Reviews with content warning for Chronic illness - Small Pleasures

such a nice chilled read! i’ve seen this book everywhere online since it came out, with a really memorable cover so i picked it up in the library without even knowing what it was about. i didn’t actually read the blurb until i was 30 pages in, wondering where the story was actually going to go 😂
it’s not my usual genre, with the characters being middle aged and it being general/historical fiction but it was a really relaxing laid back book. a nice break from stressful fantasy i usually read! really well written and nice historical touches in terms of descriptions and vocabulary.

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swaino's review against another edition

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mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

This book gave me mixed emotions. The writing style was flawless, I thoroughly enjoyed reading these perfectly curated sentences and chapters.

It’s the plot that has given me the mixed feelings. I regret to say that I believed it to be quite predictable, with the origins of the virgin birth being what I had expected from the very beginning. The ending was also quite unnecessary and, if I dare say, almost ruined the book for me (whether that was out of heartbreak for the main character or a somewhat lazy plot, I am not so sure).

Before the end, I wanted to give this book 4/5 stars, but the ending took me back. Perhaps after a few days of ruminating over this book I may change my mind.

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kayleejanes's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

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amberrenfrey's review against another edition

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challenging emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

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

3.75

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dylangodfreyy's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Loved this book but docked a star for the ending

I would have preferred some clarity on whether Howard survived the train crash, however I recognise this as a choice to create a shocking and open-ended ending

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