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amphitritedreams's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
An often funny, warm-hearted epistolary novel.
I enjoyed this very much as a teenager and on re-read today. Sadly, my digital edition did not come with Sally's charming illustrations. Strictly, this is a sequel to Daddy Longlegs, but you don't need to read Daddy Longlegs to enjoy this, and I'd say Dear Enemy is the better (and certainly less worrying) book.
Set in the very early 20th century (before the 19th amendment), hot-tempered socialite Sally is talked into putting her engagement on hold in order to reform an orphan asylum. It's a hard job, complicated by sparring with an irritating Scottish doctor, difficult trustees and rebellious staff as well as her own ideas about what matters most.
I enjoyed this very much as a teenager and on re-read today. Sadly, my digital edition did not come with Sally's charming illustrations. Strictly, this is a sequel to Daddy Longlegs, but you don't need to read Daddy Longlegs to enjoy this, and I'd say Dear Enemy is the better (and certainly less worrying) book.
Set in the very early 20th century (before the 19th amendment), hot-tempered socialite Sally is talked into putting her engagement on hold in order to reform an orphan asylum. It's a hard job, complicated by sparring with an irritating Scottish doctor, difficult trustees and rebellious staff as well as her own ideas about what matters most.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism and Classism
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, Animal cruelty, and Racism
If the foreground of the story is an enemies to lovers romance, the context is managing an early 20th century orphan asylum. There are frequent passing references to the challenges faced by the children their birth families. Social work at the time was preoccupied with alcoholism, heritability and eugenics, and these themes get some additional coverage in period style.drippingchiffon's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Child abuse, Mental illness, and Ableism
Moderate: Death of parent, Misogyny, Racial slurs, Classism, Alcoholism, Racism, and Sexism
Minor: Abandonment, Fire/Fire injury, and Forced institutionalization
alisylvi's review against another edition
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism
Moderate: Classism, Racial slurs, and Racism
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