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anna_woodson's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
3.5
Moderate: Lesbophobia
theonlybaillie's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Cancer, Sexism, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Biphobia, Grief, Death of parent, Lesbophobia, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Minor: Fatphobia, Infidelity, and Pregnancy
maggies's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-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
2.0
This one is difficult to review. It seemed marketed as a cozy mystery, but the mystery was so cozy it barely qualified in my opinion—most books have a similar level of puzzlement/secrecy involved and don't get the mystery genre. It was all decidedly fine. The plot and pacing varied widely throughout, which felt a bit like whiplash to me as a reader. The central conflict was resolved neither satisfactorily nor poorly; it just kind of petered out and then the book was suddenly over. The characters weren't horrible as a rule, but they also weren't endearing by any stretch. Also, my perennial reaction: they all need to go to therapy.
Graphic: Death, Emotional abuse, and Grief
Moderate: Cancer, Mental illness, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Lesbophobia
stormywolf's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? Yes
4.5
I had utterly no clue what this book was about. Basically, I needed a book recommended on BookBub for a reading challenge, and I found this on a list of books that featured libraries and bookstores. I thought the summary made it sound light, mysterious, and kinda cozy. Little did I know just what I was in for...
Read my full review at The Wolf's Den
Overall, this story devastated me but in the best way possible. I went in mostly unassuming, with it not being in my typical genres or demographic, and was utterly blindsided with how much I related to these characters and their doubts, their fears, their regrets, and their struggles. But by the same token, as they were built back up with changes and support, I too came out the other side with a feeling of reassurance and hope. The literary lean didn't hurt things either. I'd highly recommend this for anyone looking for something about later-life changes, self-discovery, self-improvement, family drama and reconciliation, or the importance of love, support, and moving forward. So for anyone who is feeling a bit lost right now—let's face it, there are plenty of us—you might just find a little bit of comfort within this book's pages.
Read my full review at The Wolf's Den
Overall, this story devastated me but in the best way possible. I went in mostly unassuming, with it not being in my typical genres or demographic, and was utterly blindsided with how much I related to these characters and their doubts, their fears, their regrets, and their struggles. But by the same token, as they were built back up with changes and support, I too came out the other side with a feeling of reassurance and hope. The literary lean didn't hurt things either. I'd highly recommend this for anyone looking for something about later-life changes, self-discovery, self-improvement, family drama and reconciliation, or the importance of love, support, and moving forward. So for anyone who is feeling a bit lost right now—let's face it, there are plenty of us—you might just find a little bit of comfort within this book's pages.
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
Moderate: Body shaming, Death, Grief, and Alcohol
Minor: Cancer, Fatphobia, Lesbophobia, Toxic friendship, and Abandonment
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