Reviews tagging 'Miscarriage'

Homicide and Halo-Halo, by Mia P. Manansala

4 reviews

mamawantsbooks's review against another edition

mysterious medium-paced

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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Stalking, Sexual harassment, Injury/injury detail, and Grief

Moderate: Sexism and Death of parent

Minor: Infertility and Miscarriage

ashleycmms's review

adventurous emotional funny hopeful lighthearted mysterious tense fast-paced

• 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? It's complicated

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Toxic relationship, Murder, Death of parent, Car accident, Panic attacks/disorders, Death, Injury/injury detail, Sexual harassment, and Gun violence

Moderate: Infertility and Miscarriage

allisonwonderlandreads's review

lighthearted mysterious relaxing medium-paced

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

3.0

This series is 2/2 for choosing the murder victim I would most like on the chopping block (ok, so I clearly have issues). It's also perfection for introducing a cast of suspects where I genuinely hoped most of them didn't do the crime so we would be graced with their presence again in future books. I was specifically excited because this one adds to the queer ensemble with a woman who I interpret to be aro/ace based on a conversation around her lack of desire to be in a romantic partnership of any kind.

As the author notes at the outset, this book still offers a cozy mystery ambience and a satisfying resolution, but it delves into some difficult themes along the way. After Lila's last round of sleuthing, expect to see her dealing with the fallout to her mental health while resisting the idea of seeking professional help (or any help for that matter). As Lila steps up to judge the town's beauty pageant, an event where she once wore the crown, uncomfortable truths about her relationship with her deceased mother also surface.

I was sympathetic/empathetic towards Lila's mental health struggles, but not so much towards her love triangle, which intersects with another love triangle and is basically a big, complicated, jealous, petty mess. My irritation was swallowed up by a tide of hilarity when a character called it out in front of all three members of the triangle and an avid audience. That ~almost~ made the angst worth it. To be fair, it is resolved by the end of the book, and I'm relieved to know it won't drag out through the series.

This cozy mystery doesn't shrink from complex issues. I would expect nothing less given its predecessor. It has the delicious foods and fun characters that make the genre sparkle while also approaching topics surrounding race, gender, and power with grace and style.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Death of parent, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Sexual harassment, and Sexism

Minor: Suicide, Body shaming, Miscarriage, Racism, Ableism, Acephobia/Arophobia, Adult/minor relationship, and Injury/injury detail

internationalreads's review

adventurous emotional funny mysterious fast-paced

• 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? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abandonment, Alcohol, Death of parent, Death, Grief, Infidelity, Injury/injury detail, Mental illness, Murder, Miscarriage, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual harassment