Take a photo of a barcode or cover
challenging
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Minor: Cancer, Domestic abuse, Self harm
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Moriarty books go down real easy and usually I enjoy them. Except that I always stumble at first when a book is written in present tense. Listen, the characters are not standing in front of me saying and doing things. NO, I am reading about things they said and did at some other time. Present tense narration immediately takes me out of the story. Which I know is a me problem, so I don't subtract stars for that.
Also, it must be said that Cherry and Cheryl do not sound at all similar. So I found it completely unbelievable that people who just heard the name would confuse them. I guess an argument could be made for mistaking them if you are reading the name, but if the name ever left your lips, I maintain there is no way you would ever confuse the two. Sherry and Cherry, sure. But Cherry and Cheryl. The is no way. There is nothing similar about how you say those names. It's like saying people always called her Alice when her name was really Susan. Took me right out of the story every time.
So obviously I had a problem staying immersed. Not only that but instead of unfolding in a delightful way the author would say something cliff hangery and then jump to the next perspective. So annoying. It made me feel like the story was being WITHHELD from me rather than told to me.
There is one thing that I liked about the book...it did have a good depiction of OCD and even rarer, a good description of OCD therapy but that was like 5 % of the narration so I can't say I would recommend reading it.
Also, it must be said that Cherry and Cheryl do not sound at all similar. So I found it completely unbelievable that people who just heard the name would confuse them. I guess an argument could be made for mistaking them if you are reading the name, but if the name ever left your lips, I maintain there is no way you would ever confuse the two. Sherry and Cherry, sure. But Cherry and Cheryl. The is no way. There is nothing similar about how you say those names. It's like saying people always called her Alice when her name was really Susan. Took me right out of the story every time.
So obviously I had a problem staying immersed. Not only that but instead of unfolding in a delightful way the author would say something cliff hangery and then jump to the next perspective. So annoying. It made me feel like the story was being WITHHELD from me rather than told to me.
There is one thing that I liked about the book...it did have a good depiction of OCD and even rarer, a good description of OCD therapy but that was like 5 % of the narration so I can't say I would recommend reading it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Minor: Domestic abuse, Self harm
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cancer, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Terminal illness, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
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:
Yes
I love Liane Moriartyโs books and how they start with a tangled mess of characters that end up connected in meaningful and interesting ways in the end. In a similar way to The Measure, this book inspired me to pause and reflect on the trajectory of my life. What does one do with your one, precious life? It also inspires you to tap into empathy, which the world could certainly use more of these days.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Alcohol
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Self harm
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Elements
Heartfelt- ๐๐๐๐
Love aka Romance- ๐๐
Predictability- ๐ฎ๐ฎ๐ฎ& 1/2
Love aka Romance- ๐๐
Predictability- ๐ฎ๐ฎ๐ฎ& 1/2
Spice- 1/2 of a ๐ถ
Tear- ๐ญ๐ญ & 3/4
Thrill-๐ฒ ๐ฒ & 1/2
Humor-1/2 of a ๐
Tear- ๐ญ๐ญ & 3/4
Thrill-๐ฒ ๐ฒ & 1/2
Humor-1/2 of a ๐
I found it pretty easy to figure out what was going on with the "death ladies" predictions by about halfway through the book. However, the journey of the book was still fairly enjoyable.
I did like the ending and the how/why she ended up doing that on the plane. As well as all the frank discussions of mental health.
Overall, it is a decent read, and quite emotional.
Narrators' Rating: 4.5 stars
My only complaint with the narrators was some of the voices they used were annoying or repetitive in different characters.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Mental illness, Vomit, Grief, Death of parent
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Car accident, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Child death, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicide, Violence, Medical trauma, Stalking, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, War
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief
Moderate: Cancer, Child death, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Car accident
Minor: Alcoholism, Self harm, Stalking, War
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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:
No
It took me a little bit to become fully invested in this story, but once I was, my goodness it was good!
I found it a little bit rambly in the beginning and unsure how I would settle into it, but Cherry became so intriguing and I loved her relationship with Mum and Aunty Pat. Eve and Dom's initial prediction is what hooked me thoughโฆ
I listened on audible and the reading was awesome!
I also enjoyed all of Cherryโs pop culture references: Ed Sheeran and Pink were funny additions, and added to her quirkiness.
I also enjoyed all of Cherryโs pop culture references: Ed Sheeran and Pink were funny additions, and added to her quirkiness.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Self harm
dark
emotional
reflective
Listened to this on audio. This kept me engaged and I guessed some parts but there were connections and turns I didnโt guess. I wish they would have given us a little bit more closure on some of the story lines but overall I really liked it and it was an intriguing story!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Self harm, Car accident, Death of parent
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Vomit, Car accident
Moderate: Terminal illness, Stalking, Death of parent
Minor: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts