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Reviews tagging 'Emotional abuse'
The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics by Olivia Waite
35 reviews
jesshudzik's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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? No
5.0
I was intrigued by the blurb about this book, historical fiction about a woman astronomer and a sapphic romance? Yes please! But a book jacket blurb can't do this book justice.
The romance is very sweet, complete with plenty of astronomy prose and flourishes. I also enjoyed how the characters, at different points in their lives, came to understand themselves as sapphic and what that meant in 1800s England.
But what really struck me about this book was the many examples of women helping women in various stations in life. Beyond the main characters there are a number of strong women who make their mark in their chosen fields. It was both inspiring to read about these women pushing for progress in the 1800s, but also frustrating that in some instances we have only come so far.
The book also discusses the very practical impacts of the lack of same sex marriage (and of course the impact of marriage itself historically being tied so tightly to the patriarchy).
Did I mention the intrigue and infighting of the scientific community? Or the dramatic return of an ex lover?
This manages to be an excellent blend of genres that will appeal to many.
The romance is very sweet, complete with plenty of astronomy prose and flourishes. I also enjoyed how the characters, at different points in their lives, came to understand themselves as sapphic and what that meant in 1800s England.
But what really struck me about this book was the many examples of women helping women in various stations in life. Beyond the main characters there are a number of strong women who make their mark in their chosen fields. It was both inspiring to read about these women pushing for progress in the 1800s, but also frustrating that in some instances we have only come so far.
The book also discusses the very practical impacts of the lack of same sex marriage (and of course the impact of marriage itself historically being tied so tightly to the patriarchy).
Did I mention the intrigue and infighting of the scientific community? Or the dramatic return of an ex lover?
This manages to be an excellent blend of genres that will appeal to many.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Homophobia
Minor: Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Classism
lakeofstars's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
slow-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
4.5
i need every article of clothing described in this book. especially that stellarium shawl.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexism
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Racism, and Colonisation
Minor: Death of parent
bookdragonkatie's review
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-paced
- 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? Yes
3.0
I loved that this was a sapphic historical romance that had the women fighting for progress and succeeding in small but significant ways. It genuinely felt like this could have been an accurate depiction of the time, not an embellishment or wishful thinking. I also loved the FMCs were so supportive of each other; honestly they felt like real women and not just characters.
My biggest complaint is that I just felt like the story went on too long and was pretty slow moving. It was hard for me to get through, but I do think it was more of a “me” issue and not the author. I’m not a big historical romance reader, which also could have been part of my issue.
Overall, not my favorite book, but it also hasn’t put me off of the author or historical romances in general.
My biggest complaint is that I just felt like the story went on too long and was pretty slow moving. It was hard for me to get through, but I do think it was more of a “me” issue and not the author. I’m not a big historical romance reader, which also could have been part of my issue.
Overall, not my favorite book, but it also hasn’t put me off of the author or historical romances in general.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
Minor: Death and Death of parent
jemms's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- 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
4.5 ⭐️, 3 🌶️
Characters: 1
Plot: 0.75
Pacing: 0.75
Writing style: 1
Vibes: 1
Spice: 3 🌶️
Characters: 1
Plot: 0.75
Pacing: 0.75
Writing style: 1
Vibes: 1
Spice: 3 🌶️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Sexual content
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Emotional abuse
Minor: Death of parent
rafacolog's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Misogyny, Sexual content, and Grief
queenpebbles's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Excellent narration – clear and precise. Impressive range of voices.
Physics, embroidery, *and* F/F smut? Was this book written with me in mind?
A still relevant topic about women and minorities in science and the constant fight to be treated equally.
I now want to read all of Lucy's translations and/or learn French to read the marquise's works. Short of that, I might actually grab the original physics texts mentioned because of this book.
Physics, embroidery, *and* F/F smut? Was this book written with me in mind?
A still relevant topic about women and minorities in science and the constant fight to be treated equally.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, and Racism
Minor: Lesbophobia
nrogers_1030's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Emotional abuse, Religious bigotry, and Sexual harassment
Meh. Lucy and Catherine are romantically immature. If you're here for smut, there's two scenes. There was not enough character development for me to get attached to anyone. While the pace was slow, everything was rushed; it just seemed very shallow. Overall it was a quick read, but frustrating.broccoli_j's review
emotional
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
„We cannot stand up in a church and make vows. But we can stand up publicly and declare that we are important together.“
This book is a love story.
A love story between two women.
A love story between women and womanhood.
A story about love between artists and their art, scientists and their science and about appreciation for the joy and connection that you can feel in the middle of these two!
The publishing of the book „The Lady‘s guide to celestial mechanics“ leads to a beautiful love between two very unlike women. But only in this relationship do they discover exactly what, except for Lucy’s book, connects the two of them. And even further, which of these things connect them to other women.
If you are looking for a heartwarming book with a young scientist and a strongheaded artist, who had to find herself aber her husbands death, you will absolutely love this book. It has well written spicy scenes but also covers the mundane realities of (forbidden) relationships. It connects friendship and allyship and community in a grander aspect than just in what is written on the page!
Especially the second half of this book will have you crying, laughing, hoping and swearing. Happy reading!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual content
Moderate: Lesbophobia
Minor: Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Alcohol
shadereads's review against another edition
Content Warnings
Minor: Domestic abuse and Emotional abuse
3frenchtoast's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
slow-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
Graphic: Misogyny and Sexual content
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Death of parent