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ClareR (5864 KP) rated Yinka, Where Is Your Huzband? in Books

Dec 17, 2022

I’m not quite sure what I was expecting from Yinka, but I really enjoyed reading about her quest (or rather, her family’s quest) for a husband. And it’s probably because it’s not just about that. As Yinka’s family become more pushy about her lack of a life partner, she becomes more unsure about the direction her life is taking. Probably triggered by her losing her boyfriend and then her job, and feeling the need to keep that last piece of news from her family, causes her untold problems.

I loved all the Nigerian culture, and I feel as though I’ve learnt a lot.

The relationship between Yinka and her friends was a bit puzzling at times, and she seemed to struggle to relate to them - and I think that may have been because she was struggling with her mental health, as well as the cultural expectations. Hence Yinka’s pressing need to find a date for her friends wedding (which sounds spectacular, by the way!).

I loved how Yinka grew up as a person as this book went on, and how the ending showed that this was a long term process.

Recommended!

Kudos

ClareR (5864 KP) rated Cleopatra and Frankenstein in Books

Jan 29, 2023

Cleopatra and Frankenstein

Coco Mellors | 2022 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry, LGBTQ+, Romance

8.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

This book has divided opinion on Goodreads - I’m coming down on the “I enjoyed it” side. I like a book that has absolutely nothing in common with my life: the vulnerable, arty Cleo, and the quick, excessive Frank may as well be from another planet with their lifestyle, excesses and impulsive marriage.

There are a fair few vulnerable characters in this novel: Cleo, Zoe (Frank’s sister), Quentin (Cleo’s gay best friend) and Eleanor. Actually Eleanor comes late to the story, and I could have read so much more about her. She’s funny, has an interesting family and simply has a lot of interesting things to say.

I’ll just add that there’s an attempted suicide in this, and both Cleo and Frank have some pretty serious mental health issues. Whilst I think they were sensitively and well dealt with, they may be upsetting for some readers. And then there’s the Flying Squirrel incident. I’d be more than happy to never have to think about that again.

So, if you like reading about complicated relationships and self-destructive behaviour, then this will be the book for you. It’s certainly a book that I’ll remember.

Kudos

Lyndsey Gollogly (2893 KP) rated Darling Venom in Books

Sep 29, 2023

137 of 235
Kindle
Darling Venom
By Parker S. Huntington
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I wasn’t supposed to be on that roof on Valentine’s Day.

Neither was Kellan Marchetti, the school’s designated freak.

We met on the verge of ending our lives.

Somehow, the tattered strings of our tragedies tangled and tightened into an unlikely bond.

We decided not to take the plunge and agreed to check on each other every Valentine’s Day until school ended.

Same time.

One roof.

Two restless souls.

We kept our promise for three years.

On the fourth, Kellan made a decision, and I was left to deal with the consequences.

Just when I thought our story ended, another one began.

They say all love stories look the same and taste different.

Mine was venomous, disgraceful, and written in scarlet scars.

My name is Charlotte Richards, but you can call me Venom.

This was such a sad read it hits home for those that have ever had any kind of experience with mental health and those dark thoughts! Really touching read. I do think in places it was a bit dragged out but I really enjoyed it.

Kudos

ClareR (5864 KP) rated The Herd in Books

Feb 27, 2022

The Herd

Emily Edwards | 2022 | Contemporary, Fiction & Poetry

8.0

(1 Ratings)

Book Rating

This thought provoking book has come along at a time when everyone is talking about vaccines: should we have them, or shouldn’t we? Will they cause us and our children irreparable damage? Do we have a responsibility to tell other people if we or our children have not been vaccinated?

These are all the questions that are posed in The Herd. I started this with a very pro-vaccination stance, and whilst I’m still pro-vaccination, I can appreciate the other side of the story much more now.

The Herd is all about parents doing what they think is best for their children - as parents, it’s all we can do.

The characters of Bryony and Elizabeth represented these opinions really well. I kept putting myself in both women’s shoes, and to be honest, both sides were heart-breaking.

The Herd is a balanced, well-told story of friendship, deception, mental health and the toxic side of social media. It gave me and my fellow Pigeonhole readers lots to think about and discuss. It’s most definitely a book of our time, and perfect for book groups. I’d recommend it to anyone, to be honest!