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pamnc's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, and Death of parent
Minor: Drug abuse
kfmcf's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
First, I want to start off by saying that the prose and historical aspects of this book are lovely. Tia Williams is and will be an incredible writer, no matter the genre.
However, this book was not for me. I love magical realism, I do, but this one kept trying to toe the line of both being and not being magical realism throughout the entire book. I was far more interested in the Harlem Renaissance chapters than I was anything with Ricki (sorry). Or even Della! I would have loved this to be a look through Della's life. I just really struggled with Ricki and Ricki's schticky family.
Also, this book doesn't get into the real meat of the magical realism until around 60% of the way through. It leaves you wondering what is going on as if there is going to be a big payoff - and there really never is. The exposition of what's going on feels a bit underdeveloped and underwhelming. And why were they so drawn to each other? Maybe I just too much of a skeptic to really 'get' the Fated Mates trope, but I could not suspend my disbelief that they were a perfect match. What did they even have in common?
This book left me pretty frustrated throughout the majority of it and that's disappointing, to say the least.
However, this book was not for me. I love magical realism, I do, but this one kept trying to toe the line of both being and not being magical realism throughout the entire book. I was far more interested in the Harlem Renaissance chapters than I was anything with Ricki (sorry). Or even Della! I would have loved this to be a look through Della's life. I just really struggled with Ricki and Ricki's schticky family.
Also, this book doesn't get into the real meat of the magical realism until around 60% of the way through. It leaves you wondering what is going on as if there is going to be a big payoff - and there really never is. The exposition of what's going on feels a bit underdeveloped and underwhelming. And why were they so drawn to each other? Maybe I just too much of a skeptic to really 'get' the Fated Mates trope, but I could not suspend my disbelief that they were a perfect match. What did they even have in common?
This book left me pretty frustrated throughout the majority of it and that's disappointing, to say the least.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Death, and Suicide
Minor: Emotional abuse
bookwitch's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
3.5
The book standing on it's own is just fine; fun magical realism twist plus partial historical fiction to lend support to the romance. It was well written and I loved that it was from a black perspective. The story itself is pretty predictable and a bit long winded if you ask me. The only shock that got me was Ms. Della's connection . Not bad! But not my favorite.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, and Suicide
Moderate: Terminal illness
Minor: Drug abuse and Miscarriage
annamay1021's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Death, and Suicide
paidays's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
3.75
Sweet love story with a lot of poignant moments. I appreciated the richness and texture the author provided in her descriptions of Harlem past and present. I found the plot predictable and there were a few lines of dialogue that made me fully cringe, but overall an enjoyable read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Mental illness, Self harm, Suicide, Terminal illness, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Child abuse, Death, and Sexual violence
katiejohns's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Grief
Moderate: Cancer, Suicide, and Terminal illness
chrisb913's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
I had heard this book was amazing but had not heard much else. I was shocked when I read the fantasy elements of this story. This love story was wonderful to read. The romance was impeccable and the characters were phenomenal. I cannot wait to read more by this author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, and Suicide
Moderate: Cancer, Terminal illness, and Death of parent
Minor: Drug use, Miscarriage, and Fire/Fire injury
alysereadsbooks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
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 loved Tia Williams' 7 Days in June and this was also a hit. It had the perfect combination of heart, romance, history, and magical realism. I was really routing for them as a couple.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Death, and Suicide
wish4future's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
tip_be_knowin's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Suicide, and Suicide attempt