nicktballa's review
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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
molliesafran's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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
4.5
Reading this book feels like laying in a pool of sunshine. The writing is just so enjoyable to slip into. I love the way the narration becomes more thoughtful and detailed as our narrator learns more about poetry and noticing the world around her. The last chapter felt rushed, like it was trying to tie together an ending in a nice bow when maybe the story wasn’t ready for it yet? But overall very pleasurable book to read.
maia_cat's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
catchant's review
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
bookishmillennial's review
emotional
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
General disclaimer if you’ve read other reviews by me and are noticing a pattern: You’re correct that I don’t really give starred reviews, I feel like a peasant and don’t like leaving them and most often, I will only leave them if I vehemently despised a book. Thus, no stars doesn’t indicate that the book wasn’t worthy of any starred system. It just means I enjoy most books for what they are, & I extract lessons from them all, even if the lesson is that I’m a ho for the smut, recognizing a genre/book/author is not for me, or confronting my own mommy/daddy issues lol. Everyone’s reading experiences are subjective, so I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not. Happy reading! Find me on Instagram: @bookish.millennial
- Carla is hired by Viridrian, a lauded writer, and becomes enamored with their world
- Carla's dyslexia prevented her from really ever getting into reading or poetry but she is immersed into their world and reintroduced to poetry through Viridrian's group of poetry friends
- Viridrian also was infamously involved with another poet, Mathias, and the drama continues after his death
- I appreciated the commentary on sexism within certain literary circles especially but the ending took me all the way out
- The protagonist uses the "r" word, which I find unnecessary and unacceptable.
I think I'll stop requesting "literary fiction" or anything that is described as "atmospheric" writing because I just couldn't get into this.
lola425's review
3.0
Fun read. Low stakes. If you get behind the protagonist you will be pleased with how things work out for her.
readingwhilepotting's review
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Awful ending, not worth the time to read
ang44's review
I had to return this to the library and haven't been able to get it back. I need to go back and reread this soon!
sarahhehrer's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
oldmanneill's review
DNF. This may have been an ok book. I'll never know. The audiobook reader got too annoying for me to continue.