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bookishmillennial's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
disclaimer: I don’t really give starred reviews. I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Find me here: https://linktr.ee/bookishmillennial
I buddy read this with my friend @beasleybooks and had so much fun. She predicted everything that eventually unraveled within the last 10% of the book and even though she did, I still thought the reveal landed excellently! I listened to the audiobook, and I think Brittany Pressley may be my new favorite audiobook narrator. I was fully engrossed for the entirety of her narration. If the audiobook is accessible for you, I highly recommend it.
Adrienne Young's writing is lush, captivating, and flows so seamlessly. I was so impressed and this may be my favorite read this month! I thought June's inner monologue was so understandable, and we could viscerally feel her confusion, exhaustion, resignation, and fury. I think June's voice was so clear, and easy to follow along.
I will admit, during the first 25% of this book, I was super lost. I even wrote, 'I fear I'm not smart enough for this book,' becausethe timeline of this time travel surrealism story was hurting my brain hahaha . However, once we got to the meat of the both the time elements and the murder mystery, it began to piece together for me.
If you enjoy surrealism, small towns, star-crossed lovers/"I will always find you" vibes from Once Upon A Time, and mysteries, read this!
I buddy read this with my friend @beasleybooks and had so much fun. She predicted everything that eventually unraveled within the last 10% of the book and even though she did, I still thought the reveal landed excellently! I listened to the audiobook, and I think Brittany Pressley may be my new favorite audiobook narrator. I was fully engrossed for the entirety of her narration. If the audiobook is accessible for you, I highly recommend it.
Adrienne Young's writing is lush, captivating, and flows so seamlessly. I was so impressed and this may be my favorite read this month! I thought June's inner monologue was so understandable, and we could viscerally feel her confusion, exhaustion, resignation, and fury. I think June's voice was so clear, and easy to follow along.
I will admit, during the first 25% of this book, I was super lost. I even wrote, 'I fear I'm not smart enough for this book,' because
If you enjoy surrealism, small towns, star-crossed lovers/"I will always find you" vibes from Once Upon A Time, and mysteries, read this!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, and Abandonment
Moderate: Mental illness, Suicide, Blood, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Minor: Sexual content
lizziaha's review
3.25
The writing is very atmospheric, but the plot is largely driven by these characters being ridiculously stupid. Like they make every decision with absolutely no forethought.
I also felt like this could have read as a historical fiction, but both of the time periods were so indistinct that they could be interchangeable with pretty much any time period.
I also felt like this could have read as a historical fiction, but both of the time periods were so indistinct that they could be interchangeable with pretty much any time period.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Mental illness, Suicide, and Death of parent
otakatoe3's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Violence, Blood, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
peasandpancakes's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Initially I gave this a much higher rating because I read it in a couple of days and wanted to keep reading reading reading! But there was one crucial part of the story that could have been worked out better in my opinion (major spoiler, obviously)(seriously stop reading if you haven’t read the book): The time travel paradox. In the book, 2024 June made sure 2023 June would travel to 1951 by ensuring the letter and locket would be given to her. However, for this to happen 2024 June should have already have been sent back to 1951. And if 2024 June never travelled to 1946, there would also be no reason for her to fix the unravelling and send 2023 June to 1951, because she then never married and never had Annie. The endless loop that June talks about in the end cannot exist because in their new and only timeline, she only travels to 1951 and no other June should then be there or have been there, so Eamon and Annie shouldn’t exist. Furthermore, I do not see how and why the thread would not unravel as there is still a timeloop. I was just very disappointed in the end with the wrap-up. Also with Annies role in the story. She was truly a plot device. The more I keep thinking about this book, the less I like the story. Though it remains well written!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Death of parent, Murder, and Abandonment
Moderate: Sexual content and Grief
Minor: Vomit
mmccombs's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
3.0
Okay listen, this book was incredibly engrossing but also equally irritating!! I leave this book mildly angry!! The vibes were great, very autumnal and kind of cozy, a good mix of magic and mystery and a pinch of romance. I thought the sense of place in North Carolina was nicely done (though the distinction between 1951 and 2023 did not feel clear enough). I always love stories about women and what they pass down to their daughters, so that element was a real plus.
