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atamano's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Cancer, Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide, Car accident, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Classism
Minor: Infidelity, Blood, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
cassie7e's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A light, heartwarming story. Loved the magical realism elements and the family dynamics as they dealt w their past traumas and took accountability for how they treated each other. Some not-too-sappy, realistic development of several romances was a nice touch. Perfect for folks who like to know how a book will end from the start but want to see how the characters get there.
Couple quibbles -
There are some moments where the description is a little overly expository, which felt unbelievable since we're in the character's head and they wouldn't explain those details to themselves. I'm not sure I needed to be told "Ann Kay was her toddler way of saying the MC's name bc she couldnt pronounce Anna Kate." (Not a direct quote, just from memory) Something like "I loved her toddler way of saying my name" or similar would've sufficed. I find this extra annoying bc the author is so subtle and trusting with how they place other details throughout!
Secondly, there's a casual mention of a character being part of the Daughters of the Confederacy as if that's perfectly normal, as if connections to slavery are harmless heritage, and in a book that has nothing to do with the civil war or American history. It's the kind of detail that doesn't serve the plot but to remind you the book's set in the south and to characterize someone as "involved in the community", all the while reinforcing the normalization of confederate pride.
Couple quibbles -
There are some moments where the description is a little overly expository, which felt unbelievable since we're in the character's head and they wouldn't explain those details to themselves. I'm not sure I needed to be told "Ann Kay was her toddler way of saying the MC's name bc she couldnt pronounce Anna Kate." (Not a direct quote, just from memory) Something like "I loved her toddler way of saying my name" or similar would've sufficed. I find this extra annoying bc the author is so subtle and trusting with how they place other details throughout!
Secondly, there's a casual mention of a character being part of the Daughters of the Confederacy as if that's perfectly normal, as if connections to slavery are harmless heritage, and in a book that has nothing to do with the civil war or American history. It's the kind of detail that doesn't serve the plot but to remind you the book's set in the south and to characterize someone as "involved in the community", all the while reinforcing the normalization of confederate pride.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
Minor: Cancer, Infidelity, Terminal illness, Car accident, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail