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jaclyncrupi's review against another edition
4.0
I vow to always reader the @center4fiction First Novel Prize winner. It took me a little while to adjust to Winslow’s rhythm but his characters grabbed me from the outset and I ultimately loved this compassionate and profound book.
lovetolovereading's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
kiera_loves_boooks's review against another edition
4.0
This was an excellent novel. The characters were full of depth and described in such a way that they practically leaped off the page to tell you their personal stories. It had a small-town feel, with a splash of pizzazz, spunk, sass, mystery and sadness. I was torn between wanting to hug Knot and kicking her backside inside out! This story flowed smoothly, the characters were relatable, and it had just the right mix of "what the heck?" and "I know they didn't!" I could not put this book down. I would definitely recommend this book to others looking for a great one-day read. (Well, I read it in one day!) Looking forward to seeing what the author comes up with next!
hwindow21's review against another edition
5.0
IN WEST MILLS is, at its core, an invitation: a welcome to the vast universe inside a small town, where personalities loom larger than buildings and relationship histories provide the backdrop for all other events. Smart and trusting of its readers, it slips you names and secrets so fast you’ll start to think you’ve always known them. Yes, this novel opens kitchens and porches to us with undeniable generosity—and it reveals the intimate experience of redemption that comes from long-honored memory, long-term commitment, and long-standing love.
pickleballlibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
An excellent story about the challenges faced by African-Americans through a few decades in a small town in North Carolina. Lots of family dynamics are involved including infidelity, children out of wedlock, love, migration, and racial inequality.
booksarebetter's review against another edition
3.0
This wasn't quite for me. The writing was good but I just didn't feel connected with the characters. 3.5 ⭐
karenschiavelli's review against another edition
3.0
It’s really 3.5 stars. I never really figured out what the book was about but somehow I was interested in all the characters and their stories. So much so that the last 2 chapters brought tears to my eyes. To me, that’s pretty impressive writing!
kaywhiteley's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- 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
4.0
A sweet little book. I loved the character’s relationships with each other. Sometimes it just felt a little slow.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
novelvisits's review against another edition
3.0
{My Thoughts}
As In West Mills begins debut author De’Shawn Charles Winslow introduces us to Azalea “Knot” Centre. She’d only lived in the community for a few years, but had quickly become well known there. Knot needed to escape the eyes of her own family, so when her father arranged a teaching job for her in West Mills, Knot left home and rarely looked back. She was liked as a teacher, but what she really became known for was hard drinking, dancing, and men. Before long Knot’s free-spirited lifestyle brought trouble in more ways than one, leaving a path of destruction, and a bevy of secrets that affected many around her.
“Knot had heard about people going into shock. But she never had been able to imagine how it might feel. This must be it, she thought to herself. When you know you hurtin’. But there ain’t no pain. When you know you sad, but you don’t feel like you gon’ cry. I want to say a whole lot of stuff, but don’t want to talk. This must be it. Got to be what shock feels like.”
While I appreciated the loyal spirit of the small West Mills community created by Winslow, the secrets and lies that percolated just under its surface grew tiresome. By the second half I especially tired of Knot. She started out as a very flawed character that you had to be rooting for and wanted to like, but over the course of her life it was difficult for me to do so. A woman who was essentially very selfish impacted so many people’s lives in oftentimes complex and hurtful ways. Knot did make some hard choices that made life better for others, but she never seemed to be able to do the same for herself. As a debut, I truly appreciated Winslow’s strong writing and insights into the people of West Mills, but I wish his story would have been more about those people and less about their secrets.
Note: I received a copy of this book from Ballantine Publishing (via NetGalley) in exchange for my honest review.
For more reviews and bookish news: https://novelvisits.com/
As In West Mills begins debut author De’Shawn Charles Winslow introduces us to Azalea “Knot” Centre. She’d only lived in the community for a few years, but had quickly become well known there. Knot needed to escape the eyes of her own family, so when her father arranged a teaching job for her in West Mills, Knot left home and rarely looked back. She was liked as a teacher, but what she really became known for was hard drinking, dancing, and men. Before long Knot’s free-spirited lifestyle brought trouble in more ways than one, leaving a path of destruction, and a bevy of secrets that affected many around her.
“Knot had heard about people going into shock. But she never had been able to imagine how it might feel. This must be it, she thought to herself. When you know you hurtin’. But there ain’t no pain. When you know you sad, but you don’t feel like you gon’ cry. I want to say a whole lot of stuff, but don’t want to talk. This must be it. Got to be what shock feels like.”
While I appreciated the loyal spirit of the small West Mills community created by Winslow, the secrets and lies that percolated just under its surface grew tiresome. By the second half I especially tired of Knot. She started out as a very flawed character that you had to be rooting for and wanted to like, but over the course of her life it was difficult for me to do so. A woman who was essentially very selfish impacted so many people’s lives in oftentimes complex and hurtful ways. Knot did make some hard choices that made life better for others, but she never seemed to be able to do the same for herself. As a debut, I truly appreciated Winslow’s strong writing and insights into the people of West Mills, but I wish his story would have been more about those people and less about their secrets.
Note: I received a copy of this book from Ballantine Publishing (via NetGalley) in exchange for my honest review.
For more reviews and bookish news: https://novelvisits.com/
ok_karla's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
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
3.5
This book was deliciously gossipy.