A review by grace_ezri
The Lake of Dreams by Kim Edwards

challenging emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

I'm trying to give longer and more detailed reviews more for my future self than anything. I got this book for christmas  from my sister. She had given me one other book a few years back called Little, Big that I loved so I was optimistic going into this book. This was another great pick from her. It's especially relevant since recently at dinner with some relatives we were discussing family narratives and the power they hold whether it's the truth or not. This book also revolves around family narratives and uncovering the truth. The story is about Lucy who was struggling with the death of her father returns home after a decade and starts uncovering details about a previously unknown family member Rose and  her daughter Iris. I loved the  writing style of this book it was such a great mix of lovely nature descriptions, historical drama, mystery, self discovery, current life problems, and art. It made the book continue  to be  compelling throughout the novel. I was enraptured with the writing style. I  loved how real the novel felt also with important  conversations around nature conservation,  women's suffrage movement, and indigenous rights. SPOILER  The one thing that left me unsatisfied was Lucy's relationship journey. Her and Yoshi never felt compelling and it seemed like a flat relationship. Her and Keegan felt much more developed and passionate. I could truly root for them as a couple. It seemed the author made Lucy and Yoshi end up together because it felt like the adult thing to do to show Lucy has matured but instead it just left me feeling bored and uninspired by them as a couple. SPOILER. Overall I think its a lovely book that has given me a lot to think about. It might be a five star but for now my disappointment with Lucy's relationship journey has me knocking it down to 4.75 cause i'm petty.