A review by notthatcosta
Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers

dark emotional mysterious sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

I'm conflicted because I feel like a lot of my enjoyment of this book is down to Clare Chambers being a very talented writer and not due to what is occasionally a ropey story. However, I think Jean is a great heroine in how pronounced and lived in her flaws her, and yet she remains fundamentally good throughout. 

I found the romance aspects of the book to be a bit tiresome when there is so much richness in how 1950s England is portrayed as both optimistic and bleak. The 'love story' that emerges almost soiled my enjoyment of how well Gretchen's arc was being crafted as a supporting character...but thankfully the ending comes along and derails the saccharine trajectory of the final act (no pun intended).
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