Reviews with content warning for Domestic abuse - Lekcje chemii

⭐️: 5/5
This book came so highly recommended that I thought it’d be overrated and I’d be unimpressed. This couldn’t have been further from the truth. Even after everything I’d heard, I was still surprised by the story that I was reading. The characters were so lovable (or hatable when applicable). I think that it’s so impressive when an author can make us truly love a character in spite of their flaws. However, it’s equally as impressive when they can make us hate a character to the core.

My favorite character, by far, was Mad. Her precociousness and sense of confidence even in times of questioning was admirable and adorable all at once. I’ve always enjoyed historical fiction and I felt like this one was so well done. You understood all the signs of the times but could be just as immersed as if it was present day. It was easy to follow and visualize. Overall, a great read. It’s a little long and normally at the end of a longer book I’m ready to be done. When this was over I was craving more content. This is a must read…will it be my favorite of 2023? We’ll find out soon…

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reads2cope's review against another edition

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4.0

"’Sometimes I think," she said slowly, "that if a man were to spend a day being a woman in America, he wouldn't make it past noon.’"

Much funnier and darker than I was expecting. Required a lot of suspension of disbelief, but the writing was engaging and easy to read. For example, very weird that Elizabeth spouted such strong political convictions on her TV show but had no qualms about working for a military contractor. At the same time, I wanted her to shove it in the face of her old bosses. Loved the time jumps and how the other story lines wove together. Picked it up because most of my aunts have read it this year, so looking forward to hearing their opinions when I’m home over the holidays.

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khowez's review against another edition

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adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted fast-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

Thoroughly enjoyed this feel-good book, with lovable characters and a satisfying ending.

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bg_oseman_fan's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

i have to admit this book surprised me. i was not expecting to enjoy myself as much as i did. the story was both very funny at turns and also very serious. i enjoyed how much fun the author must have had writing some of the dialogue and setting up some of the scenarios in the story. the more fantastical elements of the story only enhanced the very real and dramatic parts of the story. it highlighted the absurdity of sexism in stem and other fields that serves to unfairly tilt the playing field and hinder societal progress on the whole. a great read.

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estherpew's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring 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? Yes

4.0

I can tell why so many people love this book and why my mom kept on me telling me to read it (also so we could watch the show together). It’s a great read, an emotional one, a heartbreaking one, one that makes me think about how women and marginalized people have been and are treated, especially in certain fields of work. My favorite character was the dog. Loved the growth the dog showed. I was nervous for the dog the entire time, as I sat next to my slumbering doggo.

I am a big fan of romance novels. They are all I read. And it would have been a disappointment if the author had found another partner for Elizabeth. What happens is completely heartbreaking - but it would have been utterly disappointing to the story and the readers if Elizabeth found someone new. I appreciated that the author did not do that. I unfortunately feel that too many authors nowadays want their readers to have the happy ending (which, as someone who mostly reads romance, I do truly enjoy and appreciate), but this felt so much more real.

One thing that felt a little off to me was the daughter. I enjoyed the character but I’m not the biggest fan of the extremely smart child trope. And yes, I do think it’s a trope. It fit in this story but it’s not one of my favorite things in a story.

And - I think more books need to have trigger and content warnings at the start of their book. Even if a scene isn’t overly descriptive, it still needs to warn folks. We never know what someone is going through, or has experienced. There is absolutely no harm is putting in a warning at the start of a book. If you don’t like them or need them, then don’t read them. But it could make someone be safe when reading a book.

A book I truly couldn’t put down, as I’m writing this review at 1am. And now my mom and I can watch the show and I’ll likely get irritated at all the small inconsistencies from one medium to the other. At least I’m aware that I do this!!

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