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fkshg8465's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The biggest issue I had with the book was the pace. There’s a ton to unravel, and everything went too fast. If Dr. Berry had taken the time to go through the slower, this could’ve been a home run. Characters were going through the motions of the plot, but other than some internal mania experienced by Celeste, there was little insight into any of the other characters. They were all mono dimensional at best. Her other books were so much better than this. Lots of important things to talk about in here, but none were really addressed adequately. Tons of trigger warnings folks, so make sure you know ahead of time, or stop reading and walk away if any of it takes you down a road too dark for yourself.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cancer, Chronic illness, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Infertility, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Torture, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
jul_dougherty's review against another edition
fast-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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction and Rape
cdace8's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
This is the only book by Lucinda Berry I did not enjoy. It was very all over the place and kind of predictable. The main characters are all horrible and hard to like it feel sympathy for.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction and Rape
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Medical content, Grief, and Abandonment
chronicallyplotting's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Celeste and her Husband dream of having the perfect family, and life finally seems to come together for them when they have their daughter Rori. But like all families they have issues, and tensions grow thicker and things spiral out of control for Celeste when Rori gets sick.
I did really like this book once it picked up. It had rather a slow start to get to know the characters and why the relationships were the way they are. And not all of that was revealed until the end. But the synopsis of the book does not match storyline of the book very well at all. I get not wanting to give things away, but his was far off. I started to get disappointed when I realized the book was not matching the synopsis. I also think the book needed a bit of a Trigger Warning ⚠️ for readers. I had to guard myself a bit.
But this book did cover some great healing elements from different types of trauma and recovery. And types of support systems that can be found. It also shows defense mechanisms the body can do in fight or flight responses with memory and escapism.
Overall very well thought out plot, characters and how we as readers found “closure” with them.
I did really like this book once it picked up. It had rather a slow start to get to know the characters and why the relationships were the way they are. And not all of that was revealed until the end. But the synopsis of the book does not match storyline of the book very well at all. I get not wanting to give things away, but his was far off. I started to get disappointed when I realized the book was not matching the synopsis. I also think the book needed a bit of a Trigger Warning ⚠️ for readers. I had to guard myself a bit.
But this book did cover some great healing elements from different types of trauma and recovery. And types of support systems that can be found. It also shows defense mechanisms the body can do in fight or flight responses with memory and escapism.
Overall very well thought out plot, characters and how we as readers found “closure” with them.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Infertility, Mental illness, Rape, Sexual assault, Blood, Vomit, Medical content, Murder, Abandonment, and Alcohol
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