jaduhluhdabooks's Reviews (333)

I think I’m going to contemplate this one for a long time. It was such a heavy book. Richly layered and complex in the ways character and history tends to be when you humanize all participants in its making. The few thoughts I’m sitting with in these hours post completion, is that history matters and whose voices cultivate that narrative of history is of the upmost importance. 

Women are often sideline in the larger conversations of historical events that drastically shifts philosophy and way of life for the world. But usually at the crux and turning points of many of these historical events, women have helped lay and solidify the foundations. Vianne and Isabelle are two sisters in pre and post war France in the 1940s, experiencing what is collectively known around the world as one of histories most important lessons to learn from. 

Following these two sisters, most estranged for the entirety of the war and their perspectives on French nationalism and resiliency, makes for such an interesting dynamic and conversations about peace. For Isabelle, peace would only come when Fran’s had reclaimed occupation and freedom from Germany; but for Vianne, peace solely rested with the survival of her children. Watching their characters develop over the years they spent in France during WWII, made for a significant evaluation of self as a reader. I spent so much time placing myself in their shoes, wondering about my community and what the extension of my own gifts and connections could present to uplift and stabilize what was deliberately being broken.

I so badly want to think I would be a ferociously brave human, working with resistances to endure the freedom of my nation, but at the end of the day, I am human and I am a part of a whole and maybe my ferocious bravery isn’t there, but needed elsewhere. It’s a powerfully written novel with dark and real themes about humanity. 

The best and the worst versions of ourselves. What we lean toward in times of survival and how we grow the small increments of power given to us, for the good of others or the gain of self. 

I usually don’t enjoy deeply entrenched books about war, but Kristin does a fabulous job of detailing the war, adding nuance to the story, and elevating the voices of women and children so often left out of the narrative in significant and empowering ways. I appreciate her bravery and humility in writing this story well and presenting it readers with the care of a wounding history for Jewish people and a necessary reflection for all. 

Haley James Scott, damn. What a story and as someone who is no longer involved in the church in these ways, how harrowing a read this was to listen to. I applaud you for your vulnerability and the weight of those years shared with readers. It’s heavy to just lay all of your spiritual and religious traumas on display for everyone.

It was such a triggering listen for so many different reasons. I have often felt as if the church misses the mark on so many things and this story just makes me a skeptic all the more. 

The exposure and exploitive nature of church leaders has always rubbed me the wrong way and left me wondering why we do church THIS way in the Western world? 

While I was never knee deep in a cultish environment and relationship, church abuse I know well and I felt for Joy so much. I honestly don’t even know how you could do a show so well for that many years and be shouldering so much behind the scenes. 

As always, memoirs humanize characters I come to love and make sense of the reality of humanity in all people. It was a heavy listen, but one I feel so connected to. Thank you Joy. 

Ugh. What a re read. I resonated so deeply with Elsie the first time around and this time is also no different. I found myself tearing up at the internal conversations one has with themselves when the world they know around them is cruel and deceptive…so they best the world to it by being just as deceitful.

Elsie is seeking so much more than the approval of people, she’s seeking warmth and want. To be needed, yes. But to be chosen, is the core of her actions and desires. I cannot explain how Ali wrote such a layered and beautiful character, but I can applaud her for the accuracy—though grueling in detail— and the journey of Elsie’s growth. 

Jack, Cece, Greg, and George played such a significant role is support Elsie in her journey back to herself, or maybe not even back, just to herself. I can’t relate to every scenario Elsie found herself in, from family to academic politics, it was so close to home and she is held to closely to my heart. 

Ugh, it makes this such a hard and wonderful re read and a Hazelwood and Hazelverse book that I don’t ever think I will find more myself in…

Brava as always Ms. Hazelwood, brava. 

This was such a fun  and powerfully written series. I started this series in middle school and never kept up with the release and returning almost 15 years later to the series has made this such an impactful re read and series ending. There’s so much beauty in Emily and Trellis’s characters as they develop throughout the series. I found myself so connected to their struggles with grief and trauma and power. What does it mean if we can hold even the slightest bit of control in our hands and weave a reality we want ourselves? 

I loved these words from Leon we’re so powerful:

And I felt that and resonated so deeply with them. Wow. What a wending and a twist as we concluded - connecting us back with the present time. Powerful stuff. Beautiful designed and creative in its thinking. Fun in its adventure and world building. Profound in its connection to life , humanity, and the ever blossoming fantastical world. 

The character development in this one!! This series is top tierrr

Ok. Miss Center is redeeming herself for me. Also the authors note at the end of this one - chef’s kissssssss.


I just with Charlie would’ve got over himself and let people help and love him … like puh leassseee. 

As a musician. A deeppppp lover of music and romance. This ATE. 

These books are guilty reads and let me just say I’m not mad. My mom use to listen to these in the car and I was I OBSESSED with the Scottish lore and accents and stories. Naturally, I find myself revisiting these stories and easily Rionna and Caelen are my favorite. She’s so fierce and wild and takes no bullshit from anyone. Caelen is broody and guilt ridden, and they find themselves in each other. A vulnerability that can withstand their fierce independence and loyalty while also creating a wealth of beauty in weakness. 

I just UGH. I remember being 15 and listening to this and falling MADLY in love with these two. Ten years later and they still make me swoon!!