Reviews tagging 'Child death'

Seven Days in June by Tia Williams

209 reviews

umsriracha's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful 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

4.25

I would warn that the description on the back is mildly misleading concerning how intense the book can get. There are some seriously triggering/dark themes explored at times. It’s not the whole book, but it’s definitely there. The book itself definitely had the push and pull reflected in Shane and Eva’s relationship, as a reader. There were times when I felt like it lost me, but I always picked it back up and was glad when I did. It was a notably fulfilling read. There is praise due when an author can perfectly capture a niche and/or cultural experience without the reader being left clueless to the references, or over explaining to an uncomfortable degree. Tia Williams finds a lovely balance to make an enjoyable book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts

Moderate: Addiction, Toxic relationship, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Child death, Blood, and Death of parent

furaleii's review against another edition

dark emotional funny slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Felt more like a literary fiction than a romance in a lot of ways. But i really enjoyed it. Made me cry, laugh, think, and more. the writing was smart, witty, funny, and emotional, and the characters were so real and hurt and lovable. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Drug abuse, and Self harm

strixy16's review against another edition

dark emotional funny hopeful lighthearted sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Addiction, Alcoholism, Child death, Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Blood, Vomit, Grief, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail

Moderate: Cursing, Death, Gore, Rape, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Car accident, and Death of parent

bronzel's review against another edition

emotional 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse and Self harm

Moderate: Child death and Sexual content

Minor: Sexual harassment

kays_reading_journal's review against another edition

5.0

On the fence of giving this five stars so that may change. I LOVED this so much. It was such a rollercoaster in the best way possible. Perfect comedic timing. Such strong characters. And oh my god I loved the flashbacks/ multiple timeline that was going on. And the epilogue ✨

The only thing that was a bit confusing at times was the pov. It’s third person omniscient but like- switching between characters in the middle of a chapter. (I’m used to reading books where each chapter is dedicated to a characters thoughts). It was a fun style choice tho and I liked it once I got used to it. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Drug use, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Alcohol

Moderate: Child abuse and Child death

Minor: Ableism, Gun violence, and Car accident

boba_nbooks's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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

Spice Rating: 🌶️.5 / 5

Seven Days in June is such a beautiful novel showing how two lives can intertwine even after years apart.

Eva Mercy is a spicy fantasy author who is feeling stuck writing the last book of her series. Out of the blue, Shane Hall, an award-winning literary author, shows up at the same event Eva is attending. No one but Shane and Eva know that 15 years ago, the two of them had a week-long love affair that has stuck with them all these years later. After reconnecting, Shane and Eva can't deny the chemistry that still exists between the two of them. But are they meant to be? Or are they just meant to be two ships in the night who never quite find each other?

This novel not only focuses on the love story between Shane and Eva but also on Black voices and how they are perceived in the world of literature and beyond. Seven Days in June takes Shane and Eva's story and makes it about so much more than just love. It's about connection and healing and honesty and finding your place. This is such a beautiful novel, and I'm all the better for having read it.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, and Self harm

Moderate: Addiction, Drug use, Gun violence, and Sexual content

Minor: Child death, Sexual assault, and Car accident

blueberry0531's review against another edition

dark hopeful reflective 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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Racism, and Self harm

Moderate: Child death and Domestic abuse

ssinforshort's review against another edition

dark hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? It's complicated

1.5

People have been raving about this book, but I did not like it. 

The main characters are somehow still in love after they spent one very high, and drunk week together when they were 17? And now they are both authors that are secretly, but not so secretly, writing about each other? I know people eat stuff like this up, but my eyes were rolling to the back of my head. 

I did enjoy the MC's discussion of having an invisible disability, and her relationship to her daughter, but thats about it. 

Also, killing off a child to serve as the third act breakup is so disgusting. Who thought this was a good idea?

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Self harm

Moderate: Child death, Drug abuse, and Suicidal thoughts

linoone's review against another edition

dark emotional funny

3.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Child death, Drug use, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Murder

pantslint's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I want to love this novel so badly. I liked it, but I can't get over how Shane and Eva's relationship read more as trauma-bonded than romantic. I admire the adults they've become, but I'm not super sold on the genuineness of their love for each other.

I mean, they met as teens and then went on a crazy bender because fuck everyone else, right?

I do love Audre and Cece. I love Shane, and I love Eva. They're all great as individual characters, and their interactions are so fun to read.

One particular qualm I have with Seven Days in June is its teeny-tiny hypocrisy. The characters, as authors, lament about how reductive it is that black characters have to suffer and overcome extreme hardship to exist in mainstream publishing. Yes, black joy exists in this book. However, while Shane and Eva are examples of black resilience, Williams still gives them extremely traumatic experiences and tragic backstories. Does it add depth to their characters? Sure. Was it necessary? I'm not sure.

Also... a child dies in this novel.

For what? For Shane's character development? For a glimpse into black hood hardship? Romance novels can absolutely address heavy topics, but I don't think that it worked out in this novel because it was trying to do too much at once.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Self harm, and Sexual content

Moderate: Alcoholism, Gun violence, and Abandonment

Minor: Child death, Sexual assault, and Car accident