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melissaslibraryy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Our main character Lucy is a kindergarten teacher who is trying to foster then adopt one of her orphaned students Christopher, who she has formed a wholesome bond with over the past two years but is facing some financial setbacks that is stopping her from meeting the requirements to foster her baby boy. She would read her favorite childhood book series to him whenever he needed comforting from his trauma of finding his parents passed away and it was an outlet that helped him heal, so when the author of said series who has been on hiatus for years suddenly posts about a challenge to solve various riddles for a shot of winning his newest book Lucy has no choice but to accept his invitation.
This was a beautifully written story about family, heartbreak, and finding new love in the most unknowing situations. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in reading it or to those who’ve never heard of it, and definitely see myself rereading this eventually bc yes it is just that good❤️
Graphic: Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, and Pregnancy
ixris's review
- 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? Yes
3.0
The plot focuses on a woman who (to me, a person who spent nine years as a childcare aide) is the least believable depiction of a struggling poverty class worker let alone a childcare worker and how she is enamored with the MPDG of an old man who invites her to return to his Defunctland vibe private island and falling in love with his grumpy live in illustrator (Sorry she's not sunshine tho).
A lot of this was really trite to me but maybe I'm not the right audience. It was a coherent plot and structurally sound, and I quite liked the flirting scenes - our FMC and her MLI really had a good vibe overall.
You could spot this plot from space though.
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Rape, Terminal illness, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Third act trauma dumpaprilb_reads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Addiction, Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, and Grief
Minor: Child death and Incest
ericj32's review
- 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
4.0
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Alcoholism, Cancer, Chronic illness, and Drug abuse
hilivingston7's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I think the critique of Lucy’s relationship with Christopher is fair, but also think the difference of one person who really cares can make in a child’s life. I also didn’t like that her love interest meets her when she’s underage.
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cancer, Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
chartle's review
5.0
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Drug abuse, Miscarriage, and Terminal illness
meg_reads_alot's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The characters in this book all are linked by how escaping into the story book setting written by Jack “Mastermind” Masterson helped them through their childhoods. Jack invites these individuals to his island to compete in a series of games and riddles and face their fears in order to have their wish granted - to receive the only copy of his newest book (just like the characters in his books). Only those who are brave will have their wishes granted.
This is an easier/short read, and reads very much like a YA book. Is it super realistic? No but it’s also fiction and as I stated before I read to escape reality. It was entertaining and heart felt.
You may not want to read it if…
- you get annoyed when watching HGTV “I’m a crayon color tester who wants to buy a half million dollar house” vibes bother you
- you want a realistic story about foster/adoption of a child
- if you get the ick about someone who identifies as a mother figure in a child’s life acts like one despite not having adopted the child
- if you are bothered by someone talking about how they felt unloved/alone when their parents neglected to give them attention because their sibling was chronically ill
Minor: Child abuse and Drug abuse
emmakchapman's review
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Medical trauma
karina_dreamsinwords's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
I think I read this story exactly when I needed it. This had me crying many times, with a constant stream of tears for the last 25%. I can’t quite explain the hope & joy Meg Shaffer weaved into this delightful little gem, but this was an absolute pleasure to read.
This gave me the feels similar to one of my favorites— The House in the Cerulean Sea, so if you also loved that book, give this one a try.
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer, Drug abuse, and Terminal illness
haileyhardcover's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Addiction, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Bullying, Cancer, Homophobia, Incest, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, and Outing