Reviews tagging 'Self harm'

For Whom The Belle Tolls by Jaysea Lynn

100 reviews

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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: No

As an avid viewer of this tiktok series, it's delightful to listen to the beginning of Lily, Bel, and Sharkie's story. It does feel a little like I know a secret though, having watched so many episodes because I know the limits/end point of certain plot points already. But it is wonderful to meet even more characters within this universe and see more than the often limited scope of the series. 

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dark emotional funny hopeful 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

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adventurous dark funny hopeful medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring tense 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: No

I don't have words for how amazing this was! I've followed the tiktok series for a few years, and this was a perfect prequel for the series. Jaysea's writing is so emotional and raw and deals with hard topics in a real, graceful way. I can't wait to read read more from her!

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adventurous emotional funny reflective tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

I LOVED this book. I have watched every episode of Hell's Belles on TikTok and was anxiously awaiting the release of this novel, and I was not disappointed. Jaysea brought the same emotion and depth of character that she has managed to craft on screen and represented it beautifully on the page. I had moments where I was laughing, crying, kicking my feet, blushing, just FEELING with the emotions of Lily and Bel. This was such a fantastic and epic undertaking and I cannot wait for more from the Hellp Desk!

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
emotional funny hopeful inspiring medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Loveable characters: Yes

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
adventurous emotional fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

I wanted to love this story so bad. Unfortunately the tiktok skits gave me context into characters that the published canon did not. I wanted there to be more happening across the 700 pages and I just could not connect with the story in the way I had hoped for. If there is a second book I very much hope it has more action. 
I do not recall a lot of diversity amongst the main characters and the diversity amongst the background characters was faint enough I can't really tell if it was tiktok skits giving the impression of diversity or if it was adequately demonstrated on-page. There was plenty of romantic spice and it somehow felt like speed-running true love despite the story being 698-ish pages long. It would have been nice for the inter-world conflict to be slightly more present because aside from a love interest almost dies scene, main character is a badass scene, and a 'omg maybe the enemy were forced to do this' scene there is nothing really going on.
The book is still fairly enjoyable, don't get me wrong. It was a nice time but I think if it was only 500 pages it would have been just as enjoyable. The extra almost 200 pages did not add a whole lot of note.

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
dark emotional hopeful reflective 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

As a fan of the Hell’s Belles series on TikTok, I thoroughly enjoyed this glimpse into Lily’s (and Sharkie’s/Bel’s) life before the series began. Jaysea Lynn does an outstanding job of creating scenes that make you laugh, cry, blush, and everything in between. 

Following Lily’s journey through the Afterlife and watching how the other characters I’ve grown to know and love on TikTok fit into the narrative was fantastic. I truly struggled to put this book down and focus on real life, because the story and descriptions felt so real. The struggles are relatable, the celebrations are just familiar enough, and I loved the little Easter egg at the very end (again, especially as someone who follows the series!)

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring 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: Complicated

Originally read this on ao3 and I cannot express my absolute glee adequately at getting to read it again. I laughed, I cried, I came, this book has it all. Hands down my new comfort reread and I think my new favorite book period (soon to be trilogy, I truly can’t wait). I cannot say enough good things about this book, Jaysea is such a talented, soulful (pun not intended) writer who really knows how to press all your soft spots in the gentlest, most effective ways possible. I don’t know what else to say besides do yourself a favor and read this. 

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