Scan barcode
katiedalton's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
It lost me when we went into each of Helen’s past lives in detail. Especially the point where they learn about the curse and in repetitive detail tell the reader what we learned in the first third of the book with Helen and Juliet’s stories.
The last third of the book picked up the pace but felt weird after the slow repetitive feeling of the middle section. Plus there was some weird out of character actions thrown in with Sandra. That felt very out of place with the rest of the story.
Pair that with a 3 hour long chapter (I listened to the audiobook) and none of the book flowed. It could’ve been amazing with a great editor or a new eye of “what the fuck is going on? Let’s rework this”
Also very graphic detailing of rape and sexual assault that I was not prepared for going into this book. That I would argue served no purpose to the overall storyline.
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
Moderate: Death, Gore, and Abortion
Minor: Drug use, Suicide, Murder, and War
renettereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
4.5
In 2012, Helen is living her fourth life. Not that she knows it, of course. At the beginning of this book we meet her some months after having separated from her husband Roger. When she goes on a blind date with Luke, she starts to remember snippets from a previous life. As it all starts to slot into place, she realises she’s cursed to live through a doomed romance time and time again before dying, and is now at risk of running out of time to finally break the cycle.
This was such an interesting read for me. It gave me quite an Invisible Life of Addie LaRue vibe in that it was really atmospheric, isolated to a small cast of characters, and journeyed through a stretching timeline. I loved seeing how each iteration of this person was so vastly different and how each of those parts influenced one another.
The plot isn’t overly complicated and yet it felt like a lot was happening because we were basically catching up on four lifespans. Parts of this book was definitely a little dark, but it usually didn’t last very long and never felt unnecessary. Not when it all outlined struggles women face on the daily and I could appreciate that the author wanted to incorporate some of those heavier topics to create depth of character. Overall, I was gripped by the fresh take on witches and I particularly liked the pecurliarity of the love story.
Moderate: Physical abuse, Rape, Suicide, and Abortion
remib's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Suicide
bluekelpie'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
5.0
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Suicide, and Abandonment
ahnminjim's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Infertility, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Car accident, Abortion, Murder, Gaslighting, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Rape, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Chronic illness and Vomit
toriwatson's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Suicide
julianalo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, and Rape
Moderate: Suicide
Minor: Drug use
tilly_m_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Rape and Suicide
elinww's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Drug use, Gun violence, and Homophobia
lindzt18's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Death and Rape
Moderate: Suicide