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solaria's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I really liked the book at the start. It was super interesting and I enjoyed the constant flipping back and forth between the old Marin and new Marin. From the middle onwards though, my interest and enjoyment dwindled. I'm not sure why particularly, but it just felt......dull? It lacked something that kept me interested. I found some plot elements a bit cliche and others not really making sense.
The book certainly knows how to tackle grief and the aftermath of it, but I felt like from the moment Marin and Mabel went to the groundskeepers house during the snowstorm, the plot kind of fell apart. The reveal of Marin's grandfathers secrets felt a bit...underwhelming. And I just didn't think having a big "plot twist" like that was necessary for the book. I'm not sure really, what my thoughts are. It certainly isn't a bad book by any means, and I enjoyed the start thoroughly. I have mixed thoughts.
The book certainly knows how to tackle grief and the aftermath of it, but I felt like from the moment Marin and Mabel went to the groundskeepers house during the snowstorm, the plot kind of fell apart. The reveal of Marin's grandfathers secrets felt a bit...underwhelming. And I just didn't think having a big "plot twist" like that was necessary for the book. I'm not sure really, what my thoughts are. It certainly isn't a bad book by any means, and I enjoyed the start thoroughly. I have mixed thoughts.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Cancer
_fallinglight_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Mental illness
Minor: Alcohol, Cancer, and Classism
shoohoob's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I was not expecting this book to affect me like it did. So so beautifully written, and I loved it.
This book is an exploration of grief and longing in a way I haven’t read before. I could understand Marin’s actions, and I could really feel what she was feeling: the loss, the longing, the confusion, the grief. I think this book is going to stay with me for a long time.
I also loved that there was an exploration of sapphic relationship, but it wasn’t the focus of the story. Despite Mabel and Marin working through what happened between them, it wasn’t the focus of the story. I think Mabel understood what Marin needed in these moments, and it was so important to read.
This book is an exploration of grief and longing in a way I haven’t read before. I could understand Marin’s actions, and I could really feel what she was feeling: the loss, the longing, the confusion, the grief. I think this book is going to stay with me for a long time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Death
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Mental illness and Cancer
toofondofbooks_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is probably one of the easiest 5 stars I've ever given. This was written so poetically and beautifully that I found myself tabbing so many of the pages and highlighting *so* many lines. I think it captures mental illness, grief, first love (and loss of it) so perfectly in just over 200 pages. The relationship between the Marin and Mabel is complex and heartbreaking. Every character, from Marin to the woman who works in the pottery shop is distinct and jumps off the page. I also really loved the literary references that were peppered throughout the narrative. Everything about this, from the writing to the relationships to the sapphic and mental health representation makes this a modern classic in my eyes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Terminal illness, Mental illness, Grief, and Death
Moderate: Cancer and Blood
Minor: Incest, Confinement, Medical content, Outing, and Suicide
nimsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
so emotional. but perfect. truly perfect.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief, Cancer, and Death
lilly_anne's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Grief, Suicide, and Death
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Blood and Cancer
bussmanbooks3000's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Blood, Death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer and Alcohol
pariahz's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Minor: Death of parent, Cancer, and Alcoholism
urastrologygf's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
i’ve probably read this book close to ten times, and i get something new out of it every time. it’s one of the best books i’ve ever read. even though it’s deeply sad, there’s something so comforting about it. lacour’s writing is enchanting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Cancer and Terminal illness
sg124's review
emotional
reflective
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Terminal illness, and Suicide
Moderate: Cancer