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melissaslibraryy's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
5 trillion stars all around for this beautiful novel that had me crying tears of joy and sadness from beginning to end. I’ve heard such amazing things about this book so I had no choice but to read it myself, and it’s a decision I’ll always be grateful for.
Our main character Lucy is a kindergarten teacher who is trying to foster then adopt one of her orphaned students Christopher, who she has formed a wholesome bond with over the past two years but is facing some financial setbacks that is stopping her from meeting the requirements to foster her baby boy. She would read her favorite childhood book series to him whenever he needed comforting from his trauma of finding his parents passed away and it was an outlet that helped him heal, so when the author of said series who has been on hiatus for years suddenly posts about a challenge to solve various riddles for a shot of winning his newest book Lucy has no choice but to accept his invitation.
This was a beautifully written story about family, heartbreak, and finding new love in the most unknowing situations. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in reading it or to those who’ve never heard of it, and definitely see myself rereading this eventually bc yes it is just that good❤️
Our main character Lucy is a kindergarten teacher who is trying to foster then adopt one of her orphaned students Christopher, who she has formed a wholesome bond with over the past two years but is facing some financial setbacks that is stopping her from meeting the requirements to foster her baby boy. She would read her favorite childhood book series to him whenever he needed comforting from his trauma of finding his parents passed away and it was an outlet that helped him heal, so when the author of said series who has been on hiatus for years suddenly posts about a challenge to solve various riddles for a shot of winning his newest book Lucy has no choice but to accept his invitation.
This was a beautifully written story about family, heartbreak, and finding new love in the most unknowing situations. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in reading it or to those who’ve never heard of it, and definitely see myself rereading this eventually bc yes it is just that good❤️
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, Miscarriage, Toxic relationship, and Pregnancy
ixris's review against another edition
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
A very easy read, which would not be a bad thing except that the writer will repeat herself sometimes on the same page, sometimes in the next sentence. The amount of things I had to stop and reread because surely the redundancy was a misread on my part (it wasn't) was more than I care to admit and made the reading unpleasant at times.
The plot focuses on a woman who (to me, a person who spent nine years as a childcare aide) is the least believable depiction of a struggling poverty class worker let alone a childcare worker and how she is enamored with the MPDG of an old man who invites her to return to his Defunctland vibe private island and falling in love with his grumpy live in illustrator (Sorry she's not sunshine tho).
A lot of this was really trite to me but maybe I'm not the right audience. It was a coherent plot and structurally sound, and I quite liked the flirting scenes - our FMC and her MLI really had a good vibe overall.
You could spot this plot from space though.
The plot focuses on a woman who (to me, a person who spent nine years as a childcare aide) is the least believable depiction of a struggling poverty class worker let alone a childcare worker and how she is enamored with the MPDG of an old man who invites her to return to his Defunctland vibe private island and falling in love with his grumpy live in illustrator (Sorry she's not sunshine tho).
A lot of this was really trite to me but maybe I'm not the right audience. It was a coherent plot and structurally sound, and I quite liked the flirting scenes - our FMC and her MLI really had a good vibe overall.
You could spot this plot from space though.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Cancer, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Miscarriage, Pedophilia, Rape, Terminal illness, Blood, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Third act trauma dumpclothildev's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
5.0
If you had a traumatic childhood and picked up reading as a coping mechanism, you are the target audience for this book lol
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Death, Miscarriage, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Abandonment
adventurebound7's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
3.25
A love letter to children who loved reading and never quite grew up. This book really saved itself in the second half. What I liked best was Jack's way of caring about kids. What I liked least was the forced and unnecessary romance between two of the characters. A more subtle romance would have been more appropriate given the main plot point of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Death
Moderate: Cancer and Child abuse
chronic_listener's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Sexual assault, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Alcohol
Minor: Cancer and Miscarriage
hdoomk's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Cancer, Cursing, Death, Miscarriage, and Death of parent
keelirae113's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
sad
fast-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
5.0
The author said it best, “this book is for you and all the kids who, in dark times, find a light shining from the pages of books.”
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Miscarriage, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Child death, Mental illness, Medical content, and Medical trauma
Minor: Addiction, Homophobia, Pedophilia, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship
libby_l96's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
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
3.75
Oh this was just too sweet!
I found the clock island themes a little corny at first, but once I got into it, the storybook element brought an added richness.
The cosy imagery made me want to snuggle up under a blanket with some cocoa (and it's 30 degrees c and humid right now!).
Until the last 40 pages, i didn't really feel my heartstrings tugged too hard, but the way the game is rounded off with Christopher facing his fear really got me in the feels. A bit of a far-fetched fairytale ending, but with enough ups and downs along the way to make it work.
I found the clock island themes a little corny at first, but once I got into it, the storybook element brought an added richness.
The cosy imagery made me want to snuggle up under a blanket with some cocoa (and it's 30 degrees c and humid right now!).
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Terminal illness
TW/ Narcissistic parentbluz19's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book by far gives “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” vibes! I think this book has a very whimsical feel to it and falls under the themes of quirky, puzzle, and an underdog story. Basically Lucy, a woman very down on her luck and with childhood trauma, has grow up and meets a kid that she knows she could give her love to but all that’s missing is the money to take care of him. She is given that opportunity when Masterson invites her to his island for a contest that if she wins she can sell the book and finally be able to adopt the sweetest and brightest boy Christopher. I liked the premise of the story, it was something that was a quick read and easy to absorb and fly through. There were some deep themes that this book tackled like child abandonment, feeling unwanted, running away, and the foster system, but there are lighter ones too. I don’t think this book was meant to be a lot of twists and turns, just a nice story about how we bring bad things from our childhood but also some good things that help us become who we are and who we’re meant to be. I think this book was very healing as well, it made me think back to the books that I read as a kid that fully changed me. i loved how this book shows that even adults get scared and have problems, and want to believe in magic. This book helps them to face their fears and see that there can be a light at the ned of the tunnel.
There were points in the story that I felt were unnecessary and forced but because of all the points I did love, I was able to overlook some of the not so wonderful parts. I think this would make a very relaxing read, there’s no real twists, no violence, no horror, just feel good vibes. The story is ultimately about a love and appreciation for books and their ties on people. The character have their downfalls, especially impulsive and stressful Lucy, but only because she wants to offer what she never had, love. I’ve read a lot of reviews of people who didn’t like the book simply because of the relationship that Lucy builds with Christopher but we also must acknowledge this this book is supposed to be the best case scenario of what is horrible circumstances.
I think if you enjoyed Willy Wonka, are looking for a more lighthearted story break, or you just love books, riddles, and writing then you would enjoy this story. I think I was pleasantly surprised with what I actually read because I didnt have high hopes for this book. It quickly brought me in and I flew through the book even if I could mostly tell the ending. This book made me want to live on Clock Island too!
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Death of parent
itsheyfay's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, and Abandonment
Moderate: Miscarriage and Classism