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angelsmomreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is not a cozy murder mystery , it is a terrific character driven book that is a testament to how childhood trauma follows you through life, and how memory protects children from the darkest moments of their lives.
Lenny Marks a school teacher is introverted and keeps panic attacks at bay by routine , her love of words , Scrabble and her 36 copies of The Hobbit.
She was the last standing from a brutal murder that she has vague memories of, and her life starts to fracture when she gets a letter from the Parole Board that her father was being released.
"Lenny ran her fingers over the smoothness of the envelope. Adult Parole Board Victoria was emblazoned proudly in the top right corner, as if this was a regular and not at all concerning place from which to receive mail.”
There is a rescue dog Malcom ..and how she needed to name him that.
She finally allows Ned the grocery store worker in at the end of the book because of his patience and care.
And she is a surprise character because of all she went through she stands and learns how to.move forward. Many reviewers don't understand the quirkiness of Lenny though slightly humorous is a wall she has erected to protect herself. Just like her word games to soothe her fracturing mind. PTSD is not something that ever goes away it sounds like her foster parents attempted to take her to therapy, but most childhood trauma survivors put up walls to block out memories . When Lenny finds herself in the shed in the back of the school she blacked out ..these scenes which were dark were good representation of how a survivor copes
Lenny Mark's Is the definition of a final girl, the last standing , slaying her dragons and coping through all the tragedy . I think the marketing of this book is wrong, because fans of Scream, Halloween, or even I Know What You Did Last Summer would love the retribution Lenny Marks gets in the end.
Thank you to St Martin's Press and Netgalley for my #advancedreaderscopy
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, and Abandonment
niftyreads's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
hannahs_library__'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
- Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine ‼️
- Loveable MC to root for
- Scrabble
- Books about healing and trauma ❤️🩹
- Feel good fiction ☀️
- Self help books disguised as fiction
- Friends
Lenny Marks is a primary school teacher with quite the past. She has exactly 7 meals she eats on rotation, bikes to and from work every day, owns 36 copies of the hobbit, and has Friends to keep her company while she plays scrabble. Miss Marks is perfectly content sticking to her daily routines until a letter from the parole board arrives and starts to unearth feelings and memories she buried long ago. 👀
Graphic: Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Blood, and Grief
Minor: Animal cruelty
larissarose's review against another edition
4.0
Minor: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, and Murder
louisekf's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
erinvm736's review against another edition
- 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? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Child death
Moderate: Child death, Domestic abuse, and Death of parent
whenimreading's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
kerrygetsliterary's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
That being said, Lenny Marks is possibly one of my favorite characters I've ever read. She's a neurodivergent elementary school teacher with a kind heart. She's a homebody, she plays Scrabble against herself, loves the TV show Friends, and rides her bike everywhere. She reminded me a lot of Eleanor Oliphant, She is intelligent and brave, and just trying to figure out her solitary adult life. I loved watching her story unfold, and it was both heartbreaking and heartwarming. I laughed with her and my heart broke for her.
There were some mystery elements to this book, and some things I predicted and some I did not. The writing was phenomenal and I will definitely read more of Kerryn Mayne's work in the future.
Graphic: Ableism, Animal cruelty, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
sarah_reading_party's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Lenny's life is turned upside down when she starts hearing from a parole board about her stepfather's impending release from prison. Memories from her childhood start coming back in bits and pieces, as trauma does, and as a result, she has choices to make and growth to pursue as she heals. She is so endearing and lovable as we learn more about her life, her relationships, and her habits. At times, the book is a bit slow but the quirky elements of Lenny's personality add a fun dimension to this book.
Though much of this book was about memories and the past, there are some very real twists and turns that happen as a result of present circumstances and Lenny's memories. And as you could expect, there is a murder! :)
I found this book to be engaging, heartwarming, and captivating. I wanted to keep listening to it long past my commute, run, or chore session. The narration was top notch, and only enhanced the listening experience.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this audiobook. All opinions are my own.
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Domestic abuse, Violence, and Death of parent
mtnest's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Blood, Vomit, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal cruelty, Cursing, Drug use, Infidelity, and Pregnancy
Trauma aftermath