Reviews tagging 'Death of parent'

The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

121 reviews

mariamj's review against another edition

adventurous challenging inspiring mysterious reflective sad fast-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? Yes

4.0

The beginning was a bit slow but when it picks up, it  picks up! This book was such a pleasure to read. I love the historical accuracy of the events that occurred in this book and I love that the story behind the apothecary. Looks truly can be deceiving and the truth was bittersweet. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, Child death, Miscarriage, and Murder

Moderate: Infertility, Blood, Vomit, Terminal illness, Classism, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Alcoholism and Alcohol

kimtazo's review against another edition

dark emotional hopeful mysterious reflective sad medium-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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Gaslighting, Murder, Abortion, and Infertility

Minor: Death of parent and Child death

peytonktracy's review against another edition

adventurous dark hopeful mysterious tense 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? Yes

3.0

A little trite and on the nose, but mostly enjoyable. I felt like there was so much happening that nothing ever truly landed except the author really driving home the point about women not being recorded in history, and even that felt a little forced. Mostly accurate historic research experience, and the premise was super interesting. Also, the little feminine satisfaction that there was not one redeemable male character in this book…

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Suicide, Pregnancy, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment, Miscarriage, and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Blood, Death of parent, Vomit, and Pedophilia

kelisabeth's review against another edition

adventurous emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abortion, Alcohol, Classism, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Miscarriage, Murder, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Vomit, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Body horror, Child abuse, Child death, Death of parent, Grief, Infertility, Infidelity, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt

annniina98's review against another edition

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Terminal illness, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Death, and Death of parent

Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence

pattyblom's review against another edition

adventurous dark 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

4.0

I liked the combination of the modern day story and the past one, but maybe it switched a little too much between them. I personally could have gone without the

marriage struggles and cheating of the husband.

Nice read, with a slow to medium pace.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder and Death

Moderate: Death of parent

Minor: Infidelity and Suicidal thoughts

seetaylorwrite's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional mysterious reflective sad 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

5.0

The Lost Apothecary is a historical fiction duel timeline story told in the POV of 3 very different characters.

Caroline is a woman who has gone to London after she finds out about the affair her husband has been having with a coworker. While there, she stumbles upon a little blue vial with a bear image on it. Her journey to find out more about the vial also leads her to find out about herself.

Nella is the owner of an apothecary in 1790 London. On the outside, it appears like any other apothecary. What’s hiding further in, however, is only known by a select few.

Eliza is the 12 year old servant girl of Mrs. Amswell. When she’s sent to Nella’s apothecary to procure a specific remedy, it ties Nella and Eliza together in the most unique and adventurous way.

I absolutely LOVED this book. The further into it I got, the more I wanted to know. The unexpected friendship that Nella and Eliza find themselves in warmed my heart and seeing Caroline dig deeper within to find herself again showed a strength that people find when they have to move forward and aren’t sure how. It’s incredible that one tiny vial united their stories that occur 200 years apart. I am so glad I put this one on my Hopefuls list for this month.!

Please be sure to check your CW/TW for this one. These include: suicidal attempts/thoughts, attempted SA against minors, and miscarriage/pregnancy loss.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Murder, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Infertility, and Infidelity

Minor: Death of parent, Miscarriage, Suicide attempt, Vomit, Pedophilia, and Sexual assault

elisahec's review against another edition

adventurous inspiring mysterious reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Murder, Infertility, Child death, Toxic relationship, Infidelity, Grief, Pregnancy, and Miscarriage

Minor: Death of parent, Suicide attempt, Rape, Terminal illness, Death, Vomit, and Abortion

hales_1243's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Vomit, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Miscarriage, Alcohol, Death, Infidelity, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Medical content, Gaslighting, and Infertility

Minor: Pedophilia and Sexual harassment

robin_reads's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.0

This book is about Caroline in present times finding a remnant of an apothecary from two hundred years ago. She pieces together the history during her stay in London, while her own life is being turned upside down. 
The second POV is of the apothecary, Nella, in 1791 and how she is running her shop and how a 12-year-old girl changes everything.

It was slow to get into but once it did, I was hooked. I loved to learn what really happened in 1791 vs. what Caroline thinks has happened. 
I think I know why so many people didn’t like it because it’s focused on a rather unpopular trope for a while. 
The audiobook was lovely to listen to. The different characters and timelines were easily distinguished. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Infertility, Pregnancy, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Murder, and Grief

Moderate: Death of parent, Gaslighting, Medical trauma, Vomit, Terminal illness, and Suicidal thoughts