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katewhite77's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
One lunchtime whilst working in a school, Miss Betty sidles up to Mr Chetan to become her lodger, and a beautiful dacades long begins. They
try did try being lovers for a time, and whilst that didn't work out too well, the friendship only deepened.
Chetan helps raise Solo, Miss Betty's son, for many years. That is until, one day, Solo over hears something that completely changes the course of their lives. This novel spans continents, and the decades just melt into each other. We go from baking hot Trinidadian summers to freezing cold winters in New York. Love conquers all undoubtedly, but the question remains at what cost.
Not an easy read by any means, trigger warnings everywhere, but I have no doubt that this will trouble my top books of the year list and has further cemented my love of Caribbean literature.
Graphic: Addiction, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Outing, and Alcohol
booksandbabble'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
3.75
Graphic: Hate crime, Homophobia, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Violence, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Suicidal thoughts, and Fire/Fire injury
jimio's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Homophobia, Self harm, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Violence
anisha_02's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Grief, and Murder
sgrizzle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Self harm, Violence, and Suicide attempt
bookshelfmonkey'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
4.25
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Violence, and Murder
nicoleisalwaysreading's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
I loved Mr. Cheyna and Betty’s perspective. Solo as a character fell flat for me- his unwillingness to hear his mother’s story was incredibly frustrating, and it didn’t seem to make sense with the way he had been raised by her. The years of distance between Solo and both is mother and Cheyna were devastating. Solo’s story felt hopelessly sad for a good while, and as the book progressed, I was worried there would not be any sort of healing for him.
The big plot twist felt so cruel :/ I think it needed to happen with the way the story was moving but the way it did….WOW. Incredibly hard to read. The ending was also sad, but with a final move that to me, indicated a shared journey of healing.
Graphic: Hate crime, Homophobia, Self harm, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Murder
Moderate: Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Deportation
carysn's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Self harm, Violence, and Murder
pkc'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
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Gore, Hate crime, Homophobia, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Grief, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
bookswithgeorgia's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Homophobia, Mental illness, Self harm, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Suicide attempt