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missduh337's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.25
thenovelmaura's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Beautifully written, but I'm not usually drawn to this type of character-driven story. I'm glad I was able to read it on audio because the passive listening really helped me get through the slower parts. And while I am capable of loving a complex character who makes questionable choices, it was just too much to make basically every character an adulterer and then ask me to keep caring about them.
I enjoyed the writing style, the Greek-chorus of church ladies, and how the community of Upper Room acted as the beating heart of the novel. The complicated nature of motherhood was a binding thematic thread that kept me engaged despite my ambivalence towards these characters. Although this wasn't a standout read for me, it was a deeply reflective one.
I enjoyed the writing style, the Greek-chorus of church ladies, and how the community of Upper Room acted as the beating heart of the novel. The complicated nature of motherhood was a binding thematic thread that kept me engaged despite my ambivalence towards these characters. Although this wasn't a standout read for me, it was a deeply reflective one.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Suicide, Abortion, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual assault
jenammenwerth's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Flat prose, slow plot. Interesting setting
mellalee_d's review against another edition
5.0
This was a real page turner for me! Bennett is so successful at building and weaving the story, as well as pacing it. The theme of motherhood, in varying forms, is deftly explored... as well as different forms of trauma and its reverberations throughout the course of a life. I found sympathy for all of the characters and was left wanting to know more of them after the final page.
bookedbymadeline's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I marked so many pages, immediately pulled in by Bennett once again! She is officially an auto buy author for me 💗
I loved following these characters, they’re complex and well written! We get to know them so well as we follow their lives throughout the years. I loved the way the story was told through “the mothers!”
I really related to Aubrey at times especially later in the book. Bennett has a wonderful way of creating her characters and breathing life into them!
I really related to Aubrey at times especially later in the book. Bennett has a wonderful way of creating her characters and breathing life into them!
It was thought provoking and emotional, with a perfect ending and all I can say to sum up my feelings is: Omg the writing 😭😍
TW/CW: adult/minor relationship, pregnancy, abortion, death of parent, suicide, domestic abuse, rape (brief mention), alcohol (specifically underage drinking), violence, infidelity
Rep: Muslim minor character, Filipina minor character, Black MCs and author, white side character, lesbian side characters
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Infertility, Infidelity, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Pedophilia, Rape, Suicide, Violence, Grief, Abortion, and Pregnancy
twoodley's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
rachelisreading91's review against another edition
challenging
dark
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
fihli's review against another edition
2.0
2 stars
What I liked:
+ The writing is engaging and beautiful
+ The narration of the audiobook was engaging as well
What I disliked:
- I felt detached from the main characters and as a result didn't care much about what happened
- I found the book to be boring/ lacking in terms of plot
- There's a love-triangle
- I didn't understand how every single character was unable to move on with their lives
What I liked:
+ The writing is engaging and beautiful
+ The narration of the audiobook was engaging as well
What I disliked:
- I felt detached from the main characters and as a result didn't care much about what happened
- I found the book to be boring/ lacking in terms of plot
- There's a love-triangle
- I didn't understand how every single character was unable to move on with their lives
geonae's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
cnuss's review against another edition
2.0
I don’t know it it’s related to me listening as opposed to reading but I really didn’t care for the story. The message was there but the execution just didn’t do it for me personally.