beata's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
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? No
4.0
I'm not sure if it was intentional or if the author didn't notice it, but even though later on the affair is presented as something good *eye roll*, Lacey informs the audience and Jo (who doesn't give a fuck, because of course she doesn't) that Arthur was actually broken up about the affair and Katherine's pregnancy. So to see everyone treat that and Katherine and George's reunion like something good was fucked up.
Oh and Gabe's "I now know love, so I understand people having affairs"? I thought you were better Gabe.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Drug abuse, Animal death, Mental illness, and Infidelity
Minor: Pedophilia and Alcoholism
kaleyash96's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Child abuse, Mental illness, Cancer, and Death of parent
Minor: Gun violence, Dementia, Sexual harassment, Violence, Alcoholism, Murder, Addiction, Animal death, Sexual assault, Alcohol, and Drug abuse
oceanxbluess's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
4.0
Ornithologist and cancer survivor Joanna Teale spends the summer in rural Illinois, renting out a cabin in the woods, to study nesting success of the local Indigo Buntings (which are real & beautiful - look them up!)
One evening after work, Jo returns home to a lone girl, called Ursa, on her doorstep claiming to be from another planet sent to Earth to witness 5 miracles before she can return home. Jo & her neighbour Gabe spend the summer trying to figure out how to help this mysterious child.
This book wasn’t anything like I expected it to be, but I was pleasantly surprised by the story and I didn’t want to stop reading! It’s very fast paced, with a lot going on pretty much the whole way through the book, and almost all of the characters were loveable and relatable.
Jo was my favourite character. Her ornithology work is perfectly intertwined with the story - I loved all of the details of her nest sites and surveys.
This was such a heartwarming read, filled with love, family and compassion, whilst also satisfying my thirst for nature/environmental fiction.
For fans of: Once Upon A River, Sharks In The Time Of Saviours, Where The Crawdads Sing.
There are quite a lot of heavy topics, so I would recommend checking the content warnings before reading.
One evening after work, Jo returns home to a lone girl, called Ursa, on her doorstep claiming to be from another planet sent to Earth to witness 5 miracles before she can return home. Jo & her neighbour Gabe spend the summer trying to figure out how to help this mysterious child.
This book wasn’t anything like I expected it to be, but I was pleasantly surprised by the story and I didn’t want to stop reading! It’s very fast paced, with a lot going on pretty much the whole way through the book, and almost all of the characters were loveable and relatable.
Jo was my favourite character. Her ornithology work is perfectly intertwined with the story - I loved all of the details of her nest sites and surveys.
This was such a heartwarming read, filled with love, family and compassion, whilst also satisfying my thirst for nature/environmental fiction.
For fans of: Once Upon A River, Sharks In The Time Of Saviours, Where The Crawdads Sing.
There are quite a lot of heavy topics, so I would recommend checking the content warnings before reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Murder, and Child abuse
Moderate: Animal death
Minor: Addiction, Sexual content, Alcoholism, Blood, Cancer, Death of parent, Dementia, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Infertility, Mental illness, Physical abuse, and Sexual harassment
sierracook14's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Child abuse, Drug use, Medical content, Alcoholism, Animal death, Cancer, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Murder
catem's review
mysterious
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
2.5
I'm struggling with how to rate this book. I actually really like the premise. I found it to be really unique and the characters were relatable and I quickly became interested and invested in their stories. However, that is where the praise ends. By about 2/3 of the way through, the book started to feel really disjointed. Almost like the author had too many balls up in the air with the different threads and just couldn't continue to do them all justice. Hints of cancer recovery, family loss, body image and self confidence, abuse and neglect, more; all really serious and worthwhile topics, none of which received the attention they deserve. Additionally, I found the writing to be mediocre at best, with a very straight forward "he said, she said" vibe.
Perhaps more importantly, I have a real problem with how mental health was portrayed in this book. Huge problem, actually. Insinuating that telling a loved one to get over it while forcing them into uncomfortable situations has never been, and we'll never be, an appropriate way to handle severe depression. The way the relationship progressed between the main characters was really troublesome, and this idea of just being able to "fix" somebody in that way is toxic.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Alcoholism, Animal death, Cancer, and Death of parent
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