Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.26 AVERAGE
3.26 AVERAGE
slow-paced
emotional
lighthearted
slow-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:
Yes
Ms. Lindo-Rice is an excellent writer. I enjoyed the pacing and structure very much. I finished TBS in two days. I'm a sucker for a web of lives. I only wish I was prepared for the intensity of drama. The need for comic relief was high. There seemed to be more backstory than character development and I anticipated the development being closely connected to their favorite books or the progress of the bookshop. The bookshop was simply a business concept and execution. I selfishly wanted it to be more than that and I know that's not fair to the writer.
Also, I was suprised that this group of friends were in their 30s and college educated but I couldn't imagine anyone I knew personally with their low energy and lack of wisdom. Despite this, I look forward to reading more of her Ms. Lindo-Rice's work because I enjoyer the Soulfood" 90s family drama vibes. Toni reminded me of aunt Teri for her temperament, Celeste for Bird for the drama with Lem, Yasmin as cousin Faye who can't catch a break, but Leslie is a wild card her issues were super complex. Also, they were a little too wild for me but I'm a bit of a prude so there is that.
Content/ trigger warnings:
Assault/victim of robbery, abortion guilt, cyber bullying, sexual innuendo, poverty-stricken conditions, hospitalized child/rare disease, infertility
Also, I was suprised that this group of friends were in their 30s and college educated but I couldn't imagine anyone I knew personally with their low energy and lack of wisdom. Despite this, I look forward to reading more of her Ms. Lindo-Rice's work because I enjoyer the Soulfood" 90s family drama vibes. Toni reminded me of aunt Teri for her temperament, Celeste for Bird for the drama with Lem, Yasmin as cousin Faye who can't catch a break, but Leslie is a wild card her issues were super complex. Also, they were a little too wild for me but I'm a bit of a prude so there is that.
Content/ trigger warnings:
Assault/victim of robbery, abortion guilt, cyber bullying, sexual innuendo, poverty-stricken conditions, hospitalized child/rare disease, infertility
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
medium-paced
adventurous
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
hopeful
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
In all honesty, this book was disappointing. First of all, it took way too long to get through, even though I predicted it would be light and pleasant. The characters weren’t particularly likable and although I enjoyed their friendship, there were a lot of instances where it was overemphasized to the point of feeling fake and forced. A lot of the dialogue also did not feel authentic to how real people would talk and interact. Plus, having them all have financial issues at the same time did not seem very realistic. Finally, the pacing was off. There was a ton of buildup and when we finally got to the resolution/big bookstore opening/wedding, it was rushed through and overly focused on Celeste.
Good premise but sadly did not deliver.
Good premise but sadly did not deliver.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Violence, Abortion
Minor: Addiction, Miscarriage
challenging
emotional
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes