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cazab22's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Mental illness, and Pregnancy
ivi_reads_books's review against another edition
- 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
2.75
If you don't want to read about certain topics consult the trigger warnings as this book is quite dark.
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Murder, Pregnancy, Alcohol, and Classism
Minor: War
heathere19's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, and Toxic relationship
md3's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
mayab56's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Sexism, Toxic relationship, and Forced institutionalization
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Mental illness, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, Pregnancy, and War
rubymajor's review against another edition
3.75
The book definitely wasn't what I was expecting it to be. I picked it up expecting a more of a fantasy/magical realism book, but it turned out to be more of a historical fiction with a sprinkling of magical realism. Coming from that perspective, I was pretty disappointed that the magic of the bookshop was largely ignored or glossed over. It seemed more of an extraneous detail, had you taken it away I don't think it would have changed the overall story much. I would have really liked to have read more about the bookshop and how the magic of it worked, where it came from, etc.
That being said, I think if I had picked this up expecting more of a historical fiction, I would have been enchanted by the subtle hints of magic and whimsy. It this sense, I would say it's a cozy, whimsical book perfect for casual reading by a fire with some tea - it just gives off those vibes. In between there is some truly beautiful writing and some fabulous tidbits of women finding and owning their power in a time and world that doesn't value them. The author's love of books is obvious, not only in the characters love of books, but in the many wonderful quotes about the power of books and stories. I thought that the 3 POV's and dual timelines were very skillfully intertwined, and I really enjoyed finding all the little connections as we alternated between them.
My biggest complaint though:
Moderate: Child death, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Forced institutionalization, and Pregnancy
moxiereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, War, and Classism
divingbelle's review against another edition
3.75
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Grief, Murder, and Pregnancy
town_scar's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Child death, Death, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Forced institutionalization, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Infidelity, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Kidnapping, Grief, Medical trauma, Stalking, Pregnancy, and War
corriejn's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Forced institutionalization, and Abandonment
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Death, Mental illness, Kidnapping, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Alcohol, War, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Suicide