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A review by raikowlreads
The Life She Wanted by Anita Abriel
challenging
dark
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
First of all, thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Pandora Carmichael is our main character in this story set in the late 1920s. Even though she wasn't born into privilege, with the help of her friend Virginia, she can go to luxurious parties and meet high class and influential people. After meeting Harley Enright, Pandora feels like her life will become how she wants it to be: married, having children, and finally opening the boutique of her dreams. But will it really turn out that way?
Personally, it was hard for me to start due to the amount of times I read Pandora's name in the first chapter, which easily could've been edited out. The book was still alright. The writing wasn't super extraordinary and gave you only what you really had to know. Simple descriptions and mainly focusing on the main character herself.
I loved the idea of an empowering woman who has her goal in an era where women still barely have any rights, even though they can finally vote. The 1920's is about women rebelling, and you could really find that back in the fashion of that time. So having this about an aspiring female fashion designer is great. I just wish Pandora had more character to her. I didn't really feel the empowering woman in her until somewhat later in the book, which disappointed me. I, also, wish she was an overall more likable character... The amount of times I have rolled my eyes because of her way of thinking, comments and actions was painful. But the story ended nicely and was in some ways really enjoyable; that's why it got the star-rating it got.
I really wish we saw more of the side characters, because they carried this book hard. Especially Pandora's friend, Virginia, would've even made an amazing main character. Her views were very daring at that time and it really made her an interesting character. Especially when we get descriptions of some of her outfits and hairstyles. It was great.
Pandora Carmichael is our main character in this story set in the late 1920s. Even though she wasn't born into privilege, with the help of her friend Virginia, she can go to luxurious parties and meet high class and influential people. After meeting Harley Enright, Pandora feels like her life will become how she wants it to be: married, having children, and finally opening the boutique of her dreams. But will it really turn out that way?
Personally, it was hard for me to start due to the amount of times I read Pandora's name in the first chapter, which easily could've been edited out. The book was still alright. The writing wasn't super extraordinary and gave you only what you really had to know. Simple descriptions and mainly focusing on the main character herself.
I loved the idea of an empowering woman who has her goal in an era where women still barely have any rights, even though they can finally vote. The 1920's is about women rebelling, and you could really find that back in the fashion of that time. So having this about an aspiring female fashion designer is great. I just wish Pandora had more character to her. I didn't really feel the empowering woman in her until somewhat later in the book, which disappointed me. I, also, wish she was an overall more likable character... The amount of times I have rolled my eyes because of her way of thinking, comments and actions was painful. But the story ended nicely and was in some ways really enjoyable; that's why it got the star-rating it got.
I really wish we saw more of the side characters, because they carried this book hard. Especially Pandora's friend, Virginia, would've even made an amazing main character. Her views were very daring at that time and it really made her an interesting character. Especially when we get descriptions of some of her outfits and hairstyles. It was great.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Sexual content, Suicide, Grief, and Alcohol
Minor: Death and War
Has the pregnancy trope in it.