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deribash's review
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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
4.25
edhammell's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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
4.5
God lisa jewell builds scenes and characters like nobody else.
valerieekc2's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-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? No
4.25
sara_kathryn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? No
4.0
erinmg's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
I’ve read quite a few of Lisa Jewell’s books, but I didn’t realize this was a historical fiction novel until I started listening to the audiobook. Honestly, it had potential early on but I ended up greatly disliking it for a variety of reasons. Most of the characters made poor choices and unrealistically faced unequal consequences, which made the outcomes highly unbelievable. Also, the descriptions of many characters were grossly fetishizing, especially for POC characters. I also took issue with the narrator (a white woman) doing certain voices for characters with accents. This is partially to do with how Jewell wrote the characters, but still felt ick. With historical fiction, there is often has a very thin line between accurate and insensitive. I struggled with this one on the time jumps back to the 1920s, but the current day storyline’s descriptions were just poorly done, both in regards to specific characters and the poverty of urban spaces/who lives in them. Finally, the romance aspects of this book just drove me up a wall. I try to be open minded with historical fiction as there is often a romance arc within them, but all of the characters treat their romantic interests so poorly and still are somehow forgiven and taken back with little question. It’s just so infuriating to me. This one was definitely not for me.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Rape and Racism
Minor: Dementia, Miscarriage, Cursing, Death, and Infidelity
mommafuse's review
3.0
Not the LJ I'm use to reading but was a cute story and enjoyed her all the same.
mmotleyu's review
3.0
This was my 4th Jewell book this year, so obviously I do enjoy her books. This one was a bit different as it had a historical element where it alternated chapters between the narrator's current timeline with her grandmother's past after WW1. I found Arlette's character and voice as a "modern woman" of the times to be fascinating and also sad how she was never really happy or in love since her great love affair in her 20s. I think I now need to take a break from Jewell books for a while so there will be some left for my carefree summer reads!
yolibear's review
5.0
It's a mystery and a story of self discovery. I am glad this book jumped out to me at the library. It was definitely worth the time spent reading. It took me a while to finish not because it wasn't interesting, but because it was thick and never was in my bag when I needed it. lol