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sandysmith's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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
I'm gradually adding books I've read in 2021 to give a true reflection of the books I've read since keeping records. This was the first book I read in 2021, and is what kick-started my reading journey having put reading on the back burner whilst bringing up the children, previously being an avid reader. I loved this book and learnt a lot about the women who were the travelling library in the depression in Kentuky. A great read, which is full of interesting characters who you invest in. Fab stuff
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Domestic abuse, Racism, Alcoholism, and Animal death
Moderate: Incest
beckyyreadss's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.0
I wanted to read this book because I wanted to read more work from authors that I've enjoyed previously. I enjoyed the Me Before You series and cried my eyes out and wanted to read more of her work. This book kept popping up on my TBR and on my amazon recommended. This is one of the first historical fiction I've read, and it was an interesting read.
This book is based on Alice Wright in England 1930s, and she is restless and stifled and decides to make an impulsive decision to marry wealthy American Bennett Van Cleve and leave her home and family behind. But in Baileyville, Kentucky, her husband favours work over his wife and is dominated by his overbearing father and Alice is not getting the adventure or the escape she was looking for. That is until she meets Margery O’Hare, a troublesome woman and a daughter of a notorious felon that the town wishes to forget. Margery’s on a mission to spread the wonder of books and reading to the poor and lost and she needs Alice’s help. Trekking alone under the big open skies, through wild mountain forests, Alice, Magery and their fellow sisters of the trail discover freedom, friendship and a life to call their own. But when Baileyville turns against them, will their belief in one another and the power of books be enough to save them?
This book is so different from the other books of Jojo’s I've read, and it was so refreshing. I loved Alice and I just wanted to hug her so much, she was going through it during this book and all she wanted to do was live her life. I loved the found family aspect in this book especially the womanhood that grew between the ladies of the Book Club. Each of these women had their own stories and only strengths and weaknesses and I adored them all and I'm so happy they all stood up for themselves and each other and kick the small-town bullshit. I love Margery, she was like the badass sister that everyone wants and loves. The storyline was brilliant, and it kept you intrigued and hooked. The storyline did have some sadness in especially when the men were involved (rolling my eyes at the Van Cleve men). After the issues with Alice, I was more interested in the murder mystery aspect.
This was the first historical standalone fiction I read and the only other historical fiction I've read is the Bridgerton series and those two books were completely different. Once you got through maybe 25% of the book, you end up focusing on the characters and their stories rather than the things of like horse and carriage and letters and women cannot be in men’s club.
I cannot wait to read more of Jojo’s work especially her historical fictions.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Racism, and Animal death
Moderate: Pregnancy, Alcoholism, and Violence
Minor: Incest
iszys's review against another edition
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Pregnancy, Animal death, and Confinement
Minor: Incest
ferdie's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
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
3.5
I was quite happy going along with this little tale. I did feel the trial at the end wrapped up for too quickly for all the pain it caused, and there was something that prevented me from feeling truly close to the characters. It felt like I appreciated all of them from afar. Overall, a nice little book that I'm happy to have read but isn't at the top of my recommendation list.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Alcohol
Minor: Incest
avibc316's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Incest
rpkamakura's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Incest and Sexual violence
hanngigi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy, Confinement, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Racism, Medical content, Animal death, Sexism, Sexual harassment, and Violence
Minor: Incest and Stalking
corriejn's review against another edition
4.5
Nothing revolutionary in how various topics are handled or how storylines play out, but a very enjoyable read. Many characters but for the most part they manage to feel reasonably well-developed.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Gaslighting, Animal cruelty, Blood, Domestic abuse, Animal death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Alcohol, and Alcoholism
Moderate: Terminal illness and Death
Minor: Incest
jannne's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Racism
Moderate: Alcoholism and Pregnancy
Minor: Incest
georgie_mb's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
An easy 5 stars.
Loved the setting, and every character had my heart. The way these ladies come together made my heart so full, this is what true friendship looks like.
There were points where I thought it would get a bit slow, but just as I was thinking this it picked back up right away!
Also highly recommend the audiobook, there were points when the English accent would slip a bit but it wasn’t too offensive.
Loved the setting, and every character had my heart. The way these ladies come together made my heart so full, this is what true friendship looks like.
There were points where I thought it would get a bit slow, but just as I was thinking this it picked back up right away!
Also highly recommend the audiobook, there were points when the English accent would slip a bit but it wasn’t too offensive.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Pregnancy
Moderate: Animal cruelty
Minor: Murder, Adult/minor relationship, Misogyny, Racism, and Incest