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cheye13's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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
3.0
I don't know why, but I expected a slower, more morose literary fiction instead of the wonderful whimsical mystery/adventure this story became. There are some heavy topics - life is not without ups and downs - but it was generally just a pleasant little read.
I will say, this is likely not for mystery readers. The foreshadowing is rather direct, so any "twists" are likely predictable, particularly if you're used to puzzling them out yourself. But that wasn't a problem for me, and I enjoyed witnessing Martha grow as a person and come to better understand herself and her family. Not a lot of meat on the bones of the story, but if you're in the market for British Whimsy, this one will likely serve you well.
I will say, this is likely not for mystery readers. The foreshadowing is rather direct, so any "twists" are likely predictable, particularly if you're used to puzzling them out yourself. But that wasn't a problem for me, and I enjoyed witnessing Martha grow as a person and come to better understand herself and her family. Not a lot of meat on the bones of the story, but if you're in the market for British Whimsy, this one will likely serve you well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Infidelity
Moderate: Pregnancy, Death of parent, Body shaming, Cancer, and Death
Minor: Fatphobia, Infidelity, and Homophobia
includes: mentions of a past mass drowning during a fishing accident/storm; detailed scene of near-drowning; numerous instances of fatal illnesses and caring for aging relatives; detailed scenes of a father/husband manipulating and controlling the familysprucewillow's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Cancer, Sexism, and Toxic friendship
theonlybaillie's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Sexism, Terminal illness, Toxic friendship, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Abandonment, Biphobia, Lesbophobia, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Grief
Minor: Infidelity, Fatphobia, and Pregnancy
debimorton's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
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? It's complicated
4.0
Martha, Lillian, Zelda. Library volunteer. Self-published book. British
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer
maggies's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
This one is difficult to review. It seemed marketed as a cozy mystery, but the mystery was so cozy it barely qualified in my opinion—most books have a similar level of puzzlement/secrecy involved and don't get the mystery genre. It was all decidedly fine. The plot and pacing varied widely throughout, which felt a bit like whiplash to me as a reader. The central conflict was resolved neither satisfactorily nor poorly; it just kind of petered out and then the book was suddenly over. The characters weren't horrible as a rule, but they also weren't endearing by any stretch. Also, my perennial reaction: they all need to go to therapy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Emotional abuse, and Death
Moderate: Cancer, Lesbophobia, Toxic relationship, Terminal illness, Death of parent, and Mental illness
laheath's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I almost didn't read this after being disappointed by so many books about libraries, bookstores, and booklovers. This one had so much depth, with a combination of family secrets, personal growth in the main character, mystery, and reconciliation. With a range of interesting characters, I found myself wanting to know more about the backstories for the minor characters and hoping for a continuation of the stories for Martha, Owen, Zelda, and Siegfried. I felt like they were just getting started and I wasn't ready for it to end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Emotional abuse
Minor: Terminal illness and Cancer
stormywolf's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
4.5
I had utterly no clue what this book was about. Basically, I needed a book recommended on BookBub for a reading challenge, and I found this on a list of books that featured libraries and bookstores. I thought the summary made it sound light, mysterious, and kinda cozy. Little did I know just what I was in for...
Read my full review at The Wolf's Den
Overall, this story devastated me but in the best way possible. I went in mostly unassuming, with it not being in my typical genres or demographic, and was utterly blindsided with how much I related to these characters and their doubts, their fears, their regrets, and their struggles. But by the same token, as they were built back up with changes and support, I too came out the other side with a feeling of reassurance and hope. The literary lean didn't hurt things either. I'd highly recommend this for anyone looking for something about later-life changes, self-discovery, self-improvement, family drama and reconciliation, or the importance of love, support, and moving forward. So for anyone who is feeling a bit lost right now—let's face it, there are plenty of us—you might just find a little bit of comfort within this book's pages.
Read my full review at The Wolf's Den
Overall, this story devastated me but in the best way possible. I went in mostly unassuming, with it not being in my typical genres or demographic, and was utterly blindsided with how much I related to these characters and their doubts, their fears, their regrets, and their struggles. But by the same token, as they were built back up with changes and support, I too came out the other side with a feeling of reassurance and hope. The literary lean didn't hurt things either. I'd highly recommend this for anyone looking for something about later-life changes, self-discovery, self-improvement, family drama and reconciliation, or the importance of love, support, and moving forward. So for anyone who is feeling a bit lost right now—let's face it, there are plenty of us—you might just find a little bit of comfort within this book's pages.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Death, Body shaming, Alcohol, and Grief
Minor: Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Fatphobia, Cancer, and Lesbophobia
thenovelbookshelf's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This story of Martha and her family, Lilian, Zelda, Betty, and Thomas, along with friends, colleagues, and acquaintances, is quite sweet and charming.
Whilst Martha begins to find herself, I felt frustrated and annoyed with her, her family and her past. Although all is forgiven and forgotten as Martha digs in her heels and everything gets sorted out.
Whilst Martha begins to find herself, I felt frustrated and annoyed with her, her family and her past. Although all is forgiven and forgotten as Martha digs in her heels and everything gets sorted out.
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcohol, Cancer, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship
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