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3.26 AVERAGE
3.26 AVERAGE
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was really excited to read this book, however, it ended up being such a huge letdown. Up until about a third of the way through the book I really thought it was going to be a 4.5-5 star read. The characters are supposed to be best friends, but they treat each other terribly most of the time, constantly making snide remarks at each other. The main focus of the book was nothing like the title portrays and the issues the characters were having continued until almost the very end of the book. The ending was completely rushed with no real sense of resolution. Overall, I am super disappointed.
slow-paced
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
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
I had so much hope for The Bookshop Sisterhood, because I love books about friendship and book stores, but this one didn't quite hit the mark for me.
Celeste, Yasmeen, Toni, and Leslie are supposed to be super close friends that are opening a bookstore with each other, but their friendships didn't quite portray that to me. Each one was struggling with something major happening in their lives and for the most part, they didn't lean on each other like I expected them to. Some were downright mean to each other, others could care less about the helpful advice their friends were trying to give, and sometimes they were just downright selfish.
Now, I'm not saying they weren't there for each other for the super big stuff, because they were, but even then there was some fighting and drama wrapped up in it. I guess all in all there was too much drama and not enough heartwarming sisterhood moments coupled with the starting of their bookshop.
Another issue, is I found many of the characters to be unlikable, especially Celeste. It made it hard for me to root for these characters the way I wanted to.
Ultimately, I guess this book wasn't everything I wanted it to be, but I liked it enough to keep reading. I have no problems DNF'ing a book and that never crossed my mind while reading The Bookshop Sisterhood. The best way to sum it up is that I just wanted more. I wanted more sisterhood and less drama between them. I also wanted more of them building the bookshop together. Also, I felt like the ending was too rushed. I would have liked that fleshed out more.
I know it sounds like all I have are complaints about The Bookshop Sisterhood, but I still found it an engaging read. If you enjoy a lot of drama, you will likely love this book. I liked it enough that I'm interested in reading more from Lindo-Rice in the future.
Celeste, Yasmeen, Toni, and Leslie are supposed to be super close friends that are opening a bookstore with each other, but their friendships didn't quite portray that to me. Each one was struggling with something major happening in their lives and for the most part, they didn't lean on each other like I expected them to. Some were downright mean to each other, others could care less about the helpful advice their friends were trying to give, and sometimes they were just downright selfish.
Now, I'm not saying they weren't there for each other for the super big stuff, because they were, but even then there was some fighting and drama wrapped up in it. I guess all in all there was too much drama and not enough heartwarming sisterhood moments coupled with the starting of their bookshop.
Another issue, is I found many of the characters to be unlikable, especially Celeste. It made it hard for me to root for these characters the way I wanted to.
Ultimately, I guess this book wasn't everything I wanted it to be, but I liked it enough to keep reading. I have no problems DNF'ing a book and that never crossed my mind while reading The Bookshop Sisterhood. The best way to sum it up is that I just wanted more. I wanted more sisterhood and less drama between them. I also wanted more of them building the bookshop together. Also, I felt like the ending was too rushed. I would have liked that fleshed out more.
I know it sounds like all I have are complaints about The Bookshop Sisterhood, but I still found it an engaging read. If you enjoy a lot of drama, you will likely love this book. I liked it enough that I'm interested in reading more from Lindo-Rice in the future.
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I was drawn to this book because of the book and the synopsis. A book about four best friends who want to open a bookstore? Oh, and there is personal drama in all of their lives? This is right up my alley!
Sadly, the book just did not live up to my expectations. I enjoyed a few moments, but overall, it was not for me.
I believe that all of the women deserved to have their stories told as a whole and on their own. I think this would have been better if each woman had received her own book in a 4-book interconnected series (with shorter stories, like 200-250 pages each). Their stories were not as fleshed out as they could have been while trying to fit all four into one book.
Positives:
Positive outlook on abortion. - Real stories. Some relatable.
Negatives:
AWFUL outlook on adoption. From Leslie’s situation. And the fact that it was never an idea/thought to Toni - There was so much drama all at once it was a little overwhelming to follow.
- Most of their voices sounded so similar that I struggled to follow whose story was whose at the very beginning.
- The women are in their 30s but act like they are in their early 20s/late teens.
- The ending wrapped things up. But it felt very fast to me.
Overall, this book was not for me. I hope that it finds its audience, though!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic friendship
Moderate: Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Car accident
Minor: Addiction, Medical content, Abortion
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I read the reviews of others and noticed most were from non Bipoc readers leaving low scores because they couldn't relate to the book and wasn't what they thought the book would be about. After ignoring those reviews and deciding to give if a fair chance, this book was amazing and everything a BIPOC woman goes through. The added benefits were all the additional book titles and what kept the group together. It was so related and demonstrated that everyone is going through something.
I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because it was a little slow at points. Also, I wasn't a fan of the same day for different times. Personally, I would have made each day a chapter and each lady and subchapter.
I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 because it was a little slow at points. Also, I wasn't a fan of the same day for different times. Personally, I would have made each day a chapter and each lady and subchapter.
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
This book follows 4 friends, as promised, but doesn’t quite deliver on diving into their bookstore dreams. At times, this book was hard to follow with all the added drama that in the end seemed unnecessary. Unfortunately, this book just wasn’t a hit for me.