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bluebellfallen's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.25
Every single plot is centered around women wanting children and whether or not they have them and how that ruins or fulfills their lives after. Every single one. All of them. (I don't get it)
There are so many flaws (and I have so few spoons right now) that I will just say - it wasn't a good book, and it certainly wasn't the right kind of bad to be worth reading. 75% or more of the book crawled by, while the last 25% did all the heavy lifting in the most annoying, James Patterson writes chapters that are max 2 pages long and then jumps perspectives / scenes entirely to keep the tension up and he inspired me - esque way.
It just wasn't (in any way) worth my time, but because it's so mildly written and the author tries to hide behind "dark murder mystery" vibes to get away with a lot of shitty things (and the book isn't even a dark murder mystery btw - that's just the vibes she's going for), it would also be so very easy to just think "wow, that book was mid, but I wouldn't mind recommending the book if someone is bored or something", and then accidentally pass on, perpetuate, and re-normalize things like baby-obsession and "casual" emotional and mental manipulation at the hands of a spouse (which - if you know, you *know*).
Graphic: Pregnancy, Infertility, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Sexism, Medical content, Grief, Stalking, Self harm, and Infidelity
The husband thing, for if you don't know, want to know, but don't want to read the book:_wilhelmine_'s review against another edition
- 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
2.5
Graphic: Grief, Death, and Miscarriage
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Infertility, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Vomit, Pedophilia, and Suicide attempt
a_novel_craving's review against another edition
3.0
Graphic: Suicide, Suicide attempt, Child death, Death of parent, Death, Abortion, Sexual harassment, Infidelity, Sexual assault, Misogyny, Gaslighting, Medical content, Grief, Miscarriage, Terminal illness, and Murder
mairi99's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
Graphic: Death, Drug use, Grief, and Murder
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Miscarriage
Minor: Medical content, Sexual harassment, and Vomit
stormeno's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Moderate: Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Infidelity, Sexual harassment, Classism, and Death
singingshooter's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship and Infidelity
Minor: Murder, Suicide attempt, Drug use, Grief, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, and Suicidal thoughts
enlamont's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Chronic illness, Death, Infertility, Infidelity, Medical trauma, Miscarriage, Grief, Pregnancy, and Murder
Moderate: Medical content, Alcohol, Death of parent, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Vomit, Gaslighting, Misogyny, Terminal illness, and Suicide
peggyhepburn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
A gorgeously written feminist tale set in two different eras; 1871 and 2021, and I truly found myself in love with both eras of the story.
Starting with 1871, the characters are so rich, you want to know more about them and I was sat at the edge of my seat throughout the latter half of their story.
Then we have 2021, which I struggled to get into at first, but as soon as Caroline found herself enamoured with the lost apothecary I was sold, and I kept wanting to tell her everything I knew about the past events to aid her discoveries.
Suffice it to say, I really enjoyed this book. It warmed my heart, and it was wonderful seeing how two stories, set decades apart, intertwined…and I’m not ashamed to say I shed a tear when I finished this.
Graphic: Misogyny, Murder, Vomit, Suicide, Miscarriage, Death, Infertility, Death of parent, and Grief
ballousclues'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
5.0
-
SPOILER
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Miscarriage, Abortion, Infidelity, Misogyny, Murder, Pregnancy, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Chronic illness, Infertility, Cancer, Vomit, and Grief
This book heavily talks about the inability to conceive, or successfully carry a child to full term. The book also talks about infidelity and the fallout from cheating in a relationship. I would pass a word of caution to anyone who has strong grief around children or the concept of pregnancy.freetobme's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.5
I did find several sentences and paragraphs to record and reflect on.
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Child abuse, Alcohol, Death, Child death, Death of parent, Classism, Medical content, Sexual assault, Grief, Miscarriage, and Abandonment
Minor: Blood