But for a book that heavily relies on time travel as a central and important plot point, the rules of the time travel were so inconsistent and indecipherable as to be frustrating. I’m a person who easily buys into things and throws logic to the wind if a book asks me to do that, but the book has to earn my buy in first. And truly nothing about this made any sense to me!! The rule of three trips?? So confusing and random!June remembering things from a version of her that happened to future her in the past? Wait, what?! Her being alive when her mother is born, and then her mother birthing her again? Huh? Wouldn’t this whole plot then happen again as a result? Why does this curse exist in the first place? When did it start?
I also found the fact that June was totally kept in the dark for the majority of this book when everyone around her knew what was up fairly strange. Like they did explain why they didn’t tell her things and that it was purposeful, but mostly this withholding of information just didn’t make sense and I didn’t get their motivations.
And very tiny, but I thought the authors note about the legacy of slavery in the state was very strange considering that topic didn’t come up throughout the book (which I noticed and was wondering if it was a deliberate choice to just… pretend that wasn’t a thing that could impact the plot or setting). Like either mention it or don’t, unclear what the author’s motivations were there.
I could probably keep going with my questions and complaints so I’ll just cut myself off now. Very interesting premise, just way too convoluted and complicated for me to fully immerse myself in. I think lovers of Addie LaRue and Practical Magic would enjoy this book, but I am just overthinking this one into oblivion.
But for a book that heavily relies on time travel as a central and important plot point, the rules of the time travel were so inconsistent and indecipherable as to be frustrating. I’m a person who easily buys into things and throws logic to the wind if a book asks me to do that, but the book has to earn my buy in first. And truly nothing about this made any sense to me!! The rule of three trips?? So confusing and random!
I also found the fact that June was totally kept in the dark for the majority of this book when everyone around her knew what was up fairly strange. Like they did explain why they didn’t tell her things and that it was purposeful, but mostly this withholding of information just didn’t make sense and I didn’t get their motivations.
And very tiny, but I thought the authors note about the legacy of slavery in the state was very strange considering that topic didn’t come up throughout the book (which I noticed and was wondering if it was a deliberate choice to just… pretend that wasn’t a thing that could impact the plot or setting). Like either mention it or don’t, unclear what the author’s motivations were there.
I could probably keep going with my questions and complaints so I’ll just cut myself off now. Very interesting premise, just way too convoluted and complicated for me to fully immerse myself in. I think lovers of Addie LaRue and Practical Magic would enjoy this book, but I am just overthinking this one into oblivion.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Death of parent
Moderate: Mental illness
stephanieluxton's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
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
5.0
This book was incredibly unique. I think it's best to go into it blind and luckily the synopsis doesn't overshare the plot.
This is a book about a woman discovering the secrets behind the "curse" that plagues the women of her family and trying to break the cycle. This is a story about family and what's most important in life - and a murder mystery. I found the story started out a little slow but I became so invested in the characters and the unravelling of the mystery.
The ending was incredibly satisfying.
This is a book about a woman discovering the secrets behind the "curse" that plagues the women of her family and trying to break the cycle. This is a story about family and what's most important in life - and a murder mystery. I found the story started out a little slow but I became so invested in the characters and the unravelling of the mystery.
The ending was incredibly satisfying.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Sexism, Sexual content, Death of parent, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
chelseazhao's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
slow-paced
5.0
This was a book suggested for me, and wasn't originally something I probably would have picked up for myself.
I'm so glad that I did! I loved the characters and atmosphere and slight magical nature of it.
While I didn't think anything was surprising or unpredictable, I don't think it was trying to be that. So it was perfect for what it was.
I listened to this on audio, but now I think I need a copy for my personal library.
I'm so glad that I did! I loved the characters and atmosphere and slight magical nature of it.
While I didn't think anything was surprising or unpredictable, I don't think it was trying to be that. So it was perfect for what it was.
I listened to this on audio, but now I think I need a copy for my personal library.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Suicide, Murder, and Pregnancy
Minor: Mental illness, Blood, and Dementia
redefiningrachel's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Mental illness, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, and Abandonment
Moderate: Gun violence, Suicide, and Blood
Minor: Schizophrenia/Psychosis
emisbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
- 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
3.75
loved the story, setting and characters. decent story overall even if i found all the time stuff confusing
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Violence and Blood
Minor: Sexual content, Suicide, Vomit, and Suicide attempt
danip97's review
4.5
Personally the atmosphere and the mystery in this book were addictive. I couldn’t put this book down at all. The drama, the atypical found family, and time travel all made for a great experience. (P.s. if you don’t like cozy atmosphere and detailed descriptions this won’t be for you)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Violence, Grief, Murder, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
Moderate: Death, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Abandonment