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fkshg8465's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I generally dislike WWII novels, so I was deeply surprised by how much I loved this one. I guess it was a story that started in a way, but it wasn’t a story about the war, and perhaps that’s why I enjoyed it. Yes, some holes here and there, but overall, I found it profoundly satisfying.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gaslighting, Grief, Vomit, Fire/Fire injury, Antisemitism, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Mental illness, Miscarriage, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Toxic relationship, War, Abandonment, and Child death
sarahflanders's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: War, Child death, Grief, Antisemitism, Gaslighting, Abandonment, Blood, Death, Death of parent, and Violence
micasreads's review against another edition
Juliette and Elis become friends after Juliette brings Elise back to her bookshop when she is unwell. Soon, they and their children are inseparable. After Elise's husband, a member of the Communist party, is murdered she is told that the Nazis are coming for her. She makes the most challenging decision a mother can make…to leave her daughter with Juliette to keep her safe. When she returns two years later, her daughter has died and she must learn to go on.
This was a remarkable story of two mothers who have gone through so much and lose their children to war. Kristin Harmel always weaves a beautiful tale that completely immerses you and this one is no different. You can feel the love, hope, and utter despair as these women live with the ghosts of the past and fight for a way to move forward. While I did figure out part of the ending, the last few chapters completely made the story whole in the most unexpected way.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting, Child death, Antisemitism, Death, and War
craftyanty's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- 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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, War, and Gaslighting
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