Scan barcode
chacharlotte's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I was gonna give this 5 stars at first, but the last part really lets this book down in my opinion. It’s too much of a Hallmark happy end for what started out with beautifully written, complicated but compelling characters. I also didn’t like how Ashlyn‘s story was suddenly cast aside in favor of present day Marian‘s viewpoint.
What also bothers me are Ashlyn‘s magic powers, that seem like an afterthought/just thrown in there to give Ashlyn motivation to pursue the story of the two lovers. I think there could’ve been a way to tell this story without the magic - it doesn’t really add much, and it doesn’t really fit the vibe of the rest of the book. If you’re gonna add magic (which I’m not opposed to), I would think it would have more impact on the story and/or the characters. It just seemed kind of lazy?
The “plot twist” was pretty obvious as well, and I don’t think we needed all those chapters with Marian to reveal it. I think this would have been a much better book if Ashlyn had been the one to figure out the misunderstanding and Marian/Hemi’s reunion had been left to the imagination/not happened on page/not happened at all even.
What also bothers me are Ashlyn‘s magic powers, that seem like an afterthought/just thrown in there to give Ashlyn motivation to pursue the story of the two lovers. I think there could’ve been a way to tell this story without the magic - it doesn’t really add much, and it doesn’t really fit the vibe of the rest of the book. If you’re gonna add magic (which I’m not opposed to), I would think it would have more impact on the story and/or the characters. It just seemed kind of lazy?
Content Warnings
Moderate: Antisemitism and Toxic relationship
Minor: Car accident, Forced institutionalization, Suicide, Mental illness, and Child death
sdt0087's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Grief, War, Antisemitism, Suicide, Death of parent, and Forced institutionalization
redheadorganist's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Antisemitism, Death, Mental illness, Pregnancy, Forced institutionalization, Abandonment, Confinement, Terminal illness, Child death, and Grief
Moderate: Blood and Car accident
Minor: War
gaby_readsss's review
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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
5.0
I got this book for free on amazon prime. I had never heard of this author before, but the title and the cover convinced me to read it.
What a wonderful book this was.
I immediately felt captivated by the writing. The concept of this book is unlike anything I’ve read, which made it so much more special to me.
I loved the dual timelines, the mystery, all the bookish quotes and references, the romance, everything was so so good.
This story was heartbreaking, infuriating, sad, and the ending was so bittersweet to me. It definitely made me tear up.
I love when a book makes me feel so many emotions, and this book was definitely one that I’ll remember.
If you’re a book lover, give this one a try.
This is already one of my favorite reads of 2024!!
What a wonderful book this was.
I immediately felt captivated by the writing. The concept of this book is unlike anything I’ve read, which made it so much more special to me.
I loved the dual timelines, the mystery, all the bookish quotes and references, the romance, everything was so so good.
This story was heartbreaking, infuriating, sad, and the ending was so bittersweet to me. It definitely made me tear up.
I love when a book makes me feel so many emotions, and this book was definitely one that I’ll remember.
If you’re a book lover, give this one a try.
This is already one of my favorite reads of 2024!!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Antisemitism, Suicide, Death of parent, and Infidelity
Moderate: Abandonment, Self harm, and Mental illness
dany_casimiro's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
Long Story Short: lots of echoes, very little books.
Finally, a fiction book that breaches the topic of antisemitism in the 1940s USA – a great way to foster its discussion.
I really liked the idea behind book empathy – some people are sensitive enough to touch an object and feel emotions from its past. Granted, the book part earned most of my interest in this case. Sadly, it was more of an initial plot device to be used only as the plot demands than an actual integral part of the story. By the end of the 430 pages, it makes a feeble reappearance to remind readers that it has been there all along when the protagonist is sharing her ability with her love interest.
It has “books” in the title, the main character recovers and sells old books, and the only physical plot device is indeed a book. But on the topic of books, that’s pretty much it. The focus shifts completely to the story behind the book that Ashlyn, the protagonist, is reading and where her quest to find out more leads her. Romance, mystery, social critique – everything feels but halfway done. An exception is due when it comes down to Ashlyn’s traumatic experiences, as the author clearly couldn’t decide between an abusive marriage, a traumatic divorce, or witnessing the death of a soon-to-be ex-husband. So, she chose all the above. It would have been more passable if these instances had been better explored, rather than merely used as – again – a plot device for an extra layer in romance building. It became increasingly frustrating and boring, especially because every issue got solved so easily. Their point besides plot reasons is beyond my comprehension. The literary quotes at the beginning of each chapter did not help at all; they quickly became an insistent reminder that this was supposed to be a book about books, and it became a doomed romance.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Infidelity, Misogyny, and Sexism
Moderate: Antisemitism and Death
Minor: Car accident, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, and Gaslighting
csmoke85's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, War, Self harm, Murder, Antisemitism, and Suicide
clamacchia's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Antisemitism, War, and Mental illness
jessican's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Antisemitism, Xenophobia, Suicide, and Death of parent
drnaynay's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Antisemitism, Classism, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Mental illness, Self harm, Toxic relationship, War, and Suicide
mec4's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I thought this book was sort of light and reminiscent of a tragic love story. One where the most development happens in growing pains, and at the most inconvenient times. I somewhat resonated with the characters within the books in the bookshop, and how deeply they felt for each other, and what they would do for each other. I appreciate the insertion of the Jewish perspective, and some of the feelings both negative and positive that surround that, though in some parts the book felt a little long, or too much like a historical fiction. I wish we got more of Belle and Hemi after reuniting, but it's possible this is just a way for us (The readers.) to imagine what their life will be like. Possibly leave it on a vague enough note to think about our own lovers, and use our imaginations to think of what happens next based on what we want, what we dream of.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Antisemitism