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bek67's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
A friend recommended this book to me. About 40 pages in, I asked her if I was reading the correct book because this book was just weird. She told me to keep reading. So, I did. I know that your olfactory sense is the sense that can spark strong emotions and memories! I mean personally if I even get a whiff of any bourbon or whiskey, I'm immediately returned to a night in my early 20s when I over indulged and the feeling of nausea returns strongly. And I know that businesses use scents. Want to sell your house? Bake cookies before the open house! We are inundated with essential oils and scents where ever we go. But this book was a tad hokey to me. I did stick with it and soon it became a story of secrets, relationships and survival. It was turning out ok. Then we get to the last part of the book. Emmeline takes off to the big city to find Fisher. And she finds her mom. Odd that a girl who is understandably socially awkward and not equipped to easily make connections with others just fits right in with her mom and gets a job at her mom's company. Then she finds out her mother did some really shady things and her father isn't the bad person her mother has portrayed him to be. But then Emmeline is leaving and never says anything to her mom about this, she just leaves. The End. Did the author get tired of the story and just decided to end it? Felt like a quick, not well conceived ending. All in all the book was weird (and not weird in a good way) and I just did not resonate with me.
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, and Death of parent
em_daydreaming's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse and Death of parent
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Animal death
dmariefern's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-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
3.75
I loved the story but once the main character reconnected with old family members I got lost a bit… I also found the ending odd — or rather it didn’t end how I’d hope.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol
thebookwormkatie's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse and Death of parent
nikimorr's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
georgiaaaaa's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
Moderate: Rape
sj_54's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Death of parent
wellreadjill_'s review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Death of parent, and Sexual harassment
sarahbryant717's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
4.5
The main character of this book, Emmaline, was raised by her father on a deserted island. Emmaline’s father had a magical machine that would print out slips of paper, which contained memory scents, and he would bottle them in glass jars. Emmaline did not know anything outside of the fantasy life her father created. One day, Emmaline discovers that her dad had not been truthful with her and she wishes for them to leave the island. Her wish results in tragedy, but Emmaline does leave the island and has to learn to navigate reality.
One of the biggest themes of this book is whether or not children can break free of the cycle of their parents actions, or are they destined to be mini-versions of their parents. I really loved this book and the vivid imagery depicted, however the ending was lacking for me, so that’s why I did not give it 5 stars. It’s almost as if the author just decided to be finished and wrapped things up in a few pages. I would have liked to seen more of the choices Emmaline made after she learned more about who she was.
One of the biggest themes of this book is whether or not children can break free of the cycle of their parents actions, or are they destined to be mini-versions of their parents. I really loved this book and the vivid imagery depicted, however the ending was lacking for me, so that’s why I did not give it 5 stars. It’s almost as if the author just decided to be finished and wrapped things up in a few pages. I would have liked to seen more of the choices Emmaline made after she learned more about who she was.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
lydiaslifeinbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Alcoholism and Domestic abuse