A detailed look at last week’s reading habits: My first weekly wrap that details two weeks of my reading habits, including the 32 books I read and my latest book review!
(more…)The Weekly Wrap: June 7th to June 20th
T
Suspenseful Yet Inconsistent: The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
S
The Gist: A suspenseful novel told in two timelines, 1791 and 2020, explores the motives behind unsolved apothecary murders yet, unfortunately, suffers from inconsistent pacing.
Series: Standalone
Release Date: March 2, 2021
Synopsis
A female apothecary secretly dispenses poisons to liberate women from the men who have wronged them—setting three lives across centuries on a dangerous collision course. Rule #1: The poison must never be used to harm another woman.
Rule #2: The names of the murderer and her victim must be recorded in the apothecary’s register.
Rule #2: The names of the murderer and her victim must be recorded in the apothecary’s register.
One cold February evening in 1791, at the back of a dark London alley in a hidden apothecary shop, Nella awaits her newest customer. Once a respected healer, Nella now uses her knowledge for a darker purpose—selling well-disguised poisons to desperate women who would kill to be free of the men in their lives. But when her new patron turns out to be a precocious twelve-year-old named Eliza Fanning, an unexpected friendship sets in motion a string of events that jeopardizes Nella’s world and threatens to expose the many women whose names are written in her register.
In present-day London, aspiring historian Caroline Parcewell spends her tenth wedding anniversary alone, reeling from the discovery of her husband’s infidelity. When she finds an old apothecary vial near the river Thames, she can’t resist investigating, only to realize she’s found a link to the unsolved “apothecary murders” that haunted London over two centuries ago. As she deepens her search, Caroline’s life collides with Nella’s and Eliza’s in a stunning twist of fate—and not everyone will survive.
Ending
HEA for Eliza and Caroline. Nella makes peace with her life and choices before passing for her illness (I imagine because her death wasn’t explicitly on-page).
Representation
No strong representations of the following:
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia
• BIPOC characters
• LGBTQIA+ characters
• characters with a disability
And doesn’t address fatphobia
Possible Triggers: Yes
• Murder
• Allusion to pedophilia
• Description of past miscarriage
• Infidelity
• Self-harm — Caroline’s husband purposefully poisons himself to manipulate Caroline in the hopes of winning her back
• Discussion of suicide
• Allusion to pedophilia
• Description of past miscarriage
• Infidelity
• Self-harm — Caroline’s husband purposefully poisons himself to manipulate Caroline in the hopes of winning her back
• Discussion of suicide
Mature Themes: Yes
• the business of murder
• (im)morality of revenge and vengeance
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.
• (im)morality of revenge and vengeance
• See Ending for HEA status.
• See Possible Triggers for Abuse and OTT sad parts.
Format: Paperback
Rating: 3.5-stars
(more…)The Weekly Wrap: May 31st to June 6th
T
A detailed look at last week’s reading habits: Four books read, one from my Up Next Shelf and one an advanced reader copy! I also talk about two epic fantasies out today.
(more…)The Weekly Wrap: May 24th to May 30th
T
A detailed look at last week’s reading habits: Seven books read including four re-reads and one book from my Up Next Shelf I’ve been reading for a long time.
(more…)The Weekly Wrap: May 17th to May 23rd
T
A detailed look at last week’s reading habits: Seven books read, no DNFs, a new book on my currently read list and a book that reminds me of Bad Blood by John Carreyou.
(more…)37 Romantic Reads in April
3
A detailed look at April’s reading habits: I read 37 books in April, only four of which were from my Up Next Shelf. Interestingly, every single book has a romantic aspect to its plot.
(more…)The Weekly Wrap: May 10th to May 16th
T
A detailed look at last week’s reading habits: Eight books read, none from my Up Next shelf and one DNF. I also get into a new reverse harem read and all the books piling on my nightstand.
(more…)The Weekly Wrap: May 3rd to May 9th
T
A detailed look at last week’s reading habits: Eight books read, one DNF, a beloved series re-read and three new books to my want-to-read list that explores psychology and linguistics.
(more…)12 New Books: Maytime Book Haul
1
12 new books comprise my Maytime book haul! I’m so excited that so many of these books have feminist themes.
(more…)The Weekly Wrap: April 26th to May 2nd
T
A detailed look at last week’s reading habits: Four books read, three of which were re-reads, three new books I want to read exploring queer relationships, female friendships and what love is and three anticipated books releasing tomorrow!
(more…)
