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ajpotz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Chronic illness, Death, Misogyny, and Suicide
Moderate: Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Violence, and Grief
Minor: Cancer and Abortion
luverbyrd's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I found the past story more interesting than the present. I despised the "friendship" Chess and Emily had from the start. I didn't really like any of the characters, past or present.
I enjoyed the inserts of fake news articles and podcasts to bring the history of the villa to the reader. It was a nice touch.
This book just wasn't what I expected and wasn't the right fit for my tastes.
Moderate: Sexism, Sexual content, Suicide, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, Murder, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Abortion
meghanm404's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Sexual content, and Murder
Minor: Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Abortion, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
theonlybaillie's review against another edition
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Death, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Murder, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Suicide
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Self harm, Terminal illness, Vomit, Grief, Abortion, and Pregnancy
sierra_smith_418's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Pedophilia, Sexism, Abortion, Murder, and Toxic friendship
rbudd24's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Miscarriage, Abortion, and Pregnancy
chymerra's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
- Emily—I did feel bad for her at the beginning of the book. She was going through a rough patch with writer’s block and her husband wanting half of her book’s earnings. Plus, she had been very sick for a year. But I started not to like her when she got to Italy and started becoming paranoid. Plus, she was boring. The only exciting thing she did was at the end of the book. Also, and I will discuss this later in the review, I couldn’t understand how she didn’t see what was going on with her soon-to-be ex. It was pretty obvious.
- Chess—I didn’t like her. She rubbed me the wrong way for the entire book. I think she had good intentions, but how she did things was suspicious. She did another thing that is a massive spoiler if I said too much about it. It was an enormous breach of trust to do what she did, even if her heart was in the right place. I also felt she deliberately made it so Emily could never leave her.
- Mari—My heart freaking broke for her. I couldn’t even imagine the pain she had gone through. The what-ifs were sprinkled throughout the book, more so towards the end, and she was getting sick of Pierce’s antics. I liked that she channeled all of her rage and pain into Lilith Rising. My only quibble was that she was almost too cool with things. Does Pierce want to sleep with Lara? Sure, but only once. Does Pierce want a threesome with Noel? Sure, Mari will do it.
- Lara—-I didn’t care for her. I felt that everything she did up to a crucial scene was to hurt Mari. It is so hard to explain what happened between Mari and Lara that summer without giving away spoilers.
- Mari. She was the most likable out of all the characters.
- Chess and Emily’s friendship.
- The 1974 storyline before Pierce was murdered.
- Emily’s soon to be ex-husband. He was a dirtbag.
- Chess. She came across as super fake.
- Pierce. Ugh, so many things, but see my paragraph about the Pierce, Mari, and Lara storyline.
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Child death, Drug use, and Alcohol
Minor: Miscarriage and Abortion
mindyleereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
If you love a book set in gorgeous Italy, the 70's and its sex/drugs/rock-and-roll vibes, and one heck of a thrilling story - this is 100% for you. PLUS there was a bit of mixed-media and I am a sucker for a book with some articles or other things like that thrown in for additional context.
Rachel Hawkins did an amazing job creating a lush background and interesting characters. While the book starts off a bit slow, you are thrown into two story-lines both with friendships unravelling and mysteries afoot. I don't want to say much more as I don't want to give anything away. When I get excited, I tend to spoil things - just read this. You won't regret it!
Houses remember.
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Drug use, Toxic relationship, Murder, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Minor: Cancer, Child death, Miscarriage, Suicide, and Abortion