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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