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3.87 AVERAGE
3.87 AVERAGE
Well-crafted characters and backstories woven together around a garden, with three (arguably four) female protagonists who want to live their lives in their own terms clashing against familial and societal expectations. I'm never a fan of the miscommunication trope but I didn't find it quite as irritating as it could have been. The relationships forged around gardening were quite adorable.
Grief around losing a child is also explored, and how presented in an interesting way as the protagonists from different timelines find out about those details.
Spoiler
why these people can't just ASK the other person if they actually love them and want to marry them out of devotion instead of obligation, in spite of all the evidence clearly pointing at sincere affection, is beyond me, but anywayGrief around losing a child is also explored, and how presented in an interesting way as the protagonists from different timelines find out about those details.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-paced
slow-paced
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book switches between not 1, not 2, not 3, but 4 protagonists throughout a less than 350 page book. It hamstrings any sense of tension or story development with an onslaught of unnecessary characters who seemingly bend to the will of the plot at the most convenient times. When any sense of satisfaction is dangled in front of the reader, they are slammed into an entirely different part of the timeline. The storytelling is insipid, characters predictable, with a predictable ending.
I’ve read a couple of books by Julia and really enjoy her writing. In this book I enjoyed how she wove together several story lines around the garden theme. Beautifully written book, highly recommend.
lighthearted
relaxing
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
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
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
I really enjoyed the story. I had a hard time keeping the characters straight in the beginning. There are a lot of them. I sometimes had trouble with who was in which time period too. But overall it was a lovely book and I would love to walk in a garden just like that!
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes