A review by ruthmoog
The Little Shop of Found Things by Paula Brackston
adventurous
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.5
The concept was interesting, essentially a time-travelling historical ghost story! But I just didn't like the characters very much (I warmed to Xanthe by the end), it had some pointless doomed romance vibes, and quite a bit of historical puritan Vs catholic religious goings on.
Things I liked best were the parallels of the main character and Amy (iirc) And Mary! When she gets angry you'd better watch out! I liked the time travel, and that any historical objects or clothes referenced were explained/described.
I wished Xanthe's mum Flora had been developed as a character with more importance.
It was a cute read but not amazing. I might read the next in the series, maybe there will be more dimension to any characters that reappear?
Things I liked best were the parallels of the main character and Amy (iirc) And Mary! When she gets angry you'd better watch out! I liked the time travel, and that any historical objects or clothes referenced were explained/described.
I wished Xanthe's mum Flora had been developed as a character with more importance.
It was a cute read but not amazing. I might read the next in the series, maybe there will be more dimension to any characters that reappear?
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Ableism and Death
Minor: Deportation, Drug abuse, Alcohol, Confinement, Chronic illness, and Classism
Strangulation, wrongful imprisonment, financial instability, divorce proceedings