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elocheese's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
It was fine. It was an interesting idea on what happens after life. Honestly, it felt a bit rushed. The story was clearly intended to be about the after life and releasing secrets from your life to pass on BUT the reasons for the main character keeping the secrets in the first place just seemed a bit thin? And the reasons for making decisions just felt rushed? As if the story had to end up at one place so the decision was made even though in reality they would’ve been much more fight and torment over those choices.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Miscarriage and Death of parent
ayah_reads's review against another edition
2.0
The main issue here is that I just absolutely do not care for Evie and Vincent. It was insta love and I just couldn't root for it. I didn't buy any of the big grandiose feelings they had about each other.
As their love story is the crux of this novel, not liking them bleed into everything else, even if I could have been willing to roll with it.
The writing was fine, even if Evie "let out a breath she didn't know she was holding", it's a debut I could pass it by.
I didn't vibe with the magical elements of this, specifically the magical elements in the living world. I think this is also because the world is not grounded enough for anything to make sense - what time period is this set in??? Did Evie or her brother go to university?? Could they not have all run away together and worked??? Why couldn't she continue working as an artist after she married Jim as he would have supported her??? It made the stakes feel less meaningful cos I couldn't tell how feasible her mother's controlling of her life actually was.
The only thing I did like honestly was that ultimately Evie married Jim to give security for her brother. I think that was the best thing about the novel, the choices we make for the people we care about, even if that means our own personal happiness is compromised because our happiness is tied up with the people we care about.
I have been watching Carrie for literally years, possibly even a decade at this point?? And this book has been on shelf for years too having picked it up at a book fair. I think it's unlikely I will pick up another of her novels because I just don't think they're my vibe at all, but they might be yours!
As their love story is the crux of this novel, not liking them bleed into everything else, even if I could have been willing to roll with it.
The writing was fine, even if Evie "let out a breath she didn't know she was holding", it's a debut I could pass it by.
I didn't vibe with the magical elements of this, specifically the magical elements in the living world. I think this is also because the world is not grounded enough for anything to make sense - what time period is this set in??? Did Evie or her brother go to university?? Could they not have all run away together and worked??? Why couldn't she continue working as an artist after she married Jim as he would have supported her??? It made the stakes feel less meaningful cos I couldn't tell how feasible her mother's controlling of her life actually was.
The only thing I did like honestly was that ultimately Evie married Jim to give security for her brother. I think that was the best thing about the novel, the choices we make for the people we care about, even if that means our own personal happiness is compromised because our happiness is tied up with the people we care about.
I have been watching Carrie for literally years, possibly even a decade at this point?? And this book has been on shelf for years too having picked it up at a book fair. I think it's unlikely I will pick up another of her novels because I just don't think they're my vibe at all, but they might be yours!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Emotional abuse, and Homophobia
avoticat's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This is a sweet book, looking back at a first love as the main character steps into the afterlife, finally resolving that chapter of her life. I enjoyed it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Homophobia
justmys's review against another edition
Too cutesy for me.
It reads as a mix of a Disney movie mixed with a filmed theatre production. People acting in over the top, unatural ways when moving about scenes (for lack of a better word). In the 65 pages I read the main character didn't seem to have any flaws whatsoever (despite 3 big secrets). She came from a privaledged life, managed to get a job in a matter of days, held no negativity in her life despite abusive parents and experiencing near constant mysogyny at work, and, of course, is a clutz in an endearing way.
I also couldn't work out when anything was set. At first I thought we had gone back 60 years but then it felt a little like 60 years back was also present day? But also not??? Because there was arranged marriage and such? It was all just very higgledy piggledy for me.
I'm sure it's a lovely soft story, like a disney film, musical and summer romance all rolled into one. I just need more tooth and a lot more realism in how my characters are written.
It reads as a mix of a Disney movie mixed with a filmed theatre production. People acting in over the top, unatural ways when moving about scenes (for lack of a better word). In the 65 pages I read the main character didn't seem to have any flaws whatsoever (despite 3 big secrets). She came from a privaledged life, managed to get a job in a matter of days, held no negativity in her life despite abusive parents and experiencing near constant mysogyny at work, and, of course, is a clutz in an endearing way.
I also couldn't work out when anything was set. At first I thought we had gone back 60 years but then it felt a little like 60 years back was also present day? But also not??? Because there was arranged marriage and such? It was all just very higgledy piggledy for me.
I'm sure it's a lovely soft story, like a disney film, musical and summer romance all rolled into one. I just need more tooth and a lot more realism in how my characters are written.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, and Sexism
awren's review against another edition
fast-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? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
pippamillerxoxo_'s review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
booksofshannon's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Misogyny
caitlin22's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-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
4.75
A romance story from beyond the grave. When Evie realises she has died but can't move onto heaven because she's harboring secrets from her past, she embarks on a journey on the other side to help her family discover these secrets. With elements of magic to help her along the way, Carrie Hope Fletcher's tale offers comfort to those experiencing grief that maybe their family members are still there watching over them. This book makes you think about where you are in your life and the secrets that you are keeping.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Emotional abuse, and Death of parent