Scan barcode
dr_amy_k_west's review
emotional
inspiring
- 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? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Emotional abuse
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 familypassionatereader78's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
3.5
Nice family drama. Martha works at the library. She is single and doesn't know how to use the word "no". When a book is sent to her filled with stories she wrote as a child. She sets out to find out who turned her short stories into a book. She learns the truth about her family during this journey. I enjoyed the overall writing style.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Death of parent
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
bexi's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
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: Death of parent and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Fatphobia, Grief, Pregnancy, and Terminal illness
Minor: Alcohol, Gaslighting, Misogyny, and Suicidal thoughts
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
emesskay's review
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
4.0
Martha Storm is meek and mousy, her daily tasks guided by helping out others (which leads to others taking advantage of her). A surprise gift of a book of fairy tales brings up memories from her past, and sets her on a path to discover more about her family, which leads to discoveries about herself.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting
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
therobinjoyce's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
5.0
I picked this book up from my library on a whim, having never heard of it before, and can honestly say it was been the most heartwarming, thrilling, emotional books I've had the pleasure of reading this year.
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Terminal illness, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, and Death
More...