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leilanis_library's review
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Charli just can't seem to get her life together. At the slightest obstacle, she convinces herself bad things happen because (as her mother's voice tell us) she is not meant to be happy. One day, Charli's best friend tells her about this constellation therapy retreat. Constellations are a way of stepping outside of your life and looking in, looking at the past trauma and seeing where the "red lights" are in your family tree. Out of pure desperation and concern for her self and her father (who is seemingly more and more depressed) she decided she needs to do something, anything, to help save her father. The information unveiled at the constellation retreat lead Charli to England, to chase the missing branch of her family tree. There, she find confirmation of the murder that was felt by all in her constellation group. What else will Charli learn about her family? Will Charli finally be able to start to heal? Can she save her dad?
///
The term "epigenetics" seems to be a hot new topic; Though generational trauma is not a new concept, how we heal and break the cycle is (thankfully, IMO) having its moment. The whole concept of this book spoke to me immediately, which is why I was sad it was so difficult to get into. I could not stand Charli and her self-sabotaging behaviors. Now, that being said, at about 100 pages in, I came around. I enjoyed the split time perspective - Knowing small things about Charli's constellation and seeing the events unfold that created her family's "red lights". There was a little mystery, a little love story, and hopefully, a little healing. I did find myself rolling my eyes a fair number of times. I did not care for the author's unnecessary mention of himself in the book (it was so weird!) and however predictable it was, I found myself thinking about it for a few days after I finished it. I will say, I believe this book hit the nail on the head for me, when we think of the quote from Hamlet "To hold as 'twere the mirror up to nature..." I was annoyed at Charli, because I saw so much of her in me, or me in her. And that is how I also realized I should be more compassionate with her, and in turn myself.
Thank you, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this advance copy in return for an honest review.
///
The term "epigenetics" seems to be a hot new topic; Though generational trauma is not a new concept, how we heal and break the cycle is (thankfully, IMO) having its moment. The whole concept of this book spoke to me immediately, which is why I was sad it was so difficult to get into. I could not stand Charli and her self-sabotaging behaviors. Now, that being said, at about 100 pages in, I came around. I enjoyed the split time perspective - Knowing small things about Charli's constellation and seeing the events unfold that created her family's "red lights". There was a little mystery, a little love story, and hopefully, a little healing. I did find myself rolling my eyes a fair number of times. I did not care for the author's unnecessary mention of himself in the book (it was so weird!) and however predictable it was, I found myself thinking about it for a few days after I finished it. I will say, I believe this book hit the nail on the head for me, when we think of the quote from Hamlet "To hold as 'twere the mirror up to nature..." I was annoyed at Charli, because I saw so much of her in me, or me in her. And that is how I also realized I should be more compassionate with her, and in turn myself.
Thank you, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for this advance copy in return for an honest review.
vj_thompson's review
adventurous
challenging
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Charli Thurman hasn’t had something good happen in her life in a while. Each relationship she’s been in ends right before the good parts. Charli is stuck in a dead end job with her dream of opening her own bookstore far out of reach. Worst of all, the rough past of her family history seems to hang over her head. Could it be the reason why nothing seems to go right?
Turning to her best friend, Charli is introduced to a “soul reader” who specializes in generational trauma. But during family constellation therapy with the guru, Charli experiences an inexplicable memory of terrible violence. Whatever happened in the past, it created an imbalance that’s still in the Thurman blood. Instead of running away, Charli decides to uncover her past with the hope of a fresh start in the end.
The past perspective of Charli’s third Grandfather, Sam, and Charli’s present perspective of learning more about him really drew in me. As she found out about the family or was in the same place as her relatives, the reader also follows Sam’s storyline as well. Both plots were intriguing and made me love the characters for different reasons. There is a touch of romance in each storyline, which I loved.
I did feel at some point the book did draw on and the story could have wrapped up a bit sooner. The premise of exploring past family trauma was very interesting and made me curious about my own past. Thank you, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC!
Turning to her best friend, Charli is introduced to a “soul reader” who specializes in generational trauma. But during family constellation therapy with the guru, Charli experiences an inexplicable memory of terrible violence. Whatever happened in the past, it created an imbalance that’s still in the Thurman blood. Instead of running away, Charli decides to uncover her past with the hope of a fresh start in the end.
The past perspective of Charli’s third Grandfather, Sam, and Charli’s present perspective of learning more about him really drew in me. As she found out about the family or was in the same place as her relatives, the reader also follows Sam’s storyline as well. Both plots were intriguing and made me love the characters for different reasons. There is a touch of romance in each storyline, which I loved.
I did feel at some point the book did draw on and the story could have wrapped up a bit sooner. The premise of exploring past family trauma was very interesting and made me curious about my own past. Thank you, NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the ARC!
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