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liblibby's Reviews (253)
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Oof. I don't know. I wish this book was either much longer--so we could really delve deeper into these characters and themes, or much shorter. But as it was there was a lot of repetition for me without a ton of payoff for it. But there were a lot of things I loved about it:
1. Structurally, this book is really interesting. It goes back and forth between letters from the psychologist that's working Dorothy's case and reactions from people in the town.
2. Without giving any spoilers, there were a few twists that I found really interesting and satisfying (and one in particular that I found to be kind of a bummer and confusing).
In the afterward, they talked about how the author was writing this to draw a parallel between the 1800's and now and how conservative people are enemies of free thinking and progress. I actually think that I liked the book more before I knew that. But all-in-all, it was a good story that brought me out of my reading rut.
1. Structurally, this book is really interesting. It goes back and forth between letters from the psychologist that's working Dorothy's case and reactions from people in the town.
2. Without giving any spoilers, there were a few twists that I found really interesting and satisfying (and one in particular that I found to be kind of a bummer and confusing).
In the afterward, they talked about how the author was writing this to draw a parallel between the 1800's and now and how conservative people are enemies of free thinking and progress. I actually think that I liked the book more before I knew that. But all-in-all, it was a good story that brought me out of my reading rut.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Forced institutionalization, Murder
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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:
Complicated
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
Loved this!! The first chapter took me on an emotional roller coaster and I knew this author was really good at what she was doing. I want to see a film adaptation starring Quinta Brunson and Jay Ellis, please.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
I loved this!
TBH this is the first Hannah Grace book I’ve ever read. I tend to avoid romances about people who are this young because their “problems” generally feel so immature (which, honestly, makes sense). But that’s not how this one was at all! It definitely makes me want to go back and read Icebreaker and Wildfire.
TBH this is the first Hannah Grace book I’ve ever read. I tend to avoid romances about people who are this young because their “problems” generally feel so immature (which, honestly, makes sense). But that’s not how this one was at all! It definitely makes me want to go back and read Icebreaker and Wildfire.
emotional
funny
inspiring
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
funny
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
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:
Complicated
Loved this book so much. It reminds me of my hometown in the BEST WAY!
At my job I hear from a lot of people who assume that our whole town is filled with and run by conservatives who have backwards views. But I wish all those people knew one another—because then they’d realize they’re actually the majority! And that’s exactly what happens in this book. I’m sure that’s not a spoiler.
At my job I hear from a lot of people who assume that our whole town is filled with and run by conservatives who have backwards views. But I wish all those people knew one another—because then they’d realize they’re actually the majority! And that’s exactly what happens in this book. I’m sure that’s not a spoiler.
funny
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
Reeeeally liked this story until the 4th act. It just had 2 of my personal pet peeves (which may be someone else’s favorite thing).
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Such a fun story. I have never cared about bird watching but this book made me want to pay more attention to the birds around me!
It's a very typical, sweet romance. A fake dating, slow burn--slowww burn. But once it starts to burn WHO BOY! It's hot. Sheeeesh. Like, borderline too hot.
It's a very typical, sweet romance. A fake dating, slow burn--slowww burn. But once it starts to burn WHO BOY! It's hot. Sheeeesh. Like, borderline too hot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-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
Pining. This book is fullllll of pining! And angst and wanting. I almost don’t recommend it to anyone who has been in love with a best friend because it’s too real.
Also this book is 75% sex scenes. So take that as a warning or an invitation depending on your preference.
Also this book is 75% sex scenes. So take that as a warning or an invitation depending on your preference.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Alcoholism
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I desperately wanted to enjoy this book. I love Jane Smiley. She’s a trusted, go to author and I tried so hard with this. At 3/4 of the way through I was ready to give up. But I read reviews that said there was a big plot twist in the epilogue (an enormous pet peeve of mine btw—that’s not what an epilogue is for). But I kept going.
I desperately wanted our main character to explore her luck or examine her privilege—especially when she goes on and on about how safe St. Louis is. Completely forgetting the shooting of Michael Brown and subsequent protests-turned-riots in Ferguson.
This book never answered my question which was: what is the point? Why would she write this?
I found an article that described this as a fictionalization of Jane Smileys own biography. Only as a musician instead of an author. That answered my question enough but left me disappointed. The worst thing that ever happened to our main character was climate change.
This is a long, boring book about a privileged, white boomer with no capacity for honest self-reflection, just navel gazing.
I desperately wanted our main character to explore her luck or examine her privilege—especially when she goes on and on about how safe St. Louis is. Completely forgetting the shooting of Michael Brown and subsequent protests-turned-riots in Ferguson.
This book never answered my question which was: what is the point? Why would she write this?
I found an article that described this as a fictionalization of Jane Smileys own biography. Only as a musician instead of an author. That answered my question enough but left me disappointed. The worst thing that ever happened to our main character was climate change.
This is a long, boring book about a privileged, white boomer with no capacity for honest self-reflection, just navel gazing.