liesbruninx's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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
3.75
m_ren_watson's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
_alittleliterary_'s review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
turrean's review against another edition
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Rather like eating not just a spoonful of sugar, but the whole bag.
The book has a lighthearted, whimsical tone sometimes at odds with the gravity of some of the characters’ experiences (including domestic violence and rape.)
It was a strangely old fashioned kind of tale, very focused on romantic love as a woman’s best and most natural destiny. In this magical, quirky town, lots of families have special gifts and abilities, but they’re mostly focused on romance, attraction, and fortune telling. One family’s gift is the sexual prowess of their women; in another clan, men always marry older women. A third family has abundantly fertile women, who often have midlife crises involving immodest clothing and too much perfume, as if the world has no better reward for a mother of six. The main characters’ gifts of magical cooking and hairdressing are very traditionally feminine.
One of the male characters is of the “You told me to leave but I'm not going anywhere, sweetheart!” variety, which seemed distasteful since the villain in a parallel love story is a cruel abuser who refuses to accept a woman’s rejection.
The book has a lighthearted, whimsical tone sometimes at odds with the gravity of some of the characters’ experiences (including domestic violence and rape.)
It was a strangely old fashioned kind of tale, very focused on romantic love as a woman’s best and most natural destiny. In this magical, quirky town, lots of families have special gifts and abilities, but they’re mostly focused on romance, attraction, and fortune telling. One family’s gift is the sexual prowess of their women; in another clan, men always marry older women. A third family has abundantly fertile women, who often have midlife crises involving immodest clothing and too much perfume, as if the world has no better reward for a mother of six. The main characters’ gifts of magical cooking and hairdressing are very traditionally feminine.
One of the male characters is of the “You told me to leave but I'm not going anywhere, sweetheart!” variety, which seemed distasteful since the villain in a parallel love story is a cruel abuser who refuses to accept a woman’s rejection.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Gun violence
joanneisreading's review against another edition
4.0
Heavy on the romance. Triggers if you can’t read domestic violence scenes. The concept was what I enjoyed, the plot and characters were more of a 2/3 star
sarahblovestoread's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this, it was cosy and the characters were fabulous, great story.
greergreer's review against another edition
5.0
Loved this book. Can not believe I just discovered this author. Gives you all the feels of an Alice Hoffman book. Fast paced no dithering in this story. Love the characters so much. This book made me happy to read it. If you need a happy witchy feeling book with a bit of romance, family emotions and a hint of spell work this is the one you need to read.
fiddleleafferg's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual violence and Rape
janif49's review against another edition
3.0
Great book! I listened to it on my Ipod while doing chores. I finally had to sit down and really pay attention to it. I enjoyed it thoroughly!