ned5clark's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
keepingyouonread's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
This is a #bookstagram made me do it review. I followed @bajancallie for the beautiful photos of books in Barbados. Once we became friends, I realized she wrote a book and I knew I wanted to read it. Plus, that cover is gorgeous.
The Girl With The Hazel Eyes is told in a dual storyline with Lia’s POV in 2015 and Susan’s in 1966-67. Susan is Barbados’ most famous writer, unfortunately her book wasn’t well received on the island and she’s lived in exile in the States for many years. Newly single, a Lia wants to be a writer and against her mother’s wishes, she jumps at the chance to interview Susan and write a biography about her experiences.
What I liked: I felt like everyday life in 1960s Barbados was captured - I actually thought this was based on real events until I talked to Callie - it feels that real. Her characters don’t always make good choices but I found myself rooting for them and liking them. As in life, the characters make decisions that affect the rest of their lives - some they may end up regretting.
Susan’s story reads like diary entries, while Lia’s portions mimic the reader trying to figure out what is going on. Spoiler: Susan has some secrets.
What didn’t work for me: Full disclosure: Callie told me to be honest here. I wish there was more dialogue, especially with Susan. She’s so complex, I wanted to see her interact more.
I will warn you the ending is a bit open-ended (my favorite) but if you’re looking for full closure there is no neat epilogue.
Who should read it: Chanel Cleeton fans that enjoy the island vibes and history of her stories (there’s not a lot of romance in Hazel Eyes). I think fans of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo will like this book - both Susan and Evelyn are complex not always likable characters.
This is a #bookstagram made me do it review. I followed @bajancallie for the beautiful photos of books in Barbados. Once we became friends, I realized she wrote a book and I knew I wanted to read it. Plus, that cover is gorgeous.
The Girl With The Hazel Eyes is told in a dual storyline with Lia’s POV in 2015 and Susan’s in 1966-67. Susan is Barbados’ most famous writer, unfortunately her book wasn’t well received on the island and she’s lived in exile in the States for many years. Newly single, a Lia wants to be a writer and against her mother’s wishes, she jumps at the chance to interview Susan and write a biography about her experiences.
What I liked: I felt like everyday life in 1960s Barbados was captured - I actually thought this was based on real events until I talked to Callie - it feels that real. Her characters don’t always make good choices but I found myself rooting for them and liking them. As in life, the characters make decisions that affect the rest of their lives - some they may end up regretting.
Susan’s story reads like diary entries, while Lia’s portions mimic the reader trying to figure out what is going on. Spoiler: Susan has some secrets.
What didn’t work for me: Full disclosure: Callie told me to be honest here. I wish there was more dialogue, especially with Susan. She’s so complex, I wanted to see her interact more.
I will warn you the ending is a bit open-ended (my favorite) but if you’re looking for full closure there is no neat epilogue.
Who should read it: Chanel Cleeton fans that enjoy the island vibes and history of her stories (there’s not a lot of romance in Hazel Eyes). I think fans of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo will like this book - both Susan and Evelyn are complex not always likable characters.
miss617's review against another edition
3.0
I get the comparison to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, though I think that book was done much better. That's not to say The Girl with the Hazel Eyes was not good - I liked reading about Barbados' independence as that's not a topic I'm familiar with (though, me being me, I was Googling a lot to see what was true and what was artistic license). I guessed the twist pretty early on, and it was a bit of a letdown that there wasn't much of a resolution there. The pacing was off in a few places and it felt like the book ended a bit too abruptly. Overall, the book was fine, but I just needed a bit more from it.
ashtonj's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- 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
3.0
dinahrachel's review against another edition
5.0
So much to like about this book, especially as a self-published debut. Hope someone has snapped up the movie rights for a large sum!
brewed_books's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
rexpostfacto's review against another edition
3.0
3-3.5 stars. A compelling story but the ending felt a bit rushed to me. I also felt like it could've used some sharper editing, both in content and grammar wise. The random subplot of Lia's ex-boyfriend was pretty pointless, yet we didn't get nearly enough info about Lia's complex relationship with her mother.
I enjoyed reading this overall though.
CW: racism, classism, imperialism, sexual assault
I enjoyed reading this overall though.
CW: racism, classism, imperialism, sexual assault
alic59books's review
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
3.5
caribbeangirlreading's review
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- 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
This dual timeline historical fiction debut novel is set in Barbados in the 1950s and 1960s and Florida in 2015. There’s a bit of a mystery involved, but at its core it’s a coming-of-age story, for Susan Taylor, and for the island of Barbados itself. The author did a really good job of going back and forth between the present and past, and of seamlessly weaving Susan’s story with that of the independence movement in Barbados. The first third of the book was medium paced, but then the pace picks up and moves quickly toward the end. I finished the last two thirds of the book in one day. Like many other reviewers though, I agree that the ending was satisfying, but rushed and that Lia’s character could have been fleshed out a bit more. Five stars for the cover art. Last, but not least, kudos to @bajancallie for going out there and publishing her own novels. If you have not read this book, then hurry and catch up because she’s already writing her THIRD novel!
misogyny, patriarchy, political corruption, poverty, sexism, sexual assault
misogyny, patriarchy, political corruption, poverty, sexism, sexual assault
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Colonisation, Mental illness, Sexual assault, and Sexism
joan_illusion's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
1.0
DNF page 53.
Omg I am bored out of my mind.
After reading a massive error on page 50, I couldn’t take it anymore. I really tried to get to the 100 page mark but my life is too short to even try, sorry. There was nothing good about the first 50 pages, but looking at the score on goodreads I’m sure it picks up, so don’t let my judgment stand in the way of trying it.
Omg I am bored out of my mind.
After reading a massive error on page 50, I couldn’t take it anymore. I really tried to get to the 100 page mark but my life is too short to even try, sorry. There was nothing good about the first 50 pages, but looking at the score on goodreads I’m sure it picks up, so don’t let my judgment stand in the way of trying it.