Scan barcode
teegarooney's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The author’s descriptions allow you to envision the story build and the experience of the narrator. The first half of the book was kind of slow, but the 2nd half was much more enveloping and left me wanting to keep reading and know the rest. The ending was a satisfying way to put the story to rest, no cliffhangers or weird endings that made it feel anticlimactic. If you like mystery, romance, existentialism of time, you’ll probably dig this read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Religious bigotry, Death of parent, and Mental illness
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
wildflowerleahg's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Physical abuse
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, and Mental illness
louiepotterbook's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Terminal illness, Violence, Death, Murder, Physical abuse, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Blood, Death of parent, Suicide, Domestic abuse, and Stalking
Minor: Child abuse
palmkd's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book was captivating from the start. The story pulled me in and kept me eager for whatever came next. I wanted to learn the truth, same as our main character, and we weren't really sure which truth we were after just that we needed it, no matter what. Secrets usually hide more secrets leaving plenty of truth to uncover in this wonderfully plotted mystery which leaves you a bit unsure what is real. Is June mad or are the rules of reality just a bit different for her family and their magical flower farm? And can you ever really know someone? Spend some time with the Farrows in the fictional small town of Jasper where the locals might be friendly, but only if you fit the norm. This story has a magical flower farm, love, friendship, non-linear storytelling/alternating timelines and a well done mystery to unravel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Murder, Death, Death of parent, and Mental illness
Minor: Blood
sunburn's review
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Suicide, Sexual content, Mental illness, and Abandonment
Minor: Stalking, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Blood, Alcohol, Abortion, Pregnancy, Panic attacks/disorders, and Child abuse
nataliebootlah's review
slow-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
June Farrow has grown up in the shadow of her mother’s descent into madness and eventual disappearance. After her grandmother finally succumbs to the same sickness, June is determined to put an end to the centuries-long curse that plagues the Farrow women.
This one kind of blew my mind a bit. It started off as a slow burn (and I mean slooooow), but once the plot picked up I couldn’t put it down. At points, I was so engulfed in the story that I felt like I was uncovering June’s family secrets right alongside her. I love when a book has me thinking I’ve figured it all out and then slaps me in the face with a plot twist. Talk about chef’s kiss. I really enjoyed this one!
For those of you that like magical realism, family drama, and time traveling tales, this one is for you!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Murder
Moderate: Abandonment, Mental illness, and Sexual content
hanlov's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for giving me a free eARC in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 stars! I am such a fan of the way Adrienne Young writes YA, and I loved my first adult book from her. In the town of Jasper near the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Farrow women are cursed with a descending madness that June Farrow cannot explain. “Every woman in the Farrow family was different, but the end was always the same.” “We were the limbs of a broken tree with poisoned roots.” June is determined to be the last Farrow, but an opportunity to solve her mother’s disappearance and change her fate sends her into the unknown.
The writing in this is so stunning and I loved the mystery and romance woven into this story. I love when a book can be both heavy on the vibes and atmosphere of the story and still have such an intriguing and engaging plot; I’ve truly not read a story like this before, it was so beautiful!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Murder, Religious bigotry, and Death of parent
Minor: Blood
shannon_magee's review
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
2.75
This book was a bit of a struggle for me. I think I wanted to enjoy it more than I actually did, and I think it was hyped up so I expected more out of it than I actually received. Several things. First, the pace was very slow for me and the mystery was so shrouded that a) the plot felt very messy to follow and b) I felt like the characters were all set up to be suspicious or untrustworthy, in a way for the bulk of the story, that I couldn’t get into the headspace of supporting or enjoying any particular character. I didn’t get to fall in love with any of them the way I feel like I was supposed to (as suggested by the premise and the narrative itself). There was too much distance for me to feel close to any of the characters or invest in them, and in a story that is clearly about characterization and human connection, that felt like a bit of a flop to me. I’m disappointed because I wanted to enjoy this book more and I can see what the author was going for, but it was a miss for me.
I will say, much respect to Adrienne Young for working out a very tangled plot, that’s a lot of mental acrobatics! And she did write a rich setting for these characters to play in. I just wish I’d had more space as a reader to sink into the story and feel the emotions with the characters instead of watching them suspiciously from afar.
*Also want to note that the content warning options don’t include these but if topics of time and potential memory loss are a struggle for you (like me), take care of yourself as you read this one*
I will say, much respect to Adrienne Young for working out a very tangled plot, that’s a lot of mental acrobatics! And she did write a rich setting for these characters to play in. I just wish I’d had more space as a reader to sink into the story and feel the emotions with the characters instead of watching them suspiciously from afar.
*Also want to note that the content warning options don’t include these but if topics of time and potential memory loss are a struggle for you (like me), take care of yourself as you read this one*
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Blood, and Death
Minor: Domestic abuse
faduma's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Gore, Physical abuse, Abandonment, and Stalking
ailiscr32's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Murder
Minor: Abandonment, Death, and Death of parent