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beepbeep101's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, Violence, Murder, Death, and Medical content
librarylove4eva's review against another edition
dark
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Two small-town library workers clash when a patron dies in the library bathroom. Relatable library stereotypes are on display while a dark connection is explored. A library burns and a new library leader is created. Neither main character is likable, but the story is better for it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
anyashadows's review
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death, Sexual violence, Fire/Fire injury, and Medical trauma
theinkwyrm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I know objectively that this was probably closer to a 3.5 stars, but enjoyment-wise it was a 4 for me because I couldn’t put this down. I was equally invested in both Margo and Patricia’s POVs and I thought that the way the author handled alternating them was well done, if a little redundant, since I never lost interest even when they overlapped. I do think the ending really gave away that this is the author’s first novel, since it felt rushed and kind of incomplete. I think it could have been much solved in a much more interesting way than it was, although the ending as it is is fine, if predictable. I also feel like this is one of those books that could have actually benefitted from an epilogue (which is not the case for most books), as it would have been nice to see if anything ever came of Patricia’s book and if Margo had any kind of influence on her (which is kind of inferred, but not enough to be sure).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Blood
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
ms_elchert's review against another edition
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Murder, and Sexual content
vickimarie2002's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book really was so interesting and captivating until the end. It fell a little flat and felt rushed. The whole, killer nurse turned librarian, I really loved! And Patricia was a very interesting character as well.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder and Medical trauma
aileron's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Medical content, Fire/Fire injury, and Murder
Moderate: Blood
Minor: Death of parent
lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I stumbled across this book on Libby and was drawn in by the cover.
"How Can I Help You" follows Margo, or at least that is what her colleagues and patrons at the small local library think her name is. No one suspects that she actually has a very sinister past and may have played a part in countless deaths. No one really sees how hard Margo tries to play her role, until Patricia, a recent college graduate, starts at the library. Patricia aspires to be a novelist, and she thinks Margo may be the perfect inspiration for a character.
I am not exactly sure what I expected from this book, but I was blown away! Margo is a highly unlikeable character, in fact I really and truly despised her, but I also could not stop reading from her perspective. I NEEDED to know her story and I was highly invested in uncovering why she was at this small-town library after a seemingly successful career as a nurse. I did really enjoy her mentality of why she was working at the library. She sought a quiet life that she could help people, which made the library seem like the perfect fit for her.
I really empathized with Patricia and her failed writing career. Patricia so desperately just wants to write; in fact, she has to write to keep her sane. But the more she becomes invested in a story, the more she seems to lose herself and the less good writing is actually doing for her. Patricia so easily succumbs to obsession and almost jeopardizes everything to get a good story. That all-encompassing need to create is a feeling I think any artist can relate to.
I was expecting a sweet story about meek women who lead quiet lives and work in the library, but what I got was pure anarchy. I did not know where the story was going, and I thoroughly enjoyed the ride to get there. This story is both strange and familiar, and it just worked for me.
I highly recommend this book (if you too like the strange), and I cannot wait to read more from Laura Sims in the future.
"How Can I Help You" follows Margo, or at least that is what her colleagues and patrons at the small local library think her name is. No one suspects that she actually has a very sinister past and may have played a part in countless deaths. No one really sees how hard Margo tries to play her role, until Patricia, a recent college graduate, starts at the library. Patricia aspires to be a novelist, and she thinks Margo may be the perfect inspiration for a character.
I am not exactly sure what I expected from this book, but I was blown away! Margo is a highly unlikeable character, in fact I really and truly despised her, but I also could not stop reading from her perspective. I NEEDED to know her story and I was highly invested in uncovering why she was at this small-town library after a seemingly successful career as a nurse. I did really enjoy her mentality of why she was working at the library. She sought a quiet life that she could help people, which made the library seem like the perfect fit for her.
I really empathized with Patricia and her failed writing career. Patricia so desperately just wants to write; in fact, she has to write to keep her sane. But the more she becomes invested in a story, the more she seems to lose herself and the less good writing is actually doing for her. Patricia so easily succumbs to obsession and almost jeopardizes everything to get a good story. That all-encompassing need to create is a feeling I think any artist can relate to.
I was expecting a sweet story about meek women who lead quiet lives and work in the library, but what I got was pure anarchy. I did not know where the story was going, and I thoroughly enjoyed the ride to get there. This story is both strange and familiar, and it just worked for me.
I highly recommend this book (if you too like the strange), and I cannot wait to read more from Laura Sims in the future.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Toxic relationship, and Murder
Moderate: Medical content and Sexual content
jackie_reads_314's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
kkraut's review against another edition
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
2.0
Dark. I think if you like being in the heads of the villain, this is a book for you. Surprisingly shocking sentences here and there but otherwise I think the characters could have had some more depth.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Physical abuse