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1.16k reviews by:
anabel_unker
*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*
Light and darkness aren't two sides of a coin; they form a continuum. She gazed at the dimming landscape. Even in the darkest spaces, there is light.
Charming and heartwarming, MARIGOLD MIND LAUNDRY tackles the themes of love, loss, family, and grief.
In a small village where the air and water is clear, and the inhabitants know no pain, a young Jieun-- who's powers to grant wishes and comfort those in pain manifested later than the other children-- makes a devastating mistake. Suddenly alone in the world, Jieun vows to never rest until her beloved parents are returned to her.
Over a million lonely lives later, Jieun stumbles into the seaside village of Marigold. Tired of traveling, she decides to open the Mind Laundry; offering the services of mind cleansing and de-wrinkling. And in the process of helping others, Jieun herself may have some heartwarming revelations.
English readers should note, this book follows the trend of other Asian-translated books I've read (i.e. Before the Coffee Gets Cold, What You Are Looking For Is in the Library, and The Traveling Cat Chronicles) of having a thin plot in favor of deeper thematic exploration. This type of writing isn't for everyone, and should be taken into consideration before deciding to read MARIGOLD MIND LAUNDRY or not.
Light and darkness aren't two sides of a coin; they form a continuum. She gazed at the dimming landscape. Even in the darkest spaces, there is light.
Charming and heartwarming, MARIGOLD MIND LAUNDRY tackles the themes of love, loss, family, and grief.
In a small village where the air and water is clear, and the inhabitants know no pain, a young Jieun-- who's powers to grant wishes and comfort those in pain manifested later than the other children-- makes a devastating mistake. Suddenly alone in the world, Jieun vows to never rest until her beloved parents are returned to her.
Over a million lonely lives later, Jieun stumbles into the seaside village of Marigold. Tired of traveling, she decides to open the Mind Laundry; offering the services of mind cleansing and de-wrinkling. And in the process of helping others, Jieun herself may have some heartwarming revelations.
English readers should note, this book follows the trend of other Asian-translated books I've read (i.e. Before the Coffee Gets Cold, What You Are Looking For Is in the Library, and The Traveling Cat Chronicles) of having a thin plot in favor of deeper thematic exploration. This type of writing isn't for everyone, and should be taken into consideration before deciding to read MARIGOLD MIND LAUNDRY or not.
Well, it took 8 years to find a book I couldn't finish. And here it is.
Couple of key issues I had before I move on:
1. This book has the vibes it was written for a middle grade audience. Marketed as an adult book, it's actually a very juvenile book that mentions sex and boners.
2. The dialogue is horrible; it's unfunny and cringey and reads like the fan fiction I wrote when I was thirteen and thought I was hot shit (spoiler: I was, and am still, not hot shit).
Unfortunately, at the 30% mark of a 12 hour audiobook, I gave myself permission to give up.
Couple of key issues I had before I move on:
1. This book has the vibes it was written for a middle grade audience. Marketed as an adult book, it's actually a very juvenile book that mentions sex and boners.
2. The dialogue is horrible; it's unfunny and cringey and reads like the fan fiction I wrote when I was thirteen and thought I was hot shit (spoiler: I was, and am still, not hot shit).
Unfortunately, at the 30% mark of a 12 hour audiobook, I gave myself permission to give up.
*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*
Twins Maggie and Vera Andrews are not only juggling their newly opened romance bookstore and thriving gator trapper business, but with the Bigfoot convention in their hometown of Wahoo, Florida a whole other world has opened up in front of their very eyes. Vera struggles to keep up with demands for supernatural romance books and Maggie has been invited to lead a gator-themed nature walk and seminar.
However, things start to go south when a popular Bigfoot influencer dies in Maggie's arms during her hike-- suddenly, the tight knit cryptid community starts to point fingers on who could have killed the beloved (and controversial) cryptozoologist and secrets from the past begin bubbling to the surface. Maggie finds herself, once again, in the middle of a murder investigation against her will; but this time her own personal life, and relationships, may suffer because of it.
Another fun installment to the Criminals and Critters series, SWAMP PRINCESS did not disappoint in the creative cozy mystery department. I loved the creativity of setting the story at a Bigfoot convention-- it was such a fun way to introduce a unique cast of characters and keep the story fresh. I'm a huge fan of the recent group of 'modern' cozy mysteries, and this was a fantastic addition to the collection!
Twins Maggie and Vera Andrews are not only juggling their newly opened romance bookstore and thriving gator trapper business, but with the Bigfoot convention in their hometown of Wahoo, Florida a whole other world has opened up in front of their very eyes. Vera struggles to keep up with demands for supernatural romance books and Maggie has been invited to lead a gator-themed nature walk and seminar.
However, things start to go south when a popular Bigfoot influencer dies in Maggie's arms during her hike-- suddenly, the tight knit cryptid community starts to point fingers on who could have killed the beloved (and controversial) cryptozoologist and secrets from the past begin bubbling to the surface. Maggie finds herself, once again, in the middle of a murder investigation against her will; but this time her own personal life, and relationships, may suffer because of it.
Another fun installment to the Criminals and Critters series, SWAMP PRINCESS did not disappoint in the creative cozy mystery department. I loved the creativity of setting the story at a Bigfoot convention-- it was such a fun way to introduce a unique cast of characters and keep the story fresh. I'm a huge fan of the recent group of 'modern' cozy mysteries, and this was a fantastic addition to the collection!
*I received a copy of this book on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for this opportunity*
Alice has everything in her life planned out. Before her (dreaded) thirtieth birthday, she has ticked all her boxes: engaged to a perfectly respectable man, steady job at a non=profit (where, sure, maybe she's not doing her dream role, but it's good enough), and her feet planted firmly on the ground. However, when everything crashes around her in one fell swoop, Alice is suddenly facing a future full of unknowns.
On a (alcoholic beverage induced) whim, Alice decides to book an all-female tour around the UK she has hopes of building lasting friendships with other adventurous thirty-somethings and seeing great historic sights linked with literary wonders. However, when faced with the reality she booked a spot on a tour geared more towards the geriatric crowd, Alice has to make a decision-- continue to be swamped by her own bitterness, or take a chance on letting new people into her life. Oh, and the tour guide is a stubborn, obtuse, admittedly handsome scotsman who certainly does not make her blood boil with anything other than rage.
Look, I am always going to be a sucker for a self-discovery journey that takes place on a tour bus (there are more books out there with this premise than you may think). Add in a sexy Scottish man in a kilt, funny banter that encapsulates the classic enemies to lovers trope, and classic literature references-- and it's pretty much an automatic four stars. WORK IN PROGRESS was a delight from start to finish, and once I started I literally couldn't stop. I loved the vivid descriptions of the stops and tours, I adored the whole cast of characters (can I please just have one book for each of the women and their life stories? Thanks.), and most of all, I loved the character growth. Alice Cooper starts off in a really bad place with a really sour mood and reading about her journey, and the influence of each of her fellow tour mates/tour guide, was heartwarming and endearing.
Also, the cover? Have I seen anything more beautiful? (The answer is no.)
Alice has everything in her life planned out. Before her (dreaded) thirtieth birthday, she has ticked all her boxes: engaged to a perfectly respectable man, steady job at a non=profit (where, sure, maybe she's not doing her dream role, but it's good enough), and her feet planted firmly on the ground. However, when everything crashes around her in one fell swoop, Alice is suddenly facing a future full of unknowns.
On a (alcoholic beverage induced) whim, Alice decides to book an all-female tour around the UK she has hopes of building lasting friendships with other adventurous thirty-somethings and seeing great historic sights linked with literary wonders. However, when faced with the reality she booked a spot on a tour geared more towards the geriatric crowd, Alice has to make a decision-- continue to be swamped by her own bitterness, or take a chance on letting new people into her life. Oh, and the tour guide is a stubborn, obtuse, admittedly handsome scotsman who certainly does not make her blood boil with anything other than rage.
Look, I am always going to be a sucker for a self-discovery journey that takes place on a tour bus (there are more books out there with this premise than you may think). Add in a sexy Scottish man in a kilt, funny banter that encapsulates the classic enemies to lovers trope, and classic literature references-- and it's pretty much an automatic four stars. WORK IN PROGRESS was a delight from start to finish, and once I started I literally couldn't stop. I loved the vivid descriptions of the stops and tours, I adored the whole cast of characters (can I please just have one book for each of the women and their life stories? Thanks.), and most of all, I loved the character growth. Alice Cooper starts off in a really bad place with a really sour mood and reading about her journey, and the influence of each of her fellow tour mates/tour guide, was heartwarming and endearing.
Also, the cover? Have I seen anything more beautiful? (The answer is no.)
