 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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SPOILER
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Miscarriage, Abortion, Infidelity, Misogyny, Murder, Pregnancy, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Chronic illness, Infertility, Cancer, Vomit, and Grief
This book heavily talks about the inability to conceive, or successfully carry a child to full term. The book also talks about infidelity and the fallout from cheating in a relationship. I would pass a word of caution to anyone who has strong grief around children or the concept of pregnancy.freetobme's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
I did find several sentences and paragraphs to record and reflect on.
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Child abuse, Alcohol, Death, Child death, Death of parent, Classism, Medical content, Sexual assault, Grief, Miscarriage, and Abandonment
Minor: Blood
julbel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Graphic: Blood, Suicide attempt, Pregnancy, Misogyny, Abortion, Sexual harassment, Death of parent, Death, Child death, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Murder, Suicide, Miscarriage, Medical trauma, Infidelity, and Infertility
Moderate: Pedophilia
amcginger's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Miscarriage, Grief, Sexual assault, Misogyny, Medical content, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Death, and Infidelity
reka111's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
First, there was trust. Then, there was betrayal. You cannot have one without the other.
Honestly, even though this book used to be a DNF for me, I liked it immensely now. It was so lifelike, and I would even say modern, in a word, brilliantly written.
The characters were lovable, each in their own way (well, except for James, he was more of a toxicer) little Eliza was a staple of my heart, but Nella was still my favourite. The tremendous helpfulness, acceptance, and struggle that burned within her was extremely inspiring.
Although the plot ran on two time threads, it was not confusing, the events followed each other nicely, it was understandable and simple. Basically, it took place over a few days (both modern and past) so I think the time was right. I really liked the wording, it was a bit like reading a diary, and even the first-person POV didn't bother me. The end was closed nicely, albeit slightly open.
Overall, I really liked it and recommend it to anyone who loves history and poisons, but doesn't want anything big.
Graphic: Suicide attempt
Moderate: Toxic relationship and Death
Minor: Miscarriage, Vomit, Sexual assault, and Grief
booking_along's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Grief, Blood, Murder, Vomit, Terminal illness, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
ahoijules's review against another edition
2.0
Ich empfand das Buch als furchtbar langatmig mit vielen Beschreibungen und Erklärungen, die nicht nötig gewesen wären, um das Buch zu verstehen. Ich hatte Probleme mit den Protagonistinnen warm zu werden und fand keine so richtig spannend. Auch dauerte es bis gut zwei Drittel des Buchs bis die Handlung langsam an Fahrt aufgenommen hat.
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Murder, Infidelity, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Vomit, Medical content, Miscarriage, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Death, and Infertility
junglejelly's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Someone of the writing near the end was a bit clumsy and the characters stereotypical. But Penner knows exactly how to write mysteriously and have you hooked, I needed to know what happened to the two 18th century characters, and this alone is what kept me reading.
Overall a below average book for me hence the rating.
Graphic: Blood, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, and Vomit
Moderate: Infidelity, Death, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, and Miscarriage
Minor: Alcoholism, Grief, Chronic illness, Death of parent, and Sexual assault
bambifaun's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Infertility, Grief, and Medical content
Moderate: Child death, Infertility, Infidelity, Medical content, and Miscarriage
Minor: Pregnancy, Abortion, Blood, Death, Grief, and Murder