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readwithsabs's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Sadly this one was not for me. It was a slow long drawn out read. I had committed to 50% read before I knew I was not going to love it. I think the main reason it didn't work for me is because the author simply tried to tackle far too many sensitive themes ans in my opinion not in any great detail, therefore did not do any of them well. It was incredibly melodramatic with an unlikeable protagonist in Grace Adams and her teenage daughter Lotte. Told in present day with flashbacks to storytell how the events of Grace's past have effected her and bringing it around to her current situation.
I guess the author was trying to explore the importance of womanhood and all the nuances around being a strong woman.
I guess the author was trying to explore the importance of womanhood and all the nuances around being a strong woman.
Content Warnings
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Infidelity, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Grief, and Sexual harassment
what_heather_loves's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
"Grace realizes she can't trust her own emotions anymore. She can't trust herself. It's impossible to tell where the perimenopause stops and she begins, and she's asking herself who she would be if it wasn't for these chemical enemies raging through her body, hijacking her mind, who she would he if her self had not come apart from her. She imagines she'd be nailing life, sailing through it serenely. Coping at least."
This book spoke to me, not initially admittedly, because it took me a while to invest in Grace, her husband Ben and teenage daughter Lotte, but invest I did. Told from perimenopausal and vulnerable, Grace's perspective over one day, she is determined to take a birthday cake to Lotte's party at Ben's house; it's a dramatic journey, walking across London in a heatwave to avoid a traffic jam, interspersed with Grace's reflections on her relationships with Ben and Lotte. I had questions, including: Who is Lotte's boyfriend? Why did Grace and Ben break up? Why is Grace struggling so?
All is answered and there are some major trigger warnings. You may cry when you learn all she has to deal with, which I particularly related to, being a similar age to Grace and having been dealt some challenging blows during my life. Grace, like me, carries on for herself and for those she loves. Grace is resilient, kind and absolutely 'amazing', I would want her as my friend. Astute, focused and affectionate, this is a poignant tale of a woman on the edge, a debut novel about family drama, loss and hope.
This book spoke to me, not initially admittedly, because it took me a while to invest in Grace, her husband Ben and teenage daughter Lotte, but invest I did. Told from perimenopausal and vulnerable, Grace's perspective over one day, she is determined to take a birthday cake to Lotte's party at Ben's house; it's a dramatic journey, walking across London in a heatwave to avoid a traffic jam, interspersed with Grace's reflections on her relationships with Ben and Lotte. I had questions, including: Who is Lotte's boyfriend? Why did Grace and Ben break up? Why is Grace struggling so?
All is answered and there are some major trigger warnings. You may cry when you learn all she has to deal with, which I particularly related to, being a similar age to Grace and having been dealt some challenging blows during my life. Grace, like me, carries on for herself and for those she loves. Grace is resilient, kind and absolutely 'amazing', I would want her as my friend. Astute, focused and affectionate, this is a poignant tale of a woman on the edge, a debut novel about family drama, loss and hope.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, and Mental illness