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lectora21's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Toxic friendship, Body shaming, Chronic illness, Death, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
cheye13's review against another edition
- 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 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.
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 familymaggies's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Grief, Emotional abuse, and Death
Moderate: Cancer, Lesbophobia, Toxic relationship, Terminal illness, Death of parent, and Mental illness
stormywolf's review
- 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
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.
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
therobinjoyce's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Phaedra's writing style and characters are so beautifully done they feel real. Not merely the figment of an author's imagination penned as words onto a page. Each character lives and breathes and invokes a whole plethora of emotion - rage, sorrow, pity, love - from the reader.
I identified so much with young Martha - her ideals and personality - and she was written so well that it was often heart-wrenching to read. The sign of a true wordsmith.
If I could rate it higher than 5 stars I would. This book has everything! Mystery, drama, romance, tension, and even a hint...of magic.
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Terminal illness, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, and Death