Firstly, the biggest thank you to Netgalley and Penguin for a proof!

I can't put into words how much I adored this book. I'm a serial multiple books reader but I read this in one sitting and I'm both so glad I did and so upset it's over. 

Emily Henry has perfected the art of weaving together a story so that the emotions hit you in just the right way, and from the very start you could feel Harriet's heartbreak and her pain radiated from the pages. Henry's ability to make her characters so wonderfully, painfully, real is again present in this book, and you can't help but to relate and feel like you've lived through Harriet's insecurities and problems in such a devastating way (I truly think Emily Henry sees right into my soul). 

I laughed and I cried with this book and I felt like I was right there with Harriet, feeling what she was feeling, the entire time. It was beautiful, and the devotion Wyn and Harriet have with each other was the perfect addiction you read Henry's novels to escape to. 

Very upset that I'll have to wait another year or so until Henry's next book, they're always my favourites to read and I feel like they're in a league of their own. 

I don't think I have anything to add other than what everyone has already said - this book does exactly what it says on the tin as a wholesome, low-stakes book. Unfortunately, that just meant it felt like nothing really happened. 

If you're looking for something lighthearted and fun I would definitely recommend it, but at the same time, I genuinely don't know how this was 300 pages. That being said, I would protect Thimble with my life and he is one of the most precious characters to exist ever. 

This was a fantastic book. I loved the interview format and I felt it leant itself really well to the story, having certain characters perspectives directly contrasting next to each other. 

The characters were achingly real and their emotions were palpable through the pages. This is a book that dealt with the complexities and layers of love, loyalty and insecurity in the most realistic way. You had the space to really care for the characters and I felt their heartaches with them, i felt myself hoping for their happy endings as much as they did. 

Also, shout out to all the strong women in this book and the different ways they embody this. Daisy is confident and outgoing and apologises for nothing, Camila knows what she wants and will fight even her own instincts to create the life she wants, prioritising her family and loved ones above all, and Karen has the strongest sense of self and the bravery to carve out her own independence. It’s so easy to admire all these women and feel seen in them, and it’s rare to see such an incredible cast of characters.

a moving story about learning to ask for help when it’s needed, dealing with trauma and destigmatising mental health. characters you care for and wish the best for, and does a good job of dealing with guilt and responsibility. 

I felt like the first 100 pages were quite slow and the last 100 were very fast but I really liked the middle section and the world building. It did feel like the third act could have been drawn out into its own book - there was quite an abrupt change from the rest of the story before. 

Overall good read though with some interesting characters and im looking forward to seeing where the series goes! 

there are things I loved about this book and things I didn’t so much.
I felt like the first half was very slow paced (maybe this is only a problem if you already know the mythology) and was just repeating things I knew and not in a hugely impactful way. 

Post Odysseus though I really enjoyed this book. I love seeing Odysseus in a negative light (same goes for all heroes tbh), and Penelope’s character felt in tune with the Homeric version in the best way. 

I did feel weird about Telemachus and Circe though. Yes, there’s lots of weird lineages and relationships in Greek mythology but the step mother/son dynamic I can’t feel good about even if Miller didn’t invent this myth (sometimes you can just omit the incest)

 

the second person perspective was very cool and different and i liked how it was used sparingly in the short chapters we were with Ansel.

Very philosophical and thought provoking, and i liked the three women's perspectives we followed the story from and how they developed over time.

felt like a few things weren't properly resolved but these are minor and don't ruin the book at all.

such a sweet story. the characters were all really likeable, and I felt the book dealt with some big issues in some nice ways. I also love how not everything was wrapped in a nice bow at the end, it felt much more realistic and true to Elsie's story, and the many other queer characters in this book. so hard to find a good sapphic romance, let alone one for younger age groups!

 

 My first non-fiction book of the year and I couldn't have started with a better one. This is the kind of book that had me wanting to furiously underline quotes, throw the book across the room in anger but that scramble after it because I needed to keep devouring it.

This was such a powerful book which centres around women's bodies and the lack of power we still hold over them. Chollet calls for greater autonomy in female healthcare but also the freedom to feel comfortable in aging and in choosing the life we want for ourselves.

There was a strong base of feminist literature and references throughout the book, but I found all the references to French culture and modern feminist ideas (expected as Chollet is French and this is a translated work) particularly interesting.

In Defence of Witches is an absolute must read, and the kind of book I'm keeping on my shelf so I can loan it out to everyone I know because everyone needs to read it!