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adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexism, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Death
Minor: Suicide, Death of parent
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
⭐️: 5/5
This book came so highly recommended that I thought it’d be overrated and I’d be unimpressed. This couldn’t have been further from the truth. Even after everything I’d heard, I was still surprised by the story that I was reading. The characters were so lovable (or hatable when applicable). I think that it’s so impressive when an author can make us truly love a character in spite of their flaws. However, it’s equally as impressive when they can make us hate a character to the core.
My favorite character, by far, was Mad. Her precociousness and sense of confidence even in times of questioning was admirable and adorable all at once. I’ve always enjoyed historical fiction and I felt like this one was so well done. You understood all the signs of the times but could be just as immersed as if it was present day. It was easy to follow and visualize. Overall, a great read. It’s a little long and normally at the end of a longer book I’m ready to be done. When this was over I was craving more content. This is a must read…will it be my favorite of 2023? We’ll find out soon…
This book came so highly recommended that I thought it’d be overrated and I’d be unimpressed. This couldn’t have been further from the truth. Even after everything I’d heard, I was still surprised by the story that I was reading. The characters were so lovable (or hatable when applicable). I think that it’s so impressive when an author can make us truly love a character in spite of their flaws. However, it’s equally as impressive when they can make us hate a character to the core.
My favorite character, by far, was Mad. Her precociousness and sense of confidence even in times of questioning was admirable and adorable all at once. I’ve always enjoyed historical fiction and I felt like this one was so well done. You understood all the signs of the times but could be just as immersed as if it was present day. It was easy to follow and visualize. Overall, a great read. It’s a little long and normally at the end of a longer book I’m ready to be done. When this was over I was craving more content. This is a must read…will it be my favorite of 2023? We’ll find out soon…
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Grief, Car accident, Abandonment, Sexual harassment
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Misogyny, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
Loveable characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicide, Vomit, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Abandonment
"’Sometimes I think," she said slowly, "that if a man were to spend a day being a woman in America, he wouldn't make it past noon.’"
Much funnier and darker than I was expecting. Required a lot of suspension of disbelief, but the writing was engaging and easy to read. For example, very weird that Elizabeth spouted such strong political convictions on her TV show but had no qualms about working for a military contractor. At the same time, I wanted her to shove it in the face of her old bosses. Loved the time jumps and how the other story lines wove together. Picked it up because most of my aunts have read it this year, so looking forward to hearing their opinions when I’m home over the holidays.
Much funnier and darker than I was expecting. Required a lot of suspension of disbelief, but the writing was engaging and easy to read. For example, very weird that Elizabeth spouted such strong political convictions on her TV show but had no qualms about working for a military contractor. At the same time, I wanted her to shove it in the face of her old bosses. Loved the time jumps and how the other story lines wove together. Picked it up because most of my aunts have read it this year, so looking forward to hearing their opinions when I’m home over the holidays.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
Thoroughly enjoyed this feel-good book, with lovable characters and a satisfying ending.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Pregnancy
Moderate: Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Suicide, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Abandonment
Minor: Child abuse, Child death, Fatphobia, Homophobia, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Self harm, Forced institutionalization, Vomit, Religious bigotry, Sexual harassment
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I can tell why so many people love this book and why my mom kept on me telling me to read it (also so we could watch the show together). It’s a great read, an emotional one, a heartbreaking one, one that makes me think about how women and marginalized people have been and are treated, especially in certain fields of work. My favorite character was the dog. Loved the growth the dog showed. I was nervous for the dog the entire time, as I sat next to my slumbering doggo.
I am a big fan of romance novels. They are all I read. And it would have been a disappointment if the author had found another partner for Elizabeth. What happens is completely heartbreaking - but it would have been utterly disappointing to the story and the readers if Elizabeth found someone new. I appreciated that the author did not do that. I unfortunately feel that too many authors nowadays want their readers to have the happy ending (which, as someone who mostly reads romance, I do truly enjoy and appreciate), but this felt so much more real.
One thing that felt a little off to me was the daughter. I enjoyed the character but I’m not the biggest fan of the extremely smart child trope. And yes, I do think it’s a trope. It fit in this story but it’s not one of my favorite things in a story.
And - I think more books need to have trigger and content warnings at the start of their book. Even if a scene isn’t overly descriptive, it still needs to warn folks. We never know what someone is going through, or has experienced. There is absolutely no harm is putting in a warning at the start of a book. If you don’t like them or need them, then don’t read them. But it could make someone be safe when reading a book.
A book I truly couldn’t put down, as I’m writing this review at 1am. And now my mom and I can watch the show and I’ll likely get irritated at all the small inconsistencies from one medium to the other. At least I’m aware that I do this!!
I am a big fan of romance novels. They are all I read. And it would have been a disappointment if the author had found another partner for Elizabeth. What happens is completely heartbreaking - but it would have been utterly disappointing to the story and the readers if Elizabeth found someone new. I appreciated that the author did not do that. I unfortunately feel that too many authors nowadays want their readers to have the happy ending (which, as someone who mostly reads romance, I do truly enjoy and appreciate), but this felt so much more real.
One thing that felt a little off to me was the daughter. I enjoyed the character but I’m not the biggest fan of the extremely smart child trope. And yes, I do think it’s a trope. It fit in this story but it’s not one of my favorite things in a story.
And - I think more books need to have trigger and content warnings at the start of their book. Even if a scene isn’t overly descriptive, it still needs to warn folks. We never know what someone is going through, or has experienced. There is absolutely no harm is putting in a warning at the start of a book. If you don’t like them or need them, then don’t read them. But it could make someone be safe when reading a book.
A book I truly couldn’t put down, as I’m writing this review at 1am. And now my mom and I can watch the show and I’ll likely get irritated at all the small inconsistencies from one medium to the other. At least I’m aware that I do this!!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide
Minor: Domestic abuse
challenging
funny
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Misogyny, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicide, Grief, Death of parent, Sexual harassment
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexism, Suicide, Vomit