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katewhite77'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
5.0
One lunchtime whilst working in a school, Miss Betty sidles up to Mr Chetan to become her lodger, and a beautiful dacades long begins. They
try did try being lovers for a time, and whilst that didn't work out too well, the friendship only deepened.
Chetan helps raise Solo, Miss Betty's son, for many years. That is until, one day, Solo over hears something that completely changes the course of their lives. This novel spans continents, and the decades just melt into each other. We go from baking hot Trinidadian summers to freezing cold winters in New York. Love conquers all undoubtedly, but the question remains at what cost.
Not an easy read by any means, trigger warnings everywhere, but I have no doubt that this will trouble my top books of the year list and has further cemented my love of Caribbean literature.
Graphic: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Outing, and Alcohol
rae477'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
4.25
Graphic: Alcoholism, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, and Self harm
danajoy's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I loved the strong friendship and respect between Miss Betty and Mr Chetan.
The self harm element in the latter section was some of the most confronting that I've read.
Graphic: Hate crime, Self harm, Blood, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Murder, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Gun violence
booksandbabble'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
3.75
Graphic: Hate crime, Homophobia, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, and Fire/Fire injury
miaaa_lenaaa'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
4.75
‘You can't force understanding.’
A bit little life-y
Was caught v off guard
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Self harm, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, and Sexual harassment
nicoleisalwaysreading's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
I loved Mr. Cheyna and Betty’s perspective. Solo as a character fell flat for me- his unwillingness to hear his mother’s story was incredibly frustrating, and it didn’t seem to make sense with the way he had been raised by her. The years of distance between Solo and both is mother and Cheyna were devastating. Solo’s story felt hopelessly sad for a good while, and as the book progressed, I was worried there would not be any sort of healing for him.
The big plot twist felt so cruel :/ I think it needed to happen with the way the story was moving but the way it did….WOW. Incredibly hard to read. The ending was also sad, but with a final move that to me, indicated a shared journey of healing.
Graphic: Hate crime, Homophobia, Self harm, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Deportation
pkc'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
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Homophobia, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
rojaed's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Moderate: Hate crime, Homophobia, and Self harm
merrynthomas'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
4.5
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Domestic abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcohol
This book deals heavily with family trauma brought on by domestic abuse, particularly the mother/child relationshiphannahrhian's review
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Alcoholism, Bullying, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Blood, Death of parent, and Alcohol