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lezreadalot's review
3.0
In the deranged, disjointed intensity of the moment, I think: We make our own rain.
3.5 stars. For the last little while I've been itching to read more stranded/survival/lost-type romances, and this is one I've had my eye on for a couple months. I went into this without even reading the blurb, and knowing absolutely nothing about the situation and what was going to happen really made this an interesting read. It's a novella and I don't want to give away too much, but I enjoyed this. I got what I wanted; I just really like stories of people learning to survive while lost/stranded. The romance was good; leant into some tropes that I really don't like, but also, given the context of the story, the things we find out throughout it, and the ending... idk. I minded certain things less as we progressed. I also had issues with believability on... lots of things lol, but I didn't let it bother me too much. As I did when I read my first novel by her, I just really enjoyed Holst's writing; really unique and also stirring.
(One of my biggest pet peeves did make an appearance though, which is people writing journal entries as if they're prose. Never fails to take me right out of the story when someone's diary entry reads just like another part of the book, and the person uses dialogue markers and all. Small, but oooof, always irks me.)
Definitely a unique story, which is what I think I was looking for. Kudos!
Content warnings:
Spoiler
self-amputation, death, references to genocide, attempted suicide.jamietherebelliousreader's review
3.0
3 stars. I want more sapphic stranded on a deserted island books please and thank you. I liked the plot of this one a lot. Just from the opening sentence I was intrigued. I liked the characters but the romance didn’t really do it for me. It was just something about it that I couldn’t buy into. I did like the writing though and the way this ended. It’s a very entertaining read and definitely made me want to read more books like it.
amymarsdenauthor's review
4.0
I think this is only the 2nd novella I've read, and I enjoyed it. I like the entire concept of being stranded on an island (not that I'd ever want it for myself) and I really love The Wild (TV show), so I decided to give this a go!
The opening line is probably one of the best I've ever read. It sets the tone for the main character (I won't give her name away since it's not revealed until towards the end) who I really liked. I love a good snarky POV.
I do wish it was longer, but I think that's more to do with me than the actual novella. I prefer long novels in general.
I liked the ending, surprisingly. I initially wanted the opposite of what happened, but when she eventually remembered more it made sense.
I'm in two minds about the actual romance though. I don't know if this is just me, but if I'd woken up stranded on a deserted island and had to cut my hand off, I wouldn't immediately be thinking about jumping in bed with the first woman I see. It all happened very suddenly. I think that's because it's a novella though, less time for development all round.
3.5 stars, rounded up.
The opening line is probably one of the best I've ever read. It sets the tone for the main character (I won't give her name away since it's not revealed until towards the end) who I really liked. I love a good snarky POV.
I do wish it was longer, but I think that's more to do with me than the actual novella. I prefer long novels in general.
I liked the ending, surprisingly. I initially wanted the opposite of what happened, but when she eventually remembered more it made sense.
I'm in two minds about the actual romance though. I don't know if this is just me, but if I'd woken up stranded on a deserted island and had to cut my hand off, I wouldn't immediately be thinking about jumping in bed with the first woman I see. It all happened very suddenly. I think that's because it's a novella though, less time for development all round.
3.5 stars, rounded up.
edict's review
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
sixphanel's review
4.0
If you're not hooked from the first lines of this book... then your loss! Short and exciting, it makes you want to keep reading more first to know the character... then... for other spoilery reasons! :)
The plot? A woman is stranded in a deserted island with no recollection of who she is. The book starts like this: "I am drunk and about to chop my hand off." doesn't it sound fun?!
I got this book from Netgalley in an exchange for an honest review.
The plot? A woman is stranded in a deserted island with no recollection of who she is. The book starts like this: "I am drunk and about to chop my hand off." doesn't it sound fun?!
I got this book from Netgalley in an exchange for an honest review.
judeinthestars's review
5.0
“I am drunk and about to chop my hand off.” How is that for an opening sentence? The drunk and soon-to-be one-handed person is a woman but that’s about all either the reader or herself knows at first. She’s on a desert island but she has no idea how she got there nor, for that matter, who she is. After some time – time is a very abstract concept when you’re all alone on a desert island –, she’ll realise the island is not as deserted as she thought.
In the Palm is the most bizarre book I’ve read in a long time, maybe ever. It’s also funny and unexpectedly hot. The word that kept repeating in my mind as I was reading is “brilliant”. Everything in this novella is bloody brilliant. And kind of disturbing.
I felt as lost and disoriented as the main character for almost the whole time. Ms No Name (she’s pretty sure she’s a doctor) is smart and scared and talks to herself in a delightfully self-deprecating manner. The situation she finds herself in is terrifying yet I laughed a lot. And I have no idea how the author managed to convey so much sexiness despite all the squeamish-y stuff.
I mean, seriously, here you are, with two stranded characters who don’t really speak the same language, one of whom has probably not spoken at all in a terribly long time, the other has been forced to cut off her own hand in dreadful conditions, there’s sand and rain and mud and yet – yet! – there’s chemistry. A whole lot. Inadvertent chemistry at first then very purposeful and damn is it hot on this island!
I’m still stunned. This novella is probably not for everyone but it’s fabulous.
ARC provided to Les Rêveur for an honest review.
In the Palm is the most bizarre book I’ve read in a long time, maybe ever. It’s also funny and unexpectedly hot. The word that kept repeating in my mind as I was reading is “brilliant”. Everything in this novella is bloody brilliant. And kind of disturbing.
I felt as lost and disoriented as the main character for almost the whole time. Ms No Name (she’s pretty sure she’s a doctor) is smart and scared and talks to herself in a delightfully self-deprecating manner. The situation she finds herself in is terrifying yet I laughed a lot. And I have no idea how the author managed to convey so much sexiness despite all the squeamish-y stuff.
I mean, seriously, here you are, with two stranded characters who don’t really speak the same language, one of whom has probably not spoken at all in a terribly long time, the other has been forced to cut off her own hand in dreadful conditions, there’s sand and rain and mud and yet – yet! – there’s chemistry. A whole lot. Inadvertent chemistry at first then very purposeful and damn is it hot on this island!
I’m still stunned. This novella is probably not for everyone but it’s fabulous.
ARC provided to Les Rêveur for an honest review.
elvang's review
3.0
This was a quirky and entertaining read. Think Castaway with the added bonus of an internal monologue by Dr NoName. The opening scene is worth the price of this novella alone. The author captured my interest and held it for a good part of the read.
Things get a bit murky as the story progresses and new characters are introduced but the concept was a clever one and I enjoyed this escapist read.
ARC received with thanks from publisher via NetGalley for review.
Things get a bit murky as the story progresses and new characters are introduced but the concept was a clever one and I enjoyed this escapist read.
ARC received with thanks from publisher via NetGalley for review.
raposisses's review
3.0
3,5 stars. idk how i feel abt tarzan and jane-esque romances, even as lesbians.