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gesa2357's review
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
cakereads's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
what a nice heartwarming read! romantic things happening to unromantic people, melodramatic things happening to undramatic people- this book is really what it says on the tin and i thoroughly enjoyed it!! so glad i picked it up @ persephone books (still my fave bookshop from all the ones i visited in london / edinburgh).
heathssm's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
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
4.0
emswantree's review
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
heather_freshparchment's review
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Gaslighting, Xenophobia, and Pregnancy
Minor: Pregnancy, Domestic abuse, Murder, Death, Child death, and Alcoholism
saff24's review
dark
hopeful
relaxing
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? It's complicated
4.25
I loved this book way more than I thought I would. The classic 19th century romance has many interesting twists that enhance the genre. Emily does not search for marriage but it finds her anyway, much like the best relationships. The dark and slightly gothic second part had me completely hooked! This edition I would especially recommend as the font is very big compared to most classics, making it an easier read.
shelf_reflect10n's review
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
jersy's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I can enjoy simple and trivial stories, which I think this classifies as, but this one didn't work for me. I know the author can write inspiring books that are both heart warming and discuss important topics at the same time, so why is this work for adults so much less than her childrens books?
Apart from the parts that just didn't age well, the characters were already just stereotypes back when this was written and the book doesn't seem to know what kind of story it wants to tell (shifts of narrative and tone). All of it is lacking depth, but there is not even enough charme or fun to balance that. The only things I really enjoyed were the writing and the tiny comments about how hard life as person that isn't wealthy is like, but than again I don't feels it handles this poorer people narrative that well.
I think this book is close to being a fine palet cleanser, because both main stories are nice ideas in itself, but than it never sells its characters, situations or developements to me in a way I can believe them or feel any impact.
Apart from the parts that just didn't age well, the characters were already just stereotypes back when this was written and the book doesn't seem to know what kind of story it wants to tell (shifts of narrative and tone). All of it is lacking depth, but there is not even enough charme or fun to balance that. The only things I really enjoyed were the writing and the tiny comments about how hard life as person that isn't wealthy is like, but than again I don't feels it handles this poorer people narrative that well.
I think this book is close to being a fine palet cleanser, because both main stories are nice ideas in itself, but than it never sells its characters, situations or developements to me in a way I can believe them or feel any impact.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Misogyny
lawrenceevalyn's review
5.0
I just keep coming back to this one. It's so charming! And wholesome! And, okay, sexist and racist-- but not so very much so.
Re-read 6/26 on the bus to New York.
Re-read 6/26 on the bus to New York.