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ginnylambda's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Drug abuse, Death, Drug use, Infidelity, Child abuse, and Blood
gm_vak's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, Sexual assault, and Death of parent
carolinesterr's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Child death, Death, Drug use, Child abuse, Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Medical content
heyitssones's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, Drug abuse, Grief, and Child death
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Homophobia, and Death
carireadsbooksandtarot's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.0
Yerba Buena by Nina LaCour
4 Stars
I don’t read a lot of contemporary fiction and by its description this is not a book I would normally be drawn to. For whatever reason, perhaps the beautiful cover, I chose it as my BOTM for May. I’m really glad I did. I was in a bit of a slump after reading a lot of mystery and historical fiction and I needed something different. Once I picked up Yerba Buena, I couldn’t put it down.
Following the lives of two women in Los Angeles, Emilie and Sara, this is the perfect summer weekend read. Both women have complicated backstories that inform their character and how they act in life and relationships. They are drawn together after both working at the restaurant Yerba Buena, but there are years in between their meeting and truly coming together. I would not call this story a romance in the traditional sense, it is more about the defenses we put up in response to our experiences in the past, and the people that we allow in.
The book, which takes place in Los Angeles, gives a good sense of place and also has such beautiful descriptions of everything from flowers to cocktails to houses. I don’t know that the story will stay with me very long, but I definitely had an enjoyable weekend reading it. This is LaCour’s adult debut, and I would be interested to read what she writes in future.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse, Drug use, and Child abuse
alyssamayreads's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Yerba Buena focuses on the tumultuous lives of Sarah and Emilie, and subsequently how they tumble in and out of each other’s lives. The characters are rich and genuine, which make it hit even harder when they face trauma after trauma. This book is not for the weak at heart! Content warnings include sexual assault of a minor, death, abandonment, drug abuse, and addiction. This book is for anyone looking for a raw telling of what life throws at us, with a sprinkling of fleeting romance. As an OwnVoices reviewer, I found the LGBTQ representation spot on. The audio narration was lovely and really drew me in. Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this copy of Yerba Buena. I plan to review it on my TikTok channel, @alyssamayreads.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Sexual assault, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Child abuse
Moderate: Addiction and Drug abuse
bandysbooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.0
This is literary fiction that follows two different women as they try to heal the wounds of their pasts with a pinch of mystery sprinkled in.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Child abuse, Rape, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Grief, Sexual assault, Slavery, Emotional abuse, Trafficking, and Violence
whatellisreadnext's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
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
4.0
Emilie and Sara have my whole heart. This audiobook was wonderful. If you love Mary H.K.Choi, you definitely need to read this.
(AD-PR Product) Thanks so much to LibroFM and Macmillan Audio for the gifted copy!
(AD-PR Product) Thanks so much to LibroFM and Macmillan Audio for the gifted copy!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Sexual assault, Death, Grief, Addiction, Child abuse, Suicide, and Death of parent
